Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Testing the characteristics of macroprudential policies’ differential impact on foreign and domestic banks’ lending in Croatia

In the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, macroprudential measures were labelled as policymakersâ€™ best response to systemic risk and macro-financial imbalances, with their effectiveness still largely unknown due to limited use of such measures. The purpose of this paper is to clarify the potentials and limitations of these measures by evaluating both the immediate and the overall impact of macroprudential policies on banksâ€™ lending to the non-financial private sector in Croatia. The findings reveal the divergent impact of macroprudential measures on banksâ€™ lending with regards to their direction, i.e. tightening or loosening. Policy makers should bear this in mind when opting for a tightening of their policy stance as the reversal of that action may not match the initial impact of its introduction. Additionally, from a policymaker perspective, this paper provides potential evidence of cross-border policy spillovers, which should be taken into account in order to conduct an effective macroprudential policy.
Accuracy evaluation of sentences translated to intermediate language in back translation

The back-translation method is used to check the accuracy of a sentence translated to a native language. We believe that there exits a positive correlation between the accuracy of sentences translated to an intermediate language and that of back-translated sentences. However, this has not yet been verified. However, some back-translated sentences have high accuracy even if the translated sentence is inaccurate. Therefore, we have to verify the correlation between the accuracy of sentences translated to an intermediate language and that of back-translated sentences. We have evaluated the accuracy of back-translated sentences and that of sentences translated to an intermediate language to establish the correlation between the two accuracies. We have obtained the following results: (1) There exists a positive correlation between the accuracy of sentences translated to an intermediate language and that of back-translated sentences. (2) The occurrence rate of an accuracy mismatch case, wherein a back-translated sentence is accurate but the translated sentence is inaccurate, is less than or equal to 0.5%. (3) Back-translation can be used to check the accuracy of a translated sentence.
An Efficient Marching-on-in-Degree Solution of Transient Multiscale EM Scattering Problems

A marching-on-in-degree (MOD)-based time-domain domain decomposition method is proposed to efficiently analyze the transient electromagnetic scattering from electrically large multiscale targets. The algorithm starts with an octree that divides the whole scattering target into several subdomains. Then using the equivalence principle algorithm, each subdomain is enclosed by an equivalence sphere (ES), where both the RWG and BoR spatial basis functions are employed to expand the unknown currents. The interactions of the near-field subdomains are directly calculated by the method of moments, while the far-field interactions can be converted into the interactions of corresponding ESs. This scheme implicitly satisfies the current continuity condition, and the convergence can be accelerated as well. By harnessing the rotational symmetry of the ESs, the computational resources are reduced significantly compared with the traditional MOD method. Several numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed algorithm.
Mutants of Salmonella typhimurium deficient in DNA polymerase I: further characterization and genetic analysis.

Tests with a plasmid-borne ochre suppressor (sup-812) and a chromosomal amber suppressor (supD501) revealed that one of three mutants of S. typhimurium deficient in DNA polymerase I was an amber mutant. Assays performed on crude extracts established that derivatives of this mutant (designated polA3) carrying ochre and amber suppressors had about 13 to 20% respectively of the enzyme activity found in the wild-type parent. The unsuppressed mutant showed less than 1% of the wild-type level of activity. Other properties of the polA3 mutant that were also partially or in some cases completely reversed by the sup-812 and supD501 suppressors included: u.v. sensitivity, methyl methanesulphonate (MMS) sensitivity, reduced ability to effect host-cell reactivation of u.v. -irradiated or MMS-treated bacteriophages, inability to maintain the (Col El) plasmid, and reduced ability to plate the phage mutant P22 c2 hpi-308. Mapping by P1-mediated transduction showed that all three polA mutations lie between metE and rha on the S. typhimurium chromosome, and that the polA mutation is cotransduced with metE at a frequency of 20% and with rha at a frequency of 8%.
Heart Sound Signals Based on CNN Classification Research

Heart sound signal can provide complex physiological and pathological information while diagnosing CHD(congenital heart disease). The main procedure includes pretreatment, Envelope extraction, classification and recognition. Pretreatment includes normalization, de-noising, envelope extraction, etc. Then, segment the heartbeat signal through Hilbert Envelope to confirm the first heart sound and the second heartbeat. After that, take logarithm of the periodic signal of the heartbeat to get Hilbert Energy Spectrum. Take the result as characteristic variable and put it into convolution neural network to train the study. The main innovation of this paper is using the convolution neural network to identify the heart sound pattern. The experiment results have a very high correct rate by using CNN (convolutional neural network) compared with other methods.
Random and imprinted monoallelic expression

This review has surveyed the current literature on random and imprinted monoallelic expression from the unusual perspective of considering that these two forms of monoallelic expression (MAE) may be regulated by similar mechanisms. The true extent of genes which show MAE is not yet known. Imprinted MAE is thought to involve 0.1–0.2% of mammalian genes, while the number of genes in the random MAE category cannot at present be predicted since very few genes have been examined with assays that distinguish parental transcripts in single cells. The perspective adopted in this review is speculative since only one gene (XIST) is known which displays both random and imprinted MAE. However, a recent report that H19 may also show random allelic expression, suggests that MAE should be further investigated as a gene regulation mechanism in mammals.
Stepwise Modeling of Child Growth with Response Modeling Methodology (RMM)

Response Modeling Methodology (RMM) is a new method to model monotone convex relationships. Unique to RMM is its continuous-monotone-convexity property, which allows the data determine, via the estimated parameters, the final form of the model. This lends RMM modeling versatility that qualifies it to serve as general platform for nonlinear modelling. In this article, RMM is applied to model child growth curves. RMM quantile function is first fitted to existent reference centiles (as given at CDC and WHO web sites). Good accuracy is obtained. RMM is then used to model Dutch male head circumference data, based on a sample of 7040 observations. The poor fit obtained for a single model, combined with medical evidence, indicate existence of two separate growth processes. Therefore stepwise modeling is used with a cubic spline linking the two models. Multiplicative residuals from the estimated RMM median models are normal and independent of the growth process. This analysis is compared to former GAMLSS analyses that used semi-parametric models (expressed in terms of age) for the response first four moments. Given that comparison, a discussion of the risk of modeling noise, when using a-parametric or semi-parametric models, is given.
Budgeting in the Era of Judicial Independence

In this paper judicial independence is viewed from the angle of economics. Economic historians have identified judicial independence as a key element in explaining why some nations have had a more successful economic development than others. Empirically it is shown that perceived judicial independence correlates with economic growth. I argue that the crucial importance of judicial independence and how it is perceived poses a challenge with regard to judicial budgeting, and that this true with regard to both basic models of judicial budgeting presently found in Europe: the traditional model which grants the authority to manage and allocate the judicial budget to the Ministry of Justice, and the more “modern” approach which grants this authority to an independent judicial council. However as illustrated with practical examples, in both cases the use of carefully designed and transparent statistical performance indicators may help authorities to deal more properly with the challenge posed by judicial independence.
Theory of mind and its relation to schizotypy

Introduction. Frith (1992) suggested that many psychotic symptoms are associated with impaired theory of mind (ToM), the ability to represent the mental states of others. Langdon and Coltheart (1999) found an association in a nonclinical adult population between schizotypal traits and poorer ToM on a picture-sequencing task. The present study attempted to replicate and extend this finding using a ToM story task. Methods. A total of 62 nonclinical individuals completed a schizotypy questionnaire (the Oxford-Liverpool Inventory of Feelings and Experiences; O-LIFE) and a set of ToM stories. Matched “physical” control stories were administered to control for general reasoning ability. Executive function and current verbal IQ were assessed using the Cognitive Estimates Test and the Quick Test, respectively. Results. Schizotypal traits analogous to positive symptoms of schizophrenia (UE scale of the O-LIFE) predicted poorer scores on the ToM task, but were unrelated to scores on physical stories. Individuals with high scores for total schizotypy on the O-LIFE did not differ in ToM from those with low total scores. There was no association between poorer ToM and schizotypal traits analogous to the “behavioural signs” of schizophrenia. Executive function and verbal IQ did not significantly predict story scores. Conclusions. Positive schizotypal traits in the normal population are associated with subtle impairments in ToM, independent of reasoning ability, executive function, or verbal IQ. A strong association between poor ToM and “behavioural signs” may only appear in studies of schizophrenic patients, and not in studies of nonclinical individuals. The findings are discussed in relation to Frith's (1992) cognitive neuropsychological model of schizophrenia.
Multidisciplinary Combined Approach for Tethered Spinal Cord Syndrome: Radiology, Surgery and Physical Therapy -

The aim of this study is to formulate some objectives and to maintain the place of physical therapy in the management of tethered spinal cord syndrome by evaluating the clinical, radiological, and therapeutic approaches of our patients retrospectively. Eighteen patients with tethered spinal cord syndrome were analyzed retrospectively. All of the patients underwent surgical untethering and were put on a rehabilitation program after the surgery. Except three cases, all of the patients (83%) improved their neurologic deficits at the end of the rehabilitation programme. Rehabilitation program, especially in the patients with motor deficit and bowel and bladder, dysfunction facilitates the outcome.
Exercise Effects on HRV in Cancer Patients

Abstract The present study evaluated the effects of physical exercise on heart rate variability (HRV) in cancer patients. 3 matched groups of each 15 tumour patients (60.4±8.9 years, 27 male, 18 female) were recruited: Physical exercise group 1 (acute treatment), Physical exercise group 2 (post treatment) and non-intervention group (acute treatment, no exercise). Exercise group patients received counselling for exercise and participated in a Nordic-Walking program. Short-term HRV-recordings, assessments of fatigue and quality of life (QoL) were performed prior to and 16 weeks after the exercise program initiation. MANCOVA revealed group × time differences in total power frequency domain of HRV and QoL (p<0.05). TP follow-up scores [logms2] differed significantly between non-intervention and intervention post treatment (2.0±0.5 vs. 2.6±0.5), but not between non-intervention and intervention during acute treatment. QoL follow-up scores differed significantly between non-intervention and intervention during acute treatment (47±15 vs. 64±18) and post treatment (47±15 vs. 69±19). Exercise enhances cardiac autonomic regulation of tumour patients during and after acute treatment. Because of the association of higher HRV-parameters and prolonged survival in cancer patients, improvement in autonomic control may be an important goal of exercise.
Use of enzymatic methods for rapid enumeration of coliforms in freshwaters

Rapid enumeration methods based on the enzymatic hydrolysis of 4‐methylumbelliferyl‐β‐ d‐galactoside and 4‐methylumbelliferyl‐β‐ d‐glucuronide were optimized for freshwaters. The enzymes β‐ d‐galactosidase (GALase) and β‐ d‐glucuronidase (GLUase) were shown to be already induced in freshwaters when tested, respectively, with the inducers isopropyl‐β‐ d‐thiogalactopyranoside and methyl‐β‐ d‐glucuronide. Both enzymatic activities were compared, respectively, with plate counts of total and faecal coliforms in freshwaters. Enzymatic methods and reference plate counts were significantly correlated in log–log plots. Moreover, the GLUase method allowed the detection of viable (presenting a detectable GLUase activity) but nonculturable Escherichia coli.
Assembly and dynamics of the autophagy-initiating Atg1 complex

Significance Autophagy is conserved and essential for cellular survival during starvation and stress, and is initiated by the autophagy-related 1 (Atg1) complex. In yeast, the three subunits Atg17, Atg29, and Atg31 assemble first, and their structure is known. There has been a debate over how the Atg1 and Atg13 subunits assemble when autophagy is triggered. Here we use mass spectrometry to show that the C-terminal domain of Atg1 is highly dynamic on its own. Atg1 forms a stable complex when it binds with high affinity to Atg13. The combined Atg1–Atg13 subcomplex then binds with moderate affinity to the preformed Atg17–Atg31–Atg29 scaffold. This highlights the binding of Atg1–Atg13 to Atg17–Atg31–Atg29 as a pivotal step in autophagy initiation. The autophagy-related 1 (Atg1) complex of Saccharomyces cerevisiae has a central role in the initiation of autophagy following starvation and TORC1 inactivation. The complex consists of the protein kinase Atg1, the TORC1 substrate Atg13, and the trimeric Atg17–Atg31–Atg29 scaffolding subcomplex. Autophagy is triggered when Atg1 and Atg13 assemble with the trimeric scaffold. Here we show by hydrogen–deuterium exchange coupled to mass spectrometry that the mutually interacting Atg1 early autophagy targeting/tethering domain and the Atg13 central domain are highly dynamic in isolation but together form a stable complex with ∼100-nM affinity. The Atg1–Atg13 complex in turn binds as a unit to the Atg17–Atg31–Atg29 scaffold with ∼10-μM affinity via Atg13. The resulting complex consists primarily of a dimer of pentamers in solution. These results lead to a model for autophagy initiation in which Atg1 and Atg13 are tightly associated with one another and assemble transiently into the pentameric Atg1 complex during starvation.
A History of Oral and Written Storytelling in Nigeria.

Storytelling is a powerful process in adult education as a useful instructional approach in facilitating adult instruction and learning, especially during preliterate eras. What began as oral tradition has evolved to include written literature. A popular Eurocentric perspective in the early 19th century was that before the arrival of Europeans Africa was a savage continent devoid of culture. Once Nigerian authors began to produce novels and other written works, authors such as Chinua Achebe continued using storytelling to debunk this Eurocentric narrative. Achebe employed storytelling and proverbs to establish that the continent wasn't devoid of culture. This approach resonated with readers and reignited interest in the storytelling tradition. Achebe provided historical information using storytelling narratives to help readers learn about life and culture in prehistoric African societies before the invasion of Europeans. Storytelling in both the oral and written tradition can help adult learners understand the impact of colonialism in Nigeria.
Bayesian Vision for Shape Recovery

We present a new Bayesian vision technique that aims at recovering a shape from two or more noisy observations taken under similar lighting conditions. The shape is parametrized by a piecewise linear height field, textured by a piecewise linear irradiance field, and we assume Gaussian Markovian priors for both shape vertices and irradiance variables. The modeled observation process, equivalent to rendering, is modeled by a non‐affine projection (e.g. perspective projection) followed by a convolution with a piecewise linear point spread function, and contamination by additive Gaussian noise. We assume that the observation parameters are calibrated beforehand.The major novelty of the proposed method consists of marginalizing out the irradiances considered as nuisance parameters, which is achieved by a hierarchy of approximations. This reduces the inference to minimizing an energy that only depends on the shape vertices, and therefore allows an efficient Iterated Conditional Mode (ICM) optimization scheme to.
SCALING LOCAL AND COMMUNITY-BASED ADAPTATION

Climate change continues to pose serious threats to inclusive and sustainable development across all scales. The adverse impacts of climate change are manifested largely at the local level. The underlying drivers of vulnerability— including socio-economic, ecological and human resources, institutions, governance and infrastructure—are inherently context-specific and reflected at local scale. Hundreds of millions of people in both developing and developed countries are vulnerable to the direct and indirect impacts of climate change. Communities whose livelihoods are largely reliant on natural resources are the most vulnerable and are therefore disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change. Rapid unplanned urbanization is resulting in increasing numbers of urban people living in poverty and hazard-prone areas.
AUTOMATIC EXTRACTION OF LINEAR FEATURES USING MORPHOLOGICAL OPERATIONS AND MARKOV RANDOMFIELDS

In this paper we have presented a model-based approach to the automatic extraction of linear features, in the images. This method consists of two steps. The first step utilizes local information related to the geometry and radiometry of the structures to be extracted. It consists of a series of morphological filtering stages. The resulting image serves as input to a line-following algorithm, which produces a set of line segments. In the second step, a segment linking process is carried out incorporating contextual, a priori knowledge about the object shape, with the use of Markov random field (MRF) theory. In this approach the extracted line segments, produced by the morphological operators, are organized as a graph. The linking process of these segments is then achieved through assigning labels to the nodes of the graph using domain knowledge of extracted line segments measurements and spatial relationships between the various line segments. The interpretation labels are modeled as a MRF on the corresponding graph and the linear feature identification. This type of problem is formulated as MAP (maximum a posteriori) estimation rule.
FlexWAFE - an architecture for reconfigurable image processing systems (FlexWAFE - eine Architektur für rekonfigurierbare Bildverarbeitungssysteme)

Kurzlich gab es eine Zunahme der Nachfrage nach hochauflosenden digitalen Medieninhalten in den Kino- und Fernsehenindustrien. Derzeit vorhandene Systeme entsprechen nicht den Anforderungen, oder sind zu teuer. Neue Hardware-Systeme und neuer Programmiertechniken sind erforderlich, um den hochauflosenden, hochwertigen, Bildanforderungen zu genugen und Kosten zu verringern. Die Industrie sucht eine flexible Architektur zur Ausfuhrung mehrerer Anwendungen auf Standard-Komponenten, mit reduzierten Entwicklungszeiten. Bis jetzt ist gangige Praxis, spezialisierten Architektur und Systeme zu entwickeln, die eine einzelne Anwendung zielen. Dieses hat wenig Flexibilitat und fuhrt zu hohe Entwicklungskosten, jede neue Anwendung ist fast von Grund auf neu konzipiert. Unser Fokus war es, eine fur Bild Verarbeitung geeignet Architektur zu entwickeln dass die Flexibilitat hat mehrere Anwendungen an dieselbe FPGA-basierte Hardware-Plattform zu laufen. Die Neuheit in unserem Ansatz ist, dass wir Teile der Architektur zur Laufzeit rekonfigurieren, aber, ohne das Zeit und constraints strafe von FPGA Partielle-Rekonfiguration-Techniken. Die Architektur verwendet eine hierarchische Kontrollstruktur, die zur parallel Verarbeitung gut geeignet ist, und Single-Cycle-Latenz Rekonfiguration von Teilen der Verarbeitungs-Pipeline ermoglicht. Dieses wird unter Verwendung relativ weniger Ressourcen fur die verteiltes Steuerung Strukturen erzielt. Um das entwickelte Architektur zu testen ein komplexer Film-Korn-Rauschunterdruckung Algorithmus wurde auf einer von Thomson-Grass Valley entwickelt standard Hardware-Plattform umgesetzt. Das System erfullt alle Anforderungen und hatte sehr wenig Last auf den hierarchischen Kontrollstrukturen, es gibt viel Wachstum Spielraum fur viel kompliziertere Steuerunganforderungen. Die Architektur ist zu anderen Hardwareplattformen portiert worden, und andere Anwendungen wurden ebenfalls implementiert. Der Laufzeitreconfigurability ist ein Schlusselfaktor im Erfolg des FlexWAFE gewesen.
A review on conversion of biomass to biofuel by nanocatalysts

The world’s increasing demand for energy has led to an increase in fossil fuel consumption. However this source of energy is limited and is accompanied with pollution problems. The availability and wide diversity of biomass resources have made them an attractive and promising source of energy. The conversion of biomass to biofuel has resulted in the production of liquid and gaseous fuels that can be used for different means methods such as thermochemical and biological processes. Thermochemical processes as a major conversion route which include gasification and direct liquefaction are applied to convert biomass to more useful biofuel. Catalytic processes are increasingly applied in biofuel development. Nanocatalysts play an important role in improving product quality and achieving optimal operating conditions. Nanocatalysts with a high specific surface area and high catalytic activity may solve the most common problems of heterogeneous catalysts such as mass transfer resistance, time consumption, fast deactivation and inefficiency. In this regard attempts to develop new types of nanocatalysts have been increased. Among the different biofuels produced from biomass, biodiesel has attained a great deal of attention. Nanocatalytic conversion of biomass to biodiesel has been reported using different edible and nonedible feedstock. In most research studies, the application of nanocatalysts improves yield efficiency at relatively milder operating conditions compared to the bulk catalysts.