Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Normal Distribution Analysis of the Stock Index Returns of Our Country

In the risk management of finance market,making the forecast of returns rate and the evaluation of the performance,we usually refer to the distribution of the variable.Because normal distribution has special number character,we usually assume that the sequential data of finance assets by the time obeys it.But much foreign study indicates that normal distribution does not accord with the fact.The test of normal distribution about daily,weekly and monthly returns rate had been done,through analyzing the composite index of Shanghai stock market and the component index of Shenzhen stock market in three different test ways under different bargain system.The result indicated that neither the daily nor weekly returns rate of the two indices obey normal distribution,but the returns rate of month obeys it sometimes.
A Metric Learning Method for Image-based 3D Shape Retrieval

With the advent of new technology in 3D reconstruction and capturing, the number of 3D shapes is growing rapidly. We already have enormous images, thus it is very meaningful to retrieve 3D shapes using images as the queries. This problem can be solved by the following metric learning framework. First, we render each 3D shape to a view-images set by a predefined camera setup, and construct the view-images set as a covariance matrix. It is a point lying on a Riemannian manifold. Second, we construct each query image as a Euclidean point, and design a framework to map the (symmetric positive definite matrices) SPDs and Euclidean points to the same high-dimensional Hilbert space, in which distance computation is fast and convenient. At last, we transform this problem to an optimization problem and solve it by an iterative algorithm. The final experiments proves the effectiveness of our method.
Person re-identification with pre-trained deep learning models and attribute correlations

This paper introduces an approach to employ deep features for person re-identification. In contrast to existing works, we focus on using pre-trained deep models and their concept-based output to enhance attribute presentations of person images. There are two main contributions. First, we investigate recent state-of-the-art deep learning models for the task and provide a comprehensive evaluation. Second, we present an approach to improve identification accuracy of a standard attribute-based person re-identification approach. By using pre-trained models, we avoid re-training new deep models which always require a huge amount of training data and high computational cost. The idea is to utilize the correlation between generic concepts learned by the deep models and specific pre-defined attributes commonly used for person re-identification. We employ the deeply learned features from generic concepts to represent person images. These images and their manually annotated attributes are then used to train attribute classifiers. Given the classifiers, attributes of the probe and gallery images can be automatically extracted to compose attribute-based feature vectors. Re-identification is done by matching the vectors. Experiments conducted on several benchmark datasets demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Co-Reduction of Torque Ripple for Outer Rotor Flux-Switching PM Motor Using Systematic Multi-Level Design and Control Schemes

In this paper, an outer rotor flux-switching permanent-magnet (FSPM) motor incorporating the concept of stator permanent-magnet motor into outer-rotor motor is investigated. Similar to the traditional FSPM motors, the torque ripple of the motor is relatively high. In order to realize the torque ripple reduction effectively, a new systematic multi-level design and control scheme is proposed to coreduce the torque ripple of the proposed motor. In motor design level, by adopting the design of experiments method and the response surface method, the lower cogging torque with desirable high output torque and efficiency can be obtained. In motor control level, the optimization model based on the iterative learning control method is proposed, wherein the optimal compensating torque can be produced to further suppress the torque ripple. Finally, a prototype motor is manufactured for evaluation. Both simulation and experiment results verify the validity of the proposed method.
Deformation and focal length analysis of electrostatic actuated micro deformable mirror

In this work, deformation and focal length of a circular shape micro deformable mirror under different applying voltage is analyzed. This mirror has round shape. And it is circular clamped. In this work, the mirror is designed as MEMS (Micro-electro-mechanical systems) device. Therefore, it is considered to be fabricated by silicon-based micromachining. Such that, the material used as structure layer is silicon. And the metal layer is aluminum. For detail analysis of mirror shape deformed by electrostatic force, numerical simulation by finite element methods is used to analyze the deformation of mirror. Commercial software ANSYS is used as analyzing tool. For the symmetric shape of circular mirror, a 2D model is used as numerical mode. And theory of plates and shells is used to obtain theoretical solution. It is found that the numerical results agree with analytical results. Under the analysis, it is found the profile of mirror under applying voltage is parabolic. Therefore, it has good performance for focusing light. And from analysis, deformation of mirror is nonlinearly increases when the applying voltage being also increasing. Therefore, the focal length changes quickly under different applying voltage. From the results, it is found applying voltages are determined by the gap sizes between mirrors and lower electrodes. Pull-in voltage is also discussed. It is found the gap size has the most significant effect. However, the thicknesses of structure layer and metal layer have also important influence. From the results, the deformation and focal length of mirror under different applying voltage are determined by material properties and device sizes. And from theoretical solution of this work, relationships between applying voltage, material properties, and device sizes are obtained.
Early clubfoot recurrence after use of the Ponseti method in a New Zealand population.

BACKGROUND Nonoperative treatment of idiopathic clubfoot has become increasingly accepted worldwide as the initial standard of care. The Ponseti method has become particularly popular as a result of published short and long-term success rates in North America. The purpose of the current study was to examine the early rate of clubfoot recurrence following the use of the Ponseti treatment method in a New Zealand population and to analyze patient characteristics to identify factors predictive of recurrence. METHODS Fifty-one consecutive babies with a total of seventy-three clubfeet treated by the Ponseti technique were followed prospectively for a minimum of two years from the start of treatment. Recurrence, defined as the need for any subsequent operative treatment, was analyzed with respect to the severity at presentation, the time of presentation, the number of casts needed to obtain the initial correction, any family history of clubfoot, ethnicity, and the compliance with postcorrection abduction bracing. Recurrence was classified as minor, defined as requiring a tendon transfer or an Achilles tendon lengthening, or major, defined as requiring a full posterior or posteromedial surgical release to achieve a corrected plantigrade foot. RESULTS Twenty-one (41%) of the fifty-one patients had a recurrence, which was major in twelve of them and minor in nine. The parents of twenty-six babies (51%) complied with the abduction bracing protocol, and only three of these children had a major recurrence. Compliance with abduction bracing was associated with the greatest risk reduction for recurrence (odds ratio, 0.2; p = 0.009). When the parents had not complied with the bracing protocol, the patient had a five times greater chance of having a recurrence. With the numbers studied, no significant relationships were found between recurrence and the severity at presentation, the time of presentation, the number of casts needed to obtain correction, ethnicity, or a family history of clubfoot. CONCLUSIONS Compliance with the postcorrection abduction bracing protocol is crucial to avoid recurrence of a clubfoot deformity treated with the Ponseti method. When the parents comply with the bracing protocol, the Ponseti method is very effective at maintaining a correction, although minor recurrences are still common. When the parents do not comply with the bracing protocol, many major and minor recurrences should be expected.
Plasmid profiles of antibiotic-resistant Shigella dysenteriae types 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7 isolated in Ethiopia during 1976–85

SUMMARY Plasmid profile analysis by agarose gel electrophoresis was carried out on 37 drug-resistant strains of Shigella dysenteriae types 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7. These strains were collected between 1976 and 1985 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The plasmid profile of S. dysenteriae type 2 strains with R-type CSSuT did not show middle-sized plasmids likely to code for CSSuT resistance. All strains contained a large plasmid of about 120 megadaltons (MDa), and a cryptic plasmid of about 2·2 MDa. The plasmid profiles of S. dysenteriae type 3 with R-types ACSSuT, SSuT and SSu showed a 4·2 MDa SSu-determinant, which was demonstrated in Escherichia coli K12 recipients resulting from triparental crosses. The ACT determinant in S. dysenteriae type 3 with R-type ACSSuT is probably chromosomally mediated. Cryptic plasmids of about 3·0 and 2·2 MDa were found in all S. dysenteriae type 3 isolates. The 4·2 MDa plasmid featured prominently in the plasmid profiles of S. dysenteriae types 4, 6 and 7 with R-types SSuT and SSu. However, this plasmid was not mobilizable by triparental crosses. There was a relative paucity of transferable plasmids in non-Shiga bacillus isolates. However, incompatibility group N plasmids, coding for tetracycline resistance, were detected.
Effects of an Acute Increase in Epinephrine and Cortisol on Carbohydrate Metabolism During Insulin Deficiency

This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of an acute increase in the plasma epinephrine level, with or without an accompanying increase in the plasma cortisol level, during selective insulin deficiency on glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis in conscious overnight-fasted dogs. Experiments consisted of an 80-min tracer and dye equilibration period, a 40-min basal period, and a 180-min experimental period. In all protocols, selective insulin deficiency was created during the experimental period by infusing somatostatin peripherally (0.8 μg · kg−1 · min−1) with basal replacement of glucagon intraportally (0.65 ng · kg−1 · min−1). In EPI+SAL (n = 6), an additional infusion of epinephrine (0.04 μg · kg−1 · min−1) was infused during the experimental period along with saline. In EPI+CORT (n = 6), hydrocortisone (3.0 μg · kg−1 · min−1) was infused in addition to epinephrine during the experimental period. In SAL+CORT (n = 5), hydrocortisone was infused during the experimental period. In SALINE (n = 5), neither epinephrine nor cortisol was infused. [3-3H]glucose, [U-14C]alanine, and indocyanine green dye were used to assess glucose production (rate of appearance [Ra]) and gluconeogenesis using tracer and arteriovenous difference techniques. During selective insulin deficiency in SALINE, the arterial plasma glucose level increased from 6.0 ± 0.1 to 15.8 ± 1.1 mmol/l; Ra increased from 14.7 ± 0.7 to 24.9 ± 1.7 μmol· kg−1 · min−1. Gluconeogenic efficiency and the conversion of alanine and lactate to glucose increased to 300 ± 55 and 355 ± 67% of basal. In EPI+SAL and EPI+CORT, plasma glucose increased from 6.2 ± 0.1 to 19.8 ± 0.9 mmol/l and from 6.3 ± 0.1 to 19.5 ± 0.9 mmol/l. In EPI+SAL and EPI+CORT, Ra increased from 16.5 ± 1.1 to 29.3 ± 3.2 μmol · kg−1 · min−1 and from 15.4 ± 1.3 to 28.3 ± 2.5 μmol. kg−1 · min−1. The rise in gluconeogenic efficiency was similar to the rise that occurred in SALINE, but gluconeogenic conversion increased 17-fold in each of the two epinephrine groups. During the epinephrine infusion, gluconeogenesis accounted for a maximum of 55% of total glucose production as opposed to 31% during insulin deficiency alone. An increase in cortisol alone during insulin deficiency (SAL+CORT) had no effect on glucose level, glucose production, or gluconeogenesis. These results suggest that small increases in the plasma epinephrine level during insulin deficiency can significantly worsen the resulting hyperglycemia through stimulation of both glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis. The addition of an acute rise in plasma cortisol does not affect glycogenolysis or gluconeogenesis or further worsen the hyperglycemia during insulin deficiency.
Shape Representations Based on Simplicial and Cell Complexes

Simplicial and cell complexes are the most common way to discretize 3D shapes and two-, three and higher-dimensional scalar (cid:2)elds. In this state-of-the-art report, we review, analyze and compare data structures for simplicial and cell complexes. We (cid:2)rst classify such representations, based on the dimension of the complexes they can encode, into dimension-independent, and dimension-speci(cid:2)c ones. We further classify the data structures in each group according to the basic types of topological entities they represent. We present a description of each data structure in terms of the entities and topological relations it encodes, and we evaluate it based on its expressive power, on its storage cost, on the ef(cid:2)ciency in supporting navigation inside the complex (i.e., in retrieving topological relations not explicitly encoded in the data structure). We also discuss a decomposition approach to modeling non-manifold shapes, which has led to powerful and scalable representations.
Improved lipid profile and increased serum antioxidant capacity in healthy volunteers after Sambucus ebulus L. fruit infusion consumption

Abstract This study aimed to establish the effect of Sambucus ebulus L. (SE) ripe fruit infusion on body weight, blood pressure, glucose levels, lipid profile and antioxidant markers in healthy volunteers in respect of its possible protective activity against cardiovascular diseases and other oxidative stress-related diseases. The study involved 21 healthy volunteers, aged between 20 and 59, BMI 23.12 ± 1.31, who consumed 200 ml SE infusion/day for a period of 30 d. Blood samples were collected before and at the end of the intervention. Significant decrease in triglycerides (14.92%), total cholesterol (15.04%) and LDL-C (24.67%) was established at the end of the study. In addition, HDL-C/LDL-C ratio increased by 42.77%. Improved serum antioxidant capacity and total thiol levels were also established. The results presented in this first human intervention study with SE fruit infusion indicate the potential of the plant to improve lipid profile and serum antioxidant capacity in humans.
Critical role of all-trans retinoic acid in stabilizing human natural regulatory T cells under inflammatory conditions

Significance Natural regulatory T cells (nTregs) play important roles in preventing autoimmune diseases, but they may be unstable in the presence of inflammation. Here we report that all-trans RA (atRA) but not rapamycin prevents human nTregs from converting to Th1/Th17 cells and sustains their suppressive function in inflammatory environments. Adoptive transfer of nTregs pretreated with atRA enhances their suppressive effects on xenograft-vs.-host diseases. Moreover, we show that atRA suppresses IL-1 receptor upregulation, accelerates IL-6 receptor downregulation, and affects the epigenetic modifications in Foxp3 locus in nTregs following inflammatory stimulation. We suggest that nTregs primed with atRA may represent a novel treatment strategy to control established chronic immune-mediated diseases. Recent studies have demonstrated that thymus-derived naturally occurring CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) in human and mouse may be unstable and dysfunctional in the presence of proinflammatory cytokines. All-trans RA (atRA), the active derivative of vitamin A, has been shown to regulate Treg and T effector cell differentiation. We hypothesize atRA stabilizes human natural Tregs (nTregs) under inflammatory conditions. atRA prevents human nTregs from converting to Th1 and/or Th17 cells and sustains their Foxp3 expression and suppressive function in vitro or in vivo following encounters with IL-1 and IL-6. Interestingly, adoptive transfer of human nTregs pretreated with atRA significantly enhanced their suppressive effects on xenograft-vs.-host diseases (xGVHDs), and atRA- but not rapamycin-pretreated nTregs sustained the functional activity against xGVHD after stimulation with IL-1/IL-6. atRA suppresses IL-1 receptor (IL-1R) up-regulation, accelerates IL-6R down-regulation, and diminishes their signaling events as well as prevents the up-regulation of STIP1 homology and U-Box containing protein 1 on Foxp3+ cells following IL-1/IL-6 stimulation. atRA also increases histone acetylation on Foxp3 gene promoter and CpG demethylation in the region of Foxp3 locus (i.e., Treg-specific demethylated region). These results strongly implicate that nTregs primed with atRA may represent a novel treatment strategy to control established chronic immune-mediated autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
Can I Be a Good Social Worker? Racialized Workers Narrate Their Experiences with Racism in Every Day Practice

Social work imagines itself as a site of goodness and justice. My thesis illustrates the ways in which commitments to the profession’s social justice-oriented ideals are ruptured when racialized social workers name the operation of racism within everyday sites of professional practice. I show how colonial and imperial constructions of helping (moral superiority and goodness) continue to shape the hegemonic scripts about the role and practices of social work, reinscribing white dominance in social work knowledge production. Historically, racialized bodies have been constituted as Others, subjects to be regulated, controlled and ‘saved’ within the colonial project. I examine the dilemmas that emerge when racialized Others become the helpers and attempt to perform a normative identity that is constructed through white dominance. In this study, I provide a detailed analysis of twenty-three semi-structured interviews with racialized social workers. I trace the production of the profession’s values and notions of good practice within their narratives. I specifically explore the moments in which ‘good’ practice and commitments to the values of the profession break down in everyday work with clients and coworkers. Racist encounters with clients appear as overwhelming occurrences within workers’ narratives, and a complex paradox is revealed: the discursive arrangements within social work that constitute good, social justice-oriented practice, are the very same discourses that disavow the operation of racism. Within these moments workers are left questioning whether or not they can be ‘good social workers’ because the act of naming racism appears to be incompatible with ii their commitments to the values that shape what is recognized as good social work practice. The narratives presented in this thesis point to the trespasses, erasures and individualizing discourses that secure whiteness at the exact moments in which race is made invisible. I contend that, when workers name racism, their very presence is destabilizing to a social work profession that needs to construct an image of itself as a site of goodness. Social work must examine the colonial continuities that construct contemporary practices, and to make visible the ways in which hegemonic scripts shaping justice and goodness reinstall whiteness and collude with racism.
Neural (N)‐cadherin at developing thalamocortical synapses provides an adhesion mechanism for the formation of somatopically organized connections

Thalamic projections from the ventrobasal (VB) nucleus to rodent somatosensory cortex develop highly ordered terminations that form discrete, clustered patches localized to layer IV cellular aggregates that are termed “barrels. ” The molecular signaling and adhesion events that occur at the synapse as barrel‐clustered thalamic connections form are unknown. Here, we show that neural (N)‐cadherin, a membrane glycoprotein mediating strong homophilic adhesion, is concentrated at the developing thalamocortical synaptic junctional complex and demarcates these synaptic junctions as they form their characteristic barrel clusters during the first postnatal week. Furthermore, experimentally altering the distribution of thalamocortical axon terminals by peripheral manipulation leads to an identically altered N‐cadherin distribution pattern, which is significant in establishing that N‐cadherin does not define region‐specific patterns of synapse distribution proactively but, rather, conforms to patterning imposed by thalamic axons through instructional cues conveyed through several synaptic relays. At postnatal day 9, levels of N‐cadherin expression rapidly decrease, leading to loss of N‐cadherin labeling of the barrels and, at adulthood, elimination from VB thalamocortical synapses. However, αN‐ and β‐catenin, which are critical binding partners of the classic cadherins, persist at the adult synapse, suggesting the presence of another classic cadherin as the thalamocortical synapse matures. This is the first evidence linking a synapse adhesion molecule with the establishment of patterned thalamocortical synapse distribution, suggesting strongly that N‐cadherin performs a critical role in this process by adhering presynaptic and postsynaptic membranes as ingrowing thalamic axon terminals and postsynaptic thalamorecipient sites link and stabilize into mature synaptic junctional complexes distributed with precise topographic order. It is speculated that the developmental redistribution of N‐cadherin may reflect dynamic regulation of synaptic membrane adhesion, which, in turn, might modulate plasticity of thalamocortical synaptic function. J. Comp. Neurol. 407:453–471, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Risk Evaluation of Mortgage-Loan Portfolios in a Low Interest Rate Environment

This paper proposes a risk evaluation model for mortgage-loan portfolios within the no-arbitrage framework when interest rates are very low, as in the current Japanese economy. A simple one-factor quadratic Gaussian (QG) model is considered in order to generate future scenarios of interest rates. The prices of discount bonds and some interest rate derivatives are derived in analytical form, by which calibration to the market prices becomes straightforward. It is shown that the QG model provides a very good fit to the current Japanese interest rate market. Risk measures such as the value-at-risk of portfolios can be evaluated through simple Monte Carlo simulation.