Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On Estimation of Risk Premia in Linear Factor Models

We examine theoretical and econometric issues in the estimation of risk premia in a linear factor model, when the model is possibly misspecified. Common empirical methodologies can produce very misleading results. With unspanned factors and possible model misspecification, there are problems not just in estimating the risk premia, but even in defining them unambiguously. We show that, for a given set of test assets, the risk premium of an unspanned factor is very sensitive to the choice of other factors in the model. However, the risk premium of the projection of the unspanned factor onto the asset space is robust to the choice of other factors. The problem is greatly exacerbated in the presence of model misspecification, and can occur even when the unspanned components of the factors are very small (relative to the spanned components). These results highlight the importance of using factor-mimicking portfolios, rather than unspanned factors, in estimation of linear factor models. JEL Classification: C13, G12.
Isolation and identification of a novel alginate-degrading bacterium, Ochrobactrum sp.

An alginate-degrading bacterium, identified as Ochrobactrum sp. on the basis of 16S rDNA gene sequencing, was isolated from brown algal samples collected from the waters in close vicinity to the Dongtou Isles in the East China Sea. The strain, designated WZUH09-1, is a short rod, gram-negative, obligatory aerobic, grows under the following conditions: 5-40 o C, pH 3-9, and 0-2 times of the seawater concentration, and is able to depolymerize alginates with higher enzyme
A cytostatic factor in amphibian oocytes: its extraction and partial characterization.

In mature unfertilized Rana pipiens oocytes a cytoplasmic substance exists that arrests mitosis at metaphase when injected into blastomeres. This is called “cytostatic factor (CSF)”. CSF is found to be inactive in fertilized eggs. CSF is extractable in a stable form with an extraction medium containing Ca++. In the absence of Ca++ it is inactivated during storage. CSF is not dialyzable and precipitates in ammonium sulfate solution between 20 and 30% saturation. Heat treatment at 55°C for 30 min inactivates CSF. RNAase treatment inactivates CSF, but protease treatment does not. Roles of CSF and Ca++ in oocyte activation at the time of fertilization are discussed.
Low-Cost Broadband Circularly Polarized Printed Antennas and Array

This paper presents the design, simulation, and measurements of two low-cost broadband circularly polarized (CP) printed antennas: an element and an array at 2 GHz. To realize the broadband circularly polarized antenna element, a circular microstrip patch is electromagnetically coupled by crossed slots cut in the ground plane, which is fed by an L-shaped microstrip feed. Two orthogonal modes in the patch are excited by using the crossed slots, and a single L-shaped feed provides a 90deg phase shift between two orthogonal slots. The antenna element achieves a 9.6% bandwidth for an axial ratio (AR) below 3 dB and a voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) below 1.5. To further improve the performance, a sequentially rotated feed network is designed for a 2 times 2 array. The axial ratio value of the array is below 3 dB within a 27.2% bandwidth, from 1.75 GHz to 2.3 GHz. The return loss is above 10 dB within a 41% bandwidth, from 1.62 GHz to 2.45 GHz. Details of the proposed antenna element and the array design are described, and both the simulation and the experimental results are presented and discussed.
Pattern formation in coupled networks with inhibition and gap junctions

In this dissertation we analyze networks of coupled phase oscillators. We consider systems where long range chemical coupling and short range electrical coupling have opposite effects on the synchronization process. We look at the existence and stability of three patterns of activity: synchrony, clustered state and asynchrony. In Chapter 1, we develop a minimal phase model using experimental results for the olfactory system of Limax. We study the synchronous solution as the strength of synaptic coupling increases. We explain the emergence of traveling waves in the system without a frequency gradient. We construct the normal form for the pitchfork bifurcation and compare our analytical results with numerical simulations. In Chapter 2, we study a mean-field coupled network of phase oscillators for which a stable two-cluster solution exists. The addition of nearest neighbor gap junction coupling destroys the stability of the cluster solution. When the gap junction coupling is strong there is a series of traveling wave solutions depending on the size of the network. We see bistability in the system between clustered state, periodic solutions and traveling waves. The bistability properties also change with the network size. We analyze the system numerically and analytically. In Chapter 3, we turn our attention to a very popular model about network synchronization. We represent the Kuramoto model in its original form and calculate the main results using a different technique. We also look at a modified version and study how this effects synchronization. We consider a collection of oscillators organized in m groups. The addition of gap junctions creates a wave like behavior.
Formulasi dan Sifat Fizikal Mikroemulsi Berasaskan Karboksimetil Selulosa sebagai Pembawa Vitamin C

The main purpose of this research is to develop a cellulose derivative based microemulsion for transdermal delivery system. In this research, cellulose derivative used is carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) that was converted from cellulose by etherification reaction and analysed by FTIR instrument. The degree of substitution (DS) for carboxymethyl cellulose is 0.492. Microemulsion system consists of oleic acid as oil phase, Tween 20 as surfactant and propylene glycol as co-surfactant. The active ingredient used in this system is vitamin C. Determination of microemulsion area in the ternary phase diagram was done by titration method. From the result, microemulsion system with surfactant/co-surfactant ratio (Km=3:1) produced the largest surface area in the ternary phase diagram. Microemulsions with and without vitamin C and CMC were characterized using dynamic light scattering (DLS), electrical conductivity and rheometer. For size particle analysis, system without vitamin C and CMC have microemulsion droplet size between 20-200 nm. Based on the electrical conductivity and viscosity test, phase transition occurred in the microemulsion system from water-in-oil (w/o) to bicontinuos phase at 20 wt. % water percentage. The stability test showed microemulsion systems with the percentage of water up to 30 wt. % were stable at temperatures 4 °C, 25 °C and 40 °C upon three weeks storage.
Amprenavir-resistant HIV-1 exhibits lopinavir cross-resistance and reduced replication capacity

Objectives To evaluate protease inhibitor (PI) cross-resistance and reductions in replication capacity conferred by amprenavir-selected mutations. Methods HIV-1IIIB variants derived from passage in increasing concentrations of amprenavir were studied, as well as 3′Gag/protease recombinants derived from them. These strains progressively accumulated mutations at codons 10, 46, 47, 50 and 84 in the protease as well as a p1/p6 cleavage site mutation at codon 449 in Gag. Their susceptibility (IC50) to various PI and their corresponding replication capacities were evaluated by a single-cycle growth assay and compared with measures using competitive cultures and p24 antigen production. Results Amprenavir susceptibility decreased with increasing numbers of protease mutations. Changes in lopinavir susceptibility paralleled changes in amprenavir susceptibility. Certain amprenavir-selected mutants conferred greater than 10-fold cross-resistance to lopinavir, including PrL10F/M46I/I50V-GagL449F (19-fold) and PrL10F/M46I/I47V/I50V-GagL449F (31-fold). Moreover, one isolate with only two mutations in the protease (L10F/84V) and GagL449F displayed a 7.7-fold increase in lopinavir IC50. Low-level cross-resistance to ritonavir and nelfinavir was also observed. The replication capacity of viruses containing either I84V or I50V was at least 90% lower than the reference virus in the single-cycle assay. The order of relative replication capacity was wild-type > L10F > L10F/I84V > L10F/M46I/I50V > L10F/M46I/I47V/I50V. Conclusion These results indicate that until more comprehensive genotype–phenotype correlations between amprenavir and lopinavir susceptibility are established, phenotypic testing may be preferable to genotyping to detect cross-resistance, and should be considered when switching patients from a failing amprenavir-containing regimen. This study also provides data on the concordance of replication capacity measurements generated using rapid single-cycle growth and competition assays.
A reversible data hiding scheme based on graph neighbourhood degree

Abstract The perceptibility and capacity are two vital criteria of data hiding scheme. Concerning these criteria, data hiding algorithm used images as cover object based on the graph theory is proposed in this study. Images are quantised according to determined range and then quantised images are divided into n × n sized blocks. Each block is accepted as a graph and vertexes which have the same quantisation value are accepted as neighbours. Neighbourhood degrees of vertexes are calculated and indices of vertexes that have a neighbourhood degree over the threshold value are stored in the codebook. Pixel values indicated by these indices in the codebook are used for data hiding process. In this algorithm, there is no need for edge extraction because of hiding data to pixels containing vertexes having high neighbourhood degrees. The proposed method is compared with similar methods in literature in terms of the perceptibility and capacity. More successful results are provided than the others.
Real-Time Surveillance Based on Human Behavior Analysis

This paper introduces a real-time video surveillance system which can track people and detect human abnormal behaviors. In the blob detection part, an optical flow algorithm for crowd environment is studied experimentally and a comparison study with respect to traditional subtraction approach is carried out. The different approaches in segmentation and tracking enable the system to track persons when they change movement unpredictably in occlusion. We developed two methods for the human abnormal behavior analysis. The first one employs Principal Component Analysis for feature selection and Support Vector Machine for classification of human behaviors. The proposed feature selection method is based on the border information of four consecutive blobs. The second approach computes optical flow to obtain the velocity of each pixel for determining whether a human behavior is normal or not. Both algorithms are successfully developed in crowded environments to detect the following human abnormal behaviors: (1) Ru.
Purification and Identification of Secreted Oxidative Stress-induced Factors from Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells*

Reactive oxygen species have been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and hypertension, in part by promoting vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) growth. We have previously shown that LY83583, a generator of O⨪2, activated extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2) with early (10 min) and late (2 h) peaks and stimulated VSMC growth. To investigate whether secreted oxidative stress-induced factors (termed SOXF) from VSMC were responsible for late ERK1/2 activation in response to LY83583, we purified putative SOXF proteins from conditioned medium (2 h of LY83583 exposure) by sequential chromatography based on activation of ERK1/2. Proteins identified by capillary chromatography, electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry, and data base searching included heat shock protein 90-α (HSP90-α) and cyclophilin B. Western blot analysis of conditioned medium showed specific secretion of HSP90-α but not HSP90-β. Immunodepletion of HSP90-α from conditioned medium significantly inhibited conditioned medium-induced ERK1/2 activation. Human recombinant HSP90-α reproduced the effect of conditioned medium on ERK1/2 activation. These results show that brief oxidative stress causes sustained release of protein factors from VSMC that can stimulate ERK1/2. These factors may be important mediators for the effects of reactive oxygen species on vascular function.
Which endovenous ablation method does offer a better long-term technical success in the treatment of the incompetent great saphenous vein? Review

Objective The aim of this review article was to evaluate the long-term technical success rates of the known endovenous ablation procedures in the treatment of the incompetence of the great saphenous vein. Methods A literature search was conducted in the PubMed-database until the 5 January 2016. All publications with four to five years follow-up were eligible. Meta-analysis was performed by the IVhet-model. Results Eight hundred and sixty-two unique publications were found; 17 of them were appropriate for meta-analysis. Overall, 1420 limbs were included in the trial, 939 for endovenous laser ablation, 353 for radiofrequency ablation and 128 for ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy. Overall, technical success rates were 84.8% for endovenous laser ablation, 88.7% for radiofrequency ablation and 32.8% for ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy. There were no significant differences between endovenous laser ablation, radiofrequency ablation and ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy regarding the great saphenous vein reopening (p = 0.66; OR: 0.22; 95% of CI: 0.08–0.62 for radiofrequency ablation vs. endovenous laser ablation; p = 0.96; OR: 0.11; 95% of CI: 0.06–0.20 for endovenous laser ablation vs. ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy; p = 0.93; OR: 3.20; 95% of CI: 0.54–18.90 for ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy vs. radiofrequency ablation). Conclusion Both endovenous laser ablation and radiofrequency ablation are efficient in great saphenous vein occlusion on the long term. Lacking long-conducted large trials, the efficacy and reliability of ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy to treat great saphenous vein-reflux is not affirmed.
Improvement of visual servoing tasks by underwater image enhancement

Underwater image formation is degraded by several factors, which causes the ocean to be a challenging environment for image processing. This paper aims to improve the visual servoing capability of an autonomous underwater vehicle by using pre-processing algorithms to improve the image quality. We used artificial fiducial markers to feed the visual controller. Therefore, three different methods for imaging enhancing were applied to the raw image aiming to increase the detection rate of the marker detector. Since the performance of the visual controller also depends on the detection time, this was also considered in the comparison. Finally, the algorithm that caused the best improvement in marker detection was tested in a visual servoing mission. The proposed methods have shown a significantly improvement in the marker detection rates and reasonable detection times for visual servoing of autonomous underwater vehicles. In terms of visual servoing missions, this work shows that the proposed methods not only increased the controller frequency, but also made visual servoing possible when water condition is not favorable and no marker can be detected without a pre-processing layer.
The Structure, Function, and Origin of the Microcin H47 ATP-Binding Cassette Exporter Indicate Its Relatedness to That of Colicin V

ABSTRACT Microcin H47, a gene-encoded peptide antibiotic produced by a natural Escherichia coli strain, was shown to be secreted by a three-component ATP-binding cassette exporter which was revealed to be strongly related to that of colicin V. The results of sequence and gene fusion analyses, as well as heterologous complementation assays, are presented.
Determining the Environment of the Ligand Binding Pocket of the Human Angiotensin II Type I (hAT1) Receptor Using the Methionine Proximity Assay*

The peptide hormone angiotensin II (AngII) binds to the AT1 (angiotensin type 1) receptor within the transmembrane domains in an extended conformation, and its C-terminal residue interacts with transmembrane domain VII at Phe-293/Asn-294. The molecular environment of this binding pocket remains to be elucidated. The preferential binding of benzophenone photolabels to methionine residues in the target structure has enabled us to design an experimental approach called the methionine proximity assay, which is based on systematic mutagenesis and photolabeling to determine the molecular environment of this binding pocket. A series of 44 transmembrane domain III, VI, and VII X → Met mutants photolabeled either with 125I-[Sar1,p′-benzoyl-l-Phe8]AngII or with 125I-[Sar1,p″-methoxy-p′-benzoyl-l-Phe8]AngII were purified and digested with cyanogen bromide. Several mutants produced digestion patterns different from that observed with wild type human AT1, indicating that they had a new receptor contact with position 8 of AngII. The following residues form this binding pocket: L112M and Y113M in transmembrane domain (TMD) III; F249M, W253M, H256M, and T260M in TMD VI; and F293M, N294M, N295M, C296M, and L297M in TMD VII. Homology modeling and incorporation of these contacts allowed us to develop an evidence-based molecular model of interactions with human AT1 that is very similar to the rhodopsin-retinal interaction.
Collective pitch sliding mode control for large scale wind turbines considering load reduction

Flexibility of blade, transmission system and tower observably increase with the development of wind turbines toward to large scale and light weight. Loads suffered by generating set during operational process become increasingly complex. Some control methods can be employed to reduce these loads so as to prolong life span of generating set. For the operating zone above rated wind speed, traditional control objective is only considering rotating speed of wind turbine and without considering loads, such that the loads can not be actively suppressed. Multiobjective sliding mode pitch control algorithm based on a novel double power reaching law is proposed in this paper which can control rotating speed of wind turbine and reduce equilibrium loads of tower, blade and transmission system. The simulation is carried out based on Matlab/Simulink and simulation results verified effectiveness of the designed control strategy.
Recent Advances in Graphene Based TiO2 Nanocomposites (GTiO2Ns) for Photocatalytic Degradation of Synthetic Dyes

Synthetic dyes are widely used in textile, paper, food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. During industrial processes, some of these dyes are released into the wastewater and their successive release into rivers and lakes produces serious environmental problems. TiO2 is one of the most widely studied and used photocatalysts for environmental remediation. However, it is mainly active under UV-light irradiation due to its band gap of 3.2 eV, while it shows low efficiency under the visible light spectrum. Regarding the exploration of TiO2 activation in the visible light region of the total solar spectrum, the incorporation of carbon nanomaterials, such as graphene, in order to form carbon-TiO2 composites is a promising area. Graphene, in fact, has a large surface area which makes it a good adsorbent for organic pollutants removal through the combination of electrostatic attraction and π-π interaction. Furthermore, it has a high electron mobility and therefore it reduces the electron-hole pair recombination, improving the photocatalytic activity of the semiconductor. In recent years, there was an increasing interest in the preparation of graphene-based TiO2 photocatalysts. The present short review describes the recent advances in TiO2 photocatalyst coupling with graphene materials with the aim of extending the light absorption of TiO2 from UV wavelengths into the visible region, focusing on recent progress in the design and applications in the photocatalytic degradation of synthetic dyes.
Energy drinks: psychological effects and impact on well-being and quality of life-a literature review.

OBJECTIVE The market and degree of consumption of energy drinks have exponentially expanded while studies that assess their psychological effects and impact on quality of life remain in the early stages, albeit on the rise. This review aims to examine the literature for evidence of the psychological effects of energy drinks and their impact on the sense of well-being and quality of life. METHODS Studies were identified through Pubmed, Medline, and PsycINFO searches from the dates of 1990 to 2011, published in English, using the keywords energy or tonic drinks, psychological effects, caffeine and cognitive functions, mood, sleep, quality of life, well-being, and mental illness. Three authors agreed independently on including 41 studies that met specific selection criteria. RESULTS The literature reveals that people most commonly consume energy drinks to promote wakefulness, to increase energy, and to enhance the experience of alcohol intoxication. A number of studies reveal that individuals who consume energy drinks with alcohol were more inclined to be involved in risk-taking behaviors. There was also excessive daytime sleepiness the day following energy drink consumption. Contrary to expectations, the impact of energy drinks on quality of life and well-being was equivocal. CONCLUSIONS Energy drinks have mixed psychological and well-being effects. There is a need to investigate the different contexts in which energy drinks are consumed and the impact on mental health, especially in the psychiatrically ill.
Bank Funding, Securitization, and Loan Terms: Evidence from Foreign Currency Lending

We examine how bank funding structure and securitization activities affect the currency denomination of business loans. We analyze a unique data set that includes information on the requested and granted loan currency for 99,490 loans granted to 57,464 firms by a Bulgarian bank. Our findings document that foreign currency lending is at least partially driven by bank eagerness to match the currency structure of assets with that of liabilities. Our results also show that loan currency, as well as loan amount and maturity, are adjusted to make loans eligible for securitization.
Discovering network topology by correlating end-to-end delay measurements

Conventional methods of discovering network topology require the cooperation of network elements. We present a method of network topology discovery based solely upon end-to-end delay measurements that requires only the cooperation of end systems. Previous work using end-to-end measurements has focused on discovering tree topologies; the method here discovers more general networks. The discovery method is based on two algorithms: the matroid algorithm and the correlation algorithm. This work develops and validates the correlation algorithm for three increasingly sophisticated network models using simulation. We also develop an indicator of the quality of a particular result. VI-A Company Thesis Supervisor: Mark W. Garrett Title: Director, Internet Performance Research Group, Telcordia Technologies, Inc. Thesis Supervisor: Hari Balakrishnan Title: Assistant Professor Electrical Engineering and Computer Science