Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Examination of Fundamental Indexation

We review the Fundamental Indexation concept in this paper and examine its performances out-of-sample using 20 years of international data. We find Fundamental Indexes outperform reliably in all developed countries selected for our study. In addition, we examine the out-of-sample performance using mid cap and small cap stocks. Again, we find Fundamental Indexes outperform with consistency. We are led to conclude that Fundamental Indexation works and is not a result of mining the U.S. data for spurious relationships; the evidence is compelling and overwhelming that Fundamental Indexing an improvement over traditional cap-weighted index construction.
Univariate forecasting of Indian exchange rates: a comparison

The objective of this paper is to search for a univariate forecasting model that can provide the most accurate forecasts of monthly exchange rates of Indian rupee over the period August 1994-April 2014. A random walk model is used as the benchmark model. Using Box-Jenkins methodology, ARIMA structures of exchange rates are identified. The presence of heteroscedastic variance of ARIMA residuals has been accomplished through the re-estimation of ARIMA models including autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (ARCH)/generalised autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (GARCH) parameters. From the estimated models, in-sample (April 1994-July 2010) and out-of-sample (August 2010-April 2014), forecasts for 1-, 3- and 6-month horizon are generated. The forecasting ability of the estimated models is accessed by forecast error statistics. The paper finds that in general the random walk model outperforms ARIMA and ARCH/GARCH models for forecasting exchange rates of Indian rupee under the in-sample and the out-of-sample period.
Comparing Welfare State Regimes: Are Typologies an Ideal or Realistic Strategy? 1

Comparative welfare state research has been largely based on using typologies to summarize commonalities and differences across few cases. Often these were quantitative analyses of about ten to twenty EU or OECD countries, or a selection of few case studies from these “samples” which explored the peculiarities of a/typical cases. Overcoming linear correlation analysis, configurational regime typologies became the major tool to generalize across the wide variations of advanced welfare states. Most famously Esping‐Andersen’s “Three Worlds of Welfare Capitalism” (1990) led to a research industry on the merits of fitting real welfare states across Europe and beyond into the three or more ideal‐type categories. The paper will discuss the methodological problems in comparing macro‐regime configurations in a medium‐N research design, using the substantial comparative research on welfare state regime typologies. The paper will deal with the following methodological questions: To what degree is the comparative analysis already biased through the selection of cases restricted to existing advanced welfare states? Are typologies ideal‐type constructs based on analytical concepts or are these only real‐type categorizations that summarize cross‐national variation of a selected group of countries? Are regime typologies too holistic and too static to provide a realistic account of social policy programme differences and their ongoing restructuration? Are quantitative methods (such as Cluster or Principal Component Analysis) or Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA or Fuzzy Set Analysis) more appropriate to deal with the problems of medium‐N comparative analysis in welfare state research? The paper will review the literature on comparing welfare state regimes over the last two decades; it will focus particularly on the main methodological questions in order to assess the usefulness and pitfalls of comparing welfare states with the help of typologies.
Students’ Interests in Agriculture: The Impact of School Farms Regarding Fifth and Sixth Graders

The present way of intensive agricultural production is closely connected to central issues of sustainable development such as the loss of biodiversity and climate change. The corresponding importance of agriculture stands in contrast to the fact that large parts of society and in particular young members are vastly decoupled from agriculture due to altered living conditions and the structural change in agriculture. Targeted educational programs try to revive the interest of young people in agriculture in order to dispel this discrepancy. In this context, farm education plays a central role as an experience-based and hands-on out-of-school-learning opportunity. The present study analyzes students’ interests in agricultural content areas and their influencing factors. Therefore, a suitable test instrument had to be developed first. Moreover, the potential of a five-day school farm stay with agricultural work experience and a consecutive learning unit in school were investigated with regard to the development of students’ agricultural interests. To do so, a quantitative survey was conducted including four measurement points. Sources of situational interest were determined at both interventions and the interrelationship between situational interest and individual interest in agriculture was considered. The first two studies reveal the development and validation of a test instrument that was composed as a factorial design with four components of individual interest and five agricultural content areas. Besides, the second study proves the importance of prior knowledge, nature experiences, disgust sensitivity, and gender as predictors of interest in agriculture and its content areas. School farm stays of five days duration with hands-on work experiences in various agricultural content areas increased students’ interests in some content areas; this holds in particular for boys, as study 3 demonstrates. In the fourth empirical contribution a model of agricultural interest development with two consecutive extracurricular and curricular treatments was derived from different branches of prior interest research. The results reveal that a consecutive learning unit in school subsequent to the farm stay could maintain the increased levels of interest, which, decreased in the medium term five weeks later, however. Concerning situational interest in working on the school farm, especially the subjective experience of one’s own competence, but also perceived autonomy and social relatedness were of importance. Situational interest in the learning unit in school was better facilitated by a combination of instructional catch and hold elements in comparison to other variants of the same learning unit that contained either catch or hold elements only. In the course of interest development throughout the four measurements, reciprocal influences of situational and individual interest became apparent. Overall, the thesis argues for repeated educational interventions in agricultural contexts in order to strengthen related individual interests in the long run.
Reduction in mortality from breast cancer

Screening and increased use of adjuvants are responsible—adjuvants more so T he survival of women who will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the United Kingdom and Europe in 2005 is significantly better than that for their counterparts diagnosed in the 1970s and ‘80s, although five year survival remains lower in Europe than in the United States (79% v 89%). 1 What is known about the reasons for these differences, and what could increase survival still more? Any improvement in survival is unlikely to be attributable to a change in the biological behaviour of breast cancer. It must reflect improvement, therefore, in diagnosing and managing breast cancer, leading to fewer distant relapses and deaths. This could be a consequence of early detection through screening or improved systemic treatment with adjuvants after surgery to eliminate micrometastases and prevent recurrence. However, screening amounts to secondary prevention rather than primary prevention. Delay in diagnosing symptomatic breast cancer is associated with inferior survival,2 but as no absolute correlation exists between the chronology and biological behaviour of breast cancer, the term early can be misleading. Even patients with small tumours which are node …
On Shareholder Unanimity in Large Stock Market Economies

In an economy with complete markets, the owners of a firm will unanimously desire the firm to maximize profits if it is a perfect competitor. We generalize this result to an economy with incomplete markets. We show that if competitive conditions prevail-that is, if each firm is negligible relative to the aggregate economy-a firm's shareholders will want the firm to maximize the (net) market value of its shares. This result holds whether or not the so-called spanning condition is satisfied. However, while there may be agreement about what goal the firm should pursue, there may be disagreement among shareholders about how best to pursue this goal.
Concentrations of progesterone and oxytocin receptors in endometrium of postpartum cows expected to have a short or normal oestrous cycle.

Luteal lifespan is short after first postpartum ovulation in early-weaned beef cows unless cows are pretreated with a progestogen. Regression of the short-lived corpus luteum in the postpartum beef cow is due to a premature release of prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) from the uterus. The premature release of PGF2 alpha may be mediated through lower concentrations of receptors for progesterone, higher concentrations of oxytocin receptors, or both, in the endometrium. Thirty-one beef cows were randomly assigned to four groups at parturition. Calves from cows assigned to the short cycle group (n = 6; control) and the short cycle/endometrium group (n = 10) were weaned at 30-32 days post partum. Cows in the normal cycle group (n = 5; control) and the normal cycle/endometrium group (n = 10) received norgestomet implants for 9 days beginning 21-23 days post partum and calves were weaned at implant insertion. Duration of oestrous cycle (x +/- SEM; P < 0.01) following first postpartum ovulation for the short cycle group was 11.5 +/- 1.9 days compared with 18.8 +/- 0.6 days for the normal cycle group. On day 5 following first postpartum ovulation, cows in the short cycle/endometrium and the normal cycle/endometrium groups were hysterectomized and endometrial tissue collected for measurement of progesterone and oxytocin receptors. Mean number of total progesterone receptors per cell was lower (P < 0.05) in the short cycle/endometrium group than in the normal cycle/endometrium group. Mean concentration of oxytocin receptors (fmol mg-1 protein) in the short cycle/endometrium group was higher (P < 0.05) than that in the normal cycle/endometrium group. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Career Anchor Theory

Despite the growing concern over recruiting and retaining the "best and the brightest" in government, the evidence suggests there is very little structured career management activity at either the individual or agency level in the federal government. This article suggests that one of the reasons for this is a lack of accepted conceptual frameworks for understandingcareermotiva tion. Schein's classic career anchor theory is examined as a potential source of such a framework, and implications for a career management strategy in the federal government are discussed.
Recognition of Group Activities in Videos Based on Single-and Two-Person Descriptors

Group activity recognition from videos is a very challenging problem that has barely been addressed. We propose an activity recognition method using group context. In order to encode both single-person description and two-person interactions, we learn mappings from highdimensional feature spaces to low-dimensional dictionaries. In particular the proposed two-person descriptor takes into account geometric characteristics of the relative pose and motion between the two persons. Both single-person and two-person representations are then used to define unary and pairwise potentials of an energy function, whose optimization leads to the structured labeling of persons involved in the same activity. An interesting feature of the proposed method is that, unlike the vast majority of existing methods, it is able to recognize multiple distinct group activities occurring simultaneously in a video. The proposed method is evaluated with datasets widely used for group activity recognition, and is compared with several baseline methods.
Plant growth in elevated CO2 alters mitochondrial number and chloroplast fine structure

With increasing interest in the effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 on plant growth and the global carbon balance, there is a need for greater understanding of how plants respond to variations in atmospheric partial pressure of CO2. Our research shows that elevated CO2 produces significant fine structural changes in major cellular organelles that appear to be an important component of the metabolic responses of plants to this global change. Nine species (representing seven plant families) in several experimental facilities with different CO2-dosing technologies were examined. Growth in elevated CO2 increased numbers of mitochondria per unit cell area by 1.3–2.4 times the number in control plants grown in lower CO2 and produced a statistically significant increase in the amount of chloroplast stroma (nonappressed) thylakoid membranes compared with those in lower CO2 treatments. There was no observable change in size of the mitochondria. However, in contrast to the CO2 effect on mitochondrial number, elevated CO2 promoted a decrease in the rate of mass-based dark respiration. These changes may reflect a major shift in plant metabolism and energy balance that may help to explain enhanced plant productivity in response to elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations.
Zebrafish KLF4 is essential for anterior mesendoderm/pre‐polster differentiation and hatching

Gene knockout studies of Krüppel‐like factors (KLFs) in mice have shown essential roles in organogenesis. A screen for KLF family members in zebrafish identified many KLFs. One of these, zebrafish KLF4 (zKLF4) is the homologue of neptune, a Xenopus laevis KLF. zKLF4 is expressed from approximately 80% epiboly a patch of dorsal/anterior mesendodermal cells called the pre‐polster and, subsequently, in the polster and hatching gland. Here we investigate the function of zKLF4 using morpholino‐based antisense oligonucleotides. Knockdown of zKLF4 resulted in complete absence of hatching gland formation and subsequent hatching in zebrafish. In addition, there was early knockdown of expression of the pre‐polster/anterior mesendoderm markers CatL, cap1, and BMP4. These results indicate zKLF4 is expressed within the pre‐polster, an early mesendodermal site, and that it plays a critical role in the differentiation of these cells into hatching gland cells. Developmental Dynamics 234:992–996, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Immortalization of human foreskin keratinocytes by various human papillomavirus DNAs corresponds to their association with cervical carcinoma

Normal human foreskin keratinocytes cotransfected with the neomycin resistance gene and recombinant human papillomavirus (HPV) DNAs (types 16, 18, 31, and 33) that have a high or moderate association with cervical malignancy acquired immortality and contained integrated and transcriptionally active viral genomes. Only transcripts from the intact E6 and E7 genes were detected in at least one cell line, suggesting that one or both of these genes are responsible for immortalization. Recombinant HPV DNAs with low or no oncogenic potential for cervical cancer (HPV1a, -5, -6b, and -11) induced small G418-resistant colonies that senesced as did the nontransfected cells. These colonies contained only episomal virus DNA; therefore, integration of HPV sequences is important for immortalization of keratinocytes. This study suggests that the virus-encoded immortalization function contributes to the pathogenesis of cervical carcinoma.
Developing Novel Oncolytic Adenoviruses through Bioselection

ABSTRACT Mutants of human adenovirus 5 (Ad5) with enhanced oncolytic activity were isolated by using a procedure termed bioselection. Two mutants, ONYX-201 and ONYX-203, were plaque purified from a pool of randomly mutagenized Ad5 that was repeatedly passaged in the human colorectal cancer cell line HT29, and they were subsequently characterized. ONYX-201 and ONYX-203 replicated more rapidly in HT29 cells than wild-type Ad5, and they lysed HT29 cells up to 1,000-fold more efficiently. The difference was most profound when cells were infected at a relatively low multiplicity of infection, presumably due to the compounding effects of multiple rounds of infection. This enhanced cytolytic activity was observed not only in HT29 cells but also in many other human cancer cell lines tested. In contrast, the cytotoxicity of the bioselected mutants in a number of normal primary human cells was similar to that of wild-type Ad5, thus enhancing the therapeutic index (cytotoxicity in tumor cells versus that in normal cells) of these oncolytic agents. Both ONYX-201 and -203 contain seven single-base-pair mutations when compared with Ad5, four of which were common between ONYX-201 and -203. The mutation at nucleotide 8350, shared by both mutant viruses, was shown to be essential for the observed phenotypes. This mutation was mapped to the i-leader region of the major late transcription unit, resulting in the truncation of 21 amino acids from the C terminus of the i-leader protein. This work demonstrates that bioselection is a powerful tool for developing novel tumor-selective oncolytic viruses. Other potential applications of this technology are discussed.
The Three Environments of Middle East Foreign Policy Making and Relations with Europe

In the post-9/11 climate, the role of Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) states in Europe’s regional security environment and international politics has become more than ever a focus for attention, but remains ill-understood. This book provides a framework for the analysis of Middle Eastern foreign policies in general, and for understanding these states’ relations with Europe in particular. The book fills a gap in the literature on Euro-Middle Eastern relations by adopting a south-to-north perspective, using the tools of Foreign Policy Analysis to examine the determinants of the foreign policies of the MENA states themselves: only thus can one hope to arrive at a genuine understanding of what underlies these states’ evolving policy orientations and behaviour towards Europe. The volume starts by laying out a conceptual framework for analysis, and examining the domestic, regional, and international environments that condition MENA foreign policies. Actual policy output is then systematically investigated through a wide range of country case studies ranging from the Maghreb and the Mashreq to the Gulf and Turkey. Europe is treated throughout both as a target of those foreign policies, and as part of the environment that shapes them. The result of a two-year project sponsored by the European University Institute’s Mediterranean Programme, the book helps bridge the divide between Middle East expertise and the discipline of International Relations. The systematic comparative analysis of MENA states’ foreign policy with special reference to Europe throws new light on questions about ‘Third World’ foreign policy.
Household Willingness to Recycle Electronic Waste

Electronic waste (e-waste) has become the main contributor of lead to landfills in the United States. Households also store large volumes of e-waste, yet little is known about their willingness to recycle e-waste. This article starts filling this gap based on a 2004 mail survey of California households. Using multivariate models, the authors find that gender, education, convenience, and environmental beliefs but not income or political affiliation are key factors explaining the willingness to drop off e-waste at recycling centers. A comparison of an ordered probit with a semi-nonparametric extended ordered probit model of the survey responses shows that the latter better predicts less frequent answers. The results suggest targeting public education programs about recycling at teenagers or younger adults and making recycling more convenient for older adults; moreover, e-waste drop-off centers should first be created in communities that already offer curbside collection programs for conventional recyclable products.
Impact of the Healthy Eating and Exercise Lifestyle Programme on depressive symptoms in overweight people with heart disease and diabetes

Background: The Healthy Eating and Exercise Lifestyle Program (HEELP) is a secondary risk factor intervention programme for people with heart disease and/or type 2 diabetes, which has proven benefits for weight loss and exercise. This secondary analysis evaluated the effects of HEELP on achieving recommended levels of exercise and the prevalence of depressive symptoms, and whether meeting exercise recommendations had an independent effect on depressive symptoms. Design: A randomized parallel controlled trial of patients (n = 147) with body mass index 27–39 kg/m2 were recruited from cardiac rehabilitation and diabetes education programmes. Methods: HEELP participants received a 16-week group-based lifestyle intervention of twice-weekly supervised exercise and five information sessions; the control group received usual care. At 16 weeks, achievement of recommended levels of exercise (≥5 days/week, moderate or higher intensity, and total duration of ≥150 minutes/week) and depressive symptoms (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) were assessed. Results: More HEELP participants met the recommendations for exercise frequency (71 vs. 50%, p = 0.036), intensity (76 vs. 60%, p = 0.05), and total duration (65 vs. 43%, p = 0.047). The prevalence of depressive symptoms in HEELP was half that of the control group (17 vs. 34%; OR 0.397, 95% CI 0.18–0.86). Participants who met recommendations for total duration of exercise were less likely to report depressive symptoms (OR 0.29, 95% CI 0.112–0.717) after adjusting for treatment group and weight change. Conclusions: A group-based lifestyle intervention improves exercise and reduces depressive symptoms despite multiple risk factors.