Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Commodities

This article highlights recent arguments for favorable macro conditions for commodities investments, including cyclical properties, inflation hedging characteristics, and global demand and consumption matters. The author documents a variety of the limitations inherent in passive commodities investments when long-only total return indexes are used and hypothesizes that the commodities asset class has a number of distinct characteristics that make it particularly suitable for skillful active managers to find alpha opportunities. He tests the hypothesis using two equally weighted portfolios of actively managed commodity strategies. His results show that active management in commodities can indeed provide superior performance to investors.
Distributed persistent coverage control and performance evaluation of multi-agent system

ABSTRACT The persistent coverage control problem is formulated based on cell discretisation of two-dimensional mission space and time-increasing cell ages. A new performance function is defined to represent the coverage level of the mission space, and time behaviour is evaluated by the probabilistic method based on the detection model of agents. For comparison, persistent coverage controllers are designed by a target-based approach and a reactive approach. Both controllers are designed in a distributed manner using Voronoi tessellation and Delaunay graph-based local information sharing. Numerical simulation is performed to analyse the evaluated mean age of cells and evaluated coverage level over time for the designed persistent coverage controllers. The differences between the evaluation model and simulation situation are discussed.
Biotechnological Applications of Nonconventional Yeasts

Yeasts not belonging to species of the Saccharomyces genus, called nonconventional yeasts, have gained prominence recently in the biotechnological scenario. For many years, they have been generally characterized as undesirable contaminants in fermentative processes. However, several studies pointed them as useful for many biotechnological applications. This chapter will cover some of these applications, highlighting the most widely employed nonconventional yeasts. The use of non-Saccharomyces strains in (I) xylose fermentation for the production of ethanol and xylitol, (II) brewing industry, (III) improvement of coffee and cocoa fermentation, and (IV) plant growth promotion will be presented.
Vers une approche multi-environnements pour les agents

Dans le cadre de la vie artificielle, on assiste a un essor de l'utilisation des systemes multi-agents. Ceux-ci permettent de modeliser et de simuler des phenomenes complexes ou des phenomenes sociaux qui ne peuvent pas etre facilement modelises a l'heure actuelle avec des approches classiques. La problematique developpee dans cette these decoule d'une question toute simple : « comment modeliser et simuler des agents qui evoluent dans plusieurs environnements a la fois ? ». Pour ce faire, il a ete construit un modele d'agent qui permet, dans un premier temps, de modeliser et d'etudier les interactions entre l'environnement et l'agent. Dans un deuxieme temps, ce premier modele est etendu afin de pouvoir utiliser plusieurs environnements simultanement. De ce nouveau modele decoulent un nombre de problemes a regler : gestion du temps, gestion de l'integrite des donnees dans les environnements et repartition des effecteurs et capteurs. Nous montrons comment ces divers problemes sont resolus par l'adjonction de nouvelles entites dans notre modele. Afin de mettre en œuvre l'approche multi-environnements, une plate-forme de simulation a ete construite. Elle concerne la simulation de deplacement d'espadons dans la zone sud de l'ocean Indien a l'aide d'images satellites. (Resume de l'auteur)
Gender dysphoria and autism spectrum disorder: A narrative review

Abstract The current literature shows growing evidence of a link between gender dysphoria (GD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study reviews the available clinical and empirical data. A systematic search of the literature was conducted using the following databases: PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO and Scopus; utilizing different combinations of the following search terms: autism, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Asperger’s disorder (AD), co-morbidity, gender dysphoria (GD), gender identity disorder (GID), transgenderism and transsexualism. In total, 25 articles and reports were selected and discussed. Information was grouped by found co-occurrence rates, underlying hypotheses and implications for diagnosis and treatment. GD and ASD were found to co-occur frequently – sometimes characterized by atypical presentation of GD, which makes a correct diagnosis and determination of treatment options for GD difficult. Despite these challenges there are several case reports describing gender affirming treatment of co-occurring GD in adolescents and adults with ASD. Various underlying hypotheses for the link between GD and ASD were suggested, but almost all of them lack evidence.
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy revisited: Has the disease outgrown its name?

Nothing is more disappointing for patients than when a promising new treatment hits a roadblock because of unexpected side effects. This is what happened when natalizumab (Tysabri) was associated with a few cases of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) in multiple sclerosis and Crohn's disease patients, caused by the reactivation of the polyomavirus JC. These dramatic events drew PML squarely into the spotlight and generated considerable interest from the medical community, the pharmaceutical industry, financial markets, and regulatory agencies alike. This scrutiny, in turn, helped crystallize areas of consensus and expose gaps in our understanding of PML pathogenesis. Indeed, since its initial description, there has been a considerable evolution in both the epidemiology and clinical presentations of this disease, and new manifestations of central nervous system infection by polyomavirus JC have been characterized. To keep pace with this opportunistic pathogen, we are therefore forced to reexamine the foundations of our knowledge of virus–host interactions, reappraise our investigational approaches, and in short, rethink PML down to its very name. Hopefully, this crisis will be instrumental in helping us define novel avenues of research, develop predictive tests for PML in populations at risk, and challenge us to find a treatment for this deadly disease. Ann Neurol 2006; 60: 162–173
Fracture strength of adhesively restored pulpotomized primary molars.

PURPOSE To evaluate the cuspal fracture resistance of primary teeth restored with different adhesive techniques. METHODS Eighty primary molars were selected for pulpotomy preparations. The molars were matched according to molar type (upper or lower, 1st or 2nd), and divided into four groups: Group 1: Pulpotomy cavity restored with IRM, Dispersalloy amalgam (Control); Group 2: IRM, Hydroxyline, Amalgambond Plus and Dispersalloy; Group 3: IRM, Hydroxyline, Prime & Bond 2.1 and Dyract; Group 4: IRM, Hydroxyline, Single Bond and Z100 resin composite. In Groups 2,3 & 4, Hydroxyline was placed over the IRM to avoid direct contact of the adhesives and resin with the IRM. All specimens were thermocycled (1000 cycles, 5-55 degrees C), and mounted in acrylic 2 mm apical to the CEJ. The molars were then tested for cuspal fracture strength using an Instron machine with tapered steel balls made to match the occlusal area of the primary molars tested. Repeated measures ANOVA and paired t-test were used to test the statistical significance of the results. RESULTS Mean fracture loads in Newtons + S.D. ) were as follows: G1: 1087 + 284; G2: 1371 + 434; G3: 1336 + 320; G4: 1404 + 312. The three bonded procedures significantly (P < 0.001) increased the resistance of the primary molars to fracture compared to the control group. There was no significant difference between the three bonded procedures. CONCLUSIONS Bonded restorations of pulpotomized primary molars may be an alternative restorative procedure to stainless steel crowns.
Grandmothers and Graddaughters: Old Age Pension and Intra-Household Allocation in South Africa

This paper studies whether the impact of a cash transfer on child nutritional status is affected by the gender of its recipient. In the early 1990's, the benefits and coverage of the South African social pension program were expanded for the black population. In 1993, the benefits were about twice the median income per capita in rural areas. Over a quarter of black South African children under age five live with a pension recipient. My estimates suggest that pensions received by women had a large impact on the anthropometric status of girls (it improved their weight given height by 1.19 standard deviations, and their height given age by 1.16 standard deviations), but little effect on that of boys. In contrast, I found no similar effect for pensions received by men. This suggests that the household does not function as a unitary entity, and that they efficiency of public transfer programs may depend on the gender of the recipient.
Game theory method for multi-objective optimal Operation of Microgrid

This paper proposes game theory method to solve the multi-objective optimal operation problem of microgrid. By converting the initial objects into game players and the functions to utility functions and with the help of impact factor and cluster the variables are converted to strategies of every player. By solving the new game theory problem we get an equilibrium result which can take all objects into consider. The proposed method is validated with numerical example and the result shows this method can help to reduce the gas pollution without too much additional cost. This method is feasible and of less subjectivity.
Role of PGE2 in the Development of Pancreatic Injury Induced by Chronic Alcohol Feeding in Rats

Background: Eicosanoids are known to modulate inflammation. Moreover, some studies report that endogenous prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) protects the pancreas against injury. Therefore, we investigated its role in a rat model of chronic alcohol consumption. Methods: Rats were fed with 20% ethanol and a corn oil-supplemented diet using the interrupted alcohol feeding regimen (EI). Controls received water instead of ethanol (WI) or uninterruptedly ethanol (EU). After 13 mo, pancreas tissue was investigated morphologically, immunohistochemically and biochemically. Results: Pancreatic tissue was more severely injured in EI than in WI and EU (p < 0.05). Fibrogenesis (α-smooth muscle actin-positive cells, collagen types I and III) was increased in EI compared to WI (p < 0.05). In EI, mast cell numbers were increased, compared to WI, but decreased, compared to EU (p < 0.05). EI showed decreased PGE2 and malondialdehyde contents compared to EU (p < 0.05) and decreased glutathione concentrations compared to WI (p < 0.05). PGE2 content and fibrogenesis were inversely correlated in EU. The same correlation was detectable as a trend in all alcohol-fed rats. Conclusion: The decrease in PGE2 together with the increase in tissue damage and the inverse correlation between PGE2 and fibrogenesis led us to suggest that endogenous PGE2 plays a protective role in alcohol-induced injury in the pancreas.
Parallel signaling pathways of melatonin in the pancreatic β‐cell

Abstract: Previous results demonstrated that melatonin inhibits cAMP production and stimulates IP3 liberation in rat insulinoma INS1 cells, a model for the pancreatic β‐cell. This study addresses the impact of melatonin on insulin release. Insulin, cAMP and IP3 levels of INS1 cells in a superfusion system were measured. Initially, forskolin was used to stimulate cAMP and subsequently insulin release. Incubation of forskolin (5 μmol/L)‐stimulated cells with melatonin (100 nmol/L) inhibited cAMP and insulin levels (down to 60% of insulin and cAMP release). The Giα‐protein‐inhibitor pertussis toxin (PTX) was used to distinguish between the Giα‐dependent cAMP pathway and the Giα‐independent IP3 pathway. In our experiments we employed a specific stimulation pattern to prove proper inhibition of Giα‐proteins by PTX. In INS1 cells incubated with 250 ng/mL PTX for 24 hr, melatonin was no longer able to inhibit the forskolin‐induced cAMP and insulin release. In a study, carbachol was used to stimulate IP3 and subsequently insulin release. Surprisingly, incubation of carbachol (300 μmol/L)‐stimulated cells with melatonin (100 nmol/L) inhibited insulin release (down to 75% of insulin release). Finally, in PTX‐incubated INS1 cells, melatonin (100 nmol/L) increased carbachol (300 μmol/L)‐induced insulin release (up to 124% of insulin release). In conclusion, we found that the melatonin MT1‐receptor on pancreatic β‐cells is coupled to parallel signaling pathways, with opposite influences on insulin secretion. The cAMP‐ and subsequently insulin‐inhibiting signaling pathway involves PTX‐sensitive Giα‐proteins and is predominant in terms of insulin release.
The frequency of human parvovirus B19 infection in nonimmune hydrops fetalis

Intrauterine infection of human parvovirus B19 has recently been identified as an etiology for nonimmune hydrops fetalis (NIHF) and fetal death. To examine the frequency of B19 infection in cases of NIHF, forty two cases of NIHF of unknown cause were tested for the presence of B19 antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and B19 DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Three maternal sera were positive for B19 IgM antibody and one fetal serum was positive for B19 DNA. Overall, four (10%) of the 42 cases were positive for B19 infection. All of the four cases positive for B19 infection were found during or just before an outbreak of erythema infectiosum and the incidence was calculated at 36% if only cases found during the outbreak were collected. In all four cases of B19 infection, NIHF was diagnosed at 20 to 23 weeks of gestation, which suggested that B19 infection might be a particular threat to the fetus during this stage of gestation. In conclusion, B19 infection may contribute to 10% of cause unknown NIHF and the incidence may be higher if cases during outbreaks are exclusively collected.
Impacts of ERP systems on the integrated-interaction performance of manufacturing and marketing

Interactions between manufacturing and marketing departments often determine the competitiveness and profitability of a firm. Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems address integration issues of business functions; and benefits contributed by ERP implementation found in the literature are similar to those achieved through the integration of manufacturing and marketing functions. Uses a research model based on contingency theory and socio‐technical theory to study the effects of ERP implementation on marketing and manufacturing integration. A study of four companies in the electronic industry shows that internal organizational and external factors affect the interaction between manufacturing and marketing and results in performance improvement. Provides a new perspective of the factors that impact the effectiveness of ERP systems.
Public Attitude Toward Advertising: An Empirical Study of Northern India

Attitude toward advertising is one of the main antecedents of attitude toward advertisements; which in turn affect the feelings of consumers about products or brands. The present study measures the public attitude toward advertising in general (Ag) as well as toward the ‘institution of advertising’ and ‘instrument of advertising’. The paper studies the need for separate constructs of attitude-institution and attitude-instrument. The impact of demographics on attitude toward advertising has also been studied. A sample of 873 respondents from North Indian States has been drawn for the study. The study reveals the attitude-institution and attitude-instrument as separate but correlated constructs. Demographic variables were found to have moderate effect upon attitude toward advertising.
Milk composition reflects pattern of material care in prosimian primates

Hypothesized relationships between milk composition and life history traits were examined by analyzing mid‐lactation milks of seven lemurs (Eulemur fulvus, E. macaco, E. rubriventer, E. mongoz, Varecia variegata, Hapalemur griseus, Lemur catta), three bushbabies (Otolemur crassicaudatus, O. garnettii, Galago moholi), and two lorises (Nycticebus coucang, Loris tardigradus); partial data were also obtained for the lemuroid Cheirogaleus medius. There were significant differences in milk composition among species within either Eulemur or Otolemur, but the four genera for which multiple samples were available (Eulemur, Varecia, Otolemur, and Nycticebus) exhibited large composition differences. Eulemur milk was, on average, very dilute (9.9% dry matter) and low in energy (0.49 kcal/g). These milks contained 0.9% fat, 1.2% protein, and 8.4% carbohydrate on a fresh weight basis. Protein energy comprised only about 15% of total milk energy. Varecia had significantly higher dry matter (13.5%), fat (3.2%), protein (4.2%), gross energy (0.80 kcal/g), and protein energy: total energy ratio (28%) than Eulemur. Milks of the lorisoid genera Otolemur and Nycticebus were very similar, and both had significantly higher dry matter (18.3, 16.3%), fat (7.6, 7.0%), and gross energy concentration (1.27, 1.13 kcal/g) than either lemuroid genus. Otolemur milk was higher in protein than Nycticebus milk. We conclude that lorises, bushbabies, and perhaps cheirogaleids produce relatively rich, energy‐dense milks in comparison with anthropoid primates. However, dilute milks appear to be uniformly found among species of Eulemur and perhaps in Lemur catta. The milk of Varecia (and perhaps Hapalemur) is intermediate in composition. Differences in milk composition among prosimians may be related to differences in maternal care: prosimians that carry their young during lactation produce more dilute milks than do species which leave their young unattended for prolonged periods. When looking at primates as a whole, however, the picture is somewhat less clear, since the milks of some “parkers” like Varecia do closely resemble those of large anthropoid primates who carry their young. Am. J. Primatol. 41:195–211, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Indikator Sosial Ekonomi Wilayah dan Ketahanan Pangan Rumah Tangga Perempuan Miskin di Aceh

ABSTRACT . This study aimed to analyze the socio-economic indicators of the domicile of poor women and their relationship to the level of income, level of welfare and the level of household food security of poor women. The analytical method used, descriptive analysis of the socio-economic region characteristics for poor women, multiple regression analysis and correlation to analyze the factors that affect the level of income, level of welfare and the level of household food security of poor women. The analysis showed that 69,3 percent of poor women of childbearing age, with 89 percent and 59,8 percent less educated work as laborers and selling snacks. Factors influencing the level of income is age, education level and occupation, while the factors that affect the well-being is the condition of the house, the problems they face, as well as the income that they have. Furthermore, the level of household food security of poor women affected by family size, income level and the level of welfare that they have.
Surrogate Endpoint Evaluation: Principal Stratification Criteria and the Prentice Definition

Abstract A common problem of interest within a randomized clinical trial is the evaluation of an inexpensive response endpoint as a valid surrogate endpoint for a clinical endpoint, where a chief purpose of a valid surrogate is to provide a way to make correct inferences on clinical treatment effects in future studies without needing to collect the clinical endpoint data. Within the principal stratification framework for addressing this problem based on data from a single randomized clinical efficacy trial, a variety of definitions and criteria for a good surrogate endpoint have been proposed, all based on or closely related to the “principal effects” or “causal effect predictiveness (CEP)” surface. We discuss CEP-based criteria for a useful surrogate endpoint, including (1) the meaning and relative importance of proposed criteria including average causal necessity (ACN), average causal sufficiency (ACS), and large clinical effect modification; (2) the relationship between these criteria and the Prentice definition of a valid surrogate endpoint; and (3) the relationship between these criteria and the consistency criterion (i.e. assurance against the “surrogate paradox”). This includes the result that ACN plus a strong version of ACS generally do not imply the Prentice definition nor the consistency criterion, but they do have these implications in special cases. Moreover, the converse does not hold except in a special case with a binary candidate surrogate. The results highlight that assumptions about the treatment effect on the clinical endpoint before the candidate surrogate is measured are influential for the ability to draw conclusions about the Prentice definition or consistency. In addition, we emphasize that in some scenarios that occur commonly in practice, the principal strata subpopulations for inference are identifiable from the observable data, in which cases the principal stratification framework has relatively high utility for the purpose of effect modification analysis and is closely connected to the treatment marker selection problem. The results are illustrated with application to a vaccine efficacy trial, where ACN and ACS for an antibody marker are found to be consistent with the data and hence support the Prentice definition and consistency.
A literature review of tourism management (1990–2013): a content analysis perspective

Tourism activities can refer to an extension of a brand–consumer relationship. While growth in many industries is flat, worldwide tourism revenues continue to grow. A literature review is not only a crucial endeavour for any academic research, but also the foundation and inspiration for substantial, useful research. Among extant studies on tourism management (TM), few are on literature review while most are concerned with specific issues or countries/areas. This paper aims to draw up an integrated framework of TM. Little effort has been made to systematically examine the vast TM-related literature so as to facilitate better understandings of TM. To eliminate the gap among the extant studies and develop the TM trajectory, a content analysis was undertaken using keywords “TM” in 5 online electronic databases from 1990 to 2013. Based on 773 articles, we discovered the number of publications on TM has significantly increased since 2000 and a steady growth since 2008. While 773 articles are scattered across 196 journals, most appeared in 11 academic journals. We also categorize articles into 10 conceptual groups based on a proposed conceptual framework. The main contribution is to provide a conceptual framework incorporating keyword indexes to operationalize the coverage of TM.
A real-time window-based image processing architecture using a mapping table

This paper proposes a window-based image processing architecture that minimizes data activities. This architecture has a mapping structure between the line buffer and the window buffer. Each buffer handler writes or reads pixel data in one direction. This feature allows the designer to use a FIFO memory, as well as dual port random memory in the proposed architecture. Thus, the designer can select buffer types as per design efforts. We use this architecture to implement a dynamic threshold circuit. In order to meet time constrains, the output is processed by the pipeline method to meet time constraints. The pipeline method incurs output latency. The Sync Generator module is added to the implemented circuit to synchronize processed image information. Experiments show the logic quality of the circuit implemented circuit using the proposed architecture.