Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Cutting Edge 2001 The Impact of Portfolio Size on the Variability of the Terminal Wealth of a Real Estate Fund

Studies have examined the number of properties required reduce the risk in a real estate portfolio. In investigating this issue the research has concentrated on examining the impact of portfolio size on the reduction in the standard deviation of returns from ex post time series data. However, the ex post time series standard deviation is not really relevant to long-term institutional investors, such as insurance companies and pension funds, who are more concerned with the variability of the terminal wealth of their portfolios, from which policy holders and pensioners will derive their benefits. Longterm investors with specific holding period requirements are less concerned with the within period volatility of their portfolios than with the possibility that their portfolio returns will fail to finance their liabilities. The terminal-wealth standard deviation (TWSD) rather than the time-series standard deviation (TSSD) has been proposed as the ‘true’ measure of portfolio variability to such investors. This paper compares the potential benefits and limitations of risk reduction, as measured by TWSD and TSSD, in the UK property market using a large sample of actual property returns over the period 1981 to 1996.
Viable flux distribution in metabolic networks

The metabolic networks are very well characterized for bacterial such of E.coli. For this reason they provide a a very interesting framework for the construction of analytically tractable statistical mechanics models. In this paper we introduce a solvable model for the distribution of fluxes in the metabolic network. We show that the effect of the topology on the distribution of fluxes is to allow for large fluctuations of their values, a fact that should have implications on the robustness of the system.
Combining Inferential and Deductive Approaches to Estimate the Potential Geographical Range of the Invasive Plant Pathogen, Phytophthora ramorum

Phytophthora ramorum, an invasive plant pathogen of unknown origin, causes considerable and widespread damage in plant industries and natural ecosystems of the USA and Europe. Estimating the potential geographical range of P. ramorum has been complicated by a lack of biological and geographical data with which to calibrate climatic models. Previous attempts to do so, using either invaded range data or surrogate species approaches, have delivered varying results. A simulation model was developed using CLIMEX to estimate the global climate suitability patterns for establishment of P. ramorum. Growth requirements and stress response parameters were derived from ecophysiological laboratory observations and site-level transmission and disease factors related to climate data in the field. Geographical distribution data from the USA (California and Oregon) and Norway were reserved from model-fitting and used to validate the models. The model suggests that the invasion of P. ramorum in both North America and Europe is still in its infancy and that it is presently occupying a small fraction of its potential range. Phytophthora ramorum appears to be climatically suited to large areas of Africa, Australasia and South America, where it could cause biodiversity and economic losses in plant industries and natural ecosystems with susceptible hosts if introduced.
Power and Violence in Socio-philosophical Context of Contemporaneity

The author analyzes the most important phenomena of our time – social violence and power – in terms of identifying traditional and modern theoretical models of their relations. The philosophical concepts of H. Arendt, J. Bentham, and M. Foucault are presented, being considered through anthropological and social consequences of the relationship of power and violence. The phenomenon of power is shown, on the one hand, as the opposition to violence, and on the other hand, as the starter of the subordinate relations. Special attention is paid to the analysis of a specific model of power described by M. Foucault. Keywords—social violence; power of man over man; Panopticon; power and nonviolence; religion against violence
Speech Emotion Classification and Recognition with different methods for Turkish Language

In several application, emotion recognition from the speech signal has been research topic since many years. To determine the emotions from the speech signal, many systems have been developed. To solve the speaker emotion recognition problem, hybrid model is proposed to classify five speech emotions, including anger, sadness, fear, happiness and neutral. The aim this study of was to actualize automatic voice and speech emotion recognition system using hybrid model taking Turkish sound forms and properties into consideration. Approximately 3000 Turkish voice samples of words and clauses with differing lengths have been collected from 25 males and 25 females. In this study, an authentic and unique Turkish database has been used. Features of these voice samples have been obtained using Mel Frequency Cepstral Coefficients (MFCC) and Mel Frequency Discrete Wavelet Coefficients (MFDWC). Moreover, spectral features of these voice samples have been obtained using Support Vector Machine (SVM). Feature vectors of the voice samples obtained have been trained with such methods as Gauss Mixture Model( GMM), Artifical Neural Network (ANN), Dynamic Time Warping (DTW), Hidden Markov Model (HMM) and hybrid model(GMM with combined SVM). This hybrid model has been carried out by combining with SVM and GMM. In first stage of this model, with SVM has been performed subsets obtained vector of spectral features. In the second phase, a set of training and tests have been formed from these spectral features. In the test phase, owner of a given voice sample has been identified taking the trained voice samples into consideration. Results and performances of the algorithms employed in the study for classification have been also demonstrated in a comparative manner.
Mass log data processing and mining based on Hadoop and cloud computing

With the rapid development of the Internet, SaaS applications delivered as services through internet become an important alternative of traditional software. While using the services, users need real time usage information, and they also need to dig out useful knowledge. As a result, data processing and data mining techniques are designed to cope with such problems, and using log data is an effective method to record the SaaS usage information in a standard format. However, as the size of data grows, traditional distributed log data processing systems are not able to processing massive log data from SaaS applications with millions of users. This paper proposes a mass log data processing and data mining methods based on Hadoop to achieve scalability and performance. The model, process, architecture, and implementation of the data processing and mining methods are proposed, and the experimental results is shown and analyzed to prove the effectiveness of the methods.
On the Sparsity of a Linear Network Code for Broadcast Systems with Feedback

One method for reducing the decoding complexity of network coding in wireless broadcast systems is to generate sparse encoding vectors. The problem of finding the minimal Hamming weight of innovative encoding vectors over large finite field is formulated. By reducing the problem of hitting set to it, we show that the problem is NP-hard. However when the number of users is fixed, the problem can then be solved in polynomial time. A systematic method for solving the problem is provided.
Les actes menaçants implicites : le cas des insultes indirectes

The aim of studying the indirect insult, based on the analysis of the tropes, is double. We shall, on one hand, try to show that verbal abuse emanates not only from the use of the forbidden expressions, but also relations between the words from which the sense can be diverted. On the other hand, opting for a corpus established by statements of spontaneous French and Tunisian dialect, we shall try to see if the argumentative strategies adopted by speakers of tongues and different cultures are the same. For that purpose, we are going to rely on the cognitive pragmatics.
Emergency Cervical Internal Carotid Artery Stenting in Combination with Intracranial Thrombectomy in Acute Stroke

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In past years, thrombectomy has become a widely used procedure in interventional neuroradiology for the treatment of acute intracranial occlusions. However, in 10–20% of patients, there are additional occlusions or stenotic lesions of the ipsilateral cervical internal carotid artery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of emergency carotid artery stent placement in combination with intracranial thrombectomy and the clinical outcome of the treated patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed clinical and angiographic data of patients who underwent emergency cervical ICA stent placement and intracranial thrombectomy with stent-retriever devices in our institution between November 2009 and July 2012. Recanalization was assessed according to the Thrombolysis in Cerebral-Infarction score. Clinical outcome was evaluated at discharge (NIHSS) and after 3 months (mRS). RESULTS: Overall, 24 patients were treated. The mean age was 67.2 years; mean occlusion time, 230.2 minutes. On admission, the median NIHSS score was 18. In all patients, the Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score was zero before the procedure. Stent implantation was feasible in all cases. In 15 patients (62.5%), a Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score ≥ 2b could be achieved. Six patients (25%) improved ≥10 NIHSS points between admission and discharge. After 90 days, the median mRS score was 3.0. Seven patients (29.2%) had a good clinical outcome (mRS 0–2), and 4 patients (16.6%) died, 1 due to fatal intracranial hemorrhage. Overall, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage occurred in 4 patients (16.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Emergency ICA stent implantation was technically feasible in all patients, and the intracranial recanalization Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score of ≥2b was reached in a high number of patients. Clinical outcome and mortality seem to be acceptable for a cohort with severe stroke. However, a high rate of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage occurred in our study.
Notice of RetractionA study on financial-rights allocation under the financial crisis condition: Some new perspectives

After the discussion of the connotation and the value direction of property rights under the financial crisis condition, we find out that financial-rights can be divided into general financial-rights based on corporate fair and residual financial-rights based on corporate efficiency by the completeness degree of contracts. financial-rights can be expressed as the combination of general financial-rights and residual financial-rights. Financial-right allocation should embody both fair and efficiency, with two value systems in essence, including general financial-right allocation with fair and residual financial-right allocation with efficiency. In practice, a certain financial-right allocation is in the balance of fair and efficiency. Given a certain financial-right, if the general one in it becomes superior, it should demonstrate more fair in arrangement, otherwise, more efficiency. Based on this, we developed the Optimal Financial-rights Allocation Rule theory, which is very good to improving enterprises' performance.
Implications of Maintenance and Motivation Factors on Extension Agent Turnover

What factors are relevant in determining why agents remain employed in Extension? This article discusses the implications of maintenance and motivation factors on Extension agent turnover. It describes motivator and maintenance factors affecting job satisfaction and dissatisfaction, and their influence on agent turnover. Professional associations offer agents the motivation factors discussed in this article. The benefits gained by investing in Extension's current employees may ultimately enhance Extension's ability to fulfill its mission as the educational outreach branch of the land-grant university. Introduction/Theoretical Framework The retention of Extension agents was identified as a challenge by the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges' Extension Committee on Organization and Policy's Leadership Advisory Council (ECOP LAC, 2005). Low salaries, downsizing, and increased workload were identified by the ECOP LAC as factors negatively affecting employee turnover. This is a significant problem for Cooperative Extension nationally, as increased burnout and staff turnover are monetarily expensive and an inefficient use of time management (Ensle, 2005). There is a net cost of $80,000 per year to Extension due to turnover (Kutilek, 2000). A public or private organization may spend as much as 150% of the employee's salary to hire another individual (Friedman, Galinsky, & Plowden, 1992). Chandler (2005) estimated it could cost Extension from $7,185 to $30,000 to replace an agent who had an annual salary of $30,000. Herzberg's (1959) Motivation-Hygiene Theory established how job satisfaction and dissatisfaction operate separately from one another. The Motivation-Hygiene Theory differentiates among motivating and maintenance influences in the workplace (Herzberg, Mausner, & Snyderman, 1959). Herzberg (1968) proposed that individuals are encouraged by motivators more than maintenance factors. Motivators include a stimulating vocation, accountability, and providing fulfillment from the profession, such as awards, accomplishment, or individual development (Hackman & Oldham, 1976). Maintenance influences include Implications of Maintenance and Motivation Factors on Extension Agent Turnover 02/23/09 12:43:53
Developing custom intrusion detection filters using data mining

One aspect of constructing secure networks is identifying unauthorized use of those networks. Intrusion detection systems look for unusual or suspicious activity, such as patterns of network traffic that are likely indicators of unauthorized activity. However, normal operation often produces traffic that matches likely "attack signatures", resulting in false alarms. We are using data mining techniques to identify sequences of alarms that likely result from normal behavior, enabling construction of filters to eliminate those alarms. This can be done at a low cost for specific environments, enabling the construction of customized intrusion detection filters. We present our approach, and preliminary results identifying common sequences in alarms from a particular environment.
Double-Layer 90° corrugated terahertz horn antenna based on MEMS technology

A double-layer 90° corrugated terahertz (THz) horn antenna based on MEMS (Micro-electromechanical System) technology is proposed. This antenna is designed at the frequency range of 400GHz-500GHz. Through adding expansion aperture and chokes to the traditional structure, good antenna performance can be obtained. From the simulated result it shows a impedance bandwidth of 400-500GHz with input return loss less than 10dB. The radiation pattern shows good symmetric beamwidth and very low cross-polarization. The peak gain varies from 13.9dBi to 16.1dBi within the frequency band 400GHz-500GHz. Dry etching MEMS technology is suitable for design of this type of antenna.
Developmental Regulation of Human Cytomegalovirus Receptors in Cytotrophoblasts Correlates with Distinct Replication Sites in the Placenta

ABSTRACT Cytomegalovirus (CMV), the major viral cause of congenital disease, infects the uterus and developing placenta and spreads to the fetus throughout gestation. Virus replicates in invasive cytotrophoblasts in the decidua, and maternal immunoglobulin G (IgG)-CMV virion complexes, which are transcytosed by the neonatal Fc receptor across syncytiotrophoblasts, infect underlying cytotrophoblasts in chorionic villi. Immunity is central to protection of the placenta-fetal unit: infection can occur when IgG has a low neutralizing titer. Here we used immunohistochemical and function-blocking methods to correlate infection in the placenta with expression of potential CMV receptors in situ and in vitro. In placental villi, syncytiotrophoblasts express the virion receptor epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) but lack integrin coreceptors, and virion uptake occurs without replication. Focal infection can occur when transcytosed virions reach EGFR-expressing cytotrophoblasts that selectively initiate expression of αV integrin. In cell columns, proximal cytotrophoblasts lack receptors and distal cells express integrins α1β1 and αVβ3, enabling virion attachment. In the decidua, invasive cytotrophoblasts expressing coreceptors upregulate EGFR, thereby dramatically increasing susceptibility to infection. Our findings indicate that virion interactions with cytotrophoblasts expressing receptors in the placenta (i) change as the cells differentiate and (ii) correlate with spatially distinct sites of CMV replication in maternal and fetal compartments.
Nowhere and Everywhere : the Electronic Freedom Frontier

Man is born free but everywhere he is in chains. The renowned first line of Rousseau's The Social Contract is hereby restated(1) as a classic phrase which can still be re-interpreted to describe the contemporary state of affairs. I will argue in this paper that it is the nation state that enslaves mankind, while the postmodern in general and cyberspace in particular provides an outlet of individual freedom that is difficult to challange. More specifically, I deal with the problem of space and extraterritoriality in a conflict between online civil liberties and nation states. Rousseau as practically anybody of any significance from the last 400 years or so for that matter(2) can be nominated for a place amongst the founding fathers of the project of modernity. His principal work “outlines the basis for a legitimate political order” (Wikipedia, 2005a). It is a journey from (then-) contemporary society to the beginnings of civilisation and back again into an anarchocommunist utopia. His assumption is that government as such is (a) illegitimate and (b) repressive. He first envisions a primitive state of mankind in a natural state of free competition, where everyone is in war with everyone, and life hazard is complemented by people being vitally dependent on each other. Rousseau argues that such chaotic conditions are a threat to the survival and the freedom of man. At this point actors either perish or draft a constitution termed The Social Contract which sets the rules of coexistence and cooperation. Rousseau emphasises that people have to make their decisions collectively by direct participation. Direct involvement in decision making is at the core of his utopia, which provides for order being both philosophically legitimate and practically enforcable. The former, as the decision-makers and subjects are identical, so that everyone signs to the order by their own free will. The latter, as people are expected to understand and conform to their own laws. Critics have naturally pointed out that direct decision-making scales very badly, and would be impossible to implement for a whole nation. The relevant Wikipedia article (2005a), however, notes that the advent of advanced telecommunications technology might change that. Rousseau describes his utopia in terms of sovereignity rather than government, which is an antietatian position. Rousseau's thought is a struggle for individual and social freedom, in opposition with representative democracy or the nation state. The initial task of the present paper is to rethink these ideas in the context of the political evolution of the Internet. Therefore, let's start again from the beginning, now that we know what is behind the slogan.
Cytochrome P450 2B6 is a growth‐inhibitory and prognostic factor for prostate cancer

Cytochrome P450s (CYPs) influence the biological effects of carcinogens, drugs and hormones including testosterones. Among them, Cytochrome P450 2B6 (CYP2B6) plays a critical role in the deactivation of testosterone. In the present study, we examined CYP2B6 expression in human prostate tissues and prostate cancer.
Development of a Modular and Compliant Microassembly Platform with Integrated Force Measurement Capabilities.

HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of scientific research documents, whether they are published or not. The documents may come from teaching and research institutions in France or abroad, or from public or private research centers. L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires publics ou privés. Development of a Modular and Compliant Microassembly Platform with Integrated Force Measurement Capabilities. Paul M. Moore, Micky Rakotondrabe, Cédric Clévy, Gloria J. Wiens
Examining variation in the leaf mass per area of dominant species across two contrasting tropical gradients in light of community assembly

Abstract Understanding variation in key functional traits across gradients in high diversity systems and the ecology of community changes along gradients in these systems is crucial in light of conservation and climate change. We examined inter‐ and intraspecific variation in leaf mass per area (LMA) of sun and shade leaves along a 3330‐m elevation gradient in Peru, and in sun leaves across a forest–savanna vegetation gradient in Brazil. We also compared LMA variance ratios (T‐statistics metrics) to null models to explore internal (i.e., abiotic) and environmental filtering on community structure along the gradients. Community‐weighted LMA increased with decreasing forest cover in Brazil, likely due to increased light availability and water stress, and increased with elevation in Peru, consistent with the leaf economic spectrum strategy expected in colder, less productive environments. A very high species turnover was observed along both environmental gradients, and consequently, the first source of variation in LMA was species turnover. Variation in LMA at the genus or family levels was greater in Peru than in Brazil. Using dominant trees to examine possible filters on community assembly, we found that in Brazil, internal filtering was strongest in the forest, while environmental filtering was observed in the dry savanna. In Peru, internal filtering was observed along 80% of the gradient, perhaps due to variation in taxa or interspecific competition. Environmental filtering was observed at cloud zone edges and in lowlands, possibly due to water and nutrient availability, respectively. These results related to variation in LMA indicate that biodiversity in species rich tropical assemblages may be structured by differential niche‐based processes. In the future, specific mechanisms generating these patterns of variation in leaf functional traits across tropical environmental gradients should be explored.
Mediated Reality Mirror: Towards a Study with Autistic Users

Open offices, despite their tangible advantages, are challenging for autistic individuals due to continuous visual and social interruptions. In order to filter out these distractions and enhance autistics' attention and communication with their coworkers, here we introduce the mediated reality mirror (MRM) concept deriving from the inspiring developments in diminished and augmented reality. We conducted two bodystorming workshops and interviews with 14 non-autistic participants in order to inform the design process of MRM and our future studies with autistics which is a one shot opportunity. In this paper we present the outcomes of the workshops and the interviews as well as their contributions to our future studies with autistic users of MRM.