Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Models and methods in economics and management science : essays in honor of Charles S. Tapiero

Feedback Stackelberg Solutions of Infinite-Horizon Stochastic Differential Games. - Linear-Quadratic Stochastic Differential Games with General Noise Processes. - Suboptimal Policies for Stochastic N-Stage Optimization: Accuracy Analysis and a Case Study from Optimal Consumption. - Effective Information in Offline Stochastic Feedback and Optimal Control of Dynamic Systems: Results and Applications. - A Paradox of the Mean Variance Setting for the Long Term Investor. - Relationships in Marketing and Optimal Control. - Attachment and Forgiveness in a Behavioural, Non-Cooperative Dynamic Game. - New Product Development in a Durable Good Monopoly Market. - An Extension of the Target Theory in Biology Applied to System Reliability. - Dynamic Coordination of Multiple Agents in a Class of Differential Games Through A Generalized Linear Reward Scheme: Applications to Supply Chains. - An Optimal Threshold Policy in Applications of a Two-State Markov Process. - The Alignment among Competitive Strategy, Operations Improvement Priorities and Manufacturing and Logistics Performance Measurement Systems: Evidence from a Case-Based Study.
Expert consensus statement on the use of fractional flow reserve, intravascular ultrasound, and optical coherence tomography

The rationale for use of intracoronary physiology assessment and imaging arises from the limitations of coronary angiography, the traditional method for determining the severity of coronary stenoses. The visual assessment of percent diameter reduction has significant interobserver variability [1–3], even among experienced angiographers [4]. Computer-assisted quantitative coronary angiography only marginally improves diagnostic accuracy and its estimate of functional significance [5]. Fractional flow reserve (FFR) is used to determine the functional significance of a coronary stenosis [6]. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) offers excellent visualization of intraluminal and transmural coronary anatomy. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) further improves vascular visualization. There is now persuasive evidence regarding intracoronary diagnostic lesion assessments using physiology and anatomy. These adjunctive diagnostic procedures may influence the decision for coronary revascularization, guide the performance of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), and optimize procedural outcomes. There are substantial long-term outcome data showing benefit associated with FFR-guided decision-making. However, these techniques are underutilized in contemporary practice: the rates of use of IVUS and FFR during PCI for intermediate coronary stenoses (40–70% diameter stenosis) are 20.3% and 6.1% respectively [7]. In 2011, the ACCF/AHA/SCAI PCI guidelines [8] assigned levels of evidence for the use of these modalities in various clinical situations (Table T1 I). The purpose of this consensus statement is to review recent studies, to develop a consensus of how these
Overcoming Information Overload In Online Reputation Management: A Systematic Literature Review

With the success of Web 2.0, online users have become publishers and authors rather just passive consumers. This released traditional media companies from their role as content gatekeepers. Since then, online reputation management (ORM), which relates to people’s desire to manage the information about them on the Web, has gained significant importance for individuals. This paper investigates state-of-the-art research on ORM for individuals and enterprises based on a systematic literature review. The findings show that especially ORM concepts and approaches for individuals are not capable to handle massive amounts of information on the web. They lack of means for uniquely identifying relevant information, hardly support the analysis and evaluation of discovered contents and leave concepts on how to remove inappropriate contents almost untouched. Based on these insights, a research landscape has been created, which shows current research gaps as well as recommendations on where and how the state-of-the-art ORM should be advanced.
Performance comparison of a PI and an FLC based tuned PI with adaptive hysteresis controllers for IPMSM drive

This paper presents the performance comparison of a conventional proportional-integral (PI) controller with a fuzzy logic controller (FLC) based tuned PI controller incorporating an adaptive hysteresis current controller for an interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM) drive. For the proposed drive two FLCs are used. One of these is a novel Sugeno type FLC, which is used to tune the PI controller. Thus, the limitations of traditional PI controllers are avoided and the performance of the drive system is improved. Another one is a Mamdani type FLC, which adapts the hysteresis band of the PWM current controller. This adaptation helps to minimize the developed torque ripple. The proposed drive is implemented using DSP board DS1104 for a laboratory 5 hp IPMSM. Comparative simulation and experimental results demonstrate better dynamic response in terms of torque and speed for the proposed drive at different operating conditions.
Distinct Cytokine Regulation by Cholera Toxin and Type II Heat-Labile Toxins Involves Differential Regulation of CD40 Ligand on CD4+ T Cells

ABSTRACT Cholera toxin (CT) and the type II heat-labile enterotoxins (HLT) LT-IIa and LT-IIb act as potent systemic and mucosal adjuvants and induce distinct T-helper (Th)-cell cytokine profiles. In the present study, CT and the type II HLT were found to differentially affect cytokine production by anti-CD3-stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), and the cellular mechanisms responsible were investigated. CT suppressed interleukin-2 (IL-2), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and IL-12 production by PBMC cultures more than either LT-IIa or LT-IIb. CT but not LT-IIa or LT-IIb reduced the expression of CD4+ T-cell surface activation markers (CD25 and CD69) and subsequent proliferative responses of anti-CD3-stimulated T cells. CT but not LT-IIa or LT-IIb significantly reduced the expression of CD40 ligand (CD40L) on CD4+ T cells. In a coculture system, CT-treated CD4+ T cells induced significantly less TNF-α and IL-12 p70 production by both autologous monocytes and monocyte-derived dendritic cells than either LT-IIa- or LT-IIb-treated CD4+ T cells. These findings demonstrate that CT, LT-IIa, and LT-IIb differentially affect CD40-CD40L interactions between antigen-presenting cells and T cells and help explain the distinct cytokine profiles observed with type I and type II HLT when used as mucosal adjuvants.
Reconstruction of ECG signals for compressive sensing by promoting sparsity on the gradient

A new algorithm for the reconstruction of signals in compressive sensing framework is proposed. The algorithm is based on a least-squares method which incorporates a regularization to promote sparsity on the gradient of the signal. It uses a sequential basic conjugate-gradient method, and it is especially suited for the reconstruction of signals which exhibit temporal correlation, e.g., electrocardiogram (ECG) signals. Simulation results are presented which demonstrate that the proposed algorithm yields upto 80.28% reduction in mean square error and from 49.95% to 65.64% reduction in the required amount of computation, relative to the state-of-the-art block sparse Bayesian learning bound-optimization algorithm.
Extraction and Characterization of Extracellular Proteins and Their Post-Translational Modifications from Arabidopsis thaliana Suspension Cell Cultures and Seedlings: A Critical Review

Proteins secreted by plant cells into the extracellular space, consisting of the cell wall, apoplastic fluid, and rhizosphere, play crucial roles during development, nutrient acquisition, and stress acclimation. However, isolating the full range of secreted proteins has proven difficult, and new strategies are constantly evolving to increase the number of proteins that can be detected and identified. In addition, the dynamic nature of the extracellular proteome presents the further challenge of identifying and characterizing the post-translational modifications (PTMs) of secreted proteins, particularly glycosylation and phosphorylation. Such PTMs are common and important regulatory modifications of proteins, playing a key role in many biological processes. This review explores the most recent methods in isolating and characterizing the plant extracellular proteome with a focus on the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, highlighting the current challenges yet to be overcome. Moreover, the crucial role of protein PTMs in cell wall signalling, development, and plant responses to biotic and abiotic stress is discussed.
Patterns of contact call differentiation in the panmictic East African Abyssinian White‐eye Zosterops abyssinicus (Aves: Passeriformes)

Abstract Species distribution patterns range from highly disjunct to continuous, depending on their ecological demands and the availability of respective habitats. East African savannahs are mostly interconnected and ecologically comparatively homogenous and thus provide a prerequisite for a rather panmictic distribution pattern for species occurring in this habitat. The Abyssinian white‐eye Zosterops abyssinicus is a savannah inhabiting bird species, representing such a continuous distribution. This species occurs in high abundances and is very mobile, and past population genetic studies have suggested that gene flow is high and genetic differentiation is low even across relatively large geographic distances. Further, only little morphological differences were found. In order to test for potential divergence in acoustic traits despite its interconnected geographic distribution, we analyzed 2795 contact calls of Z. abyssinicus, which were recorded at 19 sites across Kenya. Our data indicate weak, but significant differentiation in call characteristics across latitudinal gradients. We found strong changes in call characteristics in populations where Z. abyssinicus occurs in sympatry with its highland congener, Zosterops poliogaster. However, the changes in call characteristics in sympatry were in different directions and lead to strong differentiation of the sympatric populations to other conspecific populations potentially representing a case of cascade reinforcement. The detected spatial gradients likely result from ecological differences and balancing effects of natural and sexual selection.
Semantic image search using queries

Previous work, on image search looks into RNNs and DT-RNNs and applying it over the queries. In this work, we model to generate natural language descriptions for images and this is utilized in order to represent the image. It is achieved by forming a model based on a combination of Convolutional Neural Networks over image regions, along with a Recurrent Neural Networks over sentences. This work uses LSTMs and the experiments are done over Flickr8K datasets.
Wire antenna for dual band WLAN application

A high performance wire monopole antenna fabricated using two meander wires as radiator is presented. A prototype of the proposed monopole antenna with a compact area size of 24mm×10mm is implemented, and the multi-band WLAN antenna shows a wide operating bandwidth of about 637MHz and 1000MHz for low band and high band, bandwidth, making it easy to cover the IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g and IEEE 802.11n (MIMO) bands for wireless communication and future 4G wireless operation of a mobile VoIP/VoWLAN handset phone.
Endogenous Opioids in Wound-Site Neutrophils of Sternotomy Patients

Background Postoperative pain management is a critical aspect of patient care. The inflammatory state of the post-sternotomy surgical wound sensitizes nerve endings, causing pain. Unrelieved or improperly managed pain compromises wound healing. Peripheral opioid receptors play a major role in analgesia, particularly under inflammatory conditions where both opioid receptor expression and efficacy are increased. Leukocytic opioid peptides include β-endorphin (END), met-enkephalin (ENK), and dynorphin-A (DYN), with END and ENK being predominant. Methodology/Principal Findings This work represents the first study of inflammatory cells collected from post-sternotomy wounds of patients undergoing cardiac surgery including coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Wound fluid (WF) and cells were collected from sternal wounds using a JP Blake drain at 24, 48, and 72 hours post sternum closure. Anti-CD15 staining and flow cytometry revealed that polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) are the predominant cells present in wound fluid collected post-surgery. Compared to peripheral blood (PB) derived PMN, significant increases in CD177+/CD66b+ PMN were observed suggesting activation of wound-site PMN. Such activation was associated with higher levels of opioid peptide expression in PMN derived from WF. Indeed, increased level of opioid peptides in sternal wound environment was noted 72 h post-surgery. We demonstrate that WF contains factors that can significantly induce POMC transcription in human PMNs. IL-10 and IL-4 were abundant in WF and both cytokines significantly induced POMC gene expression suggesting that WF factors such as IL-10 and IL-4 contribute towards increased opioid peptide expression in wound-site PMN. Conclusions/Significance This approach provided a unique opportunity to study the cross-talk between inflammation and opioid peptides in PMN at a sternotomy wound-site. Wound-site PMN exhibited induction of END and ENK. In addition, sternal wound fluid significantly induced END expression in PMN. Taken together, these data constitute first clinical evidence that human wound-site PMNs are direct contributors of opioids at the sternal wound-site.
The effectiveness of EU democratic and acquis conditionality; A multiple case study on the fight against corruption in the Western Balkans

This case study aims to find out to what extent the effectiveness of EU democratic and acquis conditionality in the fight against corruption in former Yugoslav countries can be explained according to the improved EIM, identified in CEEC studies. In order to answer this question, this thesis analyses to what extent changes in the domestic adoption costs during democratic conditionality and changes in the credibility of EU conditionality during acquis conditionality influenced indicators of corruption, in the five selected countries.
Gray Matter NG2 Cells Display Multiple Ca2+-Signaling Pathways and Highly Motile Processes

NG2 cells, the fourth type of glia in the mammalian CNS, receive synaptic input from neurons. The function of this innervation is unknown yet. Postsynaptic changes in intracellular Ca2+-concentration ([Ca2+]i) might be a possible consequence. We employed transgenic mice with fluorescently labeled NG2 cells to address this issue. To identify Ca2+-signaling pathways we combined patch-clamp recordings, Ca2+-imaging, mRNA-transcript analysis and focal pressure-application of various substances to identified NG2-cells in acute hippocampal slices. We show that activation of voltage-gated Ca2+-channels, Ca2+-permeable AMPA-receptors, and group I metabotropic glutamate-receptors provoke [Ca2+]i-elevations in NG2 cells. The Ca2+-influx is amplified by Ca2+-induced Ca2+-release. Minimal electrical stimulation of presynaptic neurons caused postsynaptic currents but no somatic [Ca2+]i elevations, suggesting that [Ca2+]i elevations in NG2 cells might be restricted to their processes. Local Ca2+-signaling might provoke transmitter release or changes in cell motility. To identify structural prerequisites for such a scenario, we used electron microscopy, immunostaining, mRNA-transcript analysis, and time lapse imaging. We found that NG2 cells form symmetric and asymmetric synapses with presynaptic neurons and show immunoreactivity for vesicular glutamate transporter 1. The processes are actin-based, contain ezrin but not glial filaments, microtubules or endoplasmic reticulum. Furthermore, we demonstrate that NG2 cell processes in situ are highly motile. Our findings demonstrate that gray matter NG2 cells are endowed with the cellular machinery for two-way communication with neighboring cells.
Particles, and not gases, are associated with the risk of death in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

OBJECTIVES We aim to assess the independent association of particles, after controlling for gaseous pollutants, with the risk of death among a cohort of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS Residents of Barcelona, aged over 35 years, who attended emergency room services for COPD exacerbation from 1985 to 1989 and who died in the period 1990-1995 (n = 2305) were selected. The analysis followed a case-crossover procedure with ambidirectional controls. Air pollution exposure (particulate matter <10 microm (PM(10)), ozone, nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide) was measured at the city monitoring stations. RESULTS Levels of PM(10) (odds ratio for the interquartile difference = 1.11, 95% CI : 1.00- 1.24), but not gaseous pollutants, were associated with mortality for all causes of death after adjusting for meteorological variables and influenza epidemics. In the two-pollutant models, the association of mortality with PM(10) was not confounded by the inclusion of gases, while the association of gaseous pollutants was notably reduced after adjustment for particles. There was no interaction between particles and gaseous pollutants. CONCLUSIONS Findings reinforce the deleterious role of urban particles as a trigger of death in COPD patients, and suggest that they are the major culprit among the air pollutants. The role of other pollutants, if any, was additive and not multiplicative.
Practical Risk‐Adjusted Performance Measurement

A practitioner's guide to ex-post performance measurement techniquesRisk within asset management firms has an undeserved reputation for being an overly complex, mathematical subject. This book simplifies the subject and demonstrates with practical examples that risk is perfectly straightforward and not as complicated as it might seem. Unlike most books written on portfolio risk, which generally focus on ex-ante risk from an academic perspective using complicated language and no worked examples, this book focuses on ex-post risk from a buy side, asset management, risk practitioners perspective, including a number of practical worked examples for risk measures and their interpretation.
A haptic ATM interface to assist visually impaired users

This paper outlines the design and evaluation of a haptic interface intended to convey non audio-visual directions to an ATM (Automated Teller Machine) user. The haptic user interface is incorporated into an ATM test apparatus on the keypad. The system adopts a well known 'clock face' metaphor and is designed to provide haptic prompts to the user in the form of directions to the current active device, e.g. card reader or cash dispenser. Results of an evaluation of the device are reported that indicate that users with varying levels of visual impairment are able to appropriately detect, distinguish and act on the prompts given to them by the haptic keypad. As well as reporting on how participants performed in the evaluation we also report the results of a semi structured interview designed to find out how acceptable participants found the technology for use on a cash machine. As a further contribution the paper also presents observations on how participants place their hands on the haptic device and compare this with their performance.
Ambient Shadow Detection and Removal via Flash/Noflash Pairs

Flash/noflash pairs have been studied as a simple mechanism f or supplying less-noisy information for dark areas of an ambient-light image. This research direction also inclu des image pairs or sequences of nighttime or obscured imager y such as surveillance video. Ambient imagery has some advant ages over flash images, in general, in that a flash can create harsh or unpleasing effects, and can also generate addition al shadowing. The extra shadows from the flash are in fact quite amenable to detection. However, filling in informatio n n image areas occupied by shadows in the ambient image has not been effectively considered. Here we consider the pr oblem of detecting shadows in the image taken under ambient light, given extra information from a flash image registered with the first. Clearly, the pure-flash image is the differenc between the two — and has no ambient-shadow component. But th e question of how best to detect the ambient shadow remains. We argue that first going to a “spectrally sharpened ” color space, and then focusing on the difference in a log domain of the flash image and the ambient image, gives a very si mple feature space consisting of two components — one in an illuminant-change 3-vector direction, and one along t he gray axis. This space provides excellent separation of th e shadow and nonshadow areas. Regressing pixel data from the fl as image to the nonflash one adjusts the scale properly, and then inserting edges from the flash image inside the ambie nt-shadow region into the ambient image edge map and inverting Poisson’s equation fills in the shadow. In this way , we arrive at an image with the advantages of the ambient-onl y image — warmth, no flash effects such as disturbing illuminat ion dropoff with distance and pixel saturation etc. — but no shadows.
Between Awareness and Ability: Consumers and Financial Identity Theft

The role consumers play in the facilitation of financial identity theft is an important topic of discussion. Academics often side with consumers and recognize them as victims rather than facilitators. Others, both in the public and the private sector, believe consumers play a more prominent role in the facilitation of financial identity theft. This is particularly apparent through the popularity of public awareness campaigns. Neither of these accounts manages to reflect the complexity of the overall picture. The following article demonstrates how the role consumers play is continuously changing as a result of the evolution of methods used by perpetrators of identity theft. This evolution requires a different response from both the public and the private sector as consumers lose more control over their potential indirect facilitation of financial identity theft.
The Impacts of Educational Asthma Interventions in Schools: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Objective. To review the literature on the impact of educational asthma interventions in schools regarding the knowledge and morbidity of the disease among children and adolescents. Methods. A systematic review was conducted for controlled clinical trials investigating the effectiveness of educational asthma interventions for students, asthmatic or nonasthmatic, families, and school staff. Databases were CENTRAL, PubMed, LILACS, MEDLINE, and SciELO. Articles published in any language were considered, in the period from 2005 to 2014, according to the PRISMA guidelines. Results. Seventeen articles were selected (N = 5,879 subjects). 94% of the interventions (16 of 17 studies) were applied in developed countries that were led by health professionals and most of them targeted asthmatics. Asthma education promotes the improvement of knowledge about the disease in at least one of the evaluated areas. 29% of the interventions (5 of 17 studies) showed a reduction of the asthma symptoms, 35% (6 of 17 studies) reduction of the hospitalization instances and emergency visits, 29% (5 of 17 studies) reduction of school absenteeism, and 41% (7 of 17 studies) increase in the quality of life of the individuals. Conclusions. Educational interventions in schools raise the awareness of asthma and weaken the impact of morbidity indicators.