Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Economic Prospects for the U.S. Economy from a Monetary Policymaker’s Perspective

Janet Yellen gives her views on the outlook for the U.S. economy and how it is currently being shaped by the turmoil in the credit markets, the downturn in the housing markets, and the spike in commodity prices. She also discusses the implications of this outlook and the risks to it for the conduct of the nation’s monetary policy. Her comments are followed by a question and answer session.
Fossil Fuels, Stock Externalities, and Backstop Technology

The Hotelling exhaustible resource model is extended to include stock pollution and nonpolluting backstop technology. It is shown that an optimal energy consumption strategy typically includes a regime in which the two energy sources are consumed simultaneously. Along this regime, fossil fuel consumption decreases and backstop consumption increases. Together, fossil fuel and backstop consumption may form eleven optimal regime combinations. A decrease in the backstop price decreases the initial level of optimal emission tax.
Optimized design of beam-tilted linearly-polarized radial-line slot-array antennas

High-gain low-profile antennas for microwave and millimeter-wave applications have been a topic of exhaustive research during last decades. More specifically, radial-line slot array-antennas (RLSAs) demonstrated their suitability for massive production in low-cost applications, e.g. TV-DBS. In this context, RLSAs became very attractive due to their simplicity, low profile, low fabrication cost and high efficiency. In a standard RLSA design, slots are arrayed on the upper plate of a radial line, i.e. parallel plate waveguide, which is fed at its center, typically by a coaxial probe. Overall, any polarization and radiation pattern can be synthesized by a proper arrangement of slots. Unfortunately, while the circularly-polarized RLSA (CP-RLSA) demonstrates an excellent performance, its counterpart with linear polarization (LP-RLSA) [1] presents an annoying drawback. Standard arrangement distributes slots in concentric rings spaced half wavelength so as to produce a directive beam pointing to broadside direction with linear polarization. Such disposition exhibits rather poor matching performance, which is inherent in traveling-wave series-fed broadside arrays because of coherent reflections.
Neural network-based reranking model for statistical machine translation

The non-local feature always plays an important role in improving performance of SMT. Nonlinear neural network model can take better advantage of non-local features to improve the performance of translation through the introduction of the hidden layer. So this paper will build reranking models based on neural network to make use of non-local features to improve the translation performance. In this paper, we will introduce two models: Reranker-WC and Reranker-D. Compared with performance of the baseline system, the performance of Reranker-WC can be promoted to about 1.4 BLEU score. Moreover, we find that different hyper-parameter λ will also affect the quality of SMT output at the same time. We achieve the best performance while λ is 40.
A quality function deployment application using qualitative and quantitative analysis in after sales services

A thorough and accurate understanding of customer demands and expectations is the key to possessing competitive advantage in the market place. Quality function deployment (QFD) is one of the most effective tools to learn, understand, and apply these demands and expectations in production lines. This study consists of a holistic QFD application comprising both qualitative and quantitative analysis techniques in after sales services at a leading construction equipment manufacturer firm. As a qualitative analysis method, content analysis was performed to identify customer dissatisfactions and customer expectations. As a quantitative analysis method, SERVQUAL was used to determine customer expectations for the house of quality (HOQ). Factor analysis was incorporated into SERVQUAL in order to classify customer expectations for the HOQ. As a result, the QFD identified the most important customer expectations as: competency and experience of employees, immediate identification of product defects, and good customer service during the warranty period. This study also exhibited that repair time, the duration of customer interaction, employees' attention, and spare parts availability were the most critical technical requirements in after sales services.
Optimizing for Efficiency or Battery Life in a Battery/Supercapacitor Electric Vehicle

A novel energy control strategy for a battery/supercapacitor vehicle, which is designed to be tunable to achieve different goals, is described. Two possible goals for adding a pack of supercapacitors are examined for a test vehicle using lead-acid batteries: 1) improving the vehicle's efficiency and range and 2) reducing the peak currents in the battery pack to increase battery life. The benefits of hybridization are compared with those achievable by increasing the size of the battery pack by a comparable mass to the supercapacitors. The availability of energy from regenerative braking and the characteristics of the supercapacitors are considered as impact factors. Supercapacitors were found to be effective at reducing peak battery currents; however, the benefits to range extension were found to be limited. A battery life extension of at least 50% is necessary to make supercapacitors cost effective for the test vehicle at current prices.
Univariate Modelling of Energy Consumption in Turkish Agriculture

The main objective of this study is to estimate future energy consumption in Turkish agriculture. To meet this objective, univariate time-series analysis was used. Annual time series data for diesel consumption in the Turkish agricultural sector for 1970–2006 are used in an autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model. The ARIMA model was determined to be (8,1,13). According to the model's results, diesel consumption is predicted to be over 4 million tonnes in 2020. The average growth rate of diesel consumption is 2.17% per year for the coming years in the agricultural sector.
Peripheral glia direct axon guidance across the CNS/PNS transition zone.

CNS glia have integral roles in directing axon migration of both vertebrates and insects. In contrast, very little is known about the roles of PNS glia in axonal pathfinding. In vertebrates and Drosophila, anatomical evidence shows that peripheral glia prefigure the transition zones through which axons migrate into and out of the CNS. Therefore, peripheral glia could guide axons at the transition zone. We used the Drosophila model system to test this hypothesis by ablating peripheral glia early in embryonic neurodevelopment via targeted overexpression of cell death genes grim and ced-3. The effects of peripheral glial loss on sensory and motor neuron development were analyzed. Motor axons initially exit the CNS in abnormal patterns in the absence of peripheral glia. However, they must use other cues within the periphery to find their correct target muscles since early pathfinding errors are largely overcome. When peripheral glia are lost, sensory axons show disrupted migration as they travel centrally. This is not a result of motor neuron defects, as determined by motor/sensory double-labeling experiments. We conclude that peripheral glia prefigure the CNS/PNS transition zone and guide axons as they traverse this region.
A critique of welfare economics

A Critique of Welfare Economics was first published in 1950. It was concerned with the exposition, criticism, and appreciation of the theory of economic welfare as it had been developed to that date. It was an attempt to clarify what was meant by 'welfare'; to distinguish measurable, verifiable elements of the theory from subjective normative judgements about policies for improving economic well-being; and to establish criteria for determining whether one configuration of the economic system is better or worse than another. Little showed that the welfare theory of the time could be based directly on individual market choices, and that resort to traditional utilitarian concepts was not essential. A Critique of Welfare Economics is now reissued at the same time as Ethics, Economics, and Politics -- Little's latest book which explores the overlap between the three disciplines, and discusses the need for political decisions in economic matters, and the principles guiding them. He has added a new retrospective preface to Critique in which he assesses the contribution the book made in the light of subsequent literature in the area.
Using Redis supported by NVRAM in HPC applications

Nowadays, the efficiency of a storage systems is a bottleneck in many moern HPC clusters. High performance in traditional approach – processing using files – is often difficult to obtain because of model complexity and its read/write patterns. Alternative approach is applying a key-value database, which usually has low latency and scales well. On the other hand, many key-value stores suffer from limitation of memory capacity and vulnerability to serious faiures, which is caused by processing in RAM. Moreover, some research suggests, that scientific data models are not applicable to storage structures of key-value databases. In this paper, the author proposes resolving mentioned issues by replacing RAM with NVRAM. Practical example is based on Redis NoSQL. The article contains also a three domain specific APIs, that show the idea bhind transformation from HPC data model to Redis structures, as well as two micro-benchmarks results.
Motivational Determinates Of International Pleasure Time

This research examines the motivationsfor overseas travel using the concept of "push" and "pull" factors. Data were examined from four countries—Japan, France, West Germany, and the United Kingdom. The results indicate that individuals from each of the four countries travel to satisfy the same unmet needs (pushfactors); however, attractions for choosing a particular destination (pullfactors) appear to differ among the countries. The results also indicate that the level of importance that individuals attach to the various factors differs among the countries.
Wnt5a Is Required for Cardiac Outflow Tract Septation in Mice

Lack of septation of the cardiac outflow tract (OFT) results in persistent truncus arteriosus (PTA), a form of congenital heart disease. The outflow myocardium expands through addition of cells originating from the pharyngeal mesoderm referred to as secondary/anterior heart field, whereas cardiac neural crest (CNC) cell–derived mesenchyme condenses to form an aortopulmonary septum. We show for the first time that a mutation in Wnt5a in mice leads to PTA. We provide evidence that Wnt5a is expressed in the pharyngeal mesoderm adjacent to CNC cells in both mouse and chicken embryos and in the myocardial cell layer of the conotruncus at the time when CNC cells begin to form the aortopulmonary septum in mice. Although expression domains of secondary heart field markers are not altered in Wnt5a mutant embryos, the expression of CNC cell marker PlexinA2 is significantly reduced. Stimulation of CNC cells with Wnt5a protein elicits Ca2+ transients, suggesting that CNC cells are capable of responding to Wnt5a. We propose a novel model in which Wnt5a produced in the OFT by cells originating from the pharyngeal mesoderm signals to adjacent CNC cells during formation of the aortopulmonary septum through a noncanonical pathway via localized intracellular increases in Ca2+.
A new method for forming asset pricing factors from firm characteristics

Commonly used asset pricing models do not successfully account for both time-series and cross-sectional variations of asset returns. In this article, we propose a new method for forming pricing factors that are intended to capture the time-series as well as the cross-sectional variations. The new pricing factors are constructed by utilizing a set of basis assets that are associated with firm characteristics. Compared with popular extant asset pricing models, empirical results show that the new model can parsimoniously and successfully account for both time-series and cross-sectional variations of asset returns and significantly improve model performances in terms of various measures: the Jensen’s α, root mean squared α, time series regression , cross-sectional regression and the HJ-distance measure.
Monotonicity and Robustness of Asset Pricing Anomalies

We examine monotonicity of nine asset pricing anomalies and their robustness in various ranges of anomalous characteristics. We flnd that all anomalies except size are strong and robust for stocks with presumably low returns, but sensitive to individual in∞uential observations for stocks with presumably high returns. When the impact of such observations is mitigated, the idiosyncratic volatility, asset growth, abnormal capital investments, investments-to-assets ratio, and composite stock issuance become positively related to expected returns for stocks with low characteristics giving each anomaly an inverted J-shaped form. Size anomaly is particularly strong for small stocks and has a robust U-shaped form.
Automatic query mapping among genomic databases: a pilot exploration

As databases in the human genome project proliferate, it is important for users of one genomic database to identify similar or inconsistent data in other autonomously developed genomic databases. To do so, the user needs to issue the same query across multiple databases. We describe an approach that allows a query issued against one database to be automatically mapped to an equivalent query against another structurally different database. Our approach features two components: 1) a database designed to capture knowledge (metadata) that describes the correspondences among individual database components and 2) a module that utilizes the metadata to perform query mappings. As a demonstration, we apply our query mapping approach to two chromosome map databases (DB/12 and GDB).
Time-varying betas in Central and Eastern European markets: a bivariate BEKK GARCH approach

In this paper, we analyse country risk of eight Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries by calculating time-varying betas. We have used daily closing prices of indices from 3 June 2002 through 2 December 2011, resulting in 2021 observations. The time-varying betas where calculated by applying multivariate GARCH BEKK models under multivariate normal distribution of errors. Results indicate that BEKK models are appropriate on estimating time-varying beta for Czech Republic, Hungary, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, and Russia, except for Latvia. Moreover, the behaviour of time-varying betas during the crisis differs between CEE markets. Countries with flat exchange rates seem to eliminate some of the country risk. For Romania and Hungary, time-varying beta increase was eliminated due to assistance of the International Monetary Fund during the crisis.
Sequential Therapy or Standard Triple Therapy for Helicobacter pylori Infection: An Updated Systematic Review

The effectiveness of standard triple therapy (STT) for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori has decreased recently. Sequential therapy (SQT) is a new regimen proposed to address this problem. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of SQT versus STT for H. pylori eradication. We searched The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases up to July 2014. The risk ratios (RRs) of eradication rate were pooled, with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Thirty-six randomized clinical trials including a total of 10,316 patients met the inclusion criteria. The RR for eradication of H. pylori with SQT compared with STT was 1.14 (95% CI: 1.09–1.17), the eradication rates were 84.1% and 75.1%, respectively. There was significant heterogeneity between trial results (I2 = 73%; P < 0.00001). Subgroup analyses showed that SQT was superior to both 7- and 10-day STT, but not significantly better than 14-day STT. This superiority existed when patients were treated with either metronidazole or tinidazole. Patients with single clarithromycin-resistant strain showed a greater benefit of SQT over STT (eradication rates 80.9% vs. 40.7%), RR = 1.98 (95% CI: 1.33–2.94). There was no significant difference between groups in terms of the risk of adverse effects. In conclusion, SQT is more efficacious than STT (7 days and 10 days) in the eradication of HP, but the pooled rate seemed suboptimal. Further research is needed to develop more effective therapeutic approaches. Surveillance of resistance rates should be performed to guide treatment.
Industrialization of Agriculture: Discussion

Agricultural economists as story tellers focus on key players, their motivations, and activities (McCloskey). Thus we try to understand current events in terms of the past and to peer into the future. The better stories provide insights by pointing out, and perhaps measuring, relationships among events and "causes. " Coffey's story focuses on the impacts of industrialization on farm supply firms and particularly cooperatives. Coffey's story has the ring of authenticity-of a person who knows his industry. Barkema and O'Brien attempt larger stories about the whole system. Today's growing fragmentation of consumer demand is Barkema's driving force of change. O'Brien's driving force is the effort to minimize or transfer risk.
Heterogeneity of cathepsin B and stefin A expression in Gleason pattern 3+3 (score 6) prostate cancer needle biopsies.

BACKGROUND There is a significant positive association of increased ratios of cathepsin B to its endogenous inhibitor stefin (cystatin) A in prostatectomy tumors with pelvic lymph node metastases. Needle biopsy diagnosis of prostate cancer is critical in initial treatment selection. The objective was to characterize cathepsin B and stefin A immunostaining patterns in needle biopsies of histologically similar Gleason pattern 3+3 (score 6) foci in relation to pretreatment clinical data. MATERIALS AND METHODS Immunostaining of cathepsin B and stefin A of 65 biopsy sections were imaged, quantified and analyzed with Student's t-test (p < 0.05). RESULTS Patients had T1c to T3b clinical stages and pre-surgery total prostate-specific antigen serum levels from 1.25 to 20.0 ng/ml. Cathepsin B and stefin A reaction products were found in the cytoplasm of basal and columnar/cuboidal cells of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) and neoplastic cells. Ratios of cathepsin B to stefin A were significantly higher in prostate cancer when compared to that in BPH and PIN glands. CONCLUSION Small foci of Gleason pattern 3+3 tumors in needle biopsies have heterogeneous cathepsin B and stefin A immunostaining. Stratification of these tumors in relation to clinical stage by cathepsin B and stefin A may assist in treatment selection.
Psychological Distress and Family Satisfaction Following Traumatic Brain Injury: Injured Individuals and Their Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Carers

Objective: To assess family psychosocial outcome following traumatic brain injury (TBI) in all family members, including relatives more peripheral to the person with the injury. Design: A cross-sectional design was used to gather outcome data from individuals with TBI and primary, secondary, and tertiary carers, 19.3 months posttrauma. Multivariate analyses of variance (ANOVAs) ascertained differences in levels of psychological distress and family satisfaction within families. Setting and participants: Seventy-nine families (65 individuals with TBI, 72 primary carers, 43 secondary carers, and 22 tertiary carers) were drawn from a sample of outpatients of three metropolitan, acute rehabilitation hospitals over a 12-month period. Outcome measures: In addition to using the Family Satisfaction Scale (FSS), measures of psychological distress included the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), State Anxiety Inventory (SAI), and Profile of Mood States (POMS). Results: Although it was noted that a significant proportion of family members were not psychologically distressed and reported good family satisfaction, people with TBI remain at greater risk of poor psychosocial outcome than do their relatives. Of other family members, primary carers—particularly wives—are at greatest risk of poor psychosocial outcome, and a number of secondary and tertiary carers also displayed high levels of psychological distress. Conclusions: Male relatives (the majority of whom were secondary or tertiary carers) may report their distress in terms of anger and fatigue, rather than as depression and anxiety. Future research could develop TBI-specific measures of anger and fatigue as screening instruments to identify peripheral family members requiring assistance in adapting to TBI. Many families—despite their initial traumatic experience—eventually cope well, encouraging researchers and clinicians to focus future research efforts on those families who have made good adjustments to TBI.
G-MST: A dynamic group-based scheduling algorithm for MEMS-based mobile storage devices

MEMS-based storage is anticipated to be used as the secondary storage of mobile consumer devices due to its attractive features such as small size, low-power consumption, and low cost. However, physical structures of MEMS-based storage are vastly different from traditional hard disks especially in the way of data placement and seeking. Hence, it is important to revise the software management techniques appropriate for MEMS-based storage. In this paper, we present a new I/O scheduling algorithm for MEMS based storage called G-MST that exploits the two-dimensional graph algorithm and group-based SCAN. The proposed algorithm aims at reducing the total seek distance in the two dimensional MEMS structure and providing fast and uniform response time simultaneously. Simulations with synthetic and real world I/O traces are performed to assess the effectiveness of G-MST.
Population Health Management for Older Adults

Background: The older adult population is expanding, living longer, with multiple chronic conditions. Understanding and managing their needs over time is an integral part of defining successful aging. Population health is used to describe the measurement and health outcomes of a population. Objectives: To define population health as applied to older adults, summarize lessons learned from current research, and identify potential interventions designed to promote successful aging and improved health for this population. Method: Online search engines were utilized to identify research on population health and health interventions for older adults. Results: Population health management (PHM) is one strategy to promote the health and well-being of target populations. Interventions promoting health across a continuum tend to be disease, risk, or health behavior specific rather than encompassing a global concept of health. Conclusion: Many existing interventions for older adults are simply research based with limited generalizability; as such, further work in this area is warranted.
Circular Permutation of the Genome of a Temperate Bacteriophage from Streptococcus cremoris BK5

The temperate bacteriophage BK5-T was isolated from Streptococcus cremoris BK5 by induction with mitomycin C. Electron microscopy revealed that BK5-T DNA consists of linear molecules, ranging in size from 39.7 to 46 kilobase pairs. Restriction analysis of self-ligated BK5-T DNA showed that the ends of the DNA were not cohesive. The EcoRI restriction fragments of the phage genome were cloned into pACYC184. Restriction enzyme analysis of both the phage DNA and the cloned EcoRI fragments with EcoRI, BstEII, PstI, ClaI, and XbaI yielded a 37.6-kilobase-pair-long circular restriction map for the phage genome. It was concluded that the BK5-T DNA molecules in the population differ in their sequence by a circular permutation and that individual DNA molecules are terminally redundant. The map location of the sites at which packaging of BK5-T DNA into phage heads is initiated (pac) and at which the phage integrates into the bacterial chromosome (att) were established.