Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Residential property market performance and extreme risk measures

Abstract Residential property is a popular investment option and has historically attracted small Australian individual investors with debt financing lowering the initial equity component, favourable tax structure and past evidence of good returns. A major concern with this approach is uncertainty, where stable assumptions cease to hold and there is concentrated negative price movement. This extreme downside volatility may not be fully reflected in traditional risk calculations. This research studies 40 years of quarterly Melbourne established residential property market performance data for normal distribution features and signs of extreme downside risk. The results show that the normal bell curve distribution underestimated actual extreme values both by frequency and extent for ungeared residential property data. This is magnified as the gearing is increased to an extent where the outermost data point on 80% debt leverage shows an unrealistic probability of a 1 in 192 year event. Alternatively adopting the Cubic Power Law of returns, the probabilities of the most extreme event occurring drops to a realistic 1 in 38 year event. In highlighting the challenges to measuring the impact of leverage on residential property market performance, the analysis of extreme downside risk should be separated from traditional standard deviation risk calculations.
Prediction of vestibulo-autonomic symptoms during the caloric test: Evaluation of autonomic activity by spectral analysis of the electrocardiographic R–R interval

Conclusion. If the high-frequency (HF) component of the R–R interval spectrum of the electrocardiogram (ECG) increases after the first stimulation during a bithermal caloric test, subsequent repeated stimulations may be likely to induce autonomic symptoms such as nausea. Objective. Nausea often occurs as a vestibulo-autonomic symptom during the caloric test. However, there have been only a few clinical studies of autonomic activity during this test. To determine whether certain factors can predict the development of nausea, we performed an autonomic function test by means of R–R interval spectral analysis of the ECG during caloric testing. Material and methods. The study subjects were 53 healthy volunteers aged 22–39 years (41 males, 12 females; mean age 25.3 years) and a 35-year-old male patient with a labyrinthine defect. The caloric test was performed in 43 subjects using an air caloric apparatus with bithermal stimulation of alternate ears. After each stimulation, the subjects were asked about autonomic symptoms. Serial ECG records were obtained and R–R interval spectral analysis was performed. Results. Severe nausea was observed in 12 subjects (28%). In the group with severe nausea, the HF component of the R–R interval spectrum increased after the first caloric stimulation when autonomic symptoms had not yet become marked.
[Effect of nitrogen source on growth of Arthrobacter simplex and its biosynthesis of cholinesterase].

The effect of organic and inorganic forms of nitrogen on biomass accumulation and cholinesterase synthesis was studied with Arthrobacter simplex var. cholinesterasus. The culture assimilates nitrogen of ammonium compounds better than other forms of inorganic nitrogen; the best nitrogen source for biosynthesis of cholinesterase is ammonium phosphate. Nitrogen of nitrates is not assimilated. The amount of biomass is almost twice as high on the medium with peptone, casein or casein hydrolysate as on the medium with mineral nitrogen, while the activity of cholinesterase on these nitrogen sources decreases 1.5--2.0 times. Yeast extract as a nitrogen source increases biomass accumulation by a factor of 2.5 and does not supress synthesis of cholinesterase. The concentration of the enzyme synthesized per unit biomass on the medium with yeast extract is the same as on the medium containing ammonium phosphate. The effect of amino acids and amides, i.e. beta-alanine, proline, amides of aspartic and glutamic acids, and their mixtures, is similar to the action of yeast extract: they stimulate biomass accumulation and do not inhibit synthesis of the enzyme. Other amino acids supress synthesis of cholinesterase. The amount of accumulated biomass in the presence of glutamic acid is twice as high as in the case of any other amino acid, and three times as high as on the medium containing ammonium phosphate. Similar action of glutamic acid is manifested when it is used in mixtures with other amino acids. On the medium containing glutamic acid as a sole source of nitrogen, an increase in biomass production is accompanied with a decrease in biosynthesis of the enzyme by 50%. Repression of the biosynthesis is less if glutamic acid is added in mixtures with proline, beta-alanine and asparagine.
Lipid Segregation and Membrane Budding Induced by the Peripheral Membrane Binding Protein Annexin A2*

Background: Annexin A2 is a phospholipid binding protein implicated in endo- and exocytosis. Results: Annexin A2 induces microdomain formation and inward vesicle budding in giant unilamellar vesicles. Conclusion: Specific lipid clustering and vesicle budding is triggered by annexin A2. Significance: Membrane binding by the cytosolic protein annexin A2 can induce the formation of microdomains rich in cholesterol and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate. The formation of dynamic membrane microdomains is an important phenomenon in many signal transduction and membrane trafficking events. It is driven by intrinsic properties of membrane lipids and integral as well as membrane-associated proteins. Here we analyzed the ability of one peripherally associated membrane protein, annexin A2 (AnxA2), to induce the formation of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2)-rich domains in giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) of complex lipid composition. AnxA2 is a cytosolic protein that can bind PI(4,5)P2 and other acidic phospholipids in a Ca2+-dependent manner and that has been implicated in cellular membrane dynamics in endocytosis and exocytosis. We show that AnxA2 binding to GUVs induces lipid phase separation and the recruitment of PI(4,5)P2, cholesterol and glycosphingolipids into larger clusters. This property is observed for the full-length monomeric protein, a mutant derivative comprising the C-terminal protein core domain and for AnxA2 residing in a heterotetrameric complex with its intracellular binding partner S100A10. All AnxA2 derivatives inducing PI(4,5)P2 clustering are also capable of forming interconnections between PI(4,5)P2-rich microdomains of adjacent GUVs. Furthermore, they can induce membrane indentations rich in PI(4,5)P2 and inward budding of these membrane domains into the lumen of GUVs. This inward vesiculation is specific for AnxA2 and not shared with other PI(4,5)P2-binding proteins such as the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain of phospholipase Cδ1. Together our results indicate that annexins such as AnxA2 can efficiently induce membrane deformations after lipid segregation, a mechanism possibly underlying annexin functions in membrane trafficking.
Cost‐effectiveness analysis of TNF‐α blockers for the treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis in the perspective of the Italian health‐care system

The cost‐effectiveness of biological treatments for psoriasis is not well determined and may vary from country to country. The objectives of this study was to perform a cost‐effectiveness analysis of infliximab compared with other anti‐tumor necrosis factor‐α agents for the treatment of psoriasis in Italy. The incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio per patients achieving at least 75% improvement in the psoriasis area and severity index assessed over 24‐ and 48–50‐week periods was calculated. Efficacy data were drawn from randomized controlled trials when available or from open label studies. Considering patients achieving psoriasis area and severity index at week 24 and 48–50, infliximab was dominant (more effective and less costly) over etanercept given at 50 mg twice weekly. In contrast, infliximab was not dominant over etanercept at other dosages or over adalimumab. When considering the impact of therapy on quality of life at Week 12 using the Dermatology Life Quality Index equal to zero, infliximab resulted more effective and less costly than etanercept. Therefore, infliximab seems to be cost‐effective in the therapy of psoriasis. Further cost‐efficacy evaluations based on head‐to‐head trials are necessary to address health economic considerations.
Combination chemotherapy of S-1 and low-dose twice-weekly cisplatin for advanced and recurrent gastric cancer in an outpatient setting: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND We have reported the efficacy and safety of S-1 combined with low-dose consecutive cisplatin therapy for advanced and recurrent gastric cancer, but the regimen was difficult because daily cisplatin administration was necessary. We have already confirmed that cisplatin of 6 mg/m2 twice-weekly maintained the same protein-bound Pt concentration as that of 3 mg/m2 of cisplatin daily. In the present study, the efficacy and safety of a combination of S-1 and low-dose twice-weekly cisplatin were investigated. PATIENTS AND METHODS The participants were 32 patients treated at our hospital, and all were admitted for the first 2 weeks of therapy. S-1 at 80 mg/m2 daily was administered orally in two divided doses. Cisplatin at 6 mg/m2 was administered by intravenous drip infusion over 30 minutes on 2 days each week, day 1 and day 4. Each treatment cycle consisted of 4 weeks of drug administration followed by a 2-week drug-free period (6 weeks in total). RESULTS A total of 146 cycles were administered, with a median of three cycles (range: 1-24) per patient. The results were rated as a complete response in 1 case, partial response in 24 cases and stable disease in 5 cases. The response rate was 78.1% (25/32) and the median survival time was 12.0 months (95% confidence interval (CI) 8.9-15.1 months). The response rate did not differ between previously treated and untreated patients. The one-year survival rate was 48.2% (95% CI 30.3-66.0%). The major adverse reactions were myelosuppression and gastrointestinal symptoms. The total incidence of grade 3 or greater adverse reactions was 15.6% (5/32). CONCLUSION The combination of S-1 and low-dose twice-weekly cisplatin therapy appears to be highly efficacious and safe and shows promise as a useful treatment strategy, even in outpatient clinics.
Observational studies and predictive models.

The paper by Shah and colleagues (hereafter referred to as Shah), “Angina and Other Risk Factors in Patients With Cardiac Diseases Undergoing Noncardiac Operations” (l), is an important study because of the prevalence of cardiac patients that require noncardiac surgery. It is also important because it is a paradigm of a number of studies that have appeared in the literatuie recently (e.g., 2,3). Statistical analysis plays a central role in these studies. The purpose of this editorial is to use Shah‘s study as a point of departure to expand on the statistical methodology and suggest some other methodologies for future investigations. This editorial will concentrate on the design of these studies, patient selection, variable selection, statistical model selection and evaluation, and interpretation of results. The principles and pitfalls of the statistical methodology are crucial in evaluating these epidemiologic studies. There are two classes of observational studies in the clinical setting, retrospective and prospective. In retrospective studies, past patient records are reviewed to collect the relevant prognostic and outcome variables. In prospective studies the relevant prognostic and outcome variables are collected from patients as they are treated and followed. Retrospective studies are generally quicker and cheaper to conduct because patients have already been treated and the data collected. There are, however, several problems with retrospective studies. Among them are the following: patient records may be lost; definition of the variables may have changed
Cloud-Based Architectures for Environment Monitoring

Aiming to keep under control a particular system or environment or to ensure that it works as expected there is a need to know what-when-why happens there. Various conditions and environmental factors can lead to errors, unexpected behavior or loss of control. To pursue these factors manually is time consuming, error prone, slow and usually quite expensive. Monitoring is quite complex and challenging activity, but with recent advances of technology in many areas there is a good premise for automating almost each activity in monitoring of any system, process, and environment. The basic activity of monitoring is gathering data, which with high degree of accuracy will make us more informed and will help us to take more correct decision. This paper shows the main questions identified while trying to design architecture for an environment monitoring system, the main characteristics which such system should have and the technologies and standards proposed to be used in order to support required functionalities.
Toxicological Effects of Weapons of Mass Destruction and Noxious Agents in Modern Warfare and Terorrism

Toksikološke posljedice oružja za masovno uništavanje i noksa u suvremenom ratovanju i terorizmu Oružja za masovno uništavanje najbolji su primjer uporabe civilizacijskih tehnoloških dostignuća u štetne svrhe i protiv ljudske civilizacije. Unatoč nastojanjima oko kontrole i smanjenja njihove količine, rizik zbog samoga postojanja pa čak i širenja zahtijeva da se o njihovoj uporabi i dalje vodi računa i da se povećaju obrambene mjere - nuklearno-biološko-kemijske obrane (NBKO). Osim suvremenog vojnika koji je u vojnim i mirovnim operacijama diljem svijeta izložen raznim noksama kemijskog, biološkog i radiološkog podrijetla, nezaštićeno i uglavnom slabo educirano civilno stanovništvo može biti izloženo terorističkim napadima. Oružja za masovno uništavanje i nokse kemijskog, biološkog i radiološkog podrijetla uzrokuju razne toksikološke posljedice, a bez obzira na njihovo podrijetlo, imaju zajednički nazivnik djelovanja - poremećaj fiziološkog stanja u organizmu. Poremećaji proizašli nakon izlaganja tim noksama nerijetko se teško determiniraju, dijagnosticiraju i liječe. U ovome su radu s biomedicinskog aspekta obrađene važnije nokse kemijskog, biološkog i radiološkog podrijetla na temelju odabranih primjera iz terorizma i suvremenog ratovanja: polonij-210, osiromašeni uran, salmonela, bedrenica (antraks), genetički modificirane bakterije, polimerno predivo "paučina" i bojni otrovi sarin i iperit. Toxicological Effects of Weapons of Mass Destruction and Noxious Agents in Modern Warfare and Terorrism Weapons of mass destruction (WMD) best portray the twisted use of technological achievements against the human species. Despite arm control efforts, WMD threat continues to exist and even proliferate. This in turn calls for improvement in defensive measures against this threat. The modern soldier is exposed to a number of chemical, biological, and radiological agents in military and peace operations, while civilians are mainly exposed to terrorist attacks. Regardless of origin or mode of action, WMDs and other noxious agents aim for the same - to make an organism dysfunctional. Because their effects are often delayed, these agents are hard to spot on time and treat. This review presents a biomedical aspect of agents used in warfare and terrorism, including polonium-210, depleted uranium, salmonella, anthrax, genetically modified bacteria, cobweb-like polymer fibre, sarin, and mustard gas.
D2 dopamine receptor A1 allele in Alzheimer disease and aging.

BACKGROUND The apolipoprotein E4 (APOE*4) allele is a major risk factor for the common forms of late-onset Alzheimer disease (AD), but does not account for all the genetic variation in late-onset AD; hence, other genetic markers must be examined. The D2 dopamine receptor (DRD2) A1 allele is associated with abnormal brain function and decreased DRD2s. These receptors are decreased in hippocampus and amygdala in AD, and allele frequencies may vary with age. OBJECTIVE To study APOE and DRD2 genotypes in patients with AD and cognitively intact controls of varying ages. DESIGN The DRD2 and APOE genotypes were examined in 832 unrelated white subjects, including 554 patients with AD (486 sporadic; 68 familial) and 278 controls. Logistic regressions tested A1 allele effects on disease status and age, and DRD2 linkage with AD was investigated in 60 families with late-onset AD. SETTING University medical centers. SUBJECTS Patients (mean +/- SD age, 74.6 +/- 8.1 years; range, 52-98 years) had probable AD, according to standard consensus diagnostic criteria; controls (mean +/- SD age, 69.2 +/- 8.6 years; range, 50-93 years) were cognitively intact. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Disease status, age, and DRD2 linkage with AD. RESULTS No association between the DRD2 and APOE alleles was found, and the presence of the A1 allele did not increase the risk for AD. There was also no evidence of linkage between DRD2 and AD. Age analyses, including both patients and controls, indicated a decrease in A1 allele frequency with age. CONCLUSIONS The A1 allele does not contribute to AD risk, alone or in combination with the APOE*4 allele. The DRD2 A1 allele frequencies decrease with age in both patients and controls. Thus, studies of DRD2 disease association need to control for age.
Trends in hypertension prevalence (1990–2005) and mean blood pressure (1975–2005) in Portugal: a systematic review

Aims. We aimed to describe the temporal trends of the mean blood pressure and prevalence of hypertension in studies that evaluated Portuguese adults. Methods. Pubmed was searched and 42 eligible studies were identified. Reference screening and data extraction were conducted independently by two researchers. We fitted linear regression models to compute ecological estimates of hypertension prevalence and mean blood pressure, adjusting for sex, age and significant interaction terms. Results. Between 1990 and 2005, the prevalence of hypertension defined as blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg and/or drug treatment remained approximately constant in young adults and decreased in middle-aged and older adults, whereas the prevalence of self-reported hypertension increased 0.4% per year (95% confidence interval 0.1–0.7) overall. Between 1975 and 2005, mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures decreased in middle-aged and older adults, reaching a 32-mmHg decrease in systolic blood pressure among women at average age 70. Conclusion. The trends in the last decades show a decrease in blood pressure levels, probably attributable to increasing awareness and a higher treatment proportion. Although this absolute trend in blood pressure parallels the observed in other high income European countries, Portugal maintains its position above the mean levels in other Western settings.
A biomechanical analysis of good and poor performers of the vertical jump

The vertical jump is widely used as a field test of performance capability, particularly in games like soccer. Invariably some players perform better than others and, while this is usually put down to greater strength or ‘explosive power’, there is no detailed information to explain how the muscles around the major joints contribute to this performance and what the nature of this contribution is, or indeed whether aspects of technique are important to performance. Detailed knowledge of this type would be useful to help understand which muscle characteristics are important in successful performance of jumping and may enable insights to be gained in terms of strength training for players. The aim of this study was to investigate the contribution made by the lower limb joints to vertical jump performance by good and poor performers of the counter-movement jump. Two groups of players were selected who were found to be good and poor jumpers, respectively. Each player was required to perform three maximal vertical counter-movement jumps with, and three jumps without, an arm swing. The jump performance was recorded simultaneously by means of a force platform and a ProReflex automatic motion analysis system at 240 Hz. Values at the ankle, knee and hip were computed from these data for joint moments and power. Generally, better jumpers demonstrated greater joint moments, power and work done at the ankle, knee and hip, and as a result jumped higher under both conditions. It appears that the superior performance of the better jumpers was due to greater muscle capability in terms of strength and rate of strength development in all lower limb joints rather than to technique, which differed less noticeably between the groups. It is concluded that the muscle strength characteristics of the lower limb joints are the main determinant of vertical jump performance with technique playing a smaller role.
Antigen-specific suppressor T cells respond to recombinant interleukin-2 and other lymphokines

Previous studies have shown that transfer of whole spleen cell populations obtained from primed donors or transfer of purified T cells enriched for suppressor activity (Ts) to recipient mice decreased the antibody response to pneumococcal polysaccharide type III (SSS-III) when the animals were simultaneously immunized with SSS-III. In the present studies, such suppression of the antibody response was transferred with 10- to 100-fold fewer primed spleen cells when the cells were treated in vitro with recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) before transfer; spleen cells from naive mice or mice primed with an unrelated antigen (dextran) and then treated with rIL-2 did not cause suppression of the antibody response to SSS-III, thereby eliminating the possibility of nonspecific carryover effects induced by rIL-2. In vivo administration of rIL-2 at the time of immunization with an optimally immunogenic dose of SSS-III resulted in significant (P less than 0.05) suppression of the antibody response relative to that of control animals, suggesting that IL-2 augments the clonal expansion of Ts cells in vivo. Further, the ability of passively administered anti-IL-2 receptor antibody to inhibit generation of Ts cells in vivo is consistent with such a view. Spleen cells from primed animals treated with rIL-4, rIL-5, or gamma interferon--but not those from primed animals treated with rIL-6--likewise were able to transfer suppression of the antibody response with fewer cells than those required when primed cells not treated with lymphokines were used. Thus, these studies indicate that Ts cell activity is greatly influenced by lymphokines produced by helper T cells. The studies also suggest that these lymphokines are required during activation and/or clonal expansion of Ts cells.