Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Performance Analysis using Different Neural Network and Fuzzy Logic Models for Prediction of Stock Price

Analysis and prediction of stock market is very interesting as this helps the financial experts in decision making and in turn profit making. In this thesis simple feed forward neural network (FFNN) model is initially considered for stock market prediction and its result is compared with Radial basis function network (RBFN) model, fuzzy logic model and Elman network model. A FFNN model can fit into any finite input-output mapping problem where the FFNN consists of one hidden layer and enough neurons in the hidden layer. RBFN are the Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) in which Radial Basis Functions (RBF) are used as activation functions. In this thesis, Levenberg-Marquardt Backpropagation algorithm is used to train the data for both FFNN and Elman network. For Fuzzy Logic, Sugeno type Fuzzy Inference System (FIS) is used to model the prediction process. Different Clustering methods are used to nd the optimal parameters of RBF. These techniques were tested with published stock market data of National Stock Exchange of India Ltd. for validation.
O IMPACTO ECONÓMICO DO AUMENTO DA IDADE DA REFORMA: LIÇÕES DA ALTERAÇÃO LEGISLATIVA DE SETEMBRO DE 1993*

Na generalidade dos paises desenvolvidos, os sistemas publicos de pensionamento tem-se confrontado com o aumento da longevidade e com o decrescimo da natalidade das suas populacoes. Quase invariavelmente, a reaccao dos decisores politicos traduziu-se no aumento da idade legal da reforma, isto e, da idade em que os trabalhadores sao investidos no direito a receber uma pensao completa; na alteracao das formulas de calculo das pensoes de forma a contemplar um periodo mais longo de contribuicoes; e na limitacao das condicoes de acesso a esquemas de reforma antecipada 1 . Apesar da sua proeminencia, e muito escassa e dispersa a investigacao sobre o impacto economico destas politicas. Neste ensaio sera investigada a alteracao legislativa ocorrida no mercado de trabalho portugues que, a partir de 1994, fez aproximar gradualmente a idade de reforma das mulheres, fixada nos 62 anos, a idade de reforma dos homens, ate convergir para os 65 anos em 1999. Para o efeito sera explorada a riqueza informativa dos registos individuais do Inquerito ao Emprego e dos Quadros de Pessoal, que permitem acompanhar ao longo do tempo o percurso dos trabalhadores e das empresas. Neste enquadramento, o recurso a tecnicas estatisticas de emparelhamento (matching estimators), estabelecendo uma comparacao adequada entre o grupo de tratamento (isto e, dos individuos ou empresas sujeitos a intervencao) e o grupo de controlo e especialmente revelador. Nesta investigacao serao desenvolvidos metodos de diferenca das diferencas com matching para estimar o efeito do aumento da idade de reforma das mulheres sobre os salarios e as horas trabalhadas das trabalhadoras mais directamente afectadas. De igual modo serao obtidas estimativas do impacto do aumento da idade da reforma sobre a politica de recrutamento e de despedimento das empresas. Por fim, sera avaliada a influencia do aumento da idade da reforma sobre a producao e a produtividade das empresas.
Employer Brand Attraction: factores para captar talento

Una marca empleadora solida comienza por atraer talento. Ser capaces de atraer a los mejores, a los mas brillantes, y a quienes tengan mayor capacidad para integrarse en la organizacion es el primer paso para lograr uno de los objetivo de la marca empleadora. Por este motivo interesa conocer desde la perspectiva de los candidatos ? cuales son los atributos que dotan de atractivo a una marca empleadora? En esta investigacion se exploran cuales son los factores que mejor explican el atractivo de las marcas empleadoras entre los recien licenciados espanoles, un segmento especialmente interesante para las organizaciones. Partiendo de un enfoque tridimensional del concepto de atractivo –conocimiento de la marca, atributos de su imagen y la expectativa de vivir determinadas experiencias laborales con la futura marca empleadora– disenamos un cuestionario que recogia un conjunto de items basados en la literatura. Un analisis factorial exploratorio revelo los factores subyacentes a cada dimension. Se concluye que para el perfil de candidatos estudiado, una marca empleadora es atractiva si tambien lo es comercialmente, si proyecta una imagen humanizada y promete una experiencia laboral estimulante.
Online visual search behaviour, performance and satisfaction: A comparative study of English, Arabic and Chinese users

The primary goal of this research is to explore differences in visual search behaviour, performance and subjective satisfaction between English, Arabic and Chinese speaking users of a Search Engine Result Page (SERP) in order to provide design insights for international web designers and developers. The research uses eye tracking to examine whether differences in visual behaviour and eye movement exist between the three groups (English, Arabic and Chinese users) when viewing SERPs on large and small screen and whether their eye movements differ according to the types of activity, the type of SERP interface or the screen size.
Fusion genes in solid tumors.

Tumor development in different cell types and tissue locations involves many pathways, distinct genes and exogenous factors. Tumor type-specific chromosome rearrangements resulting in fusion genes or promoter swapping are believed to be involved in the early development of many tumor types. They are present in almost all cases of a particular tumor type and cases have been described that carry only tumor type-specific translocations without any signs of other cytogenetic changes. The mechanisms behind chromosome rearrangements in solid tumors are largely unknown. Radiation is an important factor in thyroid carcinomas but no com-$bmon sequence motifs are made out in the break points of solid tumors. The fusion genes found in sarcomas are dominated by the transcription factor type of genes with the TLS/FUS and EWS series of fusion genes as the largest group. More than 50% of papillary thyroid carcinomas carry fusion proteins with tyrosine kinase activity. Rearrangements involving HMGIC, HMGIY, and PLAG1 are common in benign mesenchymal tumors and salivary gland adenomas. Many recurrent tumor translocations show a strict specificity for tumor type. This specificity can most likely be explained by the specific sets of target genes that are deregulated by the fusion gene products. Identification of the downstream target genes is currently the object of intense research and may provide us with information that will help design better diagnostic tools and eventually find a cure for these diseases.
I Don't Believe It, But I'd Better Do Something About It: Patient Experiences of Online Heart Age Risk Calculators

Background Health risk calculators are widely available on the Internet, including cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk calculators that estimate the probability of a heart attack, stroke, or death over a 5- or 10-year period. Some calculators convert this probability to “heart age”, where a heart age older than current age indicates modifiable risk factors. These calculators may impact patient decision making about CVD risk management with or without clinician involvement, but little is known about how patients use them. Previous studies have not investigated patient understanding of heart age compared to 5-year percentage risk, or the best way to present heart age. Objective This study aimed to investigate patient experiences and understanding of online heart age calculators that use different verbal, numerical, and graphical formats, based on 5- and 10-year Framingham risk equations used in clinical practice guidelines around the world. Methods General practitioners in New South Wales, Australia, recruited 26 patients with CVD/lifestyle risk factors who were not taking cholesterol or blood pressure-lowering medication in 2012. Participants were asked to “think aloud” while using two heart age calculators in random order, with semi-structured interviews before and after. Transcribed audio recordings were coded and a framework analysis method was used. Results Risk factor questions were often misinterpreted, reducing the accuracy of the calculators. Participants perceived older heart age as confronting and younger heart age as positive but unrealistic. Unexpected or contradictory results (eg, low percentage risk but older heart age) led participants to question the credibility of the calculators. Reasons to discredit the results included the absence of relevant lifestyle questions and impact of corporate sponsorship. However, the calculators prompted participants to consider lifestyle changes irrespective of whether they received younger, same, or older heart age results. Conclusions Online heart age calculators can be misunderstood and disregarded if they produce unexpected or contradictory results, but they may still motivate lifestyle changes. Future research should investigate both the benefits and harms of communicating risk in this way, and how to increase the reliability and credibility of online health risk calculators.
Regulated Charging of Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles for Minimizing Load Variance in Household Smart Microgrid

With the advent of the plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), the vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology is attracting increasing attention recently. It is believed that the V2G option can aid to improve the efficiency and reliability of the power grid, as well as reduce overall cost and carbon emission. In this paper, the possibility of smoothing out the load variance in a household microgrid by regulating the charging patterns of family PHEVs is investigated. First, the mathematic model of the problem is built up. Then, the case study is conducted, which demonstrates that, by regulating the charging profiles of the PHEVs, the variance of load power can be dramatically reduced. Third, the energy losses and the subsidy mechanism are discussed. Finally, the impacts of the requested net charging quantities and the battery capacity of PHEVs on the performance of the regulated charging are investigated.
Assessment of physical activity in patients with chronic low back or neck pain.

AIM To investigate physical activity level in patients with chronic low back and neck pain. MATERIAL AND METHODS 32 preoperative patients, 32 outpatients with low back or neck pain and 32 healthy controls were included in study. The physical activity level of the participants was evaluated with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. The Oswestry Disability Index and Neck Pain Disability Index, Short Form-36, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Beck Depression Inventory were used for assessment of disability, quality of life, sleep quality and depression. RESULTS Statistical significant differences was found in disability, sleep quality, depression, physical activity level and quality of life scores between three groups (p < 0.05). All scores of preoperative patients were significantly lower than outpatients except sleep parameter (p < 0.05). Sleep quality, disability and depression scores of patients with chronic neck pain were significantly lower and physical activity level and quality of life scores were significantly higher than patients' with chronic low back pain (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Physical activity modification was found in patients with chronic low back and neck pain. Physical activity level, disability, sleep, depression and quality of life scores of preoperative patients with low back pain more affected than neck patients.
Idiopathic osteoporosis: a heterogeneous entity.

DEFINITION Idiopathic osteoporosis refers to the development of osteopenia and fractures with minimal or no trauma in otherwise young, healthy individuals who are not postmenopausal or have other, identifiable secondary causes of osteoporosis. EPIDEMIOLOGY It is a relatively rare disorder, with an incidence of 0.4 cases per 100,000 person-years. It appears to affect both sexes equally and results primarily in the development of trabecular bone fractures such as vertebral compression fractures and Colles' fractures, although hip fractures are also seen. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY The disease may be temporally related to pregnancy and/or lactation in some patients, although it is unclear whether pregnancy plays a pathophysiological role or, more likely, simply leads to the clinical presentation of the disease in individuals who are already affected. Various pathophysiological abnormalities have been described in these patients, including hypercalciuria, abnormalities in vitamin D metabolism, and in the production of insulin-like growth factor I and interleukin 1. Findings on bone biopsy have been variable, with some patients having evidence of a defect in osteoblast function, whereas others having evidence for increased bone resorption. TREATMENT No specific therapy has been proven to be effective in these patients. However, an individualized approach based on an assessment of bone turnover may be reasonable and may decrease the bone loss and subsequent fracture risk.
Neuropsychiatric studies of sleep and 24-hour activity rhythms

__Abstract__ In Nederland ervaart tot 40% van de bevolking slaapklachten, regelmatig staan deze problemen in verband met andere gezondheidsklachten. Slaap is een wisselwerking tussen twee processen. Als eerste is er de slaapbehoefte, deze wordt grotendeels bepaald door hoe lang iemand wakker is. Als tweede is er het circadiaans ritme, dit is het ongeveer 24-uur durende dag-nacht ritme van het lichaam. In deze studie hebben wij onderzocht hoe verstoringen in slaap en het 24-uurs ritme van beweging samenhangen met de lichamelijke en geestelijke gezondheid in het ERGO-onderzoek. Het onderzoek laat zien dat naarmate mensen ouder worden ze een stabieler 24-uurs ritme hebben, maar het ritme ook meer gefragmenteerd wordt, dat wil zeggen dat het vermogen om langer in een actieve of non-actieve staat te blijven beperkt is. Echter, uit ons onderzoek blijkt ook dat zowel onstabiele als meer gefragmenteerde ritmes de levensduur verkorten. Waarschijnlijk reflecteren verstoringen in het 24-uurs ritme veranderingen in de biologische klok, mogelijk zijn ze een indicatie voor een slechte gezondheid. Het hebben van stabiele ritmes op oudere leeftijd zou, bewust of onbewust, een strategie kunnen zijn voor het omgaan met een slechtere gezondheid. Ook de geestelijke gezondheid hangt samen met veranderingen in slaap en 24-uurs ritmes. De resultaten demonstreren dat verstoringen in de slaap vooral in verband staan met slechtere prestaties op geheugen- en taaltaken, terwijl verstoringen in het 24-uurs ritme vooral in verband staat met een verminderde snelheid en een verminderde uitvoer van complexere taken. Ook bleek uit het onderzoek dat 24-uurs ritmes verstoord zijn in personen met depressie- en angstklachten. Daarentegen werden bij mensen met klachten van depressie geen veranderingen gezien in de globale kenmerken van slaap, zoals de objectief gemeten slaapduur, de tijd die het kost om in slaap te vallen en de ernst van slaap apneu. Specifieke kenmerken van de slaap, zoals de hoeveelheid snelle oogbewegingen in de REM-slaap, waren echter wel veranderd in personen die depressie rapporteren. Ook hoe mensen hun slaapkwaliteit ervaren is afhankelijk van de hoeveelheid depressie- en angstklachten. Als laatste bestudeerden we slaap en het 24-uurs ritme in relatie tot het functioneren van de hypothalamus-hypofyse-bijnier as, dit is een systeem in de hersenen wat onder andere van belang is voor stress. De resultaten lieten zien dat dit systeem gerelateerd was aan zowel slaapduur, een verstoord ritme en een slecht ervaren slaapkwaliteit. Gezonde slaap en een onverstoord 24-uurs ritme zijn dan ook van groot belang voor onze lichamelijk en geestelijke gezondheid.
Stress doses of hydrocortisone reduce severe systemic inflammatory response syndrome and improve early outcome in a risk group of patients after cardiac surgery

ObjectiveSevere systemic inflammation with a vasodilatory syndrome occurs in about one third of all patients after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Hydrocortisone has been used successfully to reverse vasodilation in septic patients. We evaluated if stress doses of hydrocortisone attenuate severe systemic inflammatory response syndrome in a predefined risk group of patients after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. DesignRandomized, nonblinded, controlled trial. SettingAnesthesiologic intensive care unit for cardiac surgical patients of an university hospital. PatientsAfter a risk analysis, we enrolled 91 patients into a prospective randomized trial. Patients were included according to the evaluated criteria (preoperative ejection fraction, duration of cardiopulmonary bypass, type of surgery). InterventionsThe treatment group received stress doses of hydrocortisone perioperatively: 100 mg before induction of anesthesia, then 10 mg/hr for 24 hrs, 5 mg/hr for 24 hrs, 3 × 20 mg/day, and 3 × 10 mg/day. Measurements and Main ResultsWe measured various laboratory (e.g., lactate) and clinical variables (e.g., duration of ventilation and length of stay in the intensive care unit), characterizing the patients’ outcome. The two study groups did not differ regarding age, preoperative medication, duration of the cardiopulmonary bypass, and type of surgery. The patients in the treatment group had significantly lower concentrations of IL-6 and lactate, higher antithrombin III concentration, lower need for circulatory and ventilatory support and for transfusions, lower Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System values, and shorter length of stay in the intensive care unit and in the hospital. The mortality rate did not differ significantly between the groups. ConclusionsAlthough we acknowledge the limitations of a nonblinded interventional trial, stress doses of hydrocortisone seem to attenuate systemic inflammation in a predefined risk group of patients after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass and improve early outcome.
The effects of a fifth grade health education curriculum model on perceived vulnerability and smoking attitudes.

The major purpose of this study was to assess the effects of the School Health Curriculum Project (SHCP) on fifth grade students in two areas related to health attitudes and behavior. The areas were perceived vulnerability to illnesses and accidents and attitudes towards smoking. A secondary problem was to determine if relationships existed between variables such as sex, ethnicity, income and reading level and the post-test results for the Treatment Group on the two measures used in this investigation. A quasi-experimental design was used. The specific design was an adaptation of a Nonequivalent Control Group Design modified by the addition of a Post-test-Only Control Group. The sample population participating in the study consisted of 635 students representing 33 intact classrooms from a multicultural urban school district in New Mexico. The data collection instruments used for pre- and post-testing were the Gochman Perceived Vulnerability Instrument (PV) and two subscales of the Teenage Self Test for Cigarette Smoking (ST). The statistics used to analyze the data included descriptive statistics and analysis of variance. Findings revealed that the SHCP fifth grade unit had an effect on students' reported attitudes towards smoking in the direction of the curriculum objectives. The secondary hypotheses findings indicated that significant differences existed among certain groups of students on post-test scores. There were significant differences between females and males on the Perceived Vulnerability and Smoking Test measures between Spanish-American and Anglo students on the Perceived Vulnerability and Smoking Test measures, and between students reading below grade level and those reading at or above grade level on the Smoking Test measure.
The Stroke Caregiver Unmet Resource Needs Scale: Development and Psychometric Testing

ABSTRACT The purposes of this study were to develop and validate a measure of unmet resource needs of the caregivers of survivors of stroke and to describe the caregivers’ unmet needs during 1 year. A longitudinal, descriptive design was used to test the reliability and validity of the Unmet Resource Needs (URN) measure. Item development was based on literature review and preliminary study findings. A stress and coping conceptual model framed the hypotheses. Psychometric testing was based on 6-month postdischarge data (n = 166). Content and structural construct validity, internal consistency reliability through 1 year, and concurrent validity were tested. Change in URN over time was examined. Content validity was supported by floor and ceiling effects less than 5%. Principal axis factoring yielded a 12-item, two-factor solution reflecting general and technology unmet needs. Internal consistency reliability was satisfactory for the total scale and subscales at all times, excepting the baseline three-item technology scale (&agr; = .56). Concurrent validity was supported by significant correlations with model constructs (threat, positive problem solving, depression, preparedness; p < .01) in the expected direction. Functional status and resource use were not associated with the URN. Repeated measures analysis of variance (n = 123) indicated a significant decrease in unmet needs from baseline to 3, 6, and 12 months postdischarge (p < .001). Nevertheless, 42% reported one or more unmet needs at year 1. Assessment and counseling on unmet needs is indicated throughout the caregiving trajectory to reduce negative outcomes.
The Influence of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms on Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation and Atrial Flutter

Background:The health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial flutter (AFL) is an important issue in cardiovascular health management. Determinants of poor HRQoL of AF/AFL patients require further elucidation. Objectives:The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influencing factors related to the HRQoL of AF/AFL patients. Methods:In 150 consecutively recruited patients in a multicenter, cross-sectional study from April 2010 to February 2011, depression and anxiety were measured with the Beck Depression Inventory II and the State Trait Anxiety Inventory, respectively, whereas HRQoL was assessed with the generic Medical Outcomes Survey 36-Item Short-Form Survey version 2 and the Symptom Checklist. Linear regression modeling was performed to determine predictors of HRQoL among variables, including the patients’ age, gender, race, marital status, type of AF/AFL, frequency of AF/AFL symptoms, time since diagnosis, and anxiety and depression symptoms. Results:Female patients with AF/AFL reported poorer physical HRQoL than male patients did (P < .001, R2 = 0.391). Symptoms of depression and anxiety were found to be associated with poorer HRQoL (P < .001, R2 = 0.482). Anxiety was the strongest predictor of the mental component of the Medical Outcomes Survey 36-Item Short-Form Survey version 2 and the Symptom Checklist. Younger patients had worse AF/AFL-related symptoms and severity than older patients did (P < .001, R2 = 0.302). Increased frequency of symptomatic episodes was associated with worse AF/AFL-related symptoms and severity. Conclusion:In conclusion, depression and anxiety symptoms and female gender emerged as clear indicators of poor HRQoL in AF/AFL patients. These risk factors should be used to identify patients who may require additional evaluation and treatment efforts to manage their cardiac conditions or HRQoL. Interventions to improve HRQoL in these individuals require further investigation.