Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Beyond technology – adequate regulation and oversight in the age of fintechs

With the number of financial technology firms, or fintechs, increasing steadily in the age of digitalisation, banks as well as regulators must learn to deal with them. Supervisory authorities must ensure that their supervisory approach produces financial stability and establishes a level playing field for banks and technological innovators. In Germany, a risk-based regulatory approach ensures that no relevant risks remain unregulated – neither those stemming from traditional banks nor those created by fintechs. Traditional established banks, meanwhile, must face up to the challenges posed by these new competitors and ensure that their business models remain profitable. The following paper presents the status quo in terms of the regulation of fintechs under the German regulatory framework, assesses challenges for regulated institutions and sheds light on potential future risks.
A Hybrid Fuzzy Multiple Objective Approach to Lotsizing, Pricing, and Marketing Planning Model

Given high variability of demands, a manufacturer has to decide about the products’ prices and lotsizing from a supplier. Due to imprecise and fuzzy nature of parameters such as unit costs and marketing function, a hybrid fuzzy multi-objective programming model including both quantitative and qualitative objectives is proposed to determine the optimal price, marketing expenditure, and lotsize. Considering pricing, marketing, and lotsizing decisions simultaneously, the model maximizes the profit, return on inventory investment (ROII) (as a financial performance criterion), and total customer satisfaction under general demand function with a time-varying pattern in fuzzy environment. After applying appropriate strategies to defuzzify the original model, the equivalent multi-objective crisp model is then transformed by a fuzzy goal programming method. A soft computing, particle swarm optimization (PSO) is applied to solve the final crisp problem. An industrial case study is provided to show the applicability and usefulness of the proposed model and solution method. Finally, concluding remarks are reported.
Ruminal peptide concentration required to optimize microbial growth and efficiency.

Experimentation, with a single-phase continuous culture system operated at fractional dilution rates of 0.03 and 0.09 per hour and four cannulated crossbred steers (260 +/- 20 kg) used in a 4 x 4 Latin square design, was conducted to determine the level of ruminally degradable protein (RDP) that maximized microbial efficiency (MOEFF), microbial nitrogen flow, and nutrient digestibility in the rumen. Treatments consisted of increasing diet RDP levels (from 3.5 to 17.5% RDP on a DM basis). The basal diet was corn with casein or soybean meal used as the source of RDP in the continuous culture experiment and animal study, respectively. Dietary nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) ranged from 52 to 75% on a dry matter basis. Urea was added to ensure an adequate ammonia nitrogen source for microbial growth. The RDP levels did not affect true digestibility of dry matter and organic matter, ruminal pH, particulate passage rate, or liquid passage rate in the animal study. As RDP increased, bacterial nitrogen production increased linearly (P < 0.05) only for the 0.09/h dilution rate. Microbial efficiency was not influenced by RDP level. Ruminal peptide and NH3 N concentration increased linearly (P < 0.05) as RDP increased. Based on this experimentation, 1.8 mM peptide maximized MOEFF when ammonia nitrogen was not limiting (> 2 mg/dL). We concluded from this research that the RDP requirement of NSC-fermenting bacteria was lower than that currently fed in many diets.
Smile esthetics: age related changes, and objective differences between social and spontaneous smiles.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the importance of age in orthodontic treatment by studying the dependence of smile and resting parameters on age and to expose differences between social and spontaneous smiles. MATERIALS AND METHODS Subjects consisted of 67 individuals aged between 17 and 55. The video recordings were transferred to a computer 200 still frames were captured for each individual 50 were captured in resting position, 50 during speech, 50for social, and 50for spontaneous smiles. One picture was selectedfrom each group based on how pictures reflected the desired point ANOVA and Scheffe Post-hoc tests were performed on smile measurements. RESULTS In all the resting parameters, statistically significant differences were observed among age groups. Also, the response of these parameters to age differs between men and women. Statistically significant diferences were found in some smile parameters among diferent age groups, for both smile types. We find significant differences between social and spontaneous smiles. CONCLUSION Age related alterations should be taken into consideration during treatment planning, especially in women. Due to its high consistency, there are advantages with using a spontaneous smile in soft-hard tissue evaluations. We also emphasize the necessity to take dynamic registrations for a true functional evaluation.
Automatic selection of epileptic independent fMRI components

EEG-correlated fMRI analysis has proven to be useful in localizing regions of BOLD activation related to epileptic activity. However, as EEG does not always provide reliable information, purely fMRI-based data-driven techniques are invaluable. Recently, we have shown that independent component analysis (ICA) can extract sources related to the epileptic network even in such EEG-negative cases [1]. Moreover, these sources were shown to be informative with respect to the seizure onset zone (SOZ). In order to utilize this concept in clinical practice in a prospective manner, this work aims at developing an automatic technique for selecting the epileptic sources. The proposed approach applies a cascade of two classifiers. In the first step artifact related sources are discarded. In the second step the sources are characterized by four discriminative features and epileptic sources are selected from among other BOLD-related components. Our technique reaches a promising 77% specificity and provides concordant sources with the EEG-correlated fMRI activation maps or with the SOZ in 71% of the cases.
Activation of β-catenin signaling in differentiated mammary secretory cells induces transdifferentiation into epidermis and squamous metaplasias

Mammary anlagen are formed in the embryo as a derivative of the epidermis, a process that is controlled by Lef-1 and therefore possibly by β-catenin. To investigate the role of β-catenin signaling in mammary alveolar epithelium, we have stabilized endogenous β-catenin in differentiating alveolar epithelium through the deletion of exon 3 (amino acids 5–80) of the β-catenin gene. This task was accomplished in mice carrying a floxed β-catenin gene and a Cre transgene under control of the mammary-specific whey acidic protein (WAP) gene promoter or the mouse mammary tumor virus-long terminal repeat (MMTV-LTR). Stabilized β-catenin was obtained during the first pregnancy, and its presence resulted in the dedifferentiation of alveolar epithelium followed by a transdifferentiation into epidermal and pilar structures. Extensive squamous metaplasia, but no adenocarcinomas, developed upon β-catenin activation during pregnancy and persisted throughout involution. These data demonstrate that the activation of β-catenin signaling induces a program that results in loss of mammary epithelial cell differentiation and induction of epidermal structures.
Validity of self-reported drug use in high risk populations: a meta-analytical review.

Research involving drug users and treatment evaluations continue to rely extensively on self-reports of drug use. This paper presents a meta-analytical review of 24 studies published since 1985 that examined the validity of drug self-reports in high risk populations. Only studies employing a biological criterion of validity (e.g., urinalysis, hair analysis) are included. Coefficients of chance-corrected agreement between self-reports and the validity criteria are calculated from published data to facilitate cross-study comparisons. The median conditional kappa (kappa c) was . 42, considerably below the level of kappa c = . 80 that represents acceptable reporting accuracy. The magnitude of drug use underreporting documented in this review could seriously bias prevalence estimates and treatment outcome studies.
Stroke Caregivers: Pressing Problems Reported During the First Months of Caregiving

The major purpose of this study was to identify the types and frequency of caregiving problems and associated stress and coping effectiveness. Secondary purposes were (a) to examine changes in problem frequency, stress, and coping effectiveness over time and (b) to identify relationships between problem stress and personal, illness, coping, and well-being variables. A stress and coping model guided the study. Fifty-eight caregivers participated during the first 4 months of caregiving. Caregiver and stroke survivor demographic and well-being data were collected during acute rehabilitation. Three problem-related themes emerged: interpersonal disruptions, sustaining the self and the family, and stroke survivor functioning. Although problems sustaining the self and the family were most frequent, interpersonal disruption problems were rated most stressful and lowest in coping effectiveness. A component of emotional distress, either anxiety or depression, was related significantly (p < .05) to the stress level of each problem theme. Counseling on problem-solving strategies may improve caregiver well-being.
Collision Selective Visual Neural Network Inspired by LGMD2 Neurons in Juvenile Locusts

For autonomous robots in dynamic environments mixed with human, it is vital to detect impending collision quickly and robustly. The biological visual systems evolved over millions of years may provide us efficient solutions for collision detection in complex environments. In the cockpit of locusts, two Lobula Giant Movement Detectors, i.e. LGMD1 and LGMD2, have been identified which respond to looming objects rigorously with high firing rates. Compared to LGMD1, LGMD2 matures early in the juvenile locusts with specific selectivity to dark moving objects against bright background in depth while not responding to light objects embedded in dark background - a similar situation which ground vehicles and robots are facing with. However, little work has been done on modeling LGMD2, let alone its potential in robotics and other vision-based applications. In this article, we propose a novel way of modeling LGMD2 neuron, with biased ON and OFF pathways splitting visual streams into parallel channels encoding brightness increments and decrements separately to fulfill its selectivity. Moreover, we apply a biophysical mechanism of spike frequency adaptation to shape the looming selectivity in such a collision-detecting neuron model. The proposed visual neural network has been tested with systematic experiments, challenged against synthetic and real physical stimuli, as well as image streams from the sensor of a miniature robot. The results demonstrated this framework is able to detect looming dark objects embedded in bright backgrounds selectively, which make it ideal for ground mobile platforms. The robotic experiments also showed its robustness in collision detection - it performed well for near range navigation in an arena with many obstacles. Its enhanced collision selectivity to dark approaching objects versus receding and translating ones has also been verified via systematic experiments.
The impact of social grant dependency on smallholder maize producers’ market participation in South Africa: Application of the double-hurdle model

Background: Social grants have become an increasingly popular means of improving the welfare of poor households in South Africa and beyond. While the goals of these transfers are to alleviate current poverty as well as to improve human capital capacity, they also have unintended effects, positive or negative, on beneficiary households. A question that has not been adequately addressed in the literature is the role that social grants play in the efforts to commercialise smallholder farming. Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the impact of social grant dependency on the incentives of smallholder maize producers to participate in the market. Setting: The study was done in the rural areas of four districts (Harry Gwala, Umzinyathi, Umkhanyakude and Uthukela) in the KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa. Methods: The study adopted a quantitative research design. A total of 984 households were randomly selected from the four districts, of which 774 had planted maize in the previous season. The analysis was done on the 774 farmers who had planted maize. The double-hurdle model was used for statistical analysis. Results: The results show a negative association between social grant dependency and market participation, suggesting that social grant-dependent households are more subsistent, producing less marketable surplus. Moreover, households with access to social grants sold less quantities of maize in the market, indicating reduced selling incentives. Conclusion: The study indicates that social grants reduce the incentives of smallholder farmers to commercialise their production activities. The results suggest that, while policies aimed at reducing transaction costs would increase smallholder market participation, attention should be paid on how to reduce social grants’ dis-incentive effects. To reduce spill over effects to unintended household members, the study recommends offering part of the grant as ‘in-kind support’, which is specific to the intended individual beneficiary.
Physical progress and residual impairment quantification after functional restoration. Part I: Lumbar mobility.

Quantification of human performance in chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients is essential to initiate effective treatment and guide progress in a disability-oriented functional restoration program, as well as to objectively evaluate impairment and functional limitations at the time of maximum medical improvement. One such important measure of physical ability is range of motion. Patients who suffer from CLBP almost invariably have some disturbance of mobility. The major goals of the present study were to: 1) develop a database of anticipated range of motion levels at different points in time in a representative sample of CLBP patients; 2) within the sample, determine any gender or spinal surgery-induced differences; 3) evaluate change in range of motion produced by participation in a comprehensive functional restoration treatment program; and 4) identify residual impairment of regional range of motion. Four separate groups of CLBP patients were evaluated: Group 1 (n = 92), unoperated men; Group 2 (n = 26), postdiscectomy men; Group 3 (n = 59), unoperated women; and Group 4 (n = 17) postdiscectomy women. Patients in each group were assessed for spinal range of motion measures at three points in time, for sagittal/coronal motion and validity (employing the relationship between pelvic motion and supine leg raising). Results demonstrated dramatic patient improvements in range of motion from initial referral to program completion. The most significant gains were made in pelvic motion, which returned to near normal levels, indicating that the vast majority overcame low effort or movement inhibition produced by pain or fear of injury. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Lumbopelvic Kinematic Characteristics of Golfers With Limited Hip Rotation

Background: While the biomechanical characteristics of the golf swing are well established, the lumbopelvic kinematic characteristics of professional golfers with limited hip internal rotation warrant further investigation. Purpose: The specific aim was to ascertain mechanical differences in lumbopelvic-hip movement of asymptomatic professional golfers with and without limited hip internal rotation during the golf swing. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Thirty professional male golfers (aged 25-35 years and 0 handicap matched) were classified into either the limited hip internal motion (LHIM) group (range of motion <20°) or the normal hip internal motion (NHIM) group (range of motion ≥30°). All participants underwent clinical tests (muscle strength, muscle length, and range of motion) and a biomechanical assessment using 8 infrared optic cameras in a motion analysis system. Independent t tests were performed to determine potential mean differences in muscle strength, length, and range of motion and lumbopelvic kinematics at P < . 05. Results: Kinematic analysis revealed that the LHIM group showed significantly greater lumbar flexion (P < .001), right and left axial rotation (P < .025), and right-side lateral bending (P = .003) than the NHIM group. A greater pelvic posterior tilt was observed in the LHIM group when compared with the NHIM group (P = .021). Clinical tests showed reduced internal rotator muscle strength and shorter muscle length in the iliopsoas (P = .017) and hamstring (P < .001) among those in the LHIM group when compared with the NHIM group. Clinical Relevance: The study data suggest that constraints to hip joint internal rotation, along with muscle strength imbalances between the agonist and antagonist muscles and muscle tightness, are associated with substantially greater lumbopelvic movement during the golf swing.
REPRODUCTIVE ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY OF INDO‐WEST PACIFIC ANGELFISHES (PISCES: POMACANTHIDAE)

Analysis of the relationships between duration of the pelagic larval stage (as indicated by otolith microstructure), adult size, and the extent of geographic distribution for Indo‐West Pacific angelfishes (Pomacanthidae) indicates that neither adult size nor larval duration significantly predicts extent of distribution, either individually or jointly in a multiple regression. These results are robust for both the family as a whole and the genus best represented in our data (Centropyge). If larval duration and adult size do have an effect, it is only jointly and at the genus level.
Olfactory identification and discrimination in obsessive‐compulsive disorder

Background: Neuroimaging and neuropsychological data from patients with an obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD) indicate the dysfunction of the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC). Olfactory processing has been associated with OFC function, although results from OCD studies regarding this sensory modality have been inconclusive. No previous study has analyzed both odor discrimination and identification capacity in OCD patients using “Sniffin' Sticks” tests. The aim of our study was to assess odor threshold, identification, discrimination, and nonverbal memory in OCD patients, in order to determine whether these functions were affected. Methods: Olfactory function was measured in 29 OCD patients and 29 healthy volunteers (HV) using the “Sniffin' Sticks” test and their nonverbal memory was scored with the Rey–Osterrieth Complex Figure Test. Results: OCD patients showed significant impairment in their odor performance and in their execution of the nonverbal memory task compared to HV. No statistical associations were found between the deficits in the two areas. The severity of depressive and obsessive‐compulsive symptoms did correlate with olfactory identification. Conclusion: Our findings support the hypothesis that olfactory and memory dysfunctions in OCD reflect different neurobiological alterations of the disorder, and point to the modulation effect of depressive and obsessive‐compulsive symptoms on odor performance. Depression and Anxiety, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Bortezomib or high-dose dexamethasone for relapsed multiple myeloma.

BACKGROUND This study compared bortezomib with high-dose dexamethasone in patients with relapsed multiple myeloma who had received one to three previous therapies. METHODS We randomly assigned 669 patients with relapsed myeloma to receive either an intravenous bolus of bortezomib (1.3 mg per square meter of body-surface area) on days 1, 4, 8, and 11 for eight three-week cycles, followed by treatment on days 1, 8, 15, and 22 for three five-week cycles, or high-dose dexamethasone (40 mg orally) on days 1 through 4, 9 through 12, and 17 through 20 for four five-week cycles, followed by treatment on days 1 through 4 for five four-week cycles. Patients who were assigned to receive dexamethasone were permitted to cross over to receive bortezomib in a companion study after disease progression. RESULTS Patients treated with bortezomib had higher response rates, a longer time to progression (the primary end point), and a longer survival than patients treated with dexamethasone. The combined complete and partial response rates were 38 percent for bortezomib and 18 percent for dexamethasone (P<0.001), and the complete response rates were 6 percent and less than 1 percent, respectively (P<0.001). Median times to progression in the bortezomib and dexamethasone groups were 6.22 months (189 days) and 3.49 months (106 days), respectively (hazard ratio, 0.55; P<0.001). The one-year survival rate was 80 percent among patients taking bortezomib and 66 percent among patients taking dexamethasone (P=0.003), and the hazard ratio for overall survival with bortezomib was 0.57 (P=0.001). Grade 3 or 4 adverse events were reported in 75 percent of patients treated with bortezomib and in 60 percent of those treated with dexamethasone. CONCLUSIONS Bortezomib is superior to high-dose dexamethasone for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma who have had a relapse after one to three previous therapies.
New technologies in emergencies and conflicts: the role of information and social networks.

This report looks at innovation in the use of technology along the timeline of crisis response from emergency preparedness and alerts to recovery and rebuilding. It profiles organizations whose work is advancing the frontlines of innovation offers an overview of international efforts to increase sophistication in the use of IT and social networks during emergencies and provides recommendations for how governments aid groups and international organizations can leverage this innovation to improve community resilience.
Placental histomorphometry in gestational diabetes mellitus: the relationship between subsequent type 2 diabetes mellitus and race/ethnicity.

OBJECTIVES We examined placental histomorphometry in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) for factors associated with race/ethnicity and subsequent type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS We identified 124 placentas from singleton, full-term live births whose mothers had clinically defined GDM and self-reported race/ethnicity. Clinical and placental diagnoses were abstracted from medical records. RESULTS Forty-eight white and 76 nonwhite women were followed for 4.1 years (median, range 0.0-8.9 years). White women developed less T2DM (12.5% vs 35.5%; P = .005) but had higher systolic (mean ± SD, 116 ± 13 vs 109 ± 11 mm Hg; P < .001) and diastolic (71 ± 9 vs 68 ± 7 mm Hg; P = .02) blood pressure, more smoking (35.4% vs 10.5%; P = .004), and more chorangiosis (52.1% vs 30.3%; P = .02) than nonwhite women. CONCLUSIONS Although more nonwhite women developed T2DM, more white women had chorangiosis, possibly secondary to the higher percentage of smokers among them. Further study is necessary to elucidate the relationship among chorangiosis, subsequent maternal T2DM, and race.