Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Data mining in banking

Cilj rada je pokazati da se primjenom tehnika rudarenja vec postojeci podaci u bankama mogu koristiti za donosenje kvalitetnijih odluka, cime se poboljsava poslovni rezultat banaka. Analizom mogucih primjena rudarenja podataka u bankarstvu pokazalo se da se ovom metodom mogu pronaci vrijedne informacije koje pomažu poboljsanju poslovnog rezultata banke. U anketi koja je provedena u hrvatskim bankama pokazalo se da 48% banaka koristi rudarenje podacima, a 9% banaka planira koristiti tehnologiju u iducoj godini. U najvecem broju banaka metoda se koristi za analizu i procjenu rizicnosti.
Foreign Portfolio Investment and Economy: The Network Perspective

The European Union and Eurozone present an inquisitive case of strongly interconnected network with high degree of dependence among nodes. This research focused on investment network of European Union and its major trading partners for specific time period 2001 to 2014. The changing investment patterns within Eurozone suggest strong financial and trade links with central and large economies. This study is about the association between portfolio investment and economic indicators with respect to financial networks. The analysis used the strongly connected investment network of Eurozone and its large trading partners. A strong correlation between, increasing or decreasing investment patterns with economic indicators of particular economy was found. Interestingly correlation patterns for network members other than Eurozone states were not as strong and depicted mild behavior. This as well, explains the significance of interconnectedness level among nodes of one network with varying centrality measures. Investment network visualization techniques helped to validate the results based on network`s statistical measures.
Will the Poor in Nigeria Escape Poverty in Their Lifetime?

Drawing on six sweeps of household surveys of Nigeria that together span 1980–2010 with a pooled sample size of about 97,000 households and data on Nigeria’s age-gender-specific life expectancy from the World Health Organization, this paper shows that about 72 percent to 91 percent of Nigeria’s poor are at risk of spending their entire life below the poverty line. To show this, I estimate the duration of poverty spells and link this to the average age of the poor and to the life expectancy. I find that the poor are expected to escape poverty at the age of 85.46 years on average. However, there is heterogeneity in the exit time, with the transient poor averaging 3–7 years below the poverty line and the chronically poor averaging 37 years or more. Given these exit times and life expectancy, the mean age of the poor at their expected time of escaping poverty exceeds the average life expectancy, meaning some of the poor are not guaranteed to escape poverty in their remaining lifetime. The implication is that growth in Nigeria has not been sufficient nor has it demonstrated the potential to help the poor break free from poverty. However, like Brazil, Nigeria can significantly reduce poverty without absolute reliance on economic growth by reducing its high inflation rate and substantially expanding its social security and social assistance transfers.
Catalytic function of DNA topoisomerase II

Although the genetic code is defined by a linear array of nucleotides, it is the three‐dimensional structure of the double helix that regulates most of its cellular functions. Over the past two decades, it has become increasingly clear that aspects of this three‐dimensionality which reflect topological relationships within the double helix (i.e., superhelical twisting, knotting, or tangling) influence virtually every facet of nucleic acid physiology. In vivo, DNA topology is modulated by ubiquitous enzymes known as topoisomerases. The type II enzyme essential to the eukaryotic cell and is required for unlinking daughter chromosomes and maintaining chromosome structure. Moreover, topoisomerase II also has been identified as the primary cellular target for several widely used antineoplastic drugs. Before the physiological functions of topoisomerase II can be effectively dissected or its drug interactions fully exploited, it is imperative to understand the mechanism by which this important enzyme arries out its catalytic cycle.
Endogenous Brain Repair: Overriding intrinsic lineage determinates through injury-induced micro-environmental signals

ABSTRACT Adult human neurogenesis has generated excitement over the last 2 decades with the idea that endogenous adult stem cells could act as a potential cell source for brain repair after injury. Indeed, many forms of experimentally induced brain injury including stroke and excitotoxic lesioning can promote proliferation from the subventricular zone and mobilise neuroblasts and oligodendrocyte progenitor cells to migrate through brain parenchyma to damaged regions. However the failure of neuroblasts to mature into appropriate neuronal subtypes for cell replacement has been an issue. Recent work by our group and others has indicated that micro-environmental signals released from areas of cell loss may be able to override intrinsic gene expression lineages and covert neuroblasts into oligodendrocyte progenitor cells. This commentary will discuss the enhanced fate plasticity of both adult neural progenitors and parenchymal NG2 cells after injury, and the importance of understanding brain-injury induced micro-environmental signals in the quest toward promoting endogenous regeneration after injury.
Restriction of bacteriophage plaque formation in Streptomyces spp

Several Streptomyces species that produce restriction endonucleases were characterized for their ability to propagate 10 different broad host range bacteriophages. Each species displayed a different pattern of plaque formation. A restrictionless mutant of S. albus G allowed plaque formation by all 10 phages, whereas the wild-type strain showed plaques with only 2 phages. DNA isolated from three of the phages was analyzed for the presence of restriction sites for Streptomyces species-encoded enzymes, and a very strong correlation was established between the failure to form plaques on Streptomyces species that produced particular restriction enzymes and the presence of the corresponding restriction sites in the phage DNA. Also, the phages that lacked restriction sites in their DNA generally formed plaques on the corresponding restriction endonuclease-producing hosts at high efficiency. The DNAs from the three phages analyzed also generally contained either many or no restriction sites for the Streptomyces species-produced enzymes, suggesting a strong evolutionary trend to either eliminate all or tolerate many restriction sites. The data indicate that restriction plays a major role in host range determination for Streptomyces phages. Analysis of bacteriophage host ranges of many other uncharacterized Streptomyces hosts has identified four relatively nonrestricting hosts, at least two of which may be suitable hosts for gene cloning. The data also suggest that several restriction systems remain to be identified in the genus Streptomyces.
A multi-agent strategy for Chinese text chunking

Traditional Chinese text chunking approach is to identify phrases using only one model and same features. It is shown that one model couldn't comprise each phrase's characteristics, and same features are not suitable to all phrases, data sparseness also appears. Multi-agent strategy uses several model and sensitive features of each phrase to identify different phrases. This paper describes the multi-agent strategy applied in the identification of Chinese phrases whose main features are: 1) easy and quick communication between phrases; 2) avoidance of data sparseness. Through testing on Chinese Penn Treebank, F score of Chinese text chunking using multi-agent strategy achieves to 95.82%, which is higher than the best result that has been reported.
Metabolic consequences of coronary stenosis. Transmurally heterogeneous myocardial ischemia studied by spatially localized 31P NMR spectroscopy

Coronary stenosis results in transmurally non‐uniform blood flow with the inner layers of the left ventricular wall typically suffering a more severe hypoperfusion relative to the outer layers. Coupled with numerous other transmural non‐uniformities such as systolic tension development and oxygen needs, the heterogeneous blood flow distribution in the presence of coronary stenosis is expected to result in transmurally heterogeneous ischemia. All previous NMR spectroscopy studies of myocardial metabolism and bioenergetics under normal and ischemic conditions treated the organ as a homogeneous tissue. We have utilized spatially localized 31P NMR spectroscopy together with non‐NMR measurements of regional blood flow to study the myocardium with transmural spatial differentiation under normal and flow‐restricted conditions. 31P NMR and blood flow data obtained concurrently on each heart revealed that sustained coronary artery stenosis resulted in transmurally non‐uniform ischemia which largely paralleled the hypoperfusion pattern. The reduction in creatine phosphate content (with consequent elevation of Pi) and hypoperfusion was tightly correlated in the subendocardium for flow rates less than ∼0.7 mL/min per g wet myocardium. The high energy phosphate and Pi content of the epicardium, however, was responsive not only to the flow to this region but also to the extent of ischemia in the subendocardial layers. These results document the utility of localized NMR spectroscopy in physiologic research and suggest potential biomedical applications due to the tight correlation noted between alterations in blood flow and changes in the phosphorylated metabolite levels detected by 31P NMR.
Prostaglandin E2‐induced sensitization of bradykinin‐evoked responses in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons is mediated by cAMP‐dependent protein kinase A

Primary cultures of neonatal rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons were used to examine the mechanisms underlying both the direct activation and the sensitization of sensory neurons by prostanoids. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) elevated cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in a subpopulation of small (< 19 μm) diameter, capsaicin‐sensitive DRG neurons. PGE2 also stimulated substance P (SP) release from DRG cultures. In contrast to bradykinin, PGE2 did not stimulate phosphoinositidase C (PIC) and the PGE2‐evoked increase in [Ca2+]i was dependent on extracellular calcium. Pre‐treatment with PGE2 potentiated bradykinin‐evoked increases in [Ca2+]i in small diameter neurons and increased the number of cells that responded to low concentrations of bradykinin. A similar effect was seen with prostaglandin I2 (PGI2) but not prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α). PGE2 pretreatment also potentiated bradykinin‐evoked release of SP, inducing a leftward shift in the bradykinin concentration–response curve and an increase in the maximum response. PGE2 stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity in DRG cultures, at concentrations and times consistent with those required to observe both the direct and sensitizing effects of the prostanoid on [Ca2+]i responses. Furthermore, the direct and sensitizing effects of PGE2, on both [Ca2+]i responses and SP release, were mimicked by the membrane permeant cAMP analogue dibutyryl cAMP and inhibited by H89, an inhibitor of cAMP‐dependent protein kinase A (PKA). These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that both direct activation and sensitization of sensory neurons by prostanoids, such as PGE2, are mediated by PKA‐dependent phosphorylation mechanisms.
Analysis of consumers’ attitudinal and emotional factors on luxury apparel brand purchase intentions

ABSTRACT This study advances both descriptive and managerial research addressing foreign consumers’ attitudinal, attributional and emotional valuations of brand equity for a U.S.-based global luxury brand. Taiwan was selected as the focal population of interest because this foreign market is distinguished by high market penetration and consumer awareness of global apparel brands. Consistent with a call for additional research on this topic, the present study employed both qualitative and quantitative research methods to empirically assess the relationship of foreign consumers’ brand awareness, attitudinal and emotional factors with the ensuing purchase intentions. Notably, customers’ level of price sensitivity is also included in the model, and the empirical findings reveal that price sensitivity negatively influences purchase intentions. The results also suggest that consumers’ susceptibility for perceived quality has a positive influence on purchase intentions for the U.S. apparel brand through emotional value. The takeaway for marketers in the luxury apparel industry is to increase the brand value in the customers’ mind to offset the likely negative effect of consumer price sensitivity. In addition, fashion brand managers could consider penetrating the brand-sensitive buyer’s market with a popular name brand and try to exploit the brand-insensitive buyer market with a generic apparel brand.
Art as a Means for Encouraging Interest, Inspiration and Openness for a More Sustainable and Compassionate Everyday Life : Home Of Life in Kentucky, Kustavi, Oneself and the World; Art Exhibition at Kustavi Library

Degree Programme in Sustainable Development Forssa Author Anja Hausen Year 2018 Subject Art as a Means for Encouraging Interest, Inspiration and Openness for a More Sustainable and Compassionate Everyday Life – Home Of Life in Kentucky, Kustavi, Oneself and the World; Art Exhibition at Kustavi Library Supervisor Ulla-Maija Knuutti
Measuring Food Environments: A Guide to Available Instruments

Purpose. Food environments affect people's food-related decisions, consumption, and health outcomes. This paper critiques instruments available for assessing food environments to help researchers, practitioners, and community organizations select those that best meet their needs, resources, and level of expertise. Gaps and recommendations for future instrument development are discussed. Method. Instruments were selected by reviewing the literature and contacting researchers and practitioners. Using the social-ecological model, the instruments were classified according to the type of food environments they assess. Each instrument is rated according to criteria for ease of use, detail, resources required, and psychometric testing. Results. Of the 48 instruments identified, only 39% were tested for validity or reliability. Observational tools were the largest category of instruments developed. Fifty-two percent of the instruments provide some level of technical assistance and 37% are considered appropriate for community members. Conclusion. Three distinct groups want to assess food environments: researchers, practitioners, and community organizations. These groups have different information needs and different capacities to undertake assessments. At this time there is a tradeoff between simplicity and low cost on the one hand, and detail and accuracy on the other. To choose the most suitable instrument, users should consider the pros and cons of each instrument and base their selection on purpose of their assessment, resources and expertise at hand, and validity, reliability, and ease of use of the instrument.
Exercises in Constraint: The Poetics of the OuLiPo in Performance

The OuLiPo (the Ouvroir de Litterature Potentielle, which roughly translates as the Workshop for Potential Literature) is a French writing group that has been generating literature under self-imposed constraints since 1960. In this thesis I investigate how the poetics of the Oulipo can be used to service the creation of contemporary performance work. In turn, this investigation seeks to use the lens of contemporary performance practice to illuminate the philosophies and characteristics of the Oulipo. The poetics of the Oulipo comprise highly practical methodology of both conceptual consideration of potential and the application of generative constraint in literature. To best approach the back-and-forth reflection of performance practice and the Oulipo through the consideration of the group’s poetics, this investigation is necessarily practice-led. I have undertaken three performance projects, each profiled in a professional context, to investigate the possibilities of oulipian poetics in contemporary performance practice. A combination of scholarly, comparative and practice-led research has been used to demonstrate how the poetics of the Oulipo might inform performance making strategies. In the first project, oulipian poetics produce a set of working constraints to be used in the devising practices of performance making. The second project demonstrates that constraints can be deployed in the formal treatment of an existing playtext towards the creation of a total theatrical work. The third project presents an improvisational training model that enables the performer to operate under constraint in the live moment of material generation and performance. Throughout this thesis the practice-led enquiry presents opportunities to reflect upon the Oulipo’s rich artistic history, their paradoxically serious and playful poetics and finally how their one exception to the law of constraint, the clinamen, may unexpectedly be positioned as the group’s most significant constraint of all.
Essays on Earnings Predictability

I forecast earnings from a model based on the time-series properties of financial ratios. This model captures two empirical patterns: mean reversion in financial ratios as well as long-run growth in earnings. I compare the accuracy of these earnings forecasts with the forecasts from a Random Walk model and analysts’ forecasts based on a sample from 2001–2013. An analysis of the accuracy shows that the earnings forecast from the financial ratio based model are closer to having an equal frequency of optimistic and pessimistic forecasts than are those from the Random Walk. However, in terms of forecasting accuracy and mean bias, the Random Walk model is the superior model.
Optimal Hedge Ratios Based on Markov-Switching Dynamic Copula Models

This paper investigates optimal futures hedge ratios in stock markets. We use univariate skewed t stochastic volatility (SV) models to capture the time-varying (TV) volatility of our data and set up Markov-switching (MS) copula models to derive the dynamic dependence structure. According to the variance minimization method, we obtain optimal hedge ratios for the CSI 300 Index spot and futures in China’s stock market. We examine the hedging performance of various models and compare their effectiveness with the most common dynamic copula hedging models, including Patton’s TV copula and Engle’s dynamic conditional correlation (DCC) copula models. The empirical results show that the proposed MS dynamic copula models derive better hedging effectiveness than the corresponding dynamic copula models. The hedge ratios constructed by the MS time-varying (MSTV) Gaussian copula model demonstrate the best performance in terms of variance reduction.
Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacodynamics of Single-Dose Almorexant, an Orexin Receptor Antagonist, in Healthy Elderly Subjects

AbstractSleep disorders are common in the elderly population. Orexin receptor antagonism has been proposed as a new sleep-enabling approach to treat insomnia. The tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of ascending single doses of almorexant, a dual orexin receptor antagonist, were investigated in healthy elderly male and female subjects. In this double-blind, placebo- and active-controlled study, each dose (100, 200, and 400 mg) was investigated in a separate group of 12 subjects (almorexant, placebo, and zolpidem 10 mg in an 8:2:2 ratio). Morning doses of almorexant were well tolerated. As expected for sleep-enabling compounds, somnolence and fatigue were frequently reported. Other adverse events included headache and nausea. Muscular weakness was reported at a higher incidence only with the highest almorexant dose. The pharmacokinetic profile of almorexant was characterized by a median time to the maximum concentration of 1.5 hours, quick disposition with a distribution half-life of 1.6 hours, and rapidly decreasing concentrations to approximately 20% of the maximum concentration over 8 hours, with a terminal half-life of 32 hours. Objective pharmacodynamic measures showed decreases in saccadic peak velocity and adaptive tracking performance and increases in body sway with the 400-mg dose of almorexant. Subjective assessments revealed a dose-dependent decrease in alertness. Almorexant had no effects on mood, calmness, subjective internal and external perception, and feeling high. These findings provide a solid basis to study the effects of almorexant in elderly patients with insomnia.
The cardiotoxicity of adriamycin and daunomycin in children

Eight (16%) of 50 children receiving adriamycin and 2 (3%) of 60 receiving daunomycin had severe cardiomyopathy with congestive heart failure. All 110 patients received cumulative doses of over 500 mg/m2. The incidence was significantly higher in those who also had incidental cardiac radiation. The electrocardiogram, with few exceptions, provided the first indication of cardiac abnormality. There were no deaths from heart failure. Two had thromboembolic episodes. Recommendations are discussed.
Genetic study of diabetic retinopathy: recruitment methodology and analysis of baseline characteristics

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a blinding disease of increasing prevalence that is caused by a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors. Here we describe the patient recruitment methodology, case and control definitions, and clinical characteristics of a study sample to be used for genome‐wide association analysis to detect genetic risk variants of DR.
Ine-cient Policies and Incumbency Advantage ⁄

We study incumbency advantage in a dynamic game with incomplete information between an incumbent and a voter. The incumbent knows the true state of the world, e.g., the severity of an economic recession or the level of criminal activities, and can choose the quality of his policy. This quality and the state of the world determine the policy outcome, i.e., the economic growth rate or the number of crimes committed. The voter only observes the policy outcome and then decides whether to reelect the incumbent or not. Her preferences are such that she would reelect the incumbent under full information if and only if the state of the world is above a given threshold level. In equilibrium, the incumbent is reelected in more states of the world than he would be under full information. In particular, he chooses ine‐cient policies and generates mediocre policy outcomes whenever the voter’s induced belief distribution will be such that her expected utility of reelecting the incumbent exceeds her expected utility of electing the opposition candidate. Hence, there is an incumbency advantage through ine‐cient policies. We provide empirical evidence consistent with the prediction that reelection concerns may induce incumbents to generate mediocre outcomes.