Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimal Liability Allocation under Mortality Parameter Uncertainty : The Conditional Value-at-Risk Approach

This paper proposes a Conditional Value-at-Risk Minimization (CVM) approach to optimize the allocation of liabilities for insurance companies. By incorporating the natural hedging strategy of Cox and Lin (2007) and the two-factor stochastic mortality model of Cairns et al. (2006b), we calculate an optimal liability allocation to hedge against the systematic mortality risk under parameter uncertainty. To reect the importance of required pro t, we further integrate the premium loadings of systematic risk into the proposed approach. We compare the hedging results to those using the duration match method of Wang et al. (2009) and show that the proposed CVM approach has a narrower quantile of liability distribution after hedging and thus e¤ectively reduces systematic mortality risks for life insurance companies.
Novel Two-Dimensional Planar Negative Refractive Index Structure

A novel purely distributed two-dimensional (2D) planar structure with a negative refractive index (NRI) is proposed. The structure consists of a 2D periodic array of unit cells with metal patterns on the both sides of a substrate. The unit cell with the dimension of 5 x 5 mm 2 is designed at an operation frequency of about 5 GHz by full-wave finite element method simulations. Numerical simulations on the dispersion characteristics are carried out and NRI property of the structure is confirmed. A equivalent circuit taking into account the mutual capacitance between the adjacent ports in the unit cell is introduced, and theoretical investigations based on the equivalent circuit reveals that the anisotropy can be controlled by the mutual capacitance. A 10 x 20 unit-cell NRI material is fabricated and the NRI property has been confirmed experimentally in excellent agreement with Snell's law.
Gekoppelte Simulation komplexer Energiesysteme mittels MOSAIK und FMI

Zusammenfassung In diesem Beitrag wird das Thema Simulation für zukünftige Energiesysteme behandelt. Es wird beschrieben, welche komplexen Anforderungen an Simulationen gestellt werden und wie diese mit dem Werkzeug mosaik durch eine Integration des Functional Mock-up Interface (FMI) adressiert werden. An einem realistischen Szenario wird gezeigt, wie heterogene Modelle unkompliziert gekoppelt werden können.
Effect of 24 hour fast in obese children.

Effects of a 24 hour fast were studied in 21 obese children aged 7 to 14 and in 8 controls. Mean blood glucose (BG) during fast dropped more in controls (0.88 to 0.54 g/l) than in obese (0.90 to 0.63 g/l) Plasma cortisol changes were similar in the 2 groups, FFA increased (p less than 0.01) in the 2 groups, but the 24 hour mean level was higher in controls (4.0 mEq/l) than in obese (2.06 mEq/l). At the end of the fast, a ketonuria was present in all obese children except 2. Serum alanine dropped similarly in obese (28 to 24 muM p. cent ml) and in controls (30 to 22 muM p. cent ml). All obese exhibited at the end of the fast a significant rise (p less than 0.01) of branched chain aminoacids, not observed in controls. Responses to glucagon (0.03 mg/kg I.M.) were studied before and after fast. At time 0, BG response was higher and more prolonged in obese in spite of hyperinsulinism. At time 24 hours, BG raised from 0.50 to 0.74 g/1 and insulin from 8 to 35 muU/ml in controls, while in obese BG raised from 0.63 to 1.06 g/l and insulin from 25 to 88 muU/ml. Concomitant hyperinsulinsim and biological criteria of hypoinsulinism demonstrated in obese children the peripheral resistance to insulin. The contrast between a normal degree of protein gluconeogenesis and a reduced rate of fat mobilization during fast may be a major biological feature of obesity in childhood.
Gene polymorphisms as risk factors for predicting the cardiovascular manifestations in Marfan syndrome

Summary Folic acid metabolism enzyme polymorphisms are believed to be responsible for the elevation of homocysteine (HCY) concentration in the blood plasma, correlating with the pathogenesis of aortic aneurysms and aortic dissection. We studied 71 Marfan patients divided into groups based on the severity of cardiovascular involvement: no intervention required (n=27, Group A); mild involvement requiring intervention (n=17, Group B); severe involvement (n=27, Group C) subdivided into aortic dilatation (n=14, Group C1) and aortic dissection (n=13, Group C2), as well as 117 control subjects. We evaluated HCY, folate, vitamin B12 and the polymorphisms of methylenetetrahydrofo-late reductase (MTHFR;c.665C>T and c.1286A>C), methionine synthase (MTR;c.2756A>G) and methionine synthase reductase (MTRR;c.66A>G). Multiple comparisons showed significantly higher levels of HCY in Group C2 compared to Groups A, B, C1 and control group (p< 0.0001, p< 0.0001, p=0.001 and p=0.003, respectively). Fo-late was lower in Group C2 than in Groups A, B, C1 and control subjects (p< 0.0001, p=0.02, p< 0.0001 and p< 0.0001, respectively). Group C2 had the highest prevalence of homozygotes for all four gene polymorphisms. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that HCY plasma level was an independent risk factor for severe cardiovascular involvement (Group C; odds ratio [OR] 1.85, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.28–2.67, p=0.001) as well as for aortic dissection (Group C2; OR 2.49, 95 %CI 1.30–4.78, p=0.006). In conclusion, severe cardiovascular involvement in Marfan patients, and especially aortic dissection, is associated with higher HCY plasma levels and prevalence of homozygous genotypes of folic acid metabolism enzymes than mild or no cardiovascular involvement. These results suggest that impaired folic acid metabolism has an important role in the development and remodelling of the extracellular matrix of the aorta.
TREATING VASCULAR RISK FACTORS IN ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

kind of personal conflicts with this paper. Author Contributions: Amer A. Alkhatib: principle investigator, obtained institutional review board approval, designed the study, collected the data, analysis and interpretation, preparation of manuscript. Samer Abubakr: analysis and interpretation, preparation of manuscript. Angela Lam and Fateh Elkhatib: obtained institutional review board approval, designed the study, analysis and interpretation, preparation of manuscript. Douglas G. Adler: analysis and interpretation, preparation of manuscript. Sponsor’s Role: None.
The Sup35 domains required for maintenance of weak, strong or undifferentiated yeast [PSI+] prions

The Sup35 protein can exist in a non‐infectious form or in various infectious forms called [PSI+] prion variants (or prion strains). Each of the different [PSI+] prion variants converts non‐infectious Sup35 molecules into that prion variant's infectious form. One definition of a ‘prion domain’ is the minimal fragment of a prion protein that is necessary and sufficient to maintain the prion form. We now demonstrate that the Sup35 N region (residues 1–123), which is frequently referred to as the ‘prion domain’, is insufficient to maintain the weak or strong [PSI +] variants per se, but appears to maintain them in an ‘undifferentiated’[PSI+] state that can differentiate into weak or strong [PSI+] variants when transferred to the full‐length Sup35 protein. In contrast, Sup35 residues 1–137 are necessary and sufficient to faithfully maintain weak or strong [PSI+] variants. This implicates Sup35 residues 124–137 in the variant‐specific maintenance of the weak or strong [PSI+] forms. Structure predictions indicate that the residues in the 124–137 region form an α‐helix and that the 1–123 region may have β structure. In view of these findings, we discuss a plausible molecular basis for the [PSI+] prion variants as well as the inherent difficulties in defining a ‘prion domain’.
Style and Substance in Psychology

The results from four studies are reported separately to test the idea that influential articles in psychology will be more readable than less influential ones. This idea is upheld when the papers involved are ones that have been highly rated by fellow colleagues (Studies 1 and 2) but it is not supported when the papers involved are highly-cited journal articles (Studies 3 and 4).
Leading-One Prediction with Concurrent Position Correction

This paper describes the design of a leading-one prediction (LOP) logic for floating-point addition with an exact determination of the shift amount for normalization of the adder result. Leading-one prediction is a technique to calculate the number of leading zeros of the result in parallel with the addition. However, the prediction might be in error by one bit and previous schemes to correct this error result in a delay increase. The design presented here incorporates a concurrent position correction logic, operating in parallel with the LOP, to detect the presence of that error and produce the correct shift amount. We describe the error detection as part of the overall LOP, perform estimates of its delay and complexity, and compare with previous schemes.
Concordance between the Mini-Examen Cognoscitivo and the Mini-Mental State Examination in cognitive impairment screening

| Aten Primaria 2002. 15 de june. 30 (1): 5-15 | 5 Objectives. To compare the concordance between two cognitive impairment (CI) screening tests: the 30-point Folstein’s Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and their validated and slightly modified spanish translation, the 35-point Lobo’s MiniExamen Cognoscitivo (MEC). Design. Analytical cross-sectional multicenter study. Setting. Primary care. Patients. Randomized sample of subjects aged 65 years or more attended in 54 primary care centers in Catalonia. Inclusion of 3167 subjects. Institutionalized patients were excluded. Measurements. After a training period, primary care doctors and nurses administered MMSE and MEC simultaneously to their own patients. Standardization of variables. Results. Age 74 (6.1) years-old, 1611 (50.9%) women, 954 (30.1%) illiterate or without primary education. Prevalence of CI according to MMSE was 16.52% (n=449) and according to MEC 5,49% (n=165) (P<.001). Although intraclass correlation coeficient was 0,864 (95% CI, 0.855-0.873), the kappa index at score 24 for both tests was 0.468, but it increased up to 0.788 taking 20 and 23 scores for MMSE and MEC, respectively. At multivariate analysis, low educational level, and age more than 80 years-old predict a bad concordance among both tests. Conclusions. In spite of good correlation between MMSE and MEC, both detect different CI prevalences with the cut-off point at 23/24. Their agreement is only moderated in practice, because we interpret tests in a dichotomic way (CI versus no-CI). In our experience, we cannot use them indistinctly with the cut-off point at 23/24, especially in subjects with low educational level or aged 80 or more years.
Prevalence of Depression among Mothers of Young Children in Honduras

Objective: Maternal depression is a substantial problem that has negative consequences on the health of both mother and child. Little research has been done on the prevalence of maternal depression in the developing world. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of current depression among mothers in Honduras and identify demographic predictors of depression in this sample. Methods: A modified Spanish version of the PHQ-9 and a demographic questionnaire were administered by trained interviewers to 415 rural and urban women aged 15–66 who had children between 1 and 10 years old. Results: Prevalence of current major depressive syndrome was 17.6%. Mild depressive symptoms were detected in 52% of the sample. The estimated prevalence of current major depressive syndrome in the urban sample (19%) was not significantly greater than in the rural sample (16%, p = 0.49). None of the demographic variables measured, including age, number of children, or marital status predicted major depression in this sample. Conclusions: Maternal depression occurred at a high rate in this sample of Honduran women. The estimated prevalence rates in this study are similar to rates of maternal depression in studies of mothers in other Latin American countries, as well as in samples of mothers on Medicaid in the United States. Further study is needed to confirm and extend these findings, and to identify predictors of maternal depression in this population.
A Simplified Technique for Distance and Velocity Measurements of Multiple Moving Objects Using a Linear Frequency Modulated Signal

In this paper, we propose a simplified algorithm for the unbiased estimation of range and the radial velocity of moving objects observed by a sensor with a frequency-modulated continuous wave signal. Linear frequency modulated signals and their different modifications are widely used in various microwave sensors for short- to medium-range measurements in automotive, safety, industrial, and other applications. Since the range (distance) to a detected object is measured as a beat frequency at the homodyne receiver output, the Doppler shift results in a biased measurement of the range. This phenomenon has been well known for a long time. The situation becomes more uncertain with an increase in the number of objects within the radar's field of view. There are many proposed techniques to solve this problem with one main technique adding a number of equations according to the number of detected objects in the hope of finding a single solution. We propose a simplifed system of those equations excluding all uncertainties from the hypothesis tree at the beginning of the procedure. When the performance of the signal processing hardware is limited, the simplicity of the algorithm increases in importance. The proposed technique is simple enough to be used on an embedded microprocessor. We performed an experiment involving a real microwave sensor to confirm a validity of the proposed algorithm.
Optimized Self Organized Sensor Networks

Wireless sensor networks are composed of a huge number of sensor nodes, which have limited resources - energy, memory and computation power. Energies are directly related to the lifetime of sensor network. If sensor nodes can be grouped to clusters, cluster member sensor nodes only need to communicate with cluster center (head) and this leads to energy conservation of the member sensors. So, how to compose clusters with minimal number of cluster heads, while including each node in a cluster is an important research issue. We propose a new advanced optimization algorithm for sensor network clustering. Using the proposed optimization algorithm, redundant cluster heads are eliminated, and unnecessarily overlapped clusters are merged. Optimization algorithm can be used as a clustering algorithm by itself and also manage the dynamic changes like node addition or die-out, while the network is even on the working state. We tested the proposed method as a clustering algorithm and compared it with two other recent sensor network clustering algorithms, Algorithm for Cluster Establishment (ACE) and Self Organizing Sensor network algorithm (SOS). The experiments results not only illustrate that the proposed algorithm could result in clusters with smaller number of cluster heads than others with any density of sensor networks, but also that the performance is more stable, which is also verified through repeated experiments.
Maternal, Infant, and Young Child Nutrition: Combining Efforts to Maximize Impacts on Child Growth and Micronutrient Status

The objective of this Food and Nutrition Bulletin supplement is to focus attention on the need to integrate actions to improve maternal, infant, and young child nutrition across the different stages of the key “window of opportunity” from preconception through pregnancy, the period of exclusive breastfeeding (0 to 6 months), and the target age for complementary feeding (6 to 24 months). It is essential that program managers, policymakers, and researchers have a clear understanding of how nutrition during each of these different phases can affect the health outcomes that are the focus of their efforts. Understanding the synergistic effects of improved nutrition across these different phases, and which interventions are appropriate during each phase, is necessary in order to work jointly, efficiently, and with greater success to reduce the high rates of stunting and micronutrient deficiencies we still see around the world. The life-cycle approach to nutrition has been discussed previously, but the intention of this supplement is to consider both the current scientific evidence on effective interventions and the practical issues of how to incorporate such interventions into a comprehensive approach. Efforts to improve maternal, infant, and young child nutrition must start with the period of preconception and the nutrition of adolescent girls and women. It has long been recognized that pregnancy is a critical period, but more attention is needed to actions that can occur at the moment of delivery (a key “contact” opportunity) and the early neonatal period to improve the health and nutritional status of both the mother and the baby. Following birth, the period of lactation (especially the first 6 months) is a critical window not only for improving breastfeeding practices, but also for addressing the mother’s needs. How do we support her nutrition during this very vulnerable time period? Lastly, we need to focus on the complementary feeding period from 6 to 24 months. There are many issues that need to be addressed at this time, including the importance of continued breastfeeding as well as improving the quality and accessibility of foods available for complementary feeding. The information provided to mothers on the use of complementary foods (including fortified products) needs to be conveyed in a way that supports continued breastfeeding and encourages optimal feeding practices, including responsive feeding [1]. Data from a study conducted by Maleta et al. among 767 children in Malawi followed from birth through 36 months of age show why it is so important to integrate actions throughout these stages of life [2]. Figure 1 illustrates the cumulative deficit in height of children (both sexes) in the Malawi sample compared with the median of the World Health Organization (WHO) Kathryn G. Dewey and Sandra L. Huffman
Managing a Homosexual Identity within a Heteronormative Workplace Environment

ion This paper investigates the experiences of openly gay men within the workplace. In exploring the obstacles unique to sexual minorities within the labour market, three common identity management strategies are reviewed. Many studies have documented not only the existence of sexual orientation-based workplace discrimination but also its prevalence within contemporary society. In arguing for the importance of acceptance-based education, this paper advocates for increased tolerance within the workplace. 1 Militello: Homosexual Identities within the Workplace Published by Scholarship@Western, 2015
Cellular proteins that associate with the middle and small T antigens of polyomavirus

We have used two-dimensional gel electrophoresis to analyze in more detail the cellular proteins which associate with the middle and small tumor antigens (MT and ST, respectively) of polyomavirus. Proteins with molecular masses of 27, 29, 36, 51, 61, 63, and 85 kilodaltons (kDa) that specifically coimmunoprecipitated with MT were identified on these gels. The 36-, 51-, 61-, 63-, and 85-kDa proteins are probably the same as the proteins of similar sizes previously reported by a number of groups, whereas the 27- and 29-kDa proteins represent proteins that are heretofore undescribed. The 27- and 29-kDa proteins were abundant cellular proteins, whereas the others were minor cellular constituents. The association of each of these proteins with MT was sensitive to one or more mutations in MT that rendered it transformation defective. The association of the 85-kDa protein was the most sensitive indicator of the transformation competence of MT mutants. In addition, the 85-kDa protein was the only associated protein whose association with MT changed consistently in parallel with MT-associated phosphatidylinositol kinase activity. Furthermore, the fraction of the 85-kDa protein which was found associated with the MT complex contained 15 to 20% of its phosphate content on tyrosine. The 36- and 63-kDa proteins complexed with both polyomavirus MT and ST and comigrated on two-dimensional gels with two simian virus 40 ST-associated proteins originally described by Rundell and coworkers (K. Rundell, E. O. Major, and M. Lampert, J. Virol. 37:1090-1093, 1981). None of the other MT-associated proteins associated significantly with ST.
Almost all C 4-free graphs have fewer than ( 1 − ε ) ex ( n , C 4 ) edges

A graph is called H-free if it contains no copy of H. Let ex(n,H) denote the Turán number for H, i.e., the maximum number of edges that an n-vertex H-free graph may have. An old result of Kleitman and Winston states that there are 2O(ex(n,C4)) C4-free graphs on n vertices. Füredi showed that almost all C4-free graphs of order n have at least c ex(n,C4) edges for some positive constant c. We prove that there is a positive constant ε such that almost all C4-free graphs have at most (1 − ε) ex(n,C4) edges. This resolves a conjecture of Balogh, Bollobás, and Simonovits for the 4-cycle. Mathematics subject classification: 05C35, 05C30, 05D40, 05A16
Optimization and characterization of primaquine–loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) for liver schinonticide targeting by freeze drying

The aim of this study was preparation of a liver schinonticide Primaquine phosphate PQ directly to the hepatocytes using solid lipid nanoparticles SLN The PQ loaded solid lipid nanoparticles PQ SLNs were prepared by a modified solvent emulsification evaporation method based on a water in oil in water w o w double emulsion and dried freeze drying PQ SLNFD to obtain the nanoparticles The mean particle size zeta potential drug loading and encapsulation efficiency of the PQ SLNFD were nm mV and respectively A spherical morphology of PQ SLNFD was seen by scanning electron microscope had traces of drug crystals In vitro release profile depicted a steady drug release over hours for PQ SLNFD Differential scanning calorimeter thermograms demonstrated presence of drug in drug loaded nanoparticles along with disappearance of decomposition exotherms suggesting increased physical stability of drug in prepared formulations The nanoformulated PQ was more effective as compared with conventional oral dose when tested in Plasmodium berghei infected Swiss albino mice This study established an effective process of developing a nanomedicine delivery system for PQ
Aspiration and imprint cytopathology of thyroid carcinoma associated with familial adenomatous polyposis

Thyroid carcinomas occur in association with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), and some are the first symptom of FAP. Although several histological features have been reported, the cytopathology of FAP‐associated thyroid carcinoma has not yet been described. We report on two cases of FAP‐associated thyroid carcinomas diagnosed by fine‐needle aspiration biopsy and one case imprinted after resection. All 3 patients belonged to the same family, and thyroid carcinoma was the first symptom of the proband. Cytological features include fascicular or whorl formation of spindle cells with papillary, follicular, and/or solid architectures, in addition to the typical features of papillary carcinoma. The cytological features of FAP‐associated thyroid carcinomas are characteristic and may suggest FAP. Diagn. Cytopathol. 23:101–105, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.