Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Market Maker Competition on Market Quality: Evidence from an Options Exchange

This paper examines the dynamic relationship between competition, liquidity provision, and market structure. By examining the entry and exit of market makers in the Australian Options market, this study empirically analyses the issue of market maker competition. Results indicate that market maker entry is dependent on a broad range of profit, risk and market concentration characteristics, but free market maker movement does not explicitly result in a competitive market structure. This study also finds that the degree of market concentration additionally affects the marginal impact of market maker entry (exit), but the effect is significantly more pronounced for the most liquid classes of options. The implication of this finding is pertinent to market regulators since market maker competition may not necessarily contribute to enhancing market quality for less liquid securities. * Corresponding Author: Finance Discipline, Faculty of Economic and Business, University of Sydney, 2006, Australia: Tel (+612) 9227 0895; Fax (+612) 9351 6461; Email: a.lepone@econ.usyd. edu.au. This research was funded by the Sydney Futures Exchange under Corporations Regulation 7.5. 88(2). The authors thank the Securities Industry Research Centre of AsiaPacific (SIRCA) for the provision of data.
Behaviour of Robsonella fontaniana in response to a potential predator

Cephalopods have two main defence strategies: the first consists on reducing the odds of being detected by a predator, while the second focuses on avoiding capture. The aim of this study was to understand the basic behavioural aspects of the octopus Robsonella fontaniana in response to the potential predator Schroederichthys chilensis (catshark) in central Chile. Experiments were conducted under laboratory conditions in order to determine the effectiveness of camouflage against predators. The results show that crypsis and an increase in the inactivity period are strategies used by octopuses as protection and defence mechanisms against predators.
Thiopental Inhibits the Activation of Nuclear Factor &kgr;B

Background Thiopental is frequently used for the treatment of intracranial hypertension after severe head injury. Its long-term administration increases the incidence of nosocomial infections, which contributes to the high mortality rate of these patients. However, the mechanism of its immunosuppressing effect remains unknown. Methods The effect of thiopental (200–1000 &mgr;g/ml) on the activation of the nuclear transcription factor &kgr;B (NF-&kgr;B; electrophoretic mobility shift assays), on NF-&kgr;B–driven reporter gene activity (transient transfection assays), on the expression of NF-&kgr;B target genes (enzyme-linked immunoassays), on T-cell activation (flow cytometric analyses of CD69 expression), and on the content of the NF-&kgr;B inhibitor I&kgr;B-&agr; (Western blotting) was studied in human T lymphocytes in vitro. Results Thiopental inhibited the activation of the transcription factor NF-&kgr;B but did not alter the activity of the cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein. Other barbiturates (methohexital), anesthetics (etomidate, propofol, ketamine), or opioids (fentanyl, morphine) did not affect NF-&kgr;B activation. Thiopental-mediated suppression of NF-&kgr;B could be observed in Jurkat cells and in primary CD3+ lymphocytes from healthy volunteers, was time- and concentration-dependent, occurred at concentrations that are clinically achieved, and persisted for hours after the incubation. It was associated with an inhibition of NF-&kgr;B–driven reporter gene activity, of the expression of interleukin-2, -6, and -8, and interferon &ggr;, and of the activation of CD3+ lymphocytes. Suppression of NF-&kgr;B appeared to involve reduced degradation of I&kgr;B-&agr;. Conclusion The results demonstrate that thiopental inhibits the activation of NF-&kgr;B and may thus provide a molecular mechanism for some of the immunosuppressing effects associated with thiopental therapy.
Pediatric Anesthesia and Neurodevelopmental Impairments: A Bayesian Meta-analysis

Experimental evidence of anesthesia-induced neurotoxicity has caused serious concern about the long-term effect of commonly used volatile anesthetic agents on young children. Several observational studies based on existing data have been conducted to address this concern with inconsistent results. We conducted a meta-analysis to synthesize the epidemiologic evidence on the association of anesthesia/surgery with neurodevelopmental outcomes in children. Using Bayesian meta-analytic approaches, we estimated the synthesized odds ratios (OR) and 95% credible interval (CrI) as well as the predictive distribution of a future study given the synthesized evidence. Data on 7 unadjusted and 6 adjusted measures of association were abstracted from 7 studies. The synthesized OR based on the 7 unadjusted measures for the association of anesthesia/surgery with an adverse behavioral or developmental outcome was 1.9 (95% CrI, 1.2-3.0). The most likely unadjusted OR from a future study was estimated to be 2.2 (95% CrI, 0.6-6.1). The synthesized OR based on the 6 adjusted measures for the association of anesthesia/surgery with an adverse behavioral or developmental outcome was 1.4 (95% CrI, 0.9-2.2). The most likely adjusted OR from a future study was estimated to be 1.5 (95% CrI, 0.5-4.0). We conclude that existent epidemiologic evidence suggests a modestly elevated risk of adverse behavioral or developmental outcomes in children who were exposed to anesthesia/surgery during early childhood. The evidence, however, is considerably uncertain.
Community-based evaluation of the reliability and validity of Chinese version of Composite International Diagnostic Interview-3.0

Objective:To evaluate the test-retest reliability and validity of Chinese version of World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview version 3.0(CIDI-3.0)by community-based study.Methods:Among 202 subjects from Dalian city,with the clinician-administered Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV(SCID),102 patents were diagnostic as mood disorder,anxiety disorder,schizophrenia or psychotic disorder and so on.All of the patients and the other 100 subjects without mental disorders as the control group were interviewed blindly by CIDI-3.0 to test the validity of CIDI-3.0. Ten patients among them were interviewed twice independently in a 7-day interval to evaluate the reliability of CIDI-3.0. Results:(1)For the screen section,the sensitivity values of different mental disorders ranged from 60.4% to 93.1%,while the specificity values from 33.6% to 92.7%. The positive predictive values were from 60.1% to 95.1%,and the negative predictive values were from 68.1% to 93.7%. (2)For different mental disorders,the specificity values ranged from 97.1% to 98.9%,while the sensitivity values were from 33.3% to 70.3%. Positive predict values were from 66.7% to 95.7%,and negative predictive values were from 87.7% to 95.4%. (3)The consistency was 0.78 in any mental disorder. (4)For test-retest reliability,kappa values ranged from 0.737 to 1.0. Conclusion:By clinical reappraisal,the Chinese version of CIDI-3.0 has satisfied validity and reliability.The screen section has high sensitivity,while the diagnostic sections have high specificities.That indicates that CIDI-3.0 is acceptable as a validated instrument for community survey on mental disorders.
Additive Expression of Consolidated Memory through Drosophila Mushroom Body Subsets

Associative olfactory memory in Drosophila has two components called labile anesthesia-sensitive memory and consolidated anesthesia-resistant memory (ARM). Mushroom body (MB) is a brain region critical for the olfactory memory and comprised of 2000 neurons that can be classified into αβ, α′β′, and γ neurons. Previously we demonstrated that two parallel pathways mediated ARM consolidation: the serotonergic dorsal paired medial (DPM)–αβ neurons and the octopaminergic anterior paired lateral (APL)–α′β′ neurons. This finding prompted us to ask how this composite ARM is retrieved. Here, we showed that blocking the output of αβ neurons and that of α′β′ neurons each impaired ARM retrieval, and blocking both simultaneously had an additive effect. Knockdown of radish and octβ2R in αβ and α′β′ neurons, respectively, impaired ARM. A combinatorial assay of radish mutant background rsh1 and neurotransmission blockade confirmed that ARM retrieved from α′β′ neuron output is independent of radish. We identified MBON-β2β′2a and MBON-β′2mp as the MB output neurons downstream of αβ and α′β′ neurons, respectively, whose glutamatergic transmissions also additively contribute to ARM retrieval. Finally, we showed that α′β′ neurons could be functionally subdivided into α′β′m neurons required for ARM retrieval, and α′β′ap neurons required for ARM consolidation. Our work demonstrated that two parallel neural pathways mediating ARM consolidation in Drosophila MB additively contribute to ARM expression during retrieval.
Pharmacokinetics of cefepime in patients with respiratory tract infections

The steady-state pharmacokinetics of cefepime were evaluated in 10 middle-aged and elderly patients with acute lower respiratory tract infections who were receiving 1 g intravenously every 12 h. One preinfusion and 15 postinfusion serum samples and total urine output were collected over one dosing interval between days 3 and 8 of therapy. Cefepime concentrations in serum over time exhibited a multicompartmental profile. Peak and trough concentrations in serum determined by a validated high-performance liquid chromatography method were 71.2 +/- 17.2 (mean +/- standard deviation) and 6.0 +/- 4.9 mg/liter, respectively. The steady-state volume of distribution was 0.22 +/- 0.05 liter/kg. Elimination half-lives ranged from 1.93 to 6.04 h (3.92 +/- 1.28 h), and total body clearances ranged from 36.9 to 102 ml/min per 1.73 m2 (73.0 +/- 19.7 ml/min per 1.73 m2). The disposition of cefepime at steady state in patients was comparable to previous observations in healthy elderly volunteers. The predictive performance of regression equations derived from single-dose studies in volunteers relating creatinine clearance with total body and renal clearances of cefepime exhibited slight biases (mean predictive errors, -9.7 and 2.1 ml/min per 1.73 m2, respectively) and similar precisions. Predicted and observed total body clearances (63.3 +/- 25.1 versus 73.0 +/- 19.7 ml/min per 1.73 m2, respectively) and renal clearances (51.3 +/- 24.4 versus 49.3 +/- 19.6 ml/min per 1.73 m2, respectively) were not significantly different. The pharmacokinetics of cefepime in infected patients appeared to be unaltered by illness, and the steady-state disposition of cefepime was predictable from data derived from single-dose studies in volunteers.
Paging through history: parchment as a reservoir of ancient DNA for next generation sequencing

Parchment represents an invaluable cultural reservoir. Retrieving an additional layer of information from these abundant, dated livestock-skins via the use of ancient DNA (aDNA) sequencing has been mooted by a number of researchers. However, prior PCR-based work has indicated that this may be challenged by cross-individual and cross-species contamination, perhaps from the bulk parchment preparation process. Here we apply next generation sequencing to two parchments of seventeenth and eighteenth century northern English provenance. Following alignment to the published sheep, goat, cow and human genomes, it is clear that the only genome displaying substantial unique homology is sheep and this species identification is confirmed by collagen peptide mass spectrometry. Only 4% of sequence reads align preferentially to a different species indicating low contamination across species. Moreover, mitochondrial DNA sequences suggest an upper bound of contamination at 5%. Over 45% of reads aligned to the sheep genome, and even this limited sequencing exercise yield 9 and 7% of each sampled sheep genome post filtering, allowing the mapping of genetic affinity to modern British sheep breeds. We conclude that parchment represents an excellent substrate for genomic analyses of historical livestock.
Determinants of the optic cup to disc ratio in an Asian population: the Singapore Malay Eye Study (SiMES).

OBJECTIVE To describe the distribution and determinants of the optic cup to disc ratio (CDR) in Malay adults in Singapore. METHODS This population-based, age-stratified study examined 3280 Malay people aged 40 to 80 years in Singapore. Participants underwent a standardized interview and an ocular examination. A slitlamp examination measured the vertical dimensions of the disc and cup, excluding areas of peripapillary atrophy and the Elschnig scleral ring. RESULTS Vertical CDR was recorded for 3228 right eyes and 3237 left eyes. The mean (SD) CDR was 0.40 (0.15) in both eyes. The CDR in the right eye increased with age (P < .001) and was greater in men vs women (age-adjusted CDR, 0.42 vs 0.39; P < .001). In multiple linear regression, significant determinants of greater CDR were increasing age, male sex, higher intraocular pressure (IOP), lower diastolic blood pressure, lower body mass index, and previous cataract surgery. Of these, higher IOP was the most important determinant of the CDR. After excluding 149 persons with glaucoma, male sex, higher IOP, lower diastolic blood pressure, lower body mass index, and diabetes mellitus were significant predictors of greater CDR. CONCLUSION Greater vertical CDR was related to male sex, higher IOP, lower diastolic blood pressure, and lower body mass index.
Is Europe really the dream? Contingent paths among sub-Saharan migrants in Morocco

Abstract This article explores migrant existences in the border zones around Europe. Drawing on ethnographic research in Morocco undertaken in 2012, 2013 and 2015 and in continued engagements with migrants using social media, the article analyses three extended migrant stories, detailing their experiences of uncertainty, waiting and hoping. By elucidating the objectives informing migrants’ pathways and the material and moral considerations underpinning the ways in which they navigate migrant life in Rabat, the stories unveil how different temporalities and spatialities intersect and influence their decisions and ability to endure hardship and waiting. The article argues that uncertainties and risks inherent in migration, and in irregular migration in particular, have transformed collective expectations of the migratory project as a means of upward social mobility and economic security into hope and into a mode of hoping that individualizes success and failure. Meanwhile, the rising costs of migration and structural marginalization render the opportunity to travel elsewhere contingent on assistance from transnational social networks or international institutions. Individuals’ success or failure thus comes to depend on how understandings of hardship, waiting, opportunity and moral obligation are configured and reconfigured by lived experiences in different places. Résumé Cet article explore des vies de migrants dans les zones frontalières de l'Europe. S'appuyant sur des recherches ethnographiques menées au Maroc en 2012, 2013 et 2015, et à travers le maintien de contacts avec des migrants par le biais de médias sociaux, l'article analyse trois récits développés de migrants détaillant leurs expériences d'incertitude, d'attente et d'espoir. En élucidant les objectifs qui informent le parcours des migrants et les considérations matérielles et morales qui sous-tendent leur mode de vie de migrant à Rabat, ces récits dévoilent comment différentes temporalités et spatialités se croisent et influencent leurs décisions et leur capacité à endurer la difficulté du quotidien et l'attente. L'article soutient que les incertitudes et les risques inhérents à la migration en général, et la migration irrégulière en particulier, ont transformé des attentes collectives du projet migratoire, en tant que moyen d'ascension sociale et de sécurité économique, en espoir et en mode d'espérance qui individualise la réussite et l’échec. Dans le même temps, le coût croissant de la migration et la marginalisation structurelle subordonnent la possibilité de se rendre ailleurs au soutien de réseaux sociaux transnationaux ou d'institutions internationales. La réussite ou l’échec individuel en vient donc à dépendre de la manière dont les interprétations de la difficulté du quotidien, de l'attente, de l'opportunité et de l'obligation morale sont configurées et reconfigurées par des expériences de vie dans des lieux différents.
Image Differences between Prospective, First-Time, and Repeat Visitors to the Lower Rio Grande Valley

Destination image was conceptualized as evolvingfrom an organic image, through an induced image, to a complex image. These image phases were linked to the informative, persuasive, and reminding functions of promotion. Data were analyzed from a sample of 568 prospective, first-time, and repeat long-stay winter visitors to the lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas. These three subsamples were considered likely to be reasonably reflective of the three stages of image evolution. Significant differences on all five of the image factors which were derived were found between nonvisitors and the other two subsamples. Length of stay was found to significantly affect image on two of the five factors. Differences in image based on respondents' proximity to the Valley were revealed on only one of the five factors.
Role of chemokine RANTES in the regulation of perivascular inflammation, T-cell accumulation, and vascular dysfunction in hypertension

Recent studies have emphasized the role of perivascular inflammation in cardiovascular disease. We studied mechanisms of perivascular leukocyte infiltration in angiotensin II (Ang II)‐induced hypertension and their links to vascular dysfunction. Chronic Ang II infusion in mice increased immune cell content of T cells (255 ± 130 to 1664 ± 349 cells/mg; P < 0.01), M1 and M2 macrophages, and dendritic cells in perivascular adipose tissue. In particular, the content of T lymphocytes bearing CC chemokine receptor (CCR) 1, CCR3, and CCR5 receptors for RANTES chemokine was increased by Ang II (CCR1, 15.6 ± 1.5% vs. 31 ± 5%; P < 0.01). Hypertension was associated with an increase in perivascular adipose tissue expression of the chemokine RANTES (relative quantification, 1.2 ± 0.2 vs. 3.5 ± 1.1; P< 0.05), which induced T‐cell chemotaxis and vascular accumulation of T cells expressing the chemokine receptors CCR1, CCR3, and CCR5. Mechanistically, RANTES–/– knockout protected against vascular leukocyte, and in particular T lymphocyte infiltration (26 ± 5% in wild type Ang II vs. 15 ± 4% in RANTES–/–), which was associated with protection from endothelial dysfunction induced by Ang II. This effect was linked with diminished infiltration of IFN‐γ‐producing CD8+ and double‐negative CD3+CD4–CD8– T cells in perivascular space and reduced vascular oxidative stress while FoxP3+ T‐regulatory cells were unaltered. IFN‐γ ex vivo caused significant endothelial dysfunction, which was reduced by superoxide anion scavenging. In a human cohort, a significant inverse correlation was observed between circulating RANTES levels as a biomarker and vascular function measured as flow‐mediated dilatation (R = –0.3, P < 0.01) or endothelial injury marker von Willebrand factor (R= +0.3; P< 0.01). Thus, chemokine RANTES is important in the regulation of vascular dysfunction through modulation of perivascular inflammation. —Mikolajczyk, T. P., Nosalski, R. , Szczepaniak, P., Budzyn, K. , Osmenda, G. , Skiba, D. , Sagan, A. , Wu, J., Vinh, A. , Marvar, P. J., Guzik, B. , Podolec, J., Drummond, G. , Lob, H. E. , Harrison, D. G. , Guzik, T. J. Role of chemokine RANTES in the regulation of perivascular inflammation, T‐cell accumulation, and vascular dysfunction in hypertension. FASEB J. 30, 1987–1999 (2016). www.fasebj. org
Optimal amount of entanglement to distinguish quantum states instantaneously

We introduce an aspect of nonlocality which arises when the task of quantum states distinguishability is considered under local operations and shared entanglement in the absence of classical communication. We find the optimal amount of entanglement required to accomplish the task perfectly for sets of orthogonal states and argue that it quantifies information nonlocality.
Thermographic Patterns of the Upper and Lower Limbs: Baseline Data

Objectives. To collect normative baseline data and identify any significant differences between hand and foot thermographic distribution patterns in a healthy adult population. Design. A single-centre, randomized, prospective study. Methods. Thermographic data was acquired using a FLIR camera for the data acquisition of both plantar and dorsal aspects of the feet, volar aspects of the hands, and anterior aspects of the lower limbs under controlled climate conditions. Results. There is general symmetry in skin temperature between the same regions in contralateral limbs, in terms of both magnitude and pattern. There was also minimal intersubject temperature variation with a consistent temperature pattern in toes and fingers. The thumb is the warmest digit with the temperature falling gradually between the 2nd and the 5th fingers. The big toe and the 5th toe are the warmest digits with the 2nd to the 4th toes being cooler. Conclusion. Measurement of skin temperature of the limbs using a thermal camera is feasible and reproducible. Temperature patterns in fingers and toes are consistent with similar temperatures in contralateral limbs in healthy subjects. This study provides the basis for further research to assess the clinical usefulness of thermography in the diagnosis of vascular insufficiency.
Parents’ views of an optimal school life: using Social Role Valorization to explore differences in parental perspectives when children have intellectual disability

Abstract Children with disability continue to experience disadvantage in their school lives; thus, the question of what makes up an optimal school life, and whether this is different for children with disability, becomes critical. This paper reports on research into parental views about an optimal school life and the usefulness of Social Role Valorization theory as a framework for exploring this issue. Six focus group interviews were used to collect data from 30 parents. Children of a variety of ages, with and without disability, were represented. All groups were similar in the aspects they regarded as optimal in a child’s school life. These fell into five categories: being connected, growth, personhood, basic needs, and happiness. Despite this similarity across groups, there were some notable differences in the detail; for example, parents of children with disability had a stronger focus on children being wanted, high expectations, and being seen as an individual.
Flow induced structural noise on a sonar dome of a ship

The turbulent boundary layer pressure field on the exterior of the sonar dome is the major contributor of the sonar self-noise above a certain speed of the vessel. In particular, interior noise levels are influenced by hydrodynamic coincidence, which occurs when the convection speed in the turbulent boundary layer matches the flexural wave speed in the ship hull panels. Calculation of the structural vibrations and of the noise radiated inside the dome preliminarily requires a valid statistical description of wall pressure fluctuations (WPF) beneath the turbulent boundary layer. For this reason, an experimental campaign performed on a scaled geometry of the bulbous bow of a fast ship on a towing tank allowed the identification of a suitable model for cross spectral density of the wall pressure fluctuations. The wall vibration statistics and the acoustic radiation are computed using a coupled acoustic-structural code with the modeled load for different velocities. Preliminary, mean boundary layer parameters have been obtained with a finite volume code that solves the Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes Equations.