Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Risk Microstructure of Corporate Bonds : A Bayesian Analysis of the German Corporate Bond Market ∗

This article presents joint econometric analysis of interest rate risk, issuer-specific risk (credit risk) and bond-specific risk (liquidity risk) in a reduced-form framework. We develop a methodology to estimate the model parameters and to separate the different components of risk. We estimate issuer-specific and bond-specific risk from corporate bond data in the German market. We find that bond-specific risk plays a crucial role in the pricing of corporate bonds. We observe substantial differences between the different bonds with respect to the relative influence of issuer-specific vs. bond-specific spread on the level and the volatility of the total spread. As regards issuer-specific risk, we find strong autocorrelation and a strong impact of weekday effects, the level of the risk-free term structure and the debt to value ratio. Moreover, we can observe some impact of the stock market volatility, the respective stock’s return and the distance to default. The issuer-specific spread determinants are very different for different issuers. For the bond-specific risk we find a strong autocorrelation, some impact of the stock market index, weekday effects and monthly effects as well as a very weak impact of the risk-free term structure, the stock market volatility and the specific stock’s return. Altogether, the determinants of the spread components vary strongly between different bonds/issuers.
Analysis of the impact of data granularity on privacy for the smart grid

The upgrade of the electricity network to the ``smart grid'' has been intensified in the last years. The new automated devices being deployed gather large quantities of data that offer promises of a more resilient grid but also raise privacy concerns among customers and energy distributors. In this paper, we focus on the energy consumption traces that smart meters generate and especially on the risk of being able to identify individual customers given a large dataset of these traces. This is a question raised in the related literature and an important privacy research topic. We present an overview of the current research regarding privacy in the Advanced Metering Infrastructure. We make a formalization of the problem of de-anonymization by matching low-frequency and high-frequency smart metering datasets and we also build a threat model related to this problem. Finally, we investigate the characteristics of these datasets in order to make them more resilient to the de-anonymization process. Our methodology can be used by electricity companies to better understand the properties of their smart metering datasets and the conditions under which such datasets can be released to third parties.
White-matter relaxation time and myelin water fraction differences in young adults with autism

Background Increasing evidence suggests that autism is associated with abnormal white-matter (WM) anatomy and impaired brain ‘connectivity’. While myelin plays a critical role in synchronized brain communication, its aetiological role in autistic symptoms has only been indirectly addressed by WM volumetric, relaxometry and diffusion tensor imaging studies. A potentially more specific measure of myelin content, termed myelin water fraction (MWF), could provide improved sensitivity to myelin alteration in autism. Method We performed a cross-sectional imaging study that compared 14 individuals with autism and 14 age- and IQ-matched controls. T 1 relaxation times (T 1), T 2 relaxation times (T 2) and MWF values were compared between autistic subjects, diagnosed using the Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised (ADI-R), with current symptoms assessed using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) and typical healthy controls. Correlations between T 1, T 2 and MWF values with clinical measures [ADI-R, ADOS, and the Autism Quotient (AQ)] were also assessed. Results Individuals with autism showed widespread WM T 1 and MWF differences compared to typical controls. Within autistic individuals, worse current social interaction skill as measured by the ADOS was related to reduced MWF although not T 1. No significant differences or correlations with symptoms were observed with respect to T 2. Conclusions Autistic individuals have significantly lower global MWF and higher T 1, suggesting widespread alteration in tissue microstructure and biochemistry. Areas of difference, including thalamic projections, cerebellum and cingulum, have previously been implicated in the disorder; however, this is the first study to specifically indicate myelin alteration in these regions.
Internalizing and Externalizing Behavior Problems in Preschool Children: Correspondence Among Parent and Teacher Ratings and Behavior Observations

Investigated 45 children between the ages of 3 and 6 years—ranging widely in degree and type of problem behavior—via parent ratings, teacher ratings, and objective observations of social behavior in play groups. The goal was to ascertain cross-informant correspondence for preschool-aged children, with a separate examination of internalizing versus externalizing, behavior patterns. Regarding internalizing behavior, parent ratings (but not teacher ratings) independently predicted observed isolation and withdrawal. As for externalizing behavior, however, teacher ratings were far more strongly associated with play group observations than were parent reports; only the teacher information independently predicted observed noncompliance and aggression. These differential patterns of cross-informant convergence across internalizing versus externalizing domains are discussed in light of the need for accurate identification of behavioral/emotional risk in preschoolers.
Real-Time Sensing of Cell Morphology by Infrared Waveguide Spectroscopy

We demonstrate that a live epithelial cell monolayer can act as a planar waveguide. Our infrared reflectivity measurements show that highly differentiated simple epithelial cells, which maintain tight intercellular connectivity, support efficient waveguiding of the infrared light in the spectral region of 1.4–2.5 µm and 3.5–4 µm. The wavelength and the magnitude of the waveguide mode resonances disclose quantitative dynamic information on cell height and cell-cell connectivity. To demonstrate this we show two experiments. In the first one we trace in real-time the kinetics of the disruption of cell-cell contacts induced by calcium depletion. In the second one we show that cell treatment with the PI3-kinase inhibitor LY294002 results in a progressive decrease in cell height without affecting intercellular connectivity. Our data suggest that infrared waveguide spectroscopy can be used as a novel bio-sensing approach for studying the morphology of epithelial cell sheets in real-time, label-free manner and with high spatial-temporal resolution.
Point process modelling of the Afghan War Diary

Modern conflicts are characterized by an ever increasing use of information and sensing technology, resulting in vast amounts of high resolution data. Modelling and prediction of conflict, however, remain challenging tasks due to the heterogeneous and dynamic nature of the data typically available. Here we propose the use of dynamic spatiotemporal modelling tools for the identification of complex underlying processes in conflict, such as diffusion, relocation, heterogeneous escalation, and volatility. Using ideas from statistics, signal processing, and ecology, we provide a predictive framework able to assimilate data and give confidence estimates on the predictions. We demonstrate our methods on the WikiLeaks Afghan War Diary. Our results show that the approach allows deeper insights into conflict dynamics and allows a strikingly statistically accurate forward prediction of armed opposition group activity in 2010, based solely on data from previous years.
Ultrastructural damage of capillaries in the neocortex in schizophrenia

Abstract Objectives. Neuroimaging studies showed lowered blood flow, glucose metabolic rates and hypoactivation of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) in patients with schizophrenia. The aim of the study was to clear up whether there are abnormalities in the microvasculature in the neocortex in schizophrenia. Methods. Capillaries were studied in PFC (BA 10) and visual cortex (VC) (BA 17) by electron microscopy and morphometry in 26 schizophrenia cases and 26 normal controls. Capillary diameter and areas of capillaries and of pericapillary astrocytic end-feet were estimated in layers I–II of the prefrontal and visual cortices. Results. Ultrastructural abnormalities of capillaries in schizophrenia included thickening, deformation of basal lamina, vacuolation of cytoplasm of endothelial cells, basal lamina and astrocytic end-feet, swelling of astrocytic end-feet, of pericapillary oligodendrocytes and signs of activation of microglial cells in both PFC and VC. Capillary diameter and area did not differ significantly between the groups. Area of astrocytic end-feet was significantly higher in PFC (+49%, P<0.001) and in VC (+29%, P<0.01) in schizophrenic group and in different clinical subgroups as compared to controls. Conclusions. Ultrastructural abnormalities of capillaries and of pericapillary cellular environment found suggest that blood-brain barrier dysfunction might contribute to the pathogenesis of cortical lesions in schizophrenia.
Lower-Extremity Ground Reaction Forces in Youth Windmill Softball Pitchers

Guido, JA, Werner, SL, and Meister, K. Lower-extremity ground reaction forces in youth windmill softball pitchers. J Strength Cond Res 23(6): 1873-1876, 2009-Ground reaction forces are important in pitching given that the only external contact a pitcher has is between the foot and the ground. Windmill softball pitchers are routinely seen clinically for injuries to the lower extremities, and lower-extremity kinetics have not been well studied. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between ground reaction forces and throwing mechanics in youth windmill pitchers and to provide a scientific basis for the improvement of preventive and rehabilitative protocols. Fifty-three youth softball pitchers were tested in an indoor facility. High-speed video and force plate data were collected for fastballs from each pitcher. Average ball speed was 25 m/sec. Peak vertical ground reaction force averaged 139 % body weight (BW), peak anterior force averaged 24 %BW, and the medially directed component of the ground reaction force averaged 42 %BW. Loading rates to peak force in all 3 directions were high. Preventive and rehabilitative protocols for windmill softball pitchers can begin to be improved on the basis of knowledge of the magnitudes and times to peak forces under the stride foot.
Stress among Rural and Small-Town Patrol Officers: A Survey of Pennsylvani Municipal Agencies

Previous studies on police stress have focused mainly on urban officers, and attention afforded to rural and small-town police is virtually nonexistent. To address this gap in the literature, five distinct stress scales were constructed to examine 135 rural and small-town patrol officers’ experiences. The OLS regression results suggest that perceived disruptive administrative changes significantly increased officers’ stress experiences on a number of different dimensions, ranging from perceived maltreatment within the department to inherent aspects of the job. However, changes to the department’s top management positions were most strongly predictive of stress stemming from the organization. Perceived media criticism was positive in its significant effect on two of the five stress scales, general aspects of police work, and danger or violence. Department size was also linked to organizational stress.
Effect of calcination temperatures of CaO/Nb2O5 mixed oxides catalysts on biodiesel production.

Calcination temperature greatly influences the total basicity and surface area of catalysts. Investigations were conducted on calcium and niobium (CaO-Nb2O5) mixed oxides catalysts prepared via conventional solid state method (oxides were mixed and ground in agate mortar) and calcined at different temperatures ranging from 300-800oC for 5 h. The catalysts were then characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), CO2 temperature-programmed desorption (TPD-CO2), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area analyzer and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The formation of Ca(OH)2 and CaCO3 at lower calcination temperatures ( 600oC), due to sintering of the fine crystals, which promotes cluster agglomeration. Thus, the optimum calcination temperature for CaO/Nb2O5 mixed oxides was 600oC, which produced the largest surface area (7 m2/g) and total basicity (1301 μmol/g). The biodiesel was produced via transesterification of palm oil, methanol and the catalysts calcined at various temperatures. CaO/Nb2O5 mixed oxide calcined at 600oC showed the highest biodiesel conversion (98%) with methanol/oil molar ratio of 12, 3 wt. % of catalyst, a reaction temperature of 65oC and reaction time of 2 h.
Experimental analysis of feature selection stability for high-dimension and low-sample size gene expression classification task

Gene selection is a crucial step when building a classifier from microarray or metagenomic data. As the number of observations is small, the gene selection tends to be unstable. It is common that two gene subsets, obtained from different datasets but dealing with the same classification problem, do not overlap significantly. Although it is a crucial problem, few works have been done on the selection stability. In this paper, we first present some stability quantification methods, then we study the variations of those measures with various parameters (dimensionality, sample size, feature distribution, selection threshold) on both artificial and real data, as well as the resulting classification performance. Feature selection was performed with t-test and classification with linear discriminant analysis. We point out a strong empiric correlation between the dimensionality/sample size ratio and selection instability.
Our experience with the lateral supramalleolar island flap for reconstruction of the distal leg and foot: A review of 20 cases

We describe our experience with, and evaluate the reliability of, the lateral supramalleolar flap that was used in 20 patients for reconstruction of the distal leg and foot. There were 14 men and six women, age range 20–83 years. Nine were diabetic. The causes of the skin defects included trauma, diabetic ulcer, and deep burn. Sites of defects were the lower leg, the Achilles tendon, the dorsal and lateral aspect of the foot, and the ankle. Nineteen flaps survived and provided satisfactory coverage of the defect. Four flaps showed partial necrosis and required revision. We think that the lateral supramalleolar flap is a good way to reconstruct soft tissue defects of the lower extremity. Based on a secondary vascular axis, it has a large skin paddle and a wide rotation arc that reaches the distal areas of the foot.
Growth modulation index as metric of clinical benefit assessment among advanced soft tissue sarcoma patients receiving trabectedin as a salvage therapy.

BACKGROUND The growth modulation index (GMI) is the ratio of time to progression with the nth line (TTP(n)) of therapy to the TTP(n)(-1) with the n-1th line. GMI >1.33 is considered as a sign of activity in phase II trials. PATIENTS AND METHODS This retrospective analysis evaluated the concordance between the GMI and the efficacy outcomes in 279 patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma (ASTS) treated with trabectedin 1.5 mg/m² (24-h infusion every 3 weeks) in four phase II trials. RESULTS One hundred and forty-two (51%) patients received one prior line and 137 ≥ 2 lines. The median TTP(n) was 2.8 months (range 0.2-26.8), whereas the median TTP(n)(-1) was 4.0 months (0.3-79.5). The median GMI was 0.6 (0.0-14.4). Overall, 177 patients (63%) had a GMI <1; 21 (8%) a GMI equal to 1-1.33 and 81 (29%) a GMI >1.33, which correlated with the median overall survival in those patients (9.1, 13.9 and 23.8 months, respectively, P = 0.0005). A high concordance rate between the GMI and response rate (P < 0.0001) and progression-free survival (PFS, P < 0.0001) was observed. Good performance status (PS) was the only factor associated with GMI >1.33 (PS = 0; P < 0.04). CONCLUSIONS A high GMI was associated with favorable efficacy outcomes in patients treated with trabectedin. Further research is needed to assess GMI as an indicator in this setting.
An Assessment of the Cariogenicity of Commonly Used Infant Milk Formulae Using Microbiological and Biochemical Methods

Dental caries is an important dental public health problem and is the most prevalent oral disease among children in the world. The present study was undertaken to evaluate and comparatively assess the change in plaque and salivary pH after ingestion of various commercially available infant milk formulae, and also to evaluate and comparatively assess plaque and salivary samples for change in colony-forming units of Streptococcus mutans caused due to their ingestion. 36 children in the age group of 1-2 years were fed with infant milk formulae three times a day for 21 days and results quantified. The present study revealed a highly significant increase in the levels of colony-forming units of Streptococcus mutans in both the plaque and salivary samples when assessed at baseline and after a period of 21 days, with the t value being 11.92 for the plaque samples and 11.66 for the salivary samples. It was also observed that all the test samples produced significantly lower plaque pH values than pre-feed pH. Based upon this study, further evaluation of the cariogenicity of infant milk formulae is recommended.
Valuing Things: The Public and Private Meanings of Possessions

Consumers own objects for the value they provide. This article argues that the value of possessions resides in their meanings and further makes a distinction between the public and private meanings of possessions. The nature of these meanings is elaborated, and three studies are described that assess the public and private meanings of the possessions consumers value most. Similarities and differences between the two sorts of meaning are examined, and implications of meaning for the understanding of consumer behavior are discussed. Copyright 1994 by the University of Chicago.
Police attitudes towards fellow officers' misconduct: the Swedish case and a comparison with the USA and Croatia

There is a long tradition of research into police integrity in the USA. Over the last few decades the focus of this research has shifted from regarding police misconduct as an individual problem to viewing it as an occupational/organisational one. Very little research has been conducted in this area in Scandinavia, however. This article presents findings from a Swedish questionnaire survey of levels of intolerance for corruption and other forms of misconduct within the Swedish police force. The study was conducted as part of an international project. Thirteen percent of Swedish police officers were included in the sample. Attitudes towards police misconduct are characterized by a high degree of consistency. The more seriously a behaviour is viewed, the more severely officers feel it should be sanctioned and the more willing police officers are to report it. Levels of intolerance towards theft are very high, whilst this intolerance is more moderate in relation to the use of excessive force, and is more or less non-existent when it comes to using a police car to ferry a fellow officer to work. At the same time, the patterns visible among the officers' responses are indicative of both ego-defence and of the existence of a code of silence. The article also compares the Swedish findings with responses from similar surveys conducted in the USA and Croatia. Differences between the circumstances in which the studies were conducted make comparisons between the different police forces difficult. The most conspicuous trend, however, is that different types of misconduct are ranked almost identically across the three countries.
Adult Moral Development, Experience and Education

Abstract This article reports two studies‐‐a longitudinal investigation of moral judgement and reported moral experience, and an outcome study on the impact of a moral intervention project with adult undergraduate students. In the first study, 29 middle‐class, primarily white, well‐educated adults, ranging in age from 18 to 80 were administered Standard Form Moral Judgment interviews 4 years apart and were asked to describe their own moral events that had occurred. The average moral judgement score on the hypothetical dilemmas was Stage Four. The reasoning in the spontaneously reported moral events was significantly lower, although the two scores were highly correlated. Difference scores between the two were not related to dilemma scores. While there were no significant gender differences in scores on the hypothetical dilemmas, there were in scores on spontaneous‐reported events favouring males. The ethical quality of the reported events could be easily categorised by traditional moral‐philosophic categor.
Empirical Bayes Methods for Dynamic Factor Models

Abstract We consider the dynamic factor model where the loading matrix, the dynamic factors, and the disturbances are treated as latent stochastic processes. We present empirical Bayes methods that enable the shrinkagebased estimation of the loadings and factors. We investigate the methods in a large Monte Carlo study where we evaluate the finite sample properties of the empirical Bayes methods for quadratic loss functions. Finally, we present and discuss the results of an empirical study concerning the forecasting of U.S. macroeconomic time series using our empirical Bayes methods.
Orthopoxvirus fusion inhibitor glycoprotein SPI-3 (open reading frame K2L) contains motifs characteristic of serine proteinase inhibitors that are not required for control of cell fusion

The cowpox virus (CPV) SPI-3 gene (open reading frame K2L in vaccinia virus) is one of three orthopoxvirus genes whose products are members of the serpin (serine proteinase inhibitor) superfamily. The CPV SPI-3 gene, when overexpressed by using the vaccinia virus/T7 expression system, synthesized two proteins of 50 and 48 kDa. Treatment with the N glycosylation inhibitor tunicamycin converted the two SPI-3 proteins to a single 40-kDa protein, close to the size of 42 kDa predicted from the DNA sequence, suggesting that the SPI-3 protein, unlike the other two orthopoxvirus serpins, is a glycoprotein. Immunoblotting with an anti-SPI-3 antibody showed that the SPI-3 protein is synthesized early in infection prior to DNA replication. SPI-3 inhibits cell-cell fusion during infections with both CPV and vaccinia virus. A transfection assay was devised to test engineered mutants of SPI-3 for the ability to inhibit fusion. Two mutants with C-terminal deletions of 156 and 70 amino acids were completely inactive in fusion inhibition. Site-directed mutations were constructed near the C terminus of SPI-3, in or near the predicted reactive-site loop which is conserved in inhibitory serpins. Substitutions within the loop at the P1 to P1' positions and P5 to P5' positions, inclusive, did not result in any loss of activity, nor did changes at the P17 to P10 residues in the stalk of the reactive loop. Therefore, SPI-3 does not appear to control cell fusion by acting as a serine proteinase inhibitor.