Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
PRICING IN AN INCOMPLETE MARKET WITH AN AFFINE TERM STRUCTURE

We apply the principle of equivalent utility to calculate the indifference price of the writer of a contingent claim in an incomplete market. To recognize the long‐term nature of many such claims, we allow the short rate to be random in such a way that the term structure is affine. We also consider a general diffusion process for the risky stock (index) in our market. In a complete market setting, the resulting indifference price is the same as the one obtained by no‐arbitrage arguments. We also show how to compute indifference prices for two types of contingent claims in an incomplete market, in the case for which the utility function is exponential. The first is a catastrophe risk bond that pays a fixed amount at a given time if a catastrophe does not occur before that time. The second is equity‐indexed term life insurance which pays a death benefit that is a function of the short rate and stock price at the random time of the death of the insured. Because we assume that the occurrence of the catastrophe or the death of the insured is independent of the financial market, the markets for the catastrophe risk bond and the equity‐indexed life insurance are incomplete.
Vipera berus bites in Eastern Poland--a retrospective analysis of 15 case studies.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE The common European adder (Vipera berus) is the only venomous snake that is found naturally in Poland. This study presents the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of V.berus bites in Eastern Poland and describes the methods of poisoning treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS Medical documentation of 15 patients hospitalized at the Department of Infectious Diseases and Neuroinfections of the Medical University of Bialystok between 1998-2010 because of V.berus bite was analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS Most of the snakebites were accidental (86.7% of the cases). The bites usually took place in forests (66.7% of the cases). The majority of patients were bitten in the lower extremity (8 cases, 53.3%), most often in the area of ankle joint. The severity of poisoning was usually minor to moderate. The most common local symptom was oedema (93.3% of the cases) and associated extravasations (73.3% of the cases). One patient experienced shock. Transient hypertension was observed in 3 cases. Mild coagulation disorders were present in 4 cases. In 4 cases, leukocytosis was observed. 86.7% of patients received the specific antivenom. No fatal outcome and no adverse reactions after antivenom administration were reported. CONCLUSIONS In the majority cases of poisoning with V.berus venom, the poisoning takes a mild course, limited to local oedema, but sometimes it may lead to severe complications. The only specific method of the treatment is antivenom administration.
The Nordic Tweet Stream: A Dynamic Real-Time Monitor Corpus of Big and Rich Language Data

This article presents the Nordic Tweet Stream (NTS), a cross-disciplinary corpus project of computer scientists and a group of sociolinguists interested in language variability and in the global spread of English. Our research integrates two types of empirical data: We not only rely on traditional structured corpus data but also use unstructured data sources that are often big and rich in metadata, such as Twitter streams. The NTS downloads tweets and associated metadata from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. We first introduce some technical aspects in creating a dynamic real-time monitor corpus, and the following case study illustrates how the corpus could be used as empirical evidence in sociolinguistic studies focusing on the global spread of English to multilingual settings. The results show that English is the most frequently used language, accounting for almost a third. These results can be used to assess how widespread English use is in the Nordic region and offer a big data perspective that complement previous small-scale studies. The future objectives include annotating the material, making it available for the scholarly community, and expanding the geographic scope of the data stream outside Nordic region.
Perception of side rollover hazards in a Pennsylvania rural population while operating an all-terrain vehicle (ATV).

BACKGROUND All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are unstable on steep and rough terrain, and thus, rollover is the most common accident which can result in a high rate of fatal outcomes, with higher rates for young and male drivers. OBJECTIVE This paper investigates the ability of rural Pennsylvania ATV drivers to correctly evaluate slopes, and the mean slope angle at which the most and least conservative drivers indicate a beginning of concern of a roll-over. METHOD The study was conducted using a simulator, a commercial ATV firmly fixed on an hydraulically-lifted platform. As the platform was being raised, participants were asked to report when they became uncomfortable and then when they would not drive across a slope at such an angle. The difference between the reported and the actual angles in both conditions were analyzed. RESULTS Fifty-five individuals, mostly male and younger than 20 years, participated in riding on the simulator. Between 1/3 and 1/4 of the participants correctly estimated the angle while approximately 2/3 of participants overestimated the angles at which they felt they would be uncomfortable and they would not drive across. Participants began to feel uncomfortable at 15.9±5.7 degrees and became so uncomfortable that they felt they would not drive at 22.7±3.7 degrees. CONCLUSIONS Overestimation of lateral roll angles is the most common result. This is in favor of safety when drivers are informed about a slope limit ATVs should not be operated on.
Integrating bioclimate with population models to improve forecasts of species extinctions under climate change

Climate change is already affecting species worldwide, yet existing methods of risk assessment have not considered interactions between demography and climate and their simultaneous effect on habitat distribution and population viability. To address this issue, an international workshop was held at the University of Adelaide in Australia, 25–29 May 2009, bringing leading species distribution and population modellers together with plant ecologists. Building on two previous workshops in the UK and Spain, the participants aimed to develop methodological standards and case studies for integrating bioclimatic and metapopulation models, to provide more realistic forecasts of population change, habitat fragmentation and extinction risk under climate change. The discussions and case studies focused on several challenges, including spatial and temporal scale contingencies, choice of predictive climate, land use, soil type and topographic variables, procedures for ensemble forecasting of both global climate and bioclimate models and developing demographic structures that are realistic and species-specific and yet allow generalizations of traits that make species vulnerable to climate change. The goal is to provide general guidelines for assessing the Red-List status of large numbers of species potentially at risk, owing to the interactions of climate change with other threats such as habitat destruction, overexploitation and invasive species.
Evaluation of a mixed controller that amplifies spatial errors while reducing timing errors

Previous results suggest that haptic guidance enhances learning of the timing components of motor tasks, whereas error amplification is better for learning the spatial components. In this paper we evaluate a novel mixed guidance controller that combines haptic guidance and error amplification to simultaneously promote learning of the timing and spatial components. The controller is realized using a saddle-like force field around the desired movement position. This force field has a stable manifold tangential to the trajectory that guides subjects in velocity related aspects. The force field has its unstable manifold perpendicular to the trajectory, which amplifies the normal (spatial) error. We conducted an experiment with twenty nine healthy subjects to test whether training with the mixed guidance controller resulted in better learning than training without guidance or with guidance-as-needed. Subjects trained two tasks: a continuous rhythmic task (circle) and a continuous single task (line). We found that the effectiveness of the training strategy depended on the task. Training with mixed guidance was especially beneficial for learning the timing components of the line, but limited learning of the circle. Perhaps the continuous change in the force directions during training of the circle was too difficult to interpret.
Symptoms, endoscopic findings and histology predicting symptomatic benefit of Helicobacter pylori eradication

Objective. To analyse factors predicting changes in dyspeptic symptoms after Helicobacter pylori eradication. Material and methods. Of a total of 342 patients referred for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy at 23 centres in various parts of Finland, those tested positive for the rapid urease test were recruited in the study. Clinical and demographic data and data on dyspeptic symptoms (Gastrointestinal Symptoms Rating Scale) were collected via a structured questionnaire before and a year after the eradication therapy. Gastric biopsies were analysed according to the updated Sydney system. Results. A total of 216 H. pylori-positive patients treated successfully with eradication therapy had complete data to be analysed. After the therapy, dyspeptic symptoms decreased by 29–32%. In a univariate analysis, it was found that duodenal ulcer, female gender, gastric antral neutrophilic inflammation, smoking and age from 50 to 59 years enhanced symptom improvement whereas atrophy in the gastric body reduced it. In a multivariate analysis, duodenal ulcer (odds ratio (OR) 3.2, 95% CI 1.3–7.8) and age from 50 to 59 years (OR 2.2; 95% CI 1.2–3.9) and antral neutrophilic inflammation (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1–3.3) were better predictors of symptomatic response. Conclusion. The symptomatic benefit from H. pylori eradication therapy was greatest among duodenal ulcer patients.
The Distributional Impact of Climate Policy

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to present a new methodology for evaluating the distributional impacts of climate policy. This methodology builds directly on the framework introduced by Jorgenson, Slesnick, and Wilcoxen (1992), but generalizes it by including leisure time, as well as goods and services, in the measure of household welfare. We provide detailed results for 244 different types of households distinguished by demographic characteristics. In addition, we evaluate the overall impact of a cap-and-trade system, as represented in Energy Modeling Forum 22. While there is a wide range of outcomes for different demographic groups, the impact on economic welfare is regressive and generally negative but relatively small.
Attrition in panel survey data and the estimation of multi-state labor market models

In the analysis of labor market transitions, spells that are incomplete due to panel survey attrition are treated as spells that are subject to independent right-censoring. It is likely, however, that the unobserved characteristics affecting individual transitions on the labor market are related to those affecting the attitude toward survey participation. In that case, the transition rate estimates are inconsistent. In this paper we analyze the relation between durations spent in labor market states and the duration of panel survey participation, by explicitly modeling and estimating both stochastic processes. We use multi-state multi-spell models which allow for stochastically related unobserved determinants.
The Performance of UK International Unit Trusts

We evaluate the performance of UK unit trusts with international equity objectives between January 1985 and December 2000 relative to domestic benchmark strategies. We use performance measures based on Jensen (1968), Ferson and Schadt (1996), and the Chen and Knez (1996) law of one price (LOP). We find more favourable trust performance using the Jensen and Ferson and Schadt measures relative to the LOP measure. There is evidence of inferior performance by some international trusts using the unconditional LOP measure. The charges and investment sector of the trust also has an impact on the performance of the trusts using the LOP measure.
Corporate Reporting and Urgent Issues Group Abstracts: The Impact of UIG 4 ON THE Australian Extractive Industries

The Urgent Issues Group (UIG) was established in 1994 to overcome the inability of Australian standard-setters to deal promptly with significant reporting issues. One of its first issues was accounting for restoration obligations, with the subsequent issue in August 1995 of UIG Abstract 4Disclosure of Accounting Policies for Restoration Obligations in the Extractive Industries.This study reports on the effect of the introduction of UIG 4 on the reporting practices of companies in the extractive industries. Despite an increase in the number of companies disclosing their accounting policy and the level of information provided, the comparability, and therefore usefulness, of disclosure after the introduction of UIG 4 is still questionable.
Guideline of Prevention and Treatment for Chronic Hepatitis B (2015 Update)

Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Infectious Diseases, Center for Liver Diseases, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China; The Institute of Translational Hepatology, 302 Hospital of PLA, Peking University, Beijing, China; Center of Liver Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Institute for Viral Hepatitis, the Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, the second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China; Department of Microbiology of Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China; State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Serious Illness Medicine Inpatient Area, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Department of Pathology, 302 Hospital of PLA, Peking University, Beijing, China; Artificial Liver Center, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Division of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Affiliated Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai, China; Hepatology Institute, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China
Supply response of Zimbabwean agriculture: 1970–1999

This paper uses data that spans different pricing regimes to estimate the aggregate agricultural supply response to price and non-price factors in Zimbabwe. The autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) approach to cointegration employed here gives consistent estimates of supply response in the presence of regressor endogeneity and also permits the estimation of distinct estimates of both long-run and short-run elasticities when exogenous variables are not integrated of the same order. The results confirm that agricultural prices in Zimbabwe are endogenous and the exogenous variables are not integrated of the same order hence use of the autoregressive distributed lag approach was worthwhile. The paper finds a long-run price elasticity of 0.18, confirming findings in the literature that aggregate agricultural supply response to price is inelastic. This result means that the agricultural price policy is a somewhat blunt instrument for effecting growth in aggregate agricultural supply. The provision of non-price incentives must play a key role in reviving the agricultural sector in Zimbabwe.
Novel scavenger receptor gene is differentially expressed in the embryonic and adult mouse testis

In an effort to understand the mechanisms that underpin gonadal differentiation at the time of sex determination, we identified a cDNA encoding a putative novel testis expressed scavenger receptor, Tesr. Based on its domain structure, we hypothesize that the function of Tesr is similar to that of other scavenger receptors that play roles in phagocytosis of apoptotic cells, cell–cell adhesion, and defense. Tesr mRNA was detected in fetal mouse gonads of both sexes at 11.5 days post coitum (dpc). From 12.0 dpc, Tesr expression rapidly decreased in the female and was maintained in the male. Expression was seen in embryonic mouse sites other than the testis, such as in brain, eye, head, heart, neural arch, and cartilage primordium. Tesr expression in the newborn testis was faint to undetectable, but it increased from 2 days postpartum (dpp) until 15 dpp and was found in a subset of interstitial cells and in germ and Sertoli cells. Tesr mRNA in the adult mouse testis was observed in Sertoli cells, spermatogonia, spermatocytes, round spermatids, and in a subset of interstitial cells. We conclude that Tesr is differentially expressed in the male vs. female embryonic gonad and is expressed in both the ovary and the testes postnatally after 2 dpp. Developmental Dynamics 234:1026–1033, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
External Relationships and the Small Business: A Review of Small Business Alliance and Network Research**

In order to thrive, small businesses are often advised to develop relationships with external organizations that have the potential to assist business development, survival, and growth. A focus on the external relationships of the small business underlines the vital importance of external resources in moving a small business toward increased success and profitability. Covering the period from 1990 to 2002, this paper reviews the small business literature as it relates to the use of these external relationships (such as organizational partnerships, networks, and alliances). In response to both academic and practitioner demand for further research in this area, an exhaustive analysis of the relevant literature was conducted and three “meta” research questions representing the connections within this literature were formed. The resource‐based view of the firm, resource dependency theory, and punctuated equilibrium theory are proposed as useful starting points for exploring these research questions and can give direction for moving forward in this research area.
TREATMENT OF RISK IN A CROP PROTECTION INFORMATION SYSTEM

The importance of risk in a farm-level management information system designed to help farmers make spraying decisions relating to leaf rust of barley is examined. Using utility functions which were elicited for a small number of cereal growers, and probability distributions of yield losses generated using the information system, it was found that strategy assessment using the criterion of maximisation of expected monetary value or the criterion of maximisation of expected utility could be expected to lead to identical recommendations in most years, for a wide range of risk attitudes.
Voting on Russia in the European Parliament: The Role of National and Party Group Affiliations

Although both the European Union (EU) and Russia seem to be increasingly aware of the necessity to cooperate, their relationship is still marked by diplomatic ambivalence and lack of trust. In spite of the growing institutional role and greater activism of the European Parliament (EP) in the field of external relations, EU–Russia relationships have rarely been explored from the EP's perspective. This article argues that the EP's neglect is no longer justified. Bearing in mind the key domestic significance of the EU–Russia relationships for many member states, this article assesses the relative importance of legislators' nationality and party group affiliation in determining their voting stance towards Russia and their propensity to vote along national or party group lines when Russia-related issues are at stake. The article uses empirical data about 27 Russia-related votes held in the EP between 2004 and 2012. The analysis reveals that the voting stance of the Members of the EP (MEPs) on Russia varies greatly across national delegations and European level party groups, according to geo-territorial or partisan/ideological factors. The analysis also suggests that MEPs' voting stances towards Russia are, to a large extent, determined by their partisan affiliations, while the effect of nationality remains marginal.
Autologous stem cell transplantation for high-risk Hodgkin's disease: improvement over time and impact of conditioning regimen.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE High-dose chemo/radiotherapy with autologous stem cell support is increasingly being used in Hodgkin's disease (HD) patients who do not respond to or who relapse after conventional chemotherapy. In this work we analyze the results of 56 consecutive high-risk HD patients autografted in our institution and the role of possible prognostic factors. DESIGN AND METHODS There were 34 males and 22 females with a median age of 31 years. At transplantation, 24 patients (43%) were in complete remission and 32 (57%) were autografted while with active disease. Twenty-nine patients were autografted before January 1993. Bone marrow was used as the source of stem cells in 40 patients (71%) and peripheral blood (PB) in 16 (29%). Forty-five patients received chemotherapy-based conditioning regimens (40 CBV and 5 BEAM) while the remaining 11 received cyclophosphamide (Cy) and total body irradiation (TBI). RESULTS Two bone marrow transplantation (BMT) recipients did not engraft. Hematologic recovery was significantly faster in patients transplanted with PB progenitor cells. Early transplant-related mortality (early TRM) (before day 100 after transplantation) was 9%; it was higher in patients transplanted before January 1993 than in patients transplanted afterwards (14% vs 4%) and in patients receiving TBI (18% vs 7%), although these differences did not reach statistical significance. Overall TRM (before and after day 100) was 14%. TBI-containing regimens significantly increased overall TRM (36% and 9%, p = 0.03). Actuarial 3.5-year overall survival (OS), event-free survival (EFS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were 57%, 58% and 65%, respectively. On multivariable analysis, TBI containing regimens and transplantation before 1993 significantly reduced OS and EFS. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS Our results confirm that high-dose therapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation is associated with sustained PFS in a remarkable proportion of patients with HD unlikely to be cured with standard chemotherapy. Results improved over time and TBI containing regimens had a negative effect on post-transplant outcome.
The Modigliani 'Puzzle'

Medium- to long-term changes in unemployment appear to be closely correlated with medium- to long-term changes in private investment. This becomes a puzzle once we abandon the Keynesian framework as an explanation for medium-term movements in unemployment and replace it with the natural-rate framework of Friedman and Phelps. It also opens up the possibility that factors affecting private saving and investment may impinge directly on the natural rate of unemployment. One such factor is the age structure of the population. We explore these possibilities and find a surprisingly robust medium- to long-run relationship between investment and unemployment both over time and across countries.