Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Center for Studies in Demography and Ecology On “ Sexual contacts and epidemic thresholds , ” models and inference for Sexual partnership distributions

Recent work has focused attention on statistical inference for the population distribution of the number of sexual partners based on survey data. The characteristics of these distributions are of interest as components of mathematical models for the transmission dynamics of sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs). Such information can be used both to calibrate theoretical models, to make predictions for real populations, and as a tool for guiding public health policy. Our previous work on this subject has developed likelihood-based statistical methods for inference that allow for low-dimensional, semi-parametric models. Inference has been based on several proposed stochastic process models for the formation of sexual partnership networks. We have also developed model selection criteria to choose between competing models, and assessed the fit of different models to three populations: Uganda, Sweden, and the USA. Throughout this work, we have emphasized the correct assessment of the uncertainty of the estimates based on the data analyzed. We have also widened the question of interest to the limitations of inferences from such data, and the utility of degree-based epidemiological models more generally. In this paper we address further statistical issues that are important in this area, and a number of confusions that have arisen in interpreting our work. In particular, we consider the use of cumulative lifetime partner distributions, heaping and other issues raised by Liljeros et al. in a recent working paper.
Faster Small-Constant-Periodic Merging Networks

We consider the problem of merging two sorted sequences on a comparator network that is used repeatedly, that is, if the output is not sorted, the network is applied again using the output as input. The challenging task is to construct such networks of small depth (called a period in this context). In our previous paper entitled Faster 3-Periodic Merging Network we reduced twice the time of merging on $3$-periodic networks, i.e. from $12\log N$ to $6\log N$, compared to the first construction given by Kuty{\l}owski, Lory\'s and Oesterdikhoff. Note that merging on $2$-periodic networks require linear time. In this paper we extend our construction, which is based on Canfield and Williamson $(\log N)$-periodic sorter, and the analysis from that paper to any period $p \ge 4$. For $p\ge 4$ our $p$-periodic network merges two sorted sequences of length $N/2$ in at most $\frac{2p}{p-2}\log N + p\frac{p-8}{p-2}$ rounds. The previous bound given by Kuty{\l}owski at al. was $\frac{2.25p}{p-2.42}\log N$. That means, for example, that our $4$-periodic merging networks work in time upper-bounded by $4\log N$ and our $6$-periodic ones in time upper-bounded by $3\log N$ compared to the corresponding $5.67\log N$ and $3.8\log N$ previous bounds. Our construction is regular and follows the same periodification schema, whereas some additional techniques were used previously to tune the construction for $p \ge 4$. Moreover, our networks are also periodic sorters and tests on random permutations show that average sorting time is closed to $\log^2 N$.
Uncertainty and Investment: An Empirical Investigation Using Data on Analysts' Profits Forecasts

We investigate the empirical relationship between company investment and measures of uncertainty, controlling for the effect of expected future profitability on current investment decisions. We consider three measures of uncertainty derived from (1) the volatility in the firm's stock returns; (2) disagreement among securities analysts in their forecasts of the firm's future profits; and (3) the variance of forecast errors in analysts' forecasts of the firm's future profits. We consider two controls for expected profitability: (1) a standard measure of Brainard-Tobin's q constructed from the firm's stock market valuation; and (2) an alternative measure of the q ratio constructed from discounted forecasts of the firm's future profits. Our sample consists of publicly-traded U.S. companies that were tracked by two or more securities analysts for at least four consecutive years between 1982 and 1999. The results show that all three measures of uncertainty are positively correlated and appear to pick up underlying movements in uncertainty. When we consider these measures individually, we find a significantly negative long-run effect of higher uncertainty on capital accumulation, which is robust to the inclusion of either of our controls for expected profitability. When we consider our uncertainty measures jointly, we find that the level of disagreement among analysts provides the most informative indicator for identifying this long-run effect of uncertainty on capital accumulation. In addition, we find a significantly negative short-run interaction term between share price volatility and current sales growth, consistent with the idea that investment will respond less to a given demand shock at higher levels of uncertainty. These effects of uncertainty on investment are shown to be quantitatively as well as statistically significant.
The Vocabulary Knowledge of Saudi EFL Tertiary Students

This study examines the vocabulary knowledge of 120 Saudi tertiary students in order to scrutinise their ability to communicate in English. A vocabulary test constructed by Nation and Beglar (2007) was utilised in the study. The findings revealed that the mean vocabulary size of Saudi EFL tertiary students was roughly 3000 words. Nevertheless, most of the participants achieved low scores in the vocabulary low frequency levels. Some participants were unable to answer any item correctly in these low and mid frequency levels. This suggests that while those students might be able to communicate at a basic level, dealing with reading simplified texts and comprehending listening materials, they may struggle with reading authentic texts, producing a high quality of writing and watching English TV programmes and films.
The Value of USDA Crop Progress and Condition Information: Reactions of Corn and Soybean Futures Markets

This paper investigates the informational value of USDA crop progress and condition information by analyzing reactions of corn and soybean futures markets from 1986 to 2012. Results show significant differences between close-to-open return variabilities on report-release trading days and pre- and postreport days. Additionally, market prices tend to react rapidly and rationally to new crop-condition information. Strongest reactions are found for July and August, when weather conditions are most critical for the crop, and reactions have increased over time. Overall, these results suggest that reports have substantial informational value.
Inversion polymorphism in a Connecticut River Axarus species (Diptera: Chironomidae): biometric effects of a triple inversion heterozygote

The authors sampled three spatially isolated populations of a chironomid midge in the genus Axarus living in the Connecticut River both early and late in the larval life cycle of one generation. Larvae were scored for both length and inversion frequency using the polytene chromosomes from salivary gland cells. We found polymorphism for four paracentric inversions. Inversion C1–6 exhibits a geographic cline, increasing in frequency with increasing latitude but remaining stable over time. Also stable over time were two other paracentric inversions designated A1–5 and F13–20, which were present at similar frequencies in all populations. None of these inversions was associated with larval length. A complex triple inversion designated G2–7 was significantly correlated with decreased larval length and also exhibited a significant increase in frequency (within one cohort) in the two more northerly populations. We propose that this increase is due to size-selective predation eliminating larger larvae.
Detecting Galactic MACHOs with VERA through Astrometric Microlensing of Distant Radio Sources

In this paper we investigate the properties of astrometric microlensing of distant radio sources (QSOs and radio galaxies) due to MACHOs, and discuss their implications for VERA (VLBI Exploration of Radio Astrometry). First we show that in case of astrometric microlensing of distant sources, the event duration is only a function of the lens mass and tangential velocity, but independent of the lens distance, in contrast to the well-known three-fold degeneracy for photometric microlensing. Moreover, the lens mass $M$ is scaled by the tangential velocity $v_\perp$ as $M\propto v_\perp$, rather than $M\propto v_\perp^2$ which is the case for photometric microlensing. Thus, in astrometric microlensing the dependence of the lens mass on the unknown parameter $v_\perp$ is weaker, indicating that the duration of astrometric microlensing event is a better quantity to study the mass of lensing objects than that of photometric microlensing. We also calculate the optical depth and event rate, and show that within 20$^\circ$ of the galactic center a typical event rate for 10 $\mu$as-level shift is larger than $2.5 \times 10^{-4}$ event per year, assuming that a quarter of the halo is made up with MACHOs. This indicates that if one monitors a few hundred sources for $\sim$20 years, such an astrometric microlensing event is detectable. Since a typical event duration is found to be fairly long (5 to 15 years), the frequency of the monitoring observation can be relatively low, i.e., once per six months, which is rather reasonable for practical observations. We discuss practical strategy for observing astrometric microlensing with VERA, and argue that an astrometric microlensing event due to MACHOs can be detected by VERA within a few decades.
Second language vocabulary level is related to benefits for second language listening comprehension under lower reverberation time conditions

ABSTRACT The acoustic qualities of a room can have a deleterious effect on the quality of speech signals. The acoustic measurement of reverberation time (RT) has shown to impact second language (L2) speech comprehension positively when lower due to release from spectral and temporal masking effects as well as top-down processing factors. This auralization experiment investigated the benefits of better L2 vocabulary and executive function (updating) skills during L2 listening comprehension tests under shorter versus longer RT conditions (0.3 and 0.9 s). 57 bilingual university students undertook L2 vocabulary, number updating and L2 listening comprehension tests. After splitting groups into high/low vocabulary and updating groups, a mixed ANOVA was conducted. The high number updating group showed no significant differences or interactions in L2 listening comprehension than the lower number updating group across RT conditions. The high vocabulary group had 22% better L2 listening comprehension than the low vocabulary group in long RT, and 9% better in short RT. A significant benefit in L2 listening comprehension due to release from reverberation was only evident in the high vocabulary group. Results indicate that the benefit of good room acoustics for listening comprehension is greatest for those with better language (vocabulary) ability.
Influence of a Serotonin Transporter Promoter Polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) on Corticolimbic Abnormalities in Bipolar Disorder An Integrated Genetics and Functional MRI Study

INFLUENCE OF A SEROTONIN TRANSPORTER PROMOTER POLYMORPHISM ON CORTICOLIMBIC ABNORMALITIES IN BIPOLAR DISORDER Maulik P. Shah, and Hilary P. Blumberg. Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT. Bipolar disorder (BD) is associated with abnormalities of the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex (sgACC) and the amygdala, components of a corticolimbic neural system that subserves emotional regulation. The short s allele—as opposed to the long l allele—of a serotonin transporter promoter (5-HTTLPR) polymorphism is associated with more severe course features of BD and impaired functional connectivity between the sgACC and amygdala in healthy control (HC) individuals. This study tests the hypothesis that the s allele influences the dysfunction in the sgACC-amygdala neural system in BD. Twenty-six euthymic BD participants (17 s carriers, 9 ll) and 43 HC participants (31 s, 12 ll) completed an event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging scan while processing fearful, happy, or neutral faces. During fear and happy face processing, sgACC activation was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the BD versus the HC group, and in HC and BD s carriers compared to HC and BD ll individuals respectively. In the sgACC region where BD activation was less than HC, response to emotional faces was lowest in the BD s group, suggesting that the s allele may contribute to more severe sgACC dysfunction in a subset of individuals that represent a distinct genetically-derived subtype within the heterogeneous BD clinical phenotype. Thus, sgACC dysfunction may be an endophenotype of BD, and the s allele appears to influence this dysfunction in a subset of BD individuals. Future treatment may be optimized for this subset, by targeting treatments to affect this system, and by further study of treatment response amongst those who carry the s allele.
Liquidity, Price Behavior, and Market-related Events

We investigate the price behavior of stock market portfolios sorted by liquidity and/or size surrounding strong market events. Our sample includes 74 events that represent return movements for the market that are ±4.5 standard deviations from average returns. None of these market events are associated with explanatory ‘causes. ’ Using standard liquidity measures, the Amihud and turnover tests, we find that large liquid stocks react in a stronger manner to market shocks. In addition, these stocks experience faster reversal following the shocks than do illiquid and small stocks. We interpret this as indicating that large liquid stocks are more market related. We also find that small illiquid stocks have more idiosyncratic risk than liquid and large stocks. These outcomes have implications for investors wanting to construct portfolios to mimic the market and also for portfolios that might be expected to move more (or less) strongly during market events.
From the phone to the classroom: categories of problems for telephone interpreting training

Telephone Interpreting (TI) is a long established professional practice, however there is a paucity of observational studies aimed at eliciting challenges and limitations as experienced by telephone interpreters, which could contribute to the development of effective interpreter education. There is a popular belief that training in dialogue interpreting can be applied to TI. The focus of this study is to gain an understanding of the specific features and situations that make TI trouble-free or challenging. We have elicited the various ways in which they have learned to grapple with difficult interactions over the years: from novices to advanced practitioners to seasoned interpreters. Responses from telephone interpreters from two different countries (Spain and Sweden) were also used to identify challenges that are culture-specific from the ones that seem to be universal. Our findings point to challenges that go far beyond the ones described in the TI literature, such as the lack of visual cues or complex and lengthy exchanges. Rather, navigating the client’s emotions, providers’ lack of awareness of interpreting needs and technical issues seem to be more central to an effective practice. The differences linked to levels of expertise and cultural backgrounds are analyzed and implications for training are extracted. From the phone to the classroom: categories of problems for telephone interpreting training
Firing Patterns of Type II Spiral Ganglion Neurons In Vitro

Type I and type II spiral ganglion neurons convey auditory information from the sensory receptors in the cochlea to the CNS. The numerous type I neurons have been extensively characterized, but the small population of type II neurons with their unmyelinated axons are undetectable with most recording methods. Despite the paucity of information about the type II neurons, it is clear that they must have a significant role in sound processing because they innervate the large number of outer hair cells that are critical for maintaining normal responses to stimuli. To elucidate the function of type II neurons, we have developed an approach for studying their electrophysiological features in vitro. Type II neurons obtained from postnatal day 6-7 mice displayed distinctly different firing properties than type I neurons. They showed slower accommodation, lower action potential thresholds, and more prolonged responses to depolarizing current injection than the type I neurons. These differences were most evident in neurons from the basal, high-frequency region of the cochlea. The basal type I neurons displayed uniformly fast firing features, whereas the basal type II neurons showed particularly slow accommodation and responses to depolarization. Interestingly, neurons from the apical, low-frequency region of the cochlea showed the opposite trend. These data suggest that the type I and type II neurons have specialized electrophysiological characteristics tailored to their different roles in auditory signal processing. In particular, the type II neuron properties are consistent with cells in other sensory systems that receive convergent synaptic input for high-sensitivity stimulus detection.
EXCHANGE RATE UNCERTAINTY AND FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT IN NIGERIA 1

Evidences have over the years shown that despite significant increase in the flow of foreign direct investment to developing countries, Sub-Saharan Africa ountries have ccontinued to be at disadvantage in terms of proportion of flow into the region. Despite SSA’s continuous efforts to flow along with the increasingly demanding dictates of the global economy, foreign investment have refused to flow in freely. The paper attempts to estimate the relationship between the behaviour of exchange rate, as one of the most important anchor of recent global economic process, and foreign direct investment (FDI) with respect to Nigeria. Our results confirm the controversy in the literature about the extent and direction of effects of volatility. It also found that parallel market exchange rate is an important driver of real economic process in Nigeria. JEL classification numbers: F21, F23, F31, F33 Keywords: Exchange rate volatility, foreign direct investment, global resource flow.
Combined clopidogrel and aspirin treatment up to surgery increases the risk of postoperative myocardial infarction, blood loss and reoperation for bleeding in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.

OBJECTIVES Recent guidelines suggest that patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) should discontinue clopidogrel and aspirin (ASA) 5 and 2-10 days, respectively, before surgery to reduce postoperative bleeding and its complications. The aim of our study was to evaluate the relationship between the timing of discontinuing clopidogrel + ASA and early clinical outcomes in patients undergoing CABG. METHODS Four thousand three hundred and thirty consecutive patients underwent isolated CABG from April 2004 to February 2009. Of these, 926 patients received double antiplatelet therapy in the 14 days prior to surgery. Patients were stratified into three groups: clopidogrel + ASA within 5 and 2 days, respectively, before surgery (Group A, n = 287); clopidogrel within 5 days + ASA stopped 2-10 days before surgery or clopidogrel stopped 5 days + ASA within 2 days of surgery (Group B, n = 308) and clopidogrel + ASA discontinued >5 and 10 days, respectively, before surgery (control group, n = 331). RESULTS Overall mortality was 0.8%. The incidence of postoperative myocardial infarction (MI) was 5.2, 1 and 1.8% in Groups A, B and control, respectively (P = 0.004). Reoperation for bleeding occurred in 4.5, 2.9 and 1.2% (P = 0.04) and total chest drainage was 761 ± 473, 720 ± 421 and 687 ± 302 ml in Groups A, B and control, respectively (P = 0.06). Multivariable analysis revealed that Group A was an independent predictor of postoperative MI (P = 0.02), reoperation for bleeding (P = 0.02), blood transfusions (P = 0.003) and blood losses (P = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS Clopidogrel in combination with ASA up to the time of surgery is associated with an increased risk of postoperative MI, blood loss and reoperation for bleeding in patients undergoing CABG.
Evaluating an interactive learning environment in management education

This paper reports the results and implications for management education of an empirical study evaluating the impact of interaction among learners on their knowledge and performance in a judgmental decision making task context. The results indicate that interaction had a significant positive effect on individual learning over time. Interactive learners were found to make significantly smaller decision errors over time than during the earlier stages of their decision task. This was not true for their non-interactive counterparts. The study also found a significant positive effect of interaction on learners’ overall decision accuracy. Interactive learners tended to make smaller decision errors than their non-interactive counterparts irrespective of the stage of their decision making process. These results suggest that future management education needs to consider forms of interactive learning in response to environment pressures for faster and more effective learning.
Neuron-astrocyte interaction enhance GABAergic synaptic transmission in a manner dependent on key metabolic enzymes

Gamma aminobutric acid (GABA) is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the adult brain and mechanisms of GABAergic inhibition have been intensely investigated in the past decades. Recent studies provided evidence for an important role of astrocytes in shaping GABAergic currents. One of the most obvious, but yet poorly understood, mechanisms of the cross-talk between GABAergic currents and astrocytes is metabolism including neurotransmitter homeostasis. In particular, how modulation of GABAergic currents by astrocytes depends on key enzymes involved in cellular metabolism remains largely unknown. To address this issue, we have considered two simple models of neuronal culture (NC): nominally astrocyte-free NC and neuronal-astrocytic co-cultures (ANCC). Miniature Inhibitory Postsynaptic Currents (mIPSCs) were recorded in control conditions and in the presence of different enzyme blockers. We report that enrichment of NC with astrocytes results in a marked increase in mIPSC frequency. This enhancement of GABAergic activity was accompanied by increased number of GAD65 and vGAT puncta, indicating that at least a part of the frequency enhancement was due to increased number of synaptic contacts. Inhibition of glutamine synthetase (Glns) (with MSO) strongly reduced mIPSC frequency in ANCC but had no effect in NC. Moreover, treatment of ANCC with inhibitor of glycogen phosphorylase (Gys) (BAYU6751) or with selective inhibitor of astrocytic Krebs cycle, fluoroacetate, resulted in a marked reduction of mIPSC frequency in ANCC having no effect in NC. We conclude that GABAergic synaptic transmission strongly depends on neuron-astrocyte interaction in a manner dependent on key metabolic enzymes as well as on the Krebs cycle.