Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sophisticated vs. Simple Systemic Risk Measures

This paper evaluates whether sophisticated or simple systemic risk measures are more suitable in identifying which institutions contribute to systemic risk. In this investigation, DCoVaR, Marginal Expected Shortfall (MES), SRISK and Granger-Causality Networks are considered as sophisticated systemic risk measures. Market capitalization, total debt, leverage, the stock market returns of an institution, and the correlation between the stock market returns of an institution and the market, are considered as simple systemic risk measures. Systemic relevance is approximated by the receipt of financial support during the financial crisis and the classification, as a systemically important institution, by national or international regulators. The analyses are performed for all companies included in the S&P 500 composite index. The findings suggest that simple systemic risk measures have more explanatory power than sophisticated risk measures. In particular, total debt is found to be the most suitable indicator to detect institutions which contribute to systemic risk, according to the explanatory power and model fit. The most suitable sophisticated risk measure seems to be SRISK.
Short paper: enhancing Wi-Fi security using a hybrid algorithm of blowfish and RC6

Nowadays, Wi-Fi is a very popular Technology. Faster data transfer and Security both are very important for Wi-Fi. At present, Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) is used for Wi-Fi that is more secured than other encryption algorithms but it is not so fast because of it's complex functions. On the other hand, Blowfish is a very faster encryption algorithm but it cannot apply on Wi-Fi because of it's security problems. In this paper, a hybrid algorithm of Blowfish and Rivest Cipher 6 (RC6) is proposed that solves the security problems of Blowfish and also maintains the fastness of Blowfish and makes it able to use it in place of AES. It uses two innovative criteria. One is ingenious confusion process using two random numbers "a" and "w" that removes reflectively weak key attack and Known plaintext attack of Blowfish. The other is usage of one S-Box by overlapping process that eliminates the collision key attack of Blowfish. Sub key generation process of this algorithm also removes the Brute Force attack of AES. This paper tries to give an efficient algorithm that enhances the performance of Blowfish algorithm by adding a function of RC6 with it. The adding process is trickily handed here that makes the proposed algorithm as fast as Blowfish and also secured like existing AES. The proposed algorithm takes less encryption -decryption time like Blowfish and also secured like AES. Throughput, Average time for different data lengths and attack removal process are used to measure the efficiency of this proposed algorithm.
Cytogenetic divergence in two sympatric fish species of the genus Astyanax Baird and Girard, 1854 (Characiformes, Characidae) from northeastern Brazil

The fish genus Astyanax is widespread throughout the Neotropical region and is one of the most species-rich genera of the Characiformes. Cytogenetic studies of Astyanax have revealed marked intra- and interspecific diversity, with the identification of various species complexes. In this report, we describe the karyotypic structure of two sympatric species of Astyanax (Astyanax sp. and Astyanax aff. fasciatus) from the Middle Contas River basin in the northeastern Brazilian state of Bahia. Both species had 2n = 48 but differed in their karyotypic formulae. Small heterochromatic blocks and multiple nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) were identified in both species. Terminal CMA3+/DAPI− signals were observed in Astyanax sp. and A. aff. fasciatus, mostly coincident with NORs. These results show that chromosomal markers can be used to identify species in this fish complex. These markers can provide useful information for evolutionary studies and investigations on the mechanisms of chromosomal diversity in Astyanax.
Narrow money and the business cycle : Theoretical aspects and euro area evidence

This paper analyses the information content of M1 for euro area real GDP since the beginning of the 1980s. After a literature review on the empirical results in individual euro area countries we review some theoretical arguments why real narrow money growth might be an important determinant of cyclical developments in real GDP beyond effects already captured by short-term interest rates. In the empirical part we first present some preliminary evidence on the M1-GDP connection against the background of the situation in the US, based on an approach developed by Hamilton and Kim 2002. This test suggests that compared with the U.S., in the euro area, M1 has better and more robust forecasting properties than the term spread. These properties are also maintained when looking at a broader set of non-monetary indicator variables. Narrow money therefore seems crucial for cyclical developments. We also evaluate the relative out-of-sample forecasting performance of different classes of VAR models comprising real M1, GDP and further potential leading indicator variables against a univariate benchmark model. As a result, once the information from narrow money is taken into account, what matters more for the forecast performance, is the model class rather than the selection of additional indicators. While within the class of VARs in levels, Bayesian VARs are the best performing models, they are not capable of outperforming the benchmark. Specifically, only VARs in first differences are able to outperform the benchmark model.
Blood Cell Palmitoleate-Palmitate Ratio Is an Independent Prognostic Factor for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Growing evidence supports a link between fatty acid metabolism and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Here we determined the fatty acid composition of blood lipids to identify markers of disease progression and survival. We enrolled 117 patients from two clinical centers and 48 of these were age and gender matched with healthy volunteers. We extracted total lipids from serum and blood cells, and separated fatty acid methyl esters by gas chromatography. We measured circulating biochemical parameters indicative of the metabolic status. Association between fatty acid composition and clinical readouts was studied, including ALS functional rating scale-revised (ALSFRS-R), survival, disease duration, site of onset and body mass index. Palmitoleate (16:1) and oleate (18:1) levels, and stearoyl-CoA desaturase indices (16:1/16:0 and 18:1/18:0) significantly increased in blood cells from ALS patients compared to healthy controls. Palmitoleate levels and 16:1/16:0 ratio in blood cells, but not body mass index or leptin concentrations, negatively correlated with ALSFRS-R decline over a six-month period (p<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis, with age, body mass index, site of onset and ALSFRS-R as covariables, showed that blood cell 16:1/16:0 ratio was an independent prognostic factor for survival (hazard ratio=0.1 per unit of ratio, 95% confidence interval=0.01-0.57, p=0.009). In patients with high 16:1/16:0 ratio, survival at blood collection was extended by 10 months, as compared to patients with low ratio. The 16:1/16:0 index is an easy-to-handle parameter that predicts survival of ALS patients independently of body mass index. It therefore deserves further validation in larger cohorts for being used to assess disease outcome and effects of disease-modifying drugs.
Learning the True Index Level: Index Return Autocorrelation in an Ree Auction Market

This paper develops and tests implications of cross-security information aggregation on index return autocorrelation. In the model, prices are realised individually and simultaneously in REE auction markets, then realigned to take information revealed in other prices into account. This adjustment is symmetric across stocks, leading to index return autocorrelation of MA (1) type. Autocorrelation will be high if the index level prior is noisy, for example, at Monday open and after high volatility in overnight trading. Autocorrelation will also be higher in portfolios of highly correlated securitites. Overnight information revelation and high trading volume reduces the noisiness of the index level prior and, consequently, return autocorrelation. Index return autocorrelation will be low, or even negative, if there is high cross-security correlation in revealed information, due to, for example, index arbitrage trading or profit taking. All major predictions are supported by tests using data from the Paris Bourse. In contrast to earlier models of index return autocorrelation, the model can generate both positive and negative index return autocorrelation. This paper also documents instances of negative index return autocorrelation.
Kinematics of the Narrow-Line Region in the Seyfert 2 Galaxy Markarian 3

We present measurements of radial velocities for the narrow-line region gas in the Seyfert 2 galaxy Mrk 3 out to ∼1 kpc from the nucleus. The observations consist of two data sets, both using the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph on board the Hubble Space Telescope: (1) an [O III] slitless spectrum with the G430M grating of the inner 3″ around the nucleus and (2) a long-slit observation centered on the nucleus (P.A. = 71°) by using the G430L grating and the 52″ × 0. ″1 aperture. Our analysis produces radial velocity maps of the emission-line gas, which indicate trends in the gas motion. These include blueshifts and redshifts on either side of the nucleus, steep velocity rises from systemic up to about ±700 km s-1 taking place in the inner 0. ″3 (0.08 kpc) both east and west of the nucleus, gradual velocity descents back to near-systemic values from 0. ″3–1. ″0, slightly uneven velocity amplitudes on each side of the nucleus, and narrow velocity ranges over the entire observed region. When fitted to kinematic models for the NLR gas, the data clearly favor one in which the gas exists in a partially filled bicone, is accelerated radially away from the nucleus, and is followed by a constant deceleration (possibly due to collision with an ambient medium). This geometry and general kinematic model are in agreement with previous work done on the NLR gas of NGC 1068 and NGC 4151. On scales of hundreds of parsecs, we conclude that radial outflow may be a common feature of Seyfert galaxies.
It Takes Two to Tango

The paper studies the firm's decision to apply for credit and the acceptance/rejection of a credit application. The results suggest that low access to credit of small and young firms, certainly in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), is mainly due to low application rates. However, there is evidence to suggest that firms may be anticipating the bank's decision on a loan application by not applying for credit. Using the Heckman methodology suggests that marginal applications are more likely to be rejected. There are significant country and regional differences in applications, with the latter also evident in the rejection decision. There is no evidence that rural firms have significantly lower application or acceptance rates, given their other characteristics, or that foreign firms crowd domestic ones out of the market for credit. Finally, the credit process differs between CEE and other transition countries in Eurasia.
Nine exceptional radiations plus high turnover explain species diversity in jawed vertebrates

The uneven distribution of species richness is a fundamental and unexplained pattern of vertebrate biodiversity. Although species richness in groups like mammals, birds, or teleost fishes is often attributed to accelerated cladogenesis, we lack a quantitative conceptual framework for identifying and comparing the exceptional changes of tempo in vertebrate evolutionary history. We develop MEDUSA, a stepwise approach based upon the Akaike information criterion for detecting multiple shifts in birth and death rates on an incompletely resolved phylogeny. We apply MEDUSA incompletely to a diversity tree summarizing both evolutionary relationships and species richness of 44 major clades of jawed vertebrates. We identify 9 major changes in the tempo of gnathostome diversification; the most significant of these lies at the base of a clade that includes most of the coral-reef associated fishes as well as cichlids and perches. Rate increases also underlie several well recognized tetrapod radiations, including most modern birds, lizards and snakes, ostariophysan fishes, and most eutherian mammals. In addition, we find that large sections of the vertebrate tree exhibit nearly equal rates of origination and extinction, providing some of the first evidence from molecular data for the importance of faunal turnover in shaping biodiversity. Together, these results reveal living vertebrate biodiversity to be the product of volatile turnover punctuated by 6 accelerations responsible for >85% of all species as well as 3 slowdowns that have produced “living fossils. ” In addition, by revealing the timing of the exceptional pulses of vertebrate diversification as well as the clades that experience them, our diversity tree provides a framework for evaluating particular causal hypotheses of vertebrate radiations.
HLA-A2–Matched Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells From Type 1 Diabetic Patients, but Not Nondiabetic Donors, Transfer Insulitis to NOD-scid/γcnull/HLA-A2 Transgenic Mice Concurrent With the Expansion of Islet-Specific CD8+ T cells

OBJECTIVE Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease characterized by the destruction of insulin-producing β-cells. NOD mice provide a useful tool for understanding disease pathogenesis and progression. Although much has been learned from studies with NOD mice, increased understanding of human type 1 diabetes can be gained by evaluating the pathogenic potential of human diabetogenic effector cells in vivo. Therefore, our objective in this study was to develop a small-animal model using human effector cells to study type 1 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We adoptively transferred HLA-A2–matched peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from type 1 diabetic patients and nondiabetic control subjects into transgenic NOD-scid/γcnull/HLA-A*0201 (NOD-scid/γcnull/A2) mice. At various times after adoptive transfer, we determined the ability of these mice to support the survival and proliferation of the human lymphoid cells. Human lymphocytes were isolated and assessed from the blood, spleen, pancreatic lymph node and islets of NOD-scid/γcnull/A2 mice after transfer. RESULTS Human T and B cells proliferate and survive for at least 6 weeks and were recovered from the blood, spleen, draining pancreatic lymph node, and most importantly, islets of NOD-scid/γcnull/A2 mice. Lymphocytes from type 1 diabetic patients preferentially infiltrate the islets of NOD-scid/γcnull/A2 mice. In contrast, PBMCs from nondiabetic HLA-A2–matched donors showed significantly less islet infiltration. Moreover, in mice that received PBMCs from type 1 diabetic patients, we identified epitope-specific CD8+ T cells among the islet infiltrates. CONCLUSIONS We show that insulitis is transferred to NOD-scid/γcnull/A2 mice that received HLA-A2–matched PBMCs from type 1 diabetic patients. In addition, many of the infiltrating CD8+ T cells are epitope-specific and produce interferon-γ after in vitro peptide stimulation. This indicates that NOD-scid/γcnull/A2 mice transferred with HLA-A2–matched PBMCs from type 1 diabetic patients may serve as a useful tool for studying epitope-specific T-cell–mediated responses in patients with type 1 diabetes.
An appraisal of current Pacific Ocean monitoring efforts existing within PICES countries

The Census of Marine Life (CoML) is an emerging international research program to assess and explain the diversity, distribution, and abundance of marine organisms throughout the world’s oceans. The planning and development stage for this decadal program is expected to require 1-2 more years. Pilot field projects should take place in 2002-2004. The main field projects should occur in 2005-2007. Analysis and integration of information should culminate in 2008-2010.
References and Notes Materials and Methods Figs. S1 to S6 Tables S1 and S2 References Computational Constraints on Syntactic Processing in a Nonhuman Primate

GTPases behave as reciprocal GTPase activating proteins (5) can now be understood to be a consequence of the formation of a shared catalytic chamber between them. Indeed, the reciprocal hydrogen bonding between the bound nucleotides may itself be catalytically important. However, the structure of the complex also demonstrates how the initial engagement of the two proteins can function as a latch, in that a number of structural elements, including the bound nucleotides, contribute to an intricate interface that is unlikely to dissociate until two subsequent steps, signal pep-tide transfer followed by nucleotide hydroly-sis, occur. This kind of mechanism for the SRP GTPases is consistent with a process requiring assembly of multiple components, and it can be distinguished from one in which the GTPases act along a signaling pathway. Extending the metaphor, the GTP molecules themselves can be imagined as " explosive bolts " in that they are integral to the interface that holds the proteins together, and so promote transfer of the translating ribosomal cargo, but that they also provide, by their hydrolysis, the " explosion " that disengages the components of the targeting complex (fig. S6). This conception of the role of GTP is somewhat distinct from the classic GTPase switch model and provides insight into the logic of the SRP GTPases that may be relevant to understanding other GTPases that function in the assembly of cellular components. Note added in proof: A structure of a similar complex of the SRP GTPases in a different crystal form was independently determined and is reported by Egea et al. (36). Facility is acknowledged. Coordinates and structure factors have been deposited with the Protein Data Bank and assigned accession code 1OKK. The capacity to generate a limitless range of meaningful expressions from a finite set of elements differentiates human language from other animal communication systems. Rule systems capable of generating an infinite set of outputs (" grammars ") vary in generative power. The weakest possess only local organizational principles, with regularities limited to neighboring units. We used a familiarization/discrimination paradigm to demonstrate that monkeys can spontaneously master such grammars. However, human language entails more sophisticated grammars, incorporating hierarchical structure. Monkeys tested with the same methods, syllables, and sequence lengths were unable to master a grammar at this higher, " phrase structure grammar " level. Syntax is one key component of human language , with no known equivalent in animal communication systems. The …
Biofilm-producing abilities of Salmonella strains isolated from Turkey

In the present study the biofilm-forming characteristics of 99 serotyped (DMC strains) and 41 genus level-identified (IS strains) Salmonella strains originating from Turkey were investigated. The strains were selected based on their ability to show the biofilm morphotype on Congo red agar plates. In addition, all strains were evaluated with regard to properties related to forming pellicle structures, physical differences of pellicles, any changes in the media associated with the formation of pellicles, and the presence of cellulose within the formed biofilm matrix as determined using 366 nm UV light. The Salmonella Typhimurium DMC4 strain was the best producer of biofilm grown on polystyrene microtiter plates (optical density at 595 nm: 3.418). In subsequent experiments industrial process conditions were used to investigate different morphotyped Salmonella strains’ biofilm-forming capability on stainless steel, a commonly preferred surface for the food industries, and on polystyrene surfaces. The effect of other important industrial conditions, such as temperature (5, 20, 37°C), pH (4.5, 5.5, 6.5, 7.4) and NaCl concentration (0.5, 1.5, 5.5, 10.5%) on the production of biofilm of the different morphotyped Salmonella strains (DMC4; red, dry and rough morphotyped S. Typhimurium, DMC12; brown, dry and rough morphotyped S. Infantis, DMC13; pink, dry and rough morphotyped S. subsp. Roughform) were also assessed. On the other hand, pH values exhibited variable effects on biofilm-forming features for different Salmonella strains on both polystyrene and stainless steel surfaces.
Use of a Whole Genome Approach To Identify Vaccine Molecules Affording Protection against Streptococcus pneumoniae Infection

ABSTRACT Microbial targets for protective humoral immunity are typically surface-localized proteins and contain common sequence motifs related to their secretion or surface binding. Exploiting the whole genome sequence of the human bacterial pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae, we identified 130 open reading frames encoding proteins with secretion motifs or similarity to predicted virulence factors. Mice were immunized with 108 of these proteins, and 6 conferred protection against disseminated S. pneumoniaeinfection. Flow cytometry confirmed the surface localization of several of these targets. Each of the six protective antigens showed broad strain distribution and immunogenicity during human infection. Our results validate the use of a genomic approach for the identification of novel microbial targets that elicit a protective immune response. These new antigens may play a role in the development of improved vaccines against S. pneumoniae.
Leadership: What's In It For Schools?

1. The Real Context for Leadership 2. Leading with Ideas 3. New Leadership, Roles and Competencies 4. Leading Communities of Responsibility 5. School Character, School Effectiveness and Layered Standards 6. Leadership and Learning: Seacrching for a Better Theory 7. Where the Real World Begins: A Postscript by Richard Middleton
THE HIDDEN FACE OF THE MEDIA: HOW FINANCIAL JOURNALISTS PRODUCE INFORMATION

This study investigates how the media produces information. Using a sample of 296,497 Wall Street Journal news articles, I find that news articles written by experienced and reputable financial journalists are more informative about future earnings. I then examine the source of such information advantage by studying the detailed quotes from news articles. I further find that these journalists rely more heavily on first-hand access to management, institutional investors, and other external experts, an important channel through which they produce informative news. Interestingly, however, this information advantage is present only when the experienced and reputable journalists remain independent—for those journalists that repeatedly cover the same firm or rely primarily on information from management, the networking information advantage is completely muted. These results suggest that the quality of the media as an information intermediary depends critically on individual journalists’ ability to access information from industry networks and provide unbiased news.