Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Estimating the impacts of U.S. LSAPs on emerging market economies’ local currency bond markets

This paper examines whether large-scale asset purchases (LSAPs) by the Federal Reserve influenced capital flows out of the United States and into emerging market economies (EMEs) and also analyzes the degree of pass-through from long-term U.S. government bond yields to long-term EME bond yields. Using panel data from a broad array of EMEs, our empirical estimates suggest that a 10-basis-point reduction in long-term U.S. Treasury yields results in a 0.4-percentage-point increase in the foreign ownership share of emerging market debt. This, in turn, is estimated to reduce government bond yields in EMEs by approximately 1.7 basis points. Federal Reserve LSAPs, which most previous studies have found reduced ten-year U.S. Treasury yields between 60 and 110 basis points during our sample period, therefore likely contributed to U.S. outflows into EMEs and marginal reductions in longer-term EME government bond yields. These effects are qualitatively similar to conventional U.S. monetary policy easing. To assess the robustness of these estimates, we also employ event study and vector autoregression methodologies, finding broadly similar results using these methods. While these results hold in the aggregate, marginal effects vary notably across emerging market countries.
Metabolism of 2-Chloro-4-Nitroaniline via Novel Aerobic Degradation Pathway by Rhodococcus sp. Strain MB-P1

2-chloro-4-nitroaniline (2-C-4-NA) is used as an intermediate in the manufacture of dyes, pharmaceuticals, corrosion inhibitor and also used in the synthesis of niclosamide, a molluscicide. It is marked as a black-listed substance due to its poor biodegradability. We report biodegradation of 2-C-4-NA and its pathway characterization by Rhodococcus sp. strain MB-P1 under aerobic conditions. The strain MB-P1 utilizes 2-C-4-NA as the sole carbon, nitrogen, and energy source. In the growth medium, the degradation of 2-C-4-NA occurs with the release of nitrite ions, chloride ions, and ammonia. During the resting cell studies, the 2-C-4-NA-induced cells of strain MB-P1 transformed 2-C-4-NA stoichiometrically to 4-amino-3-chlorophenol (4-A-3-CP), which subsequently gets transformed to 6-chlorohydroxyquinol (6-CHQ) metabolite. Enzyme assays by cell-free lysates prepared from 2-C-4-NA-induced MB-P1 cells, demonstrated that the first enzyme in the 2-C-4-NA degradation pathway is a flavin-dependent monooxygenase that catalyzes the stoichiometric removal of nitro group and production of 4-A-3-CP. Oxygen uptake studies on 4-A-3-CP and related anilines by 2-C-4-NA-induced MB-P1 cells demonstrated the involvement of aniline dioxygenase in the second step of 2-C-4-NA degradation. This is the first report showing 2-C-4-NA degradation and elucidation of corresponding metabolic pathway by an aerobic bacterium.
Studying the Effects of 2D and 3D Educational Contents on Memory Recall Using EEG Signals, PCA and Statistical Features

Learning and memory are two related mental processes. EEG is a brain mapping technique, which can record brain states directly and can be used to assess learning and memory recall. In this paper, we will assess the effects of 2D and 3D educational contents on learning and memory recall by analyzing the brain states during recall tasks using EEG signals. 34 subjects learn same 2D and 3D educational contents and after 30 minutes, they are asked multiple-choice questions (MCQs) related to the learned contents. Though the answers of MCQs can be used to assess the effects of 2D and 3D educational contents on learning and memory recall, the correct answer of an MCQ can be based on just a guess. We studied direct brain states by analyzing EEG signals for this purpose and modeled it as a classification problem. While answering an MCQ, EEG signal is recorded, which is then converted into topomaps. The number of topomaps corresponding to one MCQ is excessively high and there is a large number of redundant topomaps, Principle Component Analysis (PCA) is used to reduce this number. Finally, statistical features are extracted from these topomaps and passed to Support Vector Machine (SVM) to predict brain states corresponding to correct/incorrect answers. The results of the study showed that 3D content gave 81.6% classification accuracy compared with 76.1% given by 2D content. It indicates that 3D educational content is more effective than 2D educational content. The proposed system can used to predict the memory recall level of a subject, which can help to select the educational content and future carrier for a subject.
Dust transport and deposition observed from the Terra‐Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) spacecraft over the Atlantic Ocean

[1] Meteorological observations, in situ data, and satellite images of dust episodes were used already in the 1970s to estimate that 100 Tg of dust are transported from Africa over the Atlantic Ocean every year between June and August and are deposited in the Atlantic Ocean and the Americas. Desert dust is a main source of nutrients to oceanic biota and the Amazon forest, but it deteriorates air quality, as shown for Florida. Dust affects the Earth radiation budget, thus participating in climate change and feedback mechanisms. There is an urgent need for new tools for quantitative evaluation of the dust distribution, transport, and deposition. The Terra spacecraft, launched at the dawn of the last millennium, provides the first systematic well-calibrated multispectral measurements from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument for daily global analysis of aerosol. MODIS data are used here to distinguish dust from smoke and maritime aerosols and to evaluate the African dust column concentration, transport, and deposition. We found that 240 ± 80 Tg of dust are transported annually from Africa to the Atlantic Ocean, 140 ± 40 Tg are deposited in the Atlantic Ocean, 50 Tg fertilize the Amazon Basin (four times as previous estimates, thus explaining a paradox regarding the source of nutrition to the Amazon forest), 50 Tg reach the Caribbean, and 20 Tg return to Africa and Europe. The results are compared favorably with dust transport models for maximum particle diameter between 6 and 12 μm. This study is a first example of quantitative use of MODIS aerosol for a geophysical research.
The " Mozart Effect " : Hard Science or Hype

The positive effects of the music of Wolfgang Amadaus Mozart on spatial reasoning ability have become a popular topic. Some studies suggest that listening to Mozart has a short-term positive effect on spatial IQ. Others suggest that prenatal and early childhood exposure to music can lead to long-term positive effects. However, some attempts to duplicate and generalize these findings have failed. This paper explores the research behind such claims in an attempt to demystify the current hype.
Monetary Policy Rules

This timely volume presents the latest thinking on the monetary policy rules and seeks to determine just what types of rules and policy guidelines function best. A unique cooperative research effort that allowed contributors to evaluate different policy rules using their own specific approaches, this collection presents their striking findings on the potential response of interest rates to an array of variables, including alterations in the rates of inflation, unemployment, and exchange. Monetary Policy Rules illustrates that simple policy rules are more robust and more efficient than complex rules with multiple variables. A state-of-the-art appraisal of the fundamental issues facing the Federal Reserve Board and other central banks, Monetary Policy Rules is essential reading for economic analysts and policymakers alike.
Simple Interest Rate Rules with a Role for Money

The paper analyses the performance of simple interest rate rules which feature a response to noisy observations of inflation, output and money growth. The analysis is based on a small empirical model of the hybrid New Keynesian type which has been estimated on euro area data by Stracca (2007). To assess the magnitude of the measurement problems regarding the feedback variables, we draw upon the real-time data set for Germany compiled by Gerberding et al. (2004). We find that interest rate rules which include a response to money growth outperform both Taylor-type rules and speed limit policies once real-time output gap uncertainty is accounted for. One reason is that targeting money growth introduces history dependence into the policy rule which is desirable when private agents are forward-looking. The second reason is that money growth contains information on the "true" growth rate of output which can only be measured imperfectly.
An Explicit Formulation of Singularity-Free Dynamic Equations of Mechanical Systems in Lagrangian Form---Part one: Single Rigid Bodies

This paper presents the explicit dynamic equations of a mechanical system. The equations are presented so that they can easily be implemented in a simulation software or controller environment and are also well suited for system and controller analysis. The dynamics of a general mechanical system consisting of one or more rigid bodies can be derived from the Lagrangian. We can then use several well known properties of Lie groups to guarantee that these equations are well defined. This will, however, often lead to rather abstract formulation of the dynamic equations that cannot be implemented in a simulation software directly. In this paper we close this gap and show what the explicit dynamic equations look like. These equations can then be implemented directly in a simulation software and no background knowledge on Lie theory and differential geometry on the practitioner’s side is required. This is the first of two papers on this topic. In this paper we derive the dynamics for single rigid bodies, while in the second part we study multibody systems. In addition to making the equations more accessible to practitioners, a motivation behind the papers is to correct a few errors commonly found in literature. For the first time, we show the detailed derivations and how to arrive at the correct set of equations. We also show through some simple examples that these correspond with the classical formulations found from Lagrange’s equations. The dynamics is derived from the Boltzmann–Hamel equations of motion in terms of local position and velocity variables and the mapping to the corresponding quasi-velocities. Finally we present a new theorem which states that the Boltzmann–Hamel formulation of the dynamics is valid for all transformations with a Lie group topology. This has previously only been indicated through examples, but here we also present the formal proof.
Metastatic lymph node ratio, 6th or 7th AJCC edition: witch is the best lymph node classification for esophageal cancer? Prognosis factor analysis in 487 patients

Background The esophageal cancer is one of the most common and aggressive worldwide. Recently, the AJCC changed the staging system, considering, among others, the important role of the lymph node metastasis on the prognosis. Aim To discuss the applicability of different forms of lymph node staging in a western surgical center. Methods Four hundred eighty seven patients with esophageal cancer were enrolled. Three staging systems were evaluated, the 6th and the 7th AJCC editions and the Lymph Node Metastatic Ratio. Results The majority of the cases were squamous cell carcinoma. The mean lymph node sample was eight. Considering the survival, there was no significant difference between the patients when they were classified by the 7th AJCC edition. Analysis of the Lymph Node Metastatic Ratio, just on the group of patients with 0 to 25%, has shown significant difference (p=0,01). The 6th AJCC edition shows the major significant difference between among the classifications evaluated. Conclusion In this specific population, the 7th AJCC edition for esophageal cancer was not able to find differences in survival when just the lymph node analysis was considered.
Do the Better Insured Cause More Damage? Testing for Asymmetric Information in Car Insurance

type="main" xml:lang="en"> This article tests for the presence of asymmetric information in Dutch car insurance among senior drivers using several nonparametric tests based on conditional-correlation approach. Since asymmetric information implies that more comprehensive coverage is associated with higher risk, we examine whether the better insured have a higher frequency of claims or cause more severe accidents. Using data on claim occurrences, incurred losses and written premiums, and controlling for the insureds’ experience rating, we do not find any evidence of asymmetric information in this market.
Truth in Government: Beyond the Tax Expenditure Budget

The tax expenditure budget recently has come under renewed attack. Some argue that its conceptual and implementational flaws justify discontinuing its publication. This paper points out the generality of these supposedly "fatal" flaws: all the sources of information we have about government spending suffer from problems similar if not identical to those identified in the tax expenditure budget. Take, for example, the absence of an agreed-upon baseline of a "normal" tax system against which to measure "tax expenditures. " A central theme of the paper is that the same baseline problem exists for several clear substitutes for tax expenditures, regulation and the non-enforcement of across-the-board rules. Even the seemingly obvious baseline of zero expenditures for determining the amount of cash subsidies can be challenged as incompletely theorized and misleading. The breadth and depth of the baseline and other problems identified in the tax expenditure budget throw into question the wisdom of excoriating it in particular. If improving the utility of information distributed about the direction and function of government is the desired end, the paper contends, one must focus on the interaction between the various information sources rather than the merits or demerits of any particular source of information. And once we do that, the argument continues, it becomes clear that the better path involves the publication of more, rather than less, information. In particular, the paper contends that it would be helpful to publish an admittedly flawed regulatory budget to serve as a companion to the tax expenditure budget.
Protein transport in plant cells: in and out of the Golgi.

In plant cells, the Golgi apparatus is the key organelle for polysaccharide and glycolipid synthesis, protein glycosylation and protein sorting towards various cellular compartments. Protein import from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a highly dynamic process, and new data suggest that transport, at least of soluble proteins, occurs via bulk flow. In this Botanical Briefing, we review the latest data on ER/Golgi inter-relations and the models for transport between the two organelles. Whether vesicles are involved in this transport event or if direct ER-Golgi connections exist are questions that are open to discussion. Whereas the majority of proteins pass through the Golgi on their way to other cell destinations, either by vesicular shuttles or through maturation of cisternae from the cis- to the trans-face, a number of membrane proteins reside in the different Golgi cisternae. Experimental evidence suggests that the length of the transmembrane domain is of crucial importance for the retention of proteins within the Golgi. In non-dividing cells, protein transport out of the Golgi is either directed towards the plasma membrane/cell wall (secretion) or to the vacuolar system. The latter comprises the lytic vacuole and protein storage vacuoles. In general, transport to either of these from the Golgi depends on different sorting signals and receptors and is mediated by clathrin-coated and dense vesicles, respectively. Being at the heart of the secretory pathway, the Golgi (transiently) accommodates regulatory proteins of secretion (e.g. SNAREs and small GTPases), of which many have been cloned in plants over the last decade. In this context, we present a list of regulatory proteins, along with structural and processing proteins, that have been located to the Golgi and the 'trans-Golgi network' by microscopy.
Broadband X-Ray Spectra of the Persistent Black Hole Candidates LMC X-1 and LMC X-3

We report on observations of the two persistent black hole candidates LMC X-3 and LMC X-1 performed with BeppoSAX in 1997 October. The flux of LMC X-1 was possibly measured up to 60 keV, but there is a possible confusion with PSR 0540-69. Fits with an absorbed multicolor disk blackbody are not satisfactory, while the superposition of this model with a power law is acceptable. The sources showed little variations during the observations. However, in LMC X-1 some X-ray color dependence on intensity is apparent, indicating a hardening of the spectrum in the second half of the observation. The inner disk radius and temperature change, featuring the same (anti)correlation found in RXTE data. QPOs were searched for. In LMC X-3 none was detected; in LMC X-1 a 3 σ upper (≃9% rms) limit is given at 0.07 Hz, the frequency of the QPO discovered with Ginga.
RF-Designed High-Power Lamb-Wave Aluminum–Nitride Resonators

We report Lamb acoustic wave resonators that are suitable for RF applications and that exhibit high power handling at high frequencies above 1 GHz. Resonators use aluminum-nitride as acoustic layer and are fabricated in the Institute of Microelectronics (IME) Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)'s in-house RF microelectromechanical system silicon-on-insulator platform. We focus the study on devices operating at their first symmetric Lamb-wave mode (S0) at 900 MHz and 1.5 GHz, although demonstrate 400 MHz and 1.2 GHz as well. All devices are realized in the same multi-frequency platform. Assessment of devices covers gain compression point (P1dB), third-order intermodulation intercept point (IIP3), thermal management, impedance matching, and quality factor. Devices exhibit P1dB above +30 dBm, and IIP3 higher than +50 dBm with low insertion losses less than 3 dB and 50- Ω impedance matching.
In Vitro Infection of Trypanosoma cruzi Causes Decrease in Glucose Transporter Protein-1 (GLUT1) Expression in Explants of Human Placental Villi Cultured under Normal and High Glucose Concentrations

Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic Chagas' disease agent, induces changes in protein pattern of the human placenta syncytiotrophoblast. The glucose transporter protein-1 (GLUT1) is the primary isoform involved in transplacental glucose transport. We carried out in vitro assays to determine if T. cruzi infection would induce changes in placental GLUT1 protein expression under normal and high concentration of glucose. Using Western blot and immunohistological techniques, GLUT1 expression was determined in normal placental villi cultured under normal or high concentrations of glucose, with or without in vitro T. cruzi infection, for 24 and 48 hours. High glucose media or T. cruzi infection alone reduced GLUT1 expression. A yet more accentuated reduction was observed when infection and high glucose condition took place together. We inform, for the first time, that T. cruzi infection may induce reduction of GLUT1 expression under normal and high glucose concentrations, and this effect is synergic to high glucose concentrations.
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) Technology as a Global Learning Tool: Information Systems Success and Control Belief Perspectives

Voice over Internet Protocol- (VoIP) enabled online learning service providers struggling with high attrition rates and low customer loyalty issues despite VoIP’s high degree of system fit for online global learning applications. Effective solutions to this prevalent problem rely on the understanding of system quality, information quality, and individual beliefs about the usefulness of this technology. This research aims to provide insights into increasing the loyalty of users to VoIP-enabled global learning programs from the perspectives of information systems (IS) success and control belief. A theoretical model is proposed to integrate seven major constructs of IS success and planned behavior theory. We tested our model using the path analysis of data collected from an experiment where 66 undergraduate students from the USA and Taiwan worked in pairs using Skype to improve their English and intercultural communication skills. Data analysis results showed that information quality and perceived behavioral control are much more important than system quality in increasing satisfaction with the use of Skype. An increase in user satisfaction can lead to an improvement in intercultural communication competence and to increased user loyalty. Theoretical and practical implications are drawn from the findings to conclude this study.
Large Scale Bayesian Inference and Experimental Design for Sparse Linear Models

Many problems of low-level computer vision and image processing, such as denoising, deconvolution, tomographic reconstruction or superresolution, can be addressed by maximizing the posterior distribution of a sparse linear model (SLM). We show how higher-order Bayesian decision-making problems, such as optimizing image acquisition in magnetic resonance scanners, can be addressed by querying the SLM posterior covariance, unrelated to the density's mode. We propose a scalable algorithmic framework, with which SLM posteriors over full, high-resolution images can be approximated for the first time, solving a variational optimization problem which is convex if and only if posterior mode finding is convex. These methods successfully drive the optimization of sampling trajectories for real-world magnetic resonance imaging through Bayesian experimental design, which has not been attempted before. Our methodology provides new insight into similarities and differences between sparse reconstruction and approximate Bayesian inference, and has important implications for compressive sensing of real-world images. Parts of this work have been presented at conferences [M. Seeger, H. Nickisch, R. Pohmann, and B. Scholkopf, in Advances in Neural Information Processing Systems 21, D. Koller, D. Schuurmans, Y. Bengio, and L. Bottou, eds., Curran Associates, Red Hook, NY, 2009, pp. 1441-1448; H. Nickisch and M. Seeger, in Proceedings of the 26th International Conference on Machine Learning, L. Bottou and M. Littman, eds., Omni Press, Madison, WI, 2009, pp. 761-768].