Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
DO BANKS TAKE UNUSUAL RISKS WHEN INTEREST RATES ARE EXPECTED TO STAY LOW FOR A LONG TIME?

The financial woes that initiated the financial crisis of 2007/08 have, at least in part, been traced to excessive bank risk-taking. What induced this behavior? One explanation is the persistently low short-term interest rates during the mid-2000s. We exploit an extensive panel of matched Austrian banks and firms during 2000–2008 to investigate the effects of the European Central Bank's (ECB) policy of persistently low interest rates during 2003q3–2005q3. Our analysis suggests that this policy likely caused Austrian banks to hold risker loan portfolios than they would have in its absence.
A simple flow cytometry‐based barcode for routine authentication of multiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma cell lines

lines are widely used in laboratories for in vitro experi-ments, especially for investigating abnormal hallmarks in can-cer cells and identifying therapeutic targets. Human cell linesare typically derived in academic laboratories from a widerange of cancer samples. To achieve a representation of intra-cancer heterogeneity, several laboratories, including ours, haveestablished cell line collections. However, the establishmentand maintenance of such collections significantly increase therisk of cross-contaminations and misidentification of celllines, leading to the publication of false data/interpretation(1). In addition to the risk of cross-contamination, widelyused cell lines can be described in contrasting manners for aparticular feature (e.g., the JJN3 myeloma cell line appearseither TP53
Gendered Safety and Health Risks in the Construction Trades

Objectives Despite women's increased representation in the overall workforce, construction remains a male-dominated industry. Prior studies have noted that the hazardous workplace environment combined with a culture that can be discriminatory and openly hostile can threaten women workers' health and safety. However, little information exists about the current physical and psychosocial hazards at work affecting tradeswomen. Methods We examined differences in workplace exposure between women and men, and the association of these exposures with self-reported stress and work injury, in order to highlight how gendered conditions of work negatively affect tradeswomen's health. A holistic view of health that included the influence of both home and work spheres as well as hazards related to women's social experience was considered. Almost 300 workers (198 tradeswomen and 93 tradesmen) throughout Washington State completed surveys. We used descriptive statistics to compare exposures between genders, and logistic regression to model the association between psychosocial exposures and injury and stress outcomes. Results We found that women were significantly more likely than men to report high perceived stress (31 and 18%, respectively) and being injured at work in the past year (31 and 12%, respectively). Ten of the 12 work-related psychosocial exposures were found to be associated with either stress (job strain, gender and age discrimination, bullying, work/life balance, isolation, sexual harassment, safety climate, and social support) or injury (gender discrimination, bullying, overcompensation, and sexual harassment) for women. Conclusions The industry continues to lag in supporting tradeswomen's health and safety needs. This study suggests that multiple exposures (including discrimination, overcompensation, and work/life balance) have an important impact on worker well-being. The findings underscore the complex interaction of gender, psychosocial exposures, and occupational risks, and indicate areas for intervention.
Irreversible Electroporation of the Pancreas Is Feasible and Safe in a Porcine Survival Model

Objectives Use of thermal tumor ablation in the pancreatic parenchyma is limited because of the risk of pancreatitis, pancreatic fistula, or hemorrhage. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of irreversible electroporation (IRE) in a porcine model. Methods Ten pigs were divided into 2 study groups. In the first group, animals received IRE of the pancreatic tail and were killed after 60 minutes. In the second group, animals received IRE at the head of the pancreas and were followed up for 7 days. Clinical parameters, computed tomography imaging, laboratory results, and histology were obtained. Results All animals survived IRE ablation, and no cardiac adverse effects were noted. Sixty minutes after IRE, a hypodense lesion on computed tomography imaging indicated the ablation zone. None of the animals developed clinical signs of acute pancreatitis. Only small amounts of ascites fluid, with a transient increase in amylase and lipase levels, were observed, indicating that no pancreatic fistula occurred. Conclusions This porcine model shows that IRE is feasible and safe in the pancreatic parenchyma. Computed tomography imaging reveals significant changes at 60 minutes after IRE and therefore might serve as an early indicator of therapeutic success. Clinical studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy of IRE in pancreatic cancer.
Long-Haul Transmission Over Few-Mode Fibers With Space-Division Multiplexing

Space-division multiplexing (SDM) has been intensively proposed in recent years to overcome the capacity limitations of the current single-mode fiber infrastructure and to increase the efficiency of optical transmission systems. Few-mode fibers offer the potential of transmitting several signals at the same wavelength over different modes of a fiber with one single core. In this paper, we demonstrate the potential of using few-mode fiber-based SDM systems for long-haul transmission. We analyze system limitations such as mode-dependent loss and Kerr-effect-based nonlinear signal distortions for different modulation formats and distances up to 3500 km. We find that mode-dependent loss poses the major limitation in the analyzed transmission system, masking most intermodal nonlinear interactions.
Identity Change Among Smokers and Ex-Smokers: Findings From the ITC Netherlands Survey

Successful smoking cessation appears to be facilitated by identity change, that is, when quitting or nonsmoking becomes part of smokers’ and ex-smokers’ self-concepts. The current longitudinal study is the first to examine how identity changes over time among smokers and ex-smokers and whether this can be predicted by socioeconomic status (SES) and psychosocial factors (i.e., attitude, perceived health damage, social norms, stigma, acceptance, self-evaluative emotions, health worries, expected social support). We examined identification with smoking (i.e., smoker self-identity) and quitting (i.e., quitter self-identity) among a large sample of smokers (n = 742) and ex-smokers (n = 201) in a cohort study with yearly measurements between 2009 and 2014. Latent growth curve modeling was used as an advanced statistical technique. As hypothesized, smokers perceived themselves more as smokers and less as quitters than do ex-smokers, and identification with smoking increased over time among smokers and decreased among ex-smokers. Furthermore, psychosocial factors predicted baseline identity and identity development. Socioeconomic status (SES) was particularly important. Specifically, lower SES smokers and lower SES ex-smokers identified more strongly with smoking, and smoker and quitter identities were more resistant to change among lower SES groups. Moreover, stronger proquitting social norms were associated with increasing quitter identities over time among smokers and ex-smokers and with decreasing smoker identities among ex-smokers. Predictors of identity differed between smokers and ex-smokers. Results suggest that SES and proquitting social norms should be taken into account when developing ways to facilitate identity change and, thereby, successful smoking cessation.
Sexual dimorphism in laryngeal muscle fibers and ultrasonic vocalizations in the adult rat

The human voice is sexually dimorphic in obvious ways, such as differences in fundamental frequency and gross laryngeal anatomy, but also in less apparent ways, such as in the prevalence and types of voice disorders and the manifestation of voice changes in advanced age. Differences between males and females are rarely explored, however, in mechanistic animal studies. The goal of this study was to explore sexual dimorphism in laryngeal function and structure in adult rats by examining ultrasonic vocalization acoustics and muscle fiber size and type in the thyroarytenoid muscle.
A Novel Coarse-to-Fine Scheme for Automatic Image Registration Based on SIFT and Mutual Information

Automatic image registration is a vital yet challenging task, particularly for remote sensing images. A fully automatic registration approach which is accurate, robust, and fast is required. For this purpose, a novel coarse-to-fine scheme for automatic image registration is proposed in this paper. This scheme consists of a preregistration process (coarse registration) and a fine-tuning process (fine registration). To begin with, the preregistration process is implemented by the scale-invariant feature transform approach equipped with a reliable outlier removal procedure. The coarse results provide a near-optimal initial solution for the optimizer in the fine-tuning process. Next, the fine-tuning process is implemented by the maximization of mutual information using a modified Marquardt-Levenberg search strategy in a multiresolution framework. The proposed algorithm is tested on various remote sensing optical and synthetic aperture radar images taken at different situations (multispectral, multisensor, and multitemporal) with the affine transformation model. The experimental results demonstrate the accuracy, robustness, and efficiency of the proposed algorithm.
High-Mobility-Group Protein I Can Modulate Binding of Transcription Factors to the U5 Region of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Proviral Promoter

ABSTRACT HMG I/Y appears to be a multifunctional protein that relies on in its ability to interact with DNA in a structure-specific manner and with DNA, binding transcriptional activators via distinct protein-protein interaction surfaces. To investigate the hypothesis that HMG I/Y may have a role in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) expression, we have analyzed whether HMG I/Y interacts with the 5′ long terminal repeat and whether this interaction can modulate transcription factor binding. Using purified recombinant HMG I, we have identified several high-affinity binding sites which overlap important transcription factor binding sites. One of these HMG I binding sites coincides with an important binding site for AP-1 located downstream of the transcriptional start site, in the 5′ untranslated region at the boundary of a positioned nucleosome. HMG I binding to this composite site inhibits the binding of recombinant AP-1. Consistent with this observation, using nuclear extracts prepared from Jurkat T cells, we show that HMG I (but not HMG Y) is strongly induced upon phorbol myristate acetate stimulation and this induced HMG I appears to both selectively inhibit the binding of basal DNA-binding proteins and enhance the binding of an inducible AP-1 transcription factor to this AP-1 binding site. We also report the novel finding that a component present in this inducible AP-1 complex is ATF-3. Taken together, these results argue that HMG I may play a fundamental role in HIV-1 expression by determining the nature of transcription factor-promoter interactions.
The Transcriptional Activator Krüppel-like Factor-6 Is Required for CNS Myelination

Growth factors of the gp130 family promote oligodendrocyte differentiation, and viability, and myelination, but their mechanisms of action are incompletely understood. Here, we show that these effects are coordinated, in part, by the transcriptional activator Krüppel-like factor-6 (Klf6). Klf6 is rapidly induced in oligodendrocyte progenitors (OLP) by gp130 factors, and promotes differentiation. Conversely, in mice with lineage-selective Klf6 inactivation, OLP undergo maturation arrest followed by apoptosis, and CNS myelination fails. Overlapping transcriptional and chromatin occupancy analyses place Klf6 at the nexus of a novel gp130-Klf-importin axis, which promotes differentiation and viability in part via control of nuclear trafficking. Klf6 acts as a gp130-sensitive transactivator of the nuclear import factor importin-α5 (Impα5), and interfering with this mechanism interrupts step-wise differentiation. Underscoring the significance of this axis in vivo, mice with conditional inactivation of gp130 signaling display defective Klf6 and Impα5 expression, OLP maturation arrest and apoptosis, and failure of CNS myelination.
Application of Static Modeling in the Prediction of In Vivo Drug–Drug Interactions between Rivaroxaban and Antiarrhythmic Agents Based on In Vitro Inhibition Studies

Rivaroxaban, a direct Factor Xa inhibitor, is indicated for stroke prevention in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF). Studies have revealed that the clearance of rivaroxaban is largely attributed to CYP3A4, CYP2J2 metabolism, and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) efflux pathways. Amiodarone and dronedarone are antiarrhythmic agents employed in AF management. Amiodarone, dronedarone, and their major metabolites, N-desethylamiodarone (NDEA) and N-desbutyldronedarone (NDBD), demonstrate inhibitory effects on CYP3A4 and CYP2J2 with U.S. Food and Drug Administration–recommended probe substrates. In addition, both amiodarone and dronedarone are known P-gp inhibitors. Hence, the concomitant administration of these antiarrhythmic agents has the potential to augment the systemic exposure of rivaroxaban through simultaneous impairment of its clearance pathways. Currently, however, clinical data on the extent of these postulated drug–drug interactions are lacking. In this study, in vitro inhibition assays using rivaroxaban as the probe substrate demonstrated that both dronedarone and NDBD produced reversible inhibition as well as irreversible mechanism-based inactivation of CYP3A4- and CYP2J2-mediated metabolism of rivaroxaban. However, amiodarone and NDEA were observed to cause reversible inhibition as well as mechanism-based inactivation of CYP3A4 but not CYP2J2. In addition, amiodarone, NDEA, and dronedarone, but not NDBD, were determined to inhibit P-gp–mediated rivaroxaban transport. The in vitro inhibition parameters were fitted into a mechanistic static model, which predicted a 37% and 31% increase in rivaroxaban exposure due to the inhibition of hepatic and gut metabolism by amiodarone and dronedarone, respectively. A separate model quantifying the inhibition of P-gp–mediated efflux by amiodarone or dronedarone projected a 9% increase in rivaroxaban exposure.
Effect of environmental temperature on muscle protein turnover and heat production in tube-fed broiler chickens

The present experiments4 were undertaken to investigate the effects of environmental temperatures on growth, abdominal fat content, rate of muscle protein turnover, and heat production in tube-fed intact male broiler chickens. Plasma concentrations of thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), and corticosterone (CTC) were also examined. Chicks (15d old) were kept at different environmental temperatures (16,19,22,25,28,31, and 34°) and given the experimental diet (200g crude protein/kg, 13·;57M/kg metabolizable energy) by tube three times daily throughout the 12d experimental period. In the hot conditions, except for 34°, body-weight gain was significantly higher than in the cold conditions. Thus, food conversion ratios (food: gain ratios) were lower when the birds were exposed to the hot conditions other than 34°. Likewise, abdominal fat content was significantly increased, and heat production was lower in the groups kept under the hot conditions other than 34°. The rate of skeletal muscle protein turnover and plasma concentration of CTC were decreased when the birds were exposed to hot conditions other than 34°. suggesting a role of CTC in the regulation of muscle protein turnover. Plasma concentrations of T4 and T3 were significantly decreased as environmental temperature increased. These results clearly show that plasma concentrations of thyroid hormones and CTC are associated with accelerated muscle protein turnover and heat production.
Focal versus distributed temporal cortex activity for speech sound category assignment

Significance When listening to speech, phonemes are represented in a distributed fashion in our temporal and prefrontal cortices. How these representations are selected in a phonemic decision context, and in particular whether distributed or focal neural information is required for explicit phoneme recognition, is unclear. We hypothesized that focal and early neural encoding of acoustic signals is sufficiently informative to access speech sound representations and permit phoneme recognition. We tested this hypothesis by combining a simple speech-phoneme categorization task with univariate and multivariate analyses of fMRI, magnetoencephalography, intracortical, and clinical data. We show that neural information available focally in the temporal cortex prior to decision-related neural activity is specific enough to account for human phonemic identification. Percepts and words can be decoded from distributed neural activity measures. However, the existence of widespread representations might conflict with the more classical notions of hierarchical processing and efficient coding, which are especially relevant in speech processing. Using fMRI and magnetoencephalography during syllable identification, we show that sensory and decisional activity colocalize to a restricted part of the posterior superior temporal gyrus (pSTG). Next, using intracortical recordings, we demonstrate that early and focal neural activity in this region distinguishes correct from incorrect decisions and can be machine-decoded to classify syllables. Crucially, significant machine decoding was possible from neuronal activity sampled across different regions of the temporal and frontal lobes, despite weak or absent sensory or decision-related responses. These findings show that speech-sound categorization relies on an efficient readout of focal pSTG neural activity, while more distributed activity patterns, although classifiable by machine learning, instead reflect collateral processes of sensory perception and decision.
Gender differences in emotion perception and self-reported emotional intelligence: A test of the emotion sensitivity hypothesis

Previous meta-analyses and reviews on gender differences in emotion recognition have shown a small to moderate female advantage. However, inconsistent evidence from recent studies has raised questions regarding the implications of different methodologies, stimuli, and samples. In the present research based on a community sample of more than 5000 participants, we tested the emotional sensitivity hypothesis, stating that women are more sensitive to perceive subtle, i.e. low intense or ambiguous, emotion cues. In addition, we included a self-report emotional intelligence test in order to examine any discrepancy between self-perceptions and actual performance for both men and women. We used a wide range of stimuli and models, displaying six different emotions at two different intensity levels. In order to better tap sensitivity for subtle emotion cues, we did not use a forced choice format, but rather intensity measures of different emotions. We found no support for the emotional sensitivity account, as both genders rated the target emotions as similarly intense at both levels of stimulus intensity. Men, however, more strongly perceived non-target emotions to be present than women. In addition, we also found that the lower scores of men in self-reported EI was not related to their actual perception of target emotions, but it was to the perception of non-target emotions.
Towards an accurate description of the capillary force in nanoparticle-surface interactions

We present a method to numerically calculate the exact (non-circular) meniscus profile from the Kelvin equation, and compare the results of the obtained capillary force with different previous approximations and experiments. We show that a circular meniscus profile gives correct results in most cases. We also compare different models of pull-off behaviour and show that the often used approximation of humidity independent capillary force is viable for spherical particles above 1 µm radius, but below that there is a strong humidity dependence, as seen in experiments. At the same length scale the direct surface tension force component becomes important. We also discuss the vanishing of the capillary force at very low humidity, the effect of small initial separation between the particle and the surface and the effects of different particle shapes and contact angles on the capillary force. Finally, calculated results are compared with experimental measurements of the capillary force.
Pregnancy and the Acceptability of Computer-Based Versus Traditional Mental Health Treatments.

BACKGROUND Recent recommendations urge increased depression screening in pregnant and postpartum women, potentially increasing demand for treatment. Computer-based psychotherapy treatments may address some of perinatal women's unique mental health treatment needs and barriers. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted a quantitative survey of pregnant women (≥12 weeks of gestation) on preferences regarding computer-based therapies compared with traditional therapies (psychotherapy and medication). Nonpregnant women and men served as comparison groups. Participants were provided descriptions of three computer-based therapies: video telehealth therapy (VTT), computer-assisted therapy (CAT), and self-guided online therapy (SGO). Participants were asked to select all options that they would consider for treatment as well as first choice preference. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) assessed current depressive symptomatology, and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) assessed psychiatric history. RESULTS Participants included pregnant females (n = 111), nonpregnant females (n = 147), and males (n = 54). Among pregnant women, 77.5% (n = 86) indicated that they would consider some form of computer-based therapy for mental health treatment during pregnancy; VTT was the most commonly considered, followed by CAT and SGO. When asked to select their preferred intervention, traditional talk therapy was the first choice among all three groups, controlling for treatment history and PHQ-9 score. About one-third of pregnant women chose some form of computer-based therapy as their top choice. CONCLUSIONS While computer-based therapies were acceptable to most pregnant women in this sample, traditional talk therapy was the preferred option. Future research should consider how to tailor computer-based therapies to the unique needs of perinatal women.
The Optimal Degree of Monetary-Discretion in a New Keynesian Model with Private Information

This paper considers the optimal degree of discretion in monetary policy when the central bank conducts policy based on its private information about the state of the economy and is unable to commit. Society seeks to maximize social welfare by imposing restrictions on the central bank's actions over time, and the central bank takes these restrictions and the New Keynesian Phillips curve as constraints. By solving a dynamic mechanism design problem we nd that it is optimal to grant\constrained discretion" to the central bank by imposing both upper and lower bounds on permissible in ation, and that these bounds must be set in a history-dependent way. The optimal degree of discretion varies over time with the severity of the time-inconsistency problem, and, although no discretion is optimal when the time-inconsistency problem is very severe, our numerical experiment suggests that no-discretion is a transient phenomenon, and that some discretion is granted eventually.