Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco Working Paper Series Who Drove the Boom in Euro–denominated Bond Issues? Who Drove the Boom in Euro–denominated Bond Issues?

The views in this paper are solely the responsibility of the authors and should not be interpreted as reflecting the views of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco or the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Abstract We make use of micro–level data for over 45,000 private bond issues by over 5000 firms from 22 countries in 1990-2006 to analyze the impact that the launch of the EMU had on their currency denomination. The use of the micro data allows us to isolate the " euro effect " on new and seasoned bond issuers while conditioning on individual issue characteristics. To our knowledge, ours is the first systematic analysis of this topic at the micro level. We find that the impact on new issuers is larger than on seasoned issuers and that most of the increase in the euro–denominated bond issuance by seasoned borrowers was along the " extensive " margin, i.e. borrowers switching currency denomination of their issues. Insofar as new entrants to the bond market will define the overall currency composition in the long run, these results imply that aggregate studies might be underestimating the euro effect. We also find that to a large extent the increase in euro issuance was " at the expense " of U.S. dollar issuance, suggesting that euro competes with the U.S. dollar as a currency of choice for international financial transactions. All errors are ours. All views presented in this paper are those of authors and do not represent the views of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco or Federal Reserve Board of Governors.
Effect of Fertilization Practice on Nitrate Accumulation and Leaching in Vegetable Greenhouse System

A leaching experiment was conducted on three level of total N soils transplanted with lettuce in packed soil columns. Nitrate content in the surface soil layer increased to 52.6, 92.8 and 92.1 mg kg-1 when 30 t ha-1 poultry manure was used alone in the low, medium and high level of total N soils. Measured leachate data showed that more nitrate was leached in the chemical fertilized soils in the low and high level of total N soils. In conclusion, the study clearly demonstrated that the appropriate application rate of poultry manure and chemical fertilizer with minimized nitrate leaching loss. Copyright © 2014 IFSA Publishing, S. L.
Do you want me to watch this ad on social media?: The effects of norms on online video ad watching

Abstract This study examines the influences of norms on consumers’ intentions to watch online video ads on social media. The social norms approach and the theory of reasoned action (TRA) were adopted as theoretical frameworks. In addition, the effects of interpersonal and social influences on the three personal-level norms were examined as the antecedents of normative perceptions. To test the hypothesized model, an online survey was conducted with 313 undergraduate students. A confirmatory factor analysis was used to validate the measurement constructs of the model, and a structural equation modeling was used to identify the relationships among constructs in the model. Findings indicate that personal injunctive norms and subjective norms were positively related to consumers’ intention to watch online video ads. Interpersonal and social influences were positively related to three normative perceptions regarding online video ad watching. The findings of this study contribute to the research stream on social norms approach and TRA and provide practical implications for advertising and marketing practitioners.
ELECTRON DENSITY DIAGNOSTIC FOR HOT PLASMAS IN THE CORONAL REGIME BY USING B-LIKE IONS

A line ratio of 3d–2p transition lines in boron-like spectra of Si x, S xii, Ar xiv, and Fe xxii has been investigated. Collisional-radiative model calculations reveal that the line ratio is sensitive to the electron density in ranges of ne = 4.0 × 107–3.0 × 1010 cm−3, 4.0 × 108–3.0 × 1011 cm−3, 3.0 × 109–4.0 × 1012 cm−3, and 2.0 × 1012–3.0 × 1015 cm−3, respectively. This complements the K-shell diagnostics of helium-like ions. By a comparison between the predicted and the measured values, effective electron densities in the electron beam ion trap (EBIT) plasmas, performed by Lepson and collaborators at the Lawrence Livermore EBIT, are estimated to be ne = 3.4+0.8−0.6 × 1010 cm−3 and 5.6+1.0−1.1 × 1010 cm−3 for sulfur and argon plasmas, respectively. In the case of argon, a good agreement is shown with the actual electron density derived from an N vi K-shell spectrum. We further explore the 3d–2p transition lines of Si x and S xii in the stellar coronal spectra measured with the low energy transmission grating spectrometer combined with a high resolution camera on board the Chandra X-Ray Observatory. The constrained electron densities show a good agreement with those determined from C v and O vii K-shell spectra.
Toward Normative MMPI-2 Profiles for Evangelical Missionaries in Candidate and Clinical Settings: Examining Differences by Setting, Generation, and Marital Status

In order to replicate and expand the work of Dimos (2013), we compiled the largest samples to date of MMPI-2 standard scale profiles among evangelical Christian missionary candidates (n =1227; 530 men and 696 women) and outpatients (n = 1431; 643 men and 788 women). Results indicated our candidate scale scores were remarkably similar to those reported by Dimos and together these datasets appear to converge on a reliable normative profile for this population. We also present a potential outpatient normative profile for our clinical sample. In distinguishing our samples from the MMPI-2 normative sample, we found that validity scale differences were most salient for the missionary candidates and several clinical scales provided the clearest contrasts for missionary outpatients. Potential profile shifts among successive generations were evident in the form of somewhat less defensiveness and, specific to outpatients, slightly more sensitivity and feelings of grievance. Finally, while the profiles of married and single candidates were essentially similar, among the clinical sample married missionaries appeared slightly more guarded and less distressed than their single counterparts.
Pulmonary endarterectomy: outcomes in patients aged >70.

OBJECTIVES Advanced age is not a barrier to cardiac surgery, with reports demonstrating excellent outcomes, but the effect of age on more complex surgery has not been studied. We assessed the outcomes of pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) surgery in patients aged >70. METHODS A retrospective review of consecutive patients who underwent PEA between January 2006 and March 2011 at a national referral centre. The total cohort was dichotomized according to age on the day of surgery, either below or above 70 years. Outcomes were in-hospital mortality, overall survival and the length of ICU and hospital stays. RESULTS Four hundred and eleven patients underwent PEA during the 5-year period. The mean age was 56.9 years (range, 17-84 years). The in-hospital mortality was 14 of 308 (4.6%) for patients <70 years compared with 8 of 103 (7.8%) for patients ≥70 years (P = 0.21). The overall survival at 1, 2 and 3 years was 91.4, 89.9 and 87.7% in the <70-year old group and 85.9, 84.1 and 84.1% in the >70-year old group (log-rank test, P = 0.07), respectively. The length of ICU and in-hospital stays was longer in the >70-year old group, by 1 and 2 days, respectively (P = 0.005 and 0.001). CONCLUSIONS PEA surgery in patients ≥70 years is safe and carries a comparable risk of early mortality in younger patients, but there is an increase in resource use due to longer ICU and hospital stays. Advanced age should be taken into consideration when assessing suitability for PEA, but age per se should not be a contraindication to surgery.
Exploring children's discourses of writing

Abstract This article reports on a study which was part of a two year writing project undertaken by a University in South East England with 17 primary schools. A survey sought the views of up to 565 children on the subject of writing. The analysis utilises Ivanič's (2004) discourses of writing framework as a heuristic and so provides a unique lens for a new understanding of children's ideological perspectives on writing and learning how to write. This study shows the development of learned or acquired skills and compliance discourses by the participating children within which accuracy and correctness overrides many other considerations for the use of the written word.
Comparative clustering analysis of variable stars in the Hipparcos, OGLE Large Magellanic Cloud, and CoRoT exoplanet databases

Context. Discovery of new variability classes in large surveys using multivariate statistics techniques such as clustering, relies heavily on the correct understanding of the distribution of known classes as point processes in parameter space. Aims. Our objective is to analyze the correspondence between the classical stellar variability types and the clusters found in the distribution of light curve parameters and colour indices of stars in the CoRoT exoplanet sample. The final aim is to help in the identification on new types of variability by first identifying the well known variables in the CoRoT sample. Methods. We apply unsupervised classification algorithms to identify clusters of variable stars from modes of the probability density distribution. We use reference variability databases (Hipparcos and OGLE) as a framework to calibrate the clustering methodology. Furthermore, we use the results from supervised classification methods to interpret the resulting clusters. Results. We interpret the clusters in the Hipparcos and OGLE LMC databases in terms of large-amplitude radial pulsators in the classical instability strip and of various types of eclipsing binaries. The Hipparcos data also provide clear distributions for low-amplitude nonradial pulsators. We show that the preselection of targets for the CoRoT exoplanet programme results in a completely different probability density landscape than the OGLE data, the interpretation of which involves mainly classes of low-amplitude variability in main-sequence stars. Our findings will be incorporated to improve the supervised classification used in the CoRoT catalogue production, once the existence of new classes or subtypes will be confirmed from complementary spectroscopic observations.
Parent-Child Physical Play With Rejected , Neglected , and Popular Boys

This study compares the parent-child interactions of rejected, neglected, and popular boys in a paradigm emphasizing physical play. Twelve boys, 3 to 5 years of age, of each sociomctric category were recruited from nursery schools and observed in interactions with their parents at home, It was found that the fathers of neglected boys engaged in less affectively arousing, physical play than the fathers of popular and rejected boys. In addition, there was more overstimulation and avoidance of stimulation among the rejected boys compared with the popular boys. The results indicate the importance of the regulation of affect for social competence and illustrate strong links between the parent and peer social systems.
Making waves round a structured cloak: lattices, negative refraction and fringes

Using the framework of transformation optics, this paper presents a detailed analysis of a non-singular square cloak for acoustic, out-of-plane shear elastic and electromagnetic waves. Analysis of wave propagation through the cloak is presented and accompanied by numerical illustrations. The efficacy of the regularized cloak is demonstrated and an objective numerical measure of the quality of the cloaking effect is provided. It is demonstrated that the cloaking effect persists over a wide range of frequencies. As a demonstration of the effectiveness of the regularized cloak, a Young's double slit experiment is presented. The stability of the interference pattern is examined when a cloaked and uncloaked obstacle are successively placed in front of one of the apertures. This novel link with a well-known quantum mechanical experiment provides an additional method through which the quality of cloaks may be examined. In the second half of the paper, it is shown that an approximate cloak may be constructed using a discrete lattice structure. The efficiency of the approximate lattice cloak is analysed and a series of illustrative simulations presented. It is demonstrated that effective cloaking may be obtained by using a relatively simple lattice structure, particularly, in the low-frequency regime.
The Detection of Circumnuclear X-Ray Emission from the Seyfert Galaxy NGC 3516

We present the first high-resolution, X-ray image of the circumnuclear regions of the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 3516, using the Chandra X-ray Observatory (CXO). All three of the CXO observations reported were performed with one of the two grating assemblies in place, and here we restrict our analysis to undispersed photons (i.e., those detected in the zeroth-order). A previously unknown X-ray source is detected ~6'' (1.1 h kpc) NNE of the nucleus (position angle ~29°) which we designate CXOU 110648.1+723412. Its spectrum can be characterized as a power law with a photon index Γ ~ 1.8-2.6, or as thermal emission with a temperature kT ~ 0.7-3 keV. Assuming a location within NGC 3516, isotropic emission implies a luminosity L ~ 2-8 × 1039 h ergs s-1 in the 0.4-2 keV band. If due to a single point source, the object is super-Eddington for a 1.4 M☉ neutron star. However, multiple sources or a small, extended source cannot be excluded using the current data. Large-scale extended X-ray emission is also detected out to ~10'' (~1.7 h kpc) from the nucleus to the NE and SW and is approximately aligned with the morphologies of the radio emission and extended narrow emission line region (ENLR). The mean luminosity of this emission is 1-5 × 1037 h ergs s-1 arcsec-2, in the 0.4-2 keV band. Unfortunately, the current data cannot usefully constrain its spectrum. These results are consistent with earlier suggestions of circumnuclear X-ray emission in NGC 3516. If the extended emission is due to scattering of the nuclear X-ray continuum, then the pressure in the X-ray-emitting gas is at least 2 orders of magnitude too small to provide the confining medium for the ENLR clouds.
Road course estimation in a night vision application using a digital map, a camera sensor and a prototypical imaging radar system

This contribution presents a road course estimation system during night which covers distances up to 120 m in rural environment. This is essential for upcoming warning systems to decide, whether a detected object is on the road and thus of immediate importance. In order to realize a robust road course detection system we present a fusion system that combines the information provided by a prototypical imaging radar system, a digital map and a night vision camera sensor. The digital map is used to calculate the shape of the road, an ego motion estimator determines heading and position of the vehicle and a particle filter combines features from the camera and the radar sensor in order to match the road shape with the road visible in the image.
Predictability Analysis for an Automated Seizure Prediction Algorithm

Epileptic seizures of mesial temporal origin are preceded by changes in signal properties detectable in the intracranial EEG. A series of computer algorithms designed to detect the changes in spatiotemporal dynamics of the EEG signals and to warn of impending seizures have been developed. In this study, we evaluated the performance of a novel adaptive threshold seizure warning algorithm (ATSWA), which detects the convergence in Short-Term Maximum Lyapunov Exponent (STLmax) values among critical intracranial EEG electrode sites, as a function of different seizure warning horizons (SWHs). The ATSWA algorithm was compared to two statistical based naïve prediction algorithms (periodic and random) that do not employ EEG information. For comparison purposes, three performance indices “area above ROC curve” (AAC), “predictability power” (PP) and “fraction of time under false warnings” (FTF) were defined and the effect of SWHs on these indices was evaluated. The results demonstrate that this EEG based seizure warning method performed significantly better (P < 0.05) than both naïve prediction schemes. Our results also show that the performance indexes are dependent on the length of the SWH. These results suggest that the EEG based analysis has the potential to be a useful tool for seizure warning.
Joint 3d Estimation of Vehicles and Scene Flow

Abstract. driving. While much progress has been made in recent years, imaging conditions in natural outdoor environments are still very challenging for current reconstruction and recognition methods. In this paper, we propose a novel unified approach which reasons jointly about 3D scene flow as well as the pose, shape and motion of vehicles in the scene. Towards this goal, we incorporate a deformable CAD model into a slanted-plane conditional random field for scene flow estimation and enforce shape consistency between the rendered 3D models and the parameters of all superpixels in the image. The association of superpixels to objects is established by an index variable which implicitly enables model selection. We evaluate our approach on the challenging KITTI scene flow dataset in terms of object and scene flow estimation. Our results provide a prove of concept and demonstrate the usefulness of our method.
A SEMANTIC CONCEPT FOR THE MAPPING OF LOW-LEVEL ANALYSIS DATA TO HIGH-LEVEL SCENE DESCRIPTION

Along with the growing need for security, an increasing amount of surveillance content is created. To enable quick and reliable searches on the output of hundreds or thousands of surveillance sensors installed at a single facility, it is indispensable to index the content in advance. For this purpose, the concept of Smart Indexing and Retrieval (SIR) enables cost efficient searches by generating high-level meta data. As creating this meta data manually becomes more and more difficult to handle in reasonable time at reasonable costs, this has to be done automatically from the low-level features extracted by content analysis algorithms. Whereas formerly proposed concepts have been strongly application dependent in this paper a generic concept for mapping the results of the low-level content analysis data to semantic event descriptions is introduced. The constituting elements of this approach and their underlying concepts as well as an introduction to their application are presented. Finally, an example description of a scene is given and the applicability of the approach to great variety of application scenarios is demonstrated.
Baroreflex Sensitivity and Its Response to Deep Breathing Predict Increase in Blood Pressure in Type 1 Diabetes in a 5-Year Follow-Up

OBJECTIVE We have recently demonstrated that early autonomic dysfunction, defined as low baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), could be functional and reversible. However, potential temporal changes in BRS have not yet been addressed by longitudinal studies in type 1 diabetes. Moreover, it is not known whether low BRS predisposes to hypertension or other nonfatal diabetes complications. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We conducted a 5-year prospective study including 80 patients with type 1 diabetes. We measured ambulatory blood pressure and autonomic function tests. BRS was assessed by six different methods during spontaneous, controlled, and slow deep breathing at baseline and follow-up. RESULTS Spontaneous BRS declined over time (BRSaverage 16.2 ± 0.8 vs. 13.2 ± 0.8 ms/mmHg; P < 0.01), but the change was not significant when adjusted for time of follow-up. Low BRS at baseline did not progress to cardiac autonomic neuropathy but predicted an increase in the nighttime systolic blood pressure (BRSaverage r = −0.37; P < 0.05). Additionally, BRS response to deep breathing at baseline predicted an increase in 24-h ambulatory blood pressure (BRS-αLF r = 0.323–0.346; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The decline in spontaneous BRS over time in patients with type 1 diabetes seems to be due to normal aging, which supports a functional etiology behind early autonomic derangements. Decreased resting BRS and the magnitude of improvement by deep breathing may be due to sympathovagal imbalance, a well-known mechanism in the development of hypertension. Early interventions aiming to reduce sympathetic overactivity in patients with low BRS might delay the development of hypertension.
The use of rapid dengue diagnostic tests in a routine clinical setting in a dengue-endemic area of Colombia

There is insufficient evidence of the usefulness of dengue diagnostic tests under routine conditions. We sought to analyse how physicians are using dengue diagnostics to inform research and development. Subjects attending 14 health institutions in an endemic area of Colombia with either a clinical diagnosis of dengue or for whom a dengue test was ordered were included in the study. Patterns of test-use are described herein. Factors associated with the ordering of dengue diagnostic tests were identified using contingency tables, nonparametric tests and logistic regression. A total of 778 subjects were diagnosed with dengue by the treating physician, of whom 386 (49.5%) were tested for dengue. Another 491 dengue tests were ordered in subjects whose primary diagnosis was not dengue. Severe dengue classification [odds ratio (OR) 2.2; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1-4.5], emergency consultation (OR 1.9; 95% CI 1.4-2.5) and month of the year (OR 3.1; 95% CI 1.7-5.5) were independently associated with ordering of dengue tests. Dengue tests were used both to rule in and rule out diagnosis. The latter use is not justified by the sensitivity of current rapid dengue diagnostic tests. Ordering of dengue tests appear to depend on a combination of factors, including physician and institutional preferences, as well as other patient and epidemiological factors.
A Meta Regression Analysis of Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration in Corn Belt States: Implication for Cellulosic Biofuel Production

This study investigated the extent to which statistical heterogeneity among results of multiple studies on soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration rate in response to conventional tillage (CT) and no-till (NT) can be related to one or more characteristics of the studies. The analysis employed a random effect meta-regression technique using the data obtained from recently published experimental trials under continuous corn (CC) and corn soybean (CS) rotation system from selected Corn Belt states. Regarding the difference in the rate of SOC sequestration between NT and CT, our results shows that the percentage of heterogeneity in the true treatment effect that is attributable to between-study variability is 49%, whereas 51 % is attributable to within-study sampling variability. We find that 26% of the between-study variance is explained by the explanatory variables considered, and the remaining between-study variance appears almost zero. The regression results support the argument that the difference between NT and CT decreases as measurement depth increases. The results also show that the higher the initial SOC the higher the NT SOC sequestration rate relative to the CT sequestration rate. A test for publication biases in the analysis indicated no evidence for the presence of small-study effects.