Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hot Markets, Investor Sentiment, and IPO Pricing

Our model of the initial public offering process links the three main empirical IPO ‘anomalies’ – underpricing, hot issue markets, and long-run underperformance – and traces them to a common source of inefficiency. We relate hot IPO markets (such as the 1999/2000 market for Internet IPOs) to the presence of a class of investors who are ‘irrational’ in the sense of having exuberant expectations regarding future performance. Underpricing and long-run underperformance emerge as underwriters attempt to maximize profits from the sale of equity, at the expense of these exuberant investors. Underpricing serves to compensate regular IPO investors for their role in restricting the supply of available shares and maintaining prices. The model is shown to be consistent with many aspects of the IPO process. It also generates a number of new empirical predictions.
Assessing the Economic Impacts of Events: A Computable General Equilibrium Approach

This article explores the use of computable general equilibrium (CGE) analysis in evaluating the economic impacts of special events. It is argued that CGE analysis is preferred to input-output (I-O) approaches for assessing other than local economic impacts. The article illustrates several differences between the alternative forms of analysis in event assessment. These include assessing the differential effects of events on the host region, other regions, and nationally and the ability to estimate interindustry effects. The article then shows how CGE models can be adapted to estimate the displacement effects of events, their fiscal impacts, intraregional effects, event subsidies, and multistate effects. The article also discusses how event impacts will vary depending on the extent of integration between regional and national resource markets and regional and national product and services markets and how labor markets are modeled.
Predicting and Characterising User Impact on Twitter

The open structure of online social networks and their uncurated nature give rise to problems of user credibility and influence. In this paper, we address the task of predicting the impact of Twitter users based only on features under their direct control, such as usage statistics and the text posted in their tweets.We approach the problem as regression and apply linear as well as non-linear learning methods to predict a user impact score, estimated by combining the numbers of the user's followers, followees and listings. The experimental results point out that a strong prediction performance is achieved, especially for models based on the Gaussian Processes framework. Hence, we can interpret various modelling components, transforming them into indirect 'suggestions' for impact boosting. © 2014 Association for Computational Linguistics.
Development of cortical responses to optic flow

Humans discriminate approaching objects from receding ones shortly after birth, and optic flow associated with self-motion may activate distinctive brain networks, including the human MT+ complex. We sought evidence for evoked brain activity that distinguished radial motion from other optic flow patterns, such as translation or rotation by recording steady-state visual evoked potentials (ssVEPs), in both adults and 4–6 month-old infants to direction-reversing optic flow patterns. In adults, radial flow evoked distinctive brain responses in both the time and frequency domains. Differences between expansion/contraction and both translation and rotation were especially strong in lateral channels (PO7 and PO8), and there was an asymmetry between responses to expansion and contraction. In contrast, infants' evoked response waveforms to all flow types were equivalent, and showed no evidence of the expansion/contraction asymmetry. Infants' responses were largest and most reliable for the translation patterns in which all dots moved in the same direction. This pattern of response is consistent with an account in which motion processing systems detecting locally uniform motion develop earlier than do systems specializing in complex, globally non-uniform patterns of motion, and with evidence suggesting that motion processing undergoes prolonged postnatal development.
Contribution towards a Metabolite Profile of the Detoxification of Benzoic Acid through Glycine Conjugation: An Intervention Study

Benzoic acid is widely used as a preservative in food products and is detoxified in humans through glycine conjugation. Different viewpoints prevail on the physiological significance of the glycine conjugation reaction and concerns have been raised on potential public health consequences following uncontrolled benzoic acid ingestion. We performed a metabolomics study which used commercial benzoic acid containing flavored water as vehicle for designed interventions, and report here on the controlled consumption of the benzoic acid by 21 cases across 6 time points for a total of 126 time points. Metabolomics data from urinary samples analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy were generated in a time-dependent cross-over study. We used ANOVA-simultaneous component analysis (ASCA), repeated measures analysis of variance (RM-ANOVA) and unfolded principal component analysis (unfolded PCA) to supplement conventional statistical methods to uncover fully the metabolic perturbations due to the xenobiotic intervention, encapsulated in the metabolomics tensor (three-dimensional matrices having cases, spectral areas and time as axes). Identification of the biologically important metabolites by the novel combination of statistical methods proved the power of this approach for metabolomics studies having complex data structures in general. The study disclosed a high degree of inter-individual variation in detoxification of the xenobiotic and revealed metabolic information, indicating that detoxification of benzoic acid through glycine conjugation to hippuric acid does not indicate glycine depletion, but is supplemented by ample glycine regeneration. The observations lend support to the view of maintenance of glycine homeostasis during detoxification. The study indicates also that time-dependent metabolomics investigations, using designed interventions, provide a way of interpreting the variation induced by the different factors of a designed experiment–an approach with potential to advance significantly our understanding of normal and pathophysiological perturbations of endogenous or exogenous origin.
Effect of chronic lead intoxication on the distribution and elimination of amoxicillin in goats

A study of amoxicillin pharmacokinetics was conducted in healthy goats and goats with chronic lead intoxication. The intoxicated goats had increased serum concentrations of liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase and γ-glutamyl transferase), blood urea nitrogen, and reactivated δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase compared to the controls. Following intravenous amoxicillin (10 mg/kg bw) in control and lead-intoxicated goats, elimination half-lives were 4.14 and 1.26 h, respectively. The volumes of distribution based on the terminal phase were 1.19 and 0.38 L/kg, respectively, and those at steady-state were 0.54 and 0.18 L/kg, respectively. After intramuscular (IM) amoxicillin (10 mg/kg bw) in lead-intoxicated goats and control animals, the absorption, distribution, and elimination of the drug were more rapid in lead-intoxicated goats than the controls. Peak serum concentrations of 21.89 and 12.19 µg/mL were achieved at 1 h and 2 h, respectively, in lead-intoxicated and control goats. Amoxicillin bioavailability in the lead-intoxicated goats decreased 20% compared to the controls. After amoxicillin, more of the drug was excreted in the urine from lead-intoxicated goats than the controls. Our results suggested that lead intoxication in goats increases the rate of amoxicillin absorption after IM administration and distribution and elimination. Thus, lead intoxication may impair the therapeutic effectiveness of amoxicillin.
Determinants and Consequences of Fiscal Consolidations in OECD Countries

This paper provides evidence on the determinants and channels through which fiscal contractions influence the dynamics of the debt-to-GDP ratio and GDP growth. Using data from a panel of OECD countries from 1970 to today, the paper shows that the success of fiscal adjustments in decreasing the debt-to-GDP ratio depends on the size of the fiscal contraction but not on its composition. The rate of growth of output is important, but higher GDP growth does not drive the success of a fiscal stabilization. Moreover, the political orientation and the strength of the government in office matter too. The paper also shows that whether a fiscal adjustment is expansionary depends largely on the composition of the fiscal manoeuvre and that the effects of the composition on growth work mostly through the labor market rather than through its effect on agents’ expectations of future fiscal policy. Finally, the evidence suggests that successful and expansionary fiscal contractions are not the result of accompanying expansionary monetary policy or exchange rate devaluations.
The effects of gait time and trunk acceleration ratio during stair climbing in old-old adult females

[Purpose] This study investigated the effects of gait time and trunk acceleration ratio in old-old adult females during stair climbing. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-five older adult females who were able to walk independently volunteered for this study and were categorized into two age groups (older adults or old-old adults). Gait time and trunk acceleration ratio were measured using an accelerometer during stair climbing. [Results] Gait time and trunk acceleration ratio when climbing stairs were significantly higher in the old-old age group than in the older adults group. [Conclusions] These findings suggest that old-old females have decreased upper trunk control. In addition, gait time and the trunk acceleration ratio during stair climbing are useful clinical markers for predicting function and balance control ability in old-old elderly populations.
Interventions With Adherence-Promoting Components in Pediatric Type 1 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE To review interventions with adherence-promoting components and document their impact on glycemic control via meta-analysis. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Data from 15 studies that met the following criteria were subjected to meta-analysis: 1) randomized, controlled trial, 2) study sample included youth aged <19 years, 3) youth had type 1 diabetes, 4) study reported results on glycemic control; and 5) study reported use of adherence- or self-management–promoting components. RESULTS The 15 studies included 997 youth with type 1 diabetes. The mean effect size for pre- to posttreatment change for the intervention versus control group comparison was 0.11 (95% CI −0.01 to 0.23). This is a small effect, demonstrating very modest improvements in glycemic control. However, analysis for the pre- to posttreatment effects for the intervention group alone did show significant variability [Q(14) = 33.11; P < 0.05]. Multicomponent interventions, those that targeted emotional, social, or family processes that facilitate diabetes management, were more potent than interventions just targeting a direct, behavioral process (e.g., increase in blood glucose monitoring frequency). CONCLUSIONS Interventions that focus on direct, behavioral processes and neglect emotional, social, and family processes are unlikely to have an impact on glycemic control; multicomponent interventions showed more robust effects on A1C. Future clinical research should focus on refining interventions and gathering more efficacy and effectiveness data on health outcomes of the pediatric patients treated with these interventions.
F RAMING T HEORY

■ Abstract We review the meaning of the concept of framing, approaches to studying framing, and the effects of framing on public opinion. After deﬁning framing and framing effects, we articulate a method for identifying frames in communication and a psychological model for understanding how such frames affect public opinion. We also discuss the relationship between framing and priming, outline future research directions, and describe the normative implications of framing
Serous Pigment Epithelium Detachment Associated with Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Possible Treatment Approach

To evaluate the effects of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (TA) as a monotherapy of serous Pigment Epithelial Detachment (PED) associated with AMD (Age-Related Macular Degeneration), this study has been performed. Seventeen patients (19 eyes) with serous PED associated with AMD were observed. All patients received 0.1ml (4mg) of intravitreal TA. The mean follow-up period was 18 months. Re-attachment of serous PED was observed in 37% of cases to the end of follow-up. In other cases, the height and length of serous PED significantly decreased. Visual acuity remained stable in all cases. No evidence of RPE tear or CNV development were noted. Before TA administration, intraocular pressure (IOP) was 20.18 ± 2.58 mmHg however, after intravitreal TA, IOP increased gradually and reached its maximum of all period of observation (23.25±1.85mmHg) six months after injection (P=0.031). In 7 (37%) of the cases, progression to cataract was observed after treatment. After surgery, the visual acuity in all cases increased by 0.2 to 0.5. As a conclusion, intravitreal TA decreases of both the height and length of serous PED associated with AMD after 18 months follow-up in most cases. The presented data provides support for the hypothesis regarding the possibility of monotherapy of serous PED with intravitreal TA.
An Iterative and Agile Process Model for Teaching Software Engineering

This paper describes the use of an iterative and agile process model in a software engineering undergraduate course. The proposed model serves both as an educational technique (for teachers) and as a subject of learning (for students). Details are given of the procedures and methods used and related management aspects are also addressed. The results obtained are discussed and compared with a previous experience using a weighted process model. This particular approach has been found a valuable and high satisfactory experience for both students and teachers
Age-related changes in clinical parameters and their associations with common complex diseases

The aim of the present study was to clarify the age-related changes in 13 clinical parameters and their associations with common complex diseases. Study subjects comprised 6,027 community-dwelling individuals who were recruited to a population-based longitudinal genetic epidemiological study. Bonferroni's correction was applied to compensate for multiple comparisons of association and P<0.0011 was considered statistically significant. Body mass index and waist circumference increased with age up to ~50 years and decreased thereafter in men, whereas the two parameters increased linearly with age in women. The prevalence of obesity was highest (41.1%) in men aged 40–49 years, after which it decreased with age. The prevalence of obesity in women increased with age to ≤32.2% in those aged ≥70 years. Systolic and mean blood pressure (BP), as well as pulse pressure, increased linearly with age in all subjects, whereas diastolic BP increased with age up to ~60 years and subsequently decreased. The prevalence of hypertension increased with age to ≤69.9 or 68.5% at age ≥70 years in men and women, respectively. The fasting plasma glucose level, blood hemoglobin A1c content and the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus increased gradually with age in men and women. The serum triglyceride concentration increased with age up to ~50 years and decreased thereafter in men, whereas it increased linearly with age in women. The prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia increased to a peak of 56.8% at age 50–59 years and subsequently decreased in men, whereas in women it increased with age to ≤34.9% at ≥70 years. The serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol concentration increased with age up to ~50 years and decreased thereafter in women. The prevalence of hypo-HDL-cholesterolemia increased gradually with age in women. The serum concentration of low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol increased with age up to ~50 years and subsequently declined in men, whereas it increased linearly with age in women. The prevalence of hyper-LDL-cholesterolemia increased with age to ≤53.4% at 50–59 years in men and ≤63.9% at 60–69 years in women and it decreased thereafter in the two genders. The serum creatinine concentration and the estimated glomerular filtration rate increased or decreased linearly with age, respectively. The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) increased with age to ≤45.1 or 39.6% at ≥70 years in men and women, respectively. Therefore, these results indicate that 13 clinical parameters, as well as the prevalence of obesity, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and CKD, were significantly associated with age. They may therefore prove informative for the prevention of these diseases and contribute to the achievement of a healthy long life and successful aging.
SNAP 19 mediates the assembly of a functional core promoter complex ( SNAPc ) shared by RNA polymerases II and III

The basal transcription factor SNAPc binds to the PSE, a core element in the RNA polymerase II and III human snRNA promoters. SNAPc contains at least four subunits, but it has not been possible to assemble a fully defined recombinant SNAPc. Here we reconstitute SNAPc from five recombinant subunits, SNAP43, SNAP45, SNAP50, SNAP190, and a newly identified subunit, SNAP19. This recombinant complex binds specifically to the PSE and directs both RNA polymerase II and III snRNA gene transcription. Thus, the same core SNAPc nucleates the assembly of two classes of initiation complexes. [
Video-Based Person Re-Identification by Simultaneously Learning Intra-Video and Inter-Video Distance Metrics

Video-based person re-identification (re-id) is an important application in practice. Since large variations exist between different pedestrian videos, as well as within each video, it is challenging to conduct re-id between the pedestrian videos. In this paper, we propose a simultaneous intra-video and inter-video distance learning (SI2DL) approach for the video-based person re-id. Specifically, SI2DL simultaneously learns an intra-video distance metric and an inter-video distance metric from the training videos. The intra-video distance metric is used to make each video more compact, and the inter-video one is used to ensure that the distance between truly matching videos is smaller than that between wrong matching videos. Considering that the goal of distance learning is to make truly matching video pairs from different persons be well separated with each other, we also propose a pair separation-based SI2DL (P-SI2DL). P-SI2DL aims to learn a pair of distance metrics, under which any two truly matching video pairs can be well separated. Experiments on four public pedestrian image sequence data sets show that our approaches achieve the state-of-the-art performance.
Breeding system diversification and evolution in American Poa supersect. Homalopoa (Poaceae: Poeae: Poinae)

Background and Aims Poa subgenus Poa supersect. Homalopoa has diversified extensively in the Americas. Over half of the species in the supersection are diclinous; most of these are from the New World, while a few are from South-East Asia. Diclinism in Homalopoa can be divided into three main types: gynomonoecism, gynodioecism and dioecism. Here the sampling of species of New World Homalopoa is expanded to date its origin and diversification in North and South America and examine the evolution and origin of the breeding system diversity. Methods A total of 124 specimens were included in the matrix, of which 89 are species of Poa supersect. Homalopoa sections Acutifoliae, Anthochloa, Brizoides, Dasypoa, Dioicopoa, Dissanthelium, Homalopoa sensu lato (s.l.), Madropoa and Tovarochloa, and the informal Punapoa group. Bayesian and parsimony analyses were conducted on the data sets based on four markers: the nuclear ribosomal internal tanscribed spacer (ITS) and external transcribed spacer (ETS), and plastid trnT-L and trnL-F. Dating analyses were performed on a reduced Poa matrix and enlarged Poaceae outgroup to utilize fossils as calibration points. A relaxed Bayesian molecular clock method was used. Key Results Hermaphroditism appears to be pleisiomorphic in the monophyletic Poa supersect. Homalopoa, which is suggested to have originated in Eurasia 8·4–4·2 million years ago (Mya). The ancestor of Poa supersect. Homalopoa radiated throughout the New World in the Late Miocene–Early Pliocene, with major lineages originating during the Pliocene to Pleistocene (5–2 Mya). Breeding systems are linked to geographic areas, showing an evolutionary pattern associated with different habitats. At least three major pathways from hermaphroditism to diclinism are inferred in New World Homalopoa: two leading to dioecism, one via gynodioecism in South America and another directly from hermaphroditism in North America, a result that needs to be checked with a broader sampling of diclinous species in North America. A third pathway leads from hermaphroditism to gynomonoecism in Andean species of South America, with strictly pistillate species evolving in the highest altitudes. Conclusions Divergence dating provides a temporal context to the evolution of breeding systems in New World Poa supersect. Homalopoa. The results are consistent with the infrageneric classification in part; monophyletic sections are confirmed, it is proposed to reclassify species of sect. Acutifoliae, Dasypoa and Homalopoa s.l. and it is acknowledged that revision of the infrageneric taxonomy of the gynomonoecious species is needed.
Long Term Recordings with Immobile Silicon Probes in the Mouse Cortex

A key experimental approach in neuroscience involves measuring neuronal activity in behaving animals with extracellular chronic recordings. Such chronic recordings were initially made with single electrodes and tetrodes, and are now increasingly performed with high-density, high-count silicon probes. A common way to achieve long-term chronic recording is to attach the probes to microdrives that progressively advance them into the brain and isolate them from mechanical forces. Here we report, however, that such microdrives are not strictly necessary. Indeed, we obtained high-quality recordings in both head-fixed and freely moving mice for several months following the implantation of immobile chronic probes. Probes implanted into the primary visual cortex yielded well-isolated single units whose spike waveform and orientation tuning were highly reproducible over time. Although electrode drift was not completely absent, at least 70% of neurons retained their waveform across days. Thus, immobile silicon probes represent a straightforward and reliable technique to obtain stable, long-term population recordings in mice, and to follow the activity of populations of well-isolated neurons over multiple days.
State Merit Aid Programs and College Major: A Focus on STEM

Since 1991 more than two dozen states have adopted merit-based student financial aid programs, intended at least in part to increase the stock of human capital by improving the knowledge and skills of the state’s workforce. At the same time, there has been growing concern that the United States is producing too few college graduates in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Using microdata from the American Community Survey, this paper examines whether recently adopted state merit aid programs have affected college major decisions, with a focus on STEM fields. We find consistent evidence that state merit programs did in fact reduce the likelihood that a young person in the state will earn a STEM degree.