Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Liquidity and Credit Default Swap

We present an empirical study of the pricing effect of liquidity in the credit default swaps (CDS) market. We construct liquidity proxies to capture various facets of CDS liquidity including adverse selection, search frictions, and inventory costs. We show that the liquidity effect on CDS spreads is significant with an estimated liquidity premium on par with those of Treasury bonds and corporate bonds. Our finding of cross-sectional variations in the liquidity effect highlights the search-based over-the-counter market structure and the interplay between search friction and adverse selection in CDS trading. Using liquidity betas and volume respectively to measure liquidity risk, we find supporting evidence for liquidity risk being priced beyond liquidity level in the CDS market. JEL Classification: G12; G13; E43; E44
A comparative study of Candida albicans mean colony counts and blood group antigens in the saliva of healthy subjects

Background: Candida albicans is the most common opportunistic fungal species in the oral cavity. Various factors associated with C. albicans infection have been evaluated so far. In some studies, the relationship between the blood group antigens and C. albicans has been discussed. The aim of this study was to assess mean C. albicans colony counts in the saliva of healthy subjects and its relationship with ABO blood groups. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional/analytical study was performed in the Oral Medicine Department, School of Dentistry, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Unstimulated whole saliva samples were obtained from 300 healthy subjects, including 100 individuals with blood group O, 100 with blood group A and 100 with blood group B. The samples were cultured on Sabouraud's dextrose agar media to determine the means of C. albicans colonies. Data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney statistical tests and SPSS 16. Statistical significance was defined at P < 0.05. Results: The samples included 156 males and 144 females with a mean age of 27.52 years. The mean colony counts in the saliva of individuals with blood groups O, A, and B were 26.4, 19.84, and 21.23, respectively. There were no significant differences between the three groups (P = 0.280). Conclusion: Although the mean C. albicans colony counts in individuals with blood group O were more than those with other blood groups, the differences were not statistically significant. More research studies are needed in order to prove the role of blood groups in susceptibility to candidiasis.
Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Lyssavirus-Induced Apoptosis

ABSTRACT Lyssaviruses are highly neurotropic viruses associated with neuronal apoptosis. Previous observations have indicated that the matrix proteins (M) of some lyssaviruses induce strong neuronal apoptosis. However, the molecular mechanism(s) involved in this phenomenon is still unknown. We show that for Mokola virus (MOK), a lyssavirus of low pathogenicity, the M (M-MOK) targets mitochondria, disrupts the mitochondrial morphology, and induces apoptosis. Our analysis of truncated M-MOK mutants suggests that the information required for efficient mitochondrial targeting and dysfunction, as well as caspase-9 activation and apoptosis, is held between residues 46 and 110 of M-MOK. We used a yeast two-hybrid approach, a coimmunoprecipitation assay, and confocal microscopy to demonstrate that M-MOK physically associates with the subunit I of the cytochrome c (cyt-c) oxidase (CcO) of the mitochondrial respiratory chain; this is in contrast to the M of the highly pathogenic Thailand lyssavirus (M-THA). M-MOK expression induces a significant decrease in CcO activity, which is not the case with M-THA. M-MOK mutations (K77R and N81E) resulting in a similar sequence to M-THA at positions 77 and 81 annul cyt-c release and apoptosis and restore CcO activity. As expected, the reverse mutations, R77K and E81N, introduced in M-THA induce a phenotype similar to that due to M-MOK. These features indicate a novel mechanism for energy depletion during lyssavirus-induced apoptosis.
New insights into amino acid metabolism, β-cell function and diabetes

Specific amino acids are now known to acutely and chronically regulate insulin secretion from pancreatic beta-cells in vivo and in vitro. Understanding the molecular mechanisms by which amino acids regulate insulin secretion may identify novel targets for future diabetes therapies. Mitochondrial metabolism is crucial for the coupling of amino acid and glucose recognition to the exocytosis of the insulin granules. This is illustrated by in vitro and in vivo observations discussed in the present review. Mitochondria generate ATP, which is the main coupling factor in insulin secretion; however, the subsequent Ca2+ signal in the cytosol is necessary, but not sufficient, for full development of sustained insulin secretion. Hence mitochondria generate ATP and other coupling factors serving as fuel sensors for the control of the exocytotic process. Numerous studies have sought to identify the factors that mediate the amplifying pathway over the Ca2+ signal in nutrient-stimulated insulin secretion. Predominantly, these factors are nucleotides (GTP, ATP, cAMP and NADPH), although metabolites have also been proposed, such as long-chain acyl-CoA derivatives and the key amino acid glutamate. This scenario highlights further the importance of the key enzymes or transporters, glutamate dehydrogenase, the aspartate and alanine aminotransferases and the malate/aspartate shuttle, in the control of insulin secretion. Therefore amino acids may play a direct or indirect (via generation of putative messengers of mitochondrial origin) role in insulin secretion.
Design of an Optimum Superdirective Beamformer Through Generalized Directivity Maximization

Maximization of the directivity with a constraint on the lower bound of the white noise gain is a typical strategy used to attain robust performance in superdirective arrays. However, array imperfections and sensor mismatches significantly reduce the nominal directivity, even in robust designs. We focus on the generalized directivity (i.e., the directivity of the mean beam power pattern, computed using the probability density functions of the array errors) as a reliable metric to assess the average performance. We show that the generalized directivity is an extension of the nominal directivity, corresponds to the array gain when the array errors are considered, and is strictly related to the mean directivity. We demonstrate that, unlike the mean directivity, the generalized directivity of a linear array (under fair assumptions for gain, phase, and position errors) can be computed in closed form. Starting from this result, we propose a method to analytically compute, through the generalized eigenvalues, the weight vector that maximizes the generalized directivity. The numerical results confirm that maximizing the performance by setting a lower bound for the white noise gain a priori is a critical operation. Differently, maximization of the generalized directivity directly provides the optimum average performance. Notable advantages in designing maximum directivity arrays and in achieving the maximum degree of superdirectivity are reported, particularly for linear arrays steered at end-fire.
Rotations and Abundances of Blue Horizontal-Branch Stars in Globular Cluster M15

High-resolution optical spectra of 18 blue horizontal-branch stars in the globular cluster M15 indicate that their stellar rotation rates and photospheric compositions vary strongly as a function of effective temperature. Among the cooler stars in the sample, at Teff ~ 8500 K, metal abundances are in rough agreement with the canonical cluster metallicity, and the v sin i rotations appear to have a bimodal distribution, with eight stars at v sin i < 15 km s-1 and two stars at v sin i ~ 35 km s-1. Most of the stars at Teff ≥ 10,000 K, however, are slowly rotating, v sin i < 7 km s-1, and their iron and titanium are enhanced by a factor of 300 to solar abundance levels. Magnesium maintains a nearly constant abundance over the entire range of Teff, and helium is depleted by factors of 10-30 in three of the hotter stars. Diffusion effects in the stellar atmospheres are the most likely explanation for these large differences in composition. Our results are qualitatively very similar to those previously reported for M13 and NGC 6752, but with even larger enhancement amplitudes, presumably due to the increased efficiency of radiative levitation at lower intrinsic [Fe/H]. We also see evidence for faster stellar rotation explicitly preventing the onset of the diffusion mechanisms among a subset of the hotter stars.
Understanding Political Participation: Green Party Membership in Scotland

Contents: Introduction The Greens in Scotland: a record of electoral events Explaining participation: learning from social movement approaches Who were the Scottish Greens in 1990? How and why did the 1990 members join? When the members joined: assessing the 1989/1990 joiner The members in 1997 New members, old motives? Comparing Scottish Green Party members 1990 and 2002 Conclusion Bibliography Index.
Dynamic Games and the Time Inconsistency of Optimal Policy in Open Economies

In this paper the Maximum Principle is used to derive optimal policies for linear-quadratic, continuous-time economic systems where there may be more than one policy-maker and where the private sector may have rational expectations. The analogy between solving full-information differential games and designing policy in the presence of forward-looking expectations is explored first, before these two problems are considered in combination. Both the "term inconsistent" optimal policy which arises from strategic asymmetries, and various time consistent alternatives are discussed; and the approach is illustrated with an application to fiscal stabilisation policy in a Common Market.
Long-term antibacterial efficacy of air plasma-activated water

Indirect air dielectric barrier discharge in close proximity to water creates an acidified, nitrogen-oxide containing solution known as plasma-activated water (PAW), which remains antibacterial for several days. Suspensions of E. coli were exposed to PAW for either 15 min or 3 h over a 7-day period after PAW generation. Both exposure times yielded initial antibacterial activity corresponding to a ∼5-log reduction in cell viability, which decreased at differing rates over 7 days to negligible activity and a 2.4-log reduction for 15 min and 3 h exposures, respectively. The solution remained at pH ∼2.7 for this period and initially included hydrogen peroxide, nitrate and nitrite anions. The solution composition varied significantly over this time, with hydrogen peroxide and nitrite diminishing within a few days, during which the antibacterial efficacy of 15 min exposures decreased significantly, while that of 3 h exposures produced a 5-log reduction or more. These results highlight the complexity of PAW solutions where multiple chemical components exert varying biological effects on differing time scales.
Responses of leaf traits to climatic gradients: Adaptive variation versus compositional shifts

Abstract. Dynamic global vegetation models (DGVMs) typically rely on plant functional types (PFTs), which are assigned distinct environmental tolerances and replace one another progressively along environmental gradients. Fixed values of traits are assigned to each PFT; modelled trait variation along gradients is thus driven by PFT replacement. But empirical studies have revealed "universal" scaling relationships (quantitative trait variations with climate that are similar within and between species, PFTs and communities); and continuous, adaptive trait variation has been proposed to replace PFTs as the basis for next-generation DGVMs. Here we analyse quantitative leaf-trait variation on long temperature and moisture gradients in China with a view to understanding the relative importance of PFT replacement vs. continuous adaptive variation within PFTs. Leaf area (LA), specific leaf area (SLA), leaf dry matter content (LDMC) and nitrogen content of dry matter were measured on all species at 80 sites ranging from temperate to tropical climates and from dense forests to deserts. Chlorophyll fluorescence traits and carbon, phosphorus and potassium contents were measured at 47 sites. Generalized linear models were used to relate log-transformed trait values to growing-season temperature and moisture indices, with or without PFT identity as a predictor, and to test for differences in trait responses among PFTs. Continuous trait variation was found to be ubiquitous. Responses to moisture availability were generally similar within and between PFTs, but biophysical traits (LA, SLA and LDMC) of forbs and grasses responded differently from woody plants. SLA and LDMC responses to temperature were dominated by the prevalence of evergreen PFTs with thick, dense leaves at the warm end of the gradient. Nutrient (N, P and K) responses to climate gradients were generally similar within all PFTs. Area-based nutrients generally declined with moisture; Narea and Karea declined with temperature, but Parea increased with temperature. Although the adaptive nature of many of these trait-climate relationships is understood qualitatively, a key challenge for modelling is to predict them quantitatively. Models must take into account that community-level responses to climatic gradients can be influenced by shifts in PFT composition, such as the replacement of deciduous by evergreen trees, which may run either parallel or counter to trait variation within PFTs. The importance of PFT shifts varies among traits, being important for biophysical traits but less so for physiological and chemical traits. Finally, models should take account of the diversity of trait values that is found in all sites and PFTs, representing the "pool" of variation that is locally available for the natural adaptation of ecosystem function to environmental change.
Wamalloc: An Efficient Wear-Aware Allocator for Non-Volatile Memory

Non-volatile memory(NVM) promises a DRAM replacement in computer systems due to its attractive characteristics. However, the low endurance problem limits its practical applications. In this paper, we propose Wamalloc, an efficient NVM memory allocator to extend the lifetime of NVM in the software level. An elaborate hybrid wear-leveling policy is proposed in this paper to achieve wear-leveling without hardware overhead. The evaluations show that the wear-leveling policy of Wamalloc outperforms that of NVMalloc from 3% to 30%, and the total memory consumption of Wamalloc outperforms that of NVMalloc about 60% and 10% under uniform and random workloads. In addition, the allocation performance of Wamalloc is better than the standard glibc malloc and NVMalloc by 98% and 97% under uniform workloads, 83% and 86% under random workloads.
The survival of new domestic and foreign‐owned firms

We compare the survival of new domestic and foreign owned firms. We analyze the determinants of the survival of new firms and investigate whether foreigness accounts for significant differences in the survival of new foreign and new domestic firms. We find survival to be determined by ownership advantages, size and growth strategies, the internal organization of firms, and by industry characteristics such as economies of scale, and industry entry and growth. After controlling for these characteristics, we find that domestic and foreign firms do not exhibit different chances of survival, that they respond in similar fashions to the determinants of survival and display identical time patterns of exit.
Surface Cyclolysis in the North Pacific Ocean. Part I: A Synoptic Climatology

Abstract A continuous 11-yr sample of extratropical cyclones in the North Pacific Ocean is used to construct a synoptic climatology of surface cyclolysis in the region. The analysis concentrates on the small population of all decaying cyclones that experience at least one 12-h period in which the sea level pressure increases by 9 hPa or more. Such periods are defined as threshold filling periods (TFPs). A subset of TFPs, referred to as rapid cyclolysis periods (RCPs), characterized by sea level pressure increases of at least 12 hPa in 12 h, is also considered. The geographical distribution, spectrum of decay rates, and the interannual variability in the number of TFP and RCP cyclones are presented. The Gulf of Alaska and Pacific Northwest are found to be primary regions for moderate to rapid cyclolysis with a secondary frequency maximum in the Bering Sea. Moderate to rapid cyclolysis is found to be predominantly a cold season phenomena most likely to occur in a cyclone with an initially low sea level pres.
Perceived threat of Alzheimer's disease among Chinese American older adults: the role of Alzheimer's disease literacy.

OBJECTIVES Guided by a Sociocultural Health Belief Model (SHBM), this study examined the roles of cultural beliefs of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and scientific knowledge of AD in influencing the perceived threat of AD in a sample of Chinese American older adults. METHOD With the input from focus groups of 17 older Chinese volunteers, survey questionnaires were refined and then delivered through face-to-face interviews to 385 participants aged 55-100 in the Phoenix metropolitan area. RESULTS Hierarchical regression analyses found that those aged 55-64 were more worried about AD than those aged 85 or older. Both cultural beliefs of AD and AD factual knowledge contributed to higher levels of perceived threat of AD. Education tended to moderate the effect of cultural beliefs of AD and AD knowledge on perceived threat of AD. DISCUSSIONS Findings support inclusion of key factors in the SHBM relevant to perceived threat of AD and help enrich the understanding of AD literacy from both scientific and cultural perspectives. AD education programs and interventions should help address crucial cultural beliefs related to AD and the emotional consequences (e.g., concerns or fear of AD) that might be due to the exposure to AD factual knowledge, particularly for those with limited education.
Chronic musculoskeletal pain: review of mechanisms and biochemical biomarkers as assessed by the microdialysis technique

Chronic musculoskeletal pain conditions are multifaceted, and approximately 20% of the adult population lives with severe chronic pain, with a higher prevalence in women and in lower income groups. Chronic pain is influenced by and interacts with physical, emotional, psychological, and social factors, and a biopsychosocial framework is increasingly applied in clinical practice. However, there is still a lack of assessment procedures based on the activated neurobiological pain mechanisms (ie, the biological part of the biopsychosocial model of pain), which may be a necessary step for further optimizing outcomes after treatments for patients with chronic pain. It has been suggested that chronic pain conditions are mainly driven by alterations in the central nervous system with little or no peripheral stimuli or nociception. In contrast, other authors argue that such central alterations are driven by peripheral alterations and nociceptive input. Microdialysis is an in vivo method for studying local tissue alterations and allows for sampling of substances in the interstitium of the muscle, where nociceptor free nerve endings are found close to the muscle fibers. The extracellular matrix plays a key role in physiologic functions of cells, including the primary afferent nociceptor. The present review mainly concerns the results of microdialysis studies and how they can contribute to the understanding of activated peripheral nociceptive and pain mechanisms in humans with chronic pain. The primary aim was to review molecular studies using microdialysis for the investigation of human chronic muscle pain, ie, chronic masticatory muscle pain, chronic trapezius myalgia, chronic whiplash-associated disorders, and chronic widespread pain/fibromyalgia syndrome. Several studies clearly showed elevated levels of serotonin, glutamate, lactate, and pyruvate in localized chronic myalgias and may be potential biomarkers. These results indicate that peripheral muscle alterations are parts of the activated pain mechanisms in common chronic pain conditions. Muscle alterations have been reported in fibromyalgia syndrome and chronic widespread pain, but more studies are needed before definite conclusions can be drawn. For other substances, results are inconclusive across studies and patient groups.
An Examination of Sheepskin Effects Over Time

Previous empirical specifications are not flexible enough to capture the true pattern of sheepskin effects over time. If the quality of the match between the worker and the job contributes to earnings and if higher ability workers more easily reveal their true productivity, sheepskin effects will follow a concave pattern over time. Using the NLSY and measures of actual experience, a variety of specifications (including median regressions) confirm this pattern.
The Evolution of Retirement: An American Economic History

The invention concerns a subnetwork of a filter circuit which is useful for detecting the dialing tone used in a telephone system. The arrangement employs active devices such as operational amplifiers in circuit with passive resistive and capactive elements to simulate an inductance S. Although it is known to modify a gyrator circuit to produce a 1/s2 function it has hitherto been considered that the use of such simulated functions in a ladder filter network would produce an unstable arrangement. It has been found that the combination of a 1/s2 element in series with a simulated 1/s element is stable and suitable for use in ladder filter networks.
Stability, Bifurcation, and Multistability in a System of Two Coupled Neurons with Multiple Time Delays

A system of delay differential equations representing a model for a pair of neurons with time-delayed connections between the neurons and time delayed feedback from each neuron to itself is studied. Conditions for the linear stability of the trivial solution of this system are represented in a parameter space consisting of the sum of the time delays between the elements and the product of the strengths of the connections between the elements. It is shown that the trivial fixed point may lose stability via a pitchfork bifurcation, a Hopf bifurcation, or one of three types of codimension-two bifurcations. Multistability near these latter bifurcations is predicted using center manifold analysis and confirmed using numerical simulations.
False Dawn: The Delusions of Global Capitalism

This is an analysis of an important issue facing the world in the 1990s, whose outcome will determine the kind of world in which children will grow up in. John Gray argues that societies and peoples all over the world are being forced to participate in an experiment in liberal social engineering. The new world order created by the fall of communism has given birth to its own utopian delusion: the idea that only the complete freeing of the market in all areas of human life, from global trade to private health, can deliver prosperity and stability. This dogma, energetically promoted by institutions, such as the World Bank, the IMF and the US Government, would have people believe that only the most radically libertarian version of capitalism can work. Anglo-American capitalism, as perfected Thatcher and Reagan, is seen as the only possible model for the coming century. In Gray's view, this cult of the unfettered free market will result, in most countries, in a mixture of anarchy and squalor on the one hand, and concentrated wealth and irresponsibility on the other. By ignoring the peculiarities of different cultures, the global utopians will dissolve the very networks that made the civilization possible in the first place.