Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pricing options on agricultural futures: An application of the constant elasticity of variance option pricing model

The pricing of options on futures has generated much recent interest from both an academic as well as a trading persp ctive. These conti gent claims provide new avenues for the allocation of price risk among investors and have been well received by the financial markets. For example, options on Treasury bond futures began trading at the Chicago Board of Trade in 1982 and have been a very successful innovation. This success has assured the commodity exchanges of the value of options trading, and the development of options on other types of futures is being accelerated. Currently, options on certain agricultural futures are being traded in the United States under a three-year pilot program administered by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Many recent academic studies have made significant contributions to option pricing theory using varying asset price behavior assumptions. Among these are the Black-Scholes formula (1973), Roll's American call option formula (1977), Cox's constant elasticity of variance (CEV) formula (1975), Merton's jump-diffusion formula (1976), Binomial pricing method (Cox, Ross, and Rubinstein, ) 979), and various numerical methods for option pricing. Each of the above formulas and methods is based on the continuous-time (or limiting case)! no-arbitrage pricing framework of Black and Scholes. Within this
Salter Innominate Osteotomy in the Treatment of Severe Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease: Clinical and Radiographic Results in 32 Patients (37 Hips) at Skeletal Maturity

Between 1979 and 1992, 32 patients (37 hips) were treated in the authors' institution by Salter osteotomy for Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease. Twenty-four patients were male and eight female. Nineteen patients were younger than 7 years of age (84 months). According to Waldenström and Jonsäter, 15 hips (45.54%) showed necrosis, 19 (51.35%) fragmentation, and 3 (8.11%) reossification. All necrotic hips were classified as Salter and Thompson B; considering those in fragmentation, 27 (79.41%) were classified as Catterall group 3 and 7 (20.59%) as group 4. Laredo's arthrographic classification, applied to 34 hips, showed 19 (55.88%) as group 3, 11 (32.35%) as group 4, and 4 (11.77%) as group 5. Mean follow-up was 115.94 months. Wiberg's center–edge angle increased significantly independent of sex and age. The clinical results according to Robinson et al did not show any correlation with sex, age, evolutionary stage, or classifications of Catterall and Mose. The final radiographic evaluation according to Mose showed 16 hips (43.26%) classified as good and 21 (56.76%) as poor. Considering the criteria of Stulberg et al for the final evaluation, 11 hips (29.73%) were included in class 1, 5 (13.51%) in class 2, 13 (35.13%) in class 3, and 6 (21.63%) in class 4. Patients younger than 7 years (84 months) showed better results. There was no significant difference between the results at first (reossification) and final evaluation (skeletal maturity).
Computational modelling of the coupled electro-mechanical behaviour of neurons

Objective: A novel approach for modelling the inter-dependence of electrical and mechanical phenomena in nervous cells is proposed, by using electro-thermal equivalences in Finite Element (FE) analysis so that existing thermo-mechanical modelling tools can be applied. Methods: First, the equivalence between electrical and thermal properties of the nerve materials is established, and results of a pure heat conduction analysis performed in Abaqus CAE Software 6.13-3 are validated with analytical solutions for a range of steady and transient conditions. This validation includes the definition of equivalent active membrane properties that enable prediction of the Action Potential (AP). Then, as a step towards fully coupled models, electro-mechanical coupling is implemented through the definition of equivalent piezoelectric properties of the nerve membrane using the thermal expansion coefficient, enabling prediction of the mechanical response of the nerve to the AP. Results: Results of the coupled electro-mechanical model are validated with previously published experimental results of deformation for squid giant axon, a crab nerve fibre and a garfish olfactory nerve fibre. Conclusion: A simplified coupled electromechanical modelling approach is established through an electro-thermal equivalent FE model of a nervous cell for biomedical applications. Significance: One of the key findings is the mechanical characterization of the neural activity in a coupled electro-mechanical domain, which provides insights into the electro-mechanical behaviour of nervous cells, such as thinning of the membrane. This is a first step towards modelling 3D electromechanical alteration induced by trauma at nerve bundle, tissue and organ levels. Chapter 3 – Electro-Thermal Equivalent 3D Finite Element Model of a Single Neuron
Medical and nursing students' intentions to work abroad or in rural areas: a cross-sectional survey in Asia and Africa

Abstract Objective To assess medical and nursing students’ intentions to migrate abroad or practice in rural areas. Methods We surveyed 3199 first- and final-year medical and nursing students at 16 premier government institutions in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Malawi, Nepal, the United Republic of Tanzania and Zambia. The survey contained questions to identify factors that could predict students’ intentions to migrate. Primary outcomes were the likelihoods of migrating to work abroad or working in rural areas in the country of training within five years post-training. We assessed predictors of migration intentions using multivariable proportional odds models. Findings Among respondents, 28% (870/3156) expected to migrate abroad, while only 18% (575/3158) anticipated a rural career. More nursing than medical students desired professions abroad (odds ratio, OR: 1.76; 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.25–2.48). Career desires before matriculation correlated with current intentions for international (OR: 4.49; 95% CI: 3.21–6.29) and rural (OR: 4.84; 95% CI: 3.52–6.66) careers. Time spent in rural areas before matriculation predicted the preference for a rural career (20 versus 0 years: OR: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.19–1.98) and against work abroad (20 versus 0 years: OR: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.50–0.96). Conclusion A significant proportion of students surveyed still intend to work abroad or in cities after training. These intentions could be identified even before matriculation. Admissions standards that account for years spent in rural areas could promote greater graduate retention in the country of training and in rural areas.
A Brief Survey of Computational Photonics

The following text is excerpted from the upcoming second edition of the book Photonic Crystals: Molding the Flow of Light (Princeton University Press), scheduled for publication in 2007. In particular, although the book is mainly focused on the general principles of photonic crystals and related devices, it includes a survey of computational methods in the form of an appendix, which we reproduce below.
Prospective, randomized, double-blind, clinical evaluation of Aloe vera Barbadensis, applied in combination with a tongue protector to treat burning mouth syndrome.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of aloe vera (AV) applied in combination with a tongue protector, comparing this with a placebo. METHODS A total of 75 patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS) were divided into three groups randomly: Group I (tongue protector three times a day), Group II (tongue protector and 0.5 ml AV at 70% three times a day) and Group III (tongue protector and 0.5 ml placebo three times a day). Symptoms were evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS), while patient psychological profiles were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety-Depression scale and their quality of life using the Oral Health Impact Profile 49 (OHIP-49). Treatment continued for 3 months. RESULTS Visual analogue scale pain values improved for all three study groups but without statistically significant differences between the groups (P = 0.210). Regarding quality of life, no significant differences were found between groups with the exception of the OHIP-49 score for handicap. The overall clinical improvement was greater for Group II, with a difference almost reaching significance. CONCLUSIONS The concomitant prescription of tongue protector and AV is effective for treating patients with BMS.
On Solving Systems of Autonomous Ordinary Differential Equations by Reduction to a Variable of an Algebra

A new technique for solving a certain class of systems of autonomous ordinary differential equations over is introduced ( being the real or complex field). The technique is based on two observations: (1), if has the structure of certain normed, associative, commutative, and with a unit, algebras over , then there is a scheme for reducing the system of differential equations to an autonomous ordinary differential equation on one variable of the algebra; (2) a technique, previously introduced for solving differential equations over , is shown to work on the class mentioned in the previous paragraph. In particular it is shown that the algebras in question include algebras linearly equivalent to the tensor product of matrix algebras with certain normal forms.
Judgmental Discounting and Environmental Risk Perception: Dimensional Similarities, Domain Differences, and Implications for Sustainability

Environmental risks constitute a special category of risks because they often involve consequences that are highly uncertain, strongly delayed, occurring at distant places, and—therefore—mostly borne by others. Economic, decision‐theoretic, and psychological research about the way people deal with such consequences is reviewed. Two major findings are presented: first, there is evidence that discounting mechanisms are stable across different preference dimensions (uncertainty, temporal, spatial, and social distance). Second, discount rates tend to vary across different problem domains (e.g., environmental vs. health vs. financial risks). In particular, it appears that temporal discounting is less pronounced for environmental risks than in other domains. Several factors are identified that affect the nature of the risk evaluation process, and it is argued that environmental risks differ from other risks on such factors. These environmental-risk characteristics may have important implications for policy strategies to promote environmental sustainability. Contrary to other domains, appealing to the public’s long-term preferences may be successful. Also in policy making, insights from standard economic decision theory to environmental decision making should be applied with caution.
Predictors of Treatment Failure in HIV-Positive Children Receiving Combination Antiretroviral Therapy: Cohort Data From Mozambique and Uganda.

BACKGROUND Delays detecting treatment failure and switching to second-line combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) are often observed in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected children of low-middle-income countries (LMIC). METHODS An observational study included HIV-infected children attending the Beira Central Hospital (Mozambique) and the Nsambya Hospital, Home Care Department (Uganda) evaluated clinical and immunological failure according to World Health Organization (WHO) 2006 guidelines. Baseline predictors for cART failure and for drug substitution were explored in unadjusted and adjusted Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS Two hundred eighteen of 740 children with at least 24 weeks follow-up experienced treatment failure (29%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 26-33), with crude incidence of 20.0 events per 100 person-years (95% CI 17.5-22.9). Having tuberculosis co-infection or WHO stage 4, or starting a nontriple cART significantly increased risk of failure. Two hundred two of 769 (26.3%) children receiving cART substituted drug(s), with crude incidence of 15.4 events per 100 person-years (95% CI 13.4-17.7). Drug toxicity (18.3%), drug availability (17.3%), and tuberculosis drugs interaction (52, 25.7%) were main reported reasons, while only 9 (4%) patients switched cART for clinical or immunological failure. Children starting lamivudine-zidovudine-nevirapine or lamivudine-stavudine-efavirenz or lamivudine-zidovudine-efavirenz were more likely to have substitute drugs. Increased substitution was found in children with mild immunosuppression and tuberculosis co-infection at cART initiation as well as poor adherence before drug substitution. CONCLUSIONS Considerable delay in switching to second-line cART may occur despite an observed high rate of failure. Factors including WHO clinical stage and tuberculosis co-infection should be evaluated before starting cART. Toxicity and drug adherence should be monitored to minimize drug substitution in LMIC.
Effects of linseed consumption for a short period of time on lipid profile and atherosclerotic lesions in rabbits fed a hypercholesterolaemic diet

Linseed contains biologically active substances, such as lignans, fibres and linoleic acid, which are believed to provide cardioprotective effects. The objective of the present study was to assess the potential hypolipaemic, anti-atherogenic and anti-inflammatory effects of linseed consumption using an experimental animal model, with rabbits fed a hypercholesterolaemic diet (1 % cholesterol extracted from lyophilised egg). A total of twenty white male rabbits were selected and divided into two groups: group I (GI), control group, ten rabbits; group II (GII), ten rabbits. The animals were fed a hypercholesterolaemic diet for 56 d. For the GII diet, ground linseed was added from day 29 through to day 56. Animals underwent aortic arch and descending aorta dissection on day 56 for histological, morphometric and immunohistochemical analysis. At the end of the experiment, GII animals presented with lower levels of total cholesterol (TC, 10 068·3 v. 16 767·0 mg/l; P < 0·05) and lower levels of LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C; 10 743·2 v. 15 961·2 mg/l; P < 0·05) when compared with the GI control group. There was no significant difference in serum HDL-cholesterol and TAG between the two groups. Almost all animals exhibited type III atherosclerotic lesions in the descending aorta. There was no statistically significant difference between the intima area and the intima:media layer area ratio in both groups. There was no difference between the positive areas for vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 molecules between the groups. Linseed consumption showed hypolipaemic action by reducing LDL-C and TC levels; however, this cholesterol-lowering effect did not reduce the atherosclerotic lesions induced by a hypercholesterolaemic diet (1 % cholesterol) for a short period of time.
Temporal requirement for hedgehog signaling in ventral telencephalic patterning

Hedgehog signaling is required for multiple aspects of brain development, including growth, the establishment of both dorsal and ventral midline patterning and the generation of specific cell types such as oligodendrocytes and interneurons. To identify more precisely when during development hedgehog signaling mediates these events, we directed the removal of hedgehog signaling within the brain by embryonic day 9 of development, using a FoxG1Cre driver line to mediate the removal of a conditional smoothened null allele. We observed a loss of ventral telencephalic patterning that appears to result from an initial lack of specification of these structures rather than by changes in proliferation or cell death. A further consequence of the removal of smoothened in these mice is the near absence of both oligodendrocytes and interneurons. Surprisingly, the dorsal midline appears to be patterned normally in these mutants. Together with previous analyses, the present results demonstrate that hedgehog signaling in the period between E9.0 and E12 is essential for the patterning of ventral regions and the generation of cell types that are thought to largely arise from them.
Network Traces on Penetration: Uncovering Degree Distribution from Adoption Data

We show how networks modify the diffusion curve by affecting its symmetry. We demonstrate that a network's degree distribution has a significant impact on the contagion properties of the subsequent adoption process, and we propose a method for uncovering the degree distribution of the adopter network underlying the dissemination process, based exclusively on limited early-stage penetration data. In this paper we propose and empirically validate a unified network-based growth model that links network structure and penetration patterns. Specifically, using external sources of information, we confirm that each network degree distribution identified by the model matches the actual social network that is underlying the dissemination process. We also show empirically that the same method can be used to forecast adoption using an estimation of the degree distribution and the diffusion parameters at an early stage (15%) of the penetration process. We confirm that these forecasts are significantly superior to those of three benchmark models of diffusion. Our empirical analysis indicates that under heavily right-skewed degree distribution conditions (such as scale-free networks), the majority of adopters (in some cases, up to 75%) join the process after the sales peak. This strong asymmetry is a result of the unique interaction between the dissemination process and the degree distribution of its underlying network.
Doxorubicin liposome-loaded microbubbles for contrast imaging and ultrasound-triggered drug delivery

Targeted drug delivery under image guidance is gaining more interest in the drug-delivery field. The use of microbubbles as contrast agents in diagnostic ultrasound provides new opportunities in noninvasive image-guided drug delivery. In the present study, the imaging and therapeutic properties of novel doxorubicin liposome-loaded microbubbles are evaluated. The results showed that at scanning settings (1.7 MHz and mechanical index 0.2), these microbubbles scatter sufficient signal for nonlinear ultrasound imaging and can thus be imaged in real time and be tracked in vivo. In vitro therapeutic evaluation showed that ultrasound at 1 MHz and pressures up to 600 kPa in combination with the doxorubicin liposomeloaded microbubbles induced 4-fold decrease of cell viability compared with treatment with free doxorubicin or doxorubicin liposome-loaded microbubbles alone. The therapeutic effectiveness is correlated to an ultrasound-triggered release of doxorubicin from the liposomes and an enhanced uptake of the free doxorubicin by glioblastoma cells. The results obtained demonstrate that the combination of ultrasound and the doxorubicin liposome-loaded microbubbles can provide a new method of noninvasive image-guided drug delivery.
Within-lake dynamics in the similarity of parasite assemblages of perch (Perca fluviatilis)

Although parasite communities have been studied extensively in recent years, spatial and temporal variation in factors affecting the communities has received less attention. This paper examined the similarity of parasite assemblages of perch (Perca fluviatilis) in 18 locations within a single lake in relation to geographical distance and temporal dynamics in the host and parasite populations. We expected that in the present study-scale where distinct but potentially interacting host subpopulations could occur, similarity of the assemblages could be affected by seasonal dynamics in host movements particularly during the spawning period. Parasite species showed differences in infection levels between the sampling locations and similarity of the assemblages of autogenic parasite species in winter, measured inversely as difference in parasite numbers, was negatively affected by geographical distance between the locations. However, no such relationship was observed in the allogenic species Ichthyocotylurus variegata. Furthermore, no relationship was found either in autogenic parasites when the locations were re-sampled in summer, after the spawning period of perch. We concluded that the effect of geographical distance on the similarity of parasite assemblages is a dynamic process, which is affected by seasonal dynamics in host and parasite populations.
Characterization of Fecal Extended-Spectrum-β-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli in a Remote Community during a Long Time Period

ABSTRACT Carriage of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing enterobacteria (ESBL-E) has increased in community settings. Little is known about their long-term evolution. French Guiana Amerindians living in a very remote village, already sampled in 2001 and 2006 for ESBL-E fecal carriage, were screened again in October 2010. Sociodemographic data and antibiotic intake data were collected during the previous year. ESBL-E strains collected in 2010 and their plasmid contents were typed. The results were compared to those of the previous campaigns. The prevalence of ESBL-E carriage in 2010 was 5.3%, whereas it was 8.0% and 3.2% in 2006 and 2001, respectively. As previously determined, no individual factor was associated with carriage, including personal antibiotic exposure. However, overall antibiotic use had decreased to a 0.67 treatments/subject/year in 2010 versus 1.09 in 2006 (P < 0.001), which supports the idea that population exposure to antibiotics impacts on ESBL-E community carriage rates. A wide diversity of ESBL Escherichia coli strains belonging to the A0, A1, B1, and D2 phylogroups and producing the CTX-M-1, CTX-M-2, and CTX-M-8 enzymes were isolated. Despite the overall genetic diversity of the strains evaluated by repetitive extragenic palindromic PCR (rep-PCR) and multilocus sequence typing, two CTX-M-1-producing clones were found to have spread. In contrast, similar ESBL-bearing I1/Iγ plasmids were present in various strains both within and between carriers, suggesting high rates of plasmid transfer. Our results suggest that overall antibiotic exposure affects ESBL-E fecal carriage in the community. ESBL-E spread may be the result of both strain dissemination and the transfer of plasmids in intestinal microbiota.
Automatic communication system ship to shipping terminal, for reporting potential malfunctions of a ballast water treatment system operation

This research paper reviews ballast water treatment systems in two parts regarding data and methods: multi-criteria analysis and reliability study. The problem is how to timely recognize failure or operation stoppage of a ballast water treatment system. In the first part the multi-criteria analysis parameters and scenarios have considered the functional and operational problems of the systems. Aim of the study was to determine the most optional system from the maintenance point of view related to data transfer amount. The best score was 62% and it was the system that uses filtration, electrolysis and UV generator. Ballast water treatment systems could be in failure or under repair. That was confirmed and mathematically verified in the second part of the study. Reliability of the systems was calculated and total reliability value was 0.7 for each of the two computing systems individually, where one is redundant. New invented volumetric sensors should indirectly automatically report malfunctions through wireless and wire communications and that was suggested and ascertained in this paper.