Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Federal Reserve Bank of New York Staff Reports Visible and Hidden Risk Factors for Banks Til Schuermann

This paper examines the common factors that drive the returns of U.S. bank holding companies from 1997 to 2005. We compare a range of market models from a basic one-factor model to a nine-factor model that includes the standard Fama-French factors and additional factors thought to be particularly relevant for banks such as interest and credit variables. We show that the market factor clearly dominates in explaining bank returns, followed by the Fama-French factors. The bank-specific factors are not informative, particularly for the largest banks, which take advantage of protection in the form of interest rate and credit derivatives. Even in our broadest model, however, considerable residual variation remains, with the mean pairwise correlation of residuals for the largest banks near 0.25. This finding suggests that important hidden factors remain. A principal component analysis shows that this residual variance is relatively diffuse, although the largest banks do tend to load in the same direction on the first component. Relative to the returns of large firms in other sectors, bank returns are relatively well explained with standard risk factors, and both the residual correlation and degree of factor loading agreement are not particularly large. These results have clear implications both for public policymakers seeking to quantify those shared bank exposures that create systemic risk and to portfolio managers seeking to devise optimal diversification strategies.
All is prosody: phones and phonemes are the ghosts of letters

The standard way to represent language within linguistics is using letter-like units, i.e., with consonant and vowel phones and phonemes. But this representation, despite its powerful intuitive appeal is not supported by any experimental data. There are 4 straightforward predictions implied by this model. All are shown to fail. One of the main problems is the inability of segments to permit representing actual values of time. One realtime property of speech is the periodically produced speech found, e.g., in song and chant. Several audio clips of spontaneously produced rhythmic speech will be analyzed and speaker performance on the related laboratory task of speech cycling will be reviewed. In this phraserepetition task speakers quickly adopt nested periodic timing patterns that are surprisingly rigid in time. Letter-based descriptions of speech make such rhythm invisible and
For Personal Use. Only Reproduce with Permission from the Lancet Publishing Group. Social and Demographic Characteristics Intimate Partner Violence: Causes and Prevention Violence against Women Iii

Poverty or patriarchy, alcohol or aggression; the causes of intimate partner violence have been contested by social scientists for decades. Underlying the controversy is an inescapable problem: evidence for causation of intimate partner violence is weak when assessed with epidemiological criteria. 1 Most research has been from North America and, with some exceptions, 2,3 has been based on women accessing sources of help, with data obtained from shelters, official records, or clinic samples. 4–6 However, during the past decade, the research base has been expanded substantially by several well designed cross-sectional studies of violence against women from developing countries, which focus on both women 7–9 and men, 6,10,11 and by ethnographic studies. 12,13 This increase in data has enabled researchers to identify associations that pertain to more than one setting, explore hypotheses critically, and understand the plausibility of associations when considered in the light of what else is known about a society. Furthermore, understanding of the mechanisms through which many associated factors contribute to intimate partner violence has been greatly advanced, helping clarify interventions needed for primary prevention. Understanding the causes of intimate partner violence is substantially more difficult than studying a disease. For example, diseases usually have a biological basis and occur within a social context, but intimate partner violence is entirely a product of its social context. Consequently, understanding the causes of such violence requires research in many social contexts. Most diseases can be investigated with various objective measures, but measurement of intimate partner violence has posed a challenge. Furthermore, measurement of social conditions thought to be risk factors, such as the status of women, gender norms, and socioeconomic status poses difficulties, especially across cultures. Although a consensus has emerged on the need to explore male and female factors and aspects of the dynamics of relationships, this has been done in very few studies. Additionally, the validity of research on sensitive topics is dependent on the context of the interview and good interviewer training. Interviewer effects can be substantial. 14–16 Researchers have only recently begun to use a multilevel approach in analyses that allows for interviewer effects. 17 In this paper, intimate partner violence describes physical violence directed against a woman by a current or ex-husband or boyfriend. The term " intimate partner violence " often includes sexual violence and can also include psychological abuse; both these forms of abuse often, but not always, accompany physical violence. However, …
Rock Sparrow Song Reflects Male Age and Reproductive Success

The evolution of mating signals is closely linked to sexual selection. Acoustic ornaments are often used as secondary sexual traits that signal the quality of the signaller. Here we show that song performance reflects age and reproductive success in the rock sparrow (Petronia petronia). In an Alpine population in south-east France, we recorded the songs of males and assessed their genetic breeding success by microsatellite analysis. In addition to temporal and spectral song features, we also analysed for the first time whether the sound pressure level of bird song reflects reproductive success. Males with higher breeding success sang at a lower rate and with a higher maximum frequency. We found also that older males gained more extra-pair young and had a higher overall breeding success, although they also differed almost significantly by having a higher loss of paternity in their own nests. Older males could be distinguished from yearlings by singing at lower rate and higher amplitudes. Our findings suggest that song rate may be used as a signal of age and together with song pitch as a signal of reproductive success in this species. Alternatively, younger and less successful males might try to compensate their inferior status by increased song rates and lower pitch. Independent of age and quality, high-amplitude songs correlated with paternity loss in the own nest, suggesting that in this species song amplitude is not an indicator of male quality but high-intensity songs may be rather a response to unfaithful social mates.
Optimal monetary and fiscal policy in economies with multiple distortions

This thesis aims to contribute towards a better understanding of the optimal coordination of monetary and scal policy in complex economic environments. We analyze the characteristics of optimal dynamics in an economy in which neither prices nor wages adjust instantaneously and lump-sum taxes are unavailable as a source of government nance. We then propose that monetary and scal policy should be coordinated to satisfy a pair of simple speci c targeting rules, a rule for ination and a rule for the growth of real wages. We show that such simple rule-based conduct of policy can do remarkably well in replicating the dynamics of the economy under optimal policy following a given shock. We study optimal policy coordination in the context of an economy where a constant proportion of agents lacks access to the asset market. We nd that the optimal economy moves along an analogue of a conventional ination-output variance frontier in response to a government spending shock, as the population share of nonRicardian agents rises. The optimal output response rises, while ination volatility subsides. There is little evidence that increased government spending would crowd in private consumption in the optimal economy. We investigate the optimal properties and wider implications of a macroeconomic policy framework aimed at meeting an unconditional debt target. We show that the best stationary policy in terms of an unconditional welfare measure is characterized by highly persistent debt dynamics, less history-dependence in the conduct of policy, less reliance on debt nance and more short-term volatility following a government spending shock compared with the non-stationary timelessly optimal plan. JEL Classi cation: C61, E52, E61, E63.
Inhibiting autophagy increases epirubicin's cytotoxicity in breast cancer cells

Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and endocrinotherapy are documented to induce autophagy among breast cancer cells, but the role of autophagy in this disease has been attributed as cytoprotective as well as tumor‐suppressing. Thus we studied MDA‐MB‐231 and SK‐BR‐3 breast cancer cell lines treated with epirubicin (EPI) to assess autophagy and apoptosis. We found out that EPI induced apoptosis and autophagy in both cell lines. The lysosomal inhibitor bafilomycin A1 inhibited cellular autophagy and enhanced EPI‐triggered apoptosis, perhaps due to inhibition of autolysosome formation, which then inhibited autophagic effects of engulfing and clearing damaged mitochondria. This inhibition increased mitochondrial cytochrome C release which augmented epirubicin‐induced caspase‐dependent apoptosis and cytotoxicity. In addition, the lysosomal neutralizing agent ammonia chloride (AC), and Atg7 knockdown by siRNA, could inhibit epirubicin‐triggered autophagy, enhance cytotoxicity, and increase caspase‐9‐ and caspase‐3‐dependent apoptosis. Thus, autophagy plays a prosurvival role in EPI‐treated MDA‐MB‐231 and SK‐BR‐3 cells, and autophagy inhibition can potentially reverse this effect and increase the cytotoxicity of EPI.
Survey

We study the virtual machine live migration (LM) and disaster recovery (DR) from a networking perspective, considering long-distance networks, for example, between data centers. These networks are usually constrained by limited available bandwidth, increased latency and congestion, or high cost of use when dedicated network resources are used, while their exact characteristics cannot be controlled. LM and DR present several challenges due to the large amounts of data that need to be transferred over long-distance networks, which increase with the number of migrated or protected resources. In this context, our work presents the way LM and DR are currently being performed and their operation in long-distance networking environments, discussing related issues and bottlenecks and surveying other works. We also present the way networks are evolving today and the new technologies and protocols (e.g., software-defined networking, or SDN, and flexible optical networks) that can be used to boost the efficiency of LM and DR over long distances. Traffic redirection in a long-distance environment is also an important part of the whole equation, since it directly affects the transparency of LM and DR. Related works and solutions both from academia and the industry are presented.
Palmitate Induced IL-6 and MCP-1 Expression in Human Bladder Smooth Muscle Cells Provides a Link between Diabetes and Urinary Tract Infections

Background Urinary tract infections (UTI) are more frequent in type-2 diabetes mellitus patients than in subjects with normal glucose metabolism. The mechanisms underlying this higher prevalence of UTI are unknown. However, cytokine levels are altered in diabetic patients and may thus contribute to the development of UTI. Increased levels of free fatty acids (FFA), as observed in obese patients, can induce IL-6 production in various cell types. Therefore we studied the effects of the free fatty acid palmitate and bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on interleukin-6 (IL-6) and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) expression and secretion in cultured human bladder smooth muscle cells (hBSMC). Methodology/Principal Findings Biopsies were taken from patients undergoing cystectomy due to bladder cancer. Palmitate or LPS stimulated hBSMC were analysed for the production and secretion of the IL-6, gp80, gp80soluble, gp130, MCP-1, pSTAT3, SOCS3, NF-κB and SHP2 by quantitative PCR, ELISA, Western blotting, and confocal immunofluorescence. In signal transduction inhibition experiments we evaluated the involvement of NF-κB and MEK1 in IL-6 and MCP-1 regulation. Palmitate upregulates IL-6 mRNA expression and secretion via NF-κB dependent pathways in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. MCP-1 was moderately upregulated by palmitate but was strongly upregulated by LPS involving NF-κB and MEK1 dependent pathways. Soluble IL-6 receptor (gp80soluble) was downregulated by palmitate and LPS, while membrane-bound gp80 was moderately upregulated. LPS increased SOCS3 and SHP2, whereas palmitate only induced SOCS3. Secondary finding: most of the IL-6 is secreted. Conclusions/Significance Bacterial infection (LPS) or metabolic alterations (palmitate) have distinct effects on IL-6 expression in hBSMC, (i) short term LPS induced autocrine JAK/STAT signaling and (ii) long-term endocrine regulation of IL-6 by palmitate. Induction of IL-6 in human bladder smooth muscle cells by fatty acids may represent a pathogenetic factor underlying the higher frequency and persistence of urinary tract infections in patients with metabolic diseases.
Anger superiority effect: The importance of dynamic emotional facial expressions

A rapid response to a threatening face in a crowd is important to successfully interact in social environments. Visual search tasks have been employed to determine whether there is a processing advantage for detecting an angry face in a crowd, compared to a happy face. The empirical findings supporting the “anger superiority effect” (ASE), however, have been criticized on the basis of possible low-level visual confounds and because of the limited ecological validity of the stimuli. Moreover, a “happiness superiority effect” is usually found with more realistic stimuli. In the present study, we tested the ASE by using dynamic (and static) images of realistic human faces, with validated emotional expressions having similar intensities, after controlling the bottom-up visual saliency and the amount of image motion. In five experiments, we found strong evidence for an ASE when using dynamic displays of facial expressions, but not when the emotions were expressed by static face images.
Current Concepts in Examination and Treatment of Elbow Tendon Injury

Context: Injuries to the tendons of the elbow occur frequently in the overhead athlete, creating a significant loss of function and dilemma to sports medicine professionals. A detailed review of the anatomy, etiology, and pathophysiology of tendon injury coupled with comprehensive evaluation and treatment information is needed for clinicians to optimally design treatment programs for rehabilitation and prevention. Evidence Acquisitions: The PubMed database was searched in January 2012 for English-language articles pertaining to elbow tendon injury. Results: Detailed information on tendon pathophysiology was found along with incidence of elbow injury in overhead athletes. Several evidence-based reviews were identified, providing a thorough review of the recommended rehabilitation for elbow tendon injury. Conclusions: Humeral epicondylitis is an extra-articular tendon injury that is common in athletes subjected to repetitive upper extremity loading. Research is limited on the identification of treatment modalities that can reduce pain and restore function to the elbow. Eccentric exercise has been studied in several investigations and, when coupled with a complete upper extremity strengthening program, can produce positive results in patients with elbow tendon injury. Further research is needed in high-level study to delineate optimal treatment methods.
Ultrasound of thyroid cancer

The management of thyroid nodules is multi-disciplinary and involves head and neck surgeons, pathologists and radiologists. Ultrasound is easy to perform, widely available, does not involve ionizing radiation and is readily combined with fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). It is therefore an ideal investigation of choice for evaluating thyroid nodules. It evaluates specific features that help in identifying the nature of the nodule and FNAC helps in diagnostic accuracy. In addition, following treatment for thyroid cancer ultrasound provides a safe tool for disease surveillance. This paper discusses the role of ultrasound in the management of patients with thyroid cancer.
The Impact of Federal Transfer Programs on the Nutrient Intake of Elderly Individuals

In this paper we analyze the determinants of elderly nutrient intake. Our focus is on the impact of food assistance and income transfer programs, particularly the Food Stamp Program (FSP). Our statistical analysis is of a model with endogenous FSP participation and nutrient intake decisions. The insights gained regarding the effects on the behavior of the elderly caused by interactions among FSP, Supplemental Security Income, Social Security, and elderly feeding programs should prove useful in designing future transfer policies.
Proteomic Analyses of Contrast Media -Treated Mesangial Cell

Contrast Media is used in angiography, urography and tomography. It has been reported that contrast media nephrotoxicity incidence is 50% higher in patients with diabetic nephropathy undergoing coronary angiography and ap- proximately 15% of these patients developed renal failure. Proteomic analyses are a promising tool to study renal patho- physiology. In the future identification of biomarkers in renal diseases will develop therapeutic targets that will decrease the damage of acute renal failure. To identify proteins that were up or down-regulated in immortalized mesangial cells in a culture in the presence of contrast media we evaluated three groups: control, manitol used as control of osmolarity and Hexabrix TM . The cell homogenate from each group was submitted to the 2D-PAGE analysis, and proteins were identified by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Some proteins were expressed only in the Hexabrix group (Proliferating Cell Nu- clear Antigen and Masp 1); others were up-regulated in the Manitol group (Translationally Controlled Tumor Protein), a protein was expressed only in the Control and Manitol (Annexin A3) groups, and we identified proteins that were ex- pressed in all three groups (Heat shock proteins 27 and 84, protein disulfide isomerase A3 precursor and Beta-actin 1). We believe that other substances present in Hexabrix, possibly the iodine, could be the regulatory factor of these proteins and the Hexabrix could be responsible for the nephrotoxicity observed in these cells.
A 2.17-dB NF 5-GHz-band monolithic CMOS LNA with 10-mW DC power consumption

Design principles of CMOS low-noise amplifiers (LNAs) for simultaneous input impedance and noise matching by tailoring device size for R/sub opt/=50 /spl Omega/ are introduced. It is found that R/sub opt/ close to 50 /spl Omega/ can be obtained by using small devices (110 /spl mu/m) and small currents (5 mA). Based on the proposed approach, CMOS LNAs with on-chip input and output matching networks on thin (/spl sim/20 /spl mu/m) and normal (750 /spl mu/m) substrates are implemented. It is found that the noise figure (NF) (3.0 dB) of the CMOS LNA at 5.2 GHz with 10-mW power consumption on the normal (750 /spl mu/m) substrate can be reduced to 2.17 dB after the substrate is thinned down to /spl sim/20 /spl mu/m. The reduction of NF is attributed to the suppression of substrate loss of the on-chip inductors. The input return loss (S/sub 11/) is smaller than -22 dB across the entire band of interest (5.15-5.35 GHz). An input 1-dB compression point (P/sub 1 dB/) of -8.3 dBm and an input third-order intercept point of 0.8 dBm were also obtained for the LNA on the thin substrate.
The Stability of Thirlwall's Model of Economic Growth and the Balance-of-Payments Constraint

Thirlwall (1979) proposes a model explaining that rates of economic growth differ between countries because of different balance-of-payments constraints, that is, because of the different income elasticities of exports and imports. In Thirlwall's world, the exports of one country are imperfect substitutes for the exports of another country, and the labor supply is not constraining, in the long run. Thus, relative prices and the adjustment in the exchange rate, that is, price competitiveness, become irrelevant to growth. The solution of the model provides a formula of surprising simplicity and of appealing interpretive capacity. In fact, it has been extended in several directions (Cimoli and Soete, 1992; Fagerberg, 1988; Padoan 1993), and it has been favorably tested to capture the stylized fact that relative growth rates differ in the same proportion as the export/import elasticity ratio. ' The model has also been challenged both theoretically and empirically by McGregor and Swales (1985, 1986, 1991), while Krugman (1989) suggests an alternative explanation for the same stylized fact. McCombie and Thirlwall (1994) collect contributions to the debate, together with their replies, and provide further material for discussion, while McCombie (1996) and McCombie and Thirlwall (1997) refine the model. However, neither the original model nor its subsequent developments
Avoidance Motivation and Conservation of Energy

Compared to approach motivation, avoidance motivation evokes vigilance, attention to detail, systematic information processing, and the recruitment of cognitive resources. From a conservation of energy perspective it follows that people would be reluctant to engage in the kind of effortful cognitive processing evoked by avoidance motivation, unless the benefits of expending this energy outweigh the costs. We put forward three empirically testable propositions concerning approach and avoidance motivation, investment of energy, and the consequences of such investments. Specifically, we propose that compared to approach-motivated people, avoidance-motivated people (a) carefully select situations in which they exert such cognitive effort, (b) only perform well in the absence of distracters that occupy cognitive resources, and (c) become depleted after exerting such cognitive effort.