Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Unsentimental Approach to Closed-End Fund Discounts and Premiums

Closed-end fund shares rarely trade at their net asset value. We show that this observation is anomalous only if fund managers adopt or effectively mimic a buy and hold strategy at every stage of a fund’s life. Such passivity is neither implied by a semi-strong efficient market, nor is it descriptive of practice. The potential importance of active management is illustrated by showing that four large funds departed significantly from a buy-hold strategy from 1986-95. All the funds traded at a discount in 1986 and subsequently underperformed the buy-hold to a degree that is consistent with their discount. Monthly changes in discounts are also shown to be related to both our measure of fundamentals and to the premium on small stocks. Gerald T. Garvey Finance Division Faculty of Commerce and Business Administration University of British Columbia Vancouver BC CANADA V6T 1Z2 (604) 822-8358 Gerald.Garvey@commerce.ubc. ca ∗Thanks to Joshua Slive for expert research assistance and to Glen Donaldson, Burton Hollifield, Kai Li, and Bob Miller for useful discussions. This research was supported by the Bureau of Asset Management and the UBC-HSS Hampton Research Grants Committee
Victory Has a Thousand Fathers: Sources of Success in Counterinsurgency

Abstract : Insurgency has been the most prevalent form of armed conflict since at least 1949. Despite that fact, following the Vietnam War and through the balance of the Cold War, the U.S. military establishment turned its back on insurgency, refusing to consider operations against insurgents as anything other than a "lesser-included case" for forces structured for and prepared to fight two major theater wars. In the post-9/11 world, however, insurgency has rocketed back into prominence. As counterterrorism expert William Rosenau notes, "insurgency and counterinsurgency . have enjoyed a level of military, academic, and journalistic notice unseen since the mid-1960s. " Countering insurgents, or supporting the efforts of allies and partners as they do so, is the primary focus of ongoing operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan. When a country becomes host to an insurgency, what counterinsurgency (COIN) approaches give a government the best chance of prevailing? Contemporary discourse on the subject is voluminous and often contentious. A variety of different approaches and areas of emphasis are advocated, but such advocacy is based on relatively limited evidence. Advice for the counterinsurgent tends to be based on common sense, a general sense of history, or but one or two detailed historical cases. A broad base of evidentiary support for advocated approaches is lacking. This monograph and its companion, Victory Has a Thousand Fathers: Detailed Counterinsurgency Case Studies, seek to alleviate that deficit with thorough analyses based on a firm foundation of historical data. This is clearly an area that can benefit from extensive data collection, rigorous analysis, and empirical testing.
The Role of Kv1.2-Containing Potassium Channels in Serotonin-Induced Glutamate Release from Thalamocortical Terminals in Rat Frontal Cortex

Serotonin 5-HT2A receptors have been implicated in psychiatric illness and the psychotomimetic effects of hallucinogens. In brain slices, focal stimulation of 5-HT2A receptors in rat prefrontal cortex results in dramatically increased glutamate release onto layer V pyramidal neurons, as measured by an increase in “spontaneous” (nonelectrically evoked) EPSCs. This glutamate release is blocked by tetrodotoxin (TTX) and is thought to involve local spiking in thalamocortical axon terminals; however, the detailed mechanism has remained unclear. Here, we investigate parallels in EPSCs induced by either serotonin or the potassium channel blockers 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) or α-dendrotoxin (DTX). DTX, a selective blocker of Kv1.1-, Kv1.2-, and Kv1.6-containing potassium channels, has been shown to release glutamate in cortical synaptosomes, presumably by inhibiting a subthreshold-activated, slowly inactivating potassium conductance. By comparing DTX with other potassium channel blockers, we found that the ability to induce EPSCs in cortical pyramidal neurons depends on affinity for Kv1.2 subunits. DTX-induced EPSCs are similar to 5-HT-induced EPSCs in terms of sensitivity to TTX and ω-agatoxin-IVA (a blocker of P-type calcium channels) and laminar selectivity. The involvement of thalamocortical terminals in DTX-induced EPSCs was confirmed by suppression of these EPSCs by μ-opiates and thalamic lesions. More directly, DTX-induced EPSCs substantially occlude those induced by 5-HT, suggesting a common mechanism of action. No occlusion by DTX was seen when EPSCs were induced by a nicotinic mechanism. These results indicate that blockade of Kv1.2-containing potassium channels is part of the mechanism underlying 5-HT-induced glutamate release from thalamocortical terminals.
Digital Signage with Audience Detection Using TV Broadcasting Waves

We propose of a digital signage system with a new audience detection system using TV broadcasting waves and show its experimental trial at our university for about three months. For audience motion detection, we use received level fluctuations of TV broadcasting waves by sensing physical movement. The authors have already developed this detection technique and we applied this as audience detection of digital signage. When our detection method detects human motion, a digital signage system will turned on its display. This flow grabs more attention to the signage display and effectiveness of saving electric power. Through the experimental trial, we show that our detection method provides effectiveness for audience detection of digital signage with a big monitor and we can save the electric power of 60-70% of the signage display and one of 94% in business days and in holidays, respectively.
Cardiac-Specific Inhibition of Kinase Activity in Calcium/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Kinase-β Leads to Accelerated Left Ventricular Remodeling and Heart Failure after Transverse Aortic Constriction in Mice

Background The mechanism of cardiac energy production against sustained pressure overload remains to be elucidated. Methods and Results We generated cardiac-specific kinase-dead (kd) calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase-β (CaMKKβ) transgenic (α-MHC CaMKKβkd TG) mice using α-myosin heavy chain (α-MHC) promoter. Although CaMKKβ activity was significantly reduced, these mice had normal cardiac function and morphology at baseline. Here, we show that transverse aortic binding (TAC) in α-MHC CaMKKβkd TG mice led to accelerated death and left ventricular (LV) dilatation and dysfunction, which was accompanied by significant clinical signs of heart failure. CaMKKβ downstream signaling molecules, including adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), were also suppressed in α-MHC CaMKKβkd TG mice compared with wild-type (WT) mice. The expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator (PGC)-1α, which is a downstream target of both of CaMKKβ and calcium/calmodulin kinases, were also significantly reduced in α-MHC CaMKKβkd TG mice compared with WT mice after TAC. In accordance with these findings, mitochondrial morphogenesis was damaged and creatine phosphate/β-ATP ratios assessed by magnetic resonance spectroscopy were suppressed in α-MHC CaMKKβkd TG mice compared with WT mice after TAC. Conclusions These data indicate that CaMKKβ exerts protective effects on cardiac adaptive energy pooling against pressure-overload possibly through phosphorylation of AMPK and by upregulation of PGC-1α. Thus, CaMKKβ may be a therapeutic target for the treatment of heart failure.
Self-Organization in Small Cell Networks: A Reinforcement Learning Approach

In this paper, a decentralized and self-organizing mechanism for small cell networks (such as micro-, femto- and picocells) is proposed. In particular, an application to the case in which small cell networks aim to mitigate the interference caused to the macrocell network, while maximizing their own spectral efficiencies, is presented. The proposed mechanism is based on new notions of reinforcement learning (RL) through which small cells jointly estimate their time-average performance and optimize their probability distributions with which they judiciously choose their transmit configurations. Here, a minimum signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR) is guaranteed at the macrocell user equipment (UE), while the small cells maximize their individual performances. The proposed RL procedure is fully distributed as every small cell base station requires only an observation of its instantaneous performance which can be obtained from its UE. Furthermore, it is shown that the proposed mechanism always converges to an epsilon Nash equilibrium when all small cells share the same interest. In addition, this mechanism is shown to possess better convergence properties and incur less overhead than existing techniques such as best response dynamics, fictitious play or classical RL. Finally, numerical results are given to validate the theoretical findings, highlighting the inherent tradeoffs facing small cells, namely exploration/exploitation, myopic/foresighted behavior and complete/incomplete information.
A triangular treatment effect model with random coefficients in the selection equation

This paper considers treatment effects under endogeneity with complex heterogeneity in the selection equation. We model the outcome of an endogenous treatment as a triangular system, where both the outcome and first-stage equations consist of a random coefficients model. The first-stage specifically allows for nonmonotone selection into treatment. We provide conditions under which marginal distributions of potential outcomes, average and quantile treatment effects, all conditional on first-stage random coefficients, are identified. Under the same conditions, we derive bounds on the (conditional) joint distributions of potential outcomes and gains from treatment, and provide additional conditions for their point identification. All conditional quantities yield unconditional effects (e.g., the average treatment effect) by weighted integration.
The interplay between Hebbian and homeostatic synaptic plasticity

Synaptic plasticity, a change in the efficacy of synaptic signaling, is a key property of synaptic communication that is vital to many brain functions. Hebbian forms of long-lasting synaptic plasticity—long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD)—have been well studied and are considered to be the cellular basis for particular types of memory. Recently, homeostatic synaptic plasticity, a compensatory form of synaptic strength change, has attracted attention as a cellular mechanism that counteracts changes brought about by LTP and LTD to help stabilize neuronal network activity. New findings on the cellular mechanisms and molecular players of the two forms of plasticity are uncovering the interplay between them in individual neurons.
Amplification Target ADRM1: Role as an Oncogene and Therapeutic Target for Ovarian Cancer

Approximately 25,000 ovarian cancers are diagnosed in the U.S. annually, and 75% are in the advanced stage and largely incurable. There is critical need for early detection tools and novel treatments. Proteasomal ubiquitin receptor ADRM1 is a protein that is encoded by the ADRM1 gene. Recently, we showed that among 20q13-amplified genes in ovarian cancer, ADRM1 overexpression was the most highly correlated with amplification and was significantly upregulated with respect to stage, recurrence, and metastasis. Its overexpression correlated significantly with shorter time to recurrence and overall survival. Array-CGH and microarray expression of ovarian cancer cell lines provided evidence consistent with primary tumor data that ADRM1 is a 20q13 amplification target. Herein, we confirm the ADRM1 amplicon in a second ovarian cancer cohort and define a minimally amplified region of 262 KB encompassing seven genes. Additionally, using RNAi knock-down of ADRM1 in naturally amplified cell line OAW42 and overexpression of ADRM1 via transfection in ES2, we show that (1) ADRM1 overexpression increases proliferation, migration, and growth in soft agar, and (2) knock-down of ADRM1 results in apoptosis. Proteomic analysis of cells with ADRM1 knock-down reveals dysregulation of proteins including CDK-activating kinase assembly factor MAT1. Taken together, the results indicate that amplified ADRM1 is involved in cell proliferation, migration and survival in ovarian cancer cells, supporting a role as an oncogene and novel therapeutic target for ovarian cancer.
Mapping the multiple geographies of mixed-ethnicity couples in Australia

ABSTRACT Mixed-ethnicity partnerships are becoming increasingly common in Australia and other countries of high immigration. Formal and de facto marriages involving partners from different ethnic backgrounds are key indicators of decreasing social distance between groups. Yet mixed-ethnicity couples have received scant attention from Australian geographers. We use customised data from the 2011 Australian census to analyse the nation-wide distribution of several types of mixed-ethnicity couples. We focus on couples comprised of an Anglo-European (ethnic majority) partner, and a partner from a ‘visible’ ethnic minority group. Our analyses explore the residential geographies of mixed-ethnicity couples vis-à-vis ‘co-ethnic couples’ (where partners share the same ethnicity). We find that mixed-ethnicity couples are more widely dispersed across Australian cities and regions than comparative co-ethnic couples. However, each type of mixed-ethnicity couple has its own unique residential pattern: there are multiple geographies of mixed-ethnicity couples in Australia. These distinctive patterns reflect the migration and settlement histories of the couples’ constituent ethnic groups, but also hold great potential to shift seemingly entrenched ethnic residential geographies in the present and future.
Asymptotic expansion and central limit theorem for quadratic variations of Gaussian processes

Cohen, Guyon, Perrin and Pontier have given assumptions under which the second-order quadratic variations of a Gaussian process converge almost surely to a deterministic limit. In this paper we present two new convergence results about these variations: the first is a deterministic asymptotic expansion; the second is a central limit theorem. Next we apply these results to identify two-parameter fractional Brownian motion and anisotropic fractional Brownian motion.
Theoretical Models of Multi-Waveband QSO Luminosity Functions

Cosmological evolution of the QSO luminosity functions (LFs) at NIR/optical/X-ray bands for 1.3 < z < 3.5 is investigated based on the realistic QSO spectra. The accretion-disk theory predicts that although QSO luminosities only depend on mass-accretion rate, \Mdot, QSO spectra have a dependence on black-hole mass, M_{BH}, as well. The smaller M_{BH} is and/or the larger \Mdot is, the harder becomes the QSO NIR/optical/UV spectrum. We model disk spectra which can reproduce these features and calculated LFs for redshift z ~ 3 with the assumption of new-born QSOs being shining at the Eddington luminosity. The main results are: (i) the observed LFs at optical and X-rays can be simultaneously reproduced. (ii) LFs at optical and X-ray bands are not sensitive to M_{BH}, while LFs at NIR bands are; about one order of magnitude difference is expected in volume number densities at L_{I, J} ~ 10^{46} erg s^{-1} between the case that all QSOs would have the same spectral shape as that of M_{BH} = 10^{9} M_sun and the case with M_{BH} = 10^{11} M_sun. (iii) The resultant LFs at NIR are dominated by 10^{7} M_sun black-holes at L_{I, J} ~ 10^{44} erg s^{-1}, and by 10^{11} M_sun black-holes at L_{I, J} \~ 10^{46} erg s^{-1}. Future infrared observations from space(e.g.NGST) will probe cosmological evolution of black hole masses. For redshift z < 3, on the other hand, the observed optical/X-ray LFs can be fitted, if the initial QSO luminosity L_0 is below the Eddington luminosity. Interestingly, the best fitting values of l = L_0/L_{Edd} are different in B- and X-ray bands; l_B ~ 2.5 l_X. The reason for this discrepancy is briefly discussed.
Sustained Delivery of Bioactive GDNF from Collagen and Alginate-Based Cell-Encapsulating Gel Promoted Photoreceptor Survival in an Inherited Retinal Degeneration Model

Encapsulated-cell therapy (ECT) is an attractive approach for continuously delivering freshly synthesized therapeutics to treat sight-threatening posterior eye diseases, circumventing repeated invasive intravitreal injections and improving local drug availability clinically. Composite collagen-alginate (CAC) scaffold contains an interpenetrating network that integrates the physical and biological merits of its constituents, including biocompatibility, mild gelling properties and availability. However, CAC ECT properties and performance in the eye are not well-understood. Previously, we reported a cultured 3D CAC system that supported the growth of GDNF-secreting HEK293 cells with sustainable GDNF delivery. Here, the system was further developed into an intravitreally injectable gel with 1x104 or 2x105 cells encapsulated in 2mg/ml type I collagen and 1% alginate. Gels with lower alginate concentration yielded higher initial cell viability but faster spheroid formation while increasing initial cell density encouraged cell growth. Continuous GDNF delivery was detected in culture and in healthy rat eyes for at least 14 days. The gels were well-tolerated with no host tissue attachment and contained living cell colonies. Most importantly, gel-implanted in dystrophic Royal College of Surgeons rat eyes for 28 days retained photoreceptors while those containing higher initial cell number yielded better photoreceptor survival. CAC ECT gels offers flexible system design and is a potential treatment option for posterior eye diseases.
Correlations of consumption patterns in social-economic networks

We analyze a coupled dataset collecting the mobile phone communication and bank transactions history of a large number of individuals living in Mexico. After mapping the social structure and introducing indicators of socioeconomic status, demographic features, and purchasing habits of individuals we show that typical consumption patterns are strongly correlated with identified socioeconomic classes leading to patterns of stratification in the social structure. In addition we measure correlations between merchant categories and introduce a correlation network, which emerges with a meaningful community structure. We detect multivariate relations between merchant categories and show correlations in purchasing habits of individuals. Our work provides novel and detailed insight into the relations between social and consuming behaviour with potential applications in recommendation system design.
Clinical, Radiographic, and Histologic Evaluation of Regional Odontodysplasia: a Case Report with 5-year Follow-up

Regional odontodysplasia is a developmental anomaly that affects the primary and permanent dentitions. This disorder is generally localized in only one arch and its etiology is still unknown. Clinically, the affected teeth have an abnormal morphology and are typically discolored. Radiographically, these teeth show a ghost-like appearance. This paper reported the results of radiographic, histologic and laboratory findings about the case of a 5-year-old girl presenting this rare anomaly. Her familial history was negative for any genetic anomaly, regional odontodysplasia or other dental anomalies. The patient’s general health was good and no congenital or acquired disease was reported. She was kept under follow-up care until she reached the age of 10 years. Panoramic radiograph showed the involvement of permanent teeth on the right maxillary quadrant. The affected edentulous quadrant was rehabilitated with temporary acrylic maxillary partial denture. The presentation of this case would hopefully have valuable information for pediatric dentists to review the clinical and radiographic features of regional odontodysplasia, yet expediting the diagnosis and treatment of patients with this condition.
On the Contributions of Pavel Andreevich Zhilin to Mechanics

This paper is dedicated to the memory of Pavel A. Zhilin (1942–2005), the great Russian scientist in the field of Rational Mechanics. He was educated and worked at the State Polytechnical University in St. Petersburg (Russian Federation), formerly known as the Polytechnical Institute. As Head of the Department of Theoretical Mechanics he supervised sixteen PhD theses (Candidate of Science theses) and six higher doctorates (Habilitations or Doctor of Science theses), some of them are shown on Fig. 2. His scientific interests covered various branches of Mechanics and Theoretical Physics. In his research he strived to pave a way based on Rational Mechanics to areas which are traditionally not associated with Mechanics, such as Physics of Microstructures and Electrodynamics. The paper gives a brief summary of the scientific biography and the main results obtained by Pavel A. Zhilin1.
Inside the Black Box of Regional Development - human capital, the creative class and tolerance

While there is a general consensus on the importance of human capital to regional development, debate has emerged around two key issues. The first involves the efficacy of educational versus occupational measures (i.e. the creative class) of human capital, while the second revolves around the factors that affect its distribution. We use structural equation models and path analysis to examine the relations from these two alternative measures of human capital and regional income and wages, and also to isolate the relations of tolerance, consumer service amenities and the university on its distribution. We find that human capital and the creative class affect regional development through different channels. The creative class outperforms conventional educational attainment measures in accounting for regional labor productivity measured as wages, while conventional human capital does better in accounting for regional income. We find that tolerance is significantly associated with both human capital and the creative class as well as with wages and income. We also find that the cultural economy has both direct and indirect relationships to regional development and impacts both production and consumption.
MeshTree: A Delay optimised Overlay Multicast Tree Building Protocol

We study decentralised low delay degree-constrained overlay multicast tree construction for single source real-time applications. This optimisation problem is NP-hard even if computed centrally. We identify two problems in traditional distributed solutions, namely the greedy problem and delay-cost trade-off. By offering solutions to these problems, we propose a new self-organising distributed tree building protocol called MeshTree. The main idea is to embed the delivery tree in a degree-bounded mesh containing many low cost links. Our simulation results show that MeshTree is comparable to the centralised Compact Tree algorithm, and always outperforms existing distributed solutions in delay optimisation. In addition, it always yields trees with lower cost and traffic redundancy.