Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cognitive Modulation of Psychophysical, Respiratory and Autonomic Responses to Cold Pressor Test

In healthy subjects with high hypnotisability (highs) under hypnosis, subjectively effective suggestions for analgesia abolish the increases in blood pressure associated with cold pressor test (cpt) by reducing the peripheral vascular resistance. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of the suggestions of analgesia on the responses to cpt in healthy highs (n = 22) and in low hypnotisable participants (lows, n = 22) out of hypnosis. Cpt was administered without (CPT) and with suggestions for analgesia (CPT+AN). Psychophysical (pain intensity, pain threshold, cpt duration (time of immersion) and pain tolerance, defined as the difference between cpt duration and pain threshold), respiratory (amplitude and frequency) and autonomic variables (tonic skin conductance, mean RR interval (RR = 1/heart rate), blood pressure, skin blood flow) were studied. The suggestions for analgesia increased cpt duration and RR in both groups, but decreased pain intensity and enhanced pain threshold only in highs; in both groups they did not modulate systolic blood pressure, tonic skin conductance and skin blood flow; thus, increased parasympathetic activity appears responsible for the heart rate reduction induced by suggestions in both groups. In conclusion, our findings show that suggestions modulate pain experience differentially in highs and lows, and are partially effective also in lows. We hypothesize that the mechanisms responsible for the efficacy of suggestions in healthy lows may be involved also in their efficacy in chronic pain patients with low hypnotisability.
Structural properties of linear generalized systems

Generalized linear systems are considered, which contain in their state-space representation matrices with elements functions of bounded variation and controls in the space of regulated functions. The Perron-Stieltjes integral is used to obtain a variation-of-parameters formula. On this basis the formula of the state of the system as well as the input-output map are derived. The fundamental concepts of controllability and reachability are analysed in this approach by means of two controllability and reachability Gramians. An optimal control is provided which solves the problem of the minimum energy transfer. The observability of these generalized systems is studied. In the case of completely observable systems a formula is obtained which recovers the initial state from the exterior data. The duality between the concepts of controllability and observability is emphasized as well as Kalman's canonical form.
Biotransformation of digoxigenin by Arthrobacter simplex TCCC 11037

Biotransformation of natural products has great potential for production of new drugs or Lead Compounds. In this paper biotransformation of digoxigenin (1) by Arthrobacter simplex TCCC 11037 was investigated. The biotransformation reaction was carried out in a 7-day fermentation process. Three products purified from broth culture supernatants by silica gel column chromatography. And they were identified as digoxigenone (2), 16(17)-ene-digoxigenone (3), and 1(2),16(17)-dien- digoxigenone (4) by FT-ICR-MS and NMR. This is the first report of the production of compound 2 and compound 3 by a biotransformation reaction.
Cointegrating Relationships between Stock Market Indices and Economic Activity: Evidence from US Data

Recent empirical evidence suggests that stock market returns are predictable from a variety of financial and macroeconomic variables. However, with a few exceptions relatively little evidence exists examining the presence of a long-run relationship between these variables. The present paper extends this research by considering whether a cointegrating vector exists between stock market indices and industrial production, inflation, money supply and interest rates. The results suggest positive evidence of cointegration between both S&P500 and DJIA indices and macroeconomic activity variables. The established relationship is positive and significant for industrial production and inflation, negative and significant for long-term interest rates, and negative but insignificant for money supply and short-term interest rates,. These results are consistent with the belief that changes in output which affect expected future cash flows have a positive affect on stock prices, that stocks act as an inflation hedge and that changes in the discount rate have an inverse effect on prices. Variance decompositions show that long-term rates explain a substantial amount of variability in stock prices, whilst short-term rates, industrial production and inflation also have some explanatory power.
Young male breast cancer, a small crowd, the survival, and prognosis?

Abstract Women diagnosed with breast cancer at young age often have poorprognoses. Yet, few studies have focused on the prognoses of young men with breast cancer. We therefore used Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) population-based data and identified 151 male patients with breast cancer aged <40 years between 1988 and 2012. Propensity score matching analysis was used to balance the clinical variables among different groups. Kaplan–Meier curves were applied to compare the survival differences. The subgroup variables on cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed by the Cox proportional hazard model. Results showed that male patients with breast cancer aged <40 had a significant OS benefit compared with those aged ≥40 years (P < .001). The significant difference of the CSS was not found (P > .05). Compared with the male patients with breast cancer aged ≥40, those aged <40 had significant OS benefit in most subgroups (P < .05). Compared with the female patients with breast cancer aged <40, the male patients with breast cancer aged <40 had worse OS and CSS benefit only in the subgroup with progesterone receptor and estrogen receptor positive (P < .05). In conclusion, we demonstrated that young male patients with breast cancer had better OS compared with elder male patients with breast cancer. However, the survival benefit was not found compared with young female patients with breast cancer.
Macroeconomic Development and Stock Market Performance: A Non-Parametric Approach

This paper applies a local-linear non-parametric kernel regression technique to examine the effect of macroeconomic factors on stock market performance in Ghana. We show that the popular parametric specification in the existing literature suffers from functional misspecification. The evidence suggests that the relationship is non-linear and hence the implied elasticities are non-constant, contrary to findings in the literature. The main finding of the study suggests that stock prices are significantly affected by macroeconomic fundamentals and oil price shocks albeit weakly. This reinforces the need to closely monitor behaviour of macroeconomic indicators while sustaining prudent macroeconomic policy management.
Modes of Social Interaction Between Organizations

Abstract The social-psychological approach to inter-organizational relationships is a timely and relevant focus of research in light of the increasing roles of coordination, cooperation and coalignment in strategic marketing channel systems. In this paper, the authors investigate boundary spanning attitudes and behaviors, and they posit social interaction as a salient theoretical underpinning of marketing channel relationships.
Reputation and Performance

In this paper we provide experimental evidence for the importance of reputation in markets with experience goods. In this type of markets high quality cannot be enforced by complete and enforceable contracts. This leads to low efficiency or even the breakdown of markets. A potential remedy to overcome these inefficiencies is reputation formation. In order to study the causal effect of reputation formation for market performance we analyze two treatments. In the no reputation treatment reputation formation is ruled out by design. In this treatment quality and prices are rather low. In the reputation treatment, previous quality choices of sellers are publicly known, i.e., sellers can individually build up a reputation for providing high qualities. This treatment difference generates vast changes in how markets function. We find that buyers initiate repeated interactions with sellers whose qualities are high and buyers are willing to pay rents to performing sellers. This creates strong incentives for sellers to invest in a good reputation. As a result sellers provide high qualities, which generates a significantly higher market efficiency compared to the market where reputation formation is impossible. Reputation formation also changes the way how trades are initiated and how rents are shared between sellers and buyers. JEL-Classification: C91, D21, D40, D63
Investment Ratio and Growth

In growth and development policy investment ratio is an important policy instrument. However, there is no well defined framework to determine what should be the investment ratio for a given growth target. This paper explains the potential of Solow (1956) and Solow (1957) to explain the relationship between the target growth rate and investment ratio. Hypothetical data are used for illustration.
Hubble Space Telescope NICMOS Observations of the Embedded Cluster in NGC 2024: Constraints on the Initial Mass Function and Binary Fraction

We present an analysis of NICMOS observations of the embedded cluster associated with NGC 2024. An analysis of the cluster color-magnitude diagram (CMD) using the models of D'Antona & Mazzitelli and Baraffe et al. (published in 1997 and 1998, respectively) indicates that the ratio of intermediate-mass (1.0–10.0 M⊙) to low-mass (0.1–1.0 M⊙) stars is consistent with the stellar initial mass function (IMF) for the field. In addition to the CMD analysis, we present results on the multiplicity of stars in the region. Three companions (in a sample of 95 potential primaries) were found, with angular separations between 0. ″4 and 1. ″0, translating to a projected linear separation of 184–460 AU for an estimated distance of 460 pc. The completeness of binary detections is assessed using recovery fractions calculated by a series of tests using artificially generated companions to potential primaries in the data frames. We find that the binary fraction in NGC 2024 is consistent with that of Duquennoy & Mayor (published in 1991) for solar neighborhood stars over the range of separations and companion masses appropriate for our survey.
High occurrence of Fusobacterium nucleatum and Clostridium difficile in the intestinal microbiota of colorectal carcinoma patients

Abstract Colorectal carcinoma is considered the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Several microorganisms have been associated with carcinogenesis, including Enterococcus spp. , Helicobacter pylori, enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis, pathogenic E. coli strains and oral Fusobacterium. Here we qualitatively and quantitatively evaluated the presence of oral and intestinal microorganisms in the fecal microbiota of colorectal cancer patients and healthy controls. Seventeen patients (between 49 and 70 years-old) visiting the Cancer Institute of the Sao Paulo State were selected, 7 of whom were diagnosed with colorectal carcinoma. Bacterial detection was performed by qRT-PCR. Although all of the tested bacteria were detected in the majority of the fecal samples, quantitative differences between the Cancer Group and healthy controls were detected only for F. nucleatum and C. difficile. The three tested oral microorganisms were frequently observed, suggesting a need for furthers studies into a potential role for these bacteria during colorectal carcinoma pathogenesis. Despite the small number of patients included in this study, we were able to detect significantly more F. nucleatum and C. difficile in the Cancer Group patients compared to healthy controls, suggesting a possible role of these bacteria in colon carcinogenesis. This finding should be considered when screening for colorectal cancer.
Products Liability, Consumer Misperceptions, and Market Power

This paper compares alternative liability rules for allocating losses from defective products when consumers under- estimate these losses and producers may have some market power. If producers do not have any market power, the rule of strict liability . leads to both the first-best accident probability and industry output. If producers do have some market power, strict liability still leads to the first-best accident probability, but there will now be too little output of the industry. It is shown that if market power is sufficiently large, a negligence rule is preferable. Under this rule, firms can still be induced to choose the first-best accident probability, but now the remaining damages are borne by consumers. Since consumers underestimate these damages, they buy more than under strict liability. However, there is a limit to how much the negligence rule can encourage extra consumption. It is shown that if market power is sufficiently large, the rule of no liability may then be preferred to the negligence rule. Without any liability imposed, producers will not choose the first-best accident probability. However, this may be more than compensated for by the increased output of the industry.
Costly Credit and Sticky Prices

We construct a model where money and credit are alternative payment instruments, use it to analyze sluggish nominal prices, and confront the data. Equilibria entail price dispersion, where sellers set nominal terms that they may keep fixed when aggregate conditions change. Buyers use cash and credit, with the former (latter) subject to inflation (transaction costs). We provide strong analytic results and exact solutions for money demand. Calibrated versions match price-change data well, with realistic durations, large average changes, many small and negative changes, a decreasing hazard, and behavior that changes with inflation, while staying consistent with macro and micro data on money and credit. Policy implications are discussed.
Coronal computed tomography of the normal vestibular aqueduct in children and young adults.

OBJECTIVE To characterize the appearance of the normal vestibular aqueduct on coronal computed tomography (CT). DESIGN Retrospective evaluation of routine CT images of the temporal bones. SETTING Private tertiary care center. PATIENTS Twenty-four children and young adults (14 females and 10 males), aged 2 to 24 years (average age, 10 years). MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES Axial CT images were evaluated for the size of the vestibular aqueduct as previously described. On coronal CT images the vestibular aqueduct was evaluated for shape, dimensions, and angle. These measurements were made posteriorly, at the first point of vestibular aqueduct definition, and anteriorly, where the vestibular aqueduct abuts the posterior semicircular canal. RESULTS We were able to measure the vestibular aqueduct on 100% of the anterior coronal views, 77% of the midisthmus axial CT images, and 53% of posterior coronal CT images, (P<.001). The shape of the vestibular aqueduct on coronal CT scans varied posteriorly to anteriorly from being a slit to being an oval or round. The dimensions (mean + SD) of the isthmus on the anterior coronal views were 3.1 + 1.8 mm long by 1.6 + 0.8 mm wide. The upper limits of normal, as defined by the mean + 2 SDs, are 6.8 x 3.3 mm. CONCLUSIONS We have easily and consistently identified the vestibular aqueduct on coronal CT images; in fact, we found the vestibular aqueducts more consistently measurable on coronal CT scans than on axial CT scans. The addition of these views may improve the sensitivity of the CT scan in the evaluation of sensorineural hearing loss in children.
Sources and distribution of trace species in Alpine precipitation inferred from two 60-year ice core paleorecords

Sources and distribution of trace species in Alpine precipitation inferred from two 60-year ice core paleorecords A. Eichler , M. Schwikowski, M. Furger, U. Schotterer, and H. W. Gäggeler 2 Paul Scherrer Institute, CH-5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland Received: 27 November 2003 – Accepted: 18 December 2003 – Published: 7 January 2004 Correspondence to: M. Schwikowski (margit.schwikowski@psi.ch)
Why, Indeed, in America? Theory, History, and the Origins of Modern Economic Growth

When they are used together, economic history and new growth theory give a more complete picture of technological change than either can give on its own. An empirical strategy for studying growth that does not use historical evidence is likely to degenerate into sterile model testing exercises. Historical analysis that uses the wrong kind of theory or no theory may not emphasize the lessons about technology that generalize. The complementarity between these fields is illustrated by an analysis of early industrialization. The key theoretical observation is that larger markets and larger stocks of resources create substantially bigger incentives for discovering new ways to use the resources. This simple insight helps explain why the techniques of mass production emerged in the United States during the first half of the 19th century. It also helps explain how a narrow advantage in the techniques of mass production for a small set of goods grew into broad position of industrial supremacy by the middle of the 20th century.
Improving spam detection in Online Social Networks

Online Social Networks (OSNs) are deemed to be the most sought-after societal tool used by the masses world over to communicate and transmit information. Our dependence on these platforms for seeking opinions, news, updates, etc. is increasing. While it is true that OSNs have become a new medium for dissemination of information, at the same time, they are also fast becoming a playground for the spread of misinformation, propaganda, fake news, rumors, unsolicited messages, etc. Consequently, we can say that an OSN platform comprises of two kinds of users namely, Spammers and Non-Spammers. Spammers, out of malicious intent, post either unwanted (or irrelevant) information or spread misinformation on OSN platforms. As part of our work, we propose mechanisms to detect such users (Spammers) in Twitter social network (a popular OSN). Our work is based on a number of features at tweet-level and user-level like Followers/Followees, URLs, Spam Words, Replies and HashTags. In our work, we have applied three learning algorithms namely Naive Bayes, Clustering and Decision trees. Furthermore, to improve detection of Spammers, a novel integrated approach is proposed which “combines” the advantages of the three learning algorithms mentioned above. Improvement of spam detection is measured on the basis of Total Accuracy, Spammers Detection Accuracy and Non-Spammers Detection Accuracy. Results, thus obtained, show that our novel integrated approach that combines all algorithms outperforms other classical approaches in terms of overall accuracy and detect Non-Spammers with 99% accuracy with an overall accuracy of 87.9%.
Length series on Teichmuller space

We prove that a certain series defines a constant function usingWolpert's formula for the variation of the length of a geodesicalong a Fenchel Nielsen twist. Subsequently we determine the value viewing it as function on the the Deligne Mumford compactificationand evaluating it at the stable curve at infinity.
Key dimensions of brand value co-creation and its impacts upon customer perception and brand performance: An empirical research in the context of industrial service

Purpose - – This paper aims to identify key dimensions of brand value co-creation activities and empirically examine the impacts of different dimensions of brand value co-creation upon brand performance among Chinese industrial services firms. Design/methodology/approach - – Key dimensions of brand value co-creation activities are identified and a research framework is presented based on qualitative interviews with three industrial services firms. Then, the conceptual model and 14 research hypotheses addressing the impacts of different dimensions of brand value co-creation activities upon brand performance are tested by conducting a questionnaire survey among 258 pairs of Chinese B2B services providers and their client companies. Findings - – The research results show that: on the whole, integration of brand value chain and service-dominant logic (SDL) can lead to stronger theoretical explanation about the industrial services brand value and brand performance. In other words, value co-creation activities among multiple stakeholders can help customers perceive brand value in a favorable way and finally improve brand performance; branding process involves eight kinds of value co-creation activities on four interfaces between firm-employees, firm-customers, employees-customers, and firm-other stakeholders, indicating that the cultivation of industrial services brand needs a broader stakeholder perspective; value co-creation activities on the firm-employees interface is original driver of brand development by impacting brand value and brand performance via value co-creation on other interfaces. Originality/value - – This paper is the first kind of research that empirically explores the formation mechanism of industrial brand value from the perspective of SDL and also provides insightful implications for managers by pointing out that B2B service providers need to consider the interactive value co-creation behaviors in the social network constructed by different stakeholders in order to improve brand management performance.
Super-SILAC Allows Classification of Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma Subtypes by Their Protein Expression Profiles*

Correct classification of cancer patients into subtypes is a prerequisite for acute diagnosis and effective treatment. Currently this classification relies mainly on histological assessment, but gene expression analysis by microarrays has shown great promise. Here we show that high accuracy, quantitative proteomics can robustly segregate cancer subtypes directly at the level of expressed proteins. We investigated two histologically indistinguishable subtypes of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL): activated B-cell-like (ABC) and germinal-center B-cell-like (GCB) subtypes, by first developing a general lymphoma stable isotope labeling with amino acids in cell culture (SILAC) mix from heavy stable isotope-labeled cell lines. This super-SILAC mix was combined with cell lysates from five ABC-DLBCL and five GCB-DLBCL cell lines. Shotgun proteomic analysis on a linear ion trap Orbitrap mass spectrometer with high mass accuracy at the MS and MS/MS levels yielded a proteome of more than 7,500 identified proteins. High accuracy of quantification allowed robust separation of subtypes by principal component analysis. The main contributors to the classification included proteins known to be differentially expressed between the subtypes such as the transcription factors IRF4 and SPI1/PU.1, cell surface markers CD44 and CD27, as well as novel candidates. We extracted a signature of 55 proteins that segregated subtypes and contained proteins connected to functional differences between the ABC and GCB-DLBCL subtypes, including many NF-κB-regulated genes. Shortening the analysis time to single-shot analysis combined with use of the new linear quadrupole Orbitrap analyzer (Q Exactive) also clearly differentiated between the subtypes. These results show that high resolution shotgun proteomics combined with super-SILAC-based quantification is a promising new technology for tumor characterization and classification.