Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prices as Aggregators of Private Information: Evidence from S&P 500 Futures Data

Abstract This paper assesses the importance of the role of prices as aggregators of private information in the S&P 500 future market. We estimate primitive parameters of the Hellwig (1980) noisy rational expectations model, when both prices and terminal values are observable. The variance-covariance parameters governing futuers prices and terminal values can be inverted to obtain estimate of the primitive parmeters, including the precision of private infromation and the variance of liquidity-motivated trades. We also estimate coefficients in the linear price conjecture, weights that agents place on different sources of information, and the informativeness of prices. We find that the variance of the error term in agents' private signals is several orders of magnitude larger than the variance of liquidity-motivated trades. But, in a large market, prices are still so informative that the market as a whole appears to weight them more than prior beliefs.
Severe calcified stylohyoid complex in twins: a case report

The styloid process is a cylindrical, long cartilaginous bone located on the temporal bone. The calcified stylohyoid ligament and elongated styloid process can be identified radiographically, and they are associated with a number of syndromes and symptoms. The exact cause of the styloid process elongation due to calcification and subsequent ossification of ligament is unclear. This report presents a case of severely calcified stylohyoid ligament complex occurred in twins who have the same pattern of calcification.
Lactococcus garvieae: Where Is It From? A First Approach to Explore the Evolutionary History of This Emerging Pathogen

The population structure and diversity of Lactococcus garvieae, an emerging pathogen of increasing clinical significance, was determined at both gene and genome level. Selected lactococcal isolates of various origins were analyzed by a multi locus sequence typing (MLST). This gene-based analysis was compared to genomic characteristics, estimated through the complete genome sequences available in database. The MLST identified two branches containing the majority of the strains and two branches bearing one strain each. One strain was particularly differentiated from the other L. garvieae strains, showing a significant genetic distance. The genomic characteristics, correlated to the MLST-based phylogeny, indicated that this “separated strain” appeared first and could be considered the evolutionary intermediate between Lactococcus lactis and L. garvieae main clusters. A preliminary genome analysis of L. garvieae indicated a pan-genome constituted of about 4100 genes, which included 1341 core genes and 2760 genes belonging to the dispensable genome. A total of 1491 Clusters of Orthologous Genes (COGs) were found to be specific to the 11 L. garvieae genomes, with the genome of the “separated strain” showing the highest presence of unique genes.
How to advance our understanding of flipped learning: Directions and a descriptive framework for future research

With the growing number of research articles published on flipped learning, many aspects of this instructional approach have been well researched and thoughtfully discussed. At this point, how can future research advance our understanding of flipped learning? This article sheds light on three possible directions for future studies of this instructional approach, including (1) longitudinal studies, (2) examining its effects on different learning objectives, and (3) incorporating gamification into flipped courses. A descriptive framework for flipped classroom interventions is then proposed, comprising of four dimensions: (1) research background, (2) course design, (3) course activities, and (4) outcome of interventions. By applying this descriptive framework, the knowledge created in future research can be well-documented, disseminated, used, and evaluated by other practitioners and researchers. The present work can provide a foundation for further efforts to research flipped learning.
Learners' self-transcriptions for improving classroom interaction

The joint nature of language learning has been increasingly recognized in recent years and it is now a truism to say that foreign language acquisition is notably dependent on learners’ participation in peer interaction. Classroom interaction creates opportunities not only for language practice but also for language learning. Therefore, peer interaction occupies one of the central positions in the process of language acquisition. The study reported in this paper describes how learners’ self-transcriptions of speaking activities engaged them in the negotiation of form and meaning and, consequently, improved the quality of their interactions. The results point to high educational value of using self-transcriptions, which, among others, allowed learners to use their second language (L2) resources for self-correction, encouraged them to improve their production and created many learning opportunities. Based on these findings, some classroom implications are offered.
What Predicts Career Adaptability?: An Application of Achievement Goal Theory and Adult Attachment Theory

Extensive research has documented the impressive individual and organizational benefits that come with high levels of career adaptability (CA). At the current time, however, only the fixed dispositional traits underpinning CA have been investigated. In this study, I contributed to existing literature by drawing upon achievement goal theory and adult attachment theory to test a model where several malleable psychosocial constructs predicted CA levels. To test this model, a cross-sectional study was conducted, with 210 respondents from three organizations completing a self-report questionnaire. Analyses of the data collected yielded support for some, but not all, of the hypothesized relationships. Most notably, the results indicated that mastery goal adoption predicts CA, but only when individuals feel that their supervisor supports their career autonomy. The findings also suggested that anxious, but not avoidant, attachment negatively predicts CA. The practical and theoretical implications of these results are discussed.
Murine eosinophil differentiation factor. An eosinophil-specific colony- stimulating factor with activity for human cells

A purified murine lymphokine, eosinophil differentiation factor (EDF), was found to be a selective stimulus for the clonal proliferation and differentiation of murine eosinophil progenitor cells, establishing it as the murine eosinophil colony-stimulating factor (Eo-CSF). EDF was also active on human eosinophil progenitors and mature blood eosinophils, but had no effect on neutrophil or macrophage precursor cells, nor on blood neutrophils. In culture of human bone marrow cells, EDF stimulated equal numbers and equal sizes of eosinophil colonies to develop when compared with human placental conditioned medium, a source of human CSFs, suggesting that all responsive progenitor cells were stimulated. Clone transfer experiments and the linear relationship between number of bone marrow cells plated and colonies produced confirmed that the action of EDF was directly on eosinophil progenitor cells. EDF increased the capacity of human blood eosinophils, but not neutrophils, to kill antibody-coated tumor cells and to phagocytose serum-opsonized yeast cells. This functional activation was associated with the enhanced expression of functional antigens (GFA-1, GFA-2, and the receptor for C3bi) on eosinophils. The possession by EDF (Eo-CSF) of all the properties expected of a human eosinophil CSF raises the possibility that a human analog of this molecule exists, and is involved in the regulation of production and function of human eosinophils in vivo.
Secondary Circulating Prostate Cells Predict Biochemical Failure in Prostate Cancer Patients after Radical Prostatectomy and without Evidence of Disease

Introduction. Although 90% of prostate cancer is considered to be localized, 20%–30% of patients will experience biochemical failure (BF), defined as serum PSA >0.2 ng/mL, after radical prostatectomy (RP). The presence of circulating prostate cells (CPCs) in men without evidence of BF may be useful to predict patients at risk for BF. We describe the frequency of CPCs detected after RP, relation with clinicopathological parameters, and association with biochemical failure. Methods and Patients. Serial blood samples were taken during followup after RP, mononuclear cells were obtained by differential gel centrifugation, and CPCs identified using standard immunocytochemistry using anti-PSA monoclonal antibodies. Age, pathological stage (organ confined, nonorgan confined), pathological grade, margin status (positive, negative), extracapsular extension, perineural, vascular, and lymphatic infiltration (positive, negative) were compared with the presence/absence of CPCs and with and without biochemical failure. Kaplan Meier methods were used to compare the unadjusted biochemical failure free survival of patients with and without CPCs. Results. 114 men participated, and secondary CPCs were detected more frequently in patients with positive margins, extracapsular extension, and vascular and lymphatic infiltration and were associated with biochemical failure independent of these clinicopathological variables, and with a shorter time to BF. Conclusions. Secondary CPCs are an independent risk factor associated with increased BF in men with a PSA <0.2 ng/mL after radical prostatectomy, but do not determine if the recurrence is due to local or systemic disease. These results warrant larger studies to confirm the findings.
Awareness , Adoption and Acceptance of ICT Innovation in Higher Education Institutions

This paper examined the awareness, adoption and acceptance of ICT innovation in higher education institutions. This study was conducted at the university of Jos Plateau state, Nigeria as a pilot study. One hundred questionnaires were administered and collected, containing 23 UTAUT survey questions and 9 demographic statements totaling 32 questions. In addition, 57% were male and 43% were female. We have achieved Objective (i), which is, “to determine the level of awareness of ICT by the respondents”. By using the pilot study questionnaire part of the demographic statements, we are able to answer the questions (a) Is ICT mandatory or Voluntary in your institution? (b) What are the greatest barriers to using ICT to you as an academician? Using SPSS version 15 we have the following results. Question Q32 which talk about barriers to use of ICT, have the majority of the respondents (42%) which said that their problem is time; on the other hand (31%) said that the problem is training. Others respondents (4%) said that cost are their problem, another group (20%) said that they need compensation and the final group (3%) said that, it does not fit their programme. Performance expectancy had a mean response of 4.32 and standard deviation of . 665. The constructs was significantly correlated with BI at the 0.05 level (2tailed). This implies that the university ICT make task more easily accomplished, thereby making them more productive. Hence result from the survey shows that 86.5% agree. Hence this determines the level of expected adoption of ICT by the respondents. Among the four UTAUT constructs, performance expectancy exerted the strongest effect. Therefore Performance expectancy is the most influential factor for the acceptance and use of ICT by the respondents. Recommendations made were that, all employed teachers in Federal, State and Private universities should undertake mandatory training and retraining on ICT programmes.
The interaction behavior patterns of collegiate Lacrosse coaches with high-skilled and low-skilled athletes

The interaction behavior patterns of collegiate varsity lacrosse coaches with high-skiIled and with low-skiIled l athletes were investigated. The subjects were lacrosse head coaches, one male and one.female, at the same college from the central New York area. Each coach was asked to rank his/ her players from high to low according to overall playing ability. The top 10 and. bottom I0 ranked players from each team were selected to participate in this study. Each coach wore a wireless microphone and was videotaped for an entire practice on 10 different days. The interaction patterns between the coach and specified athletes were coded using the Dyadic Adaptation of Cheffers' Adaptation of Flanders'' Interaction Analysis System (DAC). The data obtained from these codings were transposed -onto computer cards for computer analysis. Descriptive statistics were used. to determine if fferences existed in the coaching behavior patterns of the coaches with their high-skilled and low-skilled athletes. The computer scoring of DAC yielded percentages for each of the 17 variables. ( Visual analysis of the DAC results indicated that (^ I the male coach gave more information and praise and-accepted lthe ideas and actions of the high-skilled athletes more than for the low-skilled athtetes. He also tended to ask questions of, give direction to, and criticize the low-skiIIed athletes
Revealing a Cool Accretion Disk in the Ultraluminous X-Ray Source M81 X-9 (Holmberg IX X-1): Evidence for an Intermediate-Mass Black Hole

We report the results of an analysis of two XMM-Newton EPIC-pn spectra of the bright ultraluminous X-ray source M81 X-9 (Holmberg IX X-1) obtained in snapshot observations. Soft thermal emission is clearly revealed in spectra dominated by hard power-law components. Depending on the model used, M81 X-9 was observed at a luminosity of LX = × 1040 ergs s-1 (0.3-10.0 keV). The variability previously observed in this source signals that it is an accreting source that likely harbors a black hole. Remarkably, accretion disk models for the soft thermal emission yield very low inner disk temperatures (kT = 0.17-0.29 keV, including 90% confidence errors and variations between observations and disk models) and improve the fit statistic over any single-component continuum model at the 6 σ level of confidence. This represents much stronger evidence for a cool disk than prior evidence that combined spectra from different observatories, and the strongest evidence of a cool disk in an ultraluminous X-ray source apart from that for NGC 1313 X-1. In common with NGC 1313 X-1, scaling the temperatures measured in M81 X-9 to those commonly seen in stellar-mass Galactic black holes at their highest observed fluxes (kT ≃ 1 keV) may imply that M81 X-9 harbors a black hole with a mass on the order of 103 M☉; the measured disk component normalization and broadband luminosity imply black hole masses on the order of 102 M☉. It is therefore possible that these sources harbor 103 M☉ black holes accreting at LX ≃ 0.1 × LEdd. While these results do not represent proof that M81 X-9 harbors an intermediate-mass black hole, radio and optical observations suggest that beaming and anisotropic emission from a stellar-mass black hole are unlikely to account for the implied luminosity. We further argue that the strength of the hard emission in these sources and well-established phenomena frequently observed in stellar-mass black holes near to the Eddington limit suggest that optically thick photospheres are unlikely to be the origin of the cool thermal emission in bright ultraluminous X-ray sources. For comparison to M81 X-9, we have also analyzed the previously unpublished EPIC-pn spectrum of NGC 1313 X-1; cool disk emission is again observed, and refined spectral fit parameters and mass estimates are reported.
Accelerating Reading Attainment: The Effectiveness of Synthetic Phonics. Interchange 57.

In this Interchange, the researchers begin by summarising the state of our existing knowledge of the teaching of reading. They go on to distinguish between analytic and synthetic phonics, providing examples of how each is taught within the classroom. Finally, they report the results of the three studies, concluding that synthetic phonics leads to fewer underachieving children and can be included in classroom teaching programmes to boost the teaching of reading.
A Survey of Clustering with Instance Level Constraints 1 2

Clustering with constraints is an important recent develop ment in the clustering literature. The addition of constraints allows users to incorporate domain expertise into the clustering process by explicitly specifying what are desirable properties in a clustering solution. This is part icularly useful for applications in domains where considerable domain expertise already exists. In this first extens iv survey of the field, we discuss the uses, benefits and importantly the problems associated with using constraint s. We cover approaches that make use of constraints for partitional and hierarchical algorithms to both enforc e the constraints or to learn a distance function from the constraints.
COMPARISON OF ROBUST RESIDUAL VIBRATION SUPPRESSION CAPABILITIES OF CONVENTIONAL DIGITAL FILTERS

Digital filters consist a quite effective robust residual vibration tool, when they are used for preconditioning any excitation function, prior to its application in a flexible system. Since a quite large number of conventional digital filters already exist, each one obtained by a different design procedure and resulting to different characteristics, a systematic comparison of their capabilities is performed. Critical design parameters are addressed, influencing the filter behavior in vibration suppression, such as the total delay introduced by the filter, the permitted residual vibration error, the robustness degree achieved and the necessary computational requirements in their implementation. It is shown, that although there does not exist a single type of filter, simultaneously conforming to an optimal degree to all the design requirements, a large variety of conventional filters can be effectively used for the several individual residual vibration suppression requirements.
A Systematic Review of Individual Motivational Factors in Orthodontic Treatment: Facial Attractiveness as the Main Motivational Factor in Orthodontic Treatment

Introduction. Physical, mental, and social consequences of malocclusion may impact the quality of life. The aim of this review is to describe main factors motivating parents for orthodontic treatment for their children. Methods. A systematic review study design was used to identify articles analyzing different motivational factors in orthodontic treatment appearing in Medline database, EMBASE, and Google Scholar. The search terms used were teasing, motivating factors, orthodontics, malocclusion, quality of life, smile attractiveness, and perception of malocclusion. Papers selected up to May 2013 included retrospective and prospective longitudinal studies, randomized control trials, cross-sectional studies, reviews, and meta-analyses. Results. 13 articles included in this review identified aesthetics as the main motivational factor in orthodontic treatment. Children mention teeth crowding, large overbite, missing teeth, and largest maxillary anterior irregularities also as motivational factors. Parents want their children to look nice and worry of being accused of neglecting parental duties. Conclusions. Dissatisfaction with one's appearance, dentist recommendation, interest and worries of parents, and the impact of peers who wear braces rank among the main motivation factors of seeking orthodontic treatment. Understanding these factors allows better planning of resources and better assessment of the requirements and priorities of treatment.
Enantioselective Separation of 4,8-DHT and Phytotoxicity of the Enantiomers on Various Plant Species

As a candidate for bioherbicide, 4,8-dihydroxy-1-tetralone (4,8-DHT) was isolated from Caryospora callicarpa epicarp and its two enantiomers, S-(+)-isosclerone and R-(−)-regiolone, were separated by chiral high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on a Chiralcel OD column with chiral stationary phase (CSP)-coated cellulose-tris(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate). Then, the phytotoxicity of 4,8-DHT and its enantiomers toward the seeds germination and seedling growth of the five tested plant species, including lettuce (Latuca sativa), radish (Raphanus sativus), cucumber (Cucumis sativus), onion (Allium cepa), and wheat (Triticum aestivum), were investigated and the results indicated a hormesis at low concentration of 4,8-DHT and its enantiomers, but a retardant effect at high concentration. Between the two enantiomers of 4,8-DHT, the S-(+)-isosclerone was more toxic to seeds germination and seedling growth of the five tested plant species than the R-(−)-regiolone, and also the phytotoxicity of S-(+)-isosclerone varied with different plants. For example, S-(+)-isosclerone was the most active to seedling growth of lettuce, indicating that S-(+)-isosclerone had specific effects on different organisms. Thus, all of the chirality and concentration of 4,8-DHT, as well as the affected plant species, need to be taken into consideration in the development and utilization of 4,8-DHT.
Postnatal Testosterone Concentrations and Male Social Development

Converging evidence from over 40 years of behavioral research indicates that higher testicular androgens in prenatal life and at puberty contribute to the masculinization of human behavior. However, the behavioral significance of the transient activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis in early postnatal life remains largely unknown. Although early research on non-human primates indicated that suppression of the postnatal surge in testicular androgens had no measurable effects on the later expression of the male behavioral phenotype, recent research from our laboratory suggests that postnatal testosterone concentrations influence male infant preferences for larger social groups and temperament characteristics associated with the later development of aggression. In later assessment of gender-linked behavior in the second year of life, concentrations of testosterone at 3–4 months of age were unrelated to toy choices and activity levels during toy play. However, higher concentrations of testosterone predicted less vocalization in toddlers and higher parental ratings on an established screening measure for autism spectrum disorder. These findings suggest a role of the transient activation of the HPG axis in the development of typical and atypical male social relations and suggest that it may be useful in future research on the exaggerated rise in testosterone secretion in preterm infants or exposure to hormone disruptors in early postnatal life to include assessment of gender-relevant behavioral outcomes, including childhood disorders with sex-biased prevalence rates.
"The Real Thing": Nominal Price Rigidity of the Nickel Coke, 1886-1959

We report that the price of a 6.5-oz Coca-Cola was 5c from 1886 until 1959. Thus, we are documenting a nominal price rigidity that lasted more than 70 years! The case of Coca-Cola is particularly interesting because during the 70-year period there were substantial changes in the soft drink industry as well as two World Wars, the Great Depression, and numerous regulatory interventions and lawsuits, which led to substantial changes in the Coca- Cola market conditions. The nickel price of Coke, nevertheless, remained unchanged. We find that this unusual rigidity is best explained by (1) a contract between the Company and its parent bottlers that encouraged retail price maintenance, (2) a single-coin vending machine technology, which limited the Company's price adjustment options due to limited availability and unreliability of the existing flexible price adjustment technologies, and (3) a single-coin monetary transaction technology, which limited the Company's price adjustment options due to the customer "inconvenience cost. " We show that these price adjustment costs are of a different nature than the standard menu cost, and their estimates exceed the existing estimates by an order of magnitude. A possible broader relevance of the nickel Coke phenomenon is discussed in the context of Nickel and Dime Stores, which were popular in the US in the late 1800s and the early 1900s.