Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Does information uncertainty moderate the impact of investors' emotion on stock prices?

Prior studies point out information uncertainty (IU) of a stock comes from investors' overconfidence. However, overconfidence is hard to be measured. After our collections and reviews of prior studies regarding IU, we propose stock returns are affected by investors' sentiment, and this relation is moderated by IU. We use SentimentAnalyzer system, a text mining technology, to analyze the posts in a stock forum on The Motley Fool financial website to investigate the psychology of investors, and verify our hypotheses by structural equation modeling (SEM) in weekly, monthly and quarterly intervals. Our findings demonstrate that investors' sentiment positively affects the stock returns only in short-term (weekly) interval, and this relation is also affected by IU in short time. Therefore, we proposed two suggestions. In buyer side, the investors who prefer high risks and returns can choose stocks with high IU (small company size or higher volatility in prices and volumes) and good reviews in forums as their targets in next week, and avoid the stocks with bad reviews. In contrast, in seller side, investors can choose the stocks with bad reviews as their next-week targets, too.
Is ensemble classifier needed for steganalysis in high-dimensional feature spaces?

The ensemble classifier, based on Fisher Linear Discriminant base learners, was introduced specifically for steganalysis of digital media, which currently uses high-dimensional feature spaces. Presently it is probably the most used method to design supervised classifier for steganalysis of digital images because of its good detection accuracy and small computational cost. It has been assumed by the community that the classifier implements a non-linear boundary through pooling binary decision of individual classifiers within the ensemble. This paper challenges this assumption by showing that linear classifier obtained by various regularizations of the FLD can perform equally well as the ensemble. Moreover it demonstrates that using state of the art solvers linear classifiers can be trained more efficiently and offer certain potential advantages over the original ensemble leading to much lower computational complexity than the ensemble classifier. All claims are supported experimentally on a wide spectrum of stego schemes operating in both the spatial and JPEG domains with a multitude of rich steganalysis feature sets.
The cardiometabolic benefits of glycine: Is glycine an ‘antidote’ to dietary fructose?

Supplemental glycine, via activation of glycine-gated chloride channels that are expressed on a number of types of cells, including Kupffer cells, macrophages, lymphocytes, platelets, cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells, has been found to exert anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, cytoprotective, platelet-stabilising and antiangiogenic effects in rodent studies that may be of clinical relevance.1–17 The plasma concentration of glycine in normally nourished individuals—around 200 µM—is near the Km for activation of these channels, implying that the severalfold increases in plasma glycine achievable with practical supplementation can be expected to further activate these channels in vivo.18 ,19 The impact on membrane polarisation of such activation will hinge on the intracellular chloride content; cells which actively concentrate chloride against a gradient will be depolarised by channel activation, whereas other cells will experience hyperpolarisation. In cells that fail to concentrate chloride and that express voltage-activated calcium channels, glycine tends to suppress calcium influx; this effect is thought to mediate much of the protection afforded by glycine.1 The role of chloride channel activation in the mediation of glycine's physiological effects is commonly assessed by the concurrent application of the chloride channel inhibitor strychnine; if this abolishes glycine's effect, this effect is most likely mediated by chloride channels. From the standpoint of vascular health, a recent report that glycine can stabilise platelets is of evident interest.7 When rats were fed diets containing 2.5–5% glycine, bleeding time approximately doubled, and the amplitude of platelet aggregation in whole blood triggered by ADP or collagen was halved. This effect was blocked by strychnine, and the investigators were able to confirm that platelets express glycine-gated chloride channels. They also demonstrated that human platelets likewise were glycine responsive and expressed such channels. Studies evaluating the interaction of glycine with aspirin or other pharmaceutical platelet-stabilising agents would clearly be appropriate, as …
Gender and Corporate Finance

Using a difference-in-differences approach around executive transitions, we examine whether men and women differ in corporate financial decisions. We find that companies with female CFOs make fewer acquisitions, and acquisitions made by female CFO firms have announcement returns approximately 2% higher than those made by male CFO firms. This evidence suggests greater scrutiny in deal-making by women and greater overconfidence for men. Female CFOs also issue debt less frequently. The lower debt issuance is consistent with women being relatively more risk averse, but we find mixed evidence on the impact of female CFO financial policy on shareholder value. __________________________________ * Huang is a Ph.D. candidate at Boston College and Kisgen is an Assistant Professor at Boston College. The authors wish to thank Brad Barber, Clifford Holderness, Mitchell Petersen, Jeffrey Pontiff, and Philip Strahan, and seminar participants at Binghamton University and Boston College, for helpful comments. Kisgen may be reached at kisgen@bc.edu. USC FBE FINANCE SEMINAR presented by Darren Kisgen FRIDAY, Oct. 3, 2008 10:30 am – 12:00 pm, Room: JKP-202
Analyzing a Flat Income Tax in the Netherlands

A flat tax rate on income has gained popularity in European countries. This paper assesses the attractiveness of such a flat tax in achieving redistributive objectives with the least cost to labour market performance. We do so by using a detailed applied general equilibrium model for the Netherlands. The model is empirically grounded in the data and encompasses decisions on hours worked, labour force participation, skill formation, wage bargaining between unions and firms, matching frictions, and a wide variety of institutional details. The simulations suggest that the replacement of the current tax system in the Netherlands by a flat rate will harm labour market performance if aggregate income inequality is contained. This finding bolsters the notion that a linear tax is less efficient than a non-linear tax to obtain redistributive goals.
Local Convergence of the Alternating Least Squares Algorithm for Canonical Tensor Approximation

A local convergence theorem for calculating canonical low-rank tensor approximations (PARAFAC, CANDECOMP) by the alternating least squares algorithm is established. The main assumption is that the Hessian matrix of the problem is positive definite modulo the scaling indeterminacy. A discussion, whether this is realistic, and numerical illustrations are included. Also regularization is addressed.
Evaluation of a Phylogenetic Marker Based on Genomic Segment B of Infectious Bursal Disease Virus: Facilitating a Feasible Incorporation of this Segment to the Molecular Epidemiology Studies for this Viral Agent

Background Infectious bursal disease (IBD) is a highly contagious and acute viral disease, which has caused high mortality rates in birds and considerable economic losses in different parts of the world for more than two decades and it still represents a considerable threat to poultry. The current study was designed to rigorously measure the reliability of a phylogenetic marker included into segment B. This marker can facilitate molecular epidemiology studies, incorporating this segment of the viral genome, to better explain the links between emergence, spreading and maintenance of the very virulent IBD virus (vvIBDV) strains worldwide. Methodology/Principal Findings Sequences of the segment B gene from IBDV strains isolated from diverse geographic locations were obtained from the GenBank Database; Cuban sequences were obtained in the current work. A phylogenetic marker named B-marker was assessed by different phylogenetic principles such as saturation of substitution, phylogenetic noise and high consistency. This last parameter is based on the ability of B-marker to reconstruct the same topology as the complete segment B of the viral genome. From the results obtained from B-marker, demographic history for both main lineages of IBDV regarding segment B was performed by Bayesian skyline plot analysis. Phylogenetic analysis for both segments of IBDV genome was also performed, revealing the presence of a natural reassortant strain with segment A from vvIBDV strains and segment B from non-vvIBDV strains within Cuban IBDV population. Conclusions/Significance This study contributes to a better understanding of the emergence of vvIBDV strains, describing molecular epidemiology of IBDV using the state-of-the-art methodology concerning phylogenetic reconstruction. This study also revealed the presence of a novel natural reassorted strain as possible manifest of change in the genetic structure and stability of the vvIBDV strains. Therefore, it highlights the need to obtain information about both genome segments of IBDV for molecular epidemiology studies.
Reproductive investment in the crab Cancer setosus along a latitudinal cline: egg production, embryo losses and embryo ventilation

Reproductive output (RO) is commonly used as a proxy for reproductive effort (RE) among Brachyuran crabs and other marine invertebrates, and so far no attempt has been made to incorporate the cost of brooding into RE to obtain a more reliable estimate of reproductive invest- ment, nor to compare it along a temperature (latitudinal) gradient. We compared RO among 3 sites (ca. 20, 30 and 40° S, reflecting mean annual sea-surface temperatures of 18, 14 and 10°C, respec- tively), and the cost of brooding (oxygen provision) at those temperatures, in order to obtain a more reliable pattern of reproductive investment along an extended latitudinal gradient. A total of 187 brooding females of Cancer setosus were collected to estimate RO. Fecundity, volume and weight of the embryos, and embryo losses were also estimated. Laboratory experiments were carried out at the characteristic temperatures of those sites (acclimating females from central Chile) to determine (1) patterns of oxygen provision to the embryos, (2) patterns of brooding behavior, and (3) to quantify the cost of embryo ventilation. Optic fibers, video recording and respiration chambers were used to meet these goals. Results showed that (1) RO, (2) fecundity, and (3) volume and weight of embryos varied with latitude, and that temperature affects (1) period of embryo ventilation (oxygen provision) events, (2) flapping frequency, (3) embryo losses throughout the brooding period, and (4) cost of embryo ventilation per unit of time. While RO increased with latitude, the cost of embryo ventilation decreased with temperature, suggesting a trade-off between investment in eggs and the cost of pro- viding oxygen to the embryos at different temperatures (latitudes). This pattern may not be exclusive to Brachyuran crabs, but may also apply to other marine invertebrates since oxygen limitation during early development occurs in other brooding species.
Planar pseudo-triangulations, spherical pseudo-tilings and hyperbolic virtual polytopes

We wish to draw attention to an interesting and promising interaction of two theories. On the one hand, it is the theory of \textbf{pseudo-triangulations} which was useful for implicit solution of thecarpenter's rule problem and proved later to give a nice tool for graph embeddings. On the other hand, it is the theory of hyperbolic virtual polytopes which arose from an old uniqueness conjecture for convex bodies (A. D. Alexandrov's problem): suppose that a constant $C$ separates (non-strictly) everywhere the principal curvature radii of a smooth 3-dimensional convex body $K$. Then $K$ is necessarily a ball of radius $C$. The two key ideas are: Passing from planar pseudo-triangulations to spherical pseudo-tilings, we avoid non-poited vertices. Instead, we use pseudo-di-gons. A theorem on spherically embedded Laman-plus-one graphs is announced. The difficult problem of hyperbolic polytopes constructing can be reduced to finding spherically embedded graphs.
Migración y mercados de trabajo en el sur de Europa: inserción laboral de los trabajadores africanos en España

Este articulo defiende que la economia y la sociedad espanolas han creado la necesidad de mano de obra inmigrante para trabajos rechazados por la poblacion autoctona. En su desarrollo, el articulo expone resultados de una encuesta con 151 trabajadores africanos en la provincia de Gerona. La discusion sobre la insercion laboral de los inmigrantes se realiza en tres sectores: agricultura, construccion, y hoteleria y restauracion. Se concluye que, sin importar la rama de actividad, los africanos realizan trabajos poco calificados, temporales y precarios. Esta caracterizacion coincide con la expresada por los teoricos de la segmentacion del mercado de trabajo. Finalmente, el articulo plantea que la precarizacion del trabajo inmigrante tiene repercusiones legales gravisimas en el estatus de los inmigrantes en Espana ya que la legislacion condiciona la renovacion de la residencia a disponer de trabajo declarado. ABSTRACT This anide argues that Spanish economy and society have created need for immigration workers to do unwanted, socially unaccepted jobs. To develop the argument, results from a survey of 151 interviewed African workers in the province of Gerona are analyzed. Discussion is placed in three sectors:agriculture, construction, and accommodation and restaurants. The analysis shows that African workers do the least qualified, more precarious, short-term jobs, regardless the economic sector. Theoretically this matches segmentation ideas on immigrant work. Finally, the article argues that this pattern of precarious and unstable work in Spanish labor markets impinges on immigrant status in the country, since Spanish migration laws restrict renewals of residence permits to those with hired jobs.
Results of ulnar nerve neurotization to biceps brachii muscle in brachial plexus injury

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the factors influencing the results of ulnar nerve neurotization at the motor branch of the brachii biceps muscle, aiming at the restoration of elbow flexion in patients with brachial plexus injury. METHODS: 19 patients, with 18 men and 1 woman, mean age 28.7 years. Eight patients had injury to roots C5-C6 and 11, to roots C5-C6-C7. The average time interval between injury and surgery was 7.5 months. Four patients had cervical fractures associated with brachial plexus injury. The postoperative follow-up was 15.7 months. RESULTS: Eight patients recovered elbow flexion strength MRC grade 4; two, MRC grade 3 and nine, MRC <3. There was no impairment of the previous ulnar nerve function. CONCLUSION: The surgical results of ulnar nerve neurotization at the motor branch of brachii biceps muscle are dependent on the interval between brachial plexus injury and surgical treatment, the presence of associated fractures of the cervical spine and occipital condyle, residual function of the C8-T1 roots after the injury and the involvement of the C7 root. Signs of reinnervation manifested up to 3 months after surgery showed better results in the long term. Level of Evidence: IV, Case Series.
A Mathematical Formalization of Hierarchical Temporal Memory’s Spatial Pooler

Hierarchical temporal memory (HTM) is an emerging machine learning algorithm, with the potential to provide a means to perform predictions on spatiotemporal data. The algorithm, inspired by the neocortex, currently does not have a comprehensive mathematical framework. This work brings together all aspects of the spatial pooler (SP), a critical learning component in HTM, under a single unifying framework. The primary learning mechanism is explored, where a maximum likelihood estimator for determining the degree of permanence update is proposed. The boosting mechanisms are studied and found to be only relevant during the initial few iterations of the network. Observations are made relating HTM to well-known algorithms such as competitive learning and attribute bagging. Methods are provided for using the SP for classification as well as dimensionality reduction. Empirical evidence verifies that given the proper parameterizations, the SP may be used for feature learning.
How Deep is the Annuity Market Participation Puzzle?

Using U.K. microeconomic data, we analyze the empirical determinants of voluntary annuity market demand. We find that annuity market participation increases with financial wealth, life expectancy and education and decreases with other pension income and a possible bequest motive for surviving spouses. We then show that these empirically motivated determinants of annuity market participation have the same, quantitatively important, effects in a life cycle model of annuity demand, saving and portfolio choice. Moreover, reasonable preference parameters predict annuity demand levels comparable to the data, thereby questioning the conventional wisdom that limited annuity market participation is a puzzle to be explained.JEL Classification: E21, H00.Key Words: Annuities, portfolio choice, bequest motive.
The 3-D ionization structure and evolution of NGC 7009 (Saturn Nebula)

Tomographic and 3-D analyses for extended, emission-line objects are applied to long-slit ESO NTT + EMMI high-resolution spectra of the intriguing planetary nebula NGC 7009, covered at twelve position angles. We derive the gas expansion law, the diagnostics and ionic radial profiles, the distance and the central star parameters, the nebular photo-ionization model and the spatial recovery of the plasma structure and evolution. The Saturn Nebula (${\rm distance}\simeq1.4$ kpc, ${\rm age}\simeq6000$ yr, ionized ${\rm mass}\simeq0.18$ $M_\odot$) consists of several interconnected components, characterized by different morphology, physical conditions, excitation and kinematics. We identify four “large-scale”, mean-to-high excitation sub–systems (the internal shell, the main shell, the outer shell and the halo), and as many “small-scale” ones: the caps (strings of low-excitation knots within the outer shell), the ansae (polar, low-excitation, likely shocked layers), the streams (high-excitation polar regions connecting the main shell with the ansae), and an equatorial, medium-to-low excitation pseudo-ring within the outer shell. The internal shell, the main shell, the streams and the ansae expand at $V{\rm_{exp}}\simeq4.0 \times R$´´ km s -1 , the outer shell, the caps and the equatorial pseudo-ring at $V{\rm_{exp}}\simeq3.15 \times R$´´ km s -1 , and the halo at $V{\rm_{exp}}\simeq10$ km s -1 . We compare the radial distribution of the physical conditions and the line fluxes observed in the eight sub-systems with the theoretical profiles coming from the photo-ionization code CLOUDY, inferring that all the spectral characteristics of NGC 7009 are explainable in terms of photo-ionization by the central star, a hot ($\log\, T_* \simeq4.95$) and luminous ($\log\, L_*/L_\odot\simeq3.70$) 0.60–0.61 $M_\odot$ post–AGB star in the hydrogen-shell nuclear burning phase. The 3–D shaping of the Saturn Nebula is discussed within an evolutionary scenario dominated by photo-ionization and supported by the fast stellar wind: it begins with the superwind ejection (first isotropic, then polar deficient), passes through the neutral, transition phase (lasting $\simeq$3000 yr), the ionization start (occurred $\simeq$2000 yr ago), and the full ionization of the main shell ($\simeq$1000 yr ago), at last reaching the present days: the whole nebula is optically thin to the UV stellar flux, except the caps (mean latitude condensations in the outer shell, shadowed by the main shell) and the ansae (supersonic ionization fronts along the major axis).
“We Have to Educate Every Single Student, Not Just the Ones That Look Like Us”: Support Service Providers’ Beliefs About the Root Causes of the School-to-Prison Pipeline for Youth of Color

Abstract This study adds to the extant research on the school-to-prison pipeline by investigating how school-based service providers and administrators conceptualize the causal mechanisms constraining and enabling the school-to-prison pipeline in a large urban district. Thirty-three schools were selected for the study based on their suspension rates. Support staff and district partners (n = 36) participated in focus groups guided by semi-structured protocols. Most participants emphasized structural and systemic causes of the school-to-prison pipeline, such as institutional racism and poverty. To minimize the school-to-prison pipeline, participants highlighted the importance of relationship building and non-punitive practices in response to misbehavior, although solutions offered limited evidence of promising interventions. Given strong research indicating that racial disparities cannot be explained by differential behavior, scholarship in this area emphasizes the need to increase school-level practices that promote positive school climate. The persistence of exclusionary and punitive attitudes among a subset of the sample suggests a need for differentiated professional development to address competing frameworks for understanding the root causes of, and solutions to, the school-to-prison pipeline.
Sport tourism consumer experiences: a comprehensive model

The interest in physical activity and vacations has created a growth in the tourism industry and has greatly modified strategies within the industry. Sport tourism is expanding and many forms of consumption exist within this area. The object of this study is to propose a new framework for analysing sport tourism consumption. This framework illustrates that consumer choices depend upon vacation destinations and sport services offered in relation to the experiences that vacationers are seeking. The originality of this analysis is that it integrates spatial and social dimensions stemming from environmental psychology, ethnology and sociology.
Atmospheric Dynamics Triggered by an Oceanic SST Front in a Moist Quasigeostrophic Model

To understand the atmospheric response to a midlatitude oceanic front, this paper uses a quasigeostrophic (QG) model with moist processes. A well-known, three-level QG model on the sphere has been modified to include such processes in an aquaplanet setting. Its response is analyzed in terms of the upper-level atmospheric jet for sea surface temperature (SST) fronts of different profiles and located at different latitudes. WhentheSST front issufficientlystrong, ittends toanchorthe mean atmospheric jet,suggesting thatthejet’s spatial location and pattern are mainly affected by the latitude of the SST front. Changes in the jet’s pattern are studied,focusingonsurfacesensibleheatfluxandonmoistureeffectsthroughlatentheatrelease.Itisfoundthat latent heat release due to moist processes is modified when the SST front is changed, and this is responsible for the meridional displacement of the jet. Moreover, both latent heat release and surface sensible heat flux contribute to the jet’s strengthening. These results highlight the role of SST fronts and moist processes in affecting the characteristics of the midlatitude jet stream and of its associated storm track, particularly their positions.