Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Full-information transaction costs ⁄

In a world with private information and learning on the part of the market participants, transaction costs should be deflned as the (positive) difierences between transaction prices and full-information prices, i.e., the prices that re∞ect all information, private and public, about the asset of interest. While current approaches to the estimation of execution costs largely focus on measuring the difierences between transaction prices and e‐cient prices, i.e., the prices that embed all publicly available information about the asset, this work provides a simple and robust methodology to identify full-information transaction costs based on high-frequency transaction price data. Our estimator is deflned in terms of sample moments and is model-free in nature. Speciflcally, our measure of transaction costs is robust to unrestricted temporary and permanent market microstructure frictions as induced by operating costs (order-processing and inventory-keeping, among others) and adverse selection. Using a sample of S&P 100 stocks we provide support for both the operating cost and the asymmetric information theory of transaction cost determination but show that conventional measures of execution costs have the potential to understate considerably the true cost of trade.
A possible non-sexual origin of mate preference: are male guppies mimicking fruit?

In most animals, the origins of mating preferences are not clear. The ‘sensory–bias’ hypothesis proposes that biases in female sensory or neural systems are important in triggering sexual selection and in determining which male traits will become elaborated into sexual ornaments. Subsequently, other mechanisms can evolve for discriminating between high–and low–quality mates. Female guppies (Poecilia reticulata) generally show a preference for males with larger, more chromatic orange spots. It has been proposed that this preference originated because it enabled females to obtain high–quality mates. We present evidence for an alternative hypothesis, that the origin of the preference is a pleiotropic effect of a sensory bias for the colour orange, which might have arisen in the context of food detection. In field and laboratory experiments, adult guppies of both sexes were more responsive to orange–coloured objects than to objects of other colours, even outside a mating context. Across populations, variation in attraction to orange objects explained 94% of the inter–population variation in female mate preference for orange coloration on males. This is one of the first studies to show both an association between a potential trigger of a mate–choice preference and a sexually selected trait, and also that an innate attraction to a coloured inanimate object explains almost all of the observed variation in female mate choice. These results support the ‘sensory–bias’ hypothesis for the evolution of mating preferences.
Free-floating thrombi in the right heart: diagnosis, management, and prognostic indexes in 38 consecutive patients.

BACKGROUND Floating right heart thrombi (FRHTS) are a rare phenomenon, encountered almost exclusively in patients with suspected or proven pulmonary embolism and diagnosed by transthoracic echocardiography. Their management remains controversial. METHODS AND RESULTS We report on a series of 38 consecutive patients encountered over the past 12 years. Thirty-two patients were in NYHA class IV, 20 in cardiogenic shock. Echocardiography usually demonstrated signs of cor pulmonale: right ventricular overload (91.7% of the population), paradoxical interventricular septal motion (75%), and pulmonary hypertension (86. 1%). The thrombus was typically wormlike (36 of 38 patients). It extended from the left atrium through a patent foramen ovale in 4 patients. Pulmonary embolism was confirmed in all but 1. Mortality was high (17 of 38 patients) irrespective of the therapeutic option chosen: surgery (8 of 17), thrombolytics (2 of 9), heparin (5 of 8), or interventional percutaneous techniques (2 of 4). The in-hospital mortality rate was significantly linked with the occurrence of cardiac arrest. Conversely, the outcome after discharge was usually good, because 18 of 21 patients were still alive 47.2 months later (range, 1 to 70 months). CONCLUSIONS Severe pulmonary embolism was the rule in our series of FRHTS (mortality rate, 44.7%). The choice of therapy had no effect on mortality. Emergency surgery is usually advocated. However, thrombolysis is a faster, readily available treatment and seems promising either as the only treatment or as a bridge to surgery. In patients with contraindications to surgery or lytic therapy, interventional techniques may be proposed.
Survey of arctic bird migration and staging areas at the White Sea, in the autumns of 1999 and 2004

Finnish Environment Institute organized two ornithological expeditions to the White Sea, between 21st September and 10th October1999, and between 21st September and 10th October 2004. The main aim of these expeditions was to map the most important staging areas for the migrating arctic birds at the White Sea. Several internationally important staging areas were found at the White Sea. Transect line counts at sea showed that the densities of birds outside these areas were smaller. During the expeditions a lot of data collected about the migration, daily rhythm, directions and routes of the migration, intensity, timing and the age and sex of the birds. Clear differences between species were noticed in the dynamics, directions of routes and intensity. Some of the species migrate on a wide front and others follow the coastal lines. The expedition was carried out by vessel. Compared to aerial surveys, which are also used for mapping of staging areas, vessel is cheaper. Vessel surveys allow more time for observing for instance birds which are sensitive or few in numbers. On the other hand a vessel is slow and shallow areas, which are important staging areas for waterfowl, are inaccessible. Aerial surveys make it possible to cover large areas and to fi nd the most important staging areas for arctic waterfowl.
A broadly neutralizing human monoclonal antibody is effective against H7N9

Significance Emerging influenza subtypes, such as the recently identified H7N9 strains, are of considerable public health concern. Although vaccines are an important countermeasure, influenza vaccines tend to be subtype- and strain-specific, such that they may not be widely available in the event of the human adaptation and spread of an unanticipated strain or subtype. Additionally, influenza strains have demonstrated the ability to develop resistance to existing antivirals, including oseltamivir. As such, there is a need for novel interventions that can treat and/or prevent serious influenza infection. We demonstrate that VIS410, a human mAb, neutralizes a wide range of influenza A viruses and effectively manages H7N9 infection. Emerging strains of influenza represent a significant public health threat with potential pandemic consequences. Of particular concern are the recently emerged H7N9 strains which cause pneumonia with acute respiratory distress syndrome. Estimates are that nearly 80% of hospitalized patients with H7N9 have received intensive care unit support. VIS410, a human antibody, targets a unique conserved epitope on influenza A. We evaluated the efficacy of VIS410 for neutralization of group 2 influenza strains, including H3N2 and H7N9 strains in vitro and in vivo. VIS410, administered at 50 mg/kg, protected DBA mice infected with A/Anhui/2013 (H7N9), resulting in significant survival benefit upon single-dose (−24 h) or double-dose (−12 h, +48 h) administration (P < 0.001). A single dose of VIS410 at 50 mg/kg (−12 h) combined with oseltamivir at 50 mg/kg (−12 h, twice daily for 7 d) in C57BL/6 mice infected with A/Shanghai 2/2013 (H7N9) resulted in significant decreased lung viral load (P = 0.002) and decreased lung cytokine responses for nine of the 11 cytokines measured. Based on these results, we find that VIS410 may be effective either as monotherapy or combined with antivirals in treating H7N9 disease, as well as disease from other influenza strains.
A qualitative study of doctors' and nurses' barriers to communicating with seriously ill patients about their dependent children

Research indicates that health personnel caring for seriously ill patients with dependent children aged 0 to 18 years often avoid discussing with them the challenges of being a family with a parent in treatment. Children of seriously ill patients risk serious trauma and emotional difficulty later in life and depend on adult support to minimize these consequences. Patients suffer anxiety about supporting their children during their illness. Because of their potentially pivotal role in supporting patients in enabling parent‐child communication, we examined HP's structural and emotional barriers to communicating with patients about their children.
Metastases suppressor NM23-H2 interaction with G-quadruplex DNA within c-MYC promoter nuclease hypersensitive element induces c-MYC expression

Regulatory influence of the G-quadruplex or G4 motif present within the nuclease hypersensitive element (NHE) in the promoter of c-MYC has been noted. On the other hand, association of NM23-H2 to the NHE leads to c-MYC activation. Therefore, NM23-H2 interaction with the G4 motif within the c-MYC NHE presents an interesting mechanistic possibility. Herein, using luciferase reporter assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation we show NM23-H2 mediated c-MYC activation involves NM23-H2-G4 motif binding within the c-MYC NHE. G4 motif complex formation with recombinant NM23-H2 was independently confirmed using fluorescence energy transfer, which also indicated that the G4 motif was resolved to an unfolded state within the protein-bound complex. Taken together, this supports transcriptional role of NM23-H2 via a G4 motif.
Applications of Stochastic Analyses for Collaborative Learning and Cognitive Assessment

Abstract : This paper presents a basic introduction to some popular stochastic analysis methods from an unbiased disciplinary perspective. Examples ranging from fields as diverse as defense analysis, cognitive science, and instruction are illustrated throughout to demonstrate the variety of applications that benefit from such stochastic analysis methods and models. Two applications of longitudinal stochastic analysis methods to collaborative and cognitive training environments are discussed in detail. The first application applies a combination of latent mixed Markov modeling and multidimensional scaling for modeling, analyzing, and supporting the process of online knowledge sharing. In the second application, a combination of iterative nonlinear machine learning algorithms is applied to identify latent classes of problem-solving strategies. The examples illustrated in this paper are instances of an increasing global trend toward interdisciplinary research. As this trend continues to grow, research that takes advantage of the gaps and overlaps in analytical methodologies between disciplines will save time, effort, and research funds.
An evaluation of quality of service for H.264 over 802.11e WLANs

802.11 wireless local area networks are now a common feature in the home. In order to meet the quality of service (QoS) demands for the increasing number of multimedia applications on these home networks the 802.11e amendment was developed. A suitable video coding standard for these multimedia applications is H.264 due to its high compression and error resilience. In this paper we investigate how the quality of H.264 video is affected as the number of concurrent video streams sent over a multi-rate 802.11e network is increased. Several packet mapping schemes are compared. We show that the mapping schemes which differentiate video packets based on their frame type are more successful at maintaining acceptable video quality when congestion occurs, providing a more gradual quality degradation as congestion increases rather than the cliff-edge quality drop that tends to occur with the other mapping schemes. These differentiated schemes are more successful for videos that do not have a high amount of temporal activity. We also identify that impairments caused by congestion tend to occur towards the bottom of each frame when the flexible macroblock ordering (FMO) feature of H.264 is not used but the use of FMO can reduce this effect.
Microstructural Evolution in Orthotropic Elastic Media

We consider the problem of microstructural evolution in binary alloys in two dimensions. The microstructure consists of arbitrarily shaped precipitates embedded in a matrix. Both the precipitates and the matrix are taken to be elastically anisotropic, with different elastic constants. The interfacial energy at the precipitate? matrix interfaces is also taken to be anisotropic. This is an extension of the inhomogeneous isotrpic problem considered by H. -J. Jou et al. (1997, J. Comput. Phys.131, 109). Evolution occurs via diffusion among the precipitates such that the total (elastic plus interfacial) energy decreases; this is accounted for by a modified Gibbs? Thomson boundary condition at the interfaces. The coupled diffusion and elasticity equations are reformulated using boundary integrals. An efficient preconditioner for the elasticity problem is developed based on a small scale analysis of the equations. The solution to the coupled elasticity-diffusion problem is implemented in parallel. Precipitate evolution is tracked by special non-stiff time stepping algorithms that guarantee agreement between physical and numerical equilibria. Results show that small elastic inhomogeneities in cubic systems can have a strong effect on precipitate evolution. For example, in systems where the elastic constants of the precipitates are smaller than those of the matrix, the particles move toward each other, where the rate of approach depends on the degree of inhomogeneity. Anisotropic surface energy can either enhance or reduce this effect, depending on the relative orientations of the anisotropies. Simulations of the evolution of multiple precipitates indicate that the elastic constants and surface energy control precipitate morphology and strongly influence nearest neighbor interactions. However, for the parameter ranges considered, the overall evolution of systems with large numbers of precipitates is primarily driven by the overall reduction in surface energy. Finally, we consider a problem related to the microstructure of fully orthotropic geological materials.
Norm-Graphs: Variations and Applications

We describe several variants of the norm-graphs introduced by Kollar, Ronyai, and Szabo and study some of their extremal properties. Using these variants we construct, for infinitely many values of n, a graph on n vertices with more than 12n5/3 edges, containing no copy of K3, 3, thus slightly improving an old construction of Brown. We also prove that the maximum number of vertices in a complete graph whose edges can be colored by k colors with no monochromatic copy of K3, 3 is (1+o(1))k3. This answers a question of Chung and Graham. In addition we prove that for every fixed t, there is a family of subsets of an n element set whose so-called dual shatter function is O(mt) and whose discrepancy is ? (n1/2? 1/2tlogn). This settles a problem of Matou? ek.
ASTRAL Score Predicts 5-Year Dependence and Mortality in Acute Ischemic Stroke

Background and Purpose— The ASTRAL score was externally validated showing remarkable consistency on 3-month outcome prognosis in patients with acute ischemic stroke. The present study aimed to evaluate ASTRAL score’s prognostic accuracy to predict 5-year outcome. Methods— All consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke registered in the Athens Stroke Registry between January 1, 1998, and December 31, 2010, were included. Patients were excluded if admitted >24 hours after symptom onset or if any ASTRAL score component was missing. End points were 5-year unfavorable functional outcome, defined as modified Rankin Scale 3 to 6, and 5-year mortality. For each outcome, the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve was calculated; also, a multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis was performed to investigate whether the ASTRAL score was an independent predictor of outcome. The Kaplan–Meier product limit method was used to estimate the probability of 5-year survival for each ASTRAL score quartile. Results— The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve of the score to predict 5-year unfavorable functional outcome was 0.89, 95% confidence interval 0.88 to 0.91. In multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis, the ASTRAL score was independently associated with 5-year unfavorable functional outcome (hazard ratio, 1.09; 95% confidence interval, 1.08–1.10). The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve for the ASTRAL score’s discriminatory power to predict 5-year mortality was 0.81 (95% confidence interval, 0.78–0.83). In multivariate analysis, the ASTRAL score was independently associated with 5-year mortality (hazard ratio, 1.09, 95% confidence interval, 1.08–1.10). During the 5-year follow-up, the probability of survival was significantly lower with increasing ASTRAL score quartiles (log-rank test <0.001). Conclusions— The ASTRAL score reliably predicts 5-year functional outcome and mortality in patients with acute ischemic stroke.
IN VITRO STIMULATION OF ANTIBODY FORMATION BY PERITONEAL CELLS

An improved method for the short-term culture of mouse peritoneal cells in a medium containing carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), sheep erythrocytes (SRBC), and guinea pig complement is described. It involves preparation of microcultures, of thickness 12–15 µ and volume 3.6 µl, under paraffin oil. With such cultures, peritoneal cells from normal, unimmunized young male CBA mice give about 3000 hemolytic plaques per million cells cultured, this figure being attained within 24 hr. The plaque detection method is about four times as sensitive as the Jerne technique. A method is described whereby such plaque-forming cells (PFC) can be transferred, by micromanipulation, to fresh monolayer cultures containing SRBC, CMC, and complement. In this fashion, the secretory capacity and susceptibility to inhibitors of peritoneal PFC can be tested in detail. Using this technique, evidence is presented that the hemolytic substance responsible for plaque formation is actually secreted by the cell at the center of the plaque, and is not a complement component but probably an antibody. Studies on the time of plaque appearance after cell transfer, and the subsequent growth rate of the zone of hemolysis, have been performed. They speak against the idea that the PFC is either a reservoir of cytophilic antibody or a "background" PFC. Rather they suggest that active antibody secretion is induced in the cell at some defined time point in culture. Detailed kinetics of the rate of appearance of plaques in peritoneal cell cultures revealed an exponential phase lasting from about 3 to about 13 hr with a doubling time of 2 hr. The reasons for this are not known. A greatly heightened reactivity was shown in peritoneal cells of mice that had been pregnant several times. Cultures of such cells showed more rapid plaque appearance and a peak activity about 20 times higher than with cells from young male mice. Cultures in which 1 cell in 10 formed a plaque were not infrequent. A series of experiments on germ-free mice showed reactivity similar to that of conventional mice from the same strain and source. The significance of the findings for cellular immunology are discussed.
The Translation Sensitivity of Wavelet-Based Registration

This paper studies the effects of image translation on wavelet-based image registration. The main result is that the normalized correlation coefficients of low-pass Haar and Daubechies wavelet subbands are essentially insensitive to translations for features larger than twice the wavelet blocksize. The third-level low-pass subbands produce a correlation peak that varies with translation from 0.7 and 1.0 with an average in excess of 0.9. Translation sensitivity is limited to the high-pass subband and even this subband is potentially useful. The correlation peak for high-pass subbands derived from first and second-level low-pass subbands ranges from about 0.0 to 1.0 with an average of about 0.5 for Daubechies and 0.7 for Haar. We use a mathematical model to develop these results, and confirm them on real data.
Protective Effects of Scutellarin on Type II Diabetes Mellitus-Induced Testicular Damages Related to Reactive Oxygen Species/Bcl-2/Bax and Reactive Oxygen Species/Microcirculation/Staving Pathway in Diabetic Rat

The goal of our study is to evaluate the effect of Scutellarin on type II diabetes-induced testicular disorder and show the mechanism of Scutellarin's action. We used streptozotocin and high-fat diet to establish type II diabetic rat model. TUNEL and haematoxylin and eosin staining were used to evaluate the testicular apoptotic cells and morphologic changes. Immunohistochemical staining was used to measure the expression level of vascular endothelial growth factor and blood vessel density in testes. Oxidative stress in testes and epididymis was tested by fluorescence spectrophotometer and ELISA. The expression of Bcl-2/Bax and blood flow rate in testicular vessels were measured by western blot and Doppler. Our results for the first time showed that hyperglycemia induced apoptotic cells and morphologic impairments in testes of rats, while administration of Scutellarin can significantly inhibit these damages. This effect of Scutellarin is controlled by two apoptotic triggers: ROS/Bcl-2/Bax and ROS/microcirculation/starving pathway.
Exploring the ‘How’ in Policy Diffusion: National Intermediary Organizations’ Roles in Facilitating the Spread of Performance-Based Funding Policies in the States

ABSTRACT Numerous studies have examined “whether” and “why” policies diffuse, or the reasons for the adoption in a given government of a policy that exists in another government. This study explored the “how” of policy diffusion by focusing on college completion policies, especially performance funding. In particular, we examined the roles that intermediaries play in state-level college completion policy diffusion. Data are from 3 states and include observations of policy events, documents, and interviews with 56 participants, including state policy actors and intermediary representatives. This analysis, grounded in conceptual models of policy diffusion, revealed that diffusion occurs at various stages of the policy process, not just adoption. The study also demonstrated the coercive roles that intermediaries can play in promoting policies and revealed how intermediaries facilitate, and sometimes limit, policy learning, which is one of the primary mechanisms by which policies diffuse. By focusing on an underexplored conceptual model of policy diffusion, the national interaction model, this analysis shed light on the role played by intermediaries in state-level college completion policymaking.