Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Is Conflicted Investment Advice Better than No Advice?

The answer depends on how broker clients would have invested in the absence of broker recommendations. To identify counterfactual retirement portfolios, we exploit time-series variation in access to brokers by new plan participants. When brokers are available, they are chosen by new participants who value recommendations on asset allocation and fund selection because they are less financially experienced. When brokers are no longer available, demand for target-date funds (TDFs) increases differentially among participants with the highest predicted demand for brokers. Broker client portfolios earn significantly lower risk-adjusted returns and Sharpe ratios than matched portfolios based on TDFs—due in part to broker fees that average 0.90% per year—but offer similar levels of risk. More generally, the portfolios of participants with high predicted demand for brokers who lack access to brokers comparable favorably to the portfolios of similar participants who had access to brokers when they joined. Exploiting across-fund variation in the level of broker fees, we find that broker clients allocate more dollars to higher fee funds. This finding increases our confidence that actual broker client portfolios reflect broker recommendations, and it highlights an agency conflict that can be eliminated when TDFs replace brokers.
Factor Structure of Scores from the Conners' Rating Scales–Revised Among Nepali Children

This study used exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses to examine the structures of scores from the Conners' Teacher and Parent Rating Scales–Revised (CTRS-R and CPRS-R, respectively; Conners, 1997). The scales were administered to 1,835 parents and 1,387 teachers of children in Nepal's Sarlahi district, a region where no other measures of child psychopathology have been studied. With a Nepali sample, the findings indicated that reduced two-factor models for the Conners' scales were superior to the models identified in the scale development research. The hyperactivity and inattention factors were comparable to what has been identified in prior research, while other factors (e.g., social problems) differed substantially. Implications for use of the Conners' scales in Nepal and cross-cultural issues in the assessment of ADHD symptoms are discussed.
Towards a skewness index for the Italian stock market

The present paper is a first attempt of computing a skewness index for the Italian stock market. We compare and contrast different measures of asymmetry of the distribution: an index computed with the CBOE SKEW index formula and two other asymmetry indexes, the SIX indexes, as proposed in Faff and Liu (2014). We analyze the properties of the skewness indexes, by investigating their relationship with model-free implied volatility and the returns on the underlying stock index. Moreover, we assess the profitability of skewness trades and disentangle the contribution of the left and the right part of the risk neutral distribution to the profitability of the latter strategies. The data set consists of FTSE MIB index options data and covers the years 2011-2014, allowing us to address the behavior of skewness measures both in bullish and bearish market periods. We find that the Italian SKEW index presents many advantages with respect to other asymmetry measures: it has a significant contemporaneous relation with both returns, model-free implied volatility and has explanatory power on returns, after controlling for volatility. We find a negative relation between volatility changes and changes in the Italian SKEW index: an increase in model-free implied volatility is associated with a decrease in the Italian SKEW index. Moreover, the SKEW index acts as a measure of market greed, since returns react more negatively to a decrease in the SKEW index (increase in risk neutral skewness) than they react positively to an increase of the latter (decrease in risk neutral skewness). The results of the paper point to the existence of a skewness risk premium in the Italian market. This emerges both from the fact that implied skewness is more negative than physical one in the sample period and from the profitability of skewness trading strategies. In addition, the higher performance of the portfolio composed by only put options indicates that the mispricing of options is mainly focused on the left part of the distribution.
The ankyrin repeat as molecular architecture for protein recognition

The ankyrin repeat is one of the most frequently observed amino acid motifs in protein databases. This protein–protein interaction module is involved in a diverse set of cellular functions, and consequently, defects in ankyrin repeat proteins have been found in a number of human diseases. Recent biophysical, crystallographic, and NMR studies have been used to measure the stability and define the various topological features of this motif in an effort to understand the structural basis of ankyrin repeat‐mediated protein–protein interactions. Characterization of the folding and assembly pathways suggests that ankyrin repeat domains generally undergo a two‐state folding transition despite their modular structure. Also, the large number of available sequences has allowed the ankyrin repeat to be used as a template for consensus‐based protein design. Such projects have been successful in revealing positions responsible for structure and function in the ankyrin repeat as well as creating a potential universal scaffold for molecular recognition.
A Molecular Mechanism for Lipopolysaccharide Protection of Gram-negative Bacteria from Antimicrobial Peptides*

Cationic antimicrobial peptides serve as the first chemical barrier between all organisms and microbes. One of their main targets is the cytoplasmic membrane of the microorganisms. However, it is not yet clear why some peptides are active against one particular bacterial strain but not against others. Recent studies have suggested that the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) outer membrane is the first protective layer that actually controls peptide binding and insertion into Gram-negative bacteria. In order to shed light on these interactions, we synthesized and investigated a 12-mer amphipathic α-helical antimicrobial peptide (K5L7) and its diastereomer (4D-K5L7) (containing four d-amino acids). Interestingly, although both peptides strongly bind LPS bilayers and depolarize bacterial cytoplasmic membranes, only the diastereomer kills Gram-negative bacteria. Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared, CD, and surface plasmon resonance spectroscopies revealed that only the diastereomer penetrates the LPS layer. In contrast, K5L7 binds cooperatively to the polysaccharide chain andthe outer phosphate groups. As a result, the self-associated K5L7 is unable to traverse through the tightly packed LPS molecules, revealed by epifluorescence studies with LPS giant unilamellar vesicles. The difference in the peptides' modes of binding is further demonstrated by the ability of the diastereomer to induce LPS miscellization, as shown by transmission electron microscopy. In addition to increasing our understanding of the molecular basis of the protection of bacteria by LPS, this study presents a potential strategy to overcome resistance by LPS, and it should help in the design of antimicrobial peptides for future therapeutic purposes.
‘Hairy polyp’ of the pharynx in association with an ipsilateral branchial sinus: evidence that the ‘hairy polyp’ is a second branchial arch malformation

The pharyngeal ‘hairy polyp’, or ‘dermoid’ has caused considerable debate as to its origin since the original classification proposed by Arnold in 1870.1 This classification implies that the hairy polyp is either a teratoma or sequestration dermoid cyst. Many papers contest this view, in favour of a developmental malformation. We describe the first case of a hairy polyp in association with an ipsilateral branchial sinus as further supportive evidence of a developmental malformation of the second branchial arch.
Mucolipidosis IV.

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Coincidence of bft and cfiA genes in a multi-resistant clinical isolate of Bacteroides fragilis.

Although a common member of the normal human gut flora, Bacteroides fragilis possesses various virulence factors, such as capsule, LPS and special surface proteins, and certain types of strains may produce an extracellular enterotoxin, termed fragilysin (BFT). The fragilysinencoding gene (bft) has three different isoforms (termed bft-1, bft-2 and bft-3) (Chung et al., 1999; Franco et al., 1997; Kling et al., 1997). Because of the increasing number of resistant B. fragilis isolates, the therapeutic possibilities have been restricted to only some antibiotics, such as piperacillin/tazobactam, imipenem, metronidazole, clindamycin and cefoxitin (Rasmussen et al., 1993). Out of these, metronidazole and imipenem are the drugs of choice in the treatment of infections caused by B. fragilis; however, the emergence of imipenem or metronidazole resistant isolates has been reported (Rasmussen et al., 1993). Carbapenem and metronidazole resistances are frequently associated with the presence of the cfiA gene encoded class B metallo-b-lactamase (Thompson & Malamy, 1990) or various types of 5-nitroimidazole resistance genes (nimA–G) (Gal & Brazier, 2004). Strains carrying the cfiA gene may show susceptibility to imipenem, because in most isolates this gene is silent, but the presence of insertion (IS) elements in the upstream region of this gene can lead to the development of carbapenem resistance (Podglajen et al., 1992).
A DEEP HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE H-BAND IMAGING SURVEY OF MASSIVE GAS-RICH MERGERS. II. THE QUEST QSOs

We report the results from a deep Hubble Space Telescope (HST) NICMOS H-band imaging survey of 28 z < 0.3 QSOs from the Palomar-Green (PG) sample. This program is part of QUEST (Quasar/ULIRG Evolution Study) and complements a similar set of data on 26 highly nucleated ULIRGs presented in Paper I. Our analysis indicates that the fraction of QSOs with elliptical hosts is higher among QSOs with undetected far-infrared (FIR) emission, small infrared excess (LIR/LB < 10), and luminous hosts. The hosts of FIR-faint QSOs show a tendency to have less pronounced merger-induced morphological anomalies and larger QSO-to-host luminosity ratios on average than the hosts of FIR-bright QSOs, consistent with late-merger evolution from FIR-bright to FIR-faint QSOs. The spheroid sizes (∼ 0.3–5.5 kpc) and total host luminosities (∼ 0.6–7.2 L*H) of the radio-quiet PG QSOs in our sample are statistically indistinguishable from the ULIRG hosts presented in Paper I, while those of radio-loud PG QSOs are systematically larger and more luminous. ULIRGs and PG QSOs with elliptical hosts fall near, but not exactly on, the fundamental plane of inactive spheroids. We confirm the systematic trend noted in Paper I for objects with small (≲ 2 kpc) spheroids to be up to ∼ 1 mag brighter than inactive spheroids. The host colors and wavelength dependence of their sizes support the idea that these deviations are at least in part due to non-nuclear star formation. However, the amplitudes of these deviations depend mainly on host sizes, and possibly on infrared excess, but not on merger phase, QSO-to-host luminosity ratio, optical spectral type, active galactic nucleus fractional contribution to the bolometric luminosity, or host R − H color. Taken at face value (i.e., no correction for extinction or the presence of a young stellar population), the H-band spheroid-host luminosities imply black hole masses ∼ (5–200) × 107 M☉ and sub-Eddington mass accretion rates for both QSOs and ULIRGs. These results are compared with published black hole mass estimates derived from other methods.
Mutational Specificity of l , 3-Bis-( 2-chloroethyl )-l-nitrosourea in a Chinese Hamster Ovary Cell Line 1

The mutational specificity of the alkylating agent l-3-bis-(2-chloroethyl)-l-nitrosourea (BCNU) Â»as analyzed at the endogenous hemizygous (alenine phosphoribosyl transferase gene of the Chinese hamster ovary cell line D422. A 1-h treatment of the Chinese hamster ovary cells with 50 UM BCNU resulted in a toxicity level of 62% and induced mutation at this target with a frequency of 32.1 mutants/106 survivors (6-fold above background). Analysis of 49 BCNU-induced mutants at the DNA sequence level revealed that BCNU induced primarily base substitutions. The predominant BCNU-induced mutations were G:Câ€”T:A transversions, which comprised 51% (25 of 49) of the muta tions; while G:Câ€”A:T transitions, expected from miscoding of 06alkylguanine, represented only 16.3% (8 of 49) of the mutants recovered. This result was not anticipated, since Chinese hamster ovary cells are deficient in 06-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase, which should ren der them especially sensitive to 06-alkylguanine-mediated mutations. It was also notable that two "hotspots" for BCNU-induced G:C^T:A transversions were observed, which involved different surrounding DNA sequences but similar helix parameters when analyzed by an application of Calladine's Rules. Possible mechanisms for the observed BCNUinduced mutations are presented.
Kurtosis and negentropy investigation of myo electric signals during different MVCs

This research deals with computing the non-Gaussianity in Surface Electromyogram signal (sEMG) using Negative entropy and Kurtosis values. The signal was acquired from three different finger and wrist actions at four different levels of Maximum Voluntary Contractions (MVCs). Our experimental analysis shows that at constant force and for non-fatiguing contractions, probability density function (pdf) of sEMG signals were non-Gaussian. For lesser MVCs (below 30% of MVC) pdf measures tends to be Gaussian process. The above measures were verified by computing the kurtosis values for different MVCs.
Fly on the right: Lateral preferences when choosing aircraft seats

ABSTRACT A small preference has been observed for people to choose seats on the left of aircraft when booking via an online system. Although this is consistent with pseudoneglect—the known leftward bias in perception and representation—rightward preferences have been commonly observed in seating selection tasks in other environments. Additionally, the previous research in aircraft seating was unable to dissociate a bias to one side of the screen from a bias to one side of the cabin of the aircraft. Here, we present a study in which participants were asked to select seats for a range of fictional flights. They demonstrated a preference for seats on the right of the cabin, irrespective of whether the right of the cabin appeared to either the right or the left of the screen, a preference for seats towards the front of the aircraft and a preference to favour window and aisle seats. This suggests, in contrast to previous research, that participants demonstrated a rightward lateral bias to representations of an aircraft. These results may have implications for our understanding of asymmetries in cognition as well as having potentially important practical implications for airlines.
Cholinergic dysfunction in fragile X syndrome and potential intervention: A preliminary 1H MRS study

Males with fragile X syndrome (FRAX) are at risk for significant cognitive and behavioral deficits, particularly those involving executive prefrontal systems. Disruption of the cholinergic system secondary to fragile X mental retardation protein deficiency may contribute to the cognitive‐behavioral impairments associated with fragile X. We measured choline in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of nine males with FRAX and 9 age‐matched typically developing controls using 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Right choline/creatine was significantly reduced in the fragile X group compared to controls. In controls, both left and right choline was significantly positively correlated with intelligence and age was significantly negatively correlated with left choline. There were no correlations in the fragile X group. Subjects with FRAX participating in a pilot open‐label trial of donepezil, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, demonstrated significantly improved cognitive‐behavioral function. Studies utilizing biochemical neuroimaging techniques such as these have the potential to significantly impact the design of treatment strategies for FRAX and other genetic disorders by helping identify neurochemical targets for intervention as well as serving as metrics for treatment efficacy. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Brain Damage and ECT

examination was made at the end of the therapy which had lasted over one to forty years. Details of patients and the number, side and type of ECI' are given in the Table. Each scan was assessed independently, without knowledge of its timing relative to the ECT, for any abnormality of the cerebral substance and for the presence and degree of atrophy. Comparable mea surements of the maximum transverse diameters of the frontal horn, body and trigone of each lateral ventricle were expressed as a percentage of the maximum transverse diameter of the vault between the inner tables in order to eliminate variations due to magnifi cation as far as possible. The difference in the average of the measurements before and after ECT was expressed as a percentage increase or decrease. (See Table). Mild atrophy was present in four elderly patients (cases 2, 6, 7, 9) and minimal atrophy in one middle aged patient (case 10). Minor asymmetries in ventricu lar size are frequent in normal individuals and occurred in our patients; the larger ventricle was equally often ipsilateral (4 cases) and contralateral (4 cases) to the side on which ECT was mainly administered. Any increase in atrophy over the years was minimal and either bilateral or equally ipsi or contralateral to the treated hemisphere. Bilateral ill defined low density present in the cerebral white matter of one 79-year-old
Zoledronic acid inhibits osteosarcoma growth in an orthotopic model

Zoledronic acid (ZOL) has been shown to reduce osteolysis in bone metastasis. Its efficacy in osteosarcoma has not been convincingly proved in a clinically relevant model for the disease. In vitro, ZOL decreased osteosarcoma cell proliferation, mainly due to an increase in apoptosis in a dose-dependent fashion. There was a decrease in cell migration at ≥10 μmol/L concentrations, but invasion was inhibited at a much lower dose of 0.1 μmol/L. Reverse transcription-PCR showed that ZOL overall caused an increased expression of osteocalcin and decreased expression of alkaline phosphatase, osteopontin, osteonectin, and vascular endothelial growth factor, with no change in expression of osteoprotegerin. ZOL administration s.c. twice weekly at 0.12 mg/kg to SaOS-2 tumor–bearing mice resulted in primary tumor growth inhibition, reduction in lung metastases, and dramatic decrease in osteolysis. Furthermore, in the ZOL cohort, there was a clear reduction in the number of osteoclasts in bone exposed to tumor and a lower tumor vessel density. These data point to the adjuvant potential of ZOL in the management of osteosarcoma not only for its antiosteolytic properties but also for its ability to directly halt tumor cell growth and metastasis via its effects on viability, invasion, differentiation, and angiogenesis. [Mol Cancer Ther 2007;6(12):3263–70]
Fine structural and cytochemical aspects of granuloma formation derived from Kupffer cells in mice injected with latex particles.

The fate of Kupffer cells in mice for 3 days following injection with polystyrene latex particles (0.2 and 2.0 micron in diameter) was studied by electron microscopy. Kupffer cells took up the latex particles by pinocytosis as well as by phagocytosis. The particles ingested were in contact or fused with lysosomes in the cell. Two days after the final injection, most Kupffer cells were already stuffed with the particles. Within one month, cell clumps or cell aggregates, which could be called granuloma, were formed in the liver connective tissue space, i.e., Disse spaces, interlobular connective tissue spaces and subperitoneal connective tissue spaces. They were mostly composed of cells laden with numerous latex particles. The large granulomas were 80-120 micron in diameter. In each granuloma, endogenous peroxidase was localized in the cisternae of the nuclear envelope and of the rough endoplasmic reticulum of most cells, and in the cytoplasmic granules of some other cells. The former is known to be a Kupffer cell, and the latter, a monocyte. The granuloma further contained a few intermediate cells, showing peroxidase activity in the cisternae of the nuclear envelope and of the rough endoplasmic reticulum, and also in the cytoplasmic granules, phagocytic cells without peroxidase activity, granulocytes, and plasma cells. Hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells, attenuated in shape, also took up latex particles of a 0.2 micron diameter and rarely with a 2.0 micron diameter in their cytoplasm. Some Kupffer cells in the granuloma filled with numerous latex particles were labeled with 3H-thymidine (2.5 mCi in total dose) after subcutaneous injection ten times for 80 hr. In the animals 8 months after the injection of the latex particles, numerous large granulomas were distributed throughout the liver in the interlobular or subperitoneal connective tissue space. The formation of the granuloma of Kupffer cells is considered to play a great role in the disposing of foreign materials from the functional liver parenchymatous tissue.
Integrating Terminal Truncation and Oligopeptide Fusion for a Novel Protein Engineering Strategy To Improve Specific Activity and Catalytic Efficiency: Alkaline α-Amylase as a Case Study

ABSTRACT In this work, we integrated terminal truncation and N-terminal oligopeptide fusion as a novel protein engineering strategy to improve specific activity and catalytic efficiency of alkaline α-amylase (AmyK) from Alkalimonas amylolytica. First, the C terminus or N terminus of AmyK was partially truncated, yielding 12 truncated mutants, and then an oligopeptide (AEAEAKAKAEAEAKAK) was fused at the N terminus of the truncated AmyK, yielding another 12 truncation-fusion mutants. The specific activities of the truncation-fusion mutants AmyKΔC500-587::OP and AmyKΔC492-587::OP were 25.5- and 18.5-fold that of AmyK, respectively. The k cat/Km was increased from 1.0 × 105 liters · mol−1 · s−1 for AmyK to 30.6 × and 23.2 × 105 liters · mol−1 · s−1 for AmyKΔC500-587::OP and AmyKΔC492-587::OP, respectively. Comparative analysis of structure models indicated that the higher flexibility around the active site may be the main reason for the improved catalytic efficiency. The proposed terminal truncation and oligopeptide fusion strategy may be effective to engineer other enzymes to improve specific activity and catalytic efficiency.