Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Determining Values Using Options Contracts

Abstract This paper presents a simple mechanism for allocating a single good in partnership dissolution. Since in the areas of probate, family, partnership and bankruptcy law the establishment of the value of assets is essential this mechanism can be useful. We illustrate its application for the case of determining the value of a house in a divorce proceeding. We show that when transactions costs are permitted, our mechanism shows a wider range of equilibrium outcomes than existing mechanisms such as Texas shootouts, implying it offers more equal and fair divisions. In addition, if private valuations of an asset are allowed, the proposed mechanism has an advantage based on the efficiency criterion compared to Texas shootouts.
Accurate underwater localization using LBL positioning system

The absolute position of an underwater target is difficult to pinpoint because the global positioning system (GPS) cannot penetrate water bodies. The long baseline (LBL) positioning system can extend GPS using high-precision calibrated underwater beacons as references. While traditional LBL systems give the target position without considering calibration error of deployed beacons. To solve this problem, we propose a method different from previous works, that combining all of the observations together. We use GPS outputs as true values to evaluate the localization performance. An LBL system with four beacons was installed in shallow water and deep sea to test the results. The positioning accuracy in shallow water and deep sea improves 0.06 m and 1.98 m respectively. The results suggest that beacon positioning errors have a great impact on localization precision, especially in
Teacher Education Pedagogies Related to Preparing Preservice Teachers as Leaders in Pakistan

Abstract An analysis of traditional authoritarian preservice teacher development approaches in Pakistan demonstrates that they develop teachers as technicians who carbon copy the same authoritarian training model in their classrooms. The more contemporary approaches to teacher education with leadership development focus are mostly limited to in-service teacher education programs. The key dilemma with in-service education is that once the teachers have received higher qualification they tend to move out of the classrooms to assume management positions. What Pakistan requires is classroom teacher leaders who have the capacity to initiate and sustain school improvement. I propose the pedagogy of transformation, which is based on the principles of participation and emancipation suited to develop preservice teachers as active professionals who have the capacity to influence and drive improvements in their own learning and in the learning of the children. The transformation pedagogy encompasses five specific instructional strategies for nurturing teachers’ leadership skills in the current preservice teacher preparation program in Pakistan. These are: encourage active involvement and delegation of authority among preservice teachers, engage preservice teachers in critical analysis and meta-cognitive tasks, building collaborative teams and professional networks among preservice teachers, providing preservice teachers with experience of working with real-life teacher leaders, and develop preservice teachers’ moral and ethical reasoning. I bring the discussion to a closure in the form of a framework which encompasses key elements of the proposed pedagogy. The framework can be adopted or adapted to give due considerations to the complexities of the contexts where it is being implemented.
Pharmacokinetics of linezolid in human non-inflamed vitreous after systemic administration.

OBJECTIVES To determine the concentration-time curves of linezolid in serum and vitreous from 24 patients undergoing vitrectomy. METHODS Vitrectomy was performed 1, 2, 4, 8 and 12 h after infusion of 600 mg of linezolid in 20 patients divided into groups of four. Four additional patients were studied 12 h after two separate oral doses of 600 mg of linezolid. Serum samples were obtained 1 h after linezolid administration to determine C(max); vitreous and a second serum sample were taken simultaneously during the vitrectomy in all patients, and the concentrations of linezolid in vitreous (C(v)) and serum (C(s)) were determined. RESULTS Among patients who received one intravenous dose of 600 mg of linezolid, the highest mean C(v) was observed at 4 and 8 h following linezolid administration (3.4 and 3.7 mg/L). The highest mean C(v) was observed in patients who received two oral doses of 600 mg of linezolid separated by 12 h (4.5 mg/L), which was higher than the MIC(90) for Staphylococcus epidermidis. The highest C(v)/C(s) ratio was reached 12 h after administration of one and two doses (2.4 and 1.5, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Microbiologically significant concentrations of linezolid can be achieved in the vitreous of the non-inflamed human eye after intravenous administration of 600 mg, and it is even better after two doses of 600 mg. It appears that linezolid accumulates in the vitreous, achieving potentially useful steady-state concentrations. An evaluation of clinical efficacy is needed to confirm the perceived utility based on the pharmacokinetics.
Overexpression of EZH2 contributes to acquired cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer cells in vitro and in vivo

Enhancer of Zeste Homologue 2 (EZH2), a specific histone 3 lysine 27 (H3K27) methyltransferase, plays a critical role in tumorigenesis and cancer progression through epigenetic gene silencing and chromatin remodeling. However, the role of EZH2 in chemotherapy resistance is unknown. In this study, we found that EZH2 was overexpressed in cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cells compared with cisplatin-sensitive cells. Knockdown of EZH2 by RNA interference (RNAi) resensitized drug-resistant ovarian cancer A2780/DDP cells to cisplatin and decreased the level of H3K27 trimethylation (H3K27me3). Moreover, EZH2 downregulation suppressed cell proliferation and caused G2/M cell cycle arrest in A2780/DDP cells. Loss of EZH2 also enhanced sensibility of tumor xenografts to cisplatin and inhibited tumor growth in vivo. Our results indicate that EZH2 is essential for chemotherapy resistance in cisplatin-resistant cancer cells in vitro and in vivo, which is probably through H3K27 methylation as well as regulation of cell proliferation. EZH2 could be a potential novel epigenetic target to overcome drug resistance.
Interleukin‐2 given to asymptomatic HIV‐infected individuals leads to an exaggerated response of the pituitary gland to the action of CRH

background and aims Studies investigating the impact of interleukin‐2 (IL‐2) on the corticotroph axis have shown that IL‐2 can stimulate cortisol and ACTH secretion. However, the site, the time course and the mechanisms of IL‐2 stimulation of the corticotroph axis are still not known. The aim of this study was to gain insight into the mechanisms of IL‐2 stimulation of the corticotroph axis.
Men Idle, Women Network: How Networks Help Female Legislators Succeed

Why do some lawmakers form denser professional networks than others? We extend existing theories of gendered networks, arguing that legislators use networking as a strategy to compensate for a challenging institutional environment. Using original data from Brazil, we provide survey-based evidence that female representatives in the Chamber of Deputies engage in higher rates of intragender networking and have more profuse and diverse legislative networks than male deputies. We also provide suggestive evidence that these profuse legislative relationships pay off for women in the form of higher vote shares at election time.
Estimating DSGE Models with Zero Interest Rate Policy

We propose estimating DSGE models in which the central bank fixes the policy rate for an extended period of time and apply our approach to estimate expected durations of the Federal Reserve’s zero interest rate policy since 2009. We find a large increase in expected duration in 2011 with the move to calendar-based guidance and a decrease in 2013 with the ‘Taper tantrum’. These changes are identified by the influence of expected duration on output, inflation and interest rates at longer maturities. The structural model measures the severity of the zero lower bound constraint and the effects of unconventional policy.
Methylation of histones in myeloid leukemias as a potential marker of granulocyte abnormalities

We show that common heterochromatin antigenic protein markers [HP1α, ‐β, ‐γ and mono‐, di‐, and trimethylated histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9)], although present in human blood progenitor CD34+ cells, differentiated lymphocytes, and monocytes, are absent in neutrophil granulocytes and to large extent, in eosinophils. Monomethylated and in particular, dimethylated H3K9 are present to variable degrees in the granulocytes of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients, without being accompanied by HP1 proteins. In patients with an acute phase of CML and in acute myeloid leukemia patients, strong methylation of H3K9 and all isoforms of HP1 are detected. In chronic forms of CML, no strong correlations among the level of histone methylation, disease progression, and modality of treatment were observed. Histone methylation was found even in “cured” patients without Philadelphia chromosome (Ph) resulting from +(9;22)(q34;q11) BCR/ABL translocation, suggesting an incomplete process of developmentally regulated chromatin remodeling in the granulocytes of these patients. Similarly, reprogramming of leukemia HL‐60 cells to terminal differentiation by retinoic acid does not eliminate H3K9 methylation and the presence of HP1 isoforms from differentiated granulocytes. Thus, our study shows for the first time that histone H3 methylation may be changed dramatically during normal cell differentiation. The residual histone H3 methylation in myeloid leukemia cells suggests an incomplete chromatin condensation that may be linked to the leukemia cell proliferation and may be important for the prognosis of disease treatment and relapse.
Comparative pharmacokinetic analysis of 5-fluorouracil and its major metabolite 5-fluoro-5,6-dihydrouracil after conventional and reduced test dose in cancer patients.

The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical pharmacokinetics of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and its major metabolite 5-fluoro-5,6-dihydrouracil (5-FDHU) in 20 colorectal cancer patients given two dose levels of 5-FU, 250 and 370 mg/m2, administered by i.v. bolus. A reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method was used for the simultaneous assay of 5-FU and 5-FDHU in plasma samples obtained at baseline and at multiple time points from 5 min to 4 h after 5-FU bolus as well as to assess the activity of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) before 5-FU dosing. Plasma pharmacokinetic parameters of patients given 250 mg/m2 5-FU were significantly different from those receiving 370 mg/m2; main differences were observed in the trapezoidal areas under the plasma levels-versus-time curve from to to the last measurable concentration (area under the curve, 3.77+/-0.21 versus 13.61+/-2.3 h x microg/ml), peak plasma concentration (Cmax, 18.15+/-1.35 versus 48.41+/-7.69 microg/ml), and total body clearance (CL(TB), 54.64+/-3.54 versus 25.43+/-2.3 l/h/m2). Significant differences were also observed in the main pharmacokinetic parameters of 5-FDHU after 250 and 370 mg/m2 5-FU including the area under the curve from to to 4 h (5.39+/-0.32 versus 8.75+/-1.24 h x microg/ml), Cmax (3.60+/-0.16 versus 5.26+/-0.55 microg/ml) and time to Cmax (Tmax, 0.45+/-0.03 versus 0.69+/-0.06 h). The mean DPD activity in PBMCs in this group of patients was 205.7+/-36.4 pmol of 5-FDHU/min/mg of protein and was within the normal range; however, no significant correlations were found between 5-FU or 5-FDHU pharmacokinetic parameters at two dose levels and DPD activity of PBMCs. The results of the present study provide the first detailed comparison of the distribution of 5-FU and its major metabolite 5-FDHU at the therapeutic level as well as at reduced test dose levels to obtain pharmacokinetic data to be used as reference values for the identification of patients at risk of major 5-FU toxicity due to impaired metabolism to 5-FDHU.
[Relationship between tumor necrosis factor genetic polymorphisms and acute lymphocytic leukemia].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE Acute lymphocytic leukemia(ALL), which is sensitive to tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is one of hematological malignances derived from lymphoid tissue. Genetic polymorphisms in the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) locus can affect transcription and expression of TNF genes. This study was designed to investigate the relationship between -308 bp polymorphism in tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNFalpha) gene and +252 bp in lymphotoxin-alpha(LTalpha) gene and the pathogenesis, clinical course, and outcome of ALL. METHODS The single base mutation polymorphism in TNFalpha gene and LTalpha gene were analyzed among 29 Chinese patients with ALL and 72 normal controls using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restrictive fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). The clinical data were collected and survival analysis was performed. RESULTS The difference of distribution of genotypes, alleles of TNFalpha(-308), LTalpha(+252), and TNF/LT polymorphic extended haplotypes between the ALL patients and control group were not statistically significant (P >0.05). In patients, no statistically significant association was found between the presence of a given TNF/LT haplotype status and clinical characters such as sex, white blood cell (WBC) counts, central nervous system involvement, and the response to therapy(P >0.05). The estimated 1-year overall survival rates in the groups of patients carrying high-risk and low-risk haplotypes were not statistically significant (P >0.05) using Kaplan-Meier method. In multivariate Cox regression models the TNF/LT haplotype status was not found to be a risk factor for outcome (P >0.05). CONCLUSION These data suggest that genetic polymorphisms in the TNFalpha(-308) and LTalpha(+252) are not crucial in the pathogenesis, clinical course, and outcome of ALL patients.
Mirtazapine protects against cisplatin‐induced oxidative stress and DNA damage in the rat brain

Cisplatin chemotherapy is associated with neurotoxicity, and oxidative stress might play an important role in the pathogenesis. Mirtazapine may be a preventative agent via its less‐known antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to examine the potential chemoprotective effects of mirtazapine against cisplatin‐induced oxidative stress and DNA damage.
Estimating Glomerular Filtration Rate in Kidney Transplant Recipients: Performance Over Time of Four Creatinine-Based Formulas

Background. The management of kidney transplant recipients requires accurate estimate of glomerular filtration rate (GFR). This study aims at evaluating the performance of four creatinine-based formulas for estimating the GFR (estimated GFR) in this population. Methods. Performances of Cockcroft and Gault formula, Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) simplified formula, Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration formula, and Nankivell formula were assessed compared with inulin clearance taken as the gold standard for measuring GFR (measured GFR). Performances were assessed using the first measurements of GFR obtained in 1249 subjects. How estimated GFR tracks changes in measured GFR over time since transplantation in those patients with repeated measures was also assessed. Results. The MDRD formula provided the best estimate of GFR with a mean bias of −0.5 mL/min/1.73 m2, a standard deviation of bias of 12 mL/min/1.73 m2, and a 30% accuracy at 85%. The MDRD formula also seemed to provide the best performance for estimating GFR, irrespective of age, stage of renal failure, and in people whose body mass index was more than 18.5 kg/m2. This robustness is important in clinical practice. The performance of the four formulas was not modified by the posttransplant period. Conclusion. Even if 30% accuracy was suboptimal in the Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative guidelines, our results, obtained in a large number of patients, lead us to recommend using the MDRD formula to monitor GFR in kidney transplant recipients.
Normal human glomerular cells in culture

Reproducible patterns of cell outgrowth have been observed from isolated normal adult, human glomeruli grown in tissue culture. Three morphologically distinct cell populations designated Types I, II, and III have been observed in culture from 15 normal human kidneys. Assessment of the morphology and behaviour of these cells has been made by phase contrast, time-lapse cinemicroscopic, transmission and scanning electron microscopic examination. The phagocytic capacity of these cells has been determined. The Type I cell appears in culture by migration from the capillary loops, its branched cytoplasm and ultrastructural features confirming its origin as a visceral epithelial cell. In keeping with the highly specialised nature of this cell, division was rare, movement was not observed, and differentiation was progressively lost in culture. The Type II cell was mobile and capable of active division. Ultrastructural features were those of mesangial cells. The Type III cell which was seen only rarely, had the features of a macrophage. Endothelial outgrowth was not observed.
Do Job Preferences Add to the Explanation of the Gender Earnings Gap in Self-Employment? The Case of St. Croix County, Wisconsin

This study uses data collected on self-employed women and men in a single county to analyze the influence of job preferences on the gender-based earnings gap. Data reduction, carried out on the pooled sample, reduces eleven job preference measures selected for the study to five: challenge of competition, make a lot of money, job security, close to extended family, and can be innovative. A separate regression for self-employed women indicates make a lot of money has a positive and close to extended family a negative effect on earnings. For self-employed men, results indicate positive effects on earnings for challenge of competition and make a lot of money. Sensitivity results indicate, in estimates for self-employed women, the positive effect of make a lot of money is not robust. At the same time, the sensitivity analysis indicates a positive effect of preference for financial risk-taker on the earnings of self-employed women. A Oaxaca decomposition using pooled, female, and male coefficients indicates the stronger preference of self-employed men in the sample towards make a lot of money explains at least 6.37 percent of the earnings gap.
Administration of novel dyes for intraocular surgery: an in vivo toxicity animal study.

PURPOSE To investigate the effect of intravitreal injections of new vital dyes on the retina, the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and the choroid in an in vivo rat model. METHODS Rats were injected intravitreally with four dyes: light-green SF yellowish (LGSF), copper(II)phthalocyanine-tetrasulfonic acid (E68), bromphenol blue (BPB), and Chicago blue (CB) dissolved in physiologic saline solution (PSS) at concentrations of 0.5% and 0.02%. PSS served as the control. Additional animals were treated with single injections of 0.5%, 0.02%, 0.002%, and 0.0002% ICG or 0.002% E68 into one eye. Adverse effects on anterior and posterior segments were evaluated by slit lamp biomicroscopy and ophthalmoscopy. Retinal toxicity was assessed by histology and retinal ganglion cell (RGC) quantification 7 days after dye administration. RESULTS Eyes treated with 0.5% E68, 0.5% ICG, or 0.5% CB showed discrete staining of both cornea and lens not seen at lower concentrations or with other dyes. Histology revealed dose-dependent reactions after E68 administration. ICG 0.5% induced significant thinning of inner retinal layers compared with PSS. ICG 0.02% caused focal degenerative changes of the outer retina in three of seven eyes, whereas 0.002% and 0.0002% ICG did not. CB led to heterogeneous morphologic alterations. BPB- or LGSF-treated eyes showed normal retinal morphology. ICG at all tested concentrations induced significant RGC loss, as did E68 at 0.5% but not at lower concentrations. CONCLUSIONS BPB or LGSF produced no significantly detectable toxic effects on the retina in vivo. The safety of these new dyes must be established in other models and/or in preclinical studies before the clinical use of any of these dyes.
The Effect of District Magnitude on Electoral Outcomes: Evidence from Two Natural Experiments in Argentina

How does district magnitude affect electoral outcomes? This article addresses this question by exploiting a combination of two natural experiments in Argentina between 1985 and 2015. Argentine provinces elect half of their congressional delegation every two years, and thus districts with an odd number of representatives have varying magnitudes in different election years. Furthermore, whether a province elects more representatives in midterm or concurrent years was decided by lottery in 1983. I find that district magnitude (a) increases electoral support for small parties, (b) increases the (effective) number of parties that gain seats and (c) reduces electoral disproportionality. The last two results are driven by the mechanical rather than the psychological effect of electoral rules.
Parameter Uncertainty: The Missing Piece of the Liquidity Premium Puzzle?

I analyze a dynamic investment problem with stochastic transaction cost and parameter uncertainty. I solve the problem numerically and obtain the optimal consumption and investment policy and the least-favorable transaction cost process. Using reasonable parameter values, I confirm the liquidity premium puzzle, i.e., the representative agent model (without robustness) produces a liquidity premium which is by a magnitude lower than the empirically observed value. I show that my model with robust investors generates an additional liquidity premium component of 0.05%-0.10% (depending on the level of robustness) for the first 1% proportional transaction cost, and thus it provides a partial explaination to the liquidity premium puzzle. Additionally, I provide a novel non-recursive representation of discrete-time robust dynamic asset allocation problems with transaction cost, and I develop a numerical technique to efficiently solve such investment problems.
Seizure Frequency in Intractable Partial Epilepsy: A Statistical Analysis

Summary: We examined the seizure records of 13 patients (nine men and four women, ages 27–50 years) with intractable partial epilepsy, maintained with steady anti‐epileptic drug dosages. Patients recorded daily seizure frequency on calendars. Periods of outpatient observation ranged from 99 to 1,710 days and the number of observed seizures ranged from 18 to over 400, with daily seizure rates of 0.1–4.3 per day. We used the quasi‐likelihood regression model to examine the following four departures of the daily seizure counts from a Poisson (random) model: (1) linear increasing or decreasing time trends in expected seizure rates; (2) clustering, where the expected seizure rate on a given day depends on the number of seizures observed on the immediate prior days; (3) monthly cyclicity; and (4) increased variability (overdis‐persion). Linear time trends were seen in six patients (four increasing and two decreasing), clustering was seen in 10 patients, and a near‐monthly cycle appeared in four patients (two of nine men and two of four women). A significant amount of extra variation (overdispersion) relative to a Poisson distribution was observed in all but one of the 13 patients. Departures from a Poisson (random) model appear more common in this population of patients with medically intractable epilepsy than is commonly recognized, and have clinical importance as well as implications for the design of clinical studies.