Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation bias in effort estimation

Evaluation Bias in Effort Estimation Omid Jalali There exists a large number of software effort estimation methods in the literature and the space of possibilities [54] is yet to be fully explored. There is little conclusive evidence about the relative performance of such methods and many studies suffer from instability in their conclusions. As a result, the effort estimation literature lacks a stable ranking of such methods. This research aims at providing a stable ranking of a large number of methods using data sets based on COCOMO features. For this task, the COSEEKMO tool [46] was further developed into a benchmarking tool and several well-known effort estimation methods, including model trees, linear regression methods, local calibration, and several newly developed methods were used in COSEEKMO for a thorough comparison. The problem of instability was further explored and the evaluation method used was identified as the cause of instability. Therefore, the existing evaluation bias was corrected through a new evaluation approach, which was non-parametric. The MannWhitney U test [42] is the non-parametric test used in this study, which introduced a great amount of stability in the results. Several evaluation criteria were tested in order to analyze their possible effects on the observed stability. The conclusions made in this study were stable across different evaluation criteria, different data sets, and different random runs. As a result, a group of four methods were selected as the best effort estimation methods among the explored 312 combinations of methods. These four methods were all based on the local calibration procedure proposed by Boehm [4]. Furthermore, these methods were simpler and more effective than many other complex methods including the Wrapper [37] and model trees [60], which are well-known methods in the literature. Therefore, while there exists no single universal best method for effort estimation, this study suggests applying the four methods reported here to the historical data and using the best performing method among these four to estimate the effort for future projects. In addition, this study provides a path for comparing other existing or new effort estimation methods with the currently explored methods. This path involves a systematic comparison of the performance of each method against all other methods, including the methods studied in this work, through a benchmarking tool such as COSEEKMO, and using the non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test.
What Type of Monetary and Exchange Rate Cooperation do China's Asian Neighbors Want from China?

It is generally taken for granted that China’s monetary and exchange rate policy have repercussions on her Asian neighbors and affect the choice set open to them in terms of setting optimal economic policy. At the very least, China’s neighbors would like to have a clearer idea of China’s plan as regards her monetary and exchange rate policy, specifically how and in what time frame she intends to adjust or exit from the current dollar peg. In a broad sense, China’s decision regarding what some might call “national monetarism” will affect the viability of “international monetarism,” or the regional or global monetary and exchange rate arrangement, with the yuan playing a key role. Already, many countries in Asia have individually opted to adopt inflation targeting and more flexible exchange rate regimes following the Asian Crisis of 1997. One may question whether indeed adopting inflation targeting cum greater exchange rate flexibility is optimal in the light of current China policy and relative to adopting a regional monetary standard. From China’s perspective, the choice of an optimal monetary and exchange rate strategy is largely contingent on the goals of policymakers there and what they consider to be in China’s best interests. From the perspective of China’s neighbors in Asia, however, the effects of China’s decisions on her monetary and exchange rate policy are likely to have uneven trade and exchange rate effects in the different Asian countries. The differing degrees of complementarity between individual Asian countries and China will give rise to differences in the direction and size of exchange rate adjustment in individual countries. This, in turn, implies that a regional monetary arrangement to address intra-regional fluctuations in response to a change in China’s monetary and exchange rate arrangement may not be warranted. The study will try to assess to what extent such a view is valid for some countries in Asia.
Increasing Bacteremia Due to Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci: Fiction or Reality?

Abstract BACKGROUND: The role of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) in bacteremias continues to be controversial. Until the 1970s, CNS were mostly recognized as contaminants, being part of the cutaneous flora. Since then, several studies have reported increasing incidence and severity of infections due to CNS. PURPOSE: To review the literature concerning the epidemiology of CNS bacteremia in the United States and Europe with reference to the multiple definitions of infection versus contamination, considering the effect of potential biases influencing the validity of the reported results. METHODS: Literature search of the MEDLINE database from January 1980 to February 1998. Studies with fewer than 500 episodes of bloodstream infections or fewer than 100 episodes of CNS bacteremia were not included in the pooled analysis. RESULTS: (1) CNS remain the most frequent contaminants (58%-83% of positive blood cultures); (2) the proportion of all bloodstream infections caused by CNS is increasing (R=.51); (3) the overall incidence of true CNS bacteremia is increasing (R=.54, P=.0014); (4) comparing the United States to Europe, there is an increasing trend in the incidence of nosocomial bacteremia due to CNS in the United States (R=.82, P=.0006), but no trend is seen in European studies; (5) the mortality associated with true CNS bacteremia varies between 4.9% and 28%. DISCUSSION: This review confirms the increasing importance of CNS bacteremias, measured both as a proportion and as an incidence of bloodstream infections. The contributions of several possible explanations for the incidence increase and the difference between the United States and Europe need further evaluation: (1) increased recognition and awareness of CNS infections among clinicians; (2) a gradual change in the definition of true bacteremia from an obligatory two positive blood cultures to one positive blood culture associated with a clinical picture compatible with infection; (3) a change in blood culture practices and techniques; (4) an increase in the numbers of blood cultures performed, which is reported both in the United States and in Europe; (5) a shift toward more elderly patients with increasingly severe underlying illnesses; and (6) increasing use of intravascular devices. CONCLUSIONS: The apparent trend of increasing CNS bacteremia seems to be valid. Whether there is a real difference between the United States and Europe concerning the increase of CNS bacteremia is difficult to establish due to the large number of confounding factors. Few studies take into account the number of blood cultures performed or the use of intravascular devices to adjust for the observed trends. Further on-site surveillance studies are needed to investigate the phenomenon more extensively.
Immunization with Trichinella spiralis Korean Isolate Larval Excretory–Secretory Antigen Induces Protection and Lymphocyte Subset Changes in Rats

Protection and immune responses were studied in rats immunized with Trichinella spiralis muscle stage larval excretory–secretory antigen (ES Ag) without adjuvant. Protection was assessed by the degree of adult worm burden and the yield of muscle (diaphragmatic) larvae after challenge infection with live larvae. Lymphocyte subsets were identified by flow cytometry in the spleen and peripheral blood. Cytokine production and specific IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a antibody responses were measured. Immunization with ES Ag produced highly significant protection against adult stages (98.4%) and muscle larvae (82.9%). Th2 type cytokines (IL‐10, IL‐4) were predominant. Anti‐muscle stage larval ES Ag antibody was significantly elevated in the order IgG2a > IgG1 > IgG on the 2nd day after final immunization and on the 7th day after challenge infection. Expression of CD4+ and the CD4+/CD8+ ratio from spleen and blood were significantly increased compared to the control. These results demonstrate that immunization with T. spiralis antigen can elicit robust immune response, resulting in complete protection against infective larvae, and this protection can be achieved without the use of any adjuvant.
The impact of adjustment for parity and mid‐upper‐arm circumference on sensitivity of symphysis‐fundus height measurements to predict SGA foetuses in Mozambique

With a new symphysis‐fundus height (SFH) growth chart, based on Mozambican women with ultrasound‐dated singleton pregnancies, the aim was to examine the possibility to enhance sensitivity of predicting small for gestational age (SGA) newborns by attempts to adjust the chart for parity and for mid‐upper‐arm circumference (MUAC).
A Premium for Parameter Uncertainty in Equities

The literature on the effects of parameter uncertainty on optimal portfolio choice suggests the existence of a premium for parameter uncertainty in asset returns. We use a simple extension to classical mean-variance portfolio optimization and devise a robust strategy to benefit from such a premium. Using well-known, long time series of equity returns, we show that this strategy indeed outperforms competitor strategies and yields positive and significant alphas relative to the most prominent factor models. We interpret these results to provide empirical support for the existence of a parameter uncertainty premium in equity returns.
When Inequality Matters for Macro and Macro Matters for Inequality

We develop an efficient and easy to use computational method for solving a wide class of general equilibrium heterogeneous agent models with aggregate shocks together with an open source suite of codes that implement our algorithms in an easy to use toolbox. Our method extends standard linearization techniques and is designed to work in cases when inequality matters for the dynamics of macroeconomic aggregates. We present two applications that analyze a two asset incomplete markets model parameterized to match the distribution of income, wealth, and marginal propensities to consume. First, we show that our model is consistent with two key features of aggregate consumption dynamics that are difficult to match with representative agent models: (1) the sensitivity of aggregate consumption to predictable changes in aggregate income, and (2) the relative smoothness of aggregate consumption. Second, we extend the model to feature capital-skill complementarity and show how factor-specific productivity shocks shape dynamics of income and consumption inequality.
Empirical studies on stock return predictability

This thesis includes three essays on topics related to the predictability of market returns. I investigate i) the predictability of market returns from an adjusted version of cay ratio (cayadj), ii) the explanatory power of a conditional version of the consumption-CAPM which uses predictor variables to scale the pricing kernel, and iii) whether information about future market returns can be extracted from a large set of commodity data.The first essay studies the predictive ability of cayadj . In Campbell and Mankiw (1989), the consumption-wealth ratio is represented as a linear function of expected market returns and consumption growth. Lettau and Ludvigson (2001) build their study on Campbell and Mankiw (1989) and estimate the ratio cay as a proxy for the consumption-wealth ratio, assuming that the fluctuation in expected consumption growth is constant. I argue that the variation in expected consumption growth should be taken into consideration and propose adjusting the cay ratio by the estimates of expected consumption growth. After making the adjustment, I find that the predictabilities of market returns, particularly at annual, bi-annual, and tri-annual horizons, are greatly improved. The significant predictive ability of cayadj still holds in out-of-sample forecasts.The second essay examines the performance of a conditional version of the consumption-CAPM, where conditioning variables are used to scale the pricing kernel. I find that incorporating the conditioning information into the standard consumption-CAPM greatly improves the performance in asset pricing tests, particularly when using cayadj as the conditioning variable. Moreover, the performance of conditional consumption-CAPM is as good as the ultimate consumption risk model (Parker and Julliard, 2005) which measures the consumption risk over several quarters. Further tests show that the factors of conditional consumption-CAPM drive out the consumption risk measured over several quarters.The third essay evaluates the ability of lagged commodity returns to forecast market returns. In order to exploit the predictive information from a relatively large amount of commodity returns, I apply the partial-least-squares (PLS) method pioneered by Kelly and Pruitt (2013). I find that the commodity returns measured over previous twelve months show strong predictive power in monthly and three-month forecasts, in-sample and out-of-sample. The findings are robust to controlling for risk factors such as momentum, Fama-French three factors and industry returns previously identified to be significant predictors of market returns (Hong, Torous and Valkanov, 2007).
siRNA-mediated inactivation of HER3 improves the antitumour activity and sensitivity of gefitinib in gastric cancer cells

The human EGFR family consists of four type-1 transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptors: HER1 (EGFR, ErbB1), HER2 (Neu, ErbB2), HER3 (ErbB3), and HER4 (ErbB4). HER3 can dimerize with EGFR, HER2 and even c-Met and likely plays a central role in the response to EGFR-targeted therapy. Because HER3 lacks significant kinase activity and cannot be inhibited by tyrosine kinase inhibitors, neutralizing antibodies and alternative inhibitors of HER3 have been sought as cancer therapeutics. Here, we describe the stable suppression of HER3 mRNA and protein using siRNA. The inhibition of HER3 expression decreased cell proliferation, suppressed cell cycle progression, induced apoptosis and inhibited cell motility, migration, invasiveness, and soft agar growth. In addition, we found that gefitinib treatment increased the HER3 and HER2 mRNA levels. The administration of various concentrations of gefitinib to HER3-knockdown cells enhanced antitumour activity and sensitivity due to the downregulation of protein phosphorylation via PI3K/AKT and ERK signalling. Our results support the use of combined treatments targeting multiple EGFR receptors, particularly the use of HER3 inhibitors combined with EGFR inhibitors, such as gefitinib.
INCIDENCE OF PRESUMED ENDOPHTHALMITIS AFTER INTRAVITREAL INJECTION PERFORMED IN THE OPERATING ROOM: A Retrospective Multicenter Study

Purpose: To evaluate the incidence of presumed endophthalmitis (EO) after intravitreal injection (IVI) of anti–vascular endothelial growth factor agents performed in the operating room. Methods: Retrospective study at 2 Swiss eye hospitals between 2004 and 2012. Hospital records were used to identify patients treated with an IVI of an anti–vascular endothelial growth factor agent between 2004 and 2012 and those treated for EO, defined as any intraocular inflammation treated with intravitreal antibiotics. All IVIs were performed using standard sterile technique in a Swiss Class 1 operating room. No patient received preinjection topical antibiotics. Postinjection topical antibiotics were used only in one hospital. Results: A total of 40,011 IVIs were performed at the 2 centers during the study period. Of the IVIs, ranibizumab was injected in 36,398 (91%), bevacizumab in 3,518 (9%), aflibercept in 89 (0.2%), and pegaptanib in 6 (<0.1%). Three cases of post-IVI presumed EO occurred, yielding a combined incidence of 0.0075% per injection (95% confidence interval: 0.0026–0.0220%) or 1 case per 13,337 IVIs. Two of the three cases of EO occurred in patients using post-IVI antibiotics. All three cases followed ranibizumab injection and were culture negative by anterior chamber tap or vitreous biopsy. Conclusion: The risk of EO after IVI performed under the sterile conditions of the operating room was very low.
DETERMINANTS OF CORPORATE DIVIDEND POLICY: A SURVEY OF NYSE FIRMS

n This study reports the results of a 1997 survey of NYSE-listed US firms about managers’ views of what factors determine dividend policy. The study updates and expands previous survey research on dividend policy and provides longitudinal comparisons between 1983 and 1997 on the determinants of dividend policy. The findings show that the most important determinants of a firm’s dividend policy are the level of current and expected future earnings and the pattern or continuity of past dividends. The most important factors influencing dividend policy in the 1983 dividend survey are highly similar to those in the current survey. When taken together, these findings suggest little change in dividend determinants over time. Although industry type appears to influence the importance that respondents place on some determinants of dividend policy, some industry-based differences appear to have diminished between the 1983 survey and the current one. [JEL: G35]
Feasibility analysis of reduced-scale air breakdown tests in high voltage laboratories combined with the use of scaled test cages

Breakdown and corona extra- and ultra-high voltage tests are expensive, time-consuming and require large and extremely costly high-voltage halls, of which there are very few worldwide. Some of these limiting requirements may be minimized by using test cages and by applying reduced-scale tests. In this work the feasibility of performing breakdown reduced-scale tests combined with the use of test cages is analyzed. For this purpose a three-dimensional finite elements based methodology is introduced to determine the geometric dimensions of the test cage in order to adjust the test voltage according to the allowable output voltage of a conventional high-voltage laboratory. To validate the findings of this work, breakdown tests of a full-scale 500 kVRMS substation connector and a 1:3 reduced-scale model using test cages are conducted in a high-voltage laboratory, which maximum allowable output voltage is of 125 kVRMS. Results from this work show that by using appropriately designed test cages and scaled versions of the test samples the results may be scaled with high accuracy.
Homogenization, lyophilization or acid-extraction of meat products improves iron uptake from cereal–meat product combinations in an in vitro digestion/Caco-2 cell model

The effect of processing (homogenization, lyophilization, acid-extraction) meat products on iron uptake from meat combined with uncooked iron-fortified cereal was evaluated using an in vitro digestion/Caco-2 cell model. Beef was cooked, blended to create smaller meat particles, and combined with electrolytic iron-fortified infant rice cereal. Chicken liver was cooked and blended, lyophilized, or acid-extracted, and combined with FeSO4-fortified wheat flour. In the beef–cereal combination, Caco-2 cell iron uptake, assessed by measuring the ferritin formed by cells, was greater when the beef was blended for the greatest amount of time (360 s) compared with 30 s (P < 0·05). Smaller liver particles (blended for 360 s or lyophilized) significantly enhanced iron uptake compared to liver blended for 60 s (P < 0·001) in the liver–flour combination. Compared to liver blended for 60 s, acid-extraction of liver significantly enhanced iron uptake (P = 0·03) in the liver–flour combination. Homogenization of beef and homogenization, lyophilization, or acid-extraction of chicken liver increases the enhancing effect of meat products on iron absorption in iron-fortified cereals.
A survey of frameworks for best practices in weight-of-evidence analyses

Abstract The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) Review of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Draft IRIS Assessment of Formaldehyde proposed a “roadmap” for reform and improvement of the Agency’s risk assessment process. Specifically, it called for development of a transparent and defensible methodology for weight-of-evidence (WoE) assessments. To facilitate development of an improved process, we developed a white paper that reviewed approximately 50 existing WoE frameworks, seeking insights from their variations and nominating best practices for WoE analyses of causation of chemical risks. Four phases of WoE analysis were identified and evaluated in each framework: (1) defining the causal question and developing criteria for study selection, (2) developing and applying criteria for review of individual studies, (3) evaluating and integrating evidence and (4) drawing conclusions based on inferences. We circulated the draft white paper to stakeholders and then held a facilitated, multi-disciplinary invited stakeholder workshop to broaden and deepen the discussion on methods, rationales, utility and limitations among the surveyed WoE frameworks. The workshop developed recommendations for improving the conduct of WoE evaluations. Based on the analysis of the 50 frameworks and discussions at the workshop, best practices in conducting WoE analyses were identified for each of the four phases. Many of these best practices noted from the analysis and workshop could be implemented immediately, while others may require additional refinement as part of the ongoing discussions for improving the scientific basis of chemical risk assessments.
Possible Involvement of Phosphatidylcholine in School Recognition in the Catfish, Plotosus lineatus

Abstract The catfish, Plotosus lineatus, forms a dense ball-shaped school soon after hatching. The involvement of a chemical cue(s) in this behavior was indicated from the observations that P. lineatus was attracted not only to seawater conditioned with the schoolmates (schoolmate seawater) but also to the skin mucus collected from the schoolmates. To determine the nature of the chemical cue, we first established a novel bioassay that monitored a characteristic ‘turn behavior' toward an agar block containing skin mucus collected from the schoolmates. The bioassay-guided fractionations of skin mucus led to a final preparation wherein activity was contained in a single peak in high performance liquid chromatography on a polyamine column. The spectral data of the final preparation indicated that the purified material was a mixture of phosphatidylcholine molecular species, which was supported by the fact that the final active preparation lost the activity when treated with phospholipase A2, indicating that the school recognition substance is degraded by phospholipase A2. From these results, we proposed that the chemical cue to recognize the school in P. lineatus may be PC molecular species.