Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Options and the Gamma Knife

Steve Ross, a towering figure in modern finance, died last spring. Since then, numerous memorials and special events have taken place, honoring his many achievements in economics and finance. This article takes a fresh look at one of Ross’s earliest papers on options, in which he showed that they have the ability to “complete” an incomplete market. The example in that 1976 paper showed how a set of options with different strikes can subdivide the range for the possible future price of a given stock to create Arrow–Debreu securities, each of which pays off on the occurrence of a single future stock price. In this article, the author reviews Ross’s paper and shows how it leads to the Breeden–Litzenberger methodology for extracting the risk-neutral density from options market prices. He then extends Ross’s one-stock model to the case with multiple risk factors and shows how options written on a single linear combination of their prices can still complete the higher dimensional market.
Recent developments in public proteomic MS repositories and pipelines

This article provides an overview of publicly available proteomic data repositories in a single document with a particular focus on the latest developments, many of which are not announced through traditional publications. The review is intended to inform the proteomics practitioner of the options for storage and dissemination of their MS/MS data in the public domain, and to help those who want to mine proteomic data generated by others. The latter area has arguably seen the most development in recent times, as repositories have sprouted new tools for data analysis, visualisation and experimental design. We also highlight key biological datasets available at each repository, including standard datasets. Finally, we touch upon areas of significant challenge and future directions.
The persistence of t(14;18)-bearing cells in lymph nodes of patients with follicular lymphoma in complete remission: the evidence for ‘a lymphoma stem cell’

Monitoring of t(14;18) in blood or bone marrow in follicular lymphoma (FL) remains controversial. We attempted to monitor t(14;18) in lymph nodes by ultrasound-guided fine needle aspirations (UG-FNA). First, we confirmed t(14;18) in 27/31 UG-FNAs of lymph nodes with fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH) and/or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in patients with advanced disease. In complete (CR) and molecular remission, there were repeated 18 UG-FNAs in 17 patients. Five of 18 UG-FNA were technically unsuccessful and 6/18 samples contained fibrosis. Despite that, these patients had a better prognosis. In 7/7 aspirations in six patients, t(14;18) was detected. Three patients are still in CR, even one of them remains in long lasting remission despite two consecutive evidences of t(14;18) in UG-FNA. Another three of these patients relapsed a few months after UG-FNA. This study is proof of the principle of the detection of residual t(14;18) bearing cells in previously involved lymph nodes despite patients being in remission.
Technological and Organizational Capital: Where Complementarities Exist

This study analyzes the complementarities between technological and organizational capital within enterprises. Different components of technological and organizational capital exert distinct&#8212;and often opposed&#8212;forces on each other. Our empirical results show that greater employee voice promotes firm productivity when combined with information technology, but harms firm productivity when combined with communication technology. On the other hand, flexible work design is positively associated with communication technology and negatively associated with information technology.
Time‐course of mitochondrial gene expressions in mice brains: implications for mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative damage, and cytochrome c in aging

The study of aging is critical for a better understanding of many age‐related diseases. The free radical theory of aging, one of the prominent aging hypotheses, holds that during aging, increasing reactive oxygen species in mitochondria causes mutations in the mitochondrial DNA and damages mitochondrial components, resulting in senescence. Understanding a mitochondrial gene expression profile and its relationship to mitochondrial function becomes an important step in understanding aging. The objective of the present study was to determine mRNA expression of mitochondrial‐encoded genes in brain slices from C57BL6 mice at four ages (2, 12, 18, and 24 months) and to determine how these altered mitochondrial genes influence age‐related changes, including oxidative damage and cytochrome c in apoptosis. Using northern blot analysis, in situ hybridization, and immunofluorescence analyses, we analyzed changes in the expression of mitochondrial RNA encoding the mitochondrial genes, oxidative damage marker, 8‐hydroxyguanosine (8‐OHG), and cytochrome c in brain slices from the cortex of C57BL6 mice at each of the four ages. Our northern blot analysis revealed an increased expression of mitochondrial‐encoded genes in complexes I, III, IV, and V of the respiratory chain in 12‐ and 18‐month‐old C57BL6 mice compared to 2‐month‐old mice, suggesting a compensatory mechanism that allows the production of proteins involved in the electron transport chain. In contrast to the up‐regulation of mitochondrial genes in 12‐ and 18‐month‐old C57BL6 mice, mRNA expression in 24‐month‐old C57BL6 mice was decreased, suggesting that compensation maintained by the up‐regulated genes cannot be sustained and that the down‐regulation of expression results in the later stage of aging. Our in situ hybridization analyses of mitochondrial genes from the hippocampus and the cortex revealed that mitochondrial genes were over‐expressed, suggesting that these brain areas are critical for mitochondrial functions. Our immunofluorescence analysis of 8‐OHG and cytochrome c revealed increased 8‐OHG and cytochrome c in 12‐month‐old C57BL6 mice, suggesting that age‐related mitochondrial oxidative damage and apoptosis are associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. Our double‐labeling analysis of in situ hybridization of ATPase 6 and our immunofluorescence analysis of 8‐OHG suggest that specific neuronal populations undergo oxidative damage. Further, double‐labeling analysis of in situ hybridization of ATPase 6 and immunofluorescence analysis of cytochrome c suggest cytochrome c release is related to mitochondrial dysfunction in the aging C57BL6 mouse brain. This study also suggests that these mitochondrial gene expression changes may relate to the role of mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative damage, and cytochrome c in aging and in age‐related diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.
[Validity and reliability of a new questionnaire on patient satisfaction in rehabilitative therapy].

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to examine some psychometric properties of a new questionnaire measuring patients' satisfaction with respect to the quality of care during stay in a rehabilitation unit. The instrument (called SAT-16) is composed of 16 four-level items and 2 open-ended questions. The construct validity of the 16-item section was already demonstrated in a previous study based on factorial analysis. In this study the concurrent validity, further aspects of the construct validity and test-retest reliability were analyzed. METHODS The SAT-16 was administered to 339 inpatients, admitted consecutively to a Rehabilitation Center. RESULTS 262 questionnaires (77%) were returned, of which 221 with all items filled in. The SAT-16 correlated well with two other measures of satisfaction (CSQ-8 and global satisfaction regarding the hospital stay). The answers to two open-ended questions came out to be consistent with those to the 16 closed-ended questions. The high values for the indices of test-retest reliability (ICC and kappa) are evidence of the stability of the scores in two repeated administrations. CONCLUSIONS The SAT-16 was found to be provided with good psychometric characteristics. It can be proposed as a valid instrument for use in clinical practice for the continuous quality improvement of inpatient medical rehabilitation programmes.
Macroeconomic and Household Welfare Impact of Increase in Minimum Wage in Nigeria: A Computable General Equilibrium Model

Given the down turn of economic activities in Nigeria and the agitation for minimum wage increase, this study investigated the impact that increases in minimum wage will have on households welfare in Nigeria using a Computable General Equilibrium Model. The study formulated two scenarios – increase in minimum wage of workers by 211% and 150%, being increase from N18,000 to N56,000 and from N18,000 to N45,000 respectively. The data used for the study is a reformatted Social Accounting Matrix for Nigeria. The simulation results of scenario one revealed that, a 211% increase in the minimum wage of workers will increase agricultural output, industrial output and exports while imports will be depressed marginally and then lead to increase in households welfare indicators of income, consumption and savings by 6.76%, 5.0% and 3.61% respectively. The result of scenario two revealed that, increasing minimum wage by 150% will lead to increase in agricultural output, industrial output and exports while imports will fall and then households’ welfare indicators of income, consumption and savings will increase by 5.75%, 4.83% and 2.96% respectively. Similarly, the study found that, the Hicksian Equivalent variation as a measure of welfare impact of the policy is positive and high in all the simulations. The study concluded that an increase in minimum wage of workers has positive and significant impact on household welfare in Nigeria. Therefore, it is recommended among others that the government should as a matter of urgency accede to the demand of the organized labour and increase the minimum wage of workers from N18,000 to N56,000 (211% increase) and ensure that it is fully implemented across board.
The Chinese in Canada

First published in 1988, The Chinese in Canada has remained a provocative account of the history and development of the Chinese-Canadian community. In the second edition, the author has expanded the original historical analysis to include the many changes that have taken place in the Chinese-Canadian community in recent decades. In addition to explaining how and why institutional racism developed against the Chinese, the author offers new insights as to why Canadian society continues to view Chinese-Canadians as foreigners, despite their occupational mobility and financial success.
Business Ties and Information Advantage: Evidence from Mutual Fund Trading

This paper examines whether ties to portfolio firms’ management via pension business relationships provides mutual funds with an informational advantage. Funds become related to portfolio companies when fund families serve as trustees for firms’ employee pension plans. Selling by related funds is more likely to be motivated by an information advantage than their buying, because the latter is heavily influenced by the desire to secure pension inflows. We find that stocks with larger net-sales by related funds experience lower future returns. Information appears related to firm fundamentals, as the return predictability of related funds’ selling concentrates in stocks with negative future earnings surprises. Consistent with an information based explanation, the predictive power of related funds’ selling for future returns is more pronounced when information uncertainty about the stock is higher. Our results contribute to a growing literature that shows the sources of informed trading by institutions.
Writing through WhatsApp: an evaluation of students writing performance

WhatsApp messenger is a cross-platform working under smartphones that can provide instant messaging. Worldwide, WhatsApp messenger has become popular because it is practical for mobile users. Previous research has suggested the effectiveness of extending mobile devices into e-learning. However, mobile learning in the form of instant messaging is still under-represented. This research project explores the effectiveness of instant text messaging via WhatsApp for undergraduate students in higher education. A group of 50 students were given a written assignment and were required to text message one another. The students used WhatsApp messenger to develop their EFL basic writing skills. The students reported their experiences through a survey after completion of the writing assignment. The results showed students strengths and weaknesses. Although their holistic scores remained low, they seemed to have benefited from the spell checker as they have received better scores in the area of spelling and vocabulary. The results showed that the use of WhatsApp in the classroom increased students' motivation to write. Overall, findings from this small-scale research project provide a better understanding on the role of mobile technology in higher education.
[Evaluation of the Ultracision ultrasonic dissector in thyroid surgery. Prospective randomized study].

STUDY OBJECTIVE This prospective randomized study was designed to evaluate the efficacy, safety and cost of the ultrasonic hook in thyroid surgery, in comparison with conventional hemostasis. METHODS Thirty-four consecutive euthyroid patients with multinodular goiter undergoing total thyroidectomy were randomly assigned to either group I, Ultracision or group II, conventional hemostasis. Preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative biochemical, clinical, surgical and economic variables were compared in each group. RESULTS Use of the ultrasonic hook resulted in a significant reduction in operating time (70.7 +/- 18.3 versus 96.5 +/- 28.9 minutes), blood loss (74.5 +/- 50.9 g versus 134.6 +/- 108.42 g), and postoperative analgesic consumption (paracetamol (mg): 700 +/- 722 versus 1888 +/- 978), and may also reduce the incidence of transient hypoparathyroidism (5.8% versus 23.5%). The ultrasonic hook was no more expensive than conventional hemostasis, as long as a minimum of 15 patients shared the initial unit cost of the device. CONCLUSION Although the use of the ultrasonic dissector does not allow a major cost-saving in total thyroidectomy, the essential advantages were a significant reduction of intraoperative blood loss, length of operating time and postoperative analgesic consumption.
Minimally invasive radioguided parathyroid surgery using low-dose Tc-99m-MIBI - comparison with standard high dose.

INTRODUCTION Surgery remains the most effective treatment for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). Minimally invasive radioguided parathyroidectomy (MIRP) is a common technique for detecting and excising abnormal parathyroid glands. The aim of this study was to compare injections of low-dose and high-dose (99m) Tc methoxy isobutyl isonitrile (MIBI) for intraoperative localisation of parathyroid adenomas by means of a gamma probe in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). MATERIAL AND METHODS Thirty patients with PHPT and a preoperative diagnosis of parathyroid adenoma were enrolled between 2010 and 2012. They were considered as Group B and underwent MIRP using 5 mCi Tc-99m MIBI, and their perioperative data were compared with twenty patients treated with conventional 20 mCi Tc-99m MIBI previously (Group A). RESULTS Group A was made up of 20 patients (mean age, 41.55 years; 14 women and 6 men), and group B included 30 patients (mean age, 40.43 years; 19 women and 11 men). The mean serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcium values were recorded pre- and postoperatively. The mean follow-up period for the patients in the two groups was 18.4 and 16.5 months, respectively. Pre-operative evaluation demonstrated that the groups were statistically similar. Intraoperative data and success rate of surgery showed no difference between the two groups. No significant complication was detected after surgeries and no recurrence happened in either of the two groups during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS A new protocol of MIRP using low doses of Tc-99m-MIBI resulted in an excellent success rate. Comparing results of the study, we conclude that low-dose Tc-99m-MIBI may be preferred for identification of parathyroid adenomas intraoperatively by means of a gamma probe in PHPT patients because it appears to be as effective as high-dose Tc-99m-MIBI.
[Relationship between mutation of exon G894 T of endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene and overweight to essential hypertension].

OBJECTIVE To explore the relationship between the 7th exon G894T mutation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene and overweight in patients with essential hypertension. METHODS Totally, 116 patients with essential hypertension taking no medications and 136 normotensives were selected from a steel workers as study subjects. Polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism were performed to detect mutation of the 7th exon G894T. Additive model was used to analyze interaction between G894T mutation and overweight on hypertension. Population attributable risk percent (PAR%) for them, etiologic fraction, was applied to their contribution to hypertension. RESULTS There was a positive interaction between G894T mutation and overweight on essential hypertension, with an index of interaction of 1.99 and attributable interaction percent of 30.76%. Their pure attributable interaction percent was 36.38%. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that there still was positive interaction between G894T mutation and overweight on essential hypertension, adjusted for age, sex, smoking and alcohol drinking. Index of their attributable interaction was 2.85, with attributable interaction percent of 39.97%, also adjusted for the above-mentioned factors. Their pure attributable interaction percent was 46.49% and PAR% was estimated as about 15% under certain condition. CONCLUSIONS Interaction between mutation of the 7th exon G894T of eNOS gene and overweight played an important role in essential hypertension of the studied population. Control of body weight in the population with both G894T mutation and overweight could markedly decrease their risk of hypertension.
Financial frictions in macroeconomic models

In this chapter we: (i) Review the core DSGE workhorse models of financial frictions that existed ahead of the recent financial crisis. (ii) Summarize the recent empirical literature on the history of financial crises. (iii) Summarize the key modelling developments around credit intermediation in DSGE models since the crisis. (iv) Identify gaps in the literature that are especially important for policymakers and modelers.
Use of triclosan-eluting ureteral stents in patients with long-term stents.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Long-term use of ureteral stents is prevented by biofilm-related infection and encrustation mandating stent changes every few months. Triclosan is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial in numerous consumer and medical products and has been incorporated into a ureteral stent. We sought to determine the clinical effects of the triclosan-eluting stent in patients who needed long-term ureteral stenting. PATIENTS AND METHODS Eight patients with long-term stents were enrolled prospectively. All received a control stent for 3 months along with preoperative and postoperative antibiotics. After 3 months, the control stent was removed, and a triclosan-eluting stent was placed for 3 months with no antibiotics administered. For both indwelling periods, urine cultures were obtained weekly and biweekly for the first and last 6 weeks, respectively, and antibiotics were prescribed when patients had both a positive urine culture and symptoms of urinary tract infection. On removal, stents were assessed for microorganisms and encrustation. RESULTS Overall, similar microorganisms were isolated during each indwell period, although Staphylococcus and Enterococcus strains were isolated more frequently during control and triclosan stenting, respectively. Significantly fewer antibiotics were used during triclosan stenting, coinciding with a slightly higher number of positive urine cultures and significantly fewer symptomatic infections. No bacterial isolates developed antibiotic resistance during triclosan stent placement. CONCLUSIONS Antibiotic use with control stents resulted in bacterial antibiotic resistance, which was not the case with the triclosan-eluting stents. Although triclosan-eluting stents did not show a clinical benefit in terms of urine and stent cultures or overall subject symptoms compared with controls, their use did result in decreased antibiotic usage and significantly fewer symptomatic infections. The triclosan-eluting stent alone is not sufficient to reduce device-associated infections in this difficult patient population.
Genome Changes After Gene Duplication: Haploidy vs. Diploidy

Since genome size and the number of duplicate genes observed in genomes increase from haploid to diploid organisms, diploidy might provide more evolutionary probabilities through gene duplication. It is still unclear how diploidy promotes genomic evolution in detail. In this study, we explored the evolution of segmental gene duplication in haploid and diploid populations by analytical and simulation approaches. Results show that (1) under the double null recessive (DNR) selective model, given the same recombination rate, the evolutionary trajectories and consequences are very similar between the same-size gene-pool haploid vs. diploid populations; (2) recombination enlarges the probability of preservation of duplicate genes in either haploid or diploid large populations, and haplo-insufficiency reinforces this effect; and (3) the loss of duplicate genes at the ancestor locus is limited under recombination while under complete linkage the loss of duplicate genes is always random at the ancestor and newly duplicated loci. Therefore, we propose a model to explain the advantage of diploidy: diploidy might facilitate the increase of recombination rate, especially under sexual reproduction; more duplicate genes are preserved under more recombination by originalization (by which duplicate genes are preserved intact at a special quasi-mutation-selection balance under the DNR or haplo-insufficient selective model), so genome sizes and the number of duplicate genes in diploid organisms become larger. Additionally, it is suggested that small genomic rearrangements due to the random loss of duplicate genes might be limited under recombination.
Lymphomas of mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue arising in the urinary bladder

The clinical, histological and immunohistochemical findings in five primary lymphomas of the urinary bladder are reported. One patient had both lymphoma and transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. All of the lymphomas showed histological features of mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphomas with centrocyte‐like cells in all cases. One patient with pre‐existing cystitis glandularis showed lymphoepithelial lesions. Biopsies from four patients contained reactive germinal centres and, in two of these, there was follicular colonization by tumour cells. In three patients, repeat biopsies, over several years, showing the changes of MALT lymphoma, were diagnosed as cystitis. We suggest that a large proportion of primary lymphomas of the bladder are lymphomas of MALT and that the characteristic morphological and immunohistochemical features of these tumours should be sought in biopsies containing large numbers of lymphoid cells.