Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Radar interferometry and its application to changes in the Earth's surface

Geophysical applications of radar interferometry to measure changes in the Earth's surface have exploded in the early 1990s. This new geodetic technique calculates the interference pattern caused by the difference in phase between two images acquired by a spaceborne synthetic aperture radar at two distinct times. The resulting interferogram is a contour map of the change in distance between the ground and the radar instrument. These maps provide an unsurpassed spatial sampling density (∼100 pixels km−2), a competitive precision (∼1 cm), and a useful observation cadence (1 pass month−1). They record movements in the crust, perturbations in the atmosphere, dielectric modifications in the soil, and relief in the topography. They are also sensitive to technical effects, such as relative variations in the radar's trajectory or variations in its frequency standard. We describe how all these phenomena contribute to an interferogram. Then a practical summary explains the techniques for calculating and manipulating interferograms from various radar instruments, including the four satellites currently in orbit: ERS‐1, ERS‐2, JERS‐1, and RADARSAT. The next chapter suggests some guidelines for interpreting an interferogram as a geophysical measurement: respecting the limits of the technique, assessing its uncertainty, recognizing artifacts, and discriminating different types of signal. We then review the geophysical applications published to date, most of which study deformation related to earthquakes, volcanoes, and glaciers using ERS‐1 data. We also show examples of monitoring natural hazards and environmental alterations related to landslides, subsidence, and agriculture. In addition, we consider subtler geophysical signals such as postseismic relaxation, tidal loading of coastal areas, and interseismic strain accumulation. We conclude with our perspectives on the future of radar interferometry. The objective of the review is for the reader to develop the physical understanding necessary to calculate an interferogram and the geophysical intuition necessary to interpret it.
On the Welfare Cost of Inflation in a New Keynesian Model with a Cash-in-advance Constraint: The Case of Iran

The welfare cost of inﬂation in a new Keynesian model has been studied in this article. Nominal prices and wages are subjected to Rotenberg's adjustments in the benchmark model. In addition, this study uses the CIA model to compare the welfare cost of seigniorage tax and consumption tax. The model is calibrated for the Iranian economy and the results of the calibration are as following: In a steady state, a seigniorage tax imposes higher costs on social welfare rather than consumption taxes. We also find that the welfare cost of inﬂation increases linearly with the inﬂation rate and the welfare cost in a model without the government is higher than the model with government expenditures. Numerically, in the benchmark model, an annual inﬂation rate of 10% entails a welfare cost (relative to a -1.5% annual inﬂation rate, the Friedman Rule’s level of inﬂation rate) of 1.69% of steady state consumption without a government. If we add the government to the model, this cost will be 1.28%. This amount will be only 0.5% if we use RBC model. According to Ascra's measurement (2009), inflation tax increases welfare costs, but consumption tax decreases welfare costs.
Measuring health-related quality of life in patients with hepatobiliary cancers: the functional assessment of cancer therapy-hepatobiliary questionnaire.

PURPOSE This is the first report on the development and initial validation of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Hepatobiliary (FACT-Hep) questionnaire, a 45-item self-report instrument designed to measure health-related quality of life (HRQL) in patients with hepatobiliary cancers. The FACT-Hep consists of the 27-item FACT-G, which assesses generic HRQL concerns, and the newly validated 18-item Hepatobiliary Subscale (HS), which assesses disease-specific issues. PATIENTS AND METHODS The development of the HS followed a four-phase process of item generation, item reduction, scale construction, and reliability/validity testing. Two independent samples were studied: item generation (sample 1; n = 30) and reliability/validity testing (sample 2; n = 51). RESULTS In sample 2, all subscales and aggregated scores showed high internal consistency at initial assessment (Cronbach's alpha range, 0.72 to 0.94) and retesting (Cronbach's alpha range, 0.81 to 0.94). Measurement stability over a 3- to 7-day period was also high for all aggregated scales (test-retest correlation range, 0.84 to 0.91; intraclass correlation coefficient range, 0.82 to 0.90). Convergent and divergent validity were demonstrated by examining relationships between FACT subscales and mood, social support, and social desirability. Finally, when performance status and treatment status were used to divide sample 2, the HS differentiated groups to a degree comparable to the Physical and Functional Well-Being subscales of the FACT-G, thereby contributing favorably to a 32-item Trial Outcome Index. In addition to the 18 validated, scored items in the HS, seven treatment-related items may be appended, if clinically indicated, as a separate subscale. CONCLUSION The 45-item FACT-Hep can be used independently as a brief measure of disease-related symptoms and functioning. Alone or paired with the FACT-G, the HS has promise for use in assessing the disease-specific HRQL of patients with hepatobiliary cancers.
A Forward Looking Small Semi-Structural Macroeconomic Model For Bangladesh

ABSTRACT:Small semi-structural models are suitable to explicate the monetary transmission mechanism by recognizing the interrelationships among major macroeconomic variables. This study presents a small semi-structural dynamic general equilibrium (DGE) New Keynesian model for Bangladesh to explore the dynamic interrelationships among major macroeconomic variables related to the transmission mechanism of monetary policy. Our DGE model comprises of four key behavioral equations – the aggregate demand (output), aggregate supply (inflation), interest rate and, the exchange rate. Using quarterly data over the sample period from 2006:Q3 to 2016:Q2, we have used Generalized Method of Moments estimation technique, which is useful for estimating forward-looking reaction functions on the basis of expected values for macroeconomic variables. The findings demonstrate that the model is inclusive enough to capture how the selected variables are interrelated. In most of the cases, the study finds significant and similar nature of interrelationships among the major macroeconomic variables as found by previous studies on Canada, Thailand, and South Africa. The model is also flexible enough in understanding shock propagation and conducting policy analyses. For Bangladesh, the policy transmission mechanism is found less efficient to control the monetary system (over 10 years to revert to steady state after the occurrence of shocks), while Canada, South Africa, and Thailand need 5 years, 10 years, and 10 years, respectively. This happens mainly due to the weak monetary policy which has two consequences. First, a small reaction parameter in the interest rate equation which means that the interest rate is only marginally adjusted to high inflation. Second, a small effect of monetary policy on the economy through the output and exchange rate equations. Most notably, in the exchange rate equation, the uncovered interest parity indicates a low coefficient. This might happen due to the absence of inflation targeting monetary policy in Bangladesh. A strong and quick policy response is required which could be achieved by implementing two major policy tasks: adoption of an inflation-targeting monetary policy, and full autonomy of Bangladesh Bank in both administrative and functional areas.
Iron Differentially Stimulates Translation of Mitochondrial Aconitase and Ferritin mRNAs in Mammalian Cells

Utilization of mRNAs containing iron-responsive elements (IREs) is modulated by iron-regulated RNA-binding proteins (iron regulatory proteins). We examine herein whether iron differentially affects translation of ferritin and mitochondrial aconitase (m-Acon) mRNAs because they contain a similar but not identical IRE in their 5′-untranslated regions. First, we demonstrate that m-Acon synthesis is iron-regulated in mammalian cells. In HL-60 cells, hemin (an iron source) stimulated m-Acon synthesis 3-fold after 4 h compared with cells treated with an iron chelator (Desferal). Furthermore, hemin stimulated m-Acon synthesis 2–4-fold in several cell lines. Second, we show that iron modulates the polysomal association of m-Acon mRNA. We observed m-Acon mRNA in both ribonucleoprotein and polyribosomal fractions of HL-60 cells. Hemin significantly increased the polyribosomal association and decreased the ribonucleoprotein abundance of m-Acon mRNA in HL-60 cells. Third, our results indicate that iron differentially regulates translation of m-Acon and ferritin mRNAs. A dose response to hemin in HL-60 cells elicited a 2–2.4-fold increase in m-Acon synthesis within 5 h compared with untreated cells, whereas ferritin synthesis was stimulated 20–100-fold. We conclude that iron modulates m-Acon synthesis at the translational level and that iron regulatory proteins appear to differentially affect translation of IRE-containing mRNAs.
The capital structure of French SMEs and impact of the financial crisis: A dynamic panel data analysis (2002-2010)

We test two main theories of the capital structure upon a balanced panel dataset of 2,370 French SMEs during nine years over the period 2003-2007and the period 2008-2010. Tradeoff theory is based on the optimization of a target debt ratio, whereas pecking order theory argues that decision-making is sequential and that firms prefer internal funding to debt, due to asymmetry of information. According to the estimates from the dynamic panel model (GMM), profitability, guarantees upon which access to credit is granted and trade credit confirm trade-off theory. Relationships between debt and the lagged debt ratio, growth opportunities, credit risk and control over ownership support the pecking order theory, which passes better the tests. Hence, no unified theory of the capital structure has yet emerged.
Neuropsychological functioning of first-episode schizophreniform patients.

OBJECTIVE AND METHOD This study compared 32 consecutively admitted first-episode schizophreniform patients, 26 patients with chronic schizophrenia according to the DSM-III-R criteria, and 25 normal comparison subjects on a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests to determine the degree of cognitive impairment existing at the onset of schizophrenic illness. Patients were tested within 2 weeks of admission to the hospital, after their medication had been stabilized. RESULTS With age and education controlled, the first-episode and chronic patients performed significantly worse than the normal subjects on neuropsychological summary measures of executive function, verbal memory, spatial memory, concentration/speed, and global cognitive function and on left and right hemisphere function scales. The first-episode patients were as cognitively impaired as the chronic patients on all summary scales and many of the individual tests. Both groups showed relatively greater left than right hemisphere dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that substantial cognitive deficits, comparable to those of chronic patients, are present early in the course of psychotic illness.
Levels and activities of nitrogenase proteins in Azotobacter vinelandii grown at different dissolved oxygen concentrations

Azotobacter vinelandii was grown diazotrophically at different dissolved oxygen concentrations (in the range of 3 to 216 microM) in sucrose-limited continuous culture. The specific nitrogenase activity, measured on the basis of acetylene reduction in situ, was dependent solely on the growth rate and was largely independent of oxygen and sucrose concentration. FeMo (Av1) and Fe (Av2) nitrogenase proteins were quantified after Western blotting (immunoblotting). When the cultures were grown at a constant dilution rate (D, representing the growth rate, mu) of 0.15. h-1, the cellular levels of both proteins were constant regardless of different dissolved oxygen concentrations. The same was true when the organisms were grown at D values above 0.15. h-1. At a lower growth rate (D = 0.09.h-1), however, and at lower oxygen concentrations cellular levels of both nitrogenase proteins were decreased. This means that catalytic activities of nitrogenase proteins were highest at low oxygen concentrations, but at higher oxygen concentrations they increased with growth rate. Under all conditions tested, however, the Av1:Av2 molar ratio was 1:(1.45 +/- 0.12). Cellular levels of flavodoxin and FeS protein II were largely constant as well. In order to estimate turnover of nitrogenase proteins in the absence of protein synthesis, chloramphenicol was added to cultures adapted to 3 and 216 microM oxygen, respectively. After 2 h of incubation, no significant decrease in the cellular levels of Av1 and Av2 could be observed. This suggests that oxygen has no significant effect on the breakdown of nitrogenase proteins.
Epidural anesthesia improves pancreatic perfusion and decreases the severity of acute pancreatitis.

AIM To study the safety of epidural anesthesia (EA), its effect on pancreatic perfusion and the outcome of patients with acute pancreatitis (AP). METHODS From 2005 to August 2010, patients with predicted severe AP [Ranson score ≥ 2, C-reactive protein > 100 or necrosis on computed tomography (CT)] were prospectively randomized to either a group receiving EA or a control group treated by patient controlled intravenous analgesia. Pain management was evaluated in the two groups every eight hours using the visual analog pain scale (VAS). Parameters for clinical severity such as length of hospital stay, use of antibiotics, admission to the intensive care unit, radiological/clinical complications and the need for surgical necrosectomy including biochemical data were recorded. A CT scan using a perfusion protocol was performed on admission and at 72 h to evaluate pancreatic blood flow. A significant variation in blood flow was defined as a 20% difference in pancreatic perfusion between admission and 72 h and was measured in the head, body and tail of the pancreas. RESULTS We enrolled 35 patients. Thirteen were randomized to the EA group and 22 to the control group. There were no differences in demographic characteristics between the two groups. The Balthazar radiological severity score on admission was higher in the EA group than in the control group (mean score 4.15 ± 2.54 vs 3.38 ± 1.75, respectively, P = 0.347) and the median Ranson scores were 3.4 and 2.7 respectively (P = NS). The median duration of EA was 5.7 d, and no complications of the epidural procedure were reported. An improvement in perfusion of the pancreas was observed in 13/30 (43%) of measurements in the EA group vs 2/27 (7%) in the control group (P = 0.0025). Necrosectomy was performed in 1/13 patients in the EA group vs 4/22 patients in the control group (P = 0.63). The VAS improved during the first ten days in the EA group compared to the control group (0.2 vs 2.33, P = 0.034 at 10 d). Length of stay and mortality were not statistically different between the 2 groups (26 d vs 30 d, P = 0.65, and 0% for both respectively). CONCLUSION Our study demonstrates that EA increases arterial perfusion of the pancreas and improves the clinical outcome of patients with AP.
The Cross-Section of Expected Stock Returns in Nepal

The CAPM asserts that market betas are sufficient to explain the cross section of expected stock returns. However, beta showed either no relationship or a weak relationship with the expected stock returns when other company specific variables affecting stock returns are used. This study aims at examining the ability of beta and other company specific factors such as firm size, book to market ratio, sales to price ratio, dividend yield and earning price ratio to explain cross section of stock returns in Nepal. The study reveals that the beta has a very weak relation with stock returns in Nepal. The coefficient of beta is not significant and hence there is no evidence that beta explains variation of stock returns. The study showed that size, dividend yield, and book to market ratio has been found to be significant factors affecting stock returns in Nepal while beta, earning price ratio, and sales to price ratio do not explain the variation in stock returns.
The State of Scientific Knowledge Regarding Factors Associated With Terrorism

We conducted a systematic review of the contemporary scientific literature to (a) identify consensus, where it exists, regarding factors associated with membership in terrorist organizations and/or perpetration of terrorist attacks; (b) drive future research directions; and (c) inform evidence-based counterterrorism strategies. Systematic searches of 6 databases identified 205 articles that met inclusion criteria. Of these, 50 articles reported on findings of empirical research, 24 reported inferential statistics, and 6 of these compared characteristics of known terrorists to nonterrorists. Across various aspects of terrorism and terrorists (e.g., type of terrorist, attack type), articles rarely specified their focus. When examined factors typically focused on characteristics of the individual. Review of the empirical findings suggest 9 variables with at least some support for their association with terrorism: age, socioeconomic status, prior arrest, education, employment, relationship status, having a grievance, geographic locale, and type of geographic area. However, given the limitations of the research, there is insufficient evidence to conclude that any of these variables are empirically supported risk factors. Findings identified additional characteristics of an individual (i.e., country of birth, Islamic faith, military experience, foreign travel history, family or friend in a terrorist or extremist organization) and their environment (i.e., income inequality, media and government influences) that merit further evaluation. Findings also emphasized the importance of a triggering event. Finally, findings indicate that some widely accepted “risk” factors have limited empirical support for their association with terrorism. A focus on these factors might contribute to discrimination and reduce the effectiveness of counterterrorism strategies.
Prostacyclin biosynthesis in essential hypertension before and during treatment.

Protacyclin biosynthesis was investigated in 133 untreated newly diagnosed patients with uncomplicated essential hypertension. Urinary excretion of 6-oxo-prostaglandin F1 alpha and of 2,3-dinor-6-oxo-prostaglandin F1 alpha, stable breakdown products of prostacyclin, was measured following a 1 month run-in period. To determine whether lowering blood pressure (BP) influenced prostacyclin biosynthesis, 106 consenting patients with diastolic pressure 90-120 mm Hg were allocated randomly to treatment with bendrofluazide, metoprolol, quinapril or amlodipine in an open parallel group design. Dose was increased to reduce diastolic arterial pressure to <90 mm Hg. Terazosin was added if this target BP was not achieved, and its dose increased if necessary. Urinary excretion rates of prostaglandins were measured after 1 year in patients in whom the target diastolic pressure was achieved. Mean arterial pressure varied from 106-168 mm Hg in untreated patients and excretion of both prostacyclin-derived products varied from <5 to >350 ng/g creatinine. Arterial pressure and prostaglandin excretion were not significantly correlated. In 57 patients in whom target pressure was achieved, BP before treatment was 166 +/- 2/100 +/- 1 at baseline and 144 +/- 2/86 +/- 1 mm Hg at 1 year. Excretion rates of each prostacyclin-derived product were similar before treatment and at 1 year, with no significant differences between the drugs. These findings do not support the hypothesis that deficient prostacyclin biosynthesis contributes to the pathogenesis of essential hypertension, or that increased prostacyclin biosynthesis plays a part in the response to treatment with antihypertensive medication.
Order Exposure in High Frequency Markets

We examine how traders’ technology and motivation to trade impact transparency. We show that algorithmic traders (ATs) are more likely to hide orders and their hidden orders receive better execution. High frequency traders (HFTs, a subset of ATs) extensively use small hidden orders that are aggressively priced near the best quotes. Theory suggests that traders hide orders to limit their option value, delay information exposure, and limit competition for liquidity provision. Our results suggest that HFTs hide orders to limit competition when the expected profitability of liquidity provision is higher, while non-algorithmic traders hide orders to limit their option value.
The relationship between generalized social phobia and avoidant personality disorder in a national mental health survey

Objective: There has been ongoing clinical controversy dating back to the revised third edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders concerning the boundaries and extent of overlap between Axis I generalized social phobia (GSP) and Axis II avoidant personality disorder (APD). This study sought to examine the relationship between the fourth edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders GSP and APD in a large nationally representative sample of the United States population. Method: We used the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (n=43,093; age 18+; response rate=81%) to study fourth edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Axes I and II psychiatric disorders, assessed by a reliable semi‐structured in‐person interview. Results: The lifetime prevalence was 2.8% for GSP and 2.4% for APD. The overlap between GSP and APD varied according to the number of GSP social situations feared. Although 36.4% of individuals with GSP were diagnosed with APD, the majority (57.3%) of individuals with GSP who feared all 13 social situations assessed were diagnosed with APD. Nearly 40% of individuals with APD also had GSP. Compared to individuals with GSP alone, individuals with comorbid GSP and APD showed significantly lower mental health‐related quality of life on the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form, more interaction and observation fears, and an increased likelihood of having other psychiatric disorders such as major depression. Conclusions: APD and GSP show a high degree of overlap (16–57%), depending on the number of social situations feared. Overall, results suggest that APD and GSP appear to be highly related, but potentially separable constructs. Further research is needed to identify the determinants and consequences of having either or both diagnoses. Depression and Anxiety, 2009. Published 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Modified SV-Model Suitable for Line-of-Sight Desktop Usage of Millimeter-Wave WPAN Systems

A modified Saleh-Valenzuela (SV) model, which is useful in designing a millimeter-wave WPAN (mmW WPAN) system for line-of-sight (LoS) desktop environments, is proposed. It is demonstrated that a well-known two-path model component is dominantly observed in a typical LoS desktop channel along with the components of the other non-line-of-sight (NLoS) paths. Then, the deterministic two-path model is extended to a statistical two-path model by introducing random variables for the antenna position and merging with the conventional SV-model which is suitable to express NLoS path components. The proposed channel model parameters are extracted in a typical LoS desktop environment, and then the cumulative distribution of total path power gain is discussed using a simulation technique that assumes a specific antenna location scenario. It is shown that the cumulative distribution of total path power gain obtained using the proposed model is useful to estimate the outage probability of the mmW WPAN link.