Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Survey of Three Derivative-Based Methods to Harvest the Volatility Premium in Equity Markets

The volatility risk premium (VRP), also known as the insurance risk premium (IRP), is an attractive source of extra returns that has low correlations with equities and fixed-income assets, and thus it can provide diversification benefits on top of traditional portfolio holdings. This article examines and compares the three most commonly used derivative-based methods to monetize the VRP: equity index option strategies, variance swaps, and CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) future constructs. The study analyzes both qualitatively and quantitatively the strengths and weaknesses of the three approaches, as well as their historical returns and risk profiles. More importantly, the potential for added diversification by all three approaches is discussed from an investor’s perspective. The study concludes that option strategies or VIX future constructs are more preferable than variance swaps for many investors.
Positron emission tomography-computed tomography in the management of lung cancer: An update

This communication presents an update on the current role of positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) in the various clinical decision-making steps in lung carcinoma. The modality has been reported to be useful in characterizing solitary pulmonary nodules, improving lung cancer staging, especially for the detection of nodal and metastatic site involvement, guiding therapy, monitoring treatment response, and predicting outcome in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Its role has been more extensively evaluated in NSCLC than small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC). Limitations in FDG PET-CT are encountered in cases of tumor histotypes characterized by low glucose uptake (mucinous forms, bronchioalveolar carcinoma, neuroendocrine tumors), in the assessment of brain metastases (high physiologic 18F-FDG uptake in the brain) and in cases presenting with associated inflammation. The future potentials of newer PET tracers beyond FDG are enumerated. An evolving area is PET-guided assessment of targeted therapy (e.g., EGFR and EGFR tyrosine kinase overexpression) in tumors which have significant potential for drug development.
Mild cognitive impairment

Objective: To empirically validate the expanded concept of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which differentiates between four clinical subtypes—amnestic MCI–single domain, amnestic MCI–multiple domains, nonamnestic MCI–single domain, and nonamnestic MCI–multiple domains—and to examine the prevalence, course, and outcome of these four clinical MCI subtypes. Methods: We studied a community sample of 980 dementia-free individuals aged 75 years or older who participated in the Leipzig Longitudinal Study of the Aged (LEILA 75+). All participants were examined by neuropsychological testing based on 6 years of observation. The diagnoses of the four clinical MCI subtypes were made according to the original and to slightly modified criteria by Petersen et al. (2001) (both with a cutoff of 1.0 SD and with a cutoff of 1.5 SD). The complete range of outcome types (dementia, death, improvement, stable diagnosis, unstable diagnosis) was described for all subtypes. The relative predictive power of stable MCI for dementia onset was determined. Results: MCI–single domain is more frequent than MCI–multiple domains, and the nonamnestic MCI type is as frequent as the amnestic MCI type. The “MCI modified, 1.0 SD” criteria have the highest relative predictive power for the development of dementia (sensitivity = 74%, specificity = 73%). Alzheimer disease (AD) was the most common type of dementia at follow-up in all but one MCI subtype. Participants with nonamnestic MCI–multiple domains were more likely to progress to a non-AD dementia. Conclusions: It has been assumed that each MCI subtype is associated with an increased risk for a particular type of dementia. We can only partially agree with this.
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Profitability: Insights From a Corner Store Intervention in New Orleans, Louisiana

ABSTRACT Food store environments can influence consumers’ choices, but little is known about the financial feasibility of carrying healthier products. This case study evaluated the profits of a small store and the effect of infrastructure changes on produce availability and customer response. Invoice and inventory data were collected and customer intercept surveys (n = 323) measured exposure to promotions and awareness of a new cooler. Produce accounted for a greater percentage of store profits than energy-dense snacks, although the main sources of profit were tobacco, beer, and soft-drinks. The number of produce items on display 1 year after the intervention increased by 16%, whereas energy-dense snacks decreased. Customers exposed to at least one promotion were more likely (χ2 = 12.4, p < 0.001) to notice the cooler than those who were not. These results could encourage store owners to stock and promote healthier items.
Diabetic fatty liver disease is associated with specific changes in blood‐borne markers

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) can lead to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma and is strongly associated with obesity and insulin resistance. The aim of this study was to assess if plasma markers associated with NAFLD are increased in people with concomitant diabetes compared with those without.
Etiologic Factors in Soft Tissue Sarcomas

Soft tissue sarcomas account for about 1% of all malignancies. The increase in incidence of soft tissue sarcomas during the recent decades may predominantly be attributed to AIDS-related Kaposi’s sarcoma; when this tumor is excluded, conclusive evidence for an age-adjusted increase is lacking. Beside the well investigated role of the human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) and the human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) in the tumorigenesis of AIDS-related Kaposi’s sarcoma and several inherited disorders, considerable evidence support a relationship between occupational chemicals as vinyl chloride, phenoxyacetic acid herbicides, chlorphenols, dioxin, medicinal measures as Thorotrast exposure and therapeutic irradiation, and the development of soft tissue sarcoma. Hormones and chronic repair processes are further probably sarcoma-promoting factors. Considering the rarity of soft tissue sarcomas despite the vast portion that soft tissues comprise in the human body, additional knowledge on the tumorigenesis of soft tissue sarcomas might considerably contribute to the understanding of the etiologic pathways of malignant tumors in humans.
'What did you say'?: understanding conversational breakdowns in children with speech and language impairments

The study examined the types of mistakes children make during conversations with a familiar partner. The current investigation differs from previous studies because it asked what it is about the language of children with specific language impairment and phonological disorder (SLI:PD) that causes mothers to ask for clarification. Videotaped interactions were coded with the Breakdown Coding System to describe breakdowns. Not surprisingly, results indicated that children with SLI:PD were more difficult to understand than peers because of phonological errors and reduced intelligibility, supporting long-held beliefs about the functional impact of phonological impairments. Less predictable, however, was the finding that when children with SLI:PD were intelligible, mothers had more difficulty understanding them because of ambiguous utterances and underspecified pronouns, or because of semantically inappropriate or inaccurate information. Implications are discussed, and breakdown descriptions are presented as a useful supplement to current assessment methods and intervention planning.
Kepemimpinan Pembelajaran Kepala Sekolah dalam Meningkatkan Kinerja Guru

The purpose of this study is to describe the influence of instructional leadership behavior of principals in improving teachers’ performance at two Senior High Schools in Pamalang. The focuses of the study were: (1) the instructional leadership behavior of principals as it relate to the improvement of teachers’ performance; (2) the external factors that seemed to play a part in the principals’ instructional leadership behavior as it relates to teachers’ performance; and (3) the internal factors that also seemed to play a part in the principals’ instructional leadership behavior as it relates to teachers’ performance. Based on the characteristics of the research subject and the focuses of the investigation, this study employed qualitative approach with a multi-case design. The main findings of the study were: Firstly, as strong instructional leaders, the principals exhibited behaviors of instructional leadership that epitomized characterized roles and functions as management engineer, communicator, clinical practi-tioner, role model, and high priest. Secondly, ss instructional leaders, then, the principals exhibited the capabilities to accommodate cultural values and public expectation through instructional policies to establish public commitment and participation, as well as the policies of teacher and student discipline within teaching and learning activities, fair and continuous evaluation. Thirdly, there were four internal dimensions related with instructional leadership that included: socialization of the school mission, instructional arrangement, improvement of learning practice, and the establishment of good school climate.
Decentralised robust controller synthesis for discrete-time polytopic systems with additive uncertainty using an iterative-LMI approach

In this paper, we study robust and decentralised controller synthesis for discrete-time polytopic systems with norm-bounded additive uncertainty. To do so, we aim at finding a local solution to an optimisation problem involving bilinear matrix inequality constraints. The local solution is found using an iterative scheme that involves solving an optimisation problem with linear matrix inequality constraints. We will also briefly present and adapt a non-iterative but conservative solution strategy based on linear matrix inequalities and a solution strategy based on a so-called cone complementarity linearisation to compare our proposed method to. Finally, we will illustrate the solution strategy and show that it reduces conservatism in the controller synthesis on two decentralised controller synthesis examples, and on an example of networked control of a chemical batch reactor.
Increased Expression and Activation of CD30 Induce Apoptosis in Human Blood Eosinophils1

Eosinophils are one of the major effector cells in asthma, and controlling the number and survival of eosinophils might attenuate the severity of asthma. This result could be achieved by inducing eosinophil apoptosis. Apoptosis allows the removal of cells without inducing an inflammatory response. Our knowledge of the factors involved in regulating eosinophil apoptosis remains limited. CD30 molecule has been associated with T cell-negative selection and in TCR-mediated apoptosis. In this study we examined the expression and role of CD30 in apoptosis of human blood eosinophils. Percentage of apoptotic eosinophils was determined by annexin V-propidium iodide labeling, and CD30 expression was examined by flow cytometry. Spontaneous apoptosis was induced by serum deprivation, and survival was conferred by incubating cells with 10% FBS and IL-5. CD30 surface expression was up-regulated in eosinophils incubated for 24 h as compared with freshly isolated eosinophils, and both CD30 expression and eosinophil apoptosis increased in a time-dependent manner. We also measured CD30 mRNA expression by quantitative real-time RT-PCR and determined that CD30 transcripts increased in eosinophils undergoing apoptosis only under serum deprivation conditions. The agonistic CD30 Abs, Ber-H8 and HeFi-1, significantly enhanced eosinophil apoptosis. FBS and IL-5 failed to inhibit or suppress the CD30 agonistic-induced apoptosis. These data support the role of CD30 activation in eosinophil apoptosis. This research will help in furthering our understanding of eosinophil apoptosis and therefore might contribute to the development of better therapeutic modalities in the treatment and/or cure of allergic inflammation in bronchial asthma.
Crystal Structure of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus 3C Protease

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) causes a widespread and economically devastating disease of domestic livestock. Although FMDV vaccines are available, political and technical problems associated with their use are driving a renewed search for alternative methods of disease control. The viral RNA genome is translated as a single polypeptide precursor that must be cleaved into functional proteins by virally encoded proteases. 10 of the 13 cleavages are performed by the highly conserved 3C protease (3Cpro), making the enzyme an attractive target for antiviral drugs. We have developed a soluble, recombinant form of FMDV 3Cpro, determined the crystal structure to 1.9-Å resolution, and analyzed the cleavage specificity of the enzyme. The structure indicates that FMDV 3Cpro adopts a chymotrypsin-like fold and possesses a Cys-His-Asp catalytic triad in a similar conformation to the Ser-His-Asp triad conserved in almost all serine proteases. This observation suggests that the dyad-based mechanisms proposed for this class of cysteine proteases need to be reassessed. Peptide cleavage assays revealed that the recognition sequence spans at least four residues either side of the scissile bond (P4–P4′) and that FMDV 3Cpro discriminates only weakly in favor of P1-Gln over P1-Glu, in contrast to other 3Cpro enzymes that strongly favor P1-Gln. The relaxed specificity may be due to the unexpected absence in FMDV 3Cpro of an extended β-ribbon that folds over the substrate binding cleft in other picornavirus 3Cpro structures. Collectively, these results establish a valuable framework for the development of FMDV 3Cpro inhibitors.
Ebstein's malformation of the tricuspid valve: short-term outcomes of the "cone procedure" versus conventional surgery.

OBJECTIVES We report our analysis of conventional surgery and the cone procedure for Ebstein's malformation (EM) of the tricuspid valve at a single institution. Previous conventional surgery for EM, including use of bioprosthetic valves, has inherent problems especially in pediatrics. The newer cone procedure aims to construct a funnel-like valve out of native leaflets, obviating problems with artificial valves. METHODS This is a retrospective cohort study to examine short-term outcomes of both surgeries for EM. RESULTS Nineteen patients (our initial cohort) had the cone procedure, and 13 had conventional tricuspid valve repair or replacement. No early deaths occurred in either group. Three cone and one conventional repair patients required reoperation. Two of 19 patients in the cone and one of 13 in the conventional group died suddenly >30 days after operation, assumed secondary to dysrhythmias. At discharge, by two-dimensional echocardiography, the cone group had 85% reduction in tricuspid valve regurgitation (TVR), and the conventional group had 56% reduction, P= . 004. This decrease of TVR persisted to a greater extent in the cone group. DISCUSSION Short-term results for the cone procedure are similar to conventional surgery. The cone procedure uses autologous tissue; hypothetically, early favorable improvement in reduction of TVR should persist.
Political stability and FDI in the most competitive Asia Pacific countries

Purpose - Competitiveness is vital to attracting FDI into a country, which has led us to investigate the determinants of FDI in the top 15 most competitive countries in the Asia Pacific region. Design/methodology/approach - We have analysed political stability alongside other commonly studied determinants of FDI. We have employed a panel data fixed-effect model on a 14-year sample data (2000-2013) involving the top 15 most competitive Asia Pacific countries. The Global Competitiveness Index was taken as the yardstick to identify these countries. We have used fixed effect, GMM-system, and Panel ARDL tests for robust results. Findings - The GDP, trade openness and political stability positively influenced FDI inflows while inflation rate negatively impacted FDI inflows in the selected countries. Political stability was the most influential variable in the presence of other indicators. GDP, openness, and political stability exhibit significant long-run relationship with FDI inflows. Research limitations/implications - To increase FDI flows, regulators should focus on building the image of the country, and possibly the region, by ensuring stable economic and political environment, maintaining macroeconomic stability through bi- and multi-lateral arrangements with neighbouring countries. Originality/value - Regional relationships with neighbouring countries can be considered as the building blocks for attracting FDIs. These relationships can be strengthened based on liberal trade policies, openness in capital control, and cooperation in terms of political actions. One such recent issue in regional political cooperation include actions to reduce terrorism and corruption that help boost the confidence of the investors.
Programming the immune checkpoint to treat hematologic malignancies

ABSTRACT Introduction: Hematologic malignancies manipulate the immune suppressive pathways involving CTLA-4, PD-1, and others to promote immune tolerance of cancer. New monoclonal antibodies targeting immune checkpoints are showing meaningful responses in the treatment of relapsed and refractory Hodgkin lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The basis for success of anti-PD-1 therapy appears to be expression of PD-L1 on tumor cells and cells of the tumor microenvironment (TME). While adverse events associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors are capable of generating auto-immune phenomena, in general these therapies are well tolerated. Areas covered: In this review, the authors discuss the development of immune checkpoint inhibitors and activators which hold promise as useful therapies in malignancies of hematologic origin, since many exploit endogenous pathways to induce tolerance. By programming the immune response to attack hematologic malignancies, unique regimens can be developed to optimally treat patients with curative potential. Expert opinion: The utilization of immune checkpoint targeting agents to boost the innate and acquired immune systems to eradicate human malignancies represents a unique opportunity to develop novel therapies with increased clinical efficacy. Side effects of these therapies come with the price of auto-immune phenomena that require appropriate management.
Economics and How Obama Could Have Lost the 2016 Election Too

During the 2016 U.S. election, many voters from democratic (‘blue wall’) states, which have voted consistently in the past elections for the democrats, suddenly moved back into the Republican fold. During this election, the primary economic issue was supposed to be NAFTA, both Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump claimed it has been responsible for U.S. manufacturing job losses. So, what is the effect of trade on personal income and in particular manufacturing income and employment? Still, manufacturing losses are unlikely to explain democratic losses in rural areas, such as Wisconsin, where farm voters switched parties. What is the relationship between farm income and election result? Finally, are farmers Republican, Democrat or Independent? Or just pragmatic?
Sequential requirements for the GTPase domain of the mitofusin Fzo1 and the ubiquitin ligase SCFMdm30 in mitochondrial outer membrane fusion

The ability of cells to respire requires that mitochondria undergo fusion and fission of their outer and inner membranes. The means by which levels of fusion ‘machinery’ components are regulated and the molecular details of how fusion occurs are largely unknown. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a central component of the mitochondrial outer membrane (MOM) fusion machinery is the mitofusin Fzo1, a dynamin-like GTPase. We demonstrate that an early step in fusion, mitochondrial tethering, is dependent on the Fzo1 GTPase domain. Furthermore, the ubiquitin ligase SCFMdm30 (a SKP1–cullin-1–F-box complex that contains Mdm30 as the F-box protein), which targets Fzo1 for ubiquitylation and proteasomal degradation, is recruited to Fzo1 as a consequence of a GTPase-domain-dependent alteration in the mitofusin. Moreover, evidence is provided that neither Mdm30 nor proteasome activity are necessary for tethering of mitochondria. However, both Mdm30 and proteasomes are critical for MOM fusion. To better understand the requirement for the ubiquitin–proteasome system in mitochondrial fusion, we used the N-end rule system of degrons and determined that ongoing degradation of Fzo1 is important for mitochondrial morphology and respiration. These findings suggest a sequence of events in early mitochondrial fusion where Fzo1 GTPase-domain-dependent tethering leads to recruitment of SCFMdm30 and ubiquitin-mediated degradation of Fzo1, which facilitates mitochondrial fusion.
Improving Patient Compliance With Post-EVAR Surveillance May Prevent Late Rupture

Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) has gained increasing popularity in the treatment of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm. Despite its favorable early outcomes, the long-term efficacy of EVAR remains a concern. Late rupture is the ultimate treatment failure and continues to complicate EVAR. Univariate and multivariate analyses have identified factors predictive of late rupture. The importance of EVAR surveillance to prevent late complications is equally widely acknowledged. This article aims to present our current understanding of the precipitating factors of late rupture after EVAR and explores whether the key to its prevention lies within improving patient factors, particularly compliance to follow-up appointments or whether physicians hold the solution.
Survival and prognostic factors of patients with unresectable glioblastoma multiforme

The aim of this study was to assess survival and prognostic factors of 98 consecutive patients with unresectable glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) after stereotactic biopsy. Patients were diagnosed between 1993 and 1998, and the treatment modality subsequent to stereotactic biopsy was determined by the year of diagnosis. Before 1995, patients did not receive further specific therapy after stereotactic biopsy (n=36). In 1996, patients were administered radiotherapy starting within 6 weeks after stereotactic biopsy (n=24). From 1997 to 1998, patients received combined radio-/chemotherapy (RCT; CCNU orally) starting within 2 weeks after stereotactic biopsy (n=38). Patients' age ranged from 21 to 84 (median 64) years and their median Karnofsky performance score 2 weeks after stereotactic biopsy was 80 (range 60–100). Survival and prognostic factors were analyzed with respect to administered treatment modalities (without specific therapy versus radiotherapy versus combined RCT), with respect to age (>/≤50 years), gender, Karnofsky performance score (≥/<80), tumor location (frontal, parieto-temporal, central, occipital) and tumor size (>/≤5 cm; tumor multiplicity was considered as diameter >5 cm) by the Kaplan–Meier method, by log-rank test and multivariate Cox regression analysis. Post-biopsy treatment modality was the strongest predictor for survival. Median (range) survival was 9 (3–47) weeks in those without specific therapy, 13 (5–54) weeks in patients receiving radiotherapy and 31 (11–101) weeks in patients receiving combined RCT (p≤0.001). Age≤50 years (p≤0.05) in addition to tumor size in multivariate Cox analysis were found to be of significant influence onto survival, too. Combined RCT could be performed on a complete outpatient basis. Toxicity consisted of mild asymptomatic thrombocytopenia. We conclude that the administration of combined RCT within a minimum interval after stereotactic biopsy yielded a significant increase in survival. Patients' acceptance was excellent. These results encourage us to treat even patients with unresectable GBM with combined RCT.