Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multivariate Crash Risk

This paper investigates whether multivariate crash risk is priced in the crosssection of expected stock returns. Motivated by a theoretical asset pricing model, we capture the multivariate crash risk of a stock by a combined measure based on its expected shortfall and its multivariate lower tail dependence with the systematic risk factors of the Carhart (1997) model. We find that stocks with a high exposure to joint crashes of the market and the momentum factor bear a risk premium which is not explained by traditional linear factor models or by other downside risk measures. Our results indicate that accounting for the multivariate crash risk of established state variables helps to understand the cross-section of expected stock returns without further expanding the factor zoo.
SENSITIVE TO FREEZING 6 Integrates Cellular and Environmental Inputs to the Plant Circadian Clock 1 [ W ] [ OA ]

The sensitive to freezing6 (sfr6) mutant of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) is late flowering in long days due to reduced expression of components in the photoperiodic flowering pathway in long-day photoperiods. Microarray analysis of gene expression showed that a circadian clock-associated motif, the evening element, was overrepresented in promoters of genes down-regulated in sfr6 plants. Analysis of leaf movement rhythms found sfr6 plants showed a sucrose (Suc)-dependent long period phenotype; unlike wild-type Arabidopsis, the clock in sfr6 plants did not have a shorter rhythm in the presence of Suc. Other developmental responses to Suc were unaltered in sfr6 plants, suggesting insensitivity to Suc is restricted to the clock. We investigated the effect of sfr6 and Suc upon clock gene expression over 24 h. The sfr6 mutation resulted in reduced expression of the clock components CIRCADIAN CLOCK ASSOCIATED1, GIGANTEA, and TIMING OF CAB1. These changes occurred independently of Suc supplementation. Wild-type plants showed small increases in clock gene expression in the presence of Suc; this response to Suc was reduced in sfr6 plants. This study shows that large changes in level and timing of clock gene expression may have little effect upon clock outputs. Moreover, although Suc influences the period and accuracy of the Arabidopsis clock, it results in relatively minor changes in clock gene expression.
Adjuvant chemotherapy in node-negative breast cancer: UPA/PAI-1 determinations for 163 cases.

BACKGROUND The urokinase-type plasminogen activator (UPA) and its main inhibitor plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) are involved in tumor interactions with the microenvironment. The UPA/PAI-1 content in tumor tissue can be used to identify populations at low-or high-risk of recurrence of breast cancer, even without other standard prognostic markers. MATERIALS AND METHODS The purpose of the present study was to compare adjuvant chemotherapy decisions made by a multi-disciplinary board for 163 node-negative breast cancer cases, based on clinicopathological (CP) and UPA/PAI-1 risk assessment. RESULTS The UPA/PAI-1 levels identified 37% of the population as being at low risk. Adjuvant chemotherapy indication was spared in high-CP risk in 17%, but maintained in low-CP risk in 33%. CONCLUSION The use of UPA/PAI-1 data did not consistently result in a decrease of adjuvant chemotherapy. This study highlighted the difficulties encountered in a local multi-disciplinary board in determining appropriate roles and weights of new prognostic markers (UPA/PAI-1 was not routinely employed in France) when no data are available for assessing their prognostic and predictive power compared to other prognostic factors.
Stimulation of the Sympathetic Perimesenteric Arterial Nerves Releases Neuropeptide Y Potentiating the Vasomotor Activity of Noradrenaline: Involvement of Neuropeptide Y‐Y1 Receptors

Abstract: Neuropeptide Y (NPY) appears to be involved in the sympathetic regulation of vascular tone. To assess the putative role of NPY in mesenteric circulation, the release and biological effect of NPY were examined after electrical stimulation of perimesenteric arterial nerves. Nerve stimulation with trains of 2–30 Hz increased the perfusion pressure of the arterially perfused rat mesenteric bed in a frequency‐ and time‐dependent fashion. Trains of 15–30 Hz significantly displaced to the left, approximately threefold, the noradrenaline (NA)‐induced pressor concentration‐response curve, in addition to increasing significantly its efficacy. Perfusion with 10 nM exogenous NPY mimicked the electrical stimulation effect, causing a threefold leftward shift of the NA concentration‐response curve and increasing the maximal NA response. These effects were antagonized by 100 nM BIBP 3226, indicating the activity of NPY‐Y1 receptors. Electrical stimulation of the perimesenteric nerves released immunoreactive NPY (ir‐NPY) in a frequency‐dependent fashion; the ir‐NPY coelutes with synthetic NPY as confirmed by HPLC. Both the electrically induced pressor response and the calcium‐dependent release of NPY were obliterated in preparations perfused with 1 µM guanethidine or in rats pretreated intravenously for 48 h with 6‐hydroxydopamine, thus revealing the sympathetic origin of these phenomena. Only a small proportion of the total NPY content in the perimesenteric arterial nerves is released after electrical stimulation. Chromatographic studies of the physiological sources of the ir‐NPY support that NPY fragments are generated via peptidase degradation. The present findings demonstrate that NPY is released from the perimesenteric arterial sympathetic nerves and acts, via the activation of NPY‐Y1 receptors, as the mediator responsible for the potentiation of NA's effect on perfusion pressure in the isolated rat mesenteric bed.
Putting the Pension Back in 401(k) Retirement Plans: Optimal versus Default Longevity Income Annuities

A recent US Treasury regulation allowed deferred longevity income annuities to be included in pension plan menus as a default payout solution, yet little research has investigated whether more people should convert some of the $15 trillion they hold in employer-based defined contribution plans into lifelong income streams. We investigate this innovation using a calibrated lifecycle consumption and portfolio choice model embodying realistic institutional considerations. Our welfare analysis shows that defaulting a small portion of retirees' 401(k) assets (over a threshold) is an attractive way to enhance retirement security, enhancing welfare by up to 20% of retiree plan accruals.
The effect of polyunsaturated fatty acids, including conjugated linoleic acid, on calcium absorption and bone metabolism and composition in young growing rats

The effect of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), in particular conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), on Ca and bone metabolism is unclear. In a 2 × 2 factorial design study, forty male 4-week-old rats were fed a control diet containing 70 g added fat (soyabean oil (SBO; n–6 PUFA-rich diet) or menhaden oil–safflower oil (MSO; n−3 PUFA-rich diet))/kg diet with 0 or 10 g CLA/kg for 8 weeks. Ex vivo prostaglandin E2biosynthesis by bone organ culture was significantly higher (P<0·001) in rats consuming SBO compared with MSO, irrespective of CLA. Addition of the CLA treatment to either diet further lowered (P<0·05) ex vivo prostaglandin E2 production. Neither PUFA type nor CLA altered circulating or femoral mRNA levels of osteocalcin (a marker of bone formation) or insulin-like growth factor-I (a mediator of bone metabolism). While urinary pyridinium crosslinks levels (markers of bone resorption) were unaffected by CLA irrespective of PUFA type, they were significantly higher (P<0·05) in rats consuming SBO compared with MSO irrespective of CLA. Net fractional (%) and absolute (mg) Ca absorption were significantly (P<0·01 and P<0·05 respectively) higher in CLA-supplemented than unsupplemented animals fed on the n−3 PUFA-rich diet, whereas CLA had no effect in animals fed the n–6 PUFA-rich diet. There was no effect of CLA supplementation on bone mineral mass. In conclusion, CLA supplementation over 8 weeks appeared to enhance Ca absorption in young growing rats fed an n−3 PUFA-rich diet, but had no measurable effect on bone metabolism or bone mass over this time frame.
Fatty acids stimulate cholecystokinin secretion via an acyl chain length‐specific, Ca2+‐dependent mechanism in the enteroendocrine cell line STC‐1

1 The present study has investigated whether fatty acids directly influence peptide release from enteroendocrine cells using STC‐1, a mouse intestinal endocrine tumour cell line, previously shown to release cholecystokinin (CCK) in response to other physiological stimuli. 2 Fatty acids elicited a chain length‐ and dose‐dependent stimulation of CCK secretion. Dodecanoic acid (C12) was most effective, producing up to a 5‐fold increase in CCK secretion. Fatty acids with less than ten carbon atoms did not increase secretion. The chain length dependence of these effects mimics closely fatty acid‐induced CCK secretion previously observed in humans in vivo. 3 Esterification of C12 abolished CCK secretion, indicating a critical role for a free carboxyl group in eliciting secretion. In contrast, modification of the methyl terminus had no effect on C12‐induced secretion. The non‐metabolizable C12 analogue 2‐bromododecanoic acid was equally effective. 4 C12 elicited a marked increase in intracellular calcium levels (200–300 nm) in STC‐1 cells which was abolished by the L‐type Ca2+ channel antagonist nicardipine. In contrast, C8 produced a smaller and more transient Ca2+ response. C12‐induced CCK secretion was also blocked by nicardipine. 5 These data suggest that fatty acids can interact directly with enteroendocrine cells to stimulate CCK secretion via increases in intracellular calcium mediated primarily by L‐type Ca2+ channels.
Multiclass multilane model for freeway traffic mixed with connected automated vehicles and regular human-piloted vehicles

ABSTRACT In view of the advantages and a promising market prospect of the emerging connected automated vehicles (CAVs), it will be very likely that the roadway is shared by CAVs and RHVs in the near future. To support traffic control design, this paper develops a multiclass multilane cell transmission model (CTM) to simulate traffic flow dynamics mixed with CAVs and RHVs by capturing the interaction between the two vehicle classes. First, headway distributions and variations in the fundamental diagram with respect to different penetration rates of CAVs are quantified. Then, the minimum headway acceptance criteria are determined for the lane changing (LC) maneuvers proposed by CAVs and RHVs with consideration on drivers’ anticipation. Finally, the cell-lane-specific multiclass flow conservation law is developed to propagate traffic flow and density considering the vehicle LC maneuvers. Numerical simulations explore the potential operational capacity increase, delay reduction, and traffic flow smoothing under several penetration scenarios.
Sustainability Indicators for Universities: Revision for a Colombian Case

The purpose of this paper is to orient universities on their first versions of the sustainability reports based on the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines, which, as mentioned by Hussey et al. (2001), Lozano (2006) and Morhardt et al. (2002) is the best option for sustainability reporting in universities. The paper analyses the sustainability indicators reported by 26 universities following the GRI guidelines, 18 revised by the authors and others reviewed by Lozano (2011), in order to establish a pathway for new universities wanting to elaborate their sustainability reports and also offers a perspective of new indicators that can be covered in forthcoming reports.
Morphology does not predict performance: jaw curvature and prey crushing in durophagous stingrays

ABSTRACT All stingrays in the family Myliobatidae are durophagous, consuming bivalves and gastropods, as well as decapod crustaceans. Durophagous rays have rigid jaws, flat teeth that interlock to form pavement-like tooth plates, and large muscles that generate bite forces capable of fracturing stiff biological composites (e.g. mollusk shell). The relative proportion of different prey types in the diet of durophagous rays varies between genera, with some stingray species specializing on particular mollusk taxa, while others are generalists. The tooth plate module provides a curved occlusal surface on which prey is crushed, and this curvature differs significantly among myliobatids. We measured the effect of jaw curvature on prey-crushing success in durophagous stingrays. We milled aluminum replica jaws rendered from computed tomography scans, and crushed live mollusks, three-dimensionally printed gastropod shells, and ceramic tubes with these fabricated jaws. Our analysis of prey items indicate that gastropods were consistently more difficult to crush than bivalves (i.e. were stiffer), but that mussels require the greatest work-to-fracture. We found that replica shells can provide an important proxy for investigations of failure mechanics. We also found little difference in crushing performance between jaw shapes, suggesting that disparate jaws are equally suited for processing different types of shelled prey. Thus, durophagous stingrays exhibit a many-to-one mapping of jaw morphology to mollusk crushing performance. Summary: Disparate jaw morphologies are functionally equivalent in a diverse family of hard-prey-feeding stingrays, despite their prey spanning a continuum of shell structural and material properties.
Pan‐African phylogeography of a model organism, the African clawed frog ‘Xenopus laevis’

The African clawed frog Xenopus laevis has a large native distribution over much of sub‐Saharan Africa and is a model organism for research, a proposed disease vector, and an invasive species. Despite its prominent role in research and abundance in nature, surprisingly little is known about the phylogeography and evolutionary history of this group. Here, we report an analysis of molecular variation of this clade based on 17 loci (one mitochondrial, 16 nuclear) in up to 159 individuals sampled throughout its native distribution. Phylogenetic relationships among mitochondrial DNA haplotypes were incongruent with those among alleles of the putatively female‐specific sex‐determining gene DM‐W, in contrast to the expectation of strict matrilineal inheritance of both loci. Population structure and evolutionarily diverged lineages were evidenced by analyses of molecular variation in these data. These results further contextualize the chronology, and evolutionary relationships within this group, support the recognition of X. laevis sensu stricto, X. petersii, X. victorianus and herein revalidated X. poweri as separate species. We also propose that portions of the currently recognized distributions of X. laevis (north of the Congo Basin) and X. petersii (south of the Congo Basin) be reassigned to X. poweri.
What Drives Enrolment Gaps in Further Education? The Role of Beliefs in Sequential Schooling Decisions

We study students’ motives to obtain sixth form and university education in a sample of 885 secondary school students in the UK. At each educational stage, perceptions about the consumption value of education explain a substantial share of the variation in students’ intentions to obtain further education, while beliefs about the monetary benefits and costs are not found to play an important role. Beliefs about the consumption value of university predict not only students’ intentions to go to university but also their intentions to go to sixth form, highlighting the importance of dynamic considerations in the choice. We further document that students’ beliefs about the consumption value of further schooling strongly predict students’ perceptions about how likely it is that they will obtain the necessary grades to proceed to the next educational stage. Differences in the perceived consumption value across gender and socioeconomic groups can account for a sizeable proportion of the gender and socioeconomic gaps in students’ intentions to pursue further education as well as in their perceptions about their own performance.
Whole-Body Cryostimulation as an Effective Method of Reducing Oxidative Stress in Healthy Men.

BACKGROUND Whole-body cryostimulation (WBC) is the therapeutic exposure of the total human body (without underwear) to a very low temperature (below -100°C) for 120-180 s. Currently, WBC is used more frequently not only in the treatment of patients suffering from various diseases, but also by healthy people as a wellness method. OBJECTIVES The aim of this research is to evaluate the impact of WBC procedures on oxidative stress parameters in healthy men. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study involved 32 healthy male subjects who were randomly divided into 2 groups: 16 men exposed to WBC procedures with subsequent kinesiotherapy (WBC group) and 16 men exposed only to kinesiotherapy procedures (KT group). Depending on the group, the subjects were exposed to 10 daily WBC procedures lasting 3 min, with a subsequent 60-min of kinesiotherapy, or exclusively to kinesiotherapy. In subjects from both groups, a day before the beginning of a cycle of treatment and a day after its completion, the level of selected indicators of oxidative stress and non-enzymatic antioxidants, as well as the activity of antioxidant enzymes in serum, plasma and erythrocyte lysates were determined. RESULTS In the WBC group subjects, we recorded a statistically significant decrease in the concentrations of most of the parameters of oxidative stress with an accompanying increase in plasma concentrations of non-enzymatic antioxidants (total antioxidant status and uric acid). We recorded no significant changes in the activities of antioxidant enzymes (plasma total superoxide dismutase (SOD) and its isoenzymes SOD-Mn and SOD-ZnCu, erythrocyte catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase). CONCLUSIONS The results we obtained confirmed that WBC decreases oxidative stress in healthy men.
Histopathologic assessment of hot‐spot microvessel density and vascular patterns in glioblastoma: Poor observer agreement limits clinical utility as prognostic factors

Hot‐spot microvessel density (MVD) and vascular patterns have been reported as histopathologic factors that influence prognosis in retrospective series of malignant gliomas. To investigate clinical utility, the authors systematically studied observer agreement on MVD and vascular patterns and the influence of repeatedly assessed data on patient outcomes in 2 independent glioblastoma series.
Tracking Host Sources of Cryptosporidium spp. in Raw Water for Improved Health Risk Assessment

ABSTRACT Recent molecular evidence suggests that different species and/or genotypes of Cryptosporidium display strong host specificity, altering our perceptions regarding the zoonotic potential of this parasite. Molecular forensic profiling of the small-subunit rRNA gene from oocysts enumerated on microscope slides by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency method 1623 was used to identify the range and prevalence of Cryptosporidium species and genotypes in the South Nation watershed in Ontario, Canada. Fourteen sites within the watershed were monitored weekly for 10 weeks to assess the occurrence, molecular composition, and host sources of Cryptosporidium parasites impacting water within the region. Cryptosporidium andersoni, Cryptosporidium muskrat genotype II, Cryptosporidium cervine genotype, C. baileyi, C. parvum, Cryptosporidium muskrat genotype I, the Cryptosporidium fox genotype, genotype W1, and genotype W12 were detected in the watershed. The molecular composition of the Cryptosporidium parasites, supported by general land use analysis, indicated that mature cattle were likely the main source of contamination of the watershed. Deer, muskrats, voles, birds, and other wildlife species, in addition to sewage (human or agricultural) may also potentially impact water quality within the study area. Source water protection studies that use land use analysis with molecular genotyping of Cryptosporidium parasites may provide a more robust source-tracking tool to characterize fecal impacts in a watershed. Moreover, the information is vital for assessing environmental and human health risks posed by water contaminated with zoonotic and/or anthroponotic forms of Cryptosporidium.
CHAPTER TWO: Impact of sentiment indicators on the capital market dynamics and default probability

This paper examines the impact of sentiment indicators on the financial market dynamics and default probability. First, we use GARCH models and Granger Causality Test in order to test the relationship between sentiment indicators and capital market dynamics of eleven Southeastern European countries. Second, we employ GARCH models and Granger Causality Test to examine the influence of sentiment indicators on the sovereign credit risk in Bulgaria. The analyzed period is from January 2005 to November 2015. The results reveal that the consumer sentiment information and inflation expectations have influence on the financial market dynamics of SEE stock indices. Test results present that sentiment variables may explain CDS spread changes efficiently. We observe bilateral relations, which may be accepted as proves that turmoil periods may be led by panic and fear of investors without any enormous change in other factors.
Hemodynamic Effects of Anesthesia in Patients with Ischemic Heart Failure Chronically Treated with Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors

Anesthesia may induce hemodynamic instability in patients treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs). To assess the hemodynamic effects of anesthesia in patients treated (n = 9) or not treated (n = 9) with ACEIs for ischemic left ventricle dysfunction after myocardial infarction, we studied 18 patients scheduled for elective coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Induction of anesthesia with fentanyl (5 micro g/kg), flunitrazepam (30 micro g/kg), and pancuronium (100 micro g/kg) was followed by a significant decrease in mean arterial blood pressure in both groups (-18.6% +/- 8.1% in controls and -25.7% +/- 7.8% in ACEI-treated patients, P = 0.01). In controls, cardiac index and systemic vascular resistance were not significantly altered (-11.2% +/- 9.4% and -16.2% +/- 4.6%, respectively, not significant [NS]). In ACEI-treated patients, cardiac index decreased significantly (-27.3% +/- 11.6%, P = 0.01 from baseline and P = 0.03 when compared with controls), and systemic vascular resistance was unchanged (1.0% +/- 18.7%, NS from baseline and P = 0.04 when compared with controls). Two patients from each group experienced a transient severe hypotensive episode. ACEI treatment in patients with infarction-induced myocardial dysfunction does not increase the incidence of severe hypotension after induction of anesthesia. (Anesth Analg 1997;84:945-9)