Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Explaining the Spread Premiums on Catastrophe Bonds

Since cat event losses are uncorrelated with aggregate risks in financial markets, the spread premium for such catastrophic protection should be approximately equal to the expected loss under perfect market. On the other hand, most CAT bonds offer 200-1300 bps for interest spreads, far higher than expected losses of CAT bonds and interest spreads offered by BB-rated corporate bonds. Past research explores little the causes of exceptional high spreads of CAT bonds but focuses more on the theoretical pricing of them. This article tries to explain the spread premiums of CAT bonds, the risk premiums investors ask for investing in CAT bonds, from an empirical viewpoint, verifying whether these significant factors are consistent with those proposed in theoretical pricing models. Analyzing issuing data of nonlife CAT bonds from 1997 to 2007, we find that, for catastrophe-event risk, investors care the probability of exhaustion and probability of first dollar loss but not the conditional expected losses. In other words, investors perceive how likely they would begin to lose and lose all the money more serious than how much they would lose. Moreover, issuers also pay a lower price for CAT bonds with non-investment grade ratings or those covering multiple perils. This outcome is similar to that obtained from the empirical issuing price of IPOs, as investors recognize the ratings as the signals of the qualities of the bonds. Besides, though there is no theoretical pricing model to support lower price for CAT bonds covering multiple perils, the result still seems reasonable since multiple-peril bonds are perceived highly structured and opaque and constrain investors’ discretion to construct their portfolio of risks. However, indemnity-trigger CAT bonds seem not to offer significantly higher spreads than those of the trigger types unfavorable to investors, such as industry-loss index, modeled-loss index, and parametric triggers. It may be evidence confirming the result of Cummins et al. (2004) that insurers can hedge almost as effectively using the intrastate-loss index and parametric index as they can using perfect hedge. As a result, they may not like to offer significantly higher spreads when using an indemnity trigger.
Natural Fissures of Lung- Anatomical Basis of Surgical Techniques and Imaging

Background: The fissures in lung enhance uniform expansion. These fissures may be complete, incomplete or absent. A detailed knowledge of variations of classical and accessory fissures is necessary for proper radiological interpretation. It is a guide to cardiothoracic surgeons performing segmental lung resections, lobectomies to have an uncomplicated perioperative outcome. So, the cadaveric study was done to note the morphological variation of the fissures of lung in eastern Indian population and compare it with previous studies. Methods: 102 lungs obtained during dissection of formalin fixed cadavers in Calcutta National Medical College, Kolkata and preserved in 10% formalin were thoroughly studied to note every morphological details of fissures present in the lungs. Results: 44% of left lungs had classically complete oblique fissure compared to 26.92% on the right. No oblique fissure could be detected in 8% lungs of left and 11.54% of right side. Horizontal fissure was completely absent in 34.6%. Various degree of parenchymal fusion was more common on the right side. None of the oblique fissures had uniform depth. Conclusion: Comparison with other studies shows wide regional variations in morphological patterns of lung fissures, implying environmental and genetic factors in its development . Present study unfolds that parenchymal fusion of various extent is a very common entity of oblique fissure of lung. So, more lung parenchyma has to be dissected to reach the bronchi and pulmonary arteries during partial lung resection which naturally might lead to peroperative hemorrhage and more postoperative complications. This knowledge of anatomy of fissures of lung may also help clarifying confusing radiographic findings.
On the State Minimization of Nondeterministic Finite Automata

The aim of this paper is to obtain a procedure for finding a minimum state nondeterministic finite automaton (NDA) equivalent to a given (in general, nondeterministic) finite automaton. Given a finite automaton A, we derive from A a matrix of 1' s and 0's, called a reduced automaton matrix RAM) of A, in a certain way and show that each state of A corresponds to a grid over the RAM. A grid consists of a set of rows and a set of columns of an RAM such that only 1's appear at the intersections. It is also shown that the union of all the grids, each of which corresponds to a state of A, covers all the 1 entries of an RAM.
Role of 18F-Fluoro-D-deoxyglucose PET/CT in Diagnosing Surgical Site Infection After Spine Surgery With Instrumentation

Study Design. Retrospective case series. Objective. To investigate the effectiveness of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in diagnosing surgical site infection (SSI) after spinal surgery with instrumentation. Summary of Background Data. Several reports have indicated the usefulness of 18F-fluoro-D-deoxyglucose (F-18 FDG) PET in detecting sites of infection including spinal infection sites. However, no report has documented the efficacy of PET/CT in detecting SSI after spinal surgery with instrumentation. Methods. A total of 811 consecutive case patients who underwent minimally invasive posterior lumbar interbody fusion surgery with instrumentation from December 2008 to February 2012 were enrolled. Of these, for all case patients clinically suspected as having SSI by laboratory data and clinical symptoms, PET/CT was performed. Six patients with no apparent sign of SSI served as a control group. Image data were evaluated by 2 nuclear medicine physicians blinded to the clinical and pathological results. The data were quantitatively analyzed by the maximum standardized uptake value as an index of F-18 FDG uptake. Results. Visual assessment by PET/CT revealed that all 8 patients with suspected SSI were positive for infection whereas all 6 controls without apparent infection were negative for infection. There was a statistically significant difference in the maximum standardized uptake values (mean and range) between the SSI and control groups (9.0 and 5.5–14.7 vs. 3.3 and 2.0–4.3, respectively; P = 0.003). All 8 patients underwent surgical debridement with selective implant removal and achieved a good clinical course. Conclusion. PET/CT was effective in diagnosing SSI and identifying infection sites despite the presence of spinal instruments. Although further studies with a larger number of patients are required, PET/CT presents a good candidate for detecting early-phase SSI after instrumented spinal surgery. Level of Evidence: 4
Are Evolutionary Explanations Unfalsifiable? Evolutionary Psychology and the Lakatosian Philosophy of Science

Are the methods and strategies that evolutionary psychologists use to generate and test hypotheses scientifically defensible? This target article addresses this question by reviewing principles of philosophy of science that are used to construct and evaluate metatheoretical research programs and applying these principles to evaluate evolutionary psychology. Examples of evolutionary models of family violence, sexual jealousy, and male parental investment are utilized to evaluate whether the procedures for developing and testing evolutionary psychological models are consistent with contemporary philosophy of science. Special attention is paid to the generation of competing theories and hypotheses within a single evolutionary framework. It is argued that this competition is a function of the multiple levels of scientific explanation employed by evolutionary psychologists, and that this explanatory system adheres to the Lakatosian philosophy of science. The charge that evolutionary theories and hypotheses are unfalsifiable is unwarranted and has its roots in a commonly accepted, but mistaken, Popperian view of how science operates. Modern evolutionary theory meets the Lakatosian criterion of "progressivity," based on its ability to digest apparent anomalies and generate novel predictions and explanations. Evolutionary psychology has the hallmarks of a currently progressive research program capable of providing us with new knowledge of how the mind works.
Dynamic chirped microwave photonic filter

A chirped single bandpass microwave photonic filter based on a broadband optical source, a Mach-Zehnder interferometer and a dispersive element is proposed. Special and unique features are shown such as the capacity of modifying the chirp in the passband using the dispersive element together in combination with the possibility of tunability and reconfigurability. The later features are achieved by means of a Mach-Zehnder interferometer and the power spectrum distribution of the optical source.
Higher maternal levels of free estradiol in first compared to second pregnancy: early gestational differences.

Serum samples drawn from 34 women in the early part of both their first and their second pregnancies were assayed for estradiol (E2), percentage of free E2, and sex hormone-binding globulin-binding capacity (SHBG-bc). Subjects were participants in the Collaborative Perinatal Study conducted by the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke (Bethesda, MD) to evaluate factors related to adverse pregnancy outcome. All pregnancies were full term, and no offspring had a congenital malformation. After adjustment for week of pregnancy, the percentage of free E2 was 9% higher (two-sided P = .007) and the amount of free E2 was 17% higher (two-sided P = .03) in first-pregnancy sera. Total E2 was also 7% higher in first-pregnancy sera after adjustment for week of pregnancy; SHBG-bc was 7% lower after adjustment for week of pregnancy and 9% lower after simultaneous adjustment for week of pregnancy and weight at the start of pregnancy; but these differences were not statistically significant. These findings confirm our previously published hypothesis that the early part of a woman's first pregnancy differs endocrinologically from her second and may provide further insight into pregnancy-related risk factors for testis cancer and cryptorchidism and into the protection afforded by first full-term pregnancy against breast cancer.
Macroeconomic Structure and the (Non-)Vulnerable Employment Intensity of Growth

From a macroeconomic perspective, this paper asks whether or not output growth has been working in tandem with decent work targets over the past few decades. Though country experiences vary, growth has generally been much less of a driver toward decent work targets after the 2009 global downturn than previously. Using vulnerable employment data spanning 48 countries (1990-2010), this paper then identifies the structural contexts that were positively associated with relative flows of labor in to non-vulnerable employment. Findings suggest institutional and human capital drivers of growth were relatively more aligned with decent work progress in Latin America. Conversely, physical capital investments were a stronger driver in non-Latin American economies. The share of services is also positively associated with growth that favors decent work for the full sample. Word Count: 6,982 (Excluding abstract, tables, & figures.)
First‐case postpartum psychoses in Eastern Turkey: a clinical case and follow‐up study

Kirpinar I, CosLkun I, Çayköylü A, Anaq SL, Özer H. First‐case postpartum psychoses in Eastern Turkey: a clinical case and follow‐up study. Acta Psychiatr Scand 1999: 100: 199–204. © Munksgaard 1999.
A study of profile of patients admitted in the drug de-addiction centers in the state of punjab

Introduction: In Punjab, drug addiction is a cancer which is crippling the mental and physical well being of the youth population of Punjab. There are 15 DDCs supported by Indian Red Cross Society in Punjab and many private DDCs are also functional. So this study is an attempt to know the profile of patients taking treatment from these centres. Materials and Methods: 7 DDCs run by Indian Red Cross Society & 3 DDCs being run by Private registered societies located in various districts of Punjab were included. A pretested questionnaire was used to interview the patients who were admitted. Results: 120 patients were interviewed. All were males. 47.5% were in age group of 20-30 years. Mean age of starting drug abuse was 21.15±5.29 years. 79.2% patients started drugs due to peer pressure. 59% belonged to rural area. 46% were in upper middle socioeconomic status & 65% patients were married. Patients were using more than one route and 13.3% were on IDU. As per single drug usage, 20.8% were addicted to alcohol & 20.8% to capsule. As per multiple drug usage, 62.5% were tobacco addict, 42.5% to alcohol & 40.8% to capsule. Rs 170.63 was the average amount spent per day. 85.0% patients were dependent on self for buying drugs. 16% patients had positive family history of drug abuse. 60% patients were brought to centre by family members. 39.2% patients had positive history of previous treatment at any other DDC. Conclusions: It is recommended that both Red Cross & Private DDCs should be checked regularly by authorities like Civil Surgeon and Deputy Commissioner & private centers should also be supported & promoted by the government so that these centers run in a better way & can provide more facilities.
Augmented Stabilized Formulations with Fictitious Boundary Methods

Augmentation of the SUPS formulation was introduced earlier and successfully applied to solving incompressible NavierStokes equations for both two dimensional and three dimensional problems. Fictitious boundary methods (FBM) is a new methodology that aid the study of flow descriptions around solid obstacles on fixed Cartesian product grids that do not require body confirming meshes. FBM has been applied to lower order finite element and spectral/hp least squares techniques. We test the augmented stabilized finite element formulation introduced earlier, (ASUPS) to the fictitious boundary context and use it to solve incompressible flow problems. Utilizing the advantages of fictitious boundary methods we present solutions to flow around an array of two dimensional and three dimensional problems. In two dimensional flow computations we solve flow past a circular and elliptical shaped cylinders. For the ellipse shaped obstacles in a Newtonian flow field we examine the effects of varying boundary conditions and aspect ratios on the flow metrics. Finally we extend the procedures to solving two ellipse and two circular shaped obstacles facing the free stream. In three dimensional computations we examine incompressible flow around a three dimensional ellipse shaped obstacle at Reynolds number Re-200.
Immature and Mature Dengue Serotype 1 Virus Structures Provide Insight into the Maturation Process

ABSTRACT Dengue virus is a major human pathogen that has four serotypes (DENV1 to -4). Here we report the cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of immature and mature DENV1 at 6- and 4.5-Å resolution, respectively. The subnanometer-resolution maps allow accurate placement of all of the surface proteins. Although the immature and mature viruses showed vastly different surface protein organizations, the envelope protein transmembrane (E-TM) regions remain in similar positions. The pivotal role of the E-TM regions leads to the identification of the start and end positions of all surface proteins during maturation.
Do Commonly Used Oral Antihypertensives Alter Fetal or Neonatal Heart Rate Characteristics? A Systematic Review

Objective: To examine fetal (FHR) and neonatal heart rate patterns following use of common oral antihypertensives in pregnancy. Methods: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), observational studies (N ≥ 6 women), and animal studies. Data were abstracted (two reviewers) to determine relative risk (RR) (or risk difference (RD) for low event rates) and 95% CI. Results: Eighteen RCTs (1858 women), one controlled observational study (N = 22), and seven case series (N = 117) were reviewed. Most hypertension was pregnancy‐induced (N = 14 studies). The FHR was assessed by cardiotocogram (CTG) (N = 17 studies (visual interpretation); 1 study (computerized CTG), or umbilical artery velocimetry (N = 4). Four studies examined neonatal heart rate. In placebo‐controlled RCTs (N = 192 women), adverse FHR effects did not differ between groups [9/101 (drugs) vs. 7/91 (placebo); RD 0.02, 95% CI (− 0.06, 0.11); χ2 = 1.02]. In six drug vs. drug RCTs (295 women), adverse FHR effects did not differ between groups [29/144 (methyldopa) vs. 42/151 (other drugs); RR 0.72, 95% CI (0.49, 1.07); χ2 = 0.69]. In one labetalol vs. placebo trial, neonatal bradycardia did not differ between groups [4/70 (labetalol) vs. 4/74 (placebo); OR 1.06, 95% CI (0.26, 4.39)], while in three drug vs. drug RCTs, neonatal bradycardia was not observed (0/24 vs. 0/26). Conclusions: Available data are inadequate to conclude whether oral methyldopa, labetalol, nifedipine, or hydralazine adversely affect fetal or neonatal heart rate and pattern. Until definitive data are available, FHR changes cannot be reliably attributed to drug effect, but may be due to progression of the underlying maternal or placental disease.
Are Informant Reports of Personality More Internally Consistent Than Self Reports of Personality?

The present study examined whether informant-reported personality was more or less internally consistent than self-reported personality in an epidemiological community sample (n = 1,449). Results indicated that across the 5 NEO (Neuroticism–Extraversion–Openness) personality factors and the 10 personality disorder trait dimensions, informant reports tended to be more internally consistent than self reports, as indicated by equal or higher Cronbach’s alpha scores and higher average interitem correlations. In addition, the informant reports collectively outperformed the self reports for predicting responses on a global measure of health, indicating that the informant reports are not only more reliable than self reports, but they can also be useful in predicting an external criterion. Collectively these findings indicate that informant reports tend to have greater internal consistency than self reports.
Determinants of condom use among a random sample of single heterosexual adults.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to identify the determinants of single heterosexuals' use of condoms during each sexual intercourse. DESIGN Cohort of individuals followed over a period of 2 years. METHODS Respondents were 574 single heterosexual individuals who answered questions during a telephone interview. RESULTS Attitude, perceived behavioural control, self-efficacy and moral norm explained 65% of the variance in intentions to use condoms ( p, .0001). The determinants of condom use at 1 year follow-up (27% explained variance) were perceived behavioural control, past behaviour, and the interaction between intention and intention stability. At 2 years follow-up, the significant determinants were past behaviour and intention by intention stability. In the present study, intentions to use condoms which remained stable across time were strong predictors of condom use (at 1 year: beta = .42, p < .0001; at 2 years: beta = .39, p, < .003), while unstable intentions were not (at 1 year: beta = .02, ns; at 2 years: beta = .19, ns). CONCLUSION Intention stability is a major determinant of the accuracy of intention for the prediction of subsequent behaviour.
High-circulating Tie2 Is Associated With Pathologic Complete Response to Chemotherapy and Antiangiogenic Therapy in Breast Cancer

Introduction:Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a central mediator of angiogenesis in breast cancer. Research in antiangiogenic cancer treatment has been marked by the development of the monoclonal antibody bevacizumab, which targets VEGF in many solid tumors. As patients do not equally benefit from bevacizumab, it has become necessary to define the profile of patients who will benefit from the drug. Materials and Methods:We have conducted a prospective phase II study in 39 patients using bevacizumab in breast cancer in the neoadjuvant setting, and found improved pathologic complete response (pCR) when bevacizumab was added to chemotherapy in patients with hormone receptor negative and invasive ductal carcinoma. Blood samples were collected at baseline and serially while patients were on treatment. Circulating angiogenesis-related proteins angiopoietin (ANG)1, ANG2, basic fibroblast growth factor, IL-1a, matrix metalloproteinase 9, platelet derived growth factor - BB, platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule -1, Tie2, VEGF, and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 were measured at baseline and during treatment. This correlative study was conducted to identify specific serum angiogenic factor profiles that might be associated with pCR in the neoadjuvant setting in breast cancer patients receiving bevacizumab and chemotherapy. Results:Elevated baseline serum Tie2 and basic fibroblast growth factor were associated with pCR in response to this combination. Changes in serum levels of these proteins were seen during treatment but were not significantly different between the pCR and non-pCR groups. Conclusions:Baseline-circulating Tie2 levels may help distinguish patients who will have pCR from those who will not and may form the basis for future development of antiangiogenic therapy in breast cancer. Larger studies are needed to validate these findings. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00203502.
Vigilance and automobile accidents in patients with sleep apnea or narcolepsy.

Patients with obstructive sleep apnea or narcolepsy report difficulty remaining alert and attentive. To detect impaired vigilance, we designed Steer Clear, a computer program simulating a long and monotonous highway drive that presents 780 obstacles in 30 min. Sixty-two patients with sleep apnea hit a higher percentage of obstacles (4.3 +/- 0.6% [SEM]) than 12 age- and sex-matched subjects without sleep apnea (1.4 +/- 0.3%; p < 0.05) and 10 age- and sex-matched volunteers (1.2 +/- 0.3%; p < 0.05). Ten patients with untreated narcolepsy hit a higher percentage of obstacles while performing on Steer Clear (7.7 +/- 3.2%) than 10 age- and sex-matched subjects without narcolepsy (1.2 +/- 0.3%; p < 0.05). Poor performance on Steer Clear was associated with a higher auto accident rate in the patients with sleep apnea or narcolepsy (p < 0.01). Twenty-one patients who performed normally on Steer Clear had 1 accident in 5 years (0.05 accident/driver/5 yr), and in none of these accidents were they at fault as drivers. Twenty-five patients who performed poorly on Steer Clear had 5 auto accidents in 5 years (0.20 accident/driver/5 yr), and in 20% of these accidents they were at fault as drivers. Twenty-one patients who performed very poorly on Steer Clear had 8 auto accidents in 5 years (0.38 accident/driver/5 yr), and in 38% of these accidents they were at fault as drivers. These 21 patients who performed very poorly on Steer Clear (hitting > 4.5% of obstacles) had a significantly higher auto accident rate than the patients who performed normally (hitting < 1.8%). We conclude: (1) Patients with sleep apnea or narcolepsy performed more poorly on a test of vigilance, Steer Clear, than did control subjects; (2) Impaired vigilance as measured by Steer Clear is associated with a high automobile accident rate in patients with either sleep apnea or narcolepsy.