Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Is Consumption Growth merely a Sideshow in Asset Pricing?

I study a parsimonious model of a time-varying market risk premium. State pricing is dominated by time preference shocks that may be independent of the consumption process. The model resolves several asset pricing puzzles and provides predictions for how the risk premium varies with measurable financial quantities like the price-earnings ratio and interest rates. Time preference shocks can generate a low level and volatility in the real interest rate and a high stock price volatility and equity premium. The price-earnings ratio has power to predict future stock returns and reveals information about unobservable financial quantities.
Scientific Evaluation of Charles Dickens∗

Abstract I report the results of the test, where the takers had to tell the prose of Charles Dickens from that of Edward Bulwer-Lytton, who is considered by many to be the worst writer in history of letters. The average score is about 50%, which is on the level of random guessing. This suggests that the quality of Dickens’s prose is the same as of that of Bulwer-Lytton.
Increased surface spin stability in γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles with a Cu shell

γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles were coated with a Cu shell in situ during synthesis. An interfacial monolayer of CuO in the Cu-coated γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles was discovered that stabilized the disordered surface spins of γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles. Element-specific x-ray absorption spectroscopy at the L-edges for Cu and Fe indicated the magnetic moment of the Cu in the shell interacted with the γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticle’s surface magnetic moments. This exchange interaction between the Fe and Cu at the interface permitted an overall Cu moment in CuO (an antiferromagnet typically) that altered the γ-Fe2O3 nanomagnetism. Increasing the Cu shell thickness also increased the total Fe magnetism of the nanoparticles.
Neuropsychological Deficits Associated With Route Learning in Alzheimer Disease, MCI, and Normal Aging

Background:The background of route learning (RL) abilities in Alzheimer disease (AD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and normal aging needs further study. We searched for neuropsychological and demographical predictors of RL impairment. Methods:RL was investigated in a clinical study including subjects classified as early AD (n=37), MCI (n=34), and aged normal controls (n=46). An ecological assessment procedure of RL was employed and landmarks learning and navigational abilities were evaluated. The consortium to establish a registry of Alzheimer's disease test battery was used for neuropsychological assessment. Results:Almost all AD patients, and most subjects with MCI misidentified landmarks and made navigational errors when following the route without assistance. Moreover, a small subgroup of normal controls also had problems with RL. Poor RL performance was best predicted by impairments in memory and executive functions. Conclusions:RL impairment is common in early AD and MCI, and is occasionally also found in normal elderly subjects. Its characteristic appearance is a combination of poor landmark recognition and defective directional guidance. Poor RL can be predicted by neuropsychological testing. In MCI and in a subset of normal aged persons, RL impairment may herald incipient dementia.
Political Rent-Seeking in Public Procurement: Evidence from the Entry of Political Challengers at Electoral Thresholds

This paper shows that political challengers affect rent-seeking in public procurement. I use data from municipal governments in the Czech Republic to construct new measures of political rent-seeking in procurement and test whether the entry of additional challengers into municipal legislatures affects the rent-seeking practices. Because the entry of challengers is endogenous to the performance of incumbents, I predict the challenger entry using quasirandom variation in the vote share of challengers near the threshold in proportional elections. I show that legislatures with additional challengers allocate fewer procurements to political donors, double price savings in procurement and use more competitive procurement auctions. The entry of extra challengers leads to greater economic benefits in legislatures with fewer political parties and in legislatures entered by local-level political movements. My findings highlight the role of local-level movements in enhancing political accountability and the value of monitoring the behavior of politicians.
Levels of Intra-specific AFLP Diversity in Tuber-Bearing Potato Species with Different Breeding Systems and Ploidy Levels

DNA-based marker analysis of plant genebank material has become a useful tool in the evaluation of levels of genetic diversity and for the informed use and maintenance of germplasm. In this study, we quantify levels of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) in representative accessions of wild and cultivated potato species of differing geographic origin, ploidy, and breeding system. We generated 449 polymorphic AFLP fragments in 619 plants, representing multiple plants (16–23) from 17 accessions of 14 potato taxa as well as single plants sampled from available accessions (from 3 to 56) of the same 14 taxa. Intra-accession diversities were compared to those of a synthetic ‘taxon-wide’ population comprising a single individual from a variable number of available accessions of each sampled taxon. Results confirm the expected considerably lower levels of polymorphism within accessions of self-compatible as compared to self-incompatible taxa. We observed broadly similar levels of ‘taxon-wide’ polymorphism among self-compatible and self-incompatible species, with self-compatible taxa showing only slightly lower rates of polymorphism. The most diverse accessions were the two cultivated potato accessions examined, the least diverse being the Mexican allohexaploids Solanum demissum and S. iopetalum. Generally allopolyploid self-compatible accessions exhibited lower levels of diversity. Some purported self-incompatible accessions showed relatively low levels of marker diversity, similar to the more diverse self-compatible material surveyed. Our data indicate that for self-compatible species a single plant is highly representative of a genebank accession. The situation for self-incompatible taxa is less clear, and sampling strategies used will depend on the type of investigation. These results have important implications for those seeking novel trait variation (e.g., disease resistance) in gene banks as well as for the selection of individuals for genomics studies. We also show that AFLPs, despite having been largely replaced by other marker types, is highly suitable for the evaluation of within and between accession diversity in genebanks.
Dynamic modeling, parameter identification, and payload estimation of mining cable shovels

This paper presents the application of the lease-squares estimation technique in identification of the cable shovel parameters and monitoring its payload. A data acquisition system was installed on a P&H2100 cable shovel and logged the cable shovel data for several loading cycles. The payload was dynamically estimated using the simplified dynamic cable shovel model we developed. The accuracy and repeatability of the algorithm has been verified based upon the cable shovel data logged during its normal operation at the mine.
Hemodynamic manipulation in the neuro–intensive care unit: cerebral perfusion pressure therapy in head injury and hemodynamic augmentation for cerebral vasospasm

Purpose of reviewThe intent of this manuscript is to summarize the pathophysiologic basis for hemodynamic manipulation in subarachnoid hemorrhage and traumatic brain injury, highlight the most recent literature and present expert opinion on indications and use. Recent findingsHemodynamic augmentation with vasopressors and inotropes along with hypervolemia are the mainstay of treatment of vasospasm due to subarachnoid hemorrhage. Considerable variation continues to exist regarding fluid management and the use of vasopressors and inotropes. Blood pressure augmentation, volume expansion and cardiac contractility enhancement improve cerebral blood flow in ischemic areas, ameliorate vasospasm and improve clinical condition. In patients suffering from severe traumatic brain injury, while every attempt is made to control intracranial hypertension, cerebral perfusion-directed therapy with fluids and vasopressors is also used to keep cerebral perfusion pressure above 60–70 mmHg. Yet, recent observations suggest that posttraumatic mitochondrial dysfunction has been proposed as an alternative explanation for lower cerebral blood flow after acute trauma. SummaryHemodynamic manipulation is routinely used in the management of patients with acute vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage and severe head injury. The rationale is to improve blood flow to the injured brain and prevent secondary ischemia.
Using actors and peers in the clinical education of stuttering: Results from a mixed methods study

Actors have been commonly used in the training of various helping professions [1-4]. Yet, they have not been frequently used in the field of speech-language pathology [5]. Although actors are seldom utilized in the clinical education of speech-language pathology students, the importance of actors in these training programs has been highlighted [6-9]. Some of this research has highlighted the importance of appropriate actor training to assure accuracy in their role portrayal with students [9], as well as assuring appropriate judges to evaluate student abilities when interacting with actors [8]. Many benefits exist when actors are incorporated into clinical training and involve the consistency of the experience and ability to reflect on the interaction in a standardized manner [9]. Gregg [5] provides a review of the benefit of using actors in speech-language pathology and in the clinical training of stuttering. He goes on to highlight the work of Zraick [7,10] with actors and adapting aspects of his outline [10] and use of Objective Structured Clinical Examination’s (OSCE) to fit the purpose for assessing student skills in Purpose: The use of trained actors in the clinical education of helping professionals has been well-documented. However, little is known about the potential benefit of using actors in the clinical education of speech-language pathology students specific to stuttering. This mixed methods study examined the perceptions of 26 participants related to their experiences with peers and two trained actors in a graduate-level fluency disorders course.
Simulated carbon emissions from land-use change are substantially enhanced by accounting for agricultural management

It is over three decades since a large terrestrial carbon sink (ST) was first reported. The magnitude of the net sink is now relatively well known, and its importance for dampening atmospheric CO2 accumulation, and hence climate change, widely recognised. But the contributions of underlying processes are not well defined, particularly the role of emissions from land-use change (ELUC) versus the biospheric carbon uptake (SL; ST = SL − ELUC). One key aspect of the interplay of ELUC and SL is the role of agricultural processes in land-use change emissions, which has not yet been clearly quantified at the global scale. Here we assess the effect of representing agricultural land management in a dynamic global vegetation model. Accounting for harvest, grazing and tillage resulted in cumulative ELUC since 1850 ca. 70% larger than in simulations ignoring these processes, but also changed the timescale over which these emissions occurred and led to underestimations of the carbon sequestered by possible future reforestation actions. The vast majority of Earth system models in the recent IPCC Fifth Assessment Report omit these processes, suggesting either an overestimation in their present-day ST, or an underestimation of SL, of up to 1.0 Pg C a−1. Management processes influencing crop productivity per se are important for food supply, but were found to have little influence on ELUC.
The architecture of the 12RSS in V(D)J recombination signal and synaptic complexes

V(D)J recombination is initiated by RAG1 and RAG2, which together with HMGB1 bind to a recombination signal sequence (12RSS or 23RSS) to form the signal complex (SC) and then capture a complementary partner RSS, yielding the paired complex (PC). Little is known regarding the structural changes that accompany the SC to PC transition or the structural features that allow RAG to distinguish its two asymmetric substrates. To address these issues, we analyzed the structure of the 12RSS in the SC and PC using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and molecular dynamics modeling. The resulting models indicate that the 12RSS adopts a strongly bent V-shaped structure upon RAG/HMGB1 binding and reveal structural differences, particularly near the heptamer, between the 12RSS in the SC and PC. Comparison of models of the 12RSS and 23RSS in the PC reveals broadly similar shapes but a distinct number and location of DNA bends as well as a smaller central cavity for the 12RSS. These findings provide the most detailed view yet of the 12RSS in RAG–DNA complexes and highlight structural features of the RSS that might underlie activation of RAG-mediated cleavage and substrate asymmetry important for the 12/23 rule of V(D)J recombination.
Retinoblastoma Tumor Suppressor: Analyses of Dynamic Behavior in Living Cells Reveal Multiple Modes of Regulation

ABSTRACT The retinoblastoma tumor suppressor, RB, assembles multiprotein complexes to mediate cell cycle inhibition. Although many RB binding partners have been suggested to underlie these functions, the validity of these interactions on the behavior of RB complexes in living cells has not been investigated. Here, we studied the dynamic behavior of RB by using green fluorescent protein-RB fusion proteins. Although these proteins were universally nuclear, phosphorylation or oncoprotein binding mediated their active exclusion from the nucleolus. In vivo imaging approaches revealed that RB exists in dynamic equilibrium between a highly mobile and a slower diffusing species, and genetic lesions associated with tumorigenesis increased the fraction of RB in a highly mobile state. The RB complexes dictating cell cycle arrest were surprisingly dynamic and harbored a relatively short residence time on chromatin. In contrast, this rapid exchange was attenuated in cells that are hypersensitive to RB, suggesting that responsiveness may inversely correlate with mobility. The stability of RB dynamics within the cell was additionally modified by the presence and function of critical corepressors. Last, the RB-assembled complexes present in living cells were primarily associated with E2F binding sites in chromatin. In contrast to RB, E2F1 consistently maintained a stable association with E2F sites regardless of cell type. Together, these results elucidate the kinetic framework of RB tumor suppressor action in transcriptional repression and cell cycle regulation.
Role of serum soluble Fas/soluble Fas ligand and TNF-alpha on response to interferon-alpha therapy in chronic hepatitis C.

AIMS/BACKGROUND To determine the relationship between host factors and host response to interferon (IFN) therapy, serum soluble Fas (sFas), soluble Fas ligand (sFas ligand), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were analyzed in 41 patients with chronic hepatitis C (CH-C) treated with IFN-alpha. METHODS Serum levels of sFas, sFas ligand, and TNF-alpha were measured at 0, 4, and 24 weeks of IFN therapy. RESULTS Eighteen patients were complete responders (CR) and 23 patients were non-responders (NR). Serum levels of sFas and TNF-alpha in patients with CHC were significantly higher than those in healthy controls (p<0.01 and p<0.01, respectively). Serum sFas ligand levels were significantly lower in CH-C patients than in healthy controls (p<0.01). Before IFN therapy, serum levels of sFas in NR were significantly higher than those in CR (p<0.05). At 4 weeks of IFN therapy, serum levels of sFas of CR were significantly elevated compared with levels before IFN therapy (p<0.05). Serum levels of sFas correlated with the histological activity of the liver (p<0.05) and alanine aminotransferase (p<0.05). None of the three parameters, serum sFas, sFas ligand, or TNF-alpha levels, correlated with each other, with HCV-RNA genotype or with serum HCV-RNA load. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that serum sFas levels before IFN therapy were a contributive factor to predict efficacy of IFN therapy. CONCLUSIONS Serum sFas/sFas ligand and TNF-alpha play a possible role in pathogenesis of CH-C and also in IFN therapy. Serum sFas levels before IFN therapy may be one of the host-related factors used for evaluating the response of CH-C patients to IFN therapy.
Anti-food and anti-microbial IgG subclass antibodies in inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract Objectives: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), particularly Crohn’s disease (CD), is associated with increased microbial-specific IgG and IgA antibodies, whereas alterations of anti-food antibodies are still disputed. The knowledge about IgG subclass antibodies in IBD is limited. In this study we analysed IgG subclass antibodies specific for nutritional and commensal antigens in IBD patients and controls. Methods: Serum IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4 specific for wheat and milk extracts, purified ovalbumin, Escherichia coli and Bacteroides fragilis lysates and mannan from Saccharomyces cerevisiae were analysed by ELISA in patients with CD (n = 56), ulcerative colitis (UC; n = 29), acute gastroenteritis/colitis (n = 12) as well as non-inflammatory controls (n = 62). Results: Anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies (ASCA) of all IgG subclasses and anti-B. fragilis IgG1 levels were increased in CD patients compared to UC patients and controls. The discriminant validity of ASCA IgG2 and IgG4 was comparable with that of ASCA pan-IgG and IgA, whereas it was inferior for ASCA IgG1/IgG3 and anti-B. fragilis IgG1. Complicated CD defined by the presence of perianal, stricturing or penetrating disease phenotypes was associated with increased ASCA IgG1/IgG3/IgG4, anti-B. fragilis IgG1 and anti-E. coli IgG1 levels. Anti-food IgG subclass levels were not different between IBD patients and controls and did not correlate with food intolerance. In contrast to anti-microbial Abs, food-specific IgG responses were predominately of the IgG4 isotype and all food-specific IgG subclass levels correlated negatively with age. Conclusion: Our study supports the notion that the adaptive immune recognition of food and commensal antigens are differentially regulated.
Analyzing the Correlation between Gender Traits and the Perception of Effective Leadership

As the percentage of women managers has risen in the workforce, so have questions of whether women could effectively manage corporations. This curiosity has yielded studies designed to analyze the correlation between gender and management. Additionally, the research has led to contrary views from one research project to another. In their article, Leadership, Education and Gender Roles: Think Manager, Think i°? i±, Coder and Spiller (2013) reviewed three varying trains of thought from the 1970s through the 1990s to examine how various shortcomings in methodology might impact comprehension and remediation of gender issues and management. The article reviews research that appears to substantiate that when people think manager, they think male. This is followed by data, which suggests that when people think research, we think female and finally research endorsing the train of thought that when people think manager, there is no gender specific thought. Two Indexes developed in the 1970s greatly impacted gender and its correlation to management traits. These were the Schein Descriptive Index (SDI) and the BEM Sex Role Index (BSRI). According Coder and Spiller (20113) results of the Schein Descriptive Index, a test developed by Virginia Schein, indicated the characteristics of women managers more closely resembled males than females.
LONG TERM EFFECT OF AUTOINFLATION IN THE TREATMENT OF OTITIS MEDIA WITH EFFUSION

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the long-term effect of autoinflation on reducing the need for insertion of ventilation tube in chronic otitis media with effusion (COME). Material and methods: Ninety three ears of 60 children diagnosed as COME were randomly divided into 2 groups: Group 1 (autoinflation); treated with autoinflation three times a day for 6 weeks (Otovent®) with nasal saline irrigation, and group 2 (control); treated with only nasal saline irrigation for 6 weeks. Before the COME diagnosis all the patients medicated with antibiotic (amoxicillin for 3 weeks), antihistamines (in case with allergy), and nasal saline irrigation. Both groups were followed for 9 months with respect to need for insertion of ventilation tube, free of effusion, and recurrence of effusion. Results: During the 9 months follow-up, in autoinflation group; 20 out of 48 ears (42%) required the ventilation tube insertion, 22 ears (46 %) were free of effusion, and 6 ears (12%) were lost in follow-up and in control group; 30 out of 45 ears (67%) required the insertion of ventilation tube, 8 ears (17.7 %) were free of effusion, 5 ears (11%) were lost in follow-up, and 2 ears of 1 patient who regretted the insertion of ventilation tube had still COME. Conclusion: Autoinflation reduce the need for insertion of ventilation tube not only in short term but also in long term as well. The children should be followed as long as they are at risk of recurrence.
Mutation of His-105 in the beta 1 subunit yields a nitric oxide-insensitive form of soluble guanylyl cyclase.

Soluble guanylyl cyclase [GTP pyrophosphate-lyase (cyclizing); EC 4.6. 1.2] is a hemoprotein that exists as a heterodimer; the heme moiety has been proposed to bind nitric oxide, resulting in a dramatic activation of the enzyme. Mutation of six conserved His residues reduced but did not abolish nitric oxide stimulation whereas a change of His-105 to Phe in the beta 1 subunit yielded a heterodimer that retained basal cyclase activity but failed to respond to nitric oxide. Heme was not detected as a component of the mutant heterodimer and protophorphyrin IX failed to stimulate enzyme activity. The activity of the His mutant was almost identical to that of the wild-type enzyme in the presence of KCN, suggesting that disruption of heme binding is the principal effect of the mutation. Thus, the mutation provides a means to inhibit the nitric oxide-sensitive guanylyl cyclase signaling pathway.
mTOR inhibition in breast cancer: unraveling the complex mechanisms of mTOR signal transduction and its clinical implications in therapy

Introduction: The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/PI3K/Akt pathway is altered in breast cancer cells, as demonstrated by mutations in both the upstream and downstream regulators of mTOR, including phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted in chromosome 10 (PTEN) loss or Akt/PI3K activation, and potentially in the mTOR protein itself. This contributes to increased cell proliferation, as well as growth-factor independence and endocrine resistance. Thus, mTOR inhibition holds considerable promise as a rational therapeutic strategy in breast cancer. Areas covered: This review describes how dysregulation of the mTOR pathway in breast cancer may contribute to breast cancer pathogenesis, as well as discussing preclinical and clinical data that support mTOR inhibitor therapy. Expert opinion: Direct blockade of the mTOR pathway is a new and intriguing area in breast cancer therapy, with the potential to modulate growth-factor and estrogen-dependent and -independent pathways, that contribute to the pathogenesis and progression of breast tumors. mTOR inhibitors demonstrate significant biologic activity with manageable toxicities, in combination with hormonal therapy and chemotherapy, in both the neoadjuvant and metastatic breast cancer settings.