Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fractional Integration and Fat Tails for Realized Covariance Kernels and Returns

We introduce a new fractionally integrated model for covariance matrix dynamics based on the long-memory behavior of daily realized covariance matrix kernels and daily return observations. We account for fat tails in both types of data by appropriate distributional assumptions. The covariance matrix dynamics are formulated as a numerically efficient matrix recursion that ensures positive definiteness under simple parameter constraints. Using intraday stock data over the period 2001-2012, we construct realized covariance kernels and show that the new fractionally integrated model statistically and economically outperforms recent alternatives such as the Multivariate HEAVY model and the 2006 “long-memory” version of the Riskmetrics model.
The eye organizes neural crest cell migration

In the anterior vertebrate head, a population of neural crest cells (NCCs) migrates to the periocular mesenchyme and makes critical contributions to the developing eye and orbit. Improper migration and differentiation of these NCCs have been implicated in human diseases such as congenital glaucoma and anterior segment dysgenesis syndromes. The mechanisms by which these cells migrate to their target tissues within and around the eye are not well understood. We present a fate map of zebrafish diencephalic and mesencephalic NCC contributions to the eye and orbit. The fate map closely resembles that in chick and mice, demonstrating evolutionary conservation. To gain insight into the mechanisms of anterior NCC guidance, we used the eyeless mutant chokh/rx3. We show that, in chokh mutants, dorsal anterior NCC migration is severely disorganized. Time‐lapse analysis shows that NCCs have significantly reduced migration rates and directionality in chokh mutants. Developmental Dynamics 237:1645–1652, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Does Media Coverage of Stocks Affect Mutual Funds’ Trading and Performance?

We study the relation between mutual fund trades and mass media coverage of stocks. We find that funds exhibit persistent differences in their propensity to buy media-covered stocks. Moreover, this propensity is negatively related to their future performance. Funds in the highest propensity decile underperform funds in the lowest propensity decile by 1.1% to 2.8% per year. These results do not extend to fund sells, likely because of funds' inability to sell short. Overall, the findings suggest that professional investors are subject to limited attention.
Modeling Prosody Pattern of Chinese Expressive Speech and Its Application in Personalized Speech Conversion

This paper proposes an approach for modeling prosody patterns of acoustic features of Chinese expressive speech. In a Chinese multi-syllabic prosodic word, a syllable is identified as the core syllable based on the observation that speaker usually puts more emphasis on such syllable. The variations of the acoustic features migrating from neutral to expressive speech are then analyzed for both the core and non-core syllables. It is found that the acoustic variations of the core syllable are the most significant; the variations of the non-core syllables are influenced by the core syllable; such influence decreases while the non-core syllable moves farther from the core syllable. A double-layer perturbation model is then proposed to model such prosody patterns, which is further applied to generate personalized prosody patterns for personalized speech conversion. Experimental results indicate that our model can catch and regenerate the personality of prosodic features in expressive speech.
Microbiology of Fresh Comminuted Turkey Meat

Standard plate counts, coliform plate and most probable number (MPN) counts, Escherichia coli plate and MPN counts, Staphylococcus aureus MPN counts, and fecal streptococcus counts were determined for 75 samples of fresh ground turkey meat purchased from retail markets in the San Francisco Bay Area. The presence of Clostridium perfringens was determined by both direct plate count and enrichment techniques. Salmonellae were isolated using selective enrichment procedures. Samples were screened for presence of enteroviruses. Aerobic gram-positive and gram-negative organisms were isolated and identified. Clostridium perfringens and Salmonella sp. were isolated from 52% and 28% of the samples, respectively. The mean standard plate count was 84,000,000 per gram. The mean count for E. coli determined by the MPN method was 19 per gram. Fecal streptococci were isolated from 95% of the samples with a mean count of 18,000 per gram. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from 80% of samples analyzed with a mean count of .
Effectiveness and Spillovers of Online Sex Education: Evidence from a Randomized Evaluation in Colombian Public Schools

Sexual health problems cause negative externalities from contagious diseases and public expenditure burdens from teenage pregnancies. In a randomized evaluation, we find that an online sexual-health education course in Colombia leads to significant impacts on knowledge and attitudes and, for those already sexually active, fewer STIs. To go beyond self-reported measures, we provide condom vouchers six months after the course, and find a 9 percentage point increase in redemption. We find no evidence of spillovers to untreated classrooms, but we do observe a social reinforcement effect: the impact intensifies when a larger fraction of a student's friends is also treated.
A Novel Recombinant Hyperaffinity Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate (IP3) Absorbent Traps IP3, Resulting in Specific Inhibition of IP3-mediated Calcium Signaling*

We have developed a novel recombinant hyperaffinity inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) absorbent, called the “IP3 sponge,” which we constructed on the basis of the ligand-binding site of the mouse type 1 IP3 receptor (IP3R1). The IP3sponge exhibited ∼1000-fold higher affinity for IP3 than the parental IP3R1 and specifically competed with the endogenous IP3R for binding to IP3. Trapping IP3 with the IP3 sponge inhibited IP3-induced Ca2+ release (IICR) from cerebellar microsomes in a dose-dependent manner. The IP3sponge expressed in HEK293 cells also inhibited IICR in response to stimulation with carbachol or ATP. Its inhibitory effects were dependent upon the level of its expression over the increased IP3 contents. Moreover, the IP3 sponge significantly reduced the carbachol-induced phosphorylation of cAMP-response element-binding protein in HEK293 cells, indicating that the activation of cAMP-response element-binding protein by Ca2+-dependent phosphorylation may be partly attributable to IICR.
Frequency of diabetic retinopathy and associated risk factors in Khartoum, Sudan: population based study.

AIM To assess the frequency and associated risk factors of diabetic retinopathy among Sudanese individuals with diabetes attending Makka Eye complex in Khartoum, Sudan. METHODS The cross sectional hospital based study recruited 316 individuals with diabetes from Makkah Eye Complex Retina Clinic. Standard questionnaire was used to collect demographic data, medical history and life style characteristics. Blood samples were taken to measure HbA1c and lipid profile. Fundus and slit lamp examination were performed for screening of diabetic retinopathy. RESULTS Among 316 participants, 187 (59.2%) were males and 129 (40.8%) were females. The mean age of participants was 58.7±10.5y. The overall frequency of retinopathy was 261 (82.6%). The percentages of the total participants with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) were 126 (39.9%) and non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) were 135 (42.7%). Importantly, duration of diabetes mellitus (DM) (72.2% of more than 10y), being on oral hypoglycaemic drugs (versus insulin), and hypertension were all significant risk factors for diabetic retinopathy (P=0.00, 0.01 and 0.00 respectively). Complications of diabetes like diabetic foot (17.7%), history of amputation (6.7%) and clinically significant macular edema (CSME) (47.4%) of the eyes were all significant risk factors (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that duration of diabetes, hypertension and CSME were found to be absolute risk factors (P=0.007, 0.003 and 0.000 respectively). Duration of DM of more than 10y have more than double risk (OR=2.8), while having hypertension triples the risk of retinopathy (OR=3.1). CONCLUSION High rates of diabetic retinopathy are noted among individuals with diabetes attending Makkah Eye hospital in capital Khartoum. Urgent strategies are needed to monitor and treat hypertension and optimize diabetes control in individuals with diabetes. More investment in diabetes services is urgently needed.
Practice Patterns and Outcomes in Retransplantation Among Pediatric Kidney Transplant Recipients

Background More than 25% of pediatric kidney transplants are lost within 7 years, necessitating dialysis or retransplantation. Retransplantation practices and the outcomes of repeat transplantations, particularly among those with early graft loss, are not clear. Methods We examined retransplantation practice patterns and outcomes in 14,799 pediatric (ages <18 years) patients between 1987 and 2010. Death-censored graft survival was analyzed using extended Cox models and retransplantation using competing risks regression. Results After the first graft failure, 50.4% underwent retransplantation and 12.1% died within 5 years; after the second graft failure, 36.1% underwent retransplantation and 15.4% died within 5 years. Prior preemptive transplantation and graft loss after 5 years were associated with increased rates of retransplantation. Graft loss before 5 years, older age, non-Caucasian race, public insurance, and increased panel-reactive antibody were associated with decreased rates of retransplantation. First transplants had lower risk of graft loss compared with second (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.64–0.80; P<0.001), third (aHR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.49–0.78; P<0.001), and fourth (aHR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.24–0.78; P=0.005) transplants. However, among patients receiving two or more transplants (conditioned on having lost a first transplant), second graft median survival was 8.5 years despite a median survival of 4.5 years for the first transplant. Among patients receiving three or more transplants, third graft median survival was 7.7 years despite median survivals of 2.1 and 3.1 years for the first and second transplants. Conclusions Among pediatric kidney transplant recipients who experience graft loss, racial and socioeconomic disparities exist with regard to retransplantation, and excellent graft survival can be achieved with retransplantation despite poor survival of previous grafts.
Estimation of inter-centroid distance quality in data clustering problem using hybridized K-means algorithm

This paper presents, simulate, access and applies the proposed for data classification of medical dataset with aims to classify patients based on medical history. This modified data classification algorithm was formulated using k-Means algorithm. The simulation has been performed by using Real and artificial datasets on MATLAB 7.7. 0 and showed that increasing the accuracy of data classification of Diabetes dataset by using proposed hybridization of distance function. The results were compared by using traditional distance function versus proposed distance function for traditional k-Means algorithm. The results shows an improved k-means classification algorithm by applying proposed method for finding minimum distance between centroid. When compared centroid distance by applying traditional Euclidean, Canberra in k-Means algorithm, the proposed modified algorithm proves minimum distance. Simulations shows Canberra distance function perform better as compared to Euclidean and proposed model performs best as compared to Canberra distance function and shows up to 9.29 % improvement over Canberra method for inter centroid distance calculation. We have also run the algorithm and obtain the result showing hybrid distane proves itself with calculating the minimum distance for inter-centroid.
Mutations in MCT1 cDNA in patients with symptomatic deficiency in lactate transport

We identified 5 patients with subnormal erythrocyte lactate transport plus symptoms and signs of muscle injury on exercise and heat exposure. All had transport rates below the 95% envelope for normals. Three cases had rates 40–50% of mean normal. One was found to have a missense mutation in monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1), the gene for the red cell lactate transporter (also expressed in skeletal muscle), at a conserved site, which was not mutated in a cohort of 90 normal humans. The other 2 cases had a different missense mutation (at a nonconserved site), which was also not mutated in the normal cohort. All 3 patients were heterozygotes. We presume that these mutations are responsible for their subnormal lactate transport, and hence their muscle injury under environmental stress; homozygous patients should be more seriously compromised. The other 2 cases had lactate transport rates 60–65% of mean normal, and their MCT1 revealed a third mutation, which proved to be a common polymorphism in the normal cohort. These 2 patients may be physiologic outliers in lactate transport, with their muscle damage arising from some other genetic defect. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 23: 90–97, 2000
Identification of Cellular Intermediates and Molecular Pathways Induced by IL-21 in Human B Cells1

The complex process of B cell development is controlled by multiple factors from the surrounding microenvironment including cytokines. IL-21 is a recently identified type I cytokine, mainly produced by activated CD4+ T cells. It has been shown to promote differentiation of human primary B cells into Ig-secreting plasma cells. The objective of our study was to describe cellular intermediates that exist during IL-21-induced transition from an activated B cell to an Ig-secreting cell and to identify molecular mechanisms involved in this process. Novel Epstein-Barr Virus-positive human B cell lines with phenotypes characteristic of Ag-activated IgG+ B cell blasts were used as a model system to study IL-21 effects in vitro. We show that IL-21 increased both proliferation and survival of B cell lines during the first 3 days of in vitro culture. This process was associated with CD38low/intCD23intHLA-DRhighCD19highCD20int cell surface phenotype. Continued culture with IL-21 resulted in accumulation of cells in G0/G1 stage of the cell cycle and increased apoptosis. This coincided with differentiation into small, CD38highCD23low/−HLA-DRintCD19intCD20low late plasmablasts/early plasma cells that expressed lower levels of c-Myc protein, and secreted greater amounts of Ig than the control cells. Partial inhibition of IL-21-induced JAK/STAT signaling by the low-dose pharmacological agent, JAK inhibitor I, did not prevent the initial increase in proliferation. However, decrease in c-Myc protein expression and subsequent differentiation to late plasmablasts/early plasma cells were strongly inhibited. Our study is the first to show the link between IL-21-induced JAK/STAT signaling, c-Myc regulation, and differentiation of human B cells.
Clinical Trial with Clofazimine for Treating Erythema Dyschromicum Perstans Evaluation of Cell‐Mediated Immunity

Eight patients were studied to determine the possible use of clofazimine for treating erythema dyschromicum perstans (EDP). The T‐helper/T‐suppressor cytotoxic ratio (CD‐4/CD‐8) and the in vitro lymphoproliferative response on stimulation with phytohemaglutin (PHA) and concanavalin A (Con A) were determined in peripheral blood before and after treatment. Of the eight patients studied, seven had excellent to good responses, whereas only one had a marginal response. The immunologic evaluation before and after treatment showed a significant change in the CD‐4/CD‐8 ratio, a decrease of the response to PHA, and no change in the response to Con A. The results obtained show that clofazimine is useful for treating this nosologic entity because of its cosmetic effect, and also because it induces changes in cell‐mediated response, which could be very important therapeutically.
Protective Effects of Human iPS‐Derived Retinal Pigmented Epithelial Cells in Comparison with Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells and Human Neural Stem Cells on the Degenerating Retina in rd1 mice

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of visual impairments characterized by progressive rod photoreceptor cell loss due to a genetic background. Pigment epithelium‐derived factor (PEDF) predominantly secreted by the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) has been reported to protect photoreceptors in retinal degeneration models, including rd1. In addition, clinical trials are currently underway outside Japan using human mesenchymal stromal cells and human neural stem cells to protect photoreceptors in RP and dry age‐related macular degeneration, respectively. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the rescue effects of induced pluripotent stem (iPS)‐RPE cells in comparison with those types of cells used in clinical trials on photoreceptor degeneration in rd1 mice. Cells were injected into the subretinal space of immune‐suppressed 2‐week‐old rd1 mice. The results demonstrated that human iPS‐RPE cells significantly attenuated photoreceptor degeneration on postoperative days (PODs) 14 and 21 and survived longer up to at least 12 weeks after operation than the other two types of graft cells with less immune responses and apoptosis. The mean PEDF concentration in the intraocular fluid in RPE‐transplanted eyes was more than 1 µg/ml at PODs 14 and 21, and this may have contributed to the protective effect of RPE transplantation. Our findings suggest that iPS‐RPE cells serve as a competent source to delay photoreceptor degeneration through stable survival in degenerating ocular environment and by releasing neuroprotective factors such as PEDF. Stem Cells 2015;33:1543–1553
Genetic Differences Within and Between Species of Deep-Sea Crabs (Chaceon) From the North Atlantic Ocean

The deep-sea red crab Chaceon quinquedens is a commercially important crustacean on the Atlantic continental shelf and slope of North America. To assess genetic subdivision in C. quinquedens, we examined the nucleotide sequence of the mitochondrial 16S rDNA gene and the internal transcribed spacers (ITS) of the nuclear ribosomal repeat in samples from southern New England and the Gulf of Mexico. We compared those data to sequences from two congeners, a sympatric species from the Florida coast, C. fenneri, and an allopatric eastern Atlantic species, C. affinis. The 16S rDNA data consisted of 379 aligned nucleotides obtained from 37 individuals. The greatest genetic difference among geographical groups or nominal species was between C. quinquedens from southern New England and C. quinquedens from the Gulf of Mexico. Haplotypes from these two groups had a minimum of 10 differences. All 11 C. fenneri samples matched the most common haplotype found in C. quinquedens from the Gulf of Mexico, and this haplotype was not detected in C. quinquedens from southern New England. The three haplotypes of C. affinis were unique to that recognized species, but those haplotypes differed only slightly from those of C. fenneri and C. quinquedens from the Gulf of Mexico. Based on 16S rDNA and ITS data, genetic differences between C. quinquedens from southern New England and the Gulf of Mexico are large enough to conclude that these are different fishery stocks. Our results also indicate that the designation of morphological species within the commercially important genus Chaceon is not congruent with evolutionary history. The genetic similarity of C. affinis from the eastern Atlantic and C. quinquedens from the Gulf of Mexico suggests these trans-Atlantic taxa share a more recent common history than the two populations of “C. quinquedens” that we examined.
Power, Sex, and Rape Myth Acceptance: Testing Two Models of Rape Proclivity

Power and sex are thought to be important factors associated with sexual aggression. The goal of this study was to offer a dual-process model to determine how both an implicit power–sex association and explicit power–sex beliefs contribute to rape myth acceptance and rape proclivity. In Study 1, an explicit measure of power–sex beliefs was developed using a participant sample of 131 college students (54% female; age: M = 20.2 years, SD = 3.5 years). In Study 2, 108 male college students (age: M = 19.1 years, SD = 1.3 years) completed a power–sex implicit association test and three explicit measures assessing power–sex beliefs, rape myth acceptance, and rape proclivity. Two models of rape proclivity were compared. The best-fitting model showed that rape myth acceptance mediated the relationships between rape proclivity and an implicit power–sex association, as well as explicit power–sex beliefs.
Inventory and functional analysis of the large Hrp regulon in Ralstonia solanacearum: identification of novel effector proteins translocated to plant host cells through the type III secretion system

The ability of Ralstonia solanacearum strain GMI1000 to cause disease on a wide range of host plants (including most Solanaceae and Arabidopsis thaliana) depends on genes activated by the regulatory gene hrpB. HrpB controls the expression of the type III secretion system (TTSS) and pathogenicity effectors transiting through this pathway. In order to establish the complete repertoire of TTSS‐dependent effectors belonging to the Hrp regulon and to start their functional analysis, we developed a rapid method for insertional mutagenesis, which was used to monitor the expression of 71 candidate genes and disrupt 56 of them. This analysis yielded a total of 48 novel hrpB‐regulated genes. Using the Bordetella pertussis calmodulin‐dependent adenylate cyclase reporter fusion system, we provide direct biochemical evidence that five R. solanacearum effector proteins are translocated into plant host cells through the TTSS. Among these novel TTSS effectors, RipA and RipG both belong to multigenic families, RipG defining a novel class of leucine‐rich‐repeats harbouring proteins. The members of these multigenic families are differentially regulated, being composed of genes expressed in either an hrpB‐dependent or an hrpB‐independent manner. Pathogenicity assays of the 56 mutant strains on two host plants indicate that, with two exceptions, mutations in individual effectors have no effect on virulence, a probable consequence of genetic and functional redundancy. This large repertoire of HrpB‐regulated genes, which comprises > 20 probable TTSS effector genes with no counterparts in other bacterial species, represents an important step towards a full‐genome understanding of R. solanacearum virulence.
Binocular interaction in the VEP to grating stimulation: I. Orientational effects

Abstract. The orientational effects of monocular stimulation with sinusoidal grating patterns were studied with transient VEP technique in 10 subjects with normal vision and binocular functions. No significant variation in amplitude with orientation was obtained. The latency for 45° (oblique) orientation was slightly longer than the latency for other orientations. The orientational effects on binocular interaction in dichoptic stimulation were determined with sinusoidal grating patterns at a reversing rate of 1.9 and 2.1 Hz for each eye respectively. The binocular interaction was assessed as the binocular/monocular ratio of the VEP amplitude for each eye. There was a significantly reduced binocular interaction for dichoptically presented perpendicular gratings as compared to parallel gratings at the spatial frequencies of 2, 4 and 6 cycles/degree, when mean values of the whole group of subjects were statistically analysed. A broad orientation tuning of about 45° was found for the binocular interaction at 4 cycles/degree for the group as a whole, although tuning was hard to establish in the VEP of each individual. This compares well with other neurophysiological and electrophysiological data but is broader than the orientation tuning demonstrated psychophysically.