Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The term structure of sharpe ratios and arbitrage-free asset pricing in continuous time

Motivated by financial and empirical arguments and in order to introduce a more flexible methodology of pricing, we provide a new approach to asset pricing based on Backward Volterra equations. The approach relies on an arbitrage-free and incomplete market setting in continuous time by choosing non-unique pricing measures depending either on the time of evaluation or on the maturity of payoffs. We show that in the latter case the dynamics can be captured by a time-delayed backward stochastic Volterra integral equation here introduced which, to the best of our knowledge, has not yet been studied. We then prove an existence and uniqueness result for time-delayed backward stochastic Volterra integral equations. Finally, we present a Lucas-type consumption-based asset pricing model that justifies the emergence of stochastic discount factors matching the term structure of Sharpe ratios.
Sunbed use in relation to phenotype, erythema, sunscreen use and skin diseases. A questionnaire survey among Swedish adolescents

Summary Sunbed use was studied in relation to phenotype, erythema, sunscreen use and skin disease. The study population comprised 14–19 year‐old Stockholm adolescents in 60 randomly selected classes, with 1252 students providing information. More than half (57%) reported sunbed use ± 4 times during the previous year. Skin type III dominated (64%). Excessive exposure (± 10 times/year) was not correlated to skin type. Sunscreens were most commonly used by sunbed users. Of all sunbed users, 44% reported erythema. Adolescents with acne/seborrhoea, eczema or psoriasis used sunbeds more than others without skin diseases. The proportion with sunbed erythema (44%) indicates an unrecognized susceptibility to artificial ultraviolet radiation (UVR) among adolescents. The association between high exposure to UVR and sunscreen use stresses the importance of sunscreens being used as supplementary protection, not as a tool for tanning.
An Endothelium-Derived Hyperpolarizing Factor–Like Factor Moderates Myogenic Constriction of Mesenteric Resistance Arteries in the Absence of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase–Derived Nitric Oxide

Myogenic tone is an important determinant of vascular tone and blood flow in small resistance arteries of certain vascular beds. The role of the endothelium in myogenic responses is unclear. We hypothesized that endothelium-derived NO release modulates myogenic constriction in small resistance arteries and that mesenteric small arteries from mice with targeted disruption of the gene for endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) (knockout mice) demonstrate greater myogenic tone than do wild-type mice. Third-order mesenteric arteries (≈200 &mgr;m) were isolated and mounted in a pressure myograph. Internal diameter was recorded over a pressure range of 10 to 80 mm Hg. Removal of the endothelium significantly (P <0.05) enhanced the magnitude of myogenic constriction in wild-type mice. Similarly, pretreatment of arteries with NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 300 &mgr;mol/L) produced a comparable significant (P <0.05) increase in myogenic tone, whereas indomethacin (5 &mgr;mol/L) had no effect. eNOS knockout arteries also exhibited myogenic constriction. Neither L-NAME nor indomethacin had any effect on myogenic tone in the arteries of eNOS knockout mice. However, blockade of potential endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor–like mechanisms via inhibition of K+ flux using either apamin (100 nmol/L) with charybdotoxin (100 nmol/L), Ba2+ (30 &mgr;mol/L) with ouabain (1 mmol/L), or 18&agr;-glycyrrhetinic acid (100 &mgr;mol/L) significantly (P <0.01) enhanced myogenic constriction. This study demonstrates that basal endothelium-derived NO modulates myogenic tone in mesenteric small arteries of wild-type mice. However, eNOS knockout arteries display normal myogenic responsiveness despite the absence of basal NO activity. The data suggest that this compensatory effect is due to the activity of an endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor to normalize vascular tone.
Effects of acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors (aFGF and bFGF) on the proliferation and the glutamine synthetase expression of rat astroblasts in culture

The two fibroblast growth factors called acidic and basic FGF (aFGF and bFGF) show a strong homology (55%) of their amino acid sequence (Esch et al.: Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA 85:6507–6511, 1985). The effects of these factors on the rate of proliferation of rat astroblasts and on the expression of glutamine synthetase activity in cells grown in primary culture were investigated and compared under various culture conditions. In all the experimental conditions used, both growth factors triggered the proliferation of the cells to the same extent and with similar dose dependence. The mitogenic activities of aFGF and bFGF were potentiated similarly by heparan sulfate and by heparin, with a maximum stimulation of about 100% at 100 μg/ml heparin. Treatment of the cells with either of the two factors resulted in identical enhancement of the activity of glutamine synthetase relative to total proteins. These results suggest that both factors act either through the same membrane receptors or through different receptors that mediate nearly identical effects.
WOMEN IN ISLAMIC EDUCATION MANAGEMENT: LEARNING FROMPESANTREN PRACTICES

This paper focuses on two issues. Firstly , the role performed by women ( nyai s) in managing pesantren by considering the issue of work division, authority and responsibility principles in management practices. Secondly , it observes on how knowledge is managed and preserved in pesantren . This paper is based on reviews of the previous research about women and pesantren . Thi study shows that there are three types of nyai ’s role in managing pesantren education. First, a nyai who hold clear responsibility, work division and at the same time owned authority in managing a male and female students . Second, a nyai who has a clear division of work, and responsibility but does not have authority in managing a male and female students. And third, a nyai who leads a sepcific female pesantren and hold authority, responsibility and task in developing her pesantren . It is through various method of learning, espceially memorization of knowledge and the Qur’an, that tradition and knowledge of Islamic tradional subjects in pesantren are preserved and practiced.
Prognostic values of serum procalcitonin and C-reactive protein levels in infective endocarditis

Infective endocarditis (IE) causes a high risk of morbidity and mortality. Rapid diagnosis, effective treatment, and prompt recognition of complications are important for good patient outcomes. The prognostic value of serum procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in IE were explored in this study. IE patients and healthy individuals were selected. Serum PCT levels and serum CRP levels were measured. After treatment, patients were classified into a survival group and a death group. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to evaluate the predictive values of PCT and CRP in IE prognosis. Logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate independent risk factors for prognosis of IE patients. The IE group exhibited higher serum PCT and CRP levels than the control group. After treatment, the serum PCT and CRP levels in the IE patients were reduced. Additionally, the survival group showed greater decreases in serum PCT and CRP levels than the death group before and after treatment. The positive rates of PCT and CRP were higher in the survival group than in the death group. In predicting IE prognosis, the serum PCT levels exhibited sensitivity of 84.21% and specificity of 80.60% and the serum CRP levels exhibited sensitivity of 78.95% and specificity of 83.58%. Logistic regression analysis indicated that hemoglobin (Hb), serum albumin, serum PCT, and CRP levels were independent risk factors for IE prognosis. Our study demonstrates that serum PCT and CRP levels may act as predictive indicators for IE prognosis.
Asthma Symptoms and Bronchial Reactivity in School Children Sensitized to Food Allergens in Infancy

Food allergy in infancy usually disappears but is followed primarily by respiratory allergy. We hypothesized that children allergic to common food allergens in infancy are at increased risk of wheezing illness and bronchial hyperresponsiveness during school age. In a case-control study 69 children 7.2 to 13.3 years of age allergic to egg (N = 60) and/or fish (N = 29) in early life (first 3 years) who attended our allergy outpatient clinic were recruited. They received follow-up for 1 year and were evaluated by parental questionnaire, skin prick testing, spirometry, and metacholine bronchial challenge. Another 154 children (70 sensitized to inhaled allergens) recruited selectively from a general population sample with no history of food allergy during their first 3 years served as control subjects. Twenty-three children (38.3%) maintained their sensitization to egg and 19 (65.5%) to fish; the prevalence of sensitization to ≥ 1 inhaled allergen(s) increased from 59.4% to 71% during childhood. Current asthma symptoms were reported more frequently in the study group than in either control groups, sensitized to inhaled allergens and non-sensitized. Children of the study group showed a significantly increased frequency of positive response to metacholine bronchial challenge compared to the control group as a whole; the difference was statistically indicative when study groups separately were compared to the sensitized control subjects. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that bronchial hyperresponsiveness, as well as reported current asthma symptoms were associated with early wheezing and early sensitization to inhaled allergens but not with atopic dermatitis in infancy or persistence of egg or fish allergy. Children allergic to egg or fish in infancy are at increased risk for wheezing illness and hyperactive airways in school age; asthma and bronchial hyperresponsiveness development is mostly determined by wheezing and senzitization to inhaled allergens in early life regardless of atopic dermatitis in infancy or retention of food allergy.
Coworking, the Sharing Economy, and the City: Which Role for the ‘Coworking Entrepreneur’?

Sharing economy platforms enabled by information and communication technologies (ICTs) are facilitating the diffusion of collaborative workplaces. Coworking spaces are emerging as a distinctive phenomenon in this context, not only fostering knowledge transfer and facilitating innovation, but also affecting the urban and socio-economic fabric contributing to urban regeneration processes at both the local scale and the city scale. Although the positive impacts of coworking on the urban environment are documented, there is still little or no evidence of the economic viability of coworking businesses, and a “coworking bubble” has been evoked. Given the lack of data, a national survey was set up of Italian coworking businesses, aimed at assessing the relevance of internal organizational factors (size, occupancy, profitability, services provided) for the sustainability of coworking businesses. By presenting the results of the survey, we argue that the sustainability and viability of the coworking model is highly dependent on internal factors, strictly related to the entrepreneurial action of coworking managers.
Correlation of colposcopy using Reid colposcopic index with histopathology- a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE To estimate the diagnostic efficacy of colposcopy & determine the strength of correlation between colposcopic impression using the Reid Colposcopic Index (RCI) and histopathology. MATERIAL AND METHODS This was a prospective cross sectional study carried out in the colposcopy clinic at KLES Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital & Medical Research Centre, Belgaum from January 2008 to June 2009. A total of 268 women who fulfilled the selection criteria were included in the study. All women underwent colposcopy and a diagnosis was made based on RCI. Colposcopy directed biopsy was obtained from the abnormal areas. In cases where colposcopy did not reveal any lesion, a four quadrant biopsy from the squamocolumnar junction was taken, which served as a gold standard. RESULTS Three women who had an unsatisfactory colposcopy & eleven women with the diagnosis of cervical cancer were excluded from the analysis. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value & negative predictive value of colposcopy with CIN 1 as a disease threshold was 88.5%, 86.2%, 77% & 93.5% respectively. With CIN 2 as a disease threshold the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value & negative predictive value of colposcopy were 85.2%, 99.6%, 95.8% & 98.3% respectively. The degree of correlation between colposcopic impression using RCI & histopathology was high (k=0.73). CONCLUSION Colposcopy is an indispensable tool in the diagnosis of precancerous lesions & the good correlation between colposcopic impression using RCI & histopathology makes it a reproducible technique which is easy to implement in colposcopy clinics.
THE SUCCESS OF PEER REVIEW EVALUATION IN UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FUNDING – THE CASE STUDY FROM SLOVAKIA

Public funding mechanism for excellence is widely used mostly due its aim to raise the performance of higher education institutions to an excellent level since the reallocation is based on competitiveness of institutions or researchers. The approaches which are currently used for research evaluation are either peer review or bibliometric techniques. Peer review is based on deep expertise of committees and experts. However, its application is questioned to some extent, especially due to its ineffectiveness and inefficiency. In Slovakia, peer review process is applied to selection of projects by the Scientific Grant Agency. This paper identifies whether there is a relationship between peer review score of project proposals and research productivity. Case study is applied to the Scientific Grant Agency and its grant selection in year 2009 when the results of peer review process are for the first time available to the public. Our results show that peer review in most fields failed to predict the success of projects. Moreover, we observed potential gender bias in peer review and grant selection mechanism.
The double cascade of lymphoid proliferation: current challenges and problems areas.

Two largely but not entirely separate cascades of proliferation and differentiation are involved in immunity. First, processes that are mainly independent of the entry of antigen into the body generate the two types of lymphocytes, T cells and B cells. This lymphoneogenesis proceeds in the thymus and the bone marrow, respectively. It creates families and subfamilies of nondividing cells that do nothing but patrol the body until antigen enters. Each lymphocyte set represents a repertoire of recognition units preequipped with receptors for antigen, and each individual lymphocyte carries its own particular specificity as a result of a somatic rearrangement of genes. When an antigenic stimulus is given, the second and antigen-dependent wave of proliferation and differentiation occurs. This involves clonal selection of particular lymphocytes within the repertoire with specificity for the antigen, and the generation of both immunologic effector cells and memory cells. This second cellular cascade takes place chiefly in the secondary lymphoid tissues, e.g., lymph nodes or spleen. The developing immune system learns to discriminate self from not-self. The paper outlines the chief mechanisms operative in immunologic tolerance and also briefly addresses the fact that T lymphocytes must learn to "see" antigens in association with a "self" major-histocompatibility-complex antigen. Both proliferative cascades depend on intercellular interactions, but much more is known about those operative in antigen-driven lymphocyte activation. Here there is a cyclical process in which antigen-trapping cells stimulate helper/inducer T cells, which in turn stimulate cytotoxic/suppressor T cells or B cells. Some T-cell products can augment the antigen-trapping cells' inductive role. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Tournaments to Crowdsource Innovation: The Role of Moderator Feedback and Participation Intensity

Firms increasingly use innovation tournaments to crowdsource innovation ideas from customers. This article uncovers antecedents and consequences of customers’ participation intensity over the course of a tournament. More specifically, the authors theorize on the effects that the type and timing of moderating feedback have on tournament participants’ participation intensity, as well as the effect of the latter on idea quality. Through two longitudinal experiments using a commercial innovation tournament platform, the authors show that moderating feedback stimulates ideators’ participation intensity. They find that negative feedback increases participation intensity, as compared to no feedback and positive feedback. Moreover, negative feedback, either provided in isolation or together with positive feedback, is more effective during the early stages than in the later stages of a tournament. Using a large-scale managerial survey, the authors show that higher participation intensity leads to higher idea quality and better business performance. The effect of participation intensity on idea quality is stronger than the effect of number of ideas and as strong as the effect of number of participants on idea quality.
A Comprehensive Snapshot of States' Small Group Market Reforms on Insurer Pricing and Rating Practices, 1999

Abstract This paper presents a qualitative analysis of states' small group health insurance reforms that impact small group premiums, mostly enacted by the states during 1996-99, following the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act in 1996. It draws from an intensive review of statutes of 48 states and the District of Columbia as of 1999. It analyses regulations related to insurer pricing and rating practices concerning rating criteria and rating bands, pricing incentives, premium stability from year to year, minimum loss rations, reinsurance and carve-out coverage for the medically uninsurable. It also covers regulations targeting employer purchasing and coverage practices such as pooled purchasing and adverse selection. This is the second of a two-part series analyzing states' small group market reforms, the first being devoted to state reforms to promote access and improving the value of health plans offered in this market (Xirasagar et al. 2004). The variety in pricing and rating reforms illustrate the differences in the depth of reforms across states, and represent a far wider range of potential actuarial combinations than the sample of reforms documented in past literature.
BEHAVIOURS THAT DISTURB THE EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASSES LAS CONDUCTAS QUE ALTERAN LA CONVIVENCIA EN LAS CLASES DE EDUCACIÓN FÍSICA

The purpose of this paper was to identify and compare the perception of those behaviours that disturb the environment in physical education classes among students and teachers in the province of Toledo. For this, 86 teachers and 447 students in compulsory secondary education completed the Spanish adaptation of a survey that describes 59 misbehaviours which may arise in classes from the mildest to the most serious. The analysis of variance of the results suggests clear discrepancies in the perception of students and teachers regarding the frequency with which the two groups identify misbehaviour in class. The Rev.int.med.cienc. act. fís. deportevol.12 número 47 ISSN: 1577-0354 460 descriptive findings also reveal that "distracting or disturbing others" dominates the learning environment in class, and that both groups identify mild and moderate misbehaviour as the most frequent form of bad behaviour in class.
Interleukin‐12 and Perforin mRNA Expression is Augmented in Blood Mononuclear Cells in Multiple Sclerosis

Cytokines are suggested to orchestrate an abnormal immune response in multiple sclerosis (MS). The regulatory cytokine interleukin (IL)‐12 induces T‐helper (Th) cell switch to the Th1 type and the production by cytotoxic T cells of perforin, a cell lysis‐inducing factor. It has been suggested that Th1‐like cytokines may promote the development of MS, and the production of perforin to induce oligodendrocyte damage. In‐situ hybridization with radiolabelled synthetic oligonucleotide probes was used to detect and enumerate mononuclear cells (MNC) expressing IL‐12 and perforin mRNA in blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients with MS and controls. Plasma and CSF levels of IL‐12 (p70) were evaluated by ELISA. Higher numbers of IL‐12 and perforin mRNA‐expressing MNC were registered in blood in MS and also in controls with aseptic meningoencephalitis (AM) compared to healthy subjects. There were a few patients with other non‐inflammatory neurological diseases who also had high levels of IL‐12 or perforin mRNA expressing blood MNC. A parallel elevation was observed for IL‐12 (p70) concentrations in plasma. In the MS patients' CSF, there was a further augmentation of IL‐12 mRNA expressing MNC. To evaluate autoantigen‐induced IL‐12 and perforin mRNA expression, blood MNC were cultivated ± myelin basic protein (MBP), a candidate autoantigen in MS. Higher numbers of MBP‐reactive IL‐12 and perforin mRNA expressing blood MNC were detected in MS than controls. The augmentation of both IL‐12 and perforin in MS might reflect ongoing inflammatory processes in MS and could represent targets for future treatments.
Chronic Stress‐Induced Effects of Corticosterone on Brain: Direct and Indirect

Abstract: Acutely, glucocorticoids act to inhibit stress‐induced corticotrophin‐releasing factor (CRF) and adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) secretion through their actions in brain and anterior pituitary (canonical feedback). With chronic stress, glucocorticoid feedback inhibition of ACTH secretion changes markedly. Chronically stressed rats characteristically exhibit facilitated ACTH responses to acute, novel stressors. Moreover, in adrenalectomized rats in which corticosterone was replaced, steroid concentrations in the higher range are required for facilitation of ACTH responses to occur after chronic stress or diabetes. Infusion of corticosterone intracerebroventricularly into adrenalectomized rats increases basal ACTH, tends to increase CRF, and allows facilitation of ACTH responses to repeated restraint. Therefore, with chronic stressors, corticosterone seems to act in brain in an excitatory rather than an inhibitory fashion. We believe, under conditions of chronic stress, that there is an indirect glucocorticoid feedback that is mediated through the effects of the steroid ± insulin on metabolism. Increased energy stores feedback on brain to inhibit hypothalamic CRF and decrease the expression of dopamine‐β‐hydroxylase in the locus coeruleus. These changes would be expected to decrease the level of discomfort and anxiety induced by chronic stress. Moreover, central neural actions of glucocorticoids abet the peripheral effects of the steroids by increasing the salience and ingestion of pleasurable foods.