Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE FLIGHT-TO-LIQUIDITY PREMIUM IN U.S. TREASURY BOND PRICES

We examine whether there is a flight-to-liquidity premium in Treasury bond prices by comparing them with prices of bonds issued by Refcorp, a U.S. Government agency. Since Refcorp bonds are, in effect, guaranteed by the Treasury, they have the same credit as Treasury bonds. We find a large liquidity premium in Treasury bonds, which can be more than fifteen percent of the value of some Treasury bonds. We find strong evidence that this liquidity premium is related to changes in consumer confidence, flows into equity and money market mutual funds, and changes in foreign ownership of Treasury debt. This suggests that the popularity of Treasury bonds directly affects their value THE FLIGHT-TO-LIQUIDITY PREMIUM IN U.S. TREASURY BOND PRICES Francis A. Longsta®¤ Initial version: April 2001. Current version: May 2001. ¤Professor of Finance at the Anderson School at UCLA. Phone number: (310) 8252218. Email address: francis.longsta®@anderson.ucla. edu. I am grateful for helpful discussions with Avraham Kamara, Jun Liu, Yoshihiro Mikami, Pedro Santa-Clara, Eduardo Schwartz, Abraham Thomas, and Toshiki Yotsuzuka. All errors are my responsibility. Copyright 2001.
Application of Polymer-Embedded Tetrabutylammonium Bromide (TBAB) Membranes for the Selective Extraction of Metal Ions from Aqueous Solutions

The selective extraction of metals from aqueous solutions is a very important stage in the hydrometallurgical processing of metallic waste. Leach solutions are usually a multicomponent mixture. The main impurity of aqueous solutions obtained after leaching using inorganic acids is iron. In this work, the membrane separation of iron(III) from nickel(II), cobalt(II), and lithium(I) was studied. The facilitated transport of metal ions using polymer inclusion membranes (PIMs) with tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB) as an ion carrier under various conditions was analyzed in detail. Several factors, such as the ion carrier concentration in the membrane as well as the effect of the inorganic acid concentration in the source/receiving phases on the kinetic parameters, were investigated. The results show that ionic liquid TBAB is a very selective ion carrier of Fe(III) towards Ni(II), Co(II), and Li(I).
Biographical Reinvention: An Asset-Based Approach to Understanding the World of Men Living with HIV in Indonesia

HIV diagnosis and management have often caused disruption to the everyday life and imagined futures of people living with HIV, both at individual and social levels. This disruption has been conceptualised, in a rather dystopian way, as ‘biographical disruption’. This paper explores whether or not biographical disruption of living with HIV encourages men living with HIV (MLHIV; n = 40) in Yogyakarta and Belu, Indonesia, to reinvent their sense of self and future over time using internal and external assets. Our analysis uses the concepts of additive and subtractive resilience strategies, and we show how, rather than having a purely disrupted biography, participants talked about their experiences of ‘biographical reinvention’. Study participants were recruited using the snowball sampling technique, beginning with two HIV clinics as the settings. Data were collected using one-on-one in-depth interviews, and a qualitative framework analysis was used to guide step-by-step data analysis. The findings showed that, despite the disruptions in their everyday lives (i.e., mental health condition, work, activities, social relationships, etc.) following the HIV diagnosis and management, MLHIV in our study managed to utilise their internal assets or traits (i.e., hope, optimism, resilience) and mobilised external resources (i.e., support from families, friends and healthcare professionals) to cope with the disruptions. An interweaving of these internal assets and external resources enabled them to take on new activities and roles (additive resilience strategies) and give up health compromising behaviours (subtractive resilience strategies). These were effective for most MLHIV in our study, not only to cope with the HIV repercussions and improve their physical and mental health conditions, but to think or work on a ‘reinvented’ biography which encompassed resilience, hope and optimism for better health, life and future. The findings indicate the need for HIV interventions and healthcare systems that provide appropriate support for the development and maintenance of internal assets of PLHIV to enable them to cope with the repercussions of HIV and work on a ‘reinvented’ biography.
Antimicrobial and Hepatoprotective Activity of Different Cytotypes of Taraxacum officinale from the Indian Himalayas

ABSTRACT Three cytotypes (2×), (3×), and (4×) of Taraxacum officinale (Dandelion) from the Lahaul-Spiti region of Himachal Pradesh, India, were examined for their phytochemical composition and antimicrobial and hepatoprotective properties. The diploid cytotype had the highest concentration of cichoric acid (1.20% w/w), followed by the triploid and tetraploid cytotypes (0.21 and 0.14% w/w, respectively). The cichoric acid content decreased with increasing ploidy level. The ethanol extract of leaves from diploid cytotype exhibited the highest antibacterial activities against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. As shown by the reduction in the activity of marker enzymes (AST, ALT, and ALP) and the restoration of total protein, bilirubin levels, and liver weight, the hepatoprotective activity was the greatest in the diploid cytotype. Although polyploidy is a key factor in plant evolution, it does not always have the same impact on secondary metabolites.
ACR Appropriateness Criteria ® Rectal Cancer : Metastatic Disease at Presentation

The management of rectal cancer in patients with metastatic disease at presentation is highly variable. There are no phase III trials addressing therapeutic approaches, and the optimal sequencing of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery remains unresolved. Although chemoradiation is standard for patients with stage II/III rectal cancer, its role in the metastatic setting is controversial. Omitting chemoradiation may not be appropriate in all stage IV patients, particularly those with symptomatic primary tumors. Moreover, outcomes in this setting are vastly different, as some treatments carry the potential for cure in selected patients while others are purely palliative. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed every 3 years by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and review include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer-reviewed journals and the application, by the panel, of a well-established consensus methodology (modified Delphi) to rate the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures. In instances in which evidence is lacking or not definitive, expert opinion may be used as the basis for recommending imaging or treatment.
User Perceptions and Trust of Explainable Machine Learning Fake News Detectors

The goal of the study was to explore the factors that explain users’ trust and usage intent of the leading explainable artificial intelligence (AI) fake news detection technology. Toward this end, we examined the relationships between various human factors and software-related factors using a survey. The regression models showed that users’ trust levels in the software were influenced by both individuals’ inherent characteristics and their perceptions of the AI application. Users’ adoption intention was ultimately influenced by trust in the detector, which explained a significant amount of the variance. We also found that trust levels were higher when users perceived the application to be highly competent at detecting fake news, be highly collaborative, and have more power in working autonomously. Our findings indicate that trust is a focal element in determining users’ behavioral intentions. We argue that identifying positive heuristics of fake news detection technology is critical for facilitating the diffusion of AI-based detection systems in fact-checking.
Maturation and Function of the Intercalated Disc: Report of Two Pediatric Cases Focusing on Cardiac Development and Myocardial Hyperplasia

The development of the normal human heart, ranging from gestational age to the mature adult heart, relies on a very delicate and timely orchestrated order of processes. One of the most striking alterations in time is the gradual extinction of the ability for cardiomyocytes to proliferate. Once passing this event, cardiomyocytes grow and increase in contractile strength by means of physiological hypertrophy. This process, importantly, seems to depend on an adequate development of electromechanical coupling that is achieved by the appropriate formation of the intercellular junction named the intercalated disc (ICD). In this report, we describe two sudden death cases of young and apparently healthy-born individuals without external abnormalities compared to an age-matched control. Histological examination, including the comparison with the age-matched and histology-matched controls, showed a disturbed formation of the protein machinery composing the electromechanical junctions at the ICD and an increased nuclei count for both patients. As a cause or consequence, cardiomyocytes in both sudden death cases showed signs of a delayed developmental stage, presumably resulting in an exaggerated degree of hyperplasia.
Comparing Twenty-Four Years of Forest Change in Two Communities of Mexico's Meseta Purépecha Using Multi-Spectral Satellite Imagery

An abstract of the thesis of Kevin Scott Martin for the Master of Science in Geography presented June 3, 2004. Title: Comparing Twenty-Four Years of Forest Change in Two Communities of Mexico's Meseta Purepecha Using Multi-Spectral Satellite Imagery. The Meseta Purepecha, a volcanic plateau in the Mexican state of Michoacan, is home to one of the most species-rich pine forests in the world. Recent increases in demand for forest products has put added pressure on these resources. Though existing research has suggested significant deforestation in the Meseta, there is little · information identifying specific areas of decline. This study focuses on two indigenous communities in the Meseta-Pichataro and Sevina. Both communities have long relied on wood as an economic resource. However, the two communities have reacted differently to increased demand for forest resources. The purpose of this study is to identify the differences in the rate and extent of forest change between Pichataro and Sevina. Three dates of Landsat satellite images 1976, 1986, and 2000-were used to identify changes in the Meseta's forests. Supervised classification was used to classify the 2000 image into forested and non-forested areas. Change detection was performed on the 1976 through 2000 images to identify areas of forest clearing and forest rt'. growth. The 2000 image was then used as a reference for generating maps of historic forest extent based on the change detection results. Results show that between 1986 and 2000, Sevina cleared approximately 16% of its forested land between while Pichataro experienced a net gain of 7%. In the same period, 93% of the deforestation in the combined study area occurred within the community boundary of Sevina, which manages only 35% of the study area forests. Sevina's remaining forests are also more isolated and fragmented than the forests of Pichataro. The differences between the two communities appear related to management practices. Sevina has relied on larger-scale timber harvesting to derive economic benefits from its forests. Pichataro has focused on local harvesting and value-added production.
The effects of a high-fat diet on the liver of pregnant albino rats and their developing offspring

ABSTRACT Studies have demonstrated that the consumption of a high-fat diet (HFD) is linked to a higher occurrence of obesity and metabolic disorders. Maternal dietary habits can have long-lasting effects on the health of offspring. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a HFD on the liver of pregnant rats and their offspring. 30 pregnant rats were used in this study. They were divided into two equal groups; control and HFD group. HFD group were fed on 15% lard from 6th week before conception till the end of weaning period. The mother rats and their offspring were sacrificed; blood samples were collected for estimation of biochemical parameters. The liver was removed for histological, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural investigations. HFD mothers displayed elevated serum levels of LDL, triglycerides and total cholesterol and elevated blood glucose compared to the control. Also, remarkable histopathological and ultrastructural signs were recorded in the liver tissue of HFD treated mothers and their offspring. Additionally, the liver tissue displayed strong expression for caspase 3 and obvious reduction for PCNA. These results emphasize the importance of a balanced diet during pregnancy to prevent long-term liver complications in both mothers and their offspring.
COMPUTATIONAL MODELS FOR ARTICULATORY LEARNING OF ENGLISH DIPHTHONGS: ONE DYNAMIC TARGET VS. TWO STATIC TARGETS

The nature of English diphthongs has been much disputed. By now, the most influential account argues that diphthongs are phoneme entities rather than vowel combinations. However, mixed results have been reported regarding whether the rate of formant transition is the most reliable attribute in the perception and production of diphthongs. Here, we used computational simulation of vocal learning to explore the nature of diphthongs. We tested whether diphthongs have a single dynamic target or two static targets by training an articulatory synthesiser with a three-dimensional (3D) vocal tract model to learn English words. An automatic phoneme recogniser was constructed to guide the learning of the diphthongs. Listening results by native listeners showed that diphthongs learned with dynamic targets were more intelligible and generalisable across variable duration than those learned with static targets. The learning-oriented modelling approach also paves a new way for validating hypotheses of speech perception and production.
Evaluating the impact of wind turbine noise on health-related quality of life

We report a cross-sectional study comparing the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of individuals residing in the proximity of a wind farm to those residing in a demographically matched area sufficiently displaced from wind turbines. The study employed a nonequivalent comparison group posttest-only design. Self-administered questionnaires, which included the brief version of the World Health Organization quality of life scale, were delivered to residents in two adjacent areas in semirural New Zealand. Participants were also asked to identify annoying noises, indicate their degree of noise sensitivity, and rate amenity. Statistically significant differences were noted in some HRQOL domain scores, with residents living within 2 km of a turbine installation reporting lower overall quality of life, physical quality of life, and environmental quality of life. Those exposed to turbine noise also reported significantly lower sleep quality, and rated their environment as less restful. Our data suggest that wind farm noise can negatively impact facets of HRQOL.
Effect of fortification of organics with iron and zincon growth, yield and economics of rabi sorghum[Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]

A field experiment was conducted during rabi 2016 under rainfed condition on clay loam soil at All India Coordinated Sorghum Improvement Project, Main Agricultural Research Station, Dharwad (Karnataka) to study the effect of fortification of organics with iron and zinc in rabi sorghum under rainfed condition. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications and eleven treatments. Results of the study revealed that soil application of RDF + Enriched FYM 1 (i.e. 50 kg FYM ha 1 + 3.75 kg ZnSO4 ha 1 FeSO4 ha 1) recorded significantly higher grain yield (4287 kg ha-1), fodder yield (7.51 t ha-1), gross returns ( 211924 ha 1), net returns ( 85702 ha 1) and BC ratio (3.50) over control, recommended dose of fertilizer and recommended package of practices. The growth and yield parameters viz., leaf area (48.08 dm2 plant-1), grain weight (62.33 g plant-1) and test weight (37.77 g) were significantly higher with same treatment.
Satellite-based Assessment of Global Warm Cloud Properties Associated with Aerosols, Atmospheric Stability, and Diurnal Cycle

This study examines variability in marine low cloud properties derived from semi-global observations by the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite, as linked to the aerosol index (AI) and lower-tropospheric stability (LTS). AI is derived from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (Terra MODIS) sensor and the Goddard Chemistry Aerosol Radiation and Transportation (GOCART) model, and is used to represent column-integrated aerosol concentrations. LTS is derived from the NCEP/NCAR reanalysis, and represents the background thermodynamic environment in which the clouds form. Global statistics reveal that cloud droplet size tends to be smallest in polluted (high-AI) and strong inversion (high-LTS) environments. Statistical quantification shows that cloud droplet size is better correlated with AI than it is with LTS. Simultaneously, the cloud liquid water path (CLWP) tends to decrease as AI increases. This correlation does not support the hypothesis or assumption that constant or increased CLWP is associated with high aerosol concentrations. Global variability in corrected cloud albedo (CCA), the product of cloud optical depth and cloud fraction, is very well explained by LTS, while both AI and LTS are needed to explain local variability in CCA. Most of the local correlations between AI and cloud properties are similar to the results from the global statistics, while weak anomalous aerosol-cloud correlations appear locally in the regions where simultaneous high (low) AI and low (high) LTS compensate each other. Daytime diurnal cycles explain additional variability in cloud properties. CCA has the largest diurnal cycle in high-LTS regions. Cloud droplet size and CLWP have weak diurnal cycles that differ between clean and polluted environments. The combined results suggest that investigations of marine low cloud radiative forcing and its relationship to hypothesized aerosol indirect effects must consider the combined effects of aerosols, thermodynamics, and the diurnal cycle.
Cognitive reserve: the evolution of the conceptual framework

Brain and Cognitive reserve concept is a theoretical general framework introduced to explain individual differences to withstand brain damages. Several behavioural and neuroimaging studies support the evidence that lifestyles act on brain plasticity modulating the impact of neurological insults. However, once that AD is clinically evident, the protective benefits of premorbid experience are assumed to be substantially decreased. This review presents an overview of the principal literature focused on reserve mechanisms. The evolution of the conceptual framework is considered, passing from brain and cognitive to neural reserve’s hypothesis. Interactions between reserve mechanisms and AD-related biomarkers are reported. In particular this review is focussed on the neuroimaging (MRI) studies. MRI provides the opportunity to investigate in vivo structural and functional brain changes. Several studies reported here assessed the impact of reserves on brain resilience. Literature supports the hypothesis that reserves impact on neurodegenerative process in the early phase of AD. Moreover, studies fit with the existence of a “neural reserve”, characterised by specific neural networks and their efficiency. It remains to be demonstrated whether interventions later in life can modulate this brain resilience. Correspondence to: Dr. Laura Serra , Via Ardeatina 306, 00179 Rome, Italy. Tel: 39-06-515
Prototyping: A key skill for innovation and life-long learning

Physical prototypes play a crucial role in any design project; but all the critical effects that physical prototypes have need to be further studied. Often, design courses (including capstone courses) include some type of prototyping. More needs to be understood about what students need to learn from prototyping and the benefits of hands-on learning. Physical prototypes help designers by providing critical feedback on their designs. Existing literature shows the importance of prototyping in design projects, while some researchers are concerned with the design fixation caused by prototyping. In order to maximize the benefits of prototyping, it is essential to study the design thinking involved in it. This knowledge may help designers, especially novice designers and students in making decisions about which prototyping method to choose. In this study, data are collected from a realistic design project carried out by a team of professional designers. Through interviews with the designers and direct observations on the prototyping and testing cycle, the following hypotheses are investigated: (1) Building and testing prototypes helps to supplement designers' incomplete mental models leading them to better ideas and (2) Prototyping leads designers to design fixation. The results strongly support the hypotheses. Data from the current study is also compared to prior research on semester-long graduate student team projects. This prior research indicates that many unarticulated tests occur when prototypes are built and this leads to a significant number of improvements to the product. Surprisingly, this also occurred with the practicing designers. This demonstrates that the engineering design curriculum may need to adapt to better teach students to take advantage of the unexpected and students must have building skills in order to leverage this advantage. The data also show that building simple physical prototypes frequently in a design project helps to eliminate the shortcomings in initial ideas and lead designers to better ideas. In order to reduce the fixation associated with prototyping, it is essential to minimize the cost (in terms of money, time and effort) associated with prototyping. Due to the need for low sunk cost and opportunities to learn in unexpected ways from prototypes, engineering students need to have proficient building and testing skills so prototypes do not induce fixation due to sunk cost. The professional design team also did things the student design teams did not. The professional team built representational prototypes and those with selected functionalities at times. They also used strategies that likely reduce design fixation including prototyping only parts of the system and systematically used low cost materials like wood and plastic when testing physical interfaces for fit and assembly, not structural capacity.