Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Does the Stock Market See a Zero or Small Positive Earnings Surprise as a Red Flag

ABSTRACT This study shows that firms collectively incur a cost for managing earnings and analyst expectations to meet earnings forecasts. We compare the coefficient in the regression of abnormal stock returns on earnings surprise (the earnings response coefficient [ERC]) across ranges of earnings surprises. The ERC for earnings surprises in the range [0, 1¢] is significantly lower than ERCs for earnings surprises in adjacent ranges for firm-quarters in the early and mid 2000s, but not for those in the 1990s. The results are robust to controlling for the sign of estimated discretionary accruals and the trajectory of analyst earnings forecasts. We further find that investors are right to be skeptical about earnings surprises in the range [0, 1¢]. The relation of future earnings surprise with current earnings surprise is more negative for current earnings surprises in that range than for those in any other range. Evidence also suggests analysts react negatively to earnings surprises in that range. Copyright (c), University of Chicago on behalf of the Accounting Research Center, 2009.
Preparation of Tetanus toxoid for equine

Tetanus toxoid for equines has been prepared by cultivation of C. tetani into new synthetic medium for production of high potent tetanus toxin which gave high flocculation units [90 Lf (Limit of flocculation)], and high minimum lethal dose (MLD) (600,000). Tetanus toxin was inactivated by formalin, and adsorbed on aluminum hydroxide gel as an adjuvant. It was inoculated into rabbits as a preliminary evaluation for its potency, showing the permissible units allowed to be used for vaccination of horse. The vaccine was tested in horses, which exhibited higher titer of specific antibodies persisted for 8 months post vaccination.
A Joint Solution for Scheduling and Precoding in Multiuser MISO Downlink Channels

The average performance of the MISO downlink channel, with a large number of users compared to transmit antennas of the base station, depends on the interference management which necessitates the joint design of scheduling and precoding. Unlike the previous works which do not offer a truly joint design, this paper focuses on formulating a problem amenable for the joint update of scheduling and precoding. Novel optimization formulations are investigated to reveal the hidden difference of convex/ concave structure for three classical criteria (weighted sum rate, max-min signal-to-interference plus noise ratio, and power minimization) and associated constraints are considered. Thereafter, we propose a convex-concave procedure framework based iterative algorithm where scheduling and precoding variables are updated jointly in each iteration. Finally, we show the superiority in performance of joint solution over the state-of-the-art designs through Monte-Carlo simulations.
Efficacy of phytase and glycanase enzymes on the performance, serum mineral levels and antibody titer against newcastle disease virus (NDV) of broilers fed nutritionally marginal diets

An experiment was conducted from 1 to 42 day post hatching to determine the effects of a microbial phytase (Natuphos) and glycanase preparations with predominantly xylanase and β-glucanase (Feedzyme) on the performance, serum mineral levels and antibody titer against newcastle disease, of broilers fed nutritionally marginal diets. A completely randomized experimental design was used, and chicks were divided into 5 treatment groups, with 4 replicates per treatment and 10 chicks per replicate. Diets were corn-wheat-soybean meal based with the same nutritional specifications, differing only in the concentration of Ca and nonphytate P (Ca-nPP). Treatments were: (1) diet with the energy of 2900 kcal/kg and 0.63% Ca and 0.28% available P, without enzyme (CTL+);T2) diet with the energy of 2900 kcal/kg and 0.63% Ca and 0.28% available P, without enzyme (CTL−); 3, 4 and 5) diet with the energy of 2900 kcal/kg and lower level of Ca and P (experimental group 2) respectively comprising 600,800,1000 phytase unit/kg of diet from Natuphous and 42,70,98 Xylanase unit/kg and 60,100,140 β-glucanase unit/kg of diet from feedzyme. Antibody titers against Newcastle disease were increased by incremental phytase and xylanase addition in experiments. These finding indicates that broilers consuming a ME, Ca, P-deficient corn-soybean meal-wheat diet can achieve maximum humoral immunity when phytase, xylanase and β-glucanase is supplemented to 1000, 98 and140 unit/kg diet. Performances of chicks fed with low-Ca-nPP diets plus phytase, xylanase and glucanase were comparable to those obtained with the low-Ca-nPP and adequate-Ca-nPP diets. Enzymes supplementation increased plasma Ca level (P > 0.05) but had no significant effect on plasma P level.
Analysis of Policy-Based Security Management System in Software-Defined Networks

In software-defined networks, policy-based security management or architecture (PbSA) is an ideal way to dynamically control the network. We observe that on the one hand, this enables security capabilities intelligently and enhance fine-grained control over end user behavior. But, on the other hand, dynamic variations in network, rapid increases in security attacks, geographical distribution of nodes, complex heterogeneous networks, and so on have serious effects on the performance of PbSAs. These affect the flow specific quality of service requirements with further degradation of the performance of the security context. Hence, in this letter, PbSA’s performance is evaluated. The key factors including a number of rules, rule-table size, position of rules, flow arrival rate, and CPU utilization are examined, and found to have considerable impact on the performance of PbSAs.
Light propagation in statistically homogeneous and isotropic universes with general matter content

We derive the relationship of the redshift and the angular diameter distance to the average expansion rate for universes which are statistically homogeneous and isotropic and where the distribution evolves slowly, but which have otherwise arbitrary geometry and matter content. The relevant average expansion rate is selected by the observable redshift and the assumed symmetry properties of the spacetime. We show why light deflection and shear remain small. We write down the evolution equations for the average expansion rate and discuss the validity of the dust approximation.
Superior ophthalmic vein and ophthalmic artery in immediate evaluation after endovascular treatment of carotid-cavernous fistulas

Purpose To validate superior ophthalmic vein (SOV) and ophthalmic artery (OA) usefulness in immediate evaluation of new endovascular approaches to treat carotid-cavernous fistulas (CCFs). Material and methods A retrospective review of 597 intracerebral malformation embolisations yielded 40 embolisations of CCF in the treatment of 18 patients. Two interventional radiologists performed detailed radiological angiographic assessments. Results Mean age at initial admission was 58.9 years (SD 18.5 years, range 24-85 years). Patients presented with: chemosis (50%), ocular bruit (50%), exophthalmos (61%), diminished visual acuity (77.8%), headache (16.7%), and intracerebral haemorrhage (5.55%), and 5.55% were asymptomatic. Unilateral fistulas (10-55.5%) showed more diversified venous drainage pattern than bilateral ones (8-44.4%). There were statistically significant differences in post-traumatic and spontaneous CCF regarding age (p = 0.036), type of fistula (p = 0.0008), and presence of pseudoaneurysm (p = 0.036). 77.8% of patients had increased ipsilateral SOV diameter. SOV enlargement was not associated with type of fistula, history of trauma, or degree of exophthalmos. Ipsilateral ophthalmic artery was visible in all patients on both pre- and postprocedural angiography on lateral projection. Pre- and post-procedural SOV diameter was significantly different. Internal carotid artery patency was 100%, while the overall final angiographic or clinical success was 85.7%. We had three cases of peri-procedural complications. Conclusions We reported changeable dynamics of SOV and OA after endovascular treatment of CCFs and proved the feasibility of coils and Onyx-18 in the treatment thereof.
The effect of hormone replacement therapy on cognitive function in postmenopausal women: An RCT

Abstract Background During the reproductive age, the human brain becomes a target for gonadal steroid hormones. Estrogens influence neural function through effects on neurons and affects indirectly the oxidative stress, inflammation, the cerebral vascular and the immune system. Objective To evaluate the effect of the traditional hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on the cognitive function in postmenopausal women. Materials and Methods In this randomized clinical trial, 140 postmenopausal women, from November 2014 to February 2015, were included. Women were randomly divided into two groups. Each woman in the case group took traditional HRT (0.625mg conjugated equine estrogens+2.5mg medroxyprogesterone acetate daily) plus one Cal+D tablet (500 mg calcium+200 IU vitamin D) daily for four months. Women in the control group received only one Cal+D tablet (500 mg calcium+200 IU vitamin D) daily for four months period. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Green Climacteric Scale (GCS) questionnaires filled out after the intervention and compared between the two groups. Results The mean points of the MoCA after the intervention indicate that all MoCA domains except for the orientation improved in the case group. There was a significant difference in the memory domain after the treatment between the two groups. MoCA domains and GCS were negatively correlated after the intervention (r=-0.235,p=0.006). Conclusion The HRT has affected some of the MoCA factors. The effects of HRT on cognitive function should be studied in a large prospective study in a group of women in their early and late menopausal ages with periodic assessment of their cognitive function during these follow-up years.
Floquet maser

We report on a (Floquet) maser that delivers promising performance for applications in applied and fundamental science. The invention of the maser stimulated revolutionary technologies such as lasers and atomic clocks. Yet, realizations of masers are still limited; in particular, the physics of masers remains unexplored in periodically driven (Floquet) systems, which are generally defined by time-periodic Hamiltonians and enable observation of many exotic phenomena such as time crystals. Here, we investigate the Floquet system of periodically driven 129Xe gas under damping feedback and unexpectedly observe a multimode maser that oscillates at frequencies of transitions between Floquet states. Our findings extend maser techniques to Floquet systems and open avenues to probe Floquet phenomena unaffected by decoherence, enabling a previously unexplored class of maser sensors. As a first application, our maser offers the capability of measuring low-frequency (1 to 100 mHz) magnetic fields with subpicotesla-level sensitivity, which is substantially better than state-of-the-art magnetometers and can be applied to, for example, ultralight dark matter searches.
Is body size an influential parameter in determining the duration of survival at low temperatures in Alphitobius diaperinus Panzer (Coleoptera : Tenebrionidae)?

Physiological and morphological parameters that affect survival were measured at the individual level in adults of the lesser mealworm Alphitobius diaperinus kept at 6degreesC and 10'C. Survival differed significantly among individuals and sexes and at different temperatures. At 6degreesC, pervasive effects of cold, i.e. chill injuries, were too strong to allow survival, whereas the duration of survival was significantly influenced by the adult body size at 10degreesC; initial fresh mass was positively correlated with survival in both sexes. The management of energy reserves was also significantly different among individuals. Weight loss was significantly slower in both males and females that had the longest longevity and kept at 10degreesC when compared to males and females that had shortest longevity (3.05+/-0.47 mug/mg fresh weight/day and 2.71+/-0.60 mug/mg fresh weight/day, respectively, vs 5.68+/-3.77 and 9.01+/-9.39 mug/mg fresh weight/day). The largest insects lost weight at a constant but slower rate than the smallest ones. Prolonged exposures at 10degreesC enforced inactivity and led to depletion of the energy reserves in both males and females through low food availability. The water ratio was significantly decreased over time: both males and females that had the longest longevity had significantly lower water ratio than males and females that had the shortest longevity.
GeoFlink: A Distributed and Scalable Framework for the Real-time Processing of Spatial Streams

Apache Flink is an open-source system for scalable processing of batch and streaming data. Flink does not natively support efficient processing of spatial data streams, which is a requirement of many applications dealing with spatial data. Besides Flink, other scalable spatial data processing platforms including GeoSpark, Spatial Hadoop, etc. do not support streaming workloads and can only handle static/batch workloads. To fill this gap, we present GeoFlink, which extends Apache Flink to support spatial data types, indexes and continuous queries over spatial data streams. To enable efficient processing of spatial continuous queries and for the effective data distribution across Flink cluster nodes, a gird-based index is introduced. GeoFlink currently supports spatial range, spatial kNN and spatial join queries on point data type. An experimental study on real spatial data streams shows that GeoFlink achieves significantly higher query throughput than ordinary Flink processing.
A Hierarchical Deep Domain Adaptation Approach for Fault Diagnosis of Power Plant Thermal System

Fault diagnosis of a thermal system under varying operating conditions is of great importance for the safe and reliable operation of a power plant involved in peak shaving. However, it is a difficult task due to the lack of sufficient labeled data under some operating conditions. In practical applications, the model built on the labeled data under one operating condition will be extended to such operating conditions. Data distribution discrepancy can be triggered by variation of operating conditions and may degenerate the performance of the model. Considering the fact that data distributions are different but related under different operating conditions, this paper proposes a hierarchical deep domain adaptation (HDDA) approach to transfer a classifier trained on labeled data under one loading condition to identify faults with unlabeled data under another loading condition. In HDDA, a hierarchical structure is developed to reveal the effective information for final diagnosis by layerwisely capturing representative features. HDDA learns domain-invariant and discriminative features with the hierarchical structure by reducing distribution discrepancy and preserving discriminative information hidden in raw process data. For practical applications, the Taguchi method is used to obtain the optimized model parameters. Experimental results and comprehensive comparison analysis demonstrate its superiority.
Quenched fractions in the IllustrisTNG simulations: comparison with observations and other theoretical models

We make an in-depth comparison of the IllustrisTNG cosmological simulations with observed quenched fractions of central and satellite galaxies, for Mstars = 109–12 M⊙ at 0 ≤ z ≤ 3. We show how measurement choices [aperture, quenched definition, and star formation rate (SFR) indicator time-scale], as well as sample selection issues (projection effects, satellite/central misclassification, and host mass distribution sampling), impact this comparison. The quenched definition produces differences of up to 70 (30) percentage points for centrals (satellites) above ∼1010.5 M⊙. At z ≳ 2, a larger aperture within which SFR is measured suppresses the quenched fractions by up to ∼50 percentage points. Proper consideration of the stellar and host mass distributions is crucial: Naive comparisons to volume-limited samples from simulations lead to misinterpretation of the quenched fractions as a function of redshift by up to 20 percentage points. Including observational uncertainties to theoretical values of Mstars and SFR changes the quenched fraction values and their trend and/or slope with mass. Taking projected rather than three-dimensional distances for satellites decreases the quenched fractions by up to 10 per cent. TNG produces quenched fractions for both centrals and satellites broadly consistent with observations and predicts up to ∼80 (90) per cent of quenched centrals at z = 0 (z = 2), in line with recent observations, and higher than other theoretical models. The quantitative agreement of TNG and Sloan Digital Sky Survey for satellite quenched fractions in groups and clusters depends strongly on the galaxy and host mass range. Our mock comparison highlights the importance of properly accounting for observational effects and biases.
A Unifying Framework for Parallel and Distributed Processing in R using Futures

A future is a programming construct designed for concurrent and asynchronous evaluation of code, making it particularly useful for parallel processing. The future package implements the Future API for programming with futures in R. This minimal API provides sufficient constructs for implementing parallel versions of well-established, high-level map-reduce APIs. The future ecosystem supports exception handling, output and condition relaying, parallel random number generation, and automatic identification of globals lowering the threshold to parallelize code. The Future API bridges parallel frontends with parallel backends following the philosophy that end-users are the ones who choose the parallel backend while the developer focuses on what to parallelize. A variety of backends exist and third-party contributions meeting the specifications, which ensure that the same code works on all backends, are automatically supported. The future framework solves several problems not addressed by other parallel frameworks in R.
The historic biogeography and community ecology of Polynesian pigeons and doves

The species richness, taxonomic diversity, and geographic distribution of pigeons and doves (Columbidae) have been altered irreversibly in Polynesia by 3500 years of human activity. Natural (without human influence) columbid faunas are estimated primarily by studying prehistoric bones. In all Polynesian island groups studied (except outlying Easter Island, Hawaiian Islands, or New Zealand), the prehistoric columbid faunas had more species, more genera, and more species per genus than modern faunas from the same island. Congeneric species pairs or triplets occurred on many islands for Ducula, Ptilinopus, and Gallicolumba. The losses of Polynesian columbids include the extinction of at least 9 species in the genera Ducula, Ptilinopus, Macropygia, Caloenas, Gallicolumba, and Didunculus as well as the extirpation of numerous island populations of extant species. If not for human impact, a typical East Polynesian island would support at least 5–6 species of columbids in 3–4 genera (compared to 0–3 species in 0–3 genera today). A typical West Polynesian island would support at least 6–7 species in 4–5 genera (compared to 1–6 species in 1–5 genera today). Since all Polynesian pigeons and doves are frugivorous and/or granivorous, their decline in recent millennia probably has affected the composition of Polynesian forests by limiting inter‐ and intra‐island dispersal of plant propagules.
The Importance of Being Correlated: Implications of Dependence in Joint Spectral Inference across Multiple Networks

Spectral inference on multiple networks is a rapidly-developing subfield of graph statistics. Recent work has demonstrated that joint, or simultaneous, spectral embedding of multiple independent networks can deliver more accurate estimation than individual spectral decompositions of those same networks. Such inference procedures typically rely heavily on independence assumptions across the multiple network realizations, and even in this case, little attention has been paid to the induced network correlation that can be a consequence of such joint embeddings. In this paper, we present a generalized omnibus embedding methodology and we provide a detailed analysis of this embedding across both independent and correlated networks, the latter of which significantly extends the reach of such procedures, and we describe how this omnibus embedding can itself induce correlation. This leads us to distinguish between inherent correlation—that is, the correlation that arises naturally in multisample network data—and induced correlation, which is an artifice of the joint embedding methodology. We show that the generalized omnibus embedding procedure is flexible and robust, and we prove both consistency and a central limit theorem for the embedded points. We examine how induced and inherent correlation can impact inference for network time series data, and we provide network analogues of classical questions such as the effective sample size for more generally correlated data. Further, we show how an appropriately calibrated generalized omnibus embedding can detect changes in real biological networks that previous embedding procedures could not discern, confirming that the effect of inherent and induced correlation can be subtle and transformative. By allowing for and deconstructing both forms of correlation, our methodology widens the scope of spectral techniques for network inference, with import in theory and practice.
Prebiotic Precursors of the Primordial RNA World in Space: Detection of NH2OH

One of the proposed scenarios for the origin of life is the primordial RNA world, which considers that RNA molecules were likely responsible for the storage of genetic information and the catalysis of biochemical reactions in primitive cells, before the advent of proteins and DNA. In the last decade, experiments in the field of prebiotic chemistry have shown that RNA nucleotides can be synthesized from relatively simple molecular precursors, most of which have been found in space. An important exception is hydroxylamine, NH2OH, which, despite several observational attempts, it has not been detected in space yet. Here we present the first detection of NH2OH in the interstellar medium toward the quiescent molecular cloud G+0.693-0.027 located in the Galactic Center. We have targeted the three groups of transitions from the J = 2−1, 3−2, and 4−3 rotational lines, detecting five transitions that are unblended or only slightly blended. The derived molecular abundance of NH2OH is (2.1 ± 0.9) × 10−10. From the comparison of the derived abundance of NH2OH and chemically related species, with those predicted by chemical models and measured in laboratory experiments, we favor the formation of NH2OH in the interstellar medium via hydrogenation of NO on dust grain surfaces, with possibly a contribution of ice-mantle NH3 oxidation processes. Further laboratory studies and quantum chemical calculations are needed to completely rule out the formation of NH2OH in the gas phase.