Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Option-Based Estimation of the Price of Co-Skewness and Co-Kurtosis Risk

We show that the prices of risk for factors that are nonlinear in the market return are readily obtained using index option prices. We apply this insight to the price of co-skewness and co-kurtosis risk. The price of co-skewness risk corresponds to the spread between the physical and the risk-neutral second moments, and the price of co-kurtosis risk corresponds to the spread between the physical and the risk-neutral third moments. The option-based estimates of the prices of risk lead to reasonable values of the associated risk premia. An out-of-sample analysis of factor models with co-skewness and co-kurtosis risk indicates that the new estimates of the price of risk improve the models performance. Models with higher-order market moments also robustly outperform standard competitors such as the CAPM and the Fama-French model.
Patterns of methylation profiles as diagnostic markers for multiple hepatocellular carcinomas

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma often displays multiple tumor nodules, thus posing a problem for differential diagnosis between cancers of both multifocal and metastatic origin. Conventionally, pathological criteria have been used for this purpose, but these are largely subjective. In order to facilitate a more objective differential diagnosis of multiple HCCs, we used the patterns of methylation of p16 INK4a , p14 ARF , and GSTP1 genes as markers for each tumor nodule. Methods: Sixty‐seven nodules from 30 cases of multiple or recurrent HCCs were examined using methylation‐specific PCR (MSP) analysis for the detection of methylation profiles. Results: Hypermethylation was detected in 56.7%, 43.3% and 17.9% of the cases for p16 INK4a , p14 ARF , and GSTP1 genes, respectively. At the genetic level the inter‐nodule methylation profiles were heterogeneous in 23 of the cases and homogeneous in another 7, enabling a multifocal origin to be diagnosed in the former and metastatic origin in the latter. Conclusions: Methylation profiling seems to be useful in differentiating the clonal origins of multiple cancers, as the information yielded by this method is essentially objective.
Easy sellar reconstruction in endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery with polyester-silicone dural substitute and fibrin glue: technical note.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a simple method of sellar reconstruction after endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery that will allow rapid watertight closure of the sellar floor. METHODS: A bent sheet of a polyester-silicone dural substitute, fashioned for this purpose with scissors, is introduced into the sella after removal of the lesion. Because of the consistency of the sheet, it opens spontaneously and becomes stuck. Autologous fat tissue or gelatin foam is positioned thereafter, followed by another layer of the dural substitute; a film of fibrin glue completes the sealing. RESULTS: Fifteen patients underwent this method and no postoperative cerebrospinal leak or other complication was experienced. CONCLUSION: This easy method of sellar reconstruction represents an effective and fast possibility to perform the final step of the endoscopic transsphenoidal procedure, which otherwise may cause maneuverability problems in the limited space of one nostril.
Design and optimization of a power inductive link

The wireless power transfer efficiency plays an important role in design of implantable biomedical devices. There are some important constraints in the design, such as the size of the implantable coil as well as the power delivered to the implant. In this context, this paper presents the design of two planar spiral coils coupled by air used to transferring energy wirelessly. The geometric constraints of the application are determined to define the dimensions of the coils. These parameters along with the working frequency of the system are applied to a procedure that results in the equivalent electrical model characterization of the coils, as well as mutual inductance. A capacitor matching network is then determined in order to optimize two objective functions: efficiency of the whole link and power transferred to the load. Since in a practical application the values of the capacitors are discrete and limited to a commercial series of values, we developed a numerical procedure to conduct a search of the best results of both objective functions. This network is characterized by being made up of a series-parallel network at both the input and output. The sequence of this work includes the development of an oscillator used as the primary voltage source and the experimental evaluation of the entire system.
Multivariate causality between financial depth and economic growth in Nigeria

The study adopts the multivariate VECM to investigate the causality between financial depth and economic growth in Nigeria from 1971 to 2008. The results suggest that financial depth and economic growth have a stable long-run relationship. The study supports the demand-following hypothesis for the banking sector’s private sector credit and real broad money supply; while it supports the supply-leading hypothesis for loan deposit ratio and bank deposit liabilities. The major finding is that the financial depth indicator used has great influence on the causal inference. This result validates Agu and Chukwu (2008) which employed the Toda and Yamamoto (1995) causality testing approach.
Secular Bipolar Growth Rate of the Real US GDP Per Capita: Implications for Understanding Past and Future Economic Growth

We present a quantitative characterisation of the fluctuations of the annualized growth rate of the real US GDP per capita growth at many scales, using a wavelet transform analysis of two data sets, quarterly data from 1947 to 2015 and annual data from 1800 to 2010. Our main finding is that the distribution of GDP growth rates can be well approximated by a bimodal function associated to a series of switches between regimes of strong growth rate $\rho_\text{high}$ and regimes of low growth rate $\rho_\text{low}$. The succession of such two regimes compounds to produce a remarkably stable long term average real annualized growth rate of 1.6\% from 1800 to 2010 and $\approx 2.0\%$ since 1950, which is the result of a subtle compensation between the high and low growth regimes that alternate continuously. Thus, the overall growth dynamics of the US economy is punctuated, with phases of strong growth that are intrinsically unsustainable, followed by corrections or consolidation until the next boom starts. We interpret these findings within the theory of "social bubbles" and argue as a consequence that estimations of the cost of the 2008 crisis may be misleading. We also interpret the absence of strong recovery since 2008 as a protracted low growth regime $\rho_\text{low}$ associated with the exceptional nature of the preceding large growth regime.
An adaptive local search algorithm for real-valued dynamic optimization

This paper proposes a novel adaptive local search algorithm for tackling real-valued (or continuous) dynamic optimization problems. The proposed algorithm is a simple single-solution based metaheuristic that perturbs the variables separately to select the search direction for the following step and adapts its step size to the gradient. The search directions that appear to be the most promising are rewarded by a step size increase while the unsuccessful moves attempt to reverse the search direction with a reduced step size. When the environment is subject to changes, a new solution is sampled and crosses over the best solution in the previous environment. Furthermore, the algorithm makes use of a small archive where the best solutions are saved. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm, despite its simplicity, is competitive with complex population-based algorithms for tested dynamic optimization problems.
Incorporating intentional and emotional behaviors into a Virtual Human for Better Customer-Engineer-Interaction

Providing customer support for technical products means an essential effort for enterprises to satisfy the customer's needs and to challenge rivals in business. This paper introduces a Virtual Human Framework for a better Customer-Engineer-Interaction. We put emphasis on a preferably natural conversation achieved by continuously analyzing behaviors and emotions of the human user, suggesting his or her intentions and diversification of active and passive intentional behaviors. The underlying architecture is an extension to the Generic Embodied Conversational Agent Framework which was developed to ease the integration of heterogeneous components into an Embodied Conversational Agent system. These extensions are mainly influenced by SAIBA's architecture for a Multimodal Behavior Generation Framework. Although the system has only been accomplished to about 50% partial results show that our approach has the potential to create a more natural-like conversational situation.
Guideline development from an observational study.

PURPOSE It is unknown whether data from observational studies can assist guideline developers in areas where scientific evidence is lacking. The purpose of this study is to develop a local clinical guideline for prophylaxis against venous thromboembolism based on observational study results. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH The authors performed a classification tree analysis on original data from a cross-sectional study of risk factors, prophylaxis, and prevalence of deep vein thrombosis in 818 medical in-patients hospitalised in French teaching and community hospitals. The dependent variable was the use of pharmacological prophylaxis. The rate of any deep vein thrombosis detected by routine compression ultrasonography was used as an illustrative variable. Using group consensus of expert panelists, a practice guideline was developed based on the results of this study and a systematic review of the literature. FINDINGS The resulting classification tree involved eight terminal subsets. The mean misclassification rate was 31 per cent in tenfold cross-validation and the area under the ROC curve was 0.75. The classification tree was converted into graded recommendations. According to these recommendations, 455 patients (56 per cent) required prophylaxis. The corresponding rate of deep vein thrombosis was 11 per cent (28/245, [CI = 8-16]) in 245 prophylaxis users and 11 per cent (23/210, [7-16]) in 210 prophylaxis non-users. Conversely, 363 patients (44 per cent) did not require prophylaxis: 63 actually received prophylaxis and six had deep vein thrombosis (2 per cent, [0.6-4]). RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS Further prospective validation of the guideline is important prior to its implementation. ORIGINALITY/VALUE Integrating data from observational studies may be an effective way to develop guidelines when robust scientific evidence is lacking.
Physical and Psychosocial Correlates of Hormone Replacement Therapy with Chronically Stressed Postmenopausal Women

Objectives: This study investigated the relationship between hormone replacement therapy (HRT) use and physical and psychosocial functioning in a sample of chronically stressed older women. Methods: Participants (N= 94) were postmenopausal women caring for a parent or spouse with dementia. Caregivers were evaluated using both psychological and physical health indices. Results: Caregivers receiving HRT reported lower levels of hostility and were less likely to report unpleasant interactions with members of their support network; these findings were unrelated to demographic variables, caregiving-related indices, or health behaviors. HRT recipients had lower 10-year risk scores for cardiovascular disease, but there were no group differences in stroke risk. The largest effects on hostility, depression, heart and stroke risk were observed in caregivers receiving a combination of estradiol and progesterone. Discussion: HRT for postmenopausal women may promote positive outcomes for some, but not for all, affective states and cardiovascular variables vulnerable to chronic life stressors.
A QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DRIVERS OF INNOVATIVENESS AND PERFORMANCE OF MSMEs

This paper investigates the relationship between various drivers of innovativeness and various performance indicators of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The empirical evidence is based on quantitative data gathered through a questionnaire which yielded 65 qualified responses from the representatives of Punjab's small and medium cutting tool and automotive component manufacturers. The analysis of the responses is based on the descriptive analysis of key issues under each input factors. The empirical evidence validates some of the theoretical findings and indicates a strong correlation between entrepreneur role and various research outputs. But analysis of the results indicates poor correlation between linkage capability and regulatory corroboration with research outputs thus underlining the need for government to reach out to MSMEs of the region and extend various programmes run by them to MSMEs so that they can avail these benefits and develop, also there is need for manufacturing organisations to form alliances with other small-scale organisations, large enterprises as well as with institutes and universities for technology transfer and acquiring technical competencies.
"Health in all policies" in practice: guidance and tools to quantifying the health effects of cycling and walking.

BACKGROUND There is growing interest in "Health in All Policies" approaches, aiming at promoting health through policies which are under the control of nonhealth sectors. While economic appraisal is an established practice in transport planning, health effects are rarely taken into account. An international project was carried out to develop guidance and tools for practitioners for quantifying the health effects of cycling and walking, supporting their full appraisal. DEVELOPMENT PROCESS A systematic review of existing approaches was carried out. Then, the products were developed with an international expert panel through an extensive consensus finding process. PRODUCTS AND APPLICATIONS Methodological guidance was developed which addresses the main challenges practitioners encounter in the quantification of health effects from cycling and walking. A "Health Economic Assessment Tool (HEAT) for cycling" was developed which is being used in several countries. CONCLUSIONS There is a need for a more consistent approach to the quantification of health benefits from cycling and walking. This project is providing guidance and an illustrative tool for cycling for practical application. Results show that substantial savings can be expected. Such tools illustrate the importance of considering health in transport policy and infrastructure planning, putting "Health in All Policies" into practice.
TOUSLED Kinase Activity Oscillates during the Cell Cycle and Interacts with Chromatin Regulators1

The TOUSLED (TSL)-like nuclear protein kinase family is highly conserved in plants and animals. tsl loss of function mutations cause pleiotropic defects in both leaf and flower development, and growth and initiation of floral organ primordia is abnormal, suggesting that basic cellular processes are affected. TSL is more highly expressed in exponentially growing Arabidopsis culture cells than in stationary, nondividing cells. While its expression remains constant throughout the cell cycle in dividing cells, TSL kinase activity is higher in enriched late G2/M-phase and G1-phase populations of Arabidopsis suspension culture cells compared to those in S-phase. tsl mutants also display an aberrant pattern and increased expression levels of the mitotic cyclin gene CycB1;1, suggesting that TSL represses CycB1;1 expression at certain times during development or that cells are delayed in mitosis. TSL interacts with and phosphorylates one of two Arabidopsis homologs of the nucleosome assembly/silencing protein Asf1 and histone H3, as in humans, and a novel plant SANT/myb-domain protein, TKI1, suggesting that TSL plays a role in chromatin metabolism.
Intravenous access in the prehospital settings: What can be learned from point-of-injury experience

BACKGROUND Intravenous (IV) access has an essential role in the care provided for trauma patients, allowing for transfusion of blood products, fluids, and drugs. Decisions should be made regarding the necessity of IV access while considering cost-benefit of the procedure in terms of delayed evacuation times. METHODS A retrospective review of all trauma patients in whom at least one attempt at IV access was performed were reviewed. Data were abstracted from the Israeli Defense Force Trauma Registry. RESULTS Of 7,476 patients, 1,082 patients who had at least one documented attempt at IV access between January 1997 and April 2013 were included in this study. Overall cumulative success rate at IV access was 82%. Success rates for IV access were 86%, 68%, 63%, 50%, 20% for the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth attempts, respectively. The first and second attempts accounted for 96% of the successful procedures. Mortality in patients for whom IV access was successful was 13%; mortality in patients for whom IV access was not successful was 35%. CONCLUSION The success rate of IV access declined with each subsequent attempt. There was minimal improvement of overall success rate seen after the second attempt. Our findings suggest that the inability to obtain peripheral venous access is associated with severe injuries. These finding support a policy of limiting the number of venous access attempts to two attempts, followed by a reevaluation of need for parenteral access. Improved training of combat medics and paramedics might marginally increase the success rates of IV access. Point-of-injury data, used for ongoing learning and research, form the ground for improving combat casualty care and thus help saving lives. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic study, level IV.
A multidimensional approach to talent identification and selection in high-level youth Australian Football players

ABSTRACT There is limited research in talent identification in youth Australian Football (AF), especially the factors that underpin selection into higher-level development programs. Therefore, this study explored age-related differences in high-level youth AF players and investigated characteristics influencing selection into a high-level development program. Anthropometry (stature, sitting height, body mass), maturity (estimated age at peak height velocity), motor competence (Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder), fitness (change of direction speed, lower body power and upper body muscular endurance) and coach skill ratings (kicking, marking and handballing) of 277 state academy players (U13-U15) were assessed. MANOVAs identified significant age-related differences for anthropometry, fitness, and coach skill ratings. Furthermore, 90.9 and 90.0% of U15 selected and deselected players were classified correctly. Selected players were more mature, taller, heavier, more explosive, faster at changing directions, and had superior kick technique and marking results. These results demonstrate considerable age-group performance outcome differences, highlighting that high-level academies should aim to select or deselect after 15 years of age. Additionally, it appears earlier maturing players are favoured for selection into a high-level academy. While practitioners must consider the confounding effect of maturation, early maturing players may be favoured for their ability to withstand increasing demands in higher-level youth AF.
Practice of Epidemiology Secular Trends in Response Rates for Controls Selected by Random Digit Dialing in Childhood Cancer Studies: A Report from the Children’s Oncology Group

1 Division of Oncology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia PA. 2 Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. 3 Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Research, Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN. 4 University of Minnesota Cancer Center, Minneapolis, MN. 5 Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC. 6 Department of Epidemiology and Cancer Control, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN. 7 Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM. 8 Department of Medicine, Center for Health Service Research, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN.
Realistic Air-Filled TEM Printed Parallel-Plate Waveguide Based on Ridge Gap Waveguide

A double-ridge and double-sided textured surface waveguide based on the printed ridge gap waveguide (PRGW) is introduced. The structure acts as a parallel-plate waveguide supporting TEM waves, and it is referred to as TEM-PRGW. The TEM-PRGW has lower insertion loss and more confined power around the double ridges in comparison with the single-textured PRGW. The characteristic impedance of the TEM-PRGW is extracted from the conventional parallel-plate impedance expression. The TEM-PRGW is symmetric around the middle horizontal line splitting the gap. The modified unit cells of the periodic structure around the double ridges are also introduced to improve the TEM-PRGW performance in the presence of any discontinuities along the propagating direction, which might excite undesired horizontal polarization. Prototypes of the straight and double bend lines are fabricated based on the modified unit cells to prove the concept and have confidence in the simulation results.
Classification Method for Shared Information on Twitter Without Text Data

During a disaster, appropriate information must be collected. For example, victims and survivors require information about shelter locations and dangerous points or advice about protecting themselves. Rescuers need information about the details of volunteer activities and supplies, especially potential shortages. However, collecting such localized information is difficult from such mass media as TV and newspapers because they generally focus on information aimed at the general public. On the other hand, social media can attract more attention than mass media under these circumstances since they can provide such localized information. In this paper, we focus on Twitter, one of the most influential social media, as a source of local information. By assuming that users who retweet the same tweet are interested in the same topic, we can classify tweets that are required by users with similar interests based on retweets. Thus, we propose a novel tweet classification method that focuses on retweets without text mining. We linked tweets based on retweets to make a retweet network that connects similar tweets and extracted clusters that contain similar tweets from the constructed network by our clustering method. We also subjectively verified the validity of our proposed classification method. Our experiment verified that the ratio of the clusters whose tweets are mutually similar in the cluster to all clusters is very high and the similarities in each cluster are obvious. Finally, we calculated the linguistic similarities of the results to clarify our proposed method's features. Our method classified topic-similar tweets, even if they are not linguistically similar.