Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Revisiting derivative securities and the 1987 market crash: lessons for 2009

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of derivative securities in over-pricing and market corrections. Design/methodology/approach - Daily market data from major indices are used to determine if the market was over-priced in 1987. Then, the literature is examined to show differences in research findings for what caused the bubble and its correction. Findings - Evidence is found that there was a market bubble in 1987. Examples are provided of how portfolio insurance can lead to the aggregation of traders' idiosyncratic errors and to an increase in the use of leverage, both of which can cause over-pricing. Research limitations/implications - Although the analysis is limited to equity markets, the findings should stimulate further research on the relationship between derivatives and asset pricing. Theoretically, derivative prices should be a function of asset prices, but it could be argued that the relationship is symbiotic. Practical implications - The findings may impact policy makers in establishing regulations regarding the use of derivatives. Moreover, asset managers may be able to better detect conditions of over-pricing. Originality/value - The paper demonstrates the important role of derivative securities in market prices.
An ITIL based ITSM practice: A case study of steel manufacturing enterprise

IT service management has attracted extensively attention in worldwide and the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) provides clarity to IT Service Management (ITSM) and its processes. This paper summarizes the practical process to implement the ITSM in one of steel manufacturing corporations. ITSM implementation in this steel manufacturing firm experiences the following 4 cores: service strategy, service design, service transition, service operations and continual service improvement. In this paper we only report the service strategy process in its ITSM implementation. The service strategy in this firm consists of four parts: Resource Configuration, Change Management, Accident Management and Release Management. To effectively assessing the service strategy performance, the firm has designed the evaluating indicators for each strategic component.
The Use of Local Sustainability Indicators: case studies in two Swedish municipalities1

This article contributes to the debate on the role of local sustainability indicators in ongoing democratisation efforts. We examine the extent to which five different systems of local sustainability indicators within two Swedish municipalities—Stockholm and Sundsvall—are either expert or citizen oriented, and relate these findings to the indicator systems' profile, function and political/ administrative context. Even though three of the indicator systems can be classified as citizen oriented, there are few signs of true engagement and dialogue with the citizens over a longer period of time. The remaining two indicator systems are expert oriented with an environmental focus. Hence, we conclude that the systems in use are largely symbolic responses to the demands for democracy within the agenda for sustainable development albeit attempts to include environmental, economic, social and democratic perspectives of sustainability. Despite the fact that Stockholm and Sundsvall show differences in governing styles in their approaches to sustainability indicators it seems difficult for both municipalities to put sustainable development into practice in terms of citizen participation.
Iteration Method for Simultaneous Estimation of Vertical Profiles of Air Temperature and Water Vapor with AQUA/AIRS Data

Iteration method for simultaneous estimation of vertical profiles of air temperature and water vapor with the high spectral resolution of sounder of AQUA/AIRS data is proposed. Through a sensitivity analysis based on the proposed method for the several atmospheric models simulated by MODTRAN, it is found that the proposed method is superior to the conventional method by 41.4% for air temperature profile and by 88.9% for relative humidity profile.
Radioimmunoassay of human plasma Lp(a) lipoprotein.

A quantitative immunodiffusion assay demonstrated Lp(a) lipoprotein in 91% (911 of 1000) of subjects. In order to quantitate Lp(a) in all plasma, a sensitive and specific double antibody radioimmunoassay was developed. The between-assay coefficient of variation was 8%. Lp(a) levels by radioimmunoassay were highly correlated with those obtained by the less sensitive radial immunodiffusion method (r = 0.98, n = 51). All but one of the 89 Lp(a) "negative" subjects by immunodiffusion had detectable levels of Lp(a) by radioimmunoassay. The one subject without detectable Lp(a) had abetalipoproteinemia (without detectable apolipoprotein B by radioimmunoassay). Furthermore, Lp(a) was detected in all three non-human primates examined: patas monkey, baboon, and pig-tail monkey. Quantitation of Lp(a) levels in 90 male myocardial infarction (MI) survivors and their spouses showed that the distribution of Lp(a) levels of MI survivors was significantly higher above the 50th percentile cut-point (P < 0.02) and exceeded that of the spouses. Furthermore, the Lp(a) distribution at and above the 50th percentile for the MI survivors who had an MI at age <50 (n = 36) was shifted to values higher than those having an MI at age >50. Thus, high levels of Lp(a) may be associated with premature coronary disease. We conclude that Lp(a) is present in all individuals with apolipoprotein B and that apolipoprotein B appears necessary for the plasma transport of the Lp(a) lipoprotein. Consistent with this hypothesis, quantitative immunochemical precipitation of (125)I-Lp(a) indicated that essentially all individual molecules of six purified Lp(a) preparations contain both the Lp(a) antigen and apolipoprotein B.
Traversal-Free Word Vector Evaluation in Analogy Space

In this paper, we propose an alternative evaluating metric for word analogy questions (A to B is as C to D) in word vector evaluation. Different from the traditional method which predicts the fourth word by the given three, we measure the similarity directly on the “relations” of two pairs of given words, just as shifting the relation vectors into a new analogy space. Cosine and Euclidean distances are then calculated as measurements. Observation and experiments shows the proposed analogy space evaluation could offer a more comprehensive evaluating result on word vectors with word analogy questions. Meanwhile, computational complexity are remarkably reduced by avoiding traversing the vocabulary.
American Options in Levy Models With Stochastic Interest Rate of CIR-Type

A general numerical method for pricing American options in regime switching jump diffusion models of stock dynamics with stochastic interest rates and/or volatility is developed. Time derivative and infinitesimal generator of the process for factors that determine the dynamics of the interest rate and/or volatility are discretized. The result is a sequence of embedded perpetual options in a Markov-modulated Levy model. Options in this sequence are solved using an iteration method based on the Wiener-Hopf factorization. As an application, an explicit algorithm for the case of interest rate driven by the square root process with embedded jumps is derived. Numerical examples show that fairly accurate results can be obtained in reasonable time. It is shown that the shape of the early exercise boundary strongly depends on the sign of the leverage parameter.
Monoclonal antibodies to LipL32 protect against heterologous Leptospira spp. challenge.

A non-culture-based leptospirosis vaccine that cross-protects against infection caused by heterologous Leptospira spp. should replace the currently available products, which are qualitatively and quantitatively inadequate. With that in mind, two murine hybridomas secreting monoclonal antibodies (MAb) binding only to homogenates of pathogenic Leptospira spp. , and not of the saprophytic L. biflexa, serogroup Patoc, serovar Patoc, were produced. The MAbs of both clones neutralized Leptospira-mediated human red blood cell lysis in vitro and rescued hamsters from lethal infection with heterologous Leptospira spp. The orthologous Leptospira spp. protein carrying the MAb epitope(s) was identified by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE)-based proteomics and database search. The epitopes of the MAbs were located on the major outer membrane protein LipL32 of the pathogenic Leptospira spp. The MAbs in their humanized version are potential leptospirosis immunotherapeutics. They are also suitable as detection reagents in antigen-based assays for the rapid diagnosis of leptospirosis. Recombinant LipL32 is a good candidate for a broad spectrum, non-culture-based leptospirosis vaccine.
Combination of Genomic and Proteomic Approaches to Characterize the Symbiotic Population of the Banana Aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

ABSTRACT Aphids are known to live in symbiosis with specific bacteria called endosymbionts that have positive or negative impacts on their hosts. In this study, six banana aphid (Pentalonia nigronervosa Coquerel) strains from various geographical origins (Gabon, Madagascar, and Burundi) were screened to determine their symbiotic content, using complementary genomic (16S rDNA sequencing and specific polymerase chain reaction) and proteomic (two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis coupled with protein identification by matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry) approaches. Despite the geographical heterogeneity, the combined methods allowed us to identify the same two symbionts in the six aphids strains tested: Buchnera aphidicola and Wolbachia. Although B. aphidicola is found in almost all aphid species, the systematic presence of Wolbachia in banana aphids is particularly interesting, as this bacterium usually has a low prevalence in aphid species. Phylogenetic analyses showed that the Wolbachia sp. strain found in P. nigronervosa was very similar to the strain present in aphids of the genus Cinara, known to have developed a strong and long-term symbiotic association with Wolbachia. The high level of asexual reproduction in P. nigronervosa could be linked to the presence of Wolbachia, but its prevalence also suggests that this symbiotic bacterium could play a more essential role in its aphid host.
Neotropical Anachronisms: The Fruits the Gomphotheres Ate

Frugivory by extinct horses, gomphotheres, ground sloths, and other Pleistocene megafauna offers a key to understanding certain plant reproductive traits in Central American lowland forests. When over 15 genera of Central American large herbivores became extinct roughly 10,000 years ago, seed dispersal and subsequent distributions of many plant species were altered. Introduction of horses and cattle may have in part restored the local ranges of such trees as jicaro (Crescentia alata) and guanacaste (Enterolobium cyclocarpum) that had large mammals as dispersal agents. Plant distributions in neotropical forest and grassland mixes that are moderately and patchily browsed by free-ranging livestock may be more like those before megafaunal extinction than were those present at the time of Spanish conquest.
Effects of consumer preferences on the convergence of mobile telecommunications devices

Amidst the overall trend of convergence in information technology, device convergence is noteworthy. This study looks at the possible direction of device convergence based on consumer preferences for the main attributes of the mobile terminal of the future. Conjoint analysis and a mixed logit model using a Bayesian approach with Gibbs sampling are used to learn consumer preferences. Results show that consumers generally prefer a keyboard and a medium-sized display, although at present most consumers are indifferent to whether the terminal provides high-quality Internet service and to whether it operates many kinds of application programs or programs originally designed for personal computers. Given the heterogeneity of consumer preferences, partial, rather than perfect, device convergence is anticipated. Implications for the future of device convergence and how it will affect other types of convergence are drawn.
Absolute measurements of optical oscillator strengths of noble-gas resonance lines.

We have remeasured the optical oscillator strengths of eight noble-gas resonance lines in the vacuum-ultraviolet region. The measurements use a 900-eV collimated electron beam to excite the atoms, and the transmission of the emitted radiation is measured as a function of the gas density. In the method of self-absorption used here, the measured oscillator strengths are proportional to the distance between the electron beam and the fixed aperture of the spectrometer-detector system. We investigated and eliminated a possible systematic effect in the determination of the absorption length due to deflections of the electron beam. These measurements are performed at higher energies than our previous experiments at 100 eV in order to keep the electron-beam path better defined and aligned with the electron-gun apertures. The measured absolute oscillator strengths are He I (58.4 nm), 0.2700\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.0076 (2.8%); He I (53.7 nm), 0.0737\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.0023 (3.1%); Ne I (74.4 nm), 0.010 95\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.000 32 (2.9%); Ne I (73.6 nm), 0.1432\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.0038 (2.6%); Ar I (106.7 nm), 0.0580\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.0017 (2.9%); Ar I (104.8 nm), 0.2214\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.0068 (3.1%); Kr I (123.6 nm), 0.1775\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.0050 (2.8%); and Kr I (116.5 nm), 0.1416\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.0041 (2.9%).
Polymers for Induction of Revascularization in the Rat Fascial Flap: Application of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Pancreatic Islet Cells

One of the major obstacles in transplanting avascular tissue or metabolically active cells for ischemic diseases is the loss of transplanted cells due to lack of oxygen and nutrients in the early posttransplantation period. Biodegradable polymeric tissue engineering scaffolds and hydrogels have a potential to incorporate cells or cellular organoids such as islets of Langerhans and growth factors. In this study, we tested the efficiency of two types of polymeric materials to carry recombinant human vascular endothelial growth factor (rhVEGF) or pancreatic tumor cell lines, namely Ins-1 and AR42J, for the induction of new vessels. Chitosan hydrogel fibers with micropores were prepared and molded into a cylinder construct (5 mm φ 8 mm height). Macroporous PLGA scaffolds with a pore size of 250–400 μm were prepared and cut into cylinders (6 mm φ 3 mm height). Both chitosan and PLGA constructs were loaded with rhVEGF (3 μg) or seeded with the cell lines (5 × 105 cells and 3 × 105 cells/construct, respectively, for AR42J and INS-1 cells), and transplanted into the fascial flaps of Wistar rats. At distinct time points up to 4 weeks postimplantation, polymers were explanted, fixed, and vessel density was counted on sections stained with anti-Factor-VIII antibody. Additionally, the kinetics of rhVEGF release from PLGA microspheres (φ of 50–80 μm) was determined using VEGF Elisa. Endogenous VEGF release from pancreatic rat cell lines was also determined. Light microscopy study was performed on H&E-stained paraffin sections of the islet-polymer samples. The vascular density of rhVEGF-loaded chitosan constructs was increased fourfold 2 weeks after subcutaneous transplantation compared with rhVEGF-unloaded controls (465 ± 144 vs. 104 ± 80 vessels per mm2, p < 0.05). Protein leakage occurred, but was not observed after 2 weeks. Higher insulin content was detected in rat islet grafts transplanted following VEGF application. More than 50% of total rhVEGF was released on the first day of in vitro culture of PLGA microspheres. rhVEGF secretion had another, but smaller, peak on the third day followed by a constant release. By comparison, endogeneous VEGF secretion of pancreatic tumor cells was measured within a 3-day culture period. Biodegradable polymer scaffolds and hydrogels may have potential use as solid supports to induce angiogenesis for pancreatic cell transplantation.
Assurance complète, hétérogénéité des préférences et métayage au Pakistan

Most of the empirical tests reject the complete markets hypothesis, but have serious methodological problems concerning the identification of preferences, the direction of the tests and their power. We study the risk sharing and consumption insurance achieved by rural households from three provinces of Pakistan dealing with these methodological problems and taking into account that preferences are heterogeneous. At last, we show that in Pakistan, agricultural contracts play an important role in risk sharing when markets are incomplete since households able to use sharecropping contracts, which permits to share production risks, are better insured.
Low voltage tunneling in ultra-thin oxides: a monitor for interface states and degradation

In this paper we report data on NMOS devices with ultra thin oxide (t/sub ox/=2 nm) and heavily doped substrates, showing, for the first time, that the gate current, for very low biases (-|V/sub FB/|<V/sub G/<0) cannot be explained by direct tunneling, but features an additional component which we attribute to gate electron tunneling into the anode interface states. Comparing measurements with simulations it is shown that this extra current can be used to estimate the interface states (D/sub it/) and to monitor oxide degradation in ultra thin oxides where the traditional stress induced leakage current due to bulk traps (SILC) is not detectable.
How Many Currencies in SAARC Countries?: A Multivariate Structural VAR Approach

This paper examines whether or not the South Asian Association Regional Cooperation (SAARC), can introduce a single currency across the region. A four-variable structural vector autoregressive (SVAR) model is used to identify the underlying shocks and to examine the correlation in shocks for a specified sample period of 1974–2010. The results show asymmetric correlations among domestic shocks, which do not suggest forming a common currency area across the region. The paper also finds lower factor mobility; lower degree of intra-regional trades, and lack of political cooperation, suggesting the SAARC countries are not yet ready to introduce a common currency.
Cognition- and Affect-Based Trust and Feedback-Seeking Behavior: The Roles of Value, Cost, and Goal Orientations

ABSTRACT We examined how subordinates’ cognition- and affect-based trust in supervisors influences their feedback-seeking behavior (FSB) by considering the different cost/value perception of FSB and goal orientation (i.e., learning and performance goal orientations). Using data from 194 supervisor-subordinate dyads in South Korea, we conducted multiple regression analyses to test our hypotheses. The results showed that, whereas subordinates’ cognition-based trust in supervisors positively influenced their FSB through increasing the perceived value of feedback received from supervisors, their affect-based trust in supervisors positively influenced their FSB through decreasing the perceived value of FSB. Additionally, we found that, when subordinates had high levels of learning goal orientation, the increasing influence of cognition-based trust on the value of feedback was stronger; in contrast, when subordinates had low levels of performance goal orientation, the decreasing influence of affect-based trust on the cost of FSB was stronger. The theoretical and practical implications, limitations, and suggestions for future research were discussed.
Innervation of the Cochlea of the Guinea Pig by Use of the Golgi Stain

Nerve fibers with distinctive branching patterns have been demonstrated in guinea pigs by use of the Golgi stain. The cochlear nerve fibers in the basal turn tend to supply a limited segment of the basilar membrane and have most endings on a single row of hair cells. The efferent olivocochlear nerve fibers ramify in a manner which varies from base to apex. Some efferents which terminate on outer hair cells also give branches which course in the inner spiral bundle. Other nerve fibers were studied in the spiral lamina which did not penetrate into the organ of Corti.
Threshold Yoking/Grouping Proofs Based on CP-ABE for IoT Applications

The Internet of Things (IoT) introduces a new vision in which objects are connected to the network. This paradigm is receiving much attention of the scientific community and it is applied in many fields. In some cases, it is useful to prove that a number of objects are simultaneously present in a group. For instance, a client might want to authorize NFC payment with his mobile only if k of his devices are present to ensure that he is the right person. This principle is known as yoking/grouping Proofs. However, existing grouping schemes are mostly designed for RFID systems and don't fulfill the IoT characteristics. In this paper, we tackle this issue and propose a threshold yoking/grouping proof for IoT applications. Our scheme uses the Ciphertext-Policy Attribut-Based Encryption (CP-ABE) protocol to encrypt a message so that it can be decrypted only if at least k nodes are simultaneously present. A security analysis and performance evaluation is conducted to show the effectivenesses of our proposal solution.