Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
SKEWNESS PREFERENCE AND THE VALUATION OF RISK ASSETS

contributions to portfolio analysis have been based on the two parameter (meanvariance) model of portfolio selection. Markowitz's normative theory provides the basis for the positive theory of the valuation of risk assets developed by Sharpe [38] and Lintner [27]. The two parameter capital asset pricing model has been subject to numerous applications including performance measurement, tests of security market efficiency and corporation finance. ' Recently, Friend and Blume [15], Black, Jensen and Scholes [5], Miller and Scholes [31], Fama and MacBeth [14], and Blume and Friend [8] have published empirical results which are inconsistent with the traditional form of the SharpeLintner model. These studies suggest that the slope of the capital asset pricing model is lower and the intercept higher than predicted by the traditional theory. Using the Cass-Stiglitz [10] observation that the entire mean variance frontier may be generated by linear combinations of any frontier portfolios, Vasicek [41] and Black [6] show that these empirical results are consistent with capital market equilibrium in the absence of borrowing. Unfortunately, the Vasicek-Black modification results in a weaker positive theory since neither the magnitude of the slope nor the magnitude of the intercept of their capital market model is predicted. Brennan [9] shows that under divergent borrowing and lending rates the modified capital asset pricing model predicts that the intercept is bounded by the borrowing and lending rates and, equivalently, that the slope is bounded by the difference between the market's expected rate of return and the lending rate, and the difference between the market's expected rate of return and the borrowing rate. Although Friend and Blume interpret their empirical results as consistent with a mean variance model under divergent borrowing and lending rates, the Black, Jensen and Scholes' empirical results appear to be inconsistent with the predictions of the Brennan modification since the intercept exceeds the borrowing rate. The present paper extends the capital asset pricing model to incorporate the
Reducing the burden of US GAAP reconciliations by foreign companies listed in the United States: the key question of materiality

The European Commission has long been concerned over the extensive disclosures required by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in form 20-F. As the IASC moves towards completing its core standards programme to the satisfaction of IOSCO, the debate has centred around the likelihood of its acceptance by the SEC. This paper examines aspects of the reconciliations to US GAAP, provided by UK registrant companies, and proposes an approach of selective disclosure focusing on material items. We find that goodwill was the dominant adjustment prior to the implementation of FRS 10. When goodwill is excluded there were on average 4.9 adjustments to net income and 5.8 adjustments to shareholders' equity per company reporting. Defining materiality as 10% or more of the reported US net income or shareholders' equity and disregarding immaterial items reduces these to an average of only 1.6 adjustments to the income statement and 0.6 adjustments to shareholders' equity per company. We find that the majority of adjusting items in the reconciliations are not material, adding weight to arguments opposed to the reconciliation requirements. We consider the possibility of a more focused disclosure requirement for foreign companies reporting to the SEC.
Boosting a weak learning algorithm by majority

Abstract We present an algorithm for improving the accuracy of algorithms for learning binary concepts. The improvement is achieved by combining a large number of hypotheses, each of which is generated by training the given learning algorithm on a different set of examples. Our algorithm is based on ideas presented by Schapire and represents an improvement over his results, The analysis of our algorithm provides general upper bounds on the resources required for learning in Valiant′s polynomial PAC learning framework, which are the best general upper bounds known today. We show that the number of hypotheses that are combined by our algorithm is the smallest number possible. Other outcomes of our analysis are results regarding the representational power of threshold circuits, the relation between learnability and compression, and a method for parallelizing PAC learning algorithms. We provide extensions of our algorithms to cases in which the concepts are not binary and to the case where the accuracy of the learning algorithm depends on the distribution of the instances.
A Simplified Spinal-Like Controller Facilitates Muscle Synergies and Robust Reaching Motions

We develop an adaptive controller for multi-joint, multi-muscle arm movements based on simplified spinal-like circuits found in the periphery, muscle synergies, and interpretations of gain-field projections from reach related neurons in the Superior Colliculus. The resulting innovation provides a highly robust sensory based controller that can be adapted to systems which require multi-muscle co-ordination. It provides human-like responses during perturbations elicited either internally or by the environment and for simple point-to-point reaching. We simulate limb motion and EMGs in Simulink using Virtual Muscle models and a variety of paradigms, including motion with external perturbations, and varying levels of antagonist muscle co-contractions. The results show that the system can exhibit smooth coordinated motions, without explicit kinematic or dynamic planning even in the presence of perturbations. In addition, we show by varying the level of muscle co-contractions from 0% to 40%, that the effects of external perturbations on joint trajectories can be reduced by up to 42%. The improved controller design is novel providing robust behavior during dynamic events and an automatic adaptive response from sensory-integration.
Enzymatic Thioxyloside Synthesis: Characterization of Thioglycoligase Variants Identified from A Site‐Saturation Mutagenesis Library of Bacillus Circulans Xylanase

Thioglycoligases are engineered enzymes for the synthesis of thioglycosides that are derived from retaining glycosidases by replacing the acid/base catalyst. The optimal choice of substitution for the acid/base mutant is currently unknown, so to investigate this question a complete acid/base library of the model glycosidase Bacillus circulans xylanase (Bcx) was generated by using site‐saturation mutagenesis. A novel screening approach combining active site titration with semiquantitative product analysis by thin layer chromatography was established and used to evaluate specific activities of each mutant enzyme within crude cell lysates. The six most active Bcx variants were analyzed in more detail, a pH optimum of 8.5 was established and the identity of reaction products was confirmed. Optimal choices for substitution were small, preferably polar amino acids such as threonine, cysteine, and serine. We discuss the resultant data in the context of previously published studies on thioglycoligases.
6-Nitrobenzimidazolium dihydrogen phosphate 6-nitrobenzimidazole solvate dihydrate

In the crystal structure of the title compound, C7H6N3O2 +·H2PO4 −·C7H5N3O2·2H2O, the components are connected through O—H⋯O, N—H⋯O and O—H⋯N hydrogen-bonding interactions, forming a sheet-like structure parallel to (101). Adjacent sheets are further linked together by strong O—H⋯O hydrogen-bonds involving the dihydrogenphosphate groups. π–π stacking interactions between neighbouring aromatic constituents [centroid–centroid distance 3.653 (3) Å] help to consolidate the crystal packing.
Rethinking EU Studies: The Contribution of Comparative Regionalism

Abstract This article introduces the special issue on the contribution of comparative regionalism/regional integration studies to the rethinking of EU studies. It sets out what we consider to be a danger for EU studies, namely its tendency towards introversion, and argue for a sustained engagement with the studies of other global regions as a means to avoid this. We draw on political science and psychology to set out a suitable framework for comparing global regions such as the EU, and show how the various contributions to the special issue demonstrate the utility for EU studies scholars of a more sustained, and more routinised, engagement with the work on ‘new regionalism’.
NEURAL FILTERING TECHNIQUE FORENHANCING DIGITAL IMAGES

A new image enhancement technique proposed in this paper. The proposed neural filter is carried out in two stages. In first stage the corrupted image is filtered by applying a special class of multistate switching median filter. The filtered image output multistate switching median filter is suitably combined with a feed forward neural network in the second stage. The internal parameters of the feed forward neural network are adaptively optimized by training for three well known images. This is quite effective in eliminating impulse noise. Simulation results show that the proposed filter is superior in terms of eliminating impulse noise as well as preserving edges and the results are compared with other existing conventional filters and neural filters.
The effect of DN (dominant-negative) Ku70 and reoxygenation on hypoxia cell-kill: Evidence of hypoxia-induced potentially lethal damage

Purpose: To study the effect of DN (dominant-negative) Ku70 and reoxygenation on the hypoxia-induced cell-kill. Materials and methods: Cell lines were human colorectal carcinoma HCT8 and HT29 cells and their respective derivatives, v-HCT8 and v-HT29 infected with DNKu70-containing adenovirus. Cells were plated in glass tubes and made hypoxic by flushing N2 gas containing 0, 0.1 or 0.5% O2. Cell survival was determined by colony formation assay immediately after 0–96 h hypoxia. To reoxygenate medium were replaced fresh following 48 or 72 h in hypoxia and cells were incubated in aerobic environment for 2–24 h before survival assay. Results: When incubated in hypoxia, cells lost reproductive capability ∼ exponentially as a function of time in hypoxia, and depending on the O2 concentration. DNKu70 rendered cells more prone to hypoxia-induced cell-kill. Following reoxygenation cell survival increased rapidly but without detectable cell proliferation during first 24 hours. This evinced hypoxia-induced potentially lethal damage (PLD) that was repairable upon reoxygenation. DNKu70 did not significantly inhibit this repair. Conclusion: Hypoxia-induced cell lethality was facilitated by DNKu70, but substantially repaired upon reoxygenation. This may have negative impact on the effect of reoxygenation in cancer therapy.
Educational Expansion and Schooling Inequality: International Evidence and Some Implications

Fairly recent data for about one hundred countries indicate that as the average level of schooling increases, educational inequality first increases and, after reaching a peak, starts declining in later phases of educational expansion. The turning point occurs when average schooling is about seven years. The observed empirical generalization, which seems quite robust, appears to have important implications for educational and distributional policies and for research on the linkage between education and income inequality. Copyright 1990 by MIT Press.
Facing the Reality: Validation of Energy Saving Mechanisms on a Testbed

Two energy saving approaches, called Fixed Upper Fixed Lower (FUFL) and Dynamic Upper Fixed Lower (DUFL), switching off idle optical Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) interfaces during low traffic periods, have been implemented on a testbed. We show on a simple network scenario that energy can be saved using off-the-shelf equipment not explicitly designed for dynamic on/off operation. No packet loss is experienced in our experiments. We indicate the need for faster access to routers in order to perform the reconfiguration. This is particularly important for the more sophisticated energy saving approaches such as DUFL, since FUFL can be implemented locally.
Control of direct driven fractional slot concentrated wound-IPMSG for variable speed wind energy system

Fractional slot concentrated wound-interior permanent magnet synchronous generators (FSCW IPMSG) have potential for wind power generation application because of their high power density, high efficiency, compactness and low cogging torque. This paper evaluates the dynamic performances of a FSCW IPMSG when operated below and over the rated speed. The existing vector current control strategy developed based on distributed-wound PM machine was found to be sufficient for this evaluation. It was found that introduction of decoupling voltage compensation improves the current response at the above rated speed operation. The experimental validation was carried out using a 4 kW prototype FSCW IPMSG, which was driven by a maximum power point tracking wind turbine emulator.
Enforced Expression of Gata3 in T Cells and Group 2 Innate Lymphoid Cells Increases Susceptibility to Allergic Airway Inflammation in Mice

Airway inflammation in allergic asthma reflects a threshold response of the innate immune system, including group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2), followed by an adaptive Th2 cell–mediated response. Transcription factor Gata3 is essential for differentiation of both Th2 cells and ILC2. We investigated the effects of enforced Gata3 expression in T cells and ILC2 on the susceptibility of mice to allergic airway inflammation (AAI). We used CD2-Gata3 transgenic (Tg) mice with enforced Gata3 expression driven by the CD2 promoter, which is active both in T cells and during ILC2 development. CD2-Gata3 Tg mice and wild-type (WT) littermates were analyzed in mild models of AAI without adjuvants. Whereas OVA allergen exposure did not induce inflammation in WT controls, CD2-Gata3 Tg mice showed clear AAI and enhanced levels of IL-5 and IL-13 in bronchoalveolar lavage. Likewise, in house dust mite–driven asthma, CD2-Gata3 Tg mice were significantly more susceptible to AAI than WT littermates, whereby both ILC2 and Th2 cells were important cellular sources of IL-5 and IL-13 in bronchoalveolar lavage and lung tissue. Compared with WT littermates, CD2-Gata3 Tg mice contained increased numbers of ILC2, which expressed high levels of IL-33R and contributed significantly to early production of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13. CD2-Gata3 Tg mice also had a unique population of IL-33–responsive non-B/non-T lymphoid cells expressing IFN-γ. Enforced Gata3 expression is therefore sufficient to enhance Th2 and ILC2 activity, and leads to increased susceptibility to AAI after mild exposure to inhaled harmless Ags that otherwise induce Ag tolerance.
L‐Arginine Protects Against Stress‐Induced Gastric Mucosal Lesions By Preserving Gastric Mucus

1. We have shown that exogenously administered L‐arginine protects against water immersion restraint (WIR) stress‐induced gastric mucosal lesions in rats through preservation of nitric oxide (NO) generation via constitutive nitric oxide synthase (cNOS), but not inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), in the gastric mucosa. We have also indicated that impaired gastric mucus synthesis and secretion occur through a decrease in gastric cNOS activity in WIR‐stressed rats. Therefore, in the presesnt study, we examined whether exogenously administered L‐arginine exerts a protective effect against WIR stress‐induced gastric mucosal lesions in rats through preservation of gastric mucus synthesis and secretion by NO generated from the administered amino acid via cNOS in the gastric mucosa.
Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 Opposes Shh-mediated Proliferation in Cerebellar Granule Cells through a TIEG-1-based Regulation of Nmyc*

Nmyc is a potent regulator of cell cycle in cerebellar granular neuron precursors (CGNPs) and has been proposed to be the main effector of Shh (Sonic hedgehog) proliferative activity. Nmyc ectopic expression is sufficient to promote cell autonomous proliferation and can lead to tumorigenesis. Bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) antagonizes Shh proliferative effect by promoting cell cycle exit and differentiation in CGNPs. Here we report that BMP2 opposes Shh mitogenic activity by blocking Nmyc expression. We have identified TIEG-1 (KLF10) as the intermediary factor that blocks Nmyc expression through the occupancy of the Sp1 sites present in its promoter. We also demonstrate that TIEG-1 ectopic expression in CGNPs induces cell cycle arrest that can lead to apoptosis but fails to promote differentiation. Moreover, TIEG-1 synergizes with BMP2 activity to terminally differentiate CGNPs and independent differentiator signals such as dibutyryl cAMP and prevents apoptosis in TIEG-1 arrested cells. All together, these data strongly suggest that the BMP2 pathway triggers cell cycle exit and differentiation as two separated but coordinated processes, where TIEG-1 acts as a mediator of the cell cycle arrest.
Predicting the Global Crisis Recovery Period: Lessons from the 1997 Crisis

Abstract The objective of this paper is to identify the best indicator in forecasting the recovery period from the current global crisis for Malaysia. Initially, to determine the best indicator for the recovery period, we construct a simple forecasting model that incorporates three indicators: lagging, leading and coincidence indices, with two proxies of economic performance, macroeconomic and financial variables. We estimate a two-variable vector error correction model (VECM) using monthly and quarterly data covering the period 1980 to 2000. We alternate between the three indicators and we evaluate each model using out-of-sample forecast. Using the results of the initial process of analysis, we predict the recovery period of Malaysian economy from the current global economic crisis. It is found that lagging index is the best indicator of financial performance of the economy. From the half-life calculation base on error correction term, the study found that Malaysia was able to recover from the previous 1997 crisis within a two to four year period after the crisis. Given that the current crisis environment is similar to the previous 1997 crisis, a similar time period could apply to the current global crisis recovery.
Innovation and Market Structure

IN A recent article in this Journal, Edwin Mansfield presented the innovation histories of the iron and steel, petroleum refining, and bituminous coal industries and ingeniously interpreted the data using a series of statistical models.2 Among the questions that he investigated is the following: What factors influence the proportion of innovations that will be introduced by the four largest firms in an industry? The present analysis raises a somewhat different but related question: What factors influence the relative proportion of innovations (that is, proportion of innovations in relation to market share) that will be introduced by the four largest firms? Formulating the question in this way permits us to focus directly on the issue of how monopoly power affects the relative contributions of these largest firms. I
Pricing and hedging index options under stochastic volatility: an empirical examination

An empirical examination of the pricing and hedging performance of a stochastic volatility (SV) model with closed form solution (Heston 1993) is provided for options on the S&P 500 index in which the unobservable time varying volatility is jointly estimated with the time invariant parameters of the model. Although, out-of-sample, the mean absolute pricing error in the SV model is always lower than in the Black-Scholes model, still substantial mispricings are observed for deep out-of-the-money options. The degree of mispricing in different options classes is related to bid-ask spreads on options and options trading volume after controlling for moneyness and maturity biases. Taking into account the transactions costs (bid-ask spreads) in the options market and using S&P 500 futures to hedge, it is found that the stochastic volatility model yields lower variance for a minimum variance hedge portfolio than the Black-Scholes model for most classes of options and the differences in variances are statistically significant.
Acquired flatfoot deformity secondary to dysfunction of the tibialis posterior tendon.

The authors present an overview of currently available data relating to acquired dysfunction of the tibialis posterior tendon (TPT). This condition has only gained wide recognition over the past twenty years, although isolated cases had been reported much earlier. They describe the anatomy of the tendon and its complex distal insertions, together with particular features of the vascularisation and histology of the retromalleolar portion of the tendon. They analyse the biomechanical role of the TPT under normal conditions and the mechanism of the foot deformities that occur secondary to acquired dysfunction of the tendon. A number of theories have been suggested to explain the occurrence of acquired TPT dysfunction, such as degenerative tendinosis, chronic inflammation, retromalleolar impingement, hypovascularity. Most cases are not linked to any specific aetiological factor and are therefore termed 'idiopathic. Several classification schemes have been proposed, based on MRI findings or clinical presentation. In the latter classification, stage I is characterised by medial pain without any clinical or radiological deformities; in stage II, with elongation of the TPT, pain is present medially and/or laterally, with a pes planovalgus deformity that remains flexible; the deformity becomes fixed and irreducible in stage III and stage IV is the end stage, with osteoarthritis of the ankle. The diagnosis is essentially clinical, with the too many toes sign, a positive single-heel rise test together with medial pain and swelling and weakness of ankle inversion. Plain radiographs are useful to rule out any concomitant abnormalities; various methods have been proposed to quantify the flatfoot deformities on weight-bearing radiographs. Ultrasound and MRI may be useful to assess tendon pathology. Conservative treatment (rest, orthoses, shoe modifications; NSAIDs) may alleviate symptoms in patients with minimal deformity but is not effective in cases with advanced pathological changes. Surgical treatment is therefore often necessary but controversy persists with regard to which technique or combination of techniques is preferable. Stage I is an indication for synovectomy, possibly combined with repair of the deltoid ligament and augmentation of the TPT with soft tissue transfer from the flexor digitorum longus, the flexor hallucis longus or the anterior tibialis tendon. Treatment of stage II is controversial; the current trend is to combine tendon transfer with a joint-sparing bony operation such as a lateral column lengthening procedure or a medial translational osteotomy of the calcaneus. Subtalar, double or triple arthrodesis are the procedures of choice for stage III TPT dysfunction whereas tibiocalcaneal arthrodesis or pantalar fusion is the only remaining option in stage IV.
Assessing Attitudes toward Gay Marriage among Selected Christian Groups Using the Lost-Letter Technique

100 each envelopes were distributed to Christian church parking lots and general public parking lots Letters were addressed to either the “Gay Marriage Foundation” or to a neutral organization. Significantly more neutral letters (n = 75) were returned than “Gay Marriage Foundation” letters (n = 36) from both types of locations, but no differences were found for return rates. Gay marriage may be a controversial topic for people in this area of California. The limitations of the lost-letter technique prohibit fine distinctions; however, one may infer attitudes toward gay marriage may not be more negative among Christian church attendees than in the general public.