Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Monthly Estimates of U.S. Cross-Border Securities Positions

This paper reports monthly estimates of U.S. cross-border securities positions obtained by combining the (now) annual TIC surveys with monthly transactions data adjusted for various differences in the two reporting standards. Our approach is similar to that of Thomas, Warnock, and Wongswan (2004), but in addition to having a somewhat larger dataset we are able to make some simplifications to the numerical procedure used and we incorporate additional adjustments to the transactions data. This paper describes the procedure used and presents the monthly results. In addition, we discuss how the procedure can be extended to extrapolate holdings estimates beyond the most recent survey values. We focus primarily on U.S. liabilities to foreign holders, because more data is available than for U.S. claims, but we show how our methodology can be applied to U.S. claims as well. We also provide some guidance on how the changes in estimated holdings can be decomposed into flows, valuation changes, and other factors. Time series of estimates of holdings, by country, are available for download.
Broken Rotor Bar Fault Detection of IM Based on the Counter-Current Braking Method

This paper presents an improved method for the broken rotor bar detection in a squirrel-cage induction motor (IM). The method is based on the spectral analysis of the transient stator current signal during the counter-current braking (CCB). Contrary to the classical CCB, the proposed method results in the low braking current, which is a small fraction of the rated value and serves as a broken bar detection test signal only. This kind of the broken rotor bar fault diagnosis is independent of loading conditions and can be carried out even for a free shaft motor. The existence of spectral components in the low CCB current signal indicating the faulty conditions is first proven with the generalized theory of symmetrical components. The method is then verified via simulations, using an IM model based on the finite-element analysis and the magnetically coupled multiple circuits approach. Afterward, the experiments are performed, showing a good agreement with both the theoretical prediction and the simulation results, confirming the presence of the fault-induced components in the stator current spectra.
INFERENTIAL PROBLEMS FOR A CLASS OF DISCRETE-TIME HYBRID SYSTEMS PART II: STATE ESTIMATION

Abstract This paper, the second part of our three-part contribution, is concerned with state estimation in a discrete-time hybrid system model, described in Part I (Bhowal et al. , 2002). The original contributions of the paper are as follow. The observable dynamics, seen through a measurement restriction imposed on the system, is characterised in terms of measurability and distinguishability of transitions between activity states. Based on the characterisation, an algorithm, to construct an Observer for estimation of the current state of the overall system composed from its component models, is developed. The whole theory is illustrated with an example of a heating system explined in (Bhowal et al. , 2002). This methodology for state estimation is used in a companion paper Part III (Sarkar et al. , 2002) for solving the problem of fault diagnosis.
Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infection in breeding monkeys: detection and analysis of strain diversity by PCR

In the last three decades, several monkeys reared in outdoor/indoor–outdoor breeding colonies and cages of the Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, died of yersiniosis caused by Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, necessitating introduction of a method to detect the bacteria rapidly and thus allow preventive measures to be undertaken. A rapid nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for identification of Y. pseudotuberculosis in fecal samples and a random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)‐PCR approach for distinguishing between bacterial strains were therefore developed. Yersinia pseudotuberculosis isolates from monkey specimens were found to be classifiable into several types. To determine the source of infection, hundreds of fecal samples of wild rats, pigeons, and sparrows were collected from around the breeding colonies and cages, and subjected to PCR analyses. Yersinia pseudotuberculosis was detected in 1.7% of the fecal samples of wild rats. The DNA fingerprints of the bacteria revealed by RAPD‐PCR were the same as that of one strain isolated from macaques, suggesting the wild rat to be a possible source of infection.
Simulation and Analytical Approach to the Identification of Significant Factors

We develop our previous works concerning the identification of the collection of significant factors determining some, in general, nonbinary random response variable. Such identification is important, e.g., in biological and medical studies. Our approach is to examine the quality of response variable prediction by functions in (certain part of) the factors. The prediction error estimation requires some cross-validation procedure, certain prediction algorithm, and estimation of the penalty function. Using simulated data, we demonstrate the efficiency of our method. We prove a new central limit theorem for introduced regularized estimates under some natural conditions for arrays of exchangeable random variables.
A Critical Analysis of the Transaction Internet Protocol

Recently, the Transaction Internet Protocol (TIP) became an Internet standard. TIP is intended to facilitate electronic commerce transactions in which the customer may need to acquire a package of goods and services from several di erent enterprises, each enterprise having its own autonomous transaction processing system. TIP ensures transaction atomicity: either all enterprises commit the transaction or all enterprises abort it. Groups of enterprises planning to use TIP should be aware of its strengths and weaknesses for their application. Thus we provide a formal framework for reasoning about TIP's behavioural and performance properties. We discuss how TIP ts in to the broader transaction processing and e-commerce picture.
‘Bodily precision’: a predictive coding account of individual differences in interoceptive accuracy

Individuals differ in their awareness of afferent information from within their bodies, which is typically assessed by a heartbeat perception measure of ‘interoceptive accuracy’ (IAcc). Neural and behavioural correlates of this trait have been investigated, but a theoretical explanation has yet to be presented. Building on recent models that describe interoception within the free energy/predictive coding framework, this paper applies similar principles to IAcc, proposing that individual differences in IAcc depend on ‘precision’ in interoceptive systems, i.e. the relative weight accorded to ‘prior’ representations and ‘prediction errors’ (that part of incoming interoceptive sensation not accounted for by priors), at various levels within the cortical hierarchy and between modalities. Attention has the effect of optimizing precision both within and between sensory modalities. Our central assumption is that people with high IAcc are able, with attention, to prioritize interoception over other sensory modalities and can thus adjust the relative precision of their interoceptive priors and prediction errors, where appropriate, given their personal history. This characterization explains key findings within the interoception literature; links results previously seen as unrelated or contradictory; and may have important implications for understanding cognitive, behavioural and psychopathological consequences of both high and low interoceptive awareness. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Interoception beyond homeostasis: affect, cognition and mental health’.
The Home Bias in Equities and Distribution Costs

We show that including distribution costs into a general equilibrium model of international portfolio choice contributes to explaining the 'home bias' in international equity investment. Our model is able to replicate observed investment positions for a wide range of parameter values, even if agents have an incentive to hedge labor income risk by purchasing foreign equity. This is because the existence of a retail sector affects both the correlation of domestic returns with the domestic price level and the correlation between financial and nonfinancial income.
Image Mosaic Using Phase Correlation and Harris Operator Prof

Image mosaic is a technique used to stitch number of images taken sequentially when image capturing devices is not capable to accommodate within a single frame. In this project we intend to investigate one of the method for image mosaicing based on corner detection technique. The method which is used here makes use of Harris corner detection along with phase correlation algorithm, which is one of the well known techniques for corner detection and Normalized Cross-Correlation (NCC). The experimental results show that, this kind of approach reduces the mosaic time compared to SIFT (Shift-Invariant feature transform) algorithm and also gives better efficiency. Also we would like to increase an accuracy and reduce the time to mosaic the images by using Harris corner detection method along with phase correlation algorithm.
A five-gene based risk score with high prognostic value in colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most frequently occurring malignancies worldwide. The outcomes of patients with similar clinical symptoms or at similar pathological stages remain unpredictable. This inherent clinical diversity is most likely due to the genetic heterogeneity. The present study aimed to create a predicting tool to evaluate patient survival based on genetic profile. Firstly, three Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets (GSE9348, GSE44076 and GSE44861) were utilized to identify and validate differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in CRC. The GSE14333 dataset containing survival information was then introduced in order to screen and verify prognosis-associated genes. Of the 66 DEGs, the present study screened out 46 biomarkers closely associated to patient overall survival. By Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis, it was demonstrated that these genes participated in multiple biological processes which were highly associated with cancer proliferation, drug-resistance and metastasis, thus further affecting patient survival. The five most important genes, MET proto-oncogene, receptor tyrosine kinase, carboxypeptidase M, serine hydroxymethyltransferase 2, guanylate cyclase activator 2B and sodium voltage-gated channel a subunit 9 were selected by a random survival forests algorithm, and were further made up to a linear risk score formula by multivariable cox regression. Finally, the present study tested and verified this risk score within three independent GEO datasets (GSE14333, GSE17536 and GSE29621), and observed that patients with a high risk score had a lower overall survival (P<0.05). Furthermore, this risk score was the most significant compared with other predicting factors including age and American Joint Committee on Cancer stage, in the model, and was able to predict patient survival independently and directly. The findings suggest that this survival associated DEGs-based risk score is a powerful and accurate prognostic tool and is promisingly implemented in a clinical setting.
Informativeness ratings of messages created on an AAC processing prosthesis

Background: SentenceShaper ™ (SSR) is a computer program that supports spoken language production in aphasia by recording and storing the fragments that the user speaks into the microphone, making them available for playback and allowing them to be combined and integrated into larger structures (i.e., sentences and narratives). A prior study that measured utterance length and grammatical complexity in story‐plot narratives produced with and without the aid of SentenceShaper demonstrated an “aided effect” in some speakers with aphasia, meaning an advantage for the narratives that were produced with the support of this communication aid (Linebarger, Schwartz, Romania, Kohn, & Stephens, 2000). The present study deviated from Linebarger et al.'s methods in key respects and again showed aided effects of SentenceShaper in persons with aphasia. Aims: Aims were (1) to demonstrate aided effects in “functional narratives” conveying hypothetical real‐life situations from a first person perspective; (2) for the first time, to submit aided and spontaneous speech samples to listener judgements of informativeness; and (3) to produce preliminary evidence on topic‐specific carryover from SentenceShaper, i.e., carryover from an aided production to a subsequent unaided production on the same topic. Methods & Procedures: Five individuals with chronic aphasia created narratives on two topics, under three conditions: Unaided (U), Aided (SSR), and Post‐SSR Unaided (Post‐U). The 30 samples (5 participants, 2 topics, 3 conditions) were randomised and judged for informativeness by graduate students in speech‐language pathology. The method for rating was Direct Magnitude Estimation (DME). Outcomes & Results: Repeated measures ANOVAs were performed on DME ratings for each participant on each topic. A main effect of Condition was present for four of the five participants, on one or both topics. Planned contrasts revealed that the aided effect (SSR > U) was significant in each of these cases. For two participants, there was also topic‐specific carryover (Post‐U > U). Conclusions: Listeners judged functional narratives generated on SentenceShaper to be more informative than comparable narratives spoken spontaneously. This extends the evidence for aided effects of SentenceShaper. There was also evidence, albeit weaker, for topic‐specific carryover, suggesting that the program might be used effectively to practise for upcoming face‐to‐face interactions.
A Legal and Economic Assessment of European Takeover Regulation

Takeovers are one-off events, altering control and strategy within an organisation. But the chances of becoming the target of a bid, even where remote, daily influence corporate decision-making. Takeover rules are therefore central to company law and the balance of power among managers, shareholders and stakeholders alike. This study analyses the corporate governance drivers underpinning takeover bid regulations and assesses the implementation of the EU Directive on takeover bids and compares it with the legal framework of nine other major jurisdictions, including the US. It finds that similar rules have different effects depending on company-level and country-level characteristics and considers the use of modular legislation and optional provisions to cater for them.
Mathematical Models and Numerical Schemes for the Simulation of Human Phonation

Acoustic data has long been harvested in fundamental voice investigations since it is easily obtained using a microphone. However, acoustic signals alone do not reveal much about the complex interplay between sound waves, structural surface waves, mechanical vibrations, and fluid flow involved in phonation. Available high speed imaging techniques have over the past ten years provided a wealth of information about the mechanical deformation of the superior surface of the larynx during phonation. Time-resolved images of the inner structure of the deformable soft tissues are not yet feasible because of low temporal resolution (MRI and ultrasound) and x-ray dose-related hazards (CT and standard x- ray). One possible approach to circumvent these challenges is to use mathematical models that reproduce observable behavior such as phonation frequency, closed quotient, onset pressure, jitter, shimmer, radiated sound pressure, and airflow. Mathematical models of phonation range in complexity from systems with relatively small degrees of freedom (multi-mass models) to models based on partial differential equations (PDEs) mostly solved by finite element (FE) methods resulting in millions of degrees-of-freedom. We will provide an overview about the current state of mathematical models for the human phonation process, since they have served as valuable tools for providing insight into the basic mechanisms of phonation and may eventually be of sufficient detail and accuracy to allow surgical planning, diagnostics, and rehabilitation evaluations on an individual basis. Furthermore, we will also critically discuss these models w.r. t. the used geometry, boundary conditions, material properties, their verification, and reproducibility.
Corporate Governance in China: An Analysis of Ownership Changes after the 1997 Announcement

Ownership changes in state owned enterprises (SOEs) alter the ownership structure and in turn impact upon the corporate governance of the enterprises. Combined, these have been important considerations within the SOE reform process, particularly since the 1997 zhuada fangxiao commitment. The successful reform of SOEs is a significant factor in China's future economic prosperity and ability to contend with unemployment and social justice issues. Thus, the focus of this paper is firstly, the structure of ownership of publicly listed firms and secondly, the impact of ownership changes on SOEs in China immediately after the 1997 announcement. The study found that there were no dramatic ownership changes or state divestment of listed SOE firms immediately after the 1997 announcement, in the years 1997 to 2000. The ownership structures of publicly listed companies slowly changed as state holdings reduced and private ownership increased. The finding is that the state continues to hold a supermajority and is not relinquishing control of the publicly listed enterprises with any haste or priority, despite the announcement. The trend appears to be in the direction of decreasing state holdings, though at a relatively slow rate. There were very few fully privately owned publicly listed firms in China. The study identified 211 significant changes in the ownership structure of listed firms in the years 1997 to 2000. All of these changes involved the reduction of state holdings. The event study conducted in this analysis found that the market response to these changes is significant and positive. The results suggest that the market deems ownership change which reduces state holdings favorably and expects these changes to improve firm performance. Given that changes in ownership structure are found to be a decrease in state ownership, it is further posited that the market regards any ownership change that reduces state influence to be positive.
Realizable algebraic reynolds stress model for single phase and for multiphase turbulent flows

A direct numerical simulation (DNS) of the instantaneous Navier-Stokes equation and the continuity equation provides a means to understand low Reynolds number turbulent flows of single-phase, Newtonian fluids in simple geometries. The ensemble average of these two equations yields the unclosed RANS-equation and the average continuity equation. Clearly, an appropriate closure model for the Reynolds stress is needed to support simulations of the RANS-equation for high Reynolds number flows in complex geometries.
Cherry Picking in Cross-Border Acquisitions

This paper attempts to explain the tendency of foreign acquirers to choose better performing firms in emerging markets, which limits underperforming firms’ access to foreign capital. Using a simple law and finance model, we offer an explanation based on emerging countries’ weaker investor protection (IP) compared to acquirers’ home countries, predicting a positive relation between the gap in the strength of IP (between acquiring and target countries) and the intensity to cherry pick. To test this prediction, we identify among our sample countries 20 economies that enacted major corporate governance reforms (CGRs). These CGRs change the gap in IP between an acquirer and a target country in a staggered fashion, enabling us to estimate differences-in-differences. Estimation results reveal that cherry picking moderates after a target country undertakes a CGR, which narrows the IP gap. Conversely, cherry picking intensifies after an acquirer’s home country enacts a CGR, which enlarges the IP gap. These results imply emerging economies must strengthen investor protection if they want to increase underperforming firms’ access to foreign capital.
A Smooth Planar Walking Algorithm for Virtual Walking Machine (K-Walker)

This paper proposes a novel planar walking algorithm for the virtual walking machine that is a dual foot platform type locomotion interface. Unlike existing algorithms, the proposed algorithm utilizes a constraint relationship between two platforms as well as position control. Experiments on the VWM show that the proposed planar walking algorithm can generate straight and turning motions which are smoother, collision-free
XenCSA: cell surface antigens related to the major glycoproteins (gp70) of xenotropic murine leukemia viruses.

Antisera from rabbits immunized with rabbit corneal (SIRC) cells infected with xenotropic murine leukemia viruses (MuLV) were tested for their reactivity with MuLV and the surface of cells exogenously or endogenously infected with MuLV. The sera demonstrated class specificity for gp 70 determinants of intact xenotropic MuLV. Only molecules with characteristics of gp70 were precipitated out of radiolabeled antigens from the surface of cell lines exogenously infected with MuLV or from lymphocytes of normal mice. Cross-reactivity between virion envelope and cell surface antigens was demonstrated by absorption testing. The set of crossreactive antigens present on the envelopes of xenotropic MuLV and murine lymphocytes was termed XenCSA for xenotropic MuLV envelope-related cell surface antigen. XenCSA expression on thymocytes and spleen cells from 63 strains of inbred mice was assessed by immunofluorescence using flow microfluorometry. Lymphocytes from both tissues of all strains expressed XenCSA but to a highly variable extent. Based on mean fluorescence values, thymocytes and spleen cells from each strain were classified as being high or low for XenCSA. There was a high association for expression of XenCSA and GIX on thymocytes but no correlation with Fv-1, T1a, H-2, Pca-1, or GCSA. The level of XenCSA expressed on the cell surface was also independent of the amount of infectious xenotropic MuLV produced by those cells.
Autoradiographic localization of extrastriatal D2‐dopamine receptors in the human brain using [125I]epidepride

Epidepride is a benzamide with high affinity for central D2‐ and D3‐dopamine receptors. The anatomical distribution of [125I]epidepride binding was examined by autoradiography, using postmortem human whole‐hemisphere cryosections. The density of [125I]epidepride binding sites was high in caudate nucleus and putamen. [125I]epidepride also labeled receptors in extrastriatal region such as in the pallidum, some thalamic nuclei, the neocortex, and the substantia nigra. The neocortical binding was heterogeneously distributed. In most cortical regions, binding sites were located in superficial layers (I‐II). However, in basal levels of the occipital cortex, [125I]epidepride binding was located in a deeper layer, probably corresponding to layer V. Competition studies indicated that most of the [125I]epidepride binding represented predominantly D2‐dopamine receptors, in striatal as well as in extrastriatal regions. The presence of extrastriatal D2‐dopamine receptor populations is of particular interest for research on schizophrenia and antipsychotic drug action. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.