Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Efficient Grid Lattice Algorithm for Pricing American-Style Options

Option pricing is an important area of research in the finance community. In this paper, we develop a computationally feasible and efficient lattice algorithm in pricing American-style options. The key idea is to build a time adjusted grid lattice model and afterwards implement backward induction to price options. The time adjusted grid lattice guarantees high accuracy in relatively few discrete finite nodes. To illustrate the performance of the lattice algorithm, European and American options are priced separately, and results are compared to other popular methods in terms of both accuracy and efficiency. All suggest that the proposed lattice algorithm does a better job. Moreover, the fast convergence behaviours of the lattice algorithm as well as the relationship between the converged option price and the number of determination dates are studied as well.
Lexicon Bad Smells in Software

We introduce the notion of "lexicon bad smell", which parallels that of "code smell" and indicates some potential lexicon construction problems that can be addressed through refactoring (e.g., renaming). We created a catalog of lexicon bad smells and we developed a publicly available suite of detectors to locate them. The paper presents a case study in which we used the detectors on two open-source systems. The study revealed the main challenges faced in detecting the lexicon bad smells.
Ataluren for the treatment of cystic fibrosis

ABSTRACT Alleles causing diseases that carry premature termination codons (PTCs) will cause premature cessation of translation, leading to loss of function and consequent disease. Recently, a novel agent, Ataluren, was developed through a high throughput screening program. Ataluren is orally bioavailable and was shown to be effective in Cystic Fibrosis (CF). Phase I and II studies established the safety and dosing regimens for Ataluren. The results of a short study showed modest improvements in pulmonary function and a reduction in quantitative cough assessment. There was improvement in nasal potential difference and nasal epithelial CFTR protein. In a phase III trial this effect was not observed in patients that were concomitantly treated with tobramycin inhalation. Following these positive findings, a multinational Phase III placebo-controlled efficacy trial is currently underway.
Role of HSP90 in Salt Stress Tolerance via Stabilization and Regulation of Calcineurin

ABSTRACT The role of HSP90 in stress tolerance was investigated inSaccharomyces cerevisiae. Cells showing 20-fold overexpression of Hsc82, an HSP90 homologue in yeast, were hypersensitive to high-NaCl or H-LiCl stresses. Hsc82-overexpressing cells appeared similar to calcineurin-defective cells in salt sensitivity and showed reduced levels of calcineurin-dependent gene expression. Co-overexpression of Cna2, the catalytic subunit of calcineurin, suppressed the hypersensitivity. Cna2 and Hsc82 coimmunoprecipitated from control cells grown under normal conditions but not from stressed cells. In contrast, coimmunoprecipitation was detected with Hsc82-overexpressing cells even after exposure to stresses. Cna2 immune complexes from stressed control cells showed a significant level of calcineurin activity, whereas those from stressed Hsc82-overexpressing cells did not. Treatment of extracts from Hsc82-overexpressing cells with Ca2+-calmodulin increased the calcineurin activity associated with Cna2 immune complexes. Geldanamycin, an inhibitor of HSP90 abolished the coimmunoprecipitation but did not activate calcineurin. When the expression level of Hsc82 decreased to below 30% of the normal level, cells also became hypersensitive to salt stress. In these cells, the amount of Cna2 was reduced, likely as a result of degradation. The present results showed that Hsc82 binds to and stabilizes Cna2 and that dissociation of Cna2 from Hsc82 is necessary for its activation.
Towards Zero Retraining for Myoelectric Control Based on Common Model Component Analysis

In spite of several decades of intense research and development, the existing algorithms of myoelectric pattern recognition (MPR) are yet to satisfy the criteria that a practical upper extremity prostheses should fulfill. This study focuses on the criterion of the short, or even zero subject training. Due to the inherent nonstationarity in surface electromyography (sEMG) signals, current myoelectric control algorithms usually need to be retrained daily during a multiple days' usage. This study was conducted based on the hypothesis that there exist some invariant characteristics in the sEMG signals when a subject performs the same motion in different days. Therefore, given a set of classifiers (models) trained on several days, it is possible to find common characteristics among them. To this end, we proposed to use common model component analysis (CMCA) framework, in which an optimized projection was found to minimize the dissimilarity among multiple models of linear discriminant analysis (LDA) trained using data from different days. Five intact-limbed subjects and two transradial amputee subjects participated in an experiment including six sessions of sEMG data recording, which were performed in six different days, to simulate the application of MPR over multiple days. The results demonstrate that CMCA has a significant better generalization ability with unseen data (not included in the training data), leading to classification accuracy improvement and increase of completion rate in a motion test simulation, when comparing with the baseline reference method. The results indicate that CMCA holds a great potential in the effort of developing zero retraining of MPR.
Dietary Phylloquinone Intakes and Metabolic Syndrome in US Young Adults

Objective: The relationship between dietary intake of vitamin K and metabolic syndrome (MetS) has not been investigated previously. The aim of this study was to examine whether and to what extent vitamin K intake measured as phylloquinone is related to MetS. Design: We performed a cross-sectional analysis on data from 5800 adults aged 20 to 45 years who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999–2004. MetS was defined according to Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. Dietary phylloquinone intakes were obtained from 24-hour dietary recall. Prevalence and odds ratios (OR) of MetS and its components were assessed by quartiles of dietary phylloquinone intake. Results: The lowest prevalence of MetS and its 5 components was observed in individuals with the highest phylloquinone intake. The prevalence of low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) and elevated blood pressure progressively decreased with increasing phylloquinone intake (p < 0.05 for trend). HDL and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels improved gradually with increasing dietary phylloquinone intake (p < 0.05 for trend). In general, participants who had MetS or its element consumed less phylloquinone from diet compared those who did not. In comparison with the lowest phylloquinone intake quartile, the highest quartile of intake was associated with significantly reduced risks of low HDL level, hypertriglyceridemia, and hyperglycemia after adjustment was made for various nondietary confounding factors (OR, 0.73, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.45–0.98; OR, 0.51, 95% CI, 0.25–0.97; and OR, 0.18, 95% CI, 0.05–0.73, respectively). Only the association between hyperglycemia and phylloquinone intake remained significant after further adjustment for dietary confounders (OR, 0.18, 95% CI, 0.05–0.73). Conclusions: Mean reported dietary phylloquinone intakes suggested that most US young adults consume an insufficient amount of vitamin K from their diet. A high intake of phylloquinone may favorably affect MetS or its components, probably through an overall more heart-healthy dietary pattern. The pathogenesis of MetS is profoundly complex and may involve other factors and/or mechanisms, in addition to vitamin K nutriture. Although our data suggest a potential role of vitamin K in MetS, the biological mechanisms underlying the observed associations must be elucidated.
Resistance of Listeria monocytogenes Biofilms to Disinfectants

Purkrtová S. , Turoňová H. , Pilchová T. , Demnerová K. , Pazlarová J. (2010): Resistance of Listeria monocytogenes biofilms to disinfectants. Czech J. Food Sci., 28: 326–332. We studied the optimal conditions for the biofilm development by Listeria monocytogenes on a model system represented by microtiter plates, and also for determined some effective disinfectant agents. Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 13932 and an industrial isolate of Listeria monocytogenes Lm-24 were compared as to their abilities to form biofilms. The starting concentration of the cells leading to the most reproducible results was 0.5 McFarland. The temperatures tested ranged between 8°C to 37°C, the optimal values to form biofilm in buffered peptone water (BPW) with 0.05% glucose were 25°C and 30°C. Under comparable conditions the persistent strain L. monocytogenes Lm-24 constituted more massive biofilm than did the reference strain. The following disinfectants were applied: Savo, Merades Alco, benzalalkonium chloride. A persistent industry in isolate Listeria monocytogenes Lm-24 was used as the model organism for these tests. Benzalalkonium chloride treatment was found to be the most efficient way to damage the biofilm. One minute treatment with 500 mg/l was lethal for the biofilm cells, and that with 125 mg/l for planctonic cells. Savo suppresed the viability of the biofilm cells only by about 20% on average while being lethal for planctonic cells. Merades Alco exhibited only a weak effect on both the biofilm and planctonic cells.
Transitions Maps for Integrity in Operational Procedures of Electrical Installations

The design of a power system involves assessment of safety and functional performances of the installation that can be corrected and perfected during its life cycle with risk and quality management. The design has to be comprehensive and adaptable during the overall operational life cycle of the system, looking for the best methodologies and the most complete information. Safety configurations and accurate plans allow a guaranteed risk reduction so that in contingencies a competent operator can operate the power system properly. The authors suggest transitions maps for assisting the elaboration of the procedures from a set of a power system to another one and for helping the training of operators. In human reasoning and multi-modal information processing, the diagrams offer a visual clarity in examining spatial constraints and in recognizing correct inferences. The transitions maps extend the Euler-Venn diagrams and concur to an explanation of the four-color theorem.
Adaptive Nonlinear Sensorless Control for an Uncertain Miniature Pneumatic Curling Rubber Actuator Using Passivity and Robust Right Coprime Factorization

In this brief, an adaptive nonlinear sensorless control for an uncertain miniature pneumatic curling rubber actuator is considered using passivity and the robust right coprime factorization approach. Specially, based on the robust right coprime factorization approach, robust stability is guaranteed and passivity is realized simultaneously. Then, the adaptive control system is designed for tracking performance. Support vector regression is proposed to estimate the output for avoiding the use of a sensor. Finally, the experimental setup is shown and the experimental results are provided to show the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
Efficacy of Environmental And Acceptance-Based Enhancements to Behavioral Weight Loss Treatment: The ENACT Trial

This study was designed to compare weight loss through a traditional behavioral treatment (BT) approach that integrated skills for managing the obesogenic food environment (BT + E) with an approach that integrated environmental and acceptance‐based skills (BT + EA). Moderators were examined as an exploratory aim.
Sea anemone model has a single Toll-like receptor that can function in pathogen detection, NF-κB signal transduction, and development

Significance Toll-like receptors (TLR) are involved in pathogen recognition and defense in organisms from fruit flies to humans. Recent genomic evidence suggests that TLRs and their downstream signaling components are present in more basal phyla. We characterize a TLR in a sea anemone model and demonstrate its ability to activate NF-κB signaling when exposed to a bacterial pathogen and a known human TLR activator. Moreover, this TLR has an early developmental role in anemones. We also identify a primitive sea anemone organ that expresses components of the TLR–to–NF-κB pathway. These results demonstrate that TLRs have ancient roles in NF-κB signal transduction, pathogen detection, and development, thus providing molecular insights into how simple marine invertebrates may respond to pathogens. In organisms from insects to vertebrates, Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are primary pathogen detectors that activate downstream pathways, specifically those that direct expression of innate immune effector genes. TLRs also have roles in development in many species. The sea anemone Nematostella vectensis is a useful cnidarian model to study the origins of TLR signaling because its genome encodes a single TLR and homologs of many downstream signaling components, including the NF-κB pathway. We have characterized the single N. vectensis TLR (Nv-TLR) and demonstrated that it can activate canonical NF-κB signaling in human cells. Furthermore, we show that the intracellular Toll/IL-1 receptor (TIR) domain of Nv-TLR can interact with the human TLR adapter proteins MAL and MYD88. We demonstrate that the coral pathogen Vibrio coralliilyticus causes a rapidly lethal disease in N. vectensis and that heat-inactivated V. coralliilyticus and bacterial flagellin can activate a reconstituted Nv-TLR–to–NF-κB pathway in human cells. By immunostaining of anemones, we show that Nv-TLR is expressed in a subset of cnidocytes and that many of these Nv-TLR–expressing cells also express Nv-NF-κB. Additionally, the nematosome, which is a Nematostella-specific multicellular structure, expresses Nv-TLR and many innate immune pathway homologs and can engulf V. coralliilyticus. Morpholino knockdown indicates that Nv-TLR also has an essential role during early embryonic development. Our characterization of this primitive TLR and identification of a bacterial pathogen for N. vectensis reveal ancient TLR functions and provide a model for studying the molecular basis of cnidarian disease and immunity.
Novel approach to measure the size of plasma‐membrane nanodomains in single molecule localization microscopy

Many membrane proteins are not evenly distributed over the plasma membrane, but gathered in domains assumed to have a particular lipid composition. Using single molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) we have immunolocalized a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)‐anchor protein that labels nanodomains in a specialized plant cell type, and compared the suitability of three methods to estimate their size. As conventional methods full width at half maximum (FWHM) and the full diameter (FWMin) of domains were used. A boundary detection method of the domain area (DA) was performed in order to take irregular shapes into account. In order to compare the influence of the chosen measurement methods, we have developed a MatLab program that allows for automated analysis of domain sizes from multiple SMLM images and provides the statistics of three key features of domains: FWHM and FWMin along their long and short axes as well as the DA, derived from the molecular density. Domains formed by the GPI‐anchor protein are approximating elliptical shapes. Direct and indirect immunolabeling resulted in a statistically significant difference in apparent domain size, reflecting the fact that the secondary antibody molecules extend the uncertainty along the nanodomain border. FWMin values along the long and short axis give good estimates of regular, geometrically centred domain shapes, while the DA value matches regular as well as irregular shapes best, as derived from computer‐generated, irregular point clusters. © 2015 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Sex Differences in Management and Outcome After Acute Myocardial Infarction in the 1990s: A Prospective Observational Community-Based Study

BackgroundPrevious studies have suggested that women with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are less aggressively managed than are men. The aim of this study was to assess sex differences in medical and invasive coronary procedures (angiography, PTCA, and CABG) in AMI patients admitted to cardiac care units (CCUs) in Israel in the mid 1990s and their association with early and 1-year prognosis. Methods and ResultsWe studied 2867 consecutive AMI patients (2125 men, 74%) hospitalized in all 25 CCUs in Israel from 3 prospective nationwide surveys conducted in 1992, 1994, and 1996. Women were, on average, older than men (69 versus 61 years, P <0.0001) and had a higher prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, Killip class ≥II on admission, and in-hospital complications. Women received aspirin and &bgr;-blockers less often than did men, but these differences were not significant after age adjustment. The unadjusted rates of thrombolysis, angiography, and PTCA/CABG use were lower in women than in men but not after covariate adjustment: 42% versus 48% (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.92, 95% CI 0.77 to 1.11), 23% versus 31% (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.70 to 1.09), and 15% versus 19% (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.72 to 1.19), respectively. The 30-day mortality was higher in women than in men (17.6% versus 9.6%, respectively; OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.82), but the 30-day to 1-year mortality rate was not (9.1% versus 5.6%, respectively; hazard ratio 1.18, 95% CI 0.84 to 1.66). ConclusionsThis prospective nationwide observational community-based study of consecutive AMI patients hospitalized in the CCUs in the mid 1990s indicates that women fare significantly worse than do men at 30 days but not thereafter at 1-year. The difference in 30-day outcome was not influenced by the use of different therapeutic modalities, including thrombolysis and invasive coronary procedures, but was rather due to the older age and greater comorbidity of women; these findings seem also to explain the less frequent use of invasive procedures in women.
Economic Crises and Regional Institutions

Regionalist movements are intimately connected to economic and financial crises. Most of the financial crises of the last four decades have had a strong regional dimension. We identify them as the “Latin American debt crisis,” the “European currency crisis,” the “Asian financial crisis” because their impact has been geographically concentrated. Crises call into question the adequacy of multilateral arrangements for prevention and stabilization and, under certain circumstances, galvanize support for proposals to strengthen regional agreements and institutions. Once in place, regional arrangements can shield countries against the adverse effects of global financial turbulence, if they are well designed. Our understanding of regionalism would benefit from more systematic analysis of its relationship to crises. This chapter examines the extent to which economic crises help or hinder the development of more effective regional institutions and addresses the determinants of institutional evolution and design in the Asian region. First, it conducts a structured comparison of the most important region-wide crises over the last four decades and their impact on regional institutions. By asking similar questions in each case, we can draw generalizations about the conditions that are conducive and averse to institutional building. Second, the chapter elaborates on aspects of cases that speak to key points in the present Asian discourse on regional institutions. While considering a common set of factors, the treatment here will 7
Nursing home care: changes after supervision.

BACKGROUND An intervention project was conducted in three nursing home wards in Sweden. Most patients had severe dementia. The intervention consisted of supervision for individualized and documented nursing care, based on multidimensional assessment. AIM To illuminate changes in carers' approach after the intervention. METHODS Several data collections were conducted across the intervention and consisted of nursing documentation, patient life stories as told by carers, video recorded interactions, stimulated recall interviews and a questionnaire. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used in the analyses. FINDINGS The findings from the different methods mirrored each other and added to the credibility of the intervention. Communicated knowledge about patients improved in nursing documentation and also as told by carers. Carers were differently skilled in managing the complexity of nursing care situations before as well as after the intervention, but the intervention contributed to developing carers in 'confirming nursing care'. They also improved in their ability to verbalize reflections about their everyday life with patients with dementia. CONCLUSION Supervision made it possible for carers to share their lived experiences about their day-to-day life with patients, which could promote personal and professional development and thus improve care quality. It also appeared that a detailed assessment tool used as part of the nursing process contributed to seeing a patient as a real person behind a dementia surface.
Hypoxia-inducible proteins HIF1α and lactate dehydrogenase LDH5, key markers of anaerobic metabolism, relate with stem cell markers and poor post-radiotherapy outcome in bladder cancer

Abstract Purpose: To assess whether anaerobic metabolism, proliferation activity and stem cell content are linked with radioresistance in bladder cancer. Materials and methods: Tissue sections from 66 patients with invasive transitional cell bladder cancer treated with hypofractionated accelerated radiotherapy, was immunohistochemically analyzed for the Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1α (HIF1α) and the anaerobic glycolysis enzyme lactate dehydrogenase 5 (LDH5). Proliferation index (Ki-67) and stem-cell marker (cluster of differentiation CD44, aldehyde dehydrogenase ALDH1) expression was also examined. Results: Both HIF1α and LDH5 expression were linked with high CD44 stem cell population (p = 0.001 and 0.05, respectively), while high Ki-67 proliferation index was linked with nuclear LDH5 expression (p = 0.03) and high histological grade (p = 0.02). A strong significant association of HIF1α (p = 0.0009) and of LDH5 (p < 0.0001) with poor local relapse free survival (LRFS) was noted, which was also confirmed in multivariate analysis. A significant association with overall survival was also noted. Silencing of lactate dehydrogenase LDHA gene in the human RT112 bladder cancer cell line, or exposure to oxamate (LDH activity inhibitor), resulted in strong radio-sensitization. Conclusions: HIF1α and LDH5 are markers of poor outcome in patients with bladder cancer treated with radiotherapy. Blockage of anaerobic metabolism may prove of importance in clinical radiotherapy.