Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A mixed approach to payment certainty calibration in discrete choice welfare estimation

This article provides further empirical evidence of payment uncertainty in dichotomous choice (DC) Contingent Valuation (CV) and proposes an alternative way of certainty calibration, moving away from conventional recoding of uncertain responses. In an international CV application, the main sources of payment uncertainty are identified related to imperfect knowledge and information about the public good involved, future supply levels, income constraints, price levels and the survey instrument. Together these sources of uncertainty are responsible for a third of the error variance in the estimated discrete choice model. Accounting for the heterogeneity induced by payment uncertainty in the welfare estimation procedure with the help of a mixed probit model yields a significantly lower welfare measure albeit at the expense of estimation precision.
Debt Equity Choice in Europe

Using a sample of over 5,000 European firms, we document the driving factors of capital structure policies in Europe. Controlling for dynamic patterns and national environments, we show how these policies cannot be reduced to a simple trade-off or pecking order model. Both corporate governance and market timing impact upon capital structure. European firms limit themselves to an upper barrier to leverage, but not to a lower one. Debt constrains managers to payout cash, and equity may become cheap during windows of opportunity. Internal financing, when available, is preferred over external financing, but companies limit future excess of slack as it constitutes a potential source of conflict.
A highly nonlinear coupled mode of decadal-to-interdecadal variability in a mid-latitude ocean – atmosphere model . Part I : Phenomenology

This study examines mid-latitude climate variability in a model that couples turbulent oceanic and atmospheric flows through an active oceanic mixed layer. Intrinsic ocean dynamics of the inertial recirculation regions combines with nonlinear atmospheric sensitivity to sea-surface temperature (SST) anomalies to play a dominant role in the variability of the coupled system. Intrinsic low-frequency variability arises in the model atmosphere; when run in a standalone mode, it is characterized by irregular transitions between preferred high-latitude and less frequent low-latitude zonal-flow states. When the atmosphere is coupled to the ocean, the lowlatitude state occurrences exhibit a statistically significant signal in a broad 5–15-year band. A similar signal is found in the time series of the model ocean’s energy in this coupled simulation. Accompanying uncoupled ocean-only and atmosphere-only integrations are characterized by a decrease in the decadal-band variability, relative to the coupled integration; their spectra are indistinguishable from a red spectrum. The time scale of the coupled interdecadal oscillation is set by the nonlinear adjustment of the ocean’s inertial recirculations to the high-latitude and low-latitude atmospheric forcing regimes. This adjustment involves, in turn, SST changes resulting in long-term ocean– atmosphere heat-flux anomalies that induce the atmospheric regime transitions. A companion paper elucidates the dynamics of the coupling, as well as the sensitivity of the proposed mechanism and of its characteristic time scale to the parameter values.
Lesions of the anterior forebrain song control pathway in female canaries affect song perception in an operant task.

We tested whether the avian anterior forebrain pathway functions in song perception in female canaries, and whether it is specialized for conspecific song perception or functions more generally in auditory perception. Using operant conditioning methods, we trained female canaries to discriminate among synthetic sound stimuli, canary songs, and song sparrow songs. We also trained each bird to discriminate among visual stimuli to test for general effects of lesions on performance. When canaries had learned the discrimination tasks, bilateral electrolytic lesions of the lateral portion of the magnocellular nucleus of the anterior neostriatum (lMAN) were made. The lesioned birds were then tested on the previously learned discrimination tasks. Lesions that destroyed most or all of lMAN decreased the ability of female canaries to discriminate between previously learned pairs of acoustic stimuli of all types, while visual discrimination was unaffected. These results suggest that the female canary anterior forebrain pathway contributes to the perception of acoustic stimuli, with this contribution including heterospecific song and other acoustic stimuli as well as canary song.
Small- and moderate-size right-to-left shunts identified by saline contrast echocardiography are normal and unrelated to migraine headache.

BACKGROUND We suspected, based on clinical experience, that the prevalence of both intracardiac and pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) is higher than previously reported in a healthy population when using modern ultrasound technology combined with a rigorous saline contrast echocardiogram (SCE) protocol. We hypothesized the prevalence of right-to-left shunts (RLSs) would be so high when using this sensitive technique that there would be no significant association of RLS with migraine headache. METHODS We recruited 104 healthy volunteers to undergo an SCE followed by completion of a migraine questionnaire. The SCEs were meticulously graded for shunt size and location based on left-sided heart contrast quantity and timing. The migraine headache questionnaire was graded by a neurologist blinded to SCE results. RESULTS One hundred four subjects underwent the study protocol. We found 71% of subjects exhibited evidence of RLS. Patent foramen ovale (PFO) was identified in 40 (38%), PAVM was identified in 29 (28%), and five subjects had evidence of both (5%). Based on questionnaires, 42 (40%) of the subjects had migraine headache (29% with aura). There was no significant association of migraine headache with PFO (OR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.16-2.12; P = .54) or PAVM (OR, 0.8; 95% CI, 0.34-1.9; P = .67), although only 13 (13%) of the subjects had evidence of large RLS. CONCLUSIONS When using modern ultrasound technology combined with a rigorous SCE technique, the majority of healthy subjects demonstrate some degree of RLS. PAVM in an otherwise healthy population is common. Small- and moderate-size RLSs do not appear to be significantly associated with migraine headache.
Defining and measuring alignment in performance management

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop an operational definition of alignment within the context of a performance measurement and management system in order to create a measurement model that can be used in survey‐based research, particularly under conditions of dramatic strategic change.Design/methodology/approach – Data are collected using an in‐depth case study and analyzed using the methods of grounded theory development. Particular attention is given to multi‐level analysis within an organisation.Findings – Alignment must be assessed with a multi‐dimensional model that looks beyond goals and performance. Distinctions must be made between goals and processes and between intrinsic definitions of alignment and their cultural context.Research limitations/implications – The research was conducted within one major organisation that was undergoing a strategic shift from process efficiency to product innovation. Work by other researchers suggests that the findings may be more broadly generalisable.
Autonomous TNF is critical for in vivo monocyte survival in steady state and inflammation

Monocytes are circulating mononuclear phagocytes, poised to extravasate to sites of inflammation and differentiate into monocyte-derived macrophages and dendritic cells. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and its receptors are up-regulated during monopoiesis and expressed by circulating monocytes, as well as effector monocytes infiltrating certain sites of inflammation, such as the spinal cord, during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). In this study, using competitive in vitro and in vivo assays, we show that monocytes deficient for TNF or TNF receptors are outcompeted by their wild-type counterpart. Moreover, monocyte-autonomous TNF is critical for the function of these cells, as TNF ablation in monocytes/macrophages, but not in microglia, delayed the onset of EAE in challenged animals and was associated with reduced acute spinal cord infiltration of Ly6Chi effector monocytes. Collectively, our data reveal a previously unappreciated critical cell-autonomous role of TNF on monocytes for their survival, maintenance, and function.
Similarity of Normalized Discrimination Ellipses in the Constant-Luminance Chromaticity Plane

Discrimination steps were measured for three subjects, along oblique axes passing through nine points in a 25 td constant-luminance chromaticity plane. When plotted in a normalized cone-excitation chromaticity diagram, the best-fitting discrimination ellipses for a given subject have approximately the same shape and orientation regardless of the reference chromaticity. Their orientation is consistent with the hypothesis that excitation of B-cones affects the red—green opponent balance, otherwise determined by R- and G-cone excitations, in a manner independent of initial cone-excitation levels. The CIELAB formula predicts an orientation for normalized ellipses in agreement with the data, but it also predicts systematic changes in the ratio of minor to major axes which are not observed experimentally.
Microvessel density (MVD) and vascular endothelial growth factor expression (VEGF) in human oral squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND Carcinogenesis is thought to be dependent on neovascularization. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a glycoprotein that has the capability of increasing vascular proliferation and permeability. VEGF has been found to be expressed in several different types of tumours and it may contribute to the progression of malignant tumours. Increased microvessel density (MVD) has been described in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and seems to be related to patient prognosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifty-two cases of OSCC were evaluated in the present study. Immunostaining for VEGF and Factor-VIII was performed. The MVD was evaluated in G1, G2 and G3 tumours. RESULTS The differences between these 3 groups were statistically significant (p = 0.0331). MVD was also evaluated in lymph-node negative and lymph-node positive cases: the differences between these two groups were statistically significant (p < 0.0001). VEGF expression was evaluated in G1, G2 and G3 tumours. The differences between the 3 groups were not statistically significant (p = 0.289), even if an increasing trend in the VEGF positivity was evident from G1 to G3. The difference of VEGF expression between tumours with and without lymph node metastases was not significant (p = 0.196). No correlation was present between intensity of VEGF positivity and histological grading or lymph-node status and between VEGF and MVD. CONCLUSION Our data showed that MVD was correlated with grading and lymph-node status, while no similar correlation was found for VEGF.
CONSCIENCE: Control and System Identification using Elements of Neural Network Computation Engineering

Neural networks are attracting a lot of interest as process models for model predictive control. This paper presents a neural network model predictive control algorithm (NNMPC). The optimal control problem is formulated, and it is solved using a feasible sequential quadratic program that handles position and velocity constraints. The process model is a recurrent neural network. In order to train a recurrent network, a more general learning law was needed. This learning law is presented. Further a significant computational advantage is realized in the model prediction control calculations by using a part of this general learning law. This benefit is discussed. Finally the NNMPC procedure is illustrated using a first principles representation of a multi-input, single-output industrial reactor.
Phase I and pharmacokinetic study of sorafenib, an oral multikinase inhibitor, in Japanese patients with advanced refractory solid tumors

Sorafenib is a novel oral multikinase inhibitor that targets Raf serine/threonine and receptor tyrosine kinases, and inhibits tumor cell proliferation and angiogenesis. We have conducted a phase I study of sorafenib to determine the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and potential efficacy of this agent in 31 Japanese patients with advanced refractory solid tumors. Sorafenib (100–600 mg) was given as a single dose followed by a 7‐day wash‐out period, and then administrated twice daily (bid). The most frequent drug‐related adverse events were rash/desquamation (61%), hand–foot skin reactions (39%), diarrhea (36%), and elevations of serum lipase (36%) and amylase (26%) levels. Dose‐limiting toxicities (DLTs) were grade 3 diarrhea at 200 mg bid and grade 3 fatigue at 600 mg bid. Grade 3 and 4 pancreatic enzyme elevations were observed at 200–600 mg bid, but they were not deemed dose‐limiting because they were asymptomatic and were not associated with pancreatitis or chronic damage to the pancreas. The AUC and Cmax of sorafenib increased linearly with dose up to 400 mg bid. Partial responses were observed in one of 10 patients with non‐small cell lung cancer and one of three patients with renal cell carcinoma. In conclusion, sorafenib 400 mg bid was well tolerated in Japanese patients with advanced refractory solid tumors. The recommended dose for future clinical trials is 400 mg bid. (Cancer Sci 2008; 99: 1492–1498)
The Effects of Presenting Imprecise Probabilities in Intelligence Forecasts

How to assess and present analytic uncertainty to policymakers has emerged as an important topic in risk and policy analysis. Due to the complexity and deep uncertainty present in many forecasting domains, these reports are often fraught with analytic uncertainty. In three studies, we explore the effect of presenting probability assessments and analytic uncertainty through probability ranges. Participants were presented with mock intelligence forecasts that include narrative evidence as well as numerical probability assessments. Participants were sensitive to the ambiguity communicated through the confidence range. The narrative appeared to have a smaller effect on judgments when accompanied by a probability range as opposed to a point assessment. In one study, participants also thought that the probability range was more useful for decision making at a higher probability whereas the point estimate was more useful at a lower probability. When evaluating a forecast in hindsight, decisionmakers tended to report lower levels of blame and higher levels of source credibility for forecasts that reported ranges as compared to point assessments. These findings suggest that decisionmakers are not necessarily “ambiguity averse” in the forecasting context. Presenting ranges of probability may have distinct advantages as a way to communicate probability and analytic confidence to decisionmakers.
Bond Options and Swaptions Pricing: A Computational Investigation of Volatility Inference

Derivative pricing is especially challenging in novel and illiquid markets, where pricing relies greatly on assumptions and models, rather than on known flow of market prices. In the novel market of shekel bond options, the estimate of implied volatility for different strikes could be based on the information about other -- sometimes more liquid -- financial instruments in the market. Here we show relevance, but not equivalence, of the information from the market of swaps, (volatility of swap rates), to the market of bonds, (volatility of bond prices). In particular, we show why the proxy to bond's yield to maturity from the swap market should be based on the swap rate maturing simultaneously with the bond. Numerical simulations and analysis of historical data are applied to examine the approximation and assumptions which, in the presence of swaption market, can be applicable for inferring information about bond price volatility smile. Hypothetically, the procedure is invertible -- inferring information about swap rate volatility smile, based on the data from the bond options market. Our analysis is implemented for the Israeli market, while the rationale is relevant for similar instruments elsewhere.
A novel Approach to Human Gait Recognition using possible Speed Invariant features

AbstractIn this paper a new area based technique is proposed for deriving gait signatures by decomposing the human body into three independent structural segments such as head node, arm swing and leg swing areas. Initially, all the feature points are represented as the sides of an n-sided polygon for calculating the area of each region. This technique induces surplus noise in the feature points which is in turn reflected in the human identification problem. This drawback inspires us to compute the area of each region by constructing a convex hull of the feature points in order to obtain certain key speed invariant features. Classification results demonstrate the ability of proposed feature extraction techniques using Bayes’ classifier, distance metrics, and the proposed polynomial based distance metric. The performance analysis of various classifiers has been evaluated using Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curve and the Cumulative Match Characteristics Curve (CMC) after performing N-fold cross va.
Effect of trastuzumab on health-related quality of life in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer: data from three clinical trials.

BACKGROUND Trastuzumab (Herceptin; Genentech, Inc.; South San Francisco, CA) provides clinical benefit when combined with chemotherapy or as monotherapy in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Given the demonstrated improvement in standard outcomes, it is important to assess this therapy's effect on patients' health-related quality of life (HRQOL). PATIENTS AND METHODS The QLQ-C30 and BR-23 questionnaires were used to assess global HRQOL; physical, social, and role functioning; and fatigue as secondary endpoints in trials of trastuzumab monotherapy (H0649g and H0650g) or in combination with chemotherapy (H0648g). Patients completed assessments at baseline, week 8 (H0648g only), and at 12-week intervals until disease progression. RESULTS In H0648g (n = 400), more patients exhibited improved global QOL in the chemotherapy-plus-trastuzumab versus chemotherapy arms (51% vs. 36%; P < .05). In the chemotherapy-plus-trastuzumab arm, fatigue was significantly improved at week 32 (chemotherapy completed at week 20) compared with baseline in both study arms (P < .05); more patients in the chemotherapy-plus-trastuzumab arm also showed improved physical and role functioning. Subscale scores in H0649g (n = 154) and H0650g (n = 74) were similar at all time points. In H0649g, clinical responders showed meaningful improvements (>or= 10 points) in all 5 subscales by week 12 through week 36. Nonresponders had meaningful decreases in all subscale scores. In H0650g, clinical responders exhibited meaningful increases in social and role functioning and global QOL by week 12; nonresponder scores worsened for all subscales. CONCLUSION Trastuzumab has a beneficial effect on HRQOL in patients with HER2-positive MBC, particularly those with responsive disease.
Fully Modified OLS for Heterogeneous Cointegrated Panels and the Case of Purchasing Power Parity

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Abstract: Using fully modified OLS principles, methods are developed for estimating and testing hypotheses for cointegrating vectors in heterogeneous panels which lead to asymptotically unbiased and nuisance parameter free standard distributions in the presence of idiosyncratic dynamics and fixed effects. Small sample properties are also investigated by Monte Carlo simulation under a variety of scenarios for the error processes. Finally, by way of illustration, the estimators are employed to address an empirical puzzle which has developed in recent panel studies of the purchasing power parity hypothesis for the post Bretton Woods data. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
An alternative test for weak form efficiency based on technical analysis

This study proposes a test for weak form efficiency based on the practitioner's approach to technical analysis. Previous studies typically make inferences on weak form efficiency based on the empirical results of testing only one class of technical rules–trend indicators. The practitioner's approach, on the other hand, typically involves the simultaneous use of trend indicators and other confirming indicators because trend indicators do not sufficiently capture the information content in past prices. By combining trend indicators with confirming indicators that are also based on the detection of trends in past prices, it is possible to construct a superior technical trading strategy that captures a more comprehensive aspect of predictability in past prices. Applying the technical trading rules to data on five Asian-Pacific stock markets, the evidence suggests that a test for weak form efficiency based solely on trend indicators is noisy and that the alternative test proposed in this study is significantly more effective in capturing the information content in past prices. An examination of weak form efficiency based on this alternative test suggests that weak form efficiency is determined by factors other than technological progress.
Intraoperative mechanical ventilation strategies for obese patients: a systematic review and network meta‐analysis

Several intraoperative ventilation strategies are available for obese patients. However, the same ventilation interventions have exhibited different effects on PaO2/FIO2 concerning obese patients in different trials, and the issue remains controversial. Therefore, we conducted a network meta‐analysis to identify the optimal mechanical ventilation strategy. We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) in the Cochrane Library, Embase, MEDLINE, CINAHL and Web of Science for studies published up to June 2014, and the PaO2/FIO2 in obese patients given different mechanical ventilation strategies was assessed. We assessed the studies for eligibility and extracted data and then pooled the data and used a Bayesian fixed‐effect model to combine direct comparisons with indirect evidence. Eligible studies evaluated different ventilation strategies for obese patients and reported the intraoperative PaO2/FIO2 ratio, atelectasis and pulmonary compliance. Thirteen randomized controlled trials were included for network meta‐analysis, including 476 patients who received 1 of 12 ventilation strategies. Volume‐controlled ventilation with higher PEEP plus single recruitment manoeuvres (VCV + higher PEEP + single RM) was associated with the highest PaO2/FiO2 ratio, improving intraoperative pulmonary compliance and reducing the incidence of intraoperative atelectasis.
Coexistence of antiferromagnetism and superconductivity in a mean-field theory of high-Tc superconductors.

We investigate a mean-field theory of the Hubbard model in the large on-site correlation limit, allowing for the possibility of a commensurate spin-density wave together with s- and d-wave-like superconductivity. As a function of t/U and band filling, the resulting phase diagram exhibits phases which are simultaneously superconducting and antiferromagnetic. We show that the superconducting order parameter goes to zero in the limit of a 1/2-filled Hubbard band. We comment on the possible relevance of these results to the newly discovered high-T/sub c/ superconductors.