Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Preferences, Consumption Smoothing and Risk Premia

Risk premia in the consumption capital asset pricing model depend on preferences and dividend. We develop a decomposition which allows a separate treatment of both components. We show that preferences alone determine the risk-return tradeoff measured by the Sharpe-ratio. In general, the risk-return trade-off implied by preferences depends on the elasticity of a preference-based stochastic discount factor for pricing assets with respect to the consumption innovation. Depending on the particular specification of preferences, the absolute value of this elasticity can coincide to the inverse of the elasticity of intertemporal substitution (e.g. for habit formation preferences) or the coefficient of relative risk-aversion (e.g. for Epstein-Zin preferences). We demonstrate that preferences based on a small elasticity of intertemporal substitution, such as habit formation, produce small risk premia once agents are allowed to save. Departing from the complete markets framework, we show that uninsurable risk can only increase the Sharpe-ratio and risk premia if dividends are correlated with individual consumption.
Screening of a Library of FDA-Approved Drugs Identifies Several Enterovirus Replication Inhibitors That Target Viral Protein 2C

ABSTRACT Enteroviruses (EVs) represent many important pathogens of humans. Unfortunately, no antiviral compounds currently exist to treat infections with these viruses. We screened the Prestwick Chemical Library, a library of approved drugs, for inhibitors of coxsackievirus B3, identified pirlindole as a potent novel inhibitor, and confirmed the inhibitory action of dibucaine, zuclopenthixol, fluoxetine, and formoterol. Upon testing of viruses of several EV species, we found that dibucaine and pirlindole inhibited EV-B and EV-D and that dibucaine also inhibited EV-A, but none of them inhibited EV-C or rhinoviruses (RVs). In contrast, formoterol inhibited all enteroviruses and rhinoviruses tested. All compounds acted through the inhibition of genome replication. Mutations in the coding sequence of the coxsackievirus B3 (CV-B3) 2C protein conferred resistance to dibucaine, pirlindole, and zuclopenthixol but not formoterol, suggesting that 2C is the target for this set of compounds. Importantly, dibucaine bound to CV-B3 protein 2C in vitro, whereas binding to a 2C protein carrying the resistance mutations was reduced, providing an explanation for how resistance is acquired.
Internal corporate governance and board performance in monitoring roles: Evidence from Malaysia

Purpose - This paper aims to examine the relationship between internal corporate governance mechanisms and board performance in monitoring roles. Design/methodology/approach - A survey questionnaire was used to gather data on board performance, while annual reports were employed to gather data on internal corporate governance mechanisms. Data for board performance were based on 112 directors who represent the companies. Findings - Factor analysis extracted two dimensions of monitoring roles: management oversight roles and performance evaluation roles. Non-independent non-executive directors and managerial ownership were found to be positively related to both dimensions of monitoring roles, while the multiple directorships of non-executive directors were negatively related to management oversight roles. Practical implications - The paper establishes the need for regulators to pay particular attention to multiple directorships, which are commonly practiced in public listed companies. The contribution of non-independent non-executive directors rather than independent directors in monitoring roles calls for further research. Regulators need to emphasize the performance evaluation roles of the board of directors (BOD), as much emphasis has been given to management oversight roles. Originality/value - The study contributes to the literature concerning monitoring roles as it shows that management oversight roles and performance evaluation roles are differentiated. The findings provide an avenue for the contribution of non-independent non-executive directors and multiple directorships in monitoring roles.
Output Fluctuations in the United States: What Has Changed Since the Early 1980s?

We document a structural break in the volatility of U.S. GDP growth in the first quarter of 1984, and provide evidence that this break emanates from a reduction in the volatility of durable goods production. We find no evidence of increased stability in the nondurables, services or structures sectors of the economy. In addition, no other G7 country experienced a contemporaneous reduction in output volatility. Finally, we show that the reduction in durables volatility corresponds to a decline in the share of durable goods accounted for by inventories.
Taking dogs to tourism activities: testing a pet-related constraint–negotiation model

This research's purpose is to examine the factors that affect pet owners' decisions when taking pets to participate in tourism activities. Unlike tourist traveling alone, pet owners must consider their own circumstances as well as the constraints their pets place on them. After examining 30 British dog owners' interview transcripts through interpretive approach and 388 British dog owners' surveys through structural equation modeling, the results show pet-associated constraints will negatively affect owners' motivation and behavior. however, motivated owners can still participate if they have sufficient negotiation strategies. Contrary to the literature, owners' attachment with their pets will not directly cause them to take pets when participating in tourism activities.
PSync: a partially synchronous language for fault-tolerant distributed algorithms

Fault-tolerant distributed algorithms play an important role in many critical/high-availability applications. These algorithms are notoriously difficult to implement correctly, due to asynchronous communication and the occurrence of faults, such as the network dropping messages or computers crashing. We introduce PSync, a domain specific language based on the Heard-Of model, which views asynchronous faulty systems as synchronous ones with an adversarial environment that simulates asynchrony and faults by dropping messages. We define a runtime system for PSync that efficiently executes on asynchronous networks. We formalise the relation between the runtime system and PSync in terms of observational refinement. The high-level lockstep abstraction introduced by PSync simplifies the design and implementation of fault-tolerant distributed algorithms and enables automated formal verification. We have implemented an embedding of PSync in the Scala programming language with a runtime system for partially synchronous networks. We show the applicability of PSync by implementing several important fault-tolerant distributed algorithms and we compare the implementation of consensus algorithms in PSync against implementations in other languages in terms of code size, runtime efficiency, and verification.
A CONDITION FORMULA SEARCH BASED ON THE CELLULAR MODEL

Cyberworlds are a distributed system where data and its dependency are constantly changing and evolving. In such business application systems, combinatorial explosion happens because you must modify schemas and application programs whenever schemas change, if you use existing techniques. To solve the problem, we have developed a data processing system called Cellular Data System (CDS) based on the cellular model, which is considered the most appropriate to model cyberworlds, using an algebra system called Formula Expression. In this paper, we design and implement a condition formula and its processing maps as an important function in CDS. A condition formula search is a very effective measure when you want to analyze data in cyberworlds without losing consistency in the entire system, since you can search for the data you want without changing application programs, if you employ a condition formula search. That is, a condition formula search is an analysis measure for the worlds under the assumption of frequent changes of schemas. Therefore, if you use CDS, the development process is completely different from the general one, since we do not have to design business specification clearly at requirements analysis. In addition, we demonstrate the effectiveness of a condition formula search by taking up an example of a bidding results data search system.
Pain reduction on injection of microemulsion propofol via combination of remifentanil and lidocaine

Background Microemulsion propofol produces more frequent and severe pain upon injection than lipid emulsion propofol. This study examined the analgesic effect of lidocaine-premixed microemulsion propofol in patients pretreated with remifentanil. The induction of anesthesia with this combination was compared with microemulsion propofol accompanied with either remifentanil or lidocaine. Methods One hundred twenty patients aged between 20-65 years old were allocated randomly into one of three groups (n = 40, in each). The patients in the remifentanil group received remifentanil 0.5 µg/kg IV for 30 seconds before a microemulsion propofol injection. The patients in the lidocaine group received propofol 2 mg/kg premixed with 40 mg lidocaine over a 60 second period. The patients in the combination group received both remifentanil and lidocaine. Results There was a significantly lower incidence of microemulsion propofol injection pain (severity 2 or more) in the combination group (12.5%) than in the remifentanil and lidocaine groups (90% and 65%, respectively, P < 0.05). The incidence of moderate pain disappeared completely in the combination group (0%) compared to that in the remifentanil and lidocaine group (32.5% and 20%, respectively, P < 0.05). Severe pain did not appear in any of the three groups. There were no complications on the injection site in the lidocaine alone and combination groups. Conclusions The combination of microemulsion propofol premixed with lidocaine after a pretreatment with remifentanil was more effective in reducing the incidence of pain upon the injection of microemulsion propofol than either treatment alone.
State estimation based on Kalman filtering techniques in navigation

This paper tackles the problem of the position measurement and estimation techniques in the robot navigation field based on Kalman filters. It presents the problem of the position estimation based on odometric, infrared and ultrasonic measurements. Further on deals with the theoretical and practical aspects of the state estimation based on Kalman filtering techniques. From the wide range of derivatives of the Kalman filtering technique there are detailed the extended Kalman filter and the one based on unscented transformation. In the second part of the paper is concluded with the results of the comparison between the different filtering algorithms and the further perspectives regarding this subject.
Lyα emission galaxies at a redshift of z 5.7 in the FORS Deep Field

Context. We present the results of a search for Lyα emission galaxies at z≈ 5.7 in the FORS Deep Field. Aims. The objective of this study is to improve the faint end of the l uminosity function of high-redshift Lyα emitting galaxies and to derive properties of intrinsically faint Lyα emission galaxies in the young universe. Methods. Using FORS2 at the ESO VLT and a set of special interference fil ters, we identified candidates for high-redshift Lyα galaxies. We then used FORS2 in spectroscopic mode to verify the identific ations and to study their spectral properties. Results. The narrow-band photometry resulted in the detection of 15 likely Lyα emission galaxies. Spectra with an adequate exposure time could be obtained for eight galaxies . In all these cases the p resence of Lyα emission at z = 5.7 was confirmed spectroscopically. The line fluxes of the 15 candidates range between 3× 10 −21 Wm −2 and 16× 10 −21 Wm −2 , which corresponds to star-formation rates not corrected f or dust between 1 and 5 M⊙yr −1 . The luminosity function derived for our photometrically identified objects extends the published luminosity functio ns of intrinsically brighter Lyα galaxies. Conclusions. With this technique the study of high-redshift Lyα emission galaxies can be extended to low intrinsic luminosities.
A Novel MOS Nanowire Gas Sensor Device (S3) and GC-MS-Based Approach for the Characterization of Grated Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese

To determine the originality of a typical Italian Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, it is crucial to define and characterize its quality, ripening period, and geographical origin. Different analytical techniques have been applied aimed at studying the organoleptic and characteristic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) profile of this cheese. However, most of the classical methods are time consuming and costly. The aim of this work was to illustrate a new simple, portable, fast, reliable, non-destructive, and economic sensor device S3 based on an array of six metal oxide semiconductor nanowire gas sensors to assess and discriminate the quality ranking of grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese samples and to identify the VOC biomarkers using a headspace SPME-GC-MS. The device could clearly differentiate cheese samples varying in quality and ripening time when the results were analyzed by multivariate statistical analysis involving principal component analysis (PCA). Similarly, the volatile constituents of Parmigiano Reggiano identified were consistent with the compounds intimated in the literature. The obtained results show the applicability of an S3 device combined with SPME-GC-MS and sensory evaluation for a fast and high-sensitivity analysis of VOCs in Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and for the quality control of this class of cheese.
TAXBEN: the IFS microsimulation tax and benefit model

A tax and benefit model is a computer program that calculates the effects of possible changes in the fiscal system on a sample of households. By using a sample which is representative of the population, such models allow users to make accurate inferences about the aggregate revenue implications of specific changes, and to examine the distributional effects of policy on different sub-groups of the population. Correspondingly, tax and benefit models play an important part in the analysis of fiscal policy in the UK and abroad. The IFS has operated a tax and benefit model of the UK, known as TAXBEN, since 1983. TAXBEN operates on data taken from the Family Expenditure Survey (FES), a yearly representative sample of 7,000 UK households. It was substantially revised in 1990, (see Johnson, Stark and Webb, 1990) and since then a range of extra features have been added which have significantly enhanced TAXBEN's power as a tool for the analysis of policy. These include new routines modelling individual's budget constraints and replacement rates which, together with closer compatibility with the IFS labour supply model, Simulation Package for the Analysis of Incentives (SPAIN, Duncan,1991), have allowed us to use TAXBEN to examine behavioural responses to policy changes. The purpose of this working paper is to document the current TAXBEN model, given the changes that have occurred since 1990.
Performance Analysis of Terrestrial Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB-T) in AWGN Channel Using M-QAM

Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is becoming a popular modulation scheme for wireless communication systems to achieve high throughput, high data capacity, spectral efficiency and resilience to multipath. High data rates and robustness to channel impairments make OFDM an ideal candidate for video applications. Digital Video Broadcasting, a popular standard for video transmission uses Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing. OFDM uses parallel transmission of data by splitting high rate serial data into low rate sub-streams. These sub-streams are modulated on separate sub-carriers. Splitting the data into parallel streams reduces the data rate, which results in an increase in the length of symbol duration. This property is extremely useful in multipath fading environments. In this paper we investigate the performance of Terrestrial Digital Video Broadcasting 2K Mode using M-QAM modulation scheme in the presence of Additive White Gaussian Noise. Minimum distance detection is used at the receiving end. The effects of SNR per bit are compared with Bit Error rate for 4-QAM, 16-QAM, 32- QAM and 64-QAM.
Muddled, massaging, manœuvring or manipulated?: A typology of organisational gaming

– This conceptual paper seeks to consider the impact of performance measurement and reporting based around performance indicators and targets within the public sector and to identify that the response to indicators and targets is often gaming which happens at organisational level. It then goes on to present a definition and typology of organisational gaming. , – The paper draws from a range of documents both government and academic to identify both the process of, and the types of, organisational gaming. , – The paper finds that organisational gaming occurs at both different levels (low and high) and extent (internal and external). It builds on this by presenting a framework (2 × 2 matrix) which presents types of organisational gaming which range in their degree of impact and consequence. , – The concepts within this paper focus around public services on which the framework is built. This may – but it is doubtful – have limitations when considering the ideas within private sector organisations. Another limitation could be levelled at the 2 × 2 typology in that it may be difficult to place a gaming phenomenon into one “box” alone. , – The value in the paper and the framework is that a distinction between measurement and reporting is drawn together with identification of a different gaming phenomenon. This, the paper argues, is important to understand, if organisations are to avoid some of the more “dangerous” or high impact consequences of gaming.
Majority Multiplicative Ordered Weighting Geometric Operators and Their Use in the Aggregation of Multiplicative Preference Relations

In this paper, we introduced the majority multiplicative ordered weighted geometric (MM-OWG) operator and its properties. This is a general type of the aggregate dependent weights which we have applied in geometric environment. The MM-OWG operator is based on the OWG operators and on the majority operators. We provide the MM-OWG operators to aggregate in a multiplicative environment, i.e. when it’s necessary to aggregate information given on a ratio scale. Therefore, it allows us to incorporate the concept of majority in problems where the information is provided using a ratio scale. Its properties are studied and an application for multicriteria decision making problems with multiplicative preference relations is presented.
A QoS provisioning framework for Wireless Mesh Network

Moving on from the first generation of Wireless Mesh Networks (WMNs), where community and city-wide type mesh networks [1] are deployed to provide best-effort network access, the next generation WMNs is about extending its capability to allow Quality of Service (QoS) at carrier grade level, enabling real-time and multimedia applications to be offered to users of the network. Whilst technologies exist to support QoS, they provide no real answer to offering QoS network-wide across WMNs. In this paper, a QoS provisioning framework is therefore proposed that provides a combination of resource provisioning and routing for WMN.
A Hybrid Cooperative Co-evolution Particle Swarm Optimizer for Function Optimization

A novel cooperative co-evolution particle swarm optimizer advanced through bringing in quantum-behaved theory and simulated annealing(SA) method(HCPSO)is proposed in this paper, which makes full use advantages containing great global searching ability and diverse particles of SA and quantum-behaved theory. To illustrate the performance of this algorithm, which is compared with particle swarm optimizer(PSO) and cooperative co-evolutionary particle swarm optimizer(CPSO), eight testing functions are selected with different dimensions for experiment. Experimental results indicate that the HCPSO algorithm improves the search performance on the benchmark functions significantly, and shows the effectiveness of the algorithm to solve optimization problems.
A Game-Theoretic Approach to Line Planning

We present a game-theoretic model for the line planning problem in public transportation, in which each line acts as player and aims to minimize a cost function which is related to the traffic along its edges. We analyze the model and in particular show that a potential function exists. Based on this result, we present a method for calculating equilibria and present first numerical results using the railway network of {it Deutsche Bahn}.
Measure for centrality based forwarding schemes in opportunistic networks

In opportunistic networks, since there may be no complete end-to-end path between the source and the destination nodes due to intermittent connectivity and frequent disconnections, the forwarding schemes for mobile ad hoc networks are invalid. With the increase in the number of people using social networks, there is a lot of research on using social networks to use less resources, such as centralities. We adopt the centralities such as degree, closeness, betweenness, and percolation to forwarding schemes for opportunistic networks. In these schemes, each node forward a message through only `hub nodes' selected by the centralities as relay nodes and these nodes send to the destination nodes. The experimental results show that the centrality based forwarding schemes improve the performance in terms of network traffic, transmission delay and hop count.
Cluster headache as a first manifestation of multiple sclerosis: case report and literature review

Cluster headache (CH) is estimated to be the most common primary trigeminal autonomic headache, although it is a rare disabling medical condition. Dominant symptoms of CH include severe unilateral orbital, supraorbital, and/or temporal pain, lasting from 15 to 180 minutes if untreated, associated with at least one of various autonomic symptoms during the headache, such as conjunctival injection, lacrimation, nasal congestion and rhinorrhea, facial sweating, miosis, ptosis, and eyelid edema. Headache is not frequently a symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS). The most commonly reported primary headaches are migraine without aura and a tension-type headache. Several described cases involved complicated migraine, ophthalmoplegic migraine-like headache, and finally cluster-like headache. We present a case of a 45-year-old male patient who had typical CH attacks as the initial and only clinical manifestation of MS, which was diagnosed after cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) isoelectric focusing and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) investigation. He presented as a typical cluster-like headache patient since in the background of the CH symptoms and signs, were MS demyelinating lesions. In a patient with CH symptoms one should always think about the possibility of cluster-like-headache, which presents the CH patient with different underlying diseases, so we proposed a protocol to evaluate such patients and exclude diseases that could be in the background of CH symptoms.