Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Options Trading Based on the Forecasting of Volatility Direction with the Incorporation of Investor Sentiment

Using options price data on the Taiwanese stock market, we propose an options trading strategy based on the forecasting of volatility direction. The forecasting models are constructed with the incorporation of absolute returns, heterogeneous autoregressive-realized volatility (HAR-RV), and proxy of investor sentiment. After we take into consideration the margin-based transaction costs, the results of our simulated trading indicate that a straddle trading strategy that considers the forecasting of volatility direction with the incorporation of market turnover achieves the best Sharpe ratios. Our trading algorithm bridges the gap between options trading, market volatility, and the information content of investor overreaction.
Direct evidence for specific binding of the replicative origin of the Escherichia coli chromosome to the membrane

The origin of replication of the Escherichia coli chromosomal DNA binds with high affinity to outer membrane preparations. This specific binding requires a 463-base-pair region of origin DNA between positions -45 and +417 of the oriC map. We show that binding does not require the presence of adjacent regions. From further analysis, we conclude that more than one binding site resides within the 325-base-pair fragment between positions +38 (BamHI) and +417 (XhoI). When this fragment is cut, two pieces bind with high affinity and one binds with lesser affinity. The binding ability of one of the high affinity sites is abolished by cutting it at position +92 with BamHI.
Do asset sales lead to improvements in operating performance?

The changes in operating performance associated with asset sales are investigated for a sample of UK firms. Asset sales are followed by an improvement of 11% per annum in the level of operating performance relative to the pre-sale performance level. Further, improved abnormal operating performance is found, which is measured after controlling for the performance of the industry, the pre-sale performance of the firm and the level of competition in the market for asset sales. The abnormal operating performance of the remaining assets improve by 2.4% per annum, on average, for three years after the asset sales. This study also finds that the market for asset sales is imperfectly competitive.
Moyamoya disease and artery tortuosity as rare phenotypes in a patient with an elastin mutation

Sporadic and familial elastin mutations can occur in large vessel stenosis such as supravalvular aortic stenosis and narrowing of the descending aorta. However, there are very few reports regarding the arteriopathy of cerebral, pulmonary or abdominal arteries in elastin mutations. We herein report the case of a Japanese female patient presenting with multiple arteriopathy including moyamoya disease, a tortuosity of abdominal arteries and pulmonary hypertension due to peripheral pulmonary artery stenosis. This case suggests the possible progression of cerebral arteriopathy including moyamoya disease in patients with elastin mutations. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Validation of a Portable Device for Mapping Motor and Gait Disturbances in Parkinson’s Disease

Background Patients with severe idiopathic Parkinson’s disease experience motor fluctuations, which are often difficult to control. Accurate mapping of such motor fluctuations could help improve patients’ treatment. Objective The objective of the study was to focus on developing and validating an automatic detector of motor fluctuations. The device is small, wearable, and detects the motor phase while the patients walk in their daily activities. Methods Algorithms for detection of motor fluctuations were developed on the basis of experimental data from 20 patients who were asked to wear the detector while performing different daily life activities, both in controlled (laboratory) and noncontrolled environments. Patients with motor fluctuations completed the experimental protocol twice: (1) once in the ON, and (2) once in the OFF phase. The validity of the algorithms was tested on 15 different patients who were asked to wear the detector for several hours while performing daily activities in their habitual environments. In order to assess the validity of detector measurements, the results of the algorithms were compared with data collected by trained observers who were accompanying the patients all the time. Results The motor fluctuation detector showed a mean sensitivity of 0.96 (median 1; interquartile range, IQR, 0.93-1) and specificity of 0.94 (median 0.96; IQR, 0.90-1). Conclusions ON/OFF motor fluctuations in Parkinson's patients can be detected with a single sensor, which can be worn in everyday life.
To What Extent Are Labor‐Saving Technologies Improving Efficiency in the Use of Human Resources? Evidence from the Banking Industry

With special reference to the banking industry, the objective of this study is to address managerial concerns over the impact of labor‐saving technologies on efficiency in the use of human resources. A bank is viewed as a collection of human, technology, and capital resources. Labor‐saving technologies are represented by two categories of technology resources—information technologies and patented in‐house process innovations. The estimation of a stochastic frontier manpower‐requirement function shows that, whereas information technology resources have a direct impact on efficiency in the use of human resources, in‐house process innovations have an indirect impact through spillovers. The reduction in labor costs resulting from a more efficient use of human resources is more than enough to cover the required increase in information technology expenditures. This cost‐reducing impact is stronger for firms currently employing a lower level of information technologies. The empirical findings also suggest a complementary relationship between information technologies and spillovers of in‐house process innovations. The empirical framework proposed in this study can help decision makers determine the optimal input mix of technology and human resources.
On the scattering of water waves by a submerged slender barrier

Abstract An approximate analysis, based on the standard perturbation technique, is described in this paper to find the corrections, up to first order to the reflection and transmission coefficients for the scattering of water waves by a submerged slender barrier, of finite length, in deep water. Analytical expressions for these corrections for a submerged nearly vertical plate as well as for a submerged vertically symmetric slender barrier of finite length are also deduced, as special cases, and identified with the known results. It is verified, analytically, that there is no first order correction to the transmitted wave at any frequency for a submerged nearly vertical plate. Computations for the reflection and transmission coefficients up to O(ε), where ε is a small dimensionless quantity, are also performed and presented in the form of both graphs and tables.
Multiple equilibria in a cash‐in‐advance two‐sector economy

We consider a two‐sector infinite horizon economy with a fractional cash‐in‐advance constraint on consumption expenditures. This formulation allows us to consider a steady‐state velocity of money that is strictly greater than one and, therefore, provides a more plausible framework than the standard formulation in which all the consumption purchases are paid cash. We prove that the steady state is bound to be indeterminate and multiple equilibria occur when the share of the liquidity constraint is low enough and that a capital‐intensive investment good or a strongly capital‐intensive consumption good improve considerably the scope for indeterminacy. As a consequence, we show that without any restriction on the elasticity of intertemporal substitution in consumption, multiple equilibria might occur if the velocity of money is greater than a critical bound that is compatible with empirical estimates.
Automated signal pattern evaluation of a bladder cancer specific multiprobe‐fish assay applying a user‐trainable workstation

OBJECTIVE: Signal pattern enumeration of Urovysion Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization test is tedious and requires great experience. Our aim was to eliminate human interaction by automating the process, using an adoptable, automated image acquisition, and analysis system. METHODS: For extensive analytical analysis control, cell populations were used, while preliminary clinical study was performed on 21 patients with clinical suspicion for bladder cancer. All investigations were carried out using an automated user‐trainable workstation (Metafer4‐Metacyte). RESULTS: The system identified nuclei with a specificity and sensitivity of 92.7 and 96.6%, respectively, while signal detection accuracy was 81.1% on average. Both analytical and diagnostic accuracy of automated analysis was comparable to manual approach (94.8 and 71% vs. 97.9 and 76%, respectively), but classification accuracy increased with degree of polysomy, thus diagnostic sensitivity in low grade, low stage cases was poor. CONCLUSION: It is possible to automate signal enumeration of Urovysion using a user‐trainable system, and achieve efficiency comparable to manual analysis. Previously introduced automated immunophenotypic targeting should further increase diagnostic sensitivity, while resulting in a comprehensively automated method. However, the problem of reduced detection accuracy in cases featured with low polysomy is likely to remain a great challenge of automated signal enumeration. Microsc. Res. Tech. 75:814–820, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Oxidized proteins in Alzheimer's plasma.

The levels of oxidatively modified proteins were examined in blood from Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients, non-AD controls, and AD relatives. Oxidative modification was measured by reacting the protein carbonyls with 2,4-dinitrophenyl hydrazine (DNPH). The total oxidized proteins were determined by HPLC, while specific protein oxidation was assessed from Western blots of electrophoretic gels using antibody to the DNP derivatives. Statistically significant elevations (P < 0.05) of total oxidized proteins were observed in both AD subjects and AD relatives when compared with non-AD controls. Moreover, a protein band (e.g., MW = 78-kDa) was uniquely oxidized in the plasma of AD subjects. Furthermore, this protein from AD subjects was more susceptible to in vitro oxidation. These data suggest that such oxidized proteins may be useful as biomarkers for the detection and evaluation of AD.
Global sparse partial least squares

The partial least squares (PLS) is designed for prediction problems when the number of predictors is larger than the number of training samples. PLS is based on latent components that are linear combinations of all of the original predictors, it automatically employs all predictors regardless of their relevance. This will degrade its performance and make it difficult to interpret the result. In this paper, global sparse PLS (GSPLS) is proposed to allow common variable selection in each deflation process as well as dimension reduction. We introduce the ℓ2, 1 norm to direction matrix and develop an algorithm for GSPLS via employing the Bregmen Iteration algorithm, illustrate the performance of proposed method with an analysis to red wine dataset. Numerical studies demonstrate the superiority of proposed GSPLS compared with standard PLS and other existing methods for variable selection and prediction in most of the cases.
Estimation of Net Energy Consumption in Turkey Using Different Indicators

Abstract The main subject in this study is to obtain equations to predict net energy consumption of Turkey using energy sources and economic indicators by artificial neural network approach in order to determine the future level of the energy consumption and make correct investments in Turkey. In this study, three different models were used in order to train the artificial neural network. In the first model (Model 1), energy sources (e.g., natural gas, lignite, coal, hydraulic); in the second model (Model 2), gross national product; and in the third model (Model 3), gross domestic product, are used for the input layer of the network. The net energy consumption is in the output layer for all models. In order to train the neural network, economic and energy data for the last 37 years (1968–2005) is used in network for all models. The aim of using different models is to estimate the net energy consumption with high confidence to plan for future projections. The maximum mean absolute percentage error was found to be 1.992262, 1.110525, and 1.122048 for Model 1, Model 2, and Model 3, respectively. R2 values are obtained (0.999558, 0.999903, and 0.999903 for training data of Model 1, Model 2, and Model 3, respectively). The artificial neural network approach shows greater accuracy for evaluating net energy consumption based on economic indicators. Also, obtained results in this study were compared with results of similar studies using various techniques.
Risk Premia and Optimal Liquidation of Credit Derivatives

This paper studies the optimal timing to liquidate credit derivatives in a general intensity-based credit risk model under stochastic interest rate. We incorporate the potential price discrepancy between the market and investors, which is characterized by risk-neutral valuation under different default risk premia specifications. We quantify the value of optimally timing to sell through the concept of delayed liquidation premium, and analyze the associated probabilistic representation and variational inequality. We illustrate the optimal liquidation policy for both single-name and multi-name credit derivatives. Our model is extended to study the sequential buying and selling problem with and without short-sale constraint.
Computation of all stabilizing first order controllers for fractional-order systems

This paper presents an effective solution to the problem of stabilizing a given but arbitrary fractional-order system using a first order controller c(s)=(x1s + x2)/(s + x3). The problem is solved by determining the global stability region in the controller parameter space [x1, x2, x3] using D-decomposition technique. Analytical expressions are derived for the purpose of obtaining the stability boundaries of this region which are described by real root boundary, infinite root boundary and complex root boundary. Thus, the complete set of stabilizing first order controller parameters is obtained. The algorithm has a simple and reliable result which is illustrated by several examples, and hence is practically useful in the analysis and design of fractional-order control systems.
Testing Convergence in Income Distribution

The generalized method of moments (GMM) estimator is often used to test for convergence in income distribution in a dynamic panel set-up. We argue that though consistent, the GMM estimator utilizes the sample observations inefficiently. We propose a simple ordinary least squares (OLS) estimator with more efficient use of sample information. Our Monte Carlo study shows that the GMM estimator can be very imprecise and severely biased in finite samples. In contrast, the OLS estimator overcomes these shortcomings. Copyright (c) Blackwell Publishing Ltd and the Department of Economics, University of Oxford, 2008.
The Long Run Abnormal Performance of UK Acquirers and the Free Cash Flow Hypothesis

Evidence from recent US and UK studies reveals a pattern of poor long run post acquisition performance by acquiring firms. One explanation, due to Jensen (1986) is that acquirers with an excess of free cash flow (FCF) will have a propensity to squander this on wasteful investments, including take-overs. In this paper, using a dataset of UK take-overs and proxies for free cash flow similar to those used by Lang, Stulz and Walking (1991) , we find no support for the FCF hypothesis and show that this conclusion is robust to the model of long run returns employed. Contrary to the free cash flow hypothesis there is evidence that acquirers with high free cash flow perform better than acquirers with low free cash flow. Although not consistent with the Jensen hypothesis, this evidence is compatible with the emerging UK evidence that shows cash flow-to-price measures are associated with market returns. Copyright Blackwell Publishers Ltd, 2005.
Production of hydroxyl free radical by exposure of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine to visible light in the absence of hydrogen peroxide.

The production of hydroxyl free radical (.OH) by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) in the absence of H2O2 was investigated by electron spin resonance with the use of the spin-trapping agent 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-1-oxide (DMPO). OH was detected as well as a nitrogen-centered free radical (.NR) on exposure of 1.25 mM MNNG solution (pH 6.0) containing 25 mM DMPO to visible light from a tungsten-halogen lamp at an intensity of 6.68 mW/cm2. Production of . OH depended on the concentration of MNNG and on the intensity of light exposure, indicating that . OH production resulted from the photolysis of MNNG solution. Manganese-superoxide dismutase and catalase did not inhibit the production of . OH, excluding the possibility that . OH might be produced from O2-. or H2O2. When the concentration of DMPO was increased from 25 mM to 125 mM, the yield of . OH decreased significantly while that of . NR increased over twice that at 25 mM. When the concentration of DMPO was further increased to over 200 mM, only . NR was detected and its yield was the same as that at 125 mM, which indicates that DMPO inhibited . OH production but not through the trapping of . NR. From these results we suggest that nitric oxide (NO) derived with . NR from the photolysis of MNNG resulted in . OH production which was inhibited by DMPO in aqueous solution.
Biofuels and agriculture: a past perspective and uncertain future

The US corn ethanol industry has grown from virtually nothing in the early 1980s to over 14 billion gallons in 2011. Subsidies have been an important impetus for the industry, and they have existed in one form or another throughout the life of the industry. This paper provides (1) a brief look at the history of the linkages between energy and agriculture and how they have changed with biofuels; (2) a review of some of the major impacts of the US corn ethanol program; and (3) analysis of prospective impacts of cellulosic biofuels. There is no doubt that biofuels have brought about a new era for global agriculture. Historically, the prices of agricultural and energy products moved in response to supply and demand factors relevant to each market, but moved largely independent of one another. Corn ethanol has changed that, and today there is a link between crude oil and corn that is driven by the demand side. Since agricultural commodity prices are linked both on the demand and supply sides, the corn–crude oil link spills over to other agricultural commodities as well. Development of cellulosic biofuels has been much slower than hoped. The feedstocks are more expensive than initially believed. Conversion technologies remain uncertain and expensive. There are many uncertainties through the cellulosic supply chain, and government policy remains uncertain as well. Thus, the future of the cellulosic biofuels industry is, at this point, an open question.
Macroevolution is more than repeated rounds of microevolution

SUMMARY Arguments over macroevolution versus microevolution have waxed and waned through most of the twentieth century. Initially, paleontologists and other evolutionary biologists advanced a variety of non‐Darwinian evolutionary processes as explanations for patterns found in the fossil record, emphasizing macroevolution as a source of morphologic novelty. Later, paleontologists, from Simpson to Gould, Stanley, and others, accepted the primacy of natural selection but argued that rapid speciation produced a discontinuity between micro‐ and macroevolution. This second phase emphasizes the sorting of innovations between species. Other discontinuities appear in the persistence of trends (differential success of species within clades), including species sorting, in the differential success between clades and in the origination and establishment of evolutionary novelties. These discontinuities impose a hierarchical structure to evolution and discredit any smooth extrapolation from allelic substitution to large‐scale evolutionary patterns. Recent developments in comparative developmental biology suggest a need to reconsider the possibility that some macroevolutionary discontinuites may be associated with the origination of evolutionary innovation. The attractiveness of macroevolution reflects the exhaustive documentation of large‐scale patterns which reveal a richness to evolution unexplained by microevolution. If the goal of evolutionary biology is to understand the history of life, rather than simply document experimental analysis of evolution, studies from paleontology, phylogenetics, developmental biology, and other fields demand the deeper view provided by macroevolution.
On a Possible Role for Pronouns in the Acquisition of Verbs

Given the restrictions on the subjects and objects that any given verb may take, it seems likely that children might learn verbs partly by exploiting statistical regularities in cooccurrences between verbs and noun phrases. Pronouns are the most common NPs in the speech that children hear. We demonstrate that pronouns systematically partition several important classes of verbs, and that a simple statistical learner can exploit these regularities to narrow the range of possible verbs that are consistent with an incomplete utterance. Taken together, these results suggest that children might use regularities in pronoun/verb co-occurrences to help learn verbs, though whether this is actually so remains a topic for further research.