Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Average Debt and Equity Returns: Puzzling?

Mehra and Prescott (1985) found the difference between average equity and debt returns puzzling because it was too large to be a premium for bearing nondiversifiable aggregate risk. Here, we re-examine this puzzle, taking into account some factors ignored by Mehra and Prescott-taxes, regulatory constraints, and diversification costs-and focusing on long-term rather than short-term savings instruments. Accounting for these factors, we find the difference between average equity and debt returns during peacetime in the last century is less than 1 percent, with the average real equity return somewhat under 5 percent, and the average real debt return almost 4 percent. As theory predicts, the real return on debt has been close to the 4 percent average after-tax real return on capital. Similarly, as theory predicts, the real return on equity is equal to the after-tax real return on capital plus a modest premium for bearing nondiversifiable aggregate risk.
Patterns of drainage and recurrence following sentinel lymph node biopsy for cutaneous melanoma of the head and neck.

OBJECTIVES To analyze lymphatic drainage patterns and recurrence patterns in patients undergoing sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) for cutaneous head and neck melanoma. DESIGN Retrospective review of a consecutive series with a mean follow-up of 35 months. SETTING Tertiary cancer care center. PATIENTS Fifty-one patients with clinically node-negative cutaneous melanoma of the head and neck region staged by means of SLNB. INTERVENTIONS Sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) were identified using preoperative lymphatic mapping along with intraoperative gamma probe evaluation and isosulfan blue dye injection. Patients with a positive SLNB finding by hematoxylin-eosin or immunohistochemical evaluation underwent completion lymphadenectomy of the affected lymphatic basin and were considered for further adjuvant treatment. Patients with a negative SLNB finding were observed clinically. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Location characteristics of SLNs, incidence of positive SLNs, same-basin recurrence, and disease-free survival. RESULTS The mean number of SLNs per patients was 2.75. The extent of SLNB included removal of 1 node (n = 11), multiple nodes from 1 basin (n = 18), 1 node in multiple basins (n = 7), and multiple nodes in multiple basins (n = 15). Drainage to unexpected basins was found in 13 of 51 patients. Parotid region drainage was identified in 18 patients. There were no same-basin recurrences in patients with a negative SLNB finding. Thirty-six-month disease-free survival was 88.9% for patients with a negative SLN and 72.9% for patients with a positive SLN (P=.17). CONCLUSIONS The number and location of SLNs is variable and difficult to predict for head and neck cutaneous melanoma. Preoperative lymphoscintigraphy is an important planning instrument to guide complete removal of all SLNs. Based on 3-year follow-up, this procedure can be expected to provide low same-basin recurrence rates for patients with a negative SLN.
The effect of climate change on economic growth: evidence from Pakistan

This study is a contribution to empirics of climate change and economic growth in Pakistan. This study considered annual data from 1980 to 2013. This study intends to use the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in current US Dollars. The proxy used for investment is gross fixed capital formation (GFCF). The data of GFCF is in a total amount in US Dollars. The TRADE data is in total trade in one year as a percentage of GDP. The data of CO2 is in total carbon dioxide emissions (kt). We performed an autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) bound testing design to measure the long-run as well as the short-run association of climate change with economic growth. The notable finding suggests that CO2 significantly affects economic growth. In addition, economic growth is also significantly affected by temperature. Such results highlight that CO2 and TEMP adversely affect the economic growth of Pakistan. There is a positive but minimal impact of RAIN on the economic growth of Pakistan. The notable finding suggests that CO2 which was significantly negative in long run has an insignificant effect in a short run of Pakistan. However, the coefficient of CO2is still negative in the short run.
Betacyanins as phenol antioxidants. Chemistry and mechanistic aspects of the lipoperoxyl radical-scavenging activity in solution and liposomes

Reaction kinetics of betanin and its aglycone betanidin towards peroxyl radicals generated from the azo-initiated oxidation of methyl linoleate in methanol and of a heterogeneous aqueous/soybean phosphatidylcholine liposomal system were studied by monitoring formation of linoleic acid hydroperoxides and consumption of the pigments. Betanin was a weak retarder in methanol and an effective chain breaking antioxidant in the liposomal model, indicating that kinetic solvent effects and partition in lipid bilayers may affect its activity. Betanidin behaved as a chain terminating antioxidant in both models. Kinetic parameters characterizing peroxyl radical-scavenging activity showed that betanidin was more effective than betanin, in terms of both radical-scavenging rate constant and stoichiometric factor, with effectiveness of the same order as vitamin E under comparable conditions. Products identified by spectrophotometric and HPLC techniques indicated reaction of the glucose-substituted monophenol and ortho-diphenol moieties of betanin and betanidin, respectively, and suggested mechanisms of the antioxidant activity. Either betanin or betanidin incorporated in liposomes with α-tocopherol had additive effects, supporting partition of the pigments in the bilayer and lipoperoxyl radical reduction.
Visuospatial and mathematical dysfunction in major depressive disorder and/or panic disorder: A study of parietal functioning

The parietal cortex is critical for several different cognitive functions, including visuospatial processing and mathematical abilities. There is strong evidence indicating parietal dysfunction in depression. However, it is less clear whether anxiety is associated with parietal dysfunction and whether comorbid depression and anxiety are associated with greater impairment. The present study compared participants with major depression (MDD), panic disorder (PD), comorbid MDD/PD and controls on neuropsychological measures of visuospatial processing, Judgement of Line Orientation (JLO), and mathematical abilities, Wide Range Achievement Test (WRAT) Arithmetic. Only comorbid MDD/PD was associated with decreased performance on JLO, whereas all psychopathological groups exhibited comparably decreased performance on WRAT Arithmetic. Furthermore, the results were not accounted for by other comorbid disorders, medication use or psychopathology severity. The present study suggests comorbid depression and anxious arousal are associated with impairment in visuospatial processing and provides novel evidence indicating mathematical deficits across depression and/or anxiety. Implications for understanding parietal dysfunction in internalising psychopathology are discussed.
Topology-graph Directed Separating Boundary Surfaces Approximation of Nonmanifold Neuroanatomical Structures: Application to Mouse Brain Olfactory Bulb

Boundary surface approximation of 3-D neuroanatomical regions from sparse 2-D images (e.g., mouse brain olfactory bulb structures from a 2-D brain atlas) has proven to be difficult due to the presence of abutting, shared boundary surfaces that are not handled by traditional boundary-representation data structures and surfaces-from-contours algorithms. We describe a data structure and an algorithm to reconstruct separating surfaces among multiple regions from sparse cross-sectional contours. We define a topology graph for each region, that describes the topological skeleton of the region's boundary surface and that shows between which contours the surface patches should be generated. We provide a graph-directed triangulation algorithm to reconstruct surface patches between contours. We combine our graph-directed triangulation algorithm together with a piecewise parametric curve fitting technique to ensure that abutting or shared surface patches are precisely coincident. We show that our method overcomes limitations in 1) traditional contours-from-surfaces algorithms that assume binary, not multiple, regionalization of space, and in 2) few existing separating surfaces algorithms that assume conversion of input into a regular volumetric grid, which is not possible with sparse interplanar resolution.
Maximum Surgical Effort is Warranted for Recurrent Adult Granulosa Cell Tumors of Ovary

Purpose Adult granulosa cell tumor (AGCT) of ovary is a rare tumor and usually has a benign course. Due to its indolent nature, recurrences are observed in a wide period and data on management of recurrences in AGCT are relatively sparse. We aimed to evaluate the clinical features, management, and survival of patients with recurrent AGCT. Methods The data of 144 patients with AGCT treated in Etlik Zubeyde Hanim Teaching and Research Hospital between 1990 and 2013 were retrospectively evaluated. Patients with radiologic or pathologic recurrences were included in the analysis. Results A total of 18 patients (12.5%) with recurrent AGCT were included. Median follow-up was 97.5 months (range 6-255 months). A total of 16 patients underwent salvage surgery and maximal debulking was achieved in 13 patients. Ten patients had unifocal and 8 had multifocal tumors. Maximal debulking could be achieved in all patients with unifocal recurrence. On the other hand, maximal debulking could only be obtained in 3 patients (37%) with multifocal recurrence (p = 0.031). Multifocality of recurrent disease and the presence of residual tumor after surgery were associated with diminished progression-free survival and overall survival (31 vs 207 months, p = 0.031; and 22 vs 220 months, p = 0.005, respectively). Conclusions Multifocal recurrence and suboptimal surgery were related with poor survival outcomes in patients with AGCT recurrence. Surgical treatment of recurrent AGCT should aim to achieve no visible disease.
Statin‐induced apoptosis linked with membrane farnesylated Ras small G protein depletion, rather than geranylated Rho protein

Rhabdomyolysis is a severe adverse effect of 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl‐coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins). This myopathy is strongly enhanced by the combination with statins and fibrates, another hypolipidaemic agent. We have evaluated the initial step of statin‐induced apoptosis by the detection of membrane flip‐flop using flow cytometric analysis. L6 rat myoblasts were treated with various statins (atorvastatin (3 μm), cerivastatin (3 μm), fluvastatin (3 μm), pravastatin (3 mm), or simvastatin (3 μm)) for 2, 4 or 6 h followed by reacting with FITC‐conjugated annexin V for the detection of initial apoptosis signal (flip‐flop). Various statin‐treated myoblasts were significantly stained with FITC‐annexin V at 6 h, whereas they were not detected at 2 h. Moreover, immunoblot analysis indicated that when the cells were treated with cerivastatin (3 μm), membrane‐associated Ras protein was activated and detached until 6 h, resulting in cell death through the consequent activation of caspase‐8. On the other hand, since cytosolic Ras activation did not activate, there is still an unknown mechanism in statin‐related Ras depletion. In conclusion, statin‐induced apoptosis in muscular tissue was directly initiated by the farnesyl‐anchored Ras protein depletion from cell membrane with subsequent apoptosis.
Risks of Brain Tumors in Rubber Workers: A Metaanalysis

Objective: To better understand whether rubber industry workers suffer increased risks of brain tumor, a concern that has persisted for over 40 years despite numerous well-conducted studies. Methods: We performed a formal metaanalysis of brain tumor risk estimates reported in cohort studies of rubber and tire workers. Twenty unique cohorts were identified who met a priori inclusion criteria. Metaanalysis was performed using the general variance-based method; the variance of risk estimates was calculated for each study using a chi-squared method. Homogeneity was tested by means of the Q statistic. Results: The metaanalysis determined an overall relative risk of 0.90 (95% CI = 0.79–1.02). Conclusions: The analytical results are consistent with a conclusion that risks of brain tumor are not increased as a result of occupational exposures in the rubber and tire industry.
Motor Response Deficits of Unilateral Neglect: Assessment, Therapy, and Neuroanatomy

The clinical impact of the motor deficits of unilateral neglect is indisputable. The diagnosis criteria are confusing and complicated, and assessment has been extended and modified gradually during the last few decades, which has led to inconsistency and confusion. Many different attempts have been made to overcome various assessment shortcomings. In this article, different examinations of previous studies and analyses are discussed in a systematic and critical way. Research databases were used to identify 254 reports, including 26 different empirical studies on motor neglect and 44 studies on premotor neglect. Most of the studies address the gross neuroanatomical location of lesions. The main findings indicate that frontal lesions are more common in motor neglect than in premotor neglect, and parietal lesions are more common in premotor neglect than in motor neglect. Few studies have evaluated therapeutic programs for the motor deficits of neglect. Unfortunately, most studies suffer from various diagnostic problems that result in inconsistent and controversial findings. Different assessment issues need to be addressed systematically in future studies in light of current findings to increase our understanding and awareness of these important neuropsychological motor deficits. Implications of and possible solutions to the current assessment shortcomings are discussed.
On the predictive power of ARJI volatility forecasts for Bitcoin

ABSTRACT Motivated by the recent literature on cryptocurrency volatility dynamics, this paper adopts the ARJI, GARCH, EGARCH, and CGARCH models to explore their capabilities to make out-of-sample volatility forecasts for Bitcoin returns over a daily horizon from 2013 to 2018. The empirical results indicate that the ARJI jump model can cope with the extreme price movements of Bitcoin, showing comparatively superior in-sample goodness-of-fit, as well as out-of-sample predictive performance. However, due to the excessive volatility swings on the cryptocurrency market, the realized volatility of Bitcoin prices is only marginally explained by the GARCH genre of employed models.
Análise do atual sistema de custos nos restaurantes universitários e estudo das diretrizes para seu aperfeiçoamento na Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS)

Eleven different karyotypes are found within populations of the subterranean rodent Ctenomys minutus, along a narrow stretch of the Brazilian coastal plain in the states of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina. We examined the geographical genetic structure of this species using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region sequences. 34 haplotypes were found in the analysis of 407 pb sequences in 187 individuals. Shared haplotypes were observed between populations in the same intra-specific hybrid zone. Genetic differentiation was consistent with a simple model of isolation by distance (r = 46.98%; P = 0.00), and a pattern of recent population expansion was rejected according to the Fu’s FS-test (Fs = 1.676, P = 0.36), Tajima’s D-test (D = 0.696; P = 0.81) and the mismatch distribution analysis. Results indicate that most of the populations are strongly structured, with little or no gene flow among them (global FST = 0.8561). Potential geographical barriers along the coastal plain of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina do not seem to be effective barriers to gene flow among populations of C. minutus. Likewise, the different karyotypes observed for this species do not represent effective barriers to reproduction, with the exception of the “b” system (2n = 46b, 47b, 48b, 49b and 50b), which forms a separate cluster and whose carriers do not hybridize with those of other karyotypes.
Class I and class II MHC gene products differentially affect the fate of V beta 5 bearing thymocytes.

We have previously shown that T cells bearing V beta 5+ T-cell receptors (TCRs) are frequent in B10 (H-2b) and B10.Q (H-2q) mouse strains but are rare in the congenic strain B10.BR (H-2k). Furthermore, we have found that V beta 5 bearing T cells appear to be excluded from the B10 alloresponse to I-Abm12 despite the participation of most other V beta bearing cells. To further study MHC effects on V beta 5 expression, we have generated two V beta 5 specific monoclonal antibodies and show here that V beta 5 expressing T cells are clonally deleted from strains expressing a class II, I-E molecule. Furthermore, I-E- strains generate few CD4+ V beta 5+ T cells despite significant numbers of V beta 5+ T cells in the CD8+ subset. Thus, V beta 5 bearing T cells are positively selected by class I MHC molecules, clonally deleted by class II I-E molecules, and poorly selected by class II I-A molecules.
Expression of the tyrosine kinase c‐kit is an independent prognostic factor in patients with small cell lung cancer

In a retrospective analysis of 203 patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC), we examined the prognostic value of c‐kit expression on survival. Expression of c‐kit was examined immunohistochemically in formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded tissue sections. c‐kit was observed in 87.7% of SCLC tumors. Using the Kaplan‐Meier model, we found that lack of c‐kit expression was associated with significantly shorter survival time compared to the presence of c‐kit expression (mean survival 151 ± 27 vs. 358 ± 49 days, p = 0.0084). Moreover, the proportion of c‐kit+ cells within the tumor was also related to survival time. Patients with tumors in which >75% of cells stained positive for c‐kit had a mean overall survival time of 424 (±72) compared to 295 (±67) days for patients with 25–75% c‐kit+ tumor cells. Patients with tumors containing <25% c‐kit+ cells had the worst survival, with 164 (±24) days (p = 0.0033). Further parameters associated with short survival times were low performance status, elevated levels of lactate dehydrogenase and higher stage according to the TNM classification. Multivariate analysis using the Cox regression model showed that the proportion of c‐kit+ cells within the tumor specimen was one of 3 independent prognostic parameters (p = 0.004) for overall survival next to TNM classification (p = 0.001) and performance status (p < 0.001). © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Rabies Vaccination Compliance Following Introduction of the Triennial Vaccination Interval – the Texas Experience

In 2003 the Texas Board of Health approved a modification to the Texas Administrative Code that permitted pet owners to have their dogs (Canis familiaris) and cats (Felis catus) vaccinated against rabies every 3 years, provided a triennial vaccine was used. The change had been opposed by hundreds in the veterinary community, some concerned that its implementation would be followed by a decrease in rabies vaccination rates. To determine if this decrease had occurred, rabies vaccination rates for 4 years before and after migration to the 3‐year vaccination interval were examined. Data for dogs and cats, ≥4 months of age, were collected from the Texas Department of Health Rabies Incident Report database. Each animal’s record included its current rabies vaccination status. The number of animals that were currently vaccinated against rabies was tallied and the percent vaccinated was calculated. From 1999 through 2002, 46% of dogs were vaccinated against rabies. From 2004 through 2007, 56% of dogs were vaccinated against rabies. From 1999 to 2002, 18% of cats were vaccinated against rabies. From 2004 to 2007, 30% of cats were vaccinated against rabies. There has been a significant increase in the numbers of dogs (P < 0.001), and cats (P < 0.001), vaccinated against rabies since the introduction of the triennial vaccination interval. This observational study documents the positive changes in rabies vaccination rates following migration from a 1‐year to 3‐year vaccination interval.
Early changes, attrition, and dose-response in low intensity psychological interventions.

OBJECTIVES To investigate if early symptom changes in brief low intensity psychological interventions (guided self-help and psycho-education using cognitive behavioural therapy principles) are predictive of final treatment outcome. DESIGN Retrospective cohort data analysis. METHOD Clinical records for 1,850 patients who screened positive for depression and/or an anxiety disorder were analysed. Reliable and clinically significant improvement (RCSI) on depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9: PHQ-9) or anxiety (generalized anxiety disorder-7: GAD-7) outcome measures after treatment was the primary outcome. Change scores ≥6 on PHQ-9 and ≥5 on GAD-7 were taken as indicative of reliable improvement (RI). The model assumed that RI in the earliest treatment sessions would be predictive of RCSI post-treatment. Predictive accuracy was assessed by calculating the area under the curve (AUC), as well as positive and negative predictive values. Diagnostic odds ratios were also estimated, adjusting for confounders such as baseline severity, use of medication, and pre-treatment symptom change. RESULTS The AUC estimates for session-to-session change scores ranged between . 62 and . 88, indicative of modest to high predictive reliability. Predictive accuracy was higher for patients who had four or more treatment sessions, with more than 70% of patients with RCSI being accurately identified as early as sessions 1-3. Attrition rates were significantly associated with poor outcomes. Results suggest that at least four therapy sessions are necessary to achieve more than 50% RCSI rates, and the dose-response effect appears to decline in treatments longer than six sessions. CONCLUSIONS Patients showing RI early in treatment were at least twice as likely to fully recover compared to those without early RI.
The — 16 region, a vital sequence for the utilization of a promoter in Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli

The promoter (amyP) of the Bacillus subtilisα‐amylase gene, which is recognized by EτA, has a three out of six match to the consensus promoter in both the −35 and −10 hexamers. Oligonucleotide‐directed mutagenesis was used to identify important bases for promoter utilization in the spacer sequence between the hexamers. Mutations in the sequence TGTG extending from positions −18 to −15 (the −16 region) caused a 5–94‐fold decrease in α‐amylase production. A G‐C transversion at position −15 was the most detrimental mutation: it essentially eliminated amyP utilization in B. subtilis and in Escherichia coli. Mutating the −35 and −10 hexamers to the EτA consensus promoter increased α amylase production 56‐fold in B. subtilis and fivefold in E. coli Introducing the −15 G to C transversion into the consensus promoter reduced α‐amylase production threefold, in contrast to the 94‐fold reduction for the wild‐type promoter in B. subtilis. The −15 G to C transversion did not reduce α‐amylase synthesis directed by the consensus promoter in E. coli. The α amylase gene is subject to two forms of transcriptional regulation: catabolite repression and temporal regulation. None of the mutants constructed in this study had any effect on either type of regulation. The −16 region, especially the G at position −15, appears to be moderately conserved in B. subtilis and in other Gram‐postitive organisms and weakly conserved in E. coli. The evidence suggests that the −16 region is an additional region of EτA promoters in B. subtilis and Eτ70 promoters in E. coli, essential in some weak promoters such as the α‐amylase promoter but, of little benefit to very strong promoters.