Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Price-volume Correlation in the Housing Market: Causality and Co-movements

Housing market cycles are featured by a positive correlation of prices and trading volume, which is conventionally attributed to a causal relationship between prices and volume. This paper analyzes the housing markets in 114 metropolitan statistical areas in the United States from 1990 to 2002, treats both prices and volume as endogenous variables, and studies whether and how exogenous shocks cause co-movements of prices and volume. At quarterly frequency, we find that, first, both home prices and trading volume are affected by conditions in labor markets, the mortgage market, and the stock market, and the effects differ between markets with low and high supply elasticity. Second, home prices Granger cause trading volume, but the effects are asymmetric—decreases in prices reduce trading volume, and increases in prices have no effect. Third, trading volume also Granger causes home prices, but only in markets with inelastic supply. Finally, we find a statistically significant positive price–volume correlation; which, however, is mainly explained by co-movements of prices and volume caused by exogenous shocks, instead of the Granger causality between prices and volume.
Screening for kidney disease in adults with diabetes.

Screening programs are generally aimed at conditions with a substantial public health impact and which benefit from early interventions. Chronic kidney disease (CKD), especially CKD attributed to diabetes, certainly fits this criterion. Diabetes remains the leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in most countries in the world, accounting for 40–50% of incident ESRD cases (1–4). Due to the epidemic of diabetes secondary to obesity and the aging of the population, rates of kidney disease secondary to diabetes are on the rise. Within the past 2 decades, the incidence of ESRD secondary to diabetes in the U.S. has doubled while the prevalence of CKD among general Medicare patients diagnosed with both diabetes and hypertension has increased fourfold (1). Annual expenditures are highest for patients with ESRD secondary to diabetes compared with all other primary ESRD diagnoses (1). Thus, the epidemic of diabetes will certainly drive up health care costs for ESRD, which in the U.S. are projected to exceed $28 billion by 2010 (5). To prevent ESRD in individuals with diabetes, we must first do an adequate job of screening and detecting CKD. Unfortunately, the enormous burden of CKD remains undetected among adults with diabetes. The early detection of CKD among patients with diabetes has primarily involved the measurement of urinary albumin excretion. A timed urine collection confirmed on at least two of three occasions over a 6-month period was the initial method of screening. The acceptance of the use of the albumin (in milligrams)-to-creatinine (in grams) ratio measured in a random urine specimen has greatly expanded screening efforts due to the test’s convenience for both patients and physicians. Persistently increased levels of urine albumin excretion ≥30–299 mg/24 h or spot urine albumin-to-creatinine ratios ≥30–299 mg/g indicate the presence of microalbuminuria while urine albumin excretion levels higher than …
The Increasingly Mixed Proportional Hazard Model: An Application to Socioeconomic Status, Health Shocks, and Mortality

We introduce a duration model that allows for unobserved cumulative individual-specific shocks, which are likely to be important in explaining variations in duration outcomes, such as length of life and time spent unemployed. The model is also a useful tool in situations where researchers observe a great deal of information about individuals when first interviewed in surveys but little thereafter. We call this model the “increasingly mixed proportional hazard” (IMPH) model. We compare and contrast this model with the mixed proportional hazard (MPH) model, which continues to be the workhorse of applied single-spell duration analysis in economics and the other social sciences. We apply the IMPH model to study the relationships among socioeconomic status, health shocks, and mortality, using 19 waves of data drawn from the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP). The IMPH model is found to fit the data statistically better than the MPH model, and unobserved health shocks and socioeconomic status are shown to play powerful roles in predicting longevity.
Identification of MCM4 as a Target of the DNA Replication Block Checkpoint System*

Inhibition of the progression of DNA replication prevents further initiation of DNA replication and allows cells to maintain arrested replication forks, but the proteins that are targets of the replication checkpoint system remain to be identified. We report here that human MCM4, a subunit of the putative DNA replicative helicase, is extensively phosphorylated in HeLa cells when they are incubated in the presence of inhibitors of DNA synthesis or are exposed to UV irradiation. The data presented here indicate that the consecutive actions of ATR-CHK1 and CDK2 kinases are involved in this phosphorylation in the presence of hydroxyurea. The phosphorylation sites in MCM4 were identified using specific anti-phosphoantibodies. Based on results that showed that the DNA helicase activity of the MCM4-6-7 complex is negatively regulated by CDK2 phosphorylation, we suggest that the phosphorylation of MCM4 in the checkpoint control inhibits DNA replication, which includes blockage of DNA fork progression, through inactivation of the MCM complex.
Macromolecular mimicry

Some proteins have been shown to mimic the overall shape and structure of nucleic acids. For some of the proteins involved in translating the genetic information into proteins on the ribosome particle, there are indications that such observations of macromolecular mimicry even extend to similarity in interaction with and function on the ribosome. A small number of structural results obtained outside the protein biosynthesis machinery could indicate that the concept of macromolecular mimicry between proteins and nucleic acids is more general. The implications for the function and evolution of protein biosynthesis are discussed.
Validity and Reliability of a Questionnaire for Measuring Child Oral-health-related Quality of Life

Oral-health-related quality of life measures that exist are designed for adults. This study aimed to develop and evaluate the CPQ11-14, a self-report measure of the impact of oral and oro-facial conditions on 11- to 14-year-old children. An item pool was generated with the use of a literature review and interviews with health professionals, parents, and child patients. The 36 items rated the most frequent and bothersome by 83 children were selected for the CPQ11-14. Validity testing involved a new sample of 123 children. Test-retest reliability was assessed in a subgroup of these children (n = 65). Mean CPQ11-14 scores were highest for oro-facial (31.4), lower for orthodontic (24.3), and lowest for pedodontic (23.3) patients. There were significant associations between the CPQ11-14 score and global ratings of oral health (p < 0.05) and overall well-being (p < 0.01). The Cronbach's alpha and intraclass correlation coefficient for the CPQ11-14 were 0.91 and 0.90, respectively. These results suggest that the CPQ11-14 is valid and reliable.
Network oscillation rules imposed by species-specific electrical coupling

Electrical junctions are widespread within the mammalian CNS. Yet, their role in organizing neuronal ensemble activity remains incompletely understood. Here, in a functionally well-characterized system – neuroendocrine tuberoinfundibular dopamine (TIDA) neurons - we demonstrate a striking species difference in network behavior: rat TIDA cells discharge in highly stereotyped, robust, synchronized slow oscillations, whereas mouse oscillations are faster, flexible and show substantial cell-to-cell variability. We show that these distinct operational modes are explained by the presence of strong TIDA-TIDA gap junction coupling in the rat, and its complete absence in the mouse. Both species, however, encompass a similar heterogeneous range of intrinsic resonance frequencies, suggesting similar network building blocks. We demonstrate that gap junctions select and impose the slow network rhythm. These data identify a role for electrical junctions in determining oscillation frequency and show how related species can rely on distinct network strategies to accomplish adaptive control of hormone release.
Estimating maximal measurable performance for automated decision systems from the characteristics of the reference standard. application to diabetic retinopathy screening

We investigate the maximal performance that can be measured for automated binary decision systems in terms of area under the ROC curve (AUC), against a reference standard provided by human readers. The goal is to determine the required characteristics of the reference standard to assess and compare automated decision systems with a given degree of confidence, or, to determine what degree of confidence can be obtained given the characteristics of the reference standard. We modeled the expected value of the AUC that can be measured for a perfect decision system, given a reference standard provided either by a single human reader or by multiple human readers (consensus, majority vote). The proposed model was applied to diabetic retinopathy screening in a dataset of 874 eye fundus examinations graded by three readers. The expected value of the AUC for a perfect decision system was estimated at 0.956 against a single human reader, and 0.990 against a `majority wins' vote of three human readers. The Iowa detection program has reached the maximal performance measurable by a single human reader (0.929, CI: [0.897-0.962]) and is close to the maximal performance measurable by a `majority wins' vote (0.955, CI: [0.939-0.972]).
Deformation simulation based on model reduction with rigidity sampling

In computer graphics, model reduction method, which utilizes a low-dimensional subspace to approximate the original high-dimensional deformation space, can simulate deformation well in force-free conditions. However, when external forces are applied to simulated objects, noticeable differences between force-free modal analysis [Barbič and James 2005] and full-scale FEM simulation can be observed (Figure 1). To address this problem, we introduce a data-driven approach that obtains a low-dimensional subspace from pre-computed deformation snapshots by FEM simulation with external forces applied to different parts of an object. In order to significantly reduce pre-computation time without sacrificing deformation quality at run-time, we propose rigidity guided sampling to efficiently select force points for FEM simulation. Our key observation is that the rigidity field of a force point [Au et al. 2007] is related to the potential deformation of an object. By clustering candidate force points according to the similarities of their rigidity fields, we can obtain representative force points that well capture the structural dynamics of an object. As the subspace constructed from these specifically chosen force sample points is more efficient and compact, our results show improved accuracy compared to the results of using only the modal derivative bases [Barbič and James 2005]. Furthermore, faster and more accurate deformations under external forces show great potential in real-time deformation simulation, such as virtual reality surgical simulators and trainers.
NetAtlas: A Cytoscape Plugin to Examine Signaling Networks Based on Tissue Gene Expression

Graphical methods are useful for visualizing signaling networks derived from the synthesis of large bodies of literature information or large-scale experimental measurements. Software tools to filter and organize these networks allow the exploration of their inherent biological and structural properties. We have developed NetAtlas, an open-source, Java-based Cytoscape plugin for examining signaling networks in the context of tissue gene expression patterns. The tissue gene expression data available through NetAtlas consists of 79 human tissues, 61 mouse tissues, and 44 combined tissues from 3 rat strains. Users may also import their own tissue gene expression data. The NetAtlas plugin allows the creation of tissue-defined signaling networks by identifying which components are expressed in particular tissues, which components show tissue-specific expression, and which components within the network are coordinately expressed across tissues. The NetAtlas plugin is available at http://sourceforge.net/projects/netatlas/.
Old Boy Networks as Screening Mechanisms

This paper studies a fulfilled-expectations equilibrium in situations in which intermediaries provide personal opinions on the likelihood of success of personnel, projects, or investments. Each referee must recommend some candidates from a group of people about whom he has private information. The employer uses the recommendations to choose the workers, using his expectations about the quality of the recommended and the nonrecommended applicants. Although the referees use their information strategically, the competition among them produces optimal use of the information in the sense that employers make the same choices in equilibrium as they would if they had the same information as the referees.
Antecedents of consumer attitudes toward mobile marketing: A comparative study of youth markets in the United States and China

The purpose of this study is to examine factors influencing consumers' attitudes toward mobile marketing across two major markets—the United States and China. Drawing upon the technology acceptance model (TAM), the theory of reasoned action (TRA), and the perceived characteristics of innovations theory (PCI), we develop and test a conceptual model examining the joint influences of TAM constructs (perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness) and individual characteristics (personal attachment, innovativeness, risk avoidance, and privacy concern) and on consumer attitudes toward mobile marketing practices. Focusing on youth consumers, we empirically test the model using data collected in an established (United States) and an emerging market (China). Findings across these two markets reflect cross-market similarities and differences related to consumers' attitudes toward mobile marketing. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Optimal Reactive Power Dispatch in Electricity Markets Using A Multiagent-Based Differential Evolution Algorithm

Reactive power dispatch in power systems is a complex combinatorial optimization problem involving nonlinear functions with multiple local minima and nonlinear constraints. In an open electricity market reactive power support is an ancillary service for real power transportation. From the viewpoint of ISO, this paper provides a dispatching reactive power model, based on optimal power flow, by which both the cost of procuring reactive power as auxiliary service and the losses of active power are minimized. In this paper the cost of reactive power support consists of two components: reactive power cost of generators and shunt capacitors. In addition an extremely powerful differential evolution optimization approach based on multiagent systems (MADE) is presented, and applied to the reactive power optimization problem in electricity markets. In the proposed method, agents live in a lattice-like environment and each agent competes with its neighbors, and also learns by using its own knowledge. MADE uses these agent-agent interactions and the evolutionary mechanism of DE to obtain the global optimum. The effectiveness of the proposed method is then verified using the IEEE 30-bus system, and its performance is compared to other stochastic search approaches.
Towards an H-theorem for granular gases

The H-theorem, originally derived at the level of the Boltzmann nonlinear kinetic equation for a dilute gas undergoing elastic collisions, strongly constrains the velocity distribution of the gas to evolve irreversibly towards equilibrium. As such, the theorem could not be generalized to account for dissipative systems: the conservative nature of collisions is an essential ingredient in the standard derivation. For a dissipative gas of grains, we construct here a simple functional H ? > related to the original H, that can be qualified as a Lyapunov functional. It is positive, and results backed by three independent simulation approaches (a deterministic spectral method, the stochastic direct simulation Monte Carlo technique, and molecular dynamics) indicate that it is also nonincreasing. Both driven and unforced cases are investigated.
Symbiotic bacteria enable insect to use a nutritionally inadequate diet

Animals generally require a dietary supply of various nutrients (vitamins, essential amino acids, etc.) because their biosynthetic capabilities are limited. The capacity of aphids to use plant phloem sap, with low essential amino acid content, has been attributed to their symbiotic bacteria, Buchnera aphidicola, which can synthesize these nutrients; but this has not been demonstrated empirically. We demonstrate here that phloem sap obtained from the severed stylets of pea aphids Acyrthosiphon pisum feeding on Vicia faba plants generally provided inadequate amounts of at least one essential amino acid to support aphid growth. Complementary analyses using aphids reared on chemically defined diets with each amino acid individually omitted revealed that the capacity of the symbiotic bacterium B. aphidicola to synthesize essential amino acids exceeded the dietary deficit of all phloem amino acids except methionine. It is proposed that this shortfall of methionine was met by aphid usage of the non-protein amino acid 5-methylmethionine in the phloem sap. This study provides the first quantitative demonstration that bacterial symbiosis can meet the nutritional demand of plant-reared aphids. It shows how symbiosis with micro-organisms has enabled this group of animals to escape from the constraint of requiring a balanced dietary supply of amino acids.
Hyper-efficient (98%) and super-compact (3.3kW/dm3) isolated AC/DC telecom power supply module based on multi-cell converter approach

In this paper, a multi-cell converter approach for a telecom rectifier module breaking through the efficiency and power density barriers of traditional single-cell converter systems is shown. The potential of the multi-cell approach for high efficiency is derived from fundamental scaling laws of the system performances, such as the losses generated by the semiconductors and the harmonic spectrum, in dependence of the number of converter cells. Furthermore, a comprehensive optimization of the entire system with respect to efficiency and volume has been performed and the applied component loss models are described in detail. The achievable performance of the system is compared to a leading edge state-of-the-art single-cell converter system which currently sets the benchmark in terms of efficiency and power-density. In addition, the degrees of freedom of multi-cell converter systems in terms of converter operation are outlined and optimum control schemes are derived.
Short-Term Compensation Contracts and Executive Expenditure Decisions: The Case of Commercial Banks

Abstract This paper examines the associations between the adoption of a short-term compensation contract and changes in executive expenditure decisions for a sample of major commercial banks. In particular, the analysis concentrates primarily on changes in executive expenditures on discretionary items (expenditures preferred more by the manager than by shareholders). The results indicate that the adoption of a short-term compensation plan is associated with modest decreases in the ratio of discretionary expenditures to current operating revenue and the ratio of discretionary expenditures to managerial compensation for banks making the contractual change. These results are consistent with the conclusion that the mix of discretionary expenditures and effort selected by the manager changes with the adoption of a short-term compensation contract.
Complaint behaviour of Malaysian consumers

Purpose – To examine the post dissatisfaction behaviour of Malaysian consumers vis‐a‐vis their complaint behaviour and defection. Specifically, the relationship between public complaint behaviour (i.e. complaining to the organization), private complaint behaviour (complaining to family members and friends without a word to the organisation) and customer defection were considered. The research also investigates the moderating effect of gender and income in this relationship.Design/methodology/approach – Consisted of a survey of 218 randomly selected customers of banks in Malaysia.Findings – shows that both public and private complaints are associated with defection, albeit the determinant strength of private complaint is more robust. These findings are generic as there is no gender‐moderated effect. However, income moderates the private complaint‐defection relationship. Lower income customers are more likely to defect without a word to the bank than higher income Malaysian bank customers.Practical implicat.
Distributed cooperative location estimation (D-COOLEST) in wireless environments

In probabilistic location estimation, Kalman filters, particle filters, and hidden Markov model (HMM) schemes are commonly used. Among those, HMM-based algorithms have the best performance. However, there is still room for improvement. In this paper, we propose two distributed cooperative location estimation algorithms, D-COOLEST1 and D-COOLEST2, for HMM-based location estimation. The users are designed to exchange their observations and estimation results with each other after random encounters which allows them to further improve the accuracy of their location estimation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work in the literature to propose the theoretical framework for user cooperation in probabilistic location estimation. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithms can significantly improve the estimation accuracy and reduce the normalized mean squared error (MSE).
PEGylation of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Extends Virus Persistence in Blood Circulation of Passively Immunized Mice

ABSTRACT We are developing oncolytic vesicular stomatitis viruses (VSVs) for systemic treatment of multiple myeloma, an incurable malignancy of antibody-secreting plasma cells that are specifically localized in the bone marrow. One of the presumed advantages for using VSV as an oncolytic virus is that human infections are rare and preexisting anti-VSV immunity is typically lacking in cancer patients, which is very important for clinical success. However, our studies show that nonimmune human and mouse serum can neutralize clinical-grade VSV, reducing the titer by up to 4 log units in 60 min. In addition, we show that neutralizing anti-VSV antibodies negate the antitumor efficacy of VSV, a concern for repeat VSV administration. We have investigated the potential use of covalent modification of VSV with polyethylene glycol (PEG) or a function-spacer-lipid (FSL)–PEG construct to inhibit serum neutralization and to limit hepatosplenic sequestration of systemically delivered VSV. We report that in mice passively immunized with neutralizing anti-VSV antibodies, PEGylation of VSV improved the persistence of VSV in the blood circulation, maintaining a more than 1-log-unit increase in VSV genome copies for up to 1 h compared to the genome copy numbers for the non-PEGylated virus, which was mostly cleared within 10 min after intravenous injection. We are currently investigating if this increase in PEGylated VSV circulating half-life can translate to increased virus delivery and better efficacy in mouse models of multiple myeloma.