Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The determinants of currency derivatives usage among Indian non-financial firms: An empirical study

Purpose Theoretical studies suggest that hedging helps firms to reduce their financial distress costs and underinvestment problem especially if the markets are imperfect. Hence hedging, through the use of currency derivatives, is one of the important financial policies for firms. The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the determinants of derivatives usage by Indian firms using financial disclosures on currency derivatives by non-financial constituents of S&P CNX 500 for 2009. Design/methodology/approach We manually collect the data on foreign currency derivatives from firms’ annual reports for 2009 and then follow Haushalter’s (2000) approach to examine the determinants of firms’ decision to hedge. A firm can make its hedging decision at once, deciding whether to hedge and how much to hedge. Given the nature of dependent variable that is censored, it is appropriate to use Tobit regression. A firm can also decide its hedging decision in two steps by deciding first on whether to hedge and later how much to hedge. The former is modelled by probit regression and later by conditional regression. Findings Our empirical evidence suggests that forwards are the main instruments for managing currency risk followed by options and swaps. The objectives, in the order of priority, are reduction in exposure associated with foreign currency receivables, foreign currency long-term loans and foreign currency payables. Firm’s decision to hedge is positively related to size, foreign exchange exposure and leverage, while negatively related to liquidity and investment opportunities. We find evidence of higher derivative usage by firms with both higher currency risk and higher financial distress costs. Practical implications The findings of this paper will help corporates, researchers and regulators to understand firms’ motives behind hedging. Originality/value This is the first empirical study that examines the determinants of firm’s decision to hedge and the extent of hedging in the context of emerging economies like India.
The emotion recognition system with Heart Rate Variability and facial image features

Amid the rapid advance of technologies in recent years, people live at fast paces and suffer invisible pressures in family, at workplace as well as in school. Emotional undulation tends easily to lead to melancholy. Statistically, the number of bipolar disorder sufferers in the last three years was 40 times that in the past 10 years. What should be more attended to is that 90 percent of suicide cases involved a history of “depression” or “bipolar disorder”. Currently, to assess the mental pressure on an individual, questionnaires or interviews are applied and determination is made by physician's personal experiences. The development of a more viable quantitative method for assessing individual psychological pressure would facilitate self-management of health. This paper thus aims to CCD-capture human face, measure user's physiological data using BtECG and determine his/her emotional status by using the fuzzy theory based on the analysis of human face, eyes and Heart Rate Variability. The features of measurements and the determination are also fed to database, which can serve as reference for doctors in consulting related psychological disorders in future.
Locus of Control and Investment in Training

ABSTRACT We extend standard models of work-related training by explicitly incorporating workers’ locus of control into the investment decision through the returns they expect. Our model predicts that higher internal control results in increased take-up of general, but not specific, training. This prediction is empirically validated using data from the German Socioeconomic Panel (SOEP). We provide empirical evidence that locus of control influences participation in training through its effect on workers’ expectations about future wage increases rather than actual wage increases. Our results provide an important explanation for underinvestment in training and suggest that those with an external sense of control may require additional training support.
Clinical usefulness of measuring red blood cell distribution width in patients with systemic sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is a biomarker quantifying the variability of red blood cell size in peripheral blood. Elevated RDW has been found to be an independent prognostic factor for cardiovascular events. SSc is characterized by generalized micro- and macroangiopathy. Our aim was to investigate RDW as a potential biomarker for the assessment of the severity of vascular involvement. METHODS One hundred and sixty-eight consecutive SSc patients--62 with dcSSc and 106 with lcSSc--were investigated at baseline and after 1-year of follow-up. Measurements in 93 patients with primary RP and 40 healthy subjects served as controls. RESULTS The median RDW value of patients with SSc was higher [14.2% (25th-75th percentiles 13.5-14.8%) compared with the group of primary RP patients [13.9% (13.4-14.4%); P < 0.05) and healthy volunteers [13.6% (13.2-13.8%; P < 0.01]. dcSSc and anti-topoisomerase antibody-positive cases showed elevated RDW values compared with lcSSc and anti-topoisomerase antibody-negative cases (P < 0.05). RDW showed a positive correlation with inflammatory markers, including ESR (P < 0.05) and CRP (P < 0.05), and a negative correlation with forced vital capacity (P < 0.05) and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) (P < 0.05) during the follow-up. An increase in RDW of >5% during follow-up was associated with an average 8.9% decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and 7% in DLCO and these associations were independent of each other. CONCLUSION RDW in SSc may represent an integrative measure of multiple pathological processes including extensive vasculopathy, fibrosis or ongoing inflammation. An increase in RDW may indicate an impairment of cardiorespiratory function.
Flagellar Assembly Mutants in Escherichia coli

Genetic and biochemical analysis of mutants defective in the synthesis of flagella in Escherichia coli revealed an unusual class of mutants. These mutants were found to produce short, curly, flagella-like filaments with low amplitude (∼0.06 μm). The filaments were connected to characteristic flagellar basal caps and extended for 1 to 2 μm from the bacterial surface. The mutations in these strains were all members of one complementation group, group E, which is located between his and uvrC. The structural, serological, and chemical properties of the filament derived from the mutants closely resemble those of the flagellar hook structure. On the basis of these properties, it is suggested that these filaments are “polyhooks”, i.e., repeated end-to-end polymers of the hook portion of the flagellum. Polyhooks are presumed to be the result of a defective cistron which normally functions to control the length of the hook region of the flagellum.
Economic Growth in the UN Post-2015 Development Agenda: A Critical Analysis

This study examines how economic growth is framed in the UN post-2015 development agenda, which is centered on the Sustainable Development Goals. It uses a transdisciplinary approach combining Ecological Economics and Critical Theory. Through a qualitative content analysis of nine official documents from different work streams in the post-2015 process, the thesis seeks to answer what the goal of ‘sustained, inclusive, and sustainable’ growth actually means, how it relates to the aim of transformative change which is central to the agenda, and how the agenda addresses the relationship between growth and the environment. The results show that there is a strong consensus to maintain and increase growth levels, while changing the quality of growth to make it more socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable. Thus, the agenda reinforces the ‘sustainable development’ concept which has been established over the last three decades as the mainstream approach to international environmental governance. No limits to growth are recognized; poverty reduction and greater equality are to be achieved mainly by aiming for higher growth rates in developing countries than developed ones. It is acknowledged that the GDP metric has many shortcomings and needs to be revised to better account for externalities and complemented by alternative measures of welfare and well-being. However, no existing alternative measures are used in the SDGs. The goal is to develop better ones by 2030, which effectively postpones the necessary shift away from GDP. The documents express a strong belief in ‘green growth’ (the decoupling of growth from material resource use and emissions), but this optimism seems to be unfounded since the documents fail to account for several aspects that are crucial to determining the feasibility of green growth. Most notably, there appears to be no evidence of absolute decoupling ever having occurred. At the same time, the scale of decoupling that is required appears to be physically impossible to achieve. Since the agenda does not question growth dependency at all, and fails to distinguish between the intrinsic and instrumental value of GDP growth, my conclusion is that it does not fulfill the promise of transformative change.
Stimulation via CD40 can substitute for CD4 T cell function in preventing reactivation of a latent herpesvirus

Reactivation of latent herpesviruses is a particular problem in immunocompromised individuals, such as AIDS patients, who lack effective CD4 T helper cell function. An important question is whether residual immune defenses can be mobilized to combat such opportunistic infections, in the absence of CD4 T cells. In the present study, we used a mouse model of opportunistic infection to determine whether stimulation via CD40 could substitute for CD4 T cell function in preventing reactivation of a latent herpesvirus. Treatment with an agonistic antibody to CD40 was highly effective in preventing reactivation of latent murine gammaherpesvirus (MHV-68) in the lungs of CD4 T cell-deficient mice. CD8+ T cells were essential for this effect, whereas virus-specific serum antibody was undetectable and IFN-γ production was unchanged. This demonstration that immunostimulation via CD40 can replace CD4 T cell help in controlling latent virus in vivo has potential implications for the development of novel therapeutic agents to prevent viral reactivation in immunocompromised patients.
Morphometric Analysis of Styloid Process Using Multidetector Computed Tomography

AbstractStyloid process (SP) is a cylindrical anatomical structure located at the anterior side of stylomastoid foramen. Normally, it is 20 to 25 mm in length and can vary with ageand sex. An elongated SP is an unusual source of craniofacial and cervical pain. In this study, the clinical role of morphometric data of SP was discussed.In this study, 64-slice multidetector computed tomography images (Somatom Sensation 64, Siemens, Germany) from Radiology Department's archive of Necmettin Erbakan University were used. The examined images were collected from 100 patients (31 female and 69 male). Length of SP (SPL), SP width (SPW), distance between SP rooths (DBR), SP's angulation, and the distance between SP and internal carotid artery (SP-ICA) were measured.Statistical differences were found regarding to the data of SPL, SPW, DBR, and SP-ICA left between sexes. No statistical significance was detected between right and left side SPL (paired t test; P = 0.989, P > 0.05). SP was observed as mostly type A1 (right %55, left %52). These parameters were also compared with those of previous studies.The present study showed side and sex differences and types of SP. We believe that it was necessary to determine the normal range of values for different populations, and this knowledge will provide guidance to surgeons in the examination of this area.
Real time motion tracking algorithm for search and rescue robots

Being able to provide timely help to victims trapped in various disasters is very important. In this paper a novel strategy for tracking and following of victims using unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) is discussed. The proposed system is based on motion tracking algorithm and is useful in operations like fire fighting. The system separates the moving objects from the background. Hence further processing can be achieved through a simplistic method to achieve a real time result. The conventional systems are operator dependent and suffer from the disadvantages of causing delays through wireless communication. The proposed system overcomes these disadvantages. The system uses an ego-motion compensation algorithm to identify motion and a particle filter to track the moving object. Further, in this work the existing ego-motion compensation algorithm is modified since it can not be used along with a continuous control strategy. This is because it is unable to autonomously adopt to variable robot velocity. Such an ability is essential for search and rescue robots. Hence, a velocity based feedback is added to the existing ego-motion compensation algorithm. The effectiveness of this modification in subtracting the background more accurately than other existing algorithms for various velocities is tested using a UGV.
Value of Baseline Cardiovascular Mechanics in Predicting Exercise Training Success

PURPOSE: Despite being repeatedly shown that exercise training (ET) increases exercise capacity and decreases mortality in many cardiac conditions, not all patients enjoy the benefits of ET programs. We hypothesized that baseline cardiovascular mechanic properties, including cardiac systolic and diastolic functions, arterial mechanics and ventriculoarterial interaction, may have a role in predicting response to ET. METHODS: Full left ventricular pressure-volume loops were constructed and arterial mechanics were evaluated using echocardiographic and tonometric measurements. A cardiopulmonary exercise (CPX) test was performed before and after the ET program. RESULTS: Sixty of the 75 patients with coronary artery disease or heart failure diagnoses completed the study. All of the CPX parameters showed a significant improvement with ET. The change in oxygen uptake correlated only with arterial parameters, such as compliance (r = 0.399, P = .002), end-systolic arterial elastance (r = −0.293, P = .02), aortic pulse pressure (r = −0.302, P = .02), and brachial pulse pressure (r = −0.312, P = .01). Receiver-operating characteristics analysis demonstrated that baseline arterial compliance and brachial pulse pressure predicted a significantly positive ET result with reasonable sensitivity and specificity. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with a more compliant arterial system improved their exercise capacity more with ET. Evaluation of baseline arterial compliance may facilitate proper patient selection and may define patients who need optimizing measures for the arterial system before commencing ET. Even a simple blood pressure measurement may give clues in this regard.
A Ribosome Assembly Factor Ebp2p, the Yeast Homolog of EBNA1-Binding Protein 2, Is Involved in the Secretory Response

We have found that Ebp2p is essential for maturation of 25S rRNA and assembly of 60S pre-ribosomal subunits in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We obtained three temperature-sensitive ebp2 mutants by PCR. Polysome analysis revealed that the synthesis of 60S ribosomal subunits was compromised in each of the ebp2 mutants at the restrictive temperature. The ebp2 alleles affected the transcriptional repression of both rRNA and ribosomal protein genes due to a secretion block. Fluorescence microscopy showed that a secretion block led to condensation of nucleolar Ebp2p, whereas that was not the case with the ebp2 mutant. These results suggest that Ebp2p is implicated in the secretory response, including changes in nucleolar architecture.
CHANGES IN EXERCISE PERFORMANCE AND HORMONAL CONCENTRATIONS OVER A BIG TEN SOCCER SEASON IN STARTERS AND NONSTARTERS

As a consequence of the physiological demands experienced during a competitive soccer season, the antagonistic relationship between anabolic and catabolic processes can affect performance. Twenty-five male collegiate soccer players were studied throughout a season (11 weeks) to investigate the effects of long-term training and competition. Subjects were grouped as starters (S; n = 11) and nonstarters (NS; n = 14). Measures of physical performance, body composition, and hormonal concentrations (testosterone [T] and cortisol [C]) were assessed preseason (T1) and 5 times throughout the season (T2-T6). Starters and NS participated in 83.06% and 16.95% of total game time, respectively. Nonstarters had a significant increase ( + 1.6%) in body fat at T6 compared to T1. Isokinetic strength of the knee extensors (1.05 rad-sec-1) significantly decreased in both S (-12%) and NS (-10%; p > 0.05) at T6. Significant decrements in sprint speed ( + 4.3%) and vertical jump (—13.8%) were found at T5 in S only. Though within normal ranges (10.4–41.6 nmol-L-1), concentrations of T at T1 were low for both groups, but increased significantly by T6. Concentrations of C were elevated in both groups, with concentrations at the high end of the normal range (normal range 138–635 nmol-L-1) at T1 and T4 in NS and T4 in S, with both groups remaining elevated at T6. Data indicate that players entering the season with low circulating concentrations of T and elevated levels of C can experience reductions in performance during a season, with performance decrements exacerbated in starters over nonstarters. Soccer players should therefore have a planned program of conditioning that does not result in an acute overtraining phenomenon prior to preseason (e.g., young players trying to get in shape quickly in the 6 to 8 weeks in the summer prior to reporting for preseason camp). The detrimental effects of inappropriate training do not appear to be unloaded during the season and catabolic activities can predominate.
The use of inferred haplotypes in downstream analyses.

To the Editor: In the March 2006 issue of the Journal, Marchini et al.1 provided a comprehensive description of phasing algorithms for inference of individual haplotypes from unphased genotype data. They stated that an unresolved question is “whether and, if so, how best to use inferred haplotypes in downstream analyses. ”1(p.448) The question is important because knowledge of individual haplotypes is rarely an end in itself. We offer our perspective on this issue, particularly in the context of (case-control) association studies.
Thermoresistive Effect for Advanced Thermal Sensors: Fundamentals, Design Considerations, and Applications

Microelectromechanical systems sensors have been intensively developed utilizing various physical concepts, such as piezoresistive, piezoelectric, and thermoresistive effects. Among these sensing concepts, the thermoresistive effect is of interest for a wide range of thermal sensors and devices, thanks to its simplicity in implementation and high sensitivity. The effect of temperature on the electrical resistance of some metals and semiconductors has been thoroughly investigated, leading to the significant growth and successful demonstration of thermal-based sensors, such as temperature sensors, convective accelerometers and gyroscopes, and thermal flow sensors. In this paper, we review the fundamentals of the thermoresistive effect in metals and semiconductors. We also discuss the influence of design and fabrication parameters on the thermoresistive sensitivity. This paper includes several desirable features of thermoresistive sensors and recent developments in these sensors are summarized. This review provides insights into how it is affected by various parameters, and useful guidance for industrial designers in terms of high sensitivity and linearity and fast response. [2017-0022]
Laser operation at 1.3microm of 2at.% doped crystalline Nd:YAG in a bounce geometry.

High efficiency and high power laser operation of highly-doped 2at. % crystalline Nd:YAG at 1.3microm is demonstrated in a diode-side pumped bounce amplifier configuration. A linearly polarized output power of 16.7W is obtained representing the highest power at 1.3microm achieved to date, to our knowledge, in a highly doped crystalline Nd:YAG laser. The system could deliver over 9W average output power in Q-switched operation with repetition rates from 20 - 160kHz. With quasi-continuous wave diode pumping 5.5mJ pulses at 100Hz repetition rate were achieved as well as 50ns pulses in Q-switched operation.
On a mission : achieving distinction as a business school?

This paper investigates what business schools are saying in their mission statements and whether they provide a meaningful basis for strategic choice, distinction and differentiation from a positioning perspective; or whether they are the equivalent of "table stakes" in the MBA game - undifferentiated signals that connote legitimacy. Content analysis is undertaken of the mission statements of the Financial Times 2009 top 100 full-time MBA program offering business schools. The statements are mapped and compared in the aggregate and by quartile. We conclude that the statements are for the most part homogeneous and do not serve as a basis for differentiation. However, although achieving distinction through a mission statement may indeed be difficult, it is by no means impossible, and we suggest approaches that business school deans might adopt in an effort to make their brands stand out.
Associated factors of behavioural problems in children at preschool age: the Hokkaido study on environment and children's health

BACKGROUND Finding associated factors with childhood behavioural problems as early as preschool age is important. Studies have revealed several factors including socioeconomic factors, which may vary among different cultural background and population. However, investigation in general Japanese population of preschool age has not been well demonstrated. Thus, the objective of this study was to examine associated factors of childhood behavioural problems using Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) in a prospective birth cohort study. METHODS Total 3813 SDQ were distributed between October 2014 and December 2015 to the subpopulation of prospective birth cohort study, the Hokkaido Study on Environment and Children's Health. The subpopulation consisted of participants who had reached age 5 and were born between April 2008 and December 2010. Baseline questionnaire filled at recruitment and birth record were used to obtain participant information. Children with total difficulties score ≧ 13 were defined as likelihood of behavioural problems. A total of 2553 children with valid answers were included into the analysis. The response rate was 67.1%. RESULTS Number of children with likelihood of behavioural problems was 521 (20.4%). Boys showed more problematic scores than girls. Multivariate analysis found that maternal pre-pregnancy BMI ≧ 30 kg/m2 , primipara, maternal education lower than high school, family income during pregnancy < 3 million yen/year and boy gender were the factors associated with increased odds ratio of likelihood of child behavioural problems. CONCLUSIONS This study found that prenatal socioeconomic factors were associated with likelihood of child behavioural problems at preschool age in Japan.
Robust stabilization of discrete-time uncertain nonlinear systems using neuro-optimal control strategy

In this paper, the robust stabilization problem for a class of discrete-time uncertain nonlinear systems is investigated by using a neuro-optimal control strategy. The robust stabilization problem is converted into an optimal control problem under some proper conditions. Then, in order to deal with the transformed optimal control problem, the discrete-time generalized Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equation is introduced and solved by employing the successive approximation method. The convergence proof of the iterative algorithm and the design procedure of the neural network implementation are developed as well. A numerical simulation is also provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the control strategy.