Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Is Hedging Bad News? Evidence from Corporate Hedging Announcements

We examine the information content of corporate hedging announcements using a hand-collected sample of 153 hedging policy changes announced by gold mining firms between 1991 and 2008. We observe a strong positive reaction in the gold spot market to hedging decreases, which we show is consistent with the market believing that firms have credible private information about future gold prices. After controlling for the effect of the gold price change, we observe a similarly strong positive (negative) reaction in the stock prices of the firm making the announcement and other gold mining firms to a hedging decrease (increase), suggesting that (a) the announcement also conveys information about a change in the expected future financial condition (cost of financial distress) of both the firm and its industry; and (b) any shareholder benefit of a hedging increase is more than offset by the negative news conveyed by the hedging increase about the change in the firm’s expected future financial condition, and vice versa. Our findings also provide new insights into the endogeneity associated with hedging policy changes and its effect on measuring the relation between hedging and the value of the firm. JEL Classification: G11; G14; G32; G39
Three-Domain Burst Scheduling in Optically Burst-Switched WDM Networks

This paper proposes three-domain (3-D) burst scheduling in optically burst-switched WDM networks. This scheme completely eliminates contention at intermediate core nodes by combining contention avoidance schemes in the space, wavelength, and time domains. In the space and wavelength domains, the proposed scheme constructs multiple fixed, tree-shaped routes for burst transmission called λ-trees, each of which is assigned a wavelength. Note that λ-trees with the same wavelength do not share any links, and therefore the proposed scheme provides contention-free transmission among bursts transmitted on different λ-trees. Furthermore, in the time domain, the proposed scheme introduces an ingenious offset time assignment scheme named burst grooming, which eliminates contention on each λ-tree. As a result, contention at intermediate core nodes is completely eliminated because each ingress node schedules incoming bursts onto λ-trees with burst grooming. We provide λ-tree construction and burst scheduling algorithms, which aim to minimize the overall burst loss probability. Extensive simulation experiments show that the proposed scheme improves the overall burst loss performance dramatically without wavelength conversion.
As fast as sound lightweight formal scenario synthesis and verification

Synthesis and Model Checking are classical techniques for relating scenarios (here, Live Sequence Charts) and state machines, in the context of roundtrip Scenario-based Software Engineering. Unfortunately, current approaches do not scale up very well. To improve on this, we propose to lose some precision as a trade-off to gain ef(cid:2)ciency. Usual algorithms are turned into sound ones, which act locally on the speci(cid:2)cation and deliver results in acceptable time
Postsynaptic Density-93 Clusters Kv1 Channels at Axon Initial Segments Independently of Caspr2

Postsynaptic density-93 (PSD-93)/Chapsyn-110 is a PDZ (PSD-95/Discs large/zona occludens-1) domain-containing membrane-associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) that functions as a scaffold to assemble channels, receptors, and other signaling proteins at cell membranes. PSD-93 is highly enriched at synapses, but mice lacking this protein have no synaptic structural abnormalities, probably because of overlapping expression and redundancy with other MAGUKs. Consequently, the function of PSD-93 is not well understood. Here, we show that PSD-93, but not other MAGUKs, is enriched at the axon initial segment (AIS), where it colocalizes with Kv1.1, Kv1.2, Kv1.4, and Kvβ2 subunit-containing K+ channels, Caspr2, and TAG-1 (transient axonal glycoprotein-1). When coexpressed with Kv1 channels in heterologous cells, PSD-93 induces formation of large cell-surface clusters. Knockdown of PSD-93 in cultured hippocampal neurons by RNA interference disrupted Kv1 channel localization at the AIS. Similarly, PSD-93−/− mice failed to cluster Kv1 channels at the AIS of cortical and hippocampal neurons. In contrast, Caspr2, which mediates Kv1 channel clustering at the juxtaparanode, is not required for localization of Kv1 channels at the AIS. These results show PSD-93 mediates AIS accumulation of Kv1 channels independently of Caspr2.
Novel wavelet-based pitch estimation and segmentation of non-stationary speech

This paper introduces a novel method for accurate pitch estimation and speech segmentation, named multi-feature, autocorrelation (ACR) and wavelet technique (MAWT). MAWT uses feature extraction, and ACR applied on linear predictive coding (LPC) residuals, with a wavelet-based refinement step. MAWT opens the way for a unique approach to modeling: although speech is divided into segments, the success of voicing decisions is not crucial. Experiments demonstrate the superiority of MAWT in pitch period detection accuracy over existing methods, and illustrate its advantages for speech segmentation. These advantages are more pronounced for gain-varying and transitional speech, and under noisy conditions.
Permutohedral Lattice CNNs

This paper presents a convolutional layer that is able to process sparse input features. As an example, for image recognition problems this allows an efficient filtering of signals that do not lie on a dense grid (like pixel position), but of more general features (such as color values). The presented algorithm makes use of the permutohedral lattice data structure. The permutohedral lattice was introduced to efficiently implement a bilateral filter, a commonly used image processing operation. Its use allows for a generalization of the convolution type found in current (spatial) convolutional network architectures.
Large-scale 3D TCAD study of the impact of shorts in phase controlled thyristors

Continuous advances in computer hardware and solving algorithm enable more pervasive use of 3D TCAD simulations for both nanoscale and power semiconductor devices. However, while BiMOS power semiconductor devices such as IGBTs require relatively small 3D simulated structures (of the order of fa 10×10×1000/im3), bipolar power devices such as thyristors require much larger simulated structures of the order of fa 10 mm3. This work presents large scale 3D simulations of Phase Controlled Thyristors and describes the technique used to reduce computation times to extents compatible with industrial practice. 3D TCAD is used to understand the impact of cathode shorts on figures of merit such as the breakdown voltage and dV/dt.
Improved speech source localization in reverberant environments based on correlation dimension

Speech source location estimation in a noisy, reverberant environment has attracted much attention recently. It was found that the localization method through calculating the steered response power (SRP) is more robust than time-difference-of-arrival (TDOA)-based localization method. The method places equal emphasis on each microphone pair in calculation of the SRP. In a room, each microphone is usually differently affected by noise and reverberation. Thus the performance of the SRP-based localization method will degrade. In this paper, we place a weighting on each microphone pair according to their correlation dimensions to compute SRP. Simulations show that the proposed correlation-dimension-based source localization method is more robust to noise and reverberation than the SRP-PHAT (phase transform) algorithm
Immediate Remote Ischemic Postconditioning Reduces Brain Nitrotyrosine Formation in a Piglet Asphyxia Model

Remote ischemic postconditioning (RIPostC) is a promising therapeutic intervention that could be administered as an alternative to cooling in cases of perinatal hypoxia-ischemia (HI). In the current study we hypothesized that RIPostC in the piglet model of birth asphyxia confers protection by reducing nitrosative stress and subsequent nitrotyrosine formation, as well as having an effect on glial immunoreactivity. Postnatal day 1 (P1) piglets underwent HI brain injury and were randomised to HI (control) or HI + RIPostC. Immunohistochemistry assessment 48 hours after HI revealed a significant decrease in brain nitrotyrosine deposits in the RIPostC-treated group (p = 0.02). This was accompanied by a significant increase in eNOS expression (p < 0.0001) and decrease in iNOS (p = 0.010), with no alteration in nNOS activity. Interestingly, RIPostC treatment was associated with a significant increase in GFAP (p = 0.002) and IBA1 (p = 0.006), markers of astroglial and microglial activity, respectively. The current study demonstrates a beneficial effect of RIPostC therapy in the preclinical piglet model of neonatal asphyxia, which appears to be mediated by modulation of nitrosative stress, despite glial activation.
An interdisciplinary framework for measuring and supporting adherence in HIV prevention trials of ARV-based vaginal rings

Product adherence and its measurement have emerged as a critical challenge in the evaluation of new HIV prevention technologies. Long‐acting ARV‐based vaginal rings may simplify use instructions and require less user behaviour, thereby facilitating adherence. One ARV‐based ring is in efficacy trials and others, including multipurpose rings, are in the pipeline. Participant motivations, counselling support and measurement challenges during ring trials must still be addressed. In previous HIV prevention trials, this has been done largely using descriptive and post‐hoc methods that are highly variable and minimally evaluated. We outline an interdisciplinary framework for systematically investigating promising strategies to support product uptake and adherence, and to measure adherence in the context of randomized, blinded clinical trials.
A novel method of stone surface texture image recognition

With the development of stone processing and sales, effective stone surface texture image recognition methods are needed. We proposed a new stone surface texture image recognition method based on texture and colour. We combine the following visual features: Gabor features which can well simulate the single cell sensing profile of mammalian visual neurons, The Grey-level Co-occurrence Matrices(GLCM) which describe image gray distribution characteristics and spatial location information, and HSV colour features which are consistent with human visual characteristics. In addition, for the sub-image of the stone surface texture image can contain its original image texture structure, this paper adopts the block training idea, subdividing original image into non-overlapping sub-images to multiply the number of training samples for SVM classifier. Extensive experimental results show that the proposed method has a reference value for the study of stone texture image recognition.
Brazilian international identity and foreign policy : Past, present, and future

Considerant que la politique etrangere d'un pays est un moyen d'expression de son identite nationale et de sa vision du monde specifique (J. Ortega y Gasset), l'A. montre comment certains traits caracteristiques de l'identite bresilienne ont marque, a travers le temps, la politique etrangere du Bresil. Il decrit comment certains facteurs nationaux ont assure la continuite de la politique internationale du Bresil, et il aborde notamment les questions suivantes : la situation geographique et geopolitique du Bresil a l'interieur du continent sudamericain, ses relations avec les pays voisins et sa place dans le systeme international, le role de la langue nationale, la question du developpement et de l'espace national. En conclusion, il propose quelques relexions prospectives sur les enjeux futurs de l'identite et de la politique internationale bresiliennes.
eighted principal component extraction with genetic algorithms

Pattern recognition techniques have been widely used in a variety of scientific disciplines including computer vision, artificial intelligence, biology, and so forth. Although many methods present satisfactory performances, they still have several weak points, thus leaving a lot of space for further improvements. In this paper, we propose two performance-driven subspace learning methods by extending the principal component analysis (PCA) and the kernel PCA (KPCA). Both methods adopt a common structure where
Effect of microgravity on metabolic enzymes of individual muscle fibers

Eleven enzymes were measured in individual fibers of soleus and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles from two flight and two control (synchronous) animals. There were five enzymes of glycogenolytic metabolism: phosphorylase, glucose‐6‐phosphate isomerase, glyccrol‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase, pyruvate kinase, and lactate dehydrogenase (group GLY); five of oxidative metabolism: citrate synthase, malate dehydrogenase, β‐hydroxyacyl‐CoA dehydrogenase, 3‐ketoacid CoA‐transferase, and mitochondrial thiolase (group OX); and hexokinase, subserving both groups. Fiber size (dry weight per unit length) was reduced about 35% in both muscles. On a dry weight basis, hexokinase levels were increased 100% or more in flight fibers from both soleus and TA. Group OX enzymes increased 56‐193% in TA without significant change in soleus. Group GLY enzymes increased an average of 28% in soleus fibers but underwent, if anything, a modest decrease (20%) in TA fibers. These changes in composition of TA fibers were those anticipated for a conversion of about half of the originally predominant fast glycolytic fibers into fast oxidative glycolytic fibers. Calculation on the basis of fiber length, rather than dry weight, gave an estimate of absolute enzyme changes: hexokinase was still calculated to have increased in both soleus and TA fibers, but only by 50 and 25%, respectively. Three of the OX enzymes were, on this basis, unchanged in TA fibers, but 3‐ketoacid CoA‐transferase and thiolase had still nearly doubled, whereas TA GLY enzymes had fallen about 40%. In soleus fibers, absolute levels of OX enzymes had decreased an average of 25% and GLY enzymes were marginally decreased. —Manchester, J. K. ; Chi, M. M. ‐Y. ; Norris, B. ; Ferrier, B. ; Krasnov, I. ; Nemeth, P. M. ; McDougal, D. B. , Jr.; and Lowry, O. H. Effect of microgravity on metabolic enzymes of individual muscle fibers. FASEB J. 4: 55‐63; 1990.
Evaluation and Enhancement of a Unifying Link Abstraction for Sensornets

SP has been proposed as a unifying abstraction or “narrow waist” for the SensorNet Architecture. An early prototype demonstrated the ability to allow multiple network protocols to co-exist and mutually benefit by sharing common resources without the drawback of larger program size or lesser performance. However, the early implementation failed to address the policy of resource sharing between network protocols, did not permit coexisting link layers, was evaluated on a limited scope of controlled experiments, and lacked the capability to evolve with evaluation, hindering broad adoption by the sensornet community. We provide a concrete and stable system that fully enables resource sharing among multiple concurrent network and link protocols, is easily portable to existing protocols and flexible to accommodate future protocols, and modularizes the policy engine of SP to enrich the control available to system designers, all while remaining competitive in the size of program and memory footprints. By enabling the community to evaluate and explore protocol interoperability, SP promotes code factorization and reuse, facilitating development of protocols and systems with expanded capabilities, enhanced performance, and greater energy-efficiency.
A Hybrid Method for Gesture Recognition

In this article, we propose a new hybrid approach with Fourier technique well known as Fourier descriptor and HU moments to detect hand gesture signatures for vision-based applications. Fourier descriptors are efficient specifications of image feature extraction. They can be used for shape characterization by preventing the scale, translation, and rotation invariance, as well as their independent from small shape deviations. To obtain good results for hand images, they converted into HSV color space. HSV unlike RGB color space has some features help users understand the nuances in the images; since, if one color be similar to another color, HSV can get better results. After that, Hand image will be extracted from HSV image by implementing the threshold operation. The Fourier Descriptors of extracted hand images are hybridized with HU moments and are compared with the reference dictionary to perform gesture recognition. Experiments are performed on the Bochum Gestures database. Finally the performance of the gesture recognition using Euclidean distance investigated. Results show that proposed hybrid method gives a high performance for hand gesture applications.
Constraints on relativistic beaming from estimators of the unbeamed flux

We review the statistical properties of relativistic Doppler boosting relevant for studies of relativistic jets from compact objects based on radio–X-ray(–mass) correlations, such as that found in black-hole X-ray binaries in the low/hard state, or the ‘fundamental plane’ of Merloni, Heinz & DiMatteo. We show that the presence of only moderate scatter in such relations does not necessarily imply low Lorentz factors of the jets producing the radio emission in the samples under consideration. Applying Doppler beaming statistics to a large sample of XRBs and AGN, we derive a limit on the width of the Lorentz factor distribution of black holes with relativistic jets: if the X-rays are unbeamed (e.g. if they originate in the accretion disc or in the slower, innermost part of the jet), the width of the βΓ distribution should be about one order of magnitude or less. If the scatter about the ‘fundamental plane’ is entirely dominated by relativistic beaming, a lower limit on the mean Lorentz factor 〈βΓ〉 > 5 can be derived. On the other hand, if the X-rays are boosted by the same factor as the radio emission, we show that the observed scatter cannot be reasonably explained by Doppler boosting alone.
Static hand gesture recognition of Persian sign numbers using thinning method

Sign language is the most natural way of communication for the people with hearing problems. One of its most appealing applications is developing interfacing of human-machine interaction with more effective. A hand gesture recognition system can provide an opportunity for deaf persons to communicate with normal people without the need of an interpreter or Intermediate. In this article, we propose a method to recognize the image-based numbers of Persian sign language (PSL) using thinning method on segmented image. In this approach, after cleaning thinned image, the real endpoints have been used for recognition. The method is qualified to provide real-time recognition and is not affected by hand rotation and scaling. Experimental results on 300 images show that our approach recognition rate is 96.6 % as average.
Hyperlinks embedded in twitter as a proxy for total external in‐links to international university websites

Twitter as a potential alternative source of external links for use in webometric analysis is analyzed because of its capacity to embed hyperlinks in different tweets. Given the limitations on searching Twitter's public application programming interface (API), we used the Topsy search engine as a source for compiling tweets. To this end, we took a global sample of 200 universities and compiled all the tweets with hyperlinks to any of these institutions. Further link data was obtained from alternative sources (MajesticSEO and OpenSiteExplorer) in order to compare the results. Thereafter, various statistical tests were performed to determine the correlation between the indicators and the possibility of predicting external links from the collected tweets. The results indicate a high volume of tweets, although they are skewed by the performance of specific universities and countries. The data provided by Topsy correlated significantly with all link indicators, particularly with OpenSiteExplorer (r = 0.769). Finally, prediction models do not provide optimum results because of high error rates. We conclude that the use of Twitter (via Topsy) as a source of hyperlinks to universities produces promising results due to its high correlation with link indicators, though limited by policies and culture regarding use and presence in social networks.
Dopamine depletion increases the power and coherence of β‐oscillations in the cerebral cortex and subthalamic nucleus of the awake rat

Local field potentials (LFPs) recorded from the subthalamic nucleus (STN) of untreated patients implanted with stimulation electrodes for the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD) demonstrate strong coherence with the cortical electroencephalogram over the β‐frequency range (15–30 Hz). However, studies in animal models of PD emphasize increased temporal coupling in cortico‐basal ganglia circuits at substantially lower frequencies, undermining the potential usefulness of these models. Here we show that 6‐hydroxydopamine (6‐OHDA) lesions of midbrain dopamine neurons are associated with significant increases in the power and coherence of β‐frequency oscillatory activity present in LFPs recorded from frontal cortex and STN of awake rats, as compared with the healthy animal. Thus, the pattern of synchronization between population activity in the STN and cortex in the 6‐OHDA‐lesioned rodent model of PD closely parallels that seen in the parkinsonian human. The peak frequency of coherent activity in the β‐frequency range was increased in lesioned animals during periods of spontaneous and sustained movement. Furthermore, administration of the dopamine receptor agonist apomorphine to lesioned animals suppressed β‐frequency oscillations, and increased coherent activity at higher frequencies in the cortex and STN, before producing the rotational behaviour indicative of successful lesion. Taken together, these results support a crucial role for dopamine in the modulation of population activity in cortico‐basal ganglia circuits, whereby dopaminergic mechanisms effectively filter out synchronized, rhythmic activity at β‐frequencies at the systems level, and shift temporal couplings in these circuits to higher frequencies. These changes may be important in regulating movement.
Application of data fusion algorithm based on Kalman filter in mobile robot position measuring system

A data fusion scheme for mobile robots with multiple sensors is proposed in this work. The task is to reduce and eliminate the pose error of robot produced by restriction uncertainty between robot wheels and the ground. Kalman filter (KF) is used to fuse several kinds of data from encoders, gyroscope and ultrasonic sensors. The program of one dimension KF is brief, it can be complicated in each servo cycle. With the proposed data fusion scheme, the path tracking and point positioning was accomplished under the industrial conditions. By data fusion of sensor signals, random error of path tracking was reduced, moreover, final position precision of the mobile robot was improved through ultrasonic sensors.