Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Empirical Research of the Pricing of Shanghai 50 ETF Options Based on Volatility and Fractional B-S Model

By analyzing the closing price of Shanghai 50ETF options from 2017 to 2018, the authors find that the logarithmic return of 50ETF options has fractional characteristics. The fractional B-S model is used to analyze 50ETF option pricing. Firstly, the authors make R/S analysis of 50ETF option logarithmic return and get the Hurst index of the fractional B-S model. Secondly, the authors build the GARCH (1,1) model to characterize the volatility of 50ETF option’s yield and use the R software to get the historical volatility. Then the authors use fractional B-S model and the Matlab software to get the implied volatility. The authors make an empirical analysis on the pricing of 50ETF option based on the two kinds of volatility. The authors calculate the AMSE of results from the models with the market price, and compare them fully. It is found that the fractional B-S models based on the two kinds of volatility have good fitting effect on the pricing of 50ETF option, and the implicit volatility model has better fitting effect on the pricing of 50ETF option than the historical volatility model.
Early Changes in Memory, Motor Coordination and Strength in the Transgenic Rat Model of Alzheimer’s Disease, TgF344-AD

vi LIST OF TABLES . x LIST OF FIGURES . xi LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS . xii CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION . 1 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW . 5 The Effect of Exercise on the Progression of Alzheimer’s Disease . 5 Exercise Increases Brain Volume and Function . 6 Exercise-Induced Changes in Aβ/tau are Unknown. 7 Development of Alzheimer’s Disease . 9 Alzheimer’s Disease Leads to Declines in Muscular Strength and Motor Control . 9 Both Amyloid Beta Plaque and Tau Protein Tangles Play a Significant Role in AD . 13 The Rat Model of AD, TgF344-AD Closely Mimics Human Pathology . 16 Significant Sex Differences are Present in the Development of AD . 19 Purpose of the Research Study . 22 CHAPTER THREE: MATERIALS AND METHODS . 24 Animals . 24
Particle Formation in a Complex Environment

A field aerosol measurement campaign as part of the Measurements of Urban, Marine and Biogenic Air (MUMBA) campaign was conducted between 16 January 2013 and 15 February 2013 in the coastal city of Wollongong, Australia. The objectives of this research were to study the occurrence frequency, characteristics and factors that influence new particle formation processes. Particle formation and growth events were observed from particle number size distribution data in the range of 14 nm–660 nm measured using a scanning particle mobility sizer (SMPS). Four weak Class I particle formation and growth event days were observed, which is equivalent to 13% of the total observation days. The events occurred during the day, starting after 8:30 Australian Eastern Standard time with an average duration of five hours. The events also appeared to be positively linked to the prevailing easterly to north easterly sea breezes that carry pollutants from sources in and around Sydney. This suggests that photochemical reactions and a combination of oceanic and anthropogenic air masses are among the factors that influenced these events.
ANALYSIS OF IMPLANTABLE ULTRASONIC COUPLING WIRELESS POWER TRANSMISSION SYSTEM

The research on implantable ultrasonic coupling wireless power transmission systems has not been systematically analyzed from the sound field theory, and the influencing factors of implanted ultrasonic coupling wireless power transmission systems based on the far-field model are proposed in this paper. Firstly, the far-field model is constructed. On this basis, the main factors affecting the ultrasonic energy transmission in the system are discussed. The COMSOL finite element simulation software was used to simulate the ultrasonic coupling wireless energy transmission system in human tissue environment, and the directivity of the energy transmission system was verified. The system experiment platform is built to analyze the energy transmission under different distances, different sound source frequencies, and different sound source excitations, and compare with the numerical simulation data. Finally, the influence of different factors on the energy transmission system is verified. It provides an effective reference for further research on implantable ultrasonic coupling wireless power transmission systems.
Coordinated Transmission and Distribution AC Optimal Power Flow

The current separate transmission and distribution energy management system faces multiple challenges associated with integrating distributed generators (DGs) into future grids. These challenges, such as a voltage rise issue resulting in curtailment of DGs, are difficult to solve via the current separate energy management. Thus, coordination between transmission and distribution is suggested, and a coordinated transmission and distribution AC optimal power flow (TDOPF) is proposed in this paper. A mathematical TDOPF model is established and analyzed in a master-slave structure. A heterogeneous decomposition algorithm (HGD), which is inspired by heterogeneous transmission and distribution characteristics, is proposed to solve the TDOPF in a distributed manner. The HGD is compared to other typical multi-area OPF decomposition algorithms and the differences are discussed. Numerical tests verify the benefit of the TDOPF to both transmission and distribution systems. The TDOPF improves economic operations, mitigates voltage rises, and decreases boundary bus mismatches. Hence, more DGs can be accommodated by the grid. In addition, a series of numerical tests indicate that the HGD competitively solves the TDOPF.
Progression of Atherosclerosis in HIV-infected Individuals - Prospective Data from an Asian Cohort.

BACKGROUND The magnitude and risk factors of progression of atherosclerosis in Asian HIV-infected individuals were unknown. This study aimed to evaluate: (1) the rate of progression of atherosclerosis in HIV-infected individuals, and (2) metabolic and inflammatory parameters that may predict atherosclerosis progression in HIV-infected individuals in an Asian cohort. SETTING A prospective, longitudinal study was performed among adults attending an HIV Metabolic clinic in Hong Kong. METHODS Carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) was measured at baseline and 24 months. Body composition, metabolic, and inflammatory biomarkers (including HOMA-IR, LDL cholesterol particle size, hsCRP, adiponectin) associated with cIMT change were analyzed; their predictive performances were estimated using ROC analyses. RESULTS Sixty-one HIV-infected individuals (mean±SD age 49.8±11.4 years, 89% male, 97% Chinese, diabetes 39%, hypertension 30%, dyslipidemia 85%) were recruited. Annual rate of change of cIMT was +0.0075 (0.0000-0.0163) mm/year, and 19% developed new plaque at 24 months. Two patients died during the study period, one due to sudden cardiac death. Using ROC analyses, combination of lower limb fat percentage, LDL cholesterol subclass pattern B, and lower adiponectin level, but not Framingham score, predicted greater cIMT progression in HIV-infected individuals. CONCLUSION Asian HIV-infected individuals had atherosclerosis progression. Limb fat percentage, LDL cholesterol particle size, and adiponectin level may identify at-risk Asian HIV-infected individuals for early intervention.
Hemiparasites drive heterogeneity in litter arthropods: Implications for woodland insectivorous birds

Providing fruit, nectar, leaves and litter, mistletoes represent important resources for many organisms, linking above‐ground patterns with below‐ground processes. Here, we explore how mistletoe litter affects arthropod availability, especially those taxa preferentially consumed by ground‐feeding insectivorous birds, a group that has undergone widespread declines. We estimated the influence of mistletoe on arthropod occurrence by sampling arthropod communities beneath infected and uninfected trees with pit‐fall traps. Then, we experimentally isolated direct effects of mistletoe litter on arthropods with a litterbag study. Soil arthropod communities beneath infected trees had consistently greater abundance and biomass – total arthropods and the subset of arthropods preferentially consumed by ground‐foraging insectivores – compared to otherwise comparable uninfected trees. Arthropods showed a weak response to litter addition, with maximum abundances recorded from bags with low mistletoe litter, significantly lower abundances associated with higher mistletoe fractions and pure tree litter (after 5 months). Our findings confirm that mistletoe occurrence has a significant positive impact on arthropod availability, especially on those preferred by ground‐foraging bird insectivores. However, only a minor part of this impact is due to the direct, short‐term effects of mistletoe litter, which suggests that additional mistletoe‐mediated effects (e.g. local changes in structural or microclimatic factors, cumulative effects over multiple years) play significant roles. By altering arthropod assemblages within leaf litter and increasing the heterogeneity of resource availability on forest floors, mistletoe plays an important role in improving habitat quality for declining insectivores.
A Fully On-Chip Frequency-Stabilization Mechanism for Terahertz Sources Eliminating Frequency Reference and Dividers

Terahertz (THz) sources with stabilized output frequencies are desired in many systems, however, the design of conventional THz phase-locked loops encounters many challenges. In this paper, a fully on-chip frequency-stabilization feedback mechanism is proposed, which avoids the use of both frequency dividers and the off-chip reference, achieving much lower power consumption and system integration cost. Using this scheme, two circuit prototypes are designed in a 0.13- $\mu \text{m}$ SiGe BiCMOS technology. The first one is a 302–332-GHz frequency-stabilized source with ultralow power consumption. It achieves a −13.9-dBm probed output power with a dc power consumption of only 51.7 mW. The second design is a 308–317-GHz frequency-stabilized high-output-power radiating array, which achieves a peak-radiated power and EIRP of 4.6 mW and 24.7 dBm, respectively, with a total dc power consumption of 1.18 W. With significantly lower system integration cost and power consumption, the proposed scheme is attractive for many applications that require short coherence time, such as THz active imaging systems and short-range millimeter-wave (mm-wave)/THz FMCW radars. With further calibration and enhancement in long-term stability, this scheme will also be useful in systems like communication transceivers.
Speech enhancement method based on feature compensation gain for effective speech recognition in noisy environments

This paper proposes a speech enhancement method utilizing the feature compensation gain for robust speech recognition performances in noisy environments. In this paper we propose a speech enhancement method utilizing the feature compensation gain which is obtained from the PCGMM (Parallel Combined Gaussian Mixture Model)-based feature compensation method employing variational model composition. The experimental results show that the proposed method significantly outperforms the conventional front-end algorithms and our previous research over various background noise types and SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio) conditions in mismatched ASR (Automatic Speech Recognition) system condition. The computation complexity is significantly reduced by employing the noise model selection technique with maintaining the speech recognition performance at a similar level.
Views of Male Community Elders With Regards to Medical Male Circumcision at Pfanani Clinic in Limpopo Province, South Africa

The purpose of this study was to explore the views of male community elders to Medical Male Circumcision at Pfanani clinic in Limpopo Province. A qualitative, descriptive and explorative research design was used. Purposive sampling was used whereby the researchers interviewed a total of 18 male community elders of ages ranging from 40 to 75 years who came for consultation at the Pfanani clinic. Data was collected using semi-structured one to one interviews. Data were analyzed using the Tesch’s open-coding method one theme and its sub-themes emerged. The study found that Medical Male Circumcision is sometimes not a safe procedure, there are several unexpected outcomes which are experienced, Traditional Male Circumcision predispose males to infections, the environment where the Traditional Male Circumcision is done predisposes males to bad environmental conditions, the period when the Traditional Male Circumcision is performed is viewed as a moral teaching session and lessons learned prepares boys for manhood. The study recommended that the Department of Health should conduct workshops and training for traditional circumcisers and train them on how to maintain sterility during circumcision to avoid the initiates not having infection.
INFLUENCE OF BODY CONDITION SCORE ON BLOOD METABOLITES AND OXIDATIVE STRESS IN PRE- AND POST-CALVING OF FRIESIAN DAIRY COWS IN EGYPT

This experiment aimed to study the relation of body condition score (BCS) with blood metabolites in dairy cow. At 8 weeks before expected parturition, 90 multiparous Friesian dairy cows were divided according to their body condition score into 3 groups: Group1: low body condition score (n=30, BCS≤2.58, thinner cows); Group2: medium body condition score (n=30, BCS≤3.12, medium BCS cows); Group3: high body condition score (n=30, BCS≤4.75, obesity cows). The cows BCS, weight and back fat thickness were recorded at -60, -21, -14, -7, 0, 7, 14 and 60 days related to calving time. Blood samples were taken at the time of BCS measurement for determination of β hydroxy butyrate, non-esterified fatty acid, haptoglobin, glucose, triglyceride, albumin, aspartate aminotransferase, cholesterol, superoxide dismutase and malonaldehyde. The results showed a significant decrease in body condition score, body weight and back fat thickness throughout the experimental period accompanied by an increase in β hydroxy butyrate, malonaldehyde and cholesterol. The correlation analysis showed that changed body condition score positively allied with cow weight (r=0.860, P 0.05) and aspartate aminotransferase (r=-0.361, P<0.01). Concisely, body condition score loss before and after calving may have significant consequences for blood metabolites, oxidative stress and body condition score profile in dairy cows. Key words : BCS; calving; blood metabolites; Friesian cow
Free space antenna factor computation using time domain gating and deconvolution filter for site validation of fully anechoic rooms

An alternative method to compute the free space antenna factor using time domain transformation and deconvolution filter for pulse compression is proposed. The deconvolution filter helps in compressing the time domain pulse to distinguish the direct wave from the reflected wave and help evaluate the free space antenna factor for site validation of fully anechoic rooms. The antenna pair of ETS-Lindgren Model 3110C and 3180C antennas, simulated with NEC, is subjected to the proposed method with deconvolution filter and Wiener filter. The proposed method is implemented over the measured results of the antenna pair and used for the site validation of a fully anechoic room, based on the simulation results. The Free Space Normalized Site Attenuation Results comply with the ±4 dB specification.
A comparison of the effectiveness of group reality therapy and positive psychotherapy on irrational beliefs and psychological hardiness in brilliant talent students

Background and aims: Irrational beliefs in brilliant talent students can influence their psychological hardiness and lead to adverse social and academic outcomes. The present study mainly aimed to compare the effectiveness of group reality therapy and positive psychotherapy in improving the irrational beliefs and psychological hardiness of male brilliant talent high school students in Shahrekord during 2017. Methods: The present experimental research, used pretest and posttest design including intervention and control groups. The study population included all the male gifted students in Shahrekord (N=276) who were first screened and then, 60 individuals were selected by convenience random sampling. Next, the individuals were assigned a number and then divided into two experimental groups (each containing 20 students) and one control group (including 20 students) using a random number table. Afterward, group reality therapy and positive psychotherapy interventions were performed within eight and ten weeks for the experimental groups, respectively. In addition, Jones Irrational Beliefs Test (IBT) and Kobasa’s Psychological Hardiness Scale were employed to data collection. Six months after post-test implementation, the students were followed up. Finally, the data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc test. Results: The findings revealed that group reality therapy and positive psychotherapy led to a decrease in irrational beliefs while such therapies improved psychological hardiness in brilliant talent students (P<0.001). Conversely, the results of the post-hoc test indicated no significant difference between the effects of group reality therapy and positive psychotherapy on irrational beliefs and psychological hardiness in brilliant talent students (P>0.05). Conclusion: In general, group reality therapy and positive psychotherapy reduced irrational beliefs whereas they improved psychological hardiness of the brilliant talent students and therefore, these therapies can be used as effective interventions for the intended population.
Letter to the Editor Regarding "Indications for CT-Angiography of the Vertebral Arteries after Trauma".

I was interested to read the paper by Park SM and colleagues published in the Nov 2017 of Spine. Diagnostic value of bone scan in detecting bone metastases limited to the cervical spine in oncological patients remains uncertain. The purpose of the authors was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of bone scintigraphy (BS) in the abovementioned patients. The BS findings of the patients, evaluated by nuclear medicine physicians, were assessed with respect to their usefulness for detecting cervical spine metastases. Magnetic resonance imaging findings, evaluated by radiologists, were used as the reference standards. Based on their results, the sensitivity of BS in the detection of cervical spine metastases was 59.1%, with a 40.9% rate of falsenegative diagnoses; the specificity was 94.6%, with a 5.4% rate of false-positive diagnoses. However, it is crucial to know that diagnostic value can be considered diagnostic accuracy (validity) and diagnostic precision (reliability). To assess validity, for qualitative variables, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, likelihood ratio positive and likelihood ratio negative as well as diagnostic accuracy and odds ratio (ratio of true to false results) are among the most appropriate tests. Reliability (precision) as different methodological issue of diagnostic value should be assessed using appropriate tests. For qualitative variables, weighted kappa should be applied. Moreover, considering the specificity of BS equal to 94.6% as well as diagnostic odds ratio equal to 25, it is not fair to conclude that BS cannot accurately diagnose metastases in the cervical spine in oncological patients. Such a sweeping conclusion should be supported by the above-mentioned statistical and methodological issue. It means, sensitivity alone is not a good estimate to judge about diagnostic value of a test. Therefore, I would conclude that BS is not a proper screening tool to detect bone metastases limited to the cervical spine in oncological patients. To make it simple, considering high specificity and diagnostic OR equal to 25 (ratio of true to false results), diagnostic accuracy of BS can be acceptable.
Large scale machine learning for the detection and classification of malware

Bad actors have embraced automation and current malware analysis systems cannot keep up with the ever-increasing load of malware being created daily. As a result, traditional malware detection and classification techniques using expert systems and brittle heuristics are outdated and ineffective. We introduce deep learning models based on inexpensive static features gathered from large scale malware datasets to generate robust and efficient malware detection and malware family classification predictions. Static analysis is performed by dissecting or disassembling the malware’s binary file and studying the components without executing it. Furthermore, static analysis is generally much faster than most malware analysis techniques. However, some static analysis of malware can be computationally expensive and not all static analysis should be considered for every sample in a large malware dataset. We introduce a meta-model trained using deep learning that finds the simplest classifiers to characterize and assign malware into their corresponding families. Using static analysis of malware, we generate descriptive features to be used in conjunction with deep learning, in order to predict malware families. Our meta-model can determine when simple and less expensive malware characterization will suffice to accurately classify malicious executables, or when more computationally expensive descriptions are required.
Type 2 Diabetes: One Disease, Many Pathways

Diabetes is a chronic, progressive disease that calls for longitudinal data and analysis. We introduce a longitudinal mathematical model that is capable of representing the metabolic state of an individual at any point in time during their progression from normal glucose tolerance to type 2 diabetes (T2D) over a period of years. As an application of the model, we account for the diversity of pathways typically followed, focusing on two extreme alternatives, one that goes through impaired fasting glucose (IFG) first, and one that goes through impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) first. These two pathways are widely recognized to stem from distinct metabolic abnormalities in hepatic glucose production and peripheral glucose uptake, respectively. We confirm this but go beyond to show that IFG and IGT lie on a continuum ranging from high hepatic insulin resistance and low peripheral insulin resistance to low hepatic resistance and high peripheral resistance. We show that IFG generally incurs IGT, and IGT generally incurs IFG on the way to T2D, highlighting the difference between innate and acquired defects and the need to assess patients early to determine their underlying primary impairment. We illustrate the relevance of this for patient stratification by simulating the effects of properly and improperly targeted therapies. The model also incorporates insulin granule exocytosis and accounts for both first and second phase secretion. Simulations suggest that the loss of first phase secretion in both the IGT-first and IFG-first pathways is only a marker of progression to diabetes, not a causative mechanism.
A bimodal accessibility analysis of Australia’s statistical areas

ABSTRACT The map presented in this paper summarises the combined land- and airside accessibility within Australia. To this end, we calculate a bimodal accessibility index at the scale of statistical units by aggregating the (shortest) travel time for three route segments: (1) road travel from the origin to a departure airport, (2) air travel, and (3) road travel from an arrival airport to the destination. The average travel time from a statistical unit to all other statistical units is calculated for the units’ population centroids, after which an accessibility surface is interpolated using kriging. The map shows that southeastern Australia is generally characterised by a high accessibility index with the most populated cities being hotspots of accessibility. Central and northern Australia are – with few exceptions – far less accessible. In addition to this largely-expected pattern, the map also reveals a number of specific and perhaps more surprising geographical patterns.