Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Earning the Right Premium on the Right Factor in Portfolio Planning

The optimal portfolio as well as the utility from trading stocks and derivatives depends on the risk factors and on their market prices of risk. We analyze this dependence for a CRRA investor in models with stochastic volatility, jumps in the stock price, and jumps in volatility. We find that the compartment of the total variance into diffusion risk and jump risk has a small impact on the utility in an incomplete market only. In contrast, the decomposition of the equity risk premium into a diffusion component and a jump risk component and the compartment of the latter into its various elements has a huge impact on the utility in a complete market. The more extreme the market prices of risk, i.e. the more they deviate from their equilibrium values, the larger the utility of the investor. Additionally, we show that the structure of the optimal exposures to jump risk crucially depends on which elements of jump risk are priced.
The Government Mortgage Guarantee as an Instrument in Housing Policy: Self-supporting Instrument or Subsidy?

This paper discusses the role of government mortgage guarantee schemes in housing policy. It explores different types of government mortgage guarantee scheme, which play different roles, in eight countries. Mortgage guarantee schemes interfere in the mortgage market in order to improve access to mortgages. Such guarantees can be shaped as self-supporting instruments or as subsidies. If the latter is the case the issue of competition and a level playing field is relevant. This paper explores the US and the Dutch guarantee models in depth in order to answer the question of whether these schemes are unsubsidised mortgage market instruments or subsidised programmes. It concludes by reflecting on the meaning of the outcomes in the context of EU competition policy.
Padding for orthogonality: Efficient subspace authentication for network coding

Network coding provides a promising alternative to traditional store-and-forward transmission paradigm. However, due to its information-mixing nature, network coding is notoriously susceptible to pollution attacks: a single polluted packet can end up corrupting bunches of good ones. Existing authentication mechanisms either incur high computation/bandwidth overheads, or cannot resist the tag pollution proposed recently. This paper presents a novel idea termed “padding for orthogonality” for network coding authentication. Inspired by it, we design a public-key based signature scheme and a symmetric-key based MAC scheme, which can both effectively contain pollution attacks at forwarders. In particular, we combine them to propose a unified scheme termed MacSig, the first hybrid-key cryptographic approach to network coding authentication. It can thwart both normal pollution and tag pollution attacks in an efficient way. Simulative results show that our MacSig scheme has a low bandwidth overhead, and a verification process 2–4 times faster than typical signature-based solutions in some circumstances.
Occurrence of extraarticular disease manifestations is associated with excess mortality in a community based cohort of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the occurrence of extraarticular manifestations (ExRA) in a well defined community based cohort of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to examine their effect on mortality. METHODS Using the resources of the Rochester Epidemiology Project, a retrospective medical record review was conducted of a cohort of 424 cases of RA in Olmsted County, MN, USA, diagnosed during the period 1955-1985. These cases had been classified using the American College of Rheumatology 1987 criteria for RA. Patients were followed 1955-1998 (median followup 14.8 yrs; range 0.2-42.8 yrs), and incident ExRA manifestations were recorded according to predefined criteria. Data on comorbidities were extracted using the definitions of the Charlson comorbidity index. Survival was compared to the general population using Kaplan-Meier estimates. RESULTS ExRA occurred in 169 patients, corresponding to an incidence rate of 3.67/100 person-yrs. Compared to the general population, survival among patients with RA was decreased. Survival among patients with ExRA was markedly decreased compared to the general population and to patients without ExRA (p < 0.001). A particularly poor prognosis was noted in a subgroup of 63 patients (incidence rate 1.04/100 person-yrs) who fulfilled predefined criteria for severe ExRA (i.e., vasculitis, pericarditis, pleuritis, and/or Felty's syndrome). For RA patients who did not fulfill these criteria, there was no significant increase of mortality (p = 0.09). In a multivariate model of mortality, including age, sex, and the presence of known comorbidities, the presence of one or more of these ExRA was the strongest predictor of mortality. CONCLUSION In this first community based study of extraarticular manifestations in RA, virtually all the excess mortality occurred in a subgroup of patients with severe extraarticular disease, suggesting that extraarticular disease is the major predictor of mortality in patients with RA.
An Investor’s Low Volatility Strategy

Investors are displaying a fast-rising appetite for low volatility strategies, given growing academic and empirical evidence of consistent outperformance over the markets from which they are drawn. However, many existing low volatile strategies are optimized, creating biases toward smaller cap stocks and over-concentration in a small number of sectors and/or countries. Instead, we develop a heuristic-based design that leads to a practical portfolio with a superior Sharpe ratio as well as more investor- friendly attributes, including a lower turnover rate, higher investment capacity, relative transparency, and broader market representativeness.
Cytokine Mechanisms of Central Sensitization: Distinct and Overlapping Role of Interleukin-1β, Interleukin-6, and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α in Regulating Synaptic and Neuronal Activity in the Superficial Spinal Cord

Central sensitization, increased sensitivity in spinal cord dorsal horn neurons after injuries, plays an essential role in the induction and maintenance of chronic pain. However, synaptic mechanisms underlying central sensitization are incompletely known. Growing evidence suggests that proinflammatory cytokines (PICs), such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), are induced in the spinal cord under various injury conditions and contribute to pain hypersensitivity. Using patch-clamp recordings in lamina II neurons of isolated spinal cord slices, we compared the effects of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNFα on excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission. Whereas TNFα enhanced the frequency of spontaneous EPSCs (sEPSCs), IL-6 reduced the frequency of spontaneous IPSCs (sIPSCs). Notably, IL-1β both enhanced the frequency and amplitude of sEPSCs and reduced the frequency and amplitude of sIPSCs. Consistently, TNFα and IL-1β enhanced AMPA- or NMDA-induced currents, and IL-1β and IL-6 suppressed GABA- and glycine-induced currents. Furthermore, all the PICs increased cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation in superficial dorsal horn neurons and produced heat hyperalgesia after spinal injection. Surprisingly, soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R) produced initial decrease of sEPSCs, followed by increase of sEPSCs and CREB phosphorylation. Spinal injection of sIL-6R also induced heat hyperalgesia that was potentiated by coadministration with IL-6. Together, our data have demonstrated that PICs induce central sensitization and hyperalgesia via distinct and overlapping synaptic mechanisms in superficial dorsal horn neurons either by increasing excitatory synaptic transmission or by decreasing inhibitory synaptic transmission. PICs may further induce long-term synaptic plasticity through CREB-mediated gene transcription. Blockade of PIC signaling could be an effective way to suppress central sensitization and alleviate chronic pain.
Correlates of Functional Capacity Among Centenarians

This study investigated correlates of functional capacity among participants of the Georgia Centenarian Study. Six domains (demographics and health, positive and negative affect, personality, social and economic support, life events and coping, distal influences) were related to functional capacity for 234 centenarians and near centenarians (i.e., 98 years and older). Data were provided by proxy informants. Domain-specific multiple regression analyses suggested that younger centenarians, those living in the community and rated to be in better health were more likely to have higher functional capacity scores. Higher scores in positive affect, conscientiousness, social provisions, religious coping, and engaged lifestyle were also associated with higher levels of functional capacity. The results suggest that functional capacity levels continue to be associated with age after 100 years of life and that positive affect levels and past lifestyle activities as reported by proxies are salient factors of adaptation in very late life.
The Cell Adhesion Protein P-selectin Glycoprotein Ligand-1 Is a Substrate for the Aspartyl Protease BACE1*

The aspartyl protease BACE1 cleaves the amyloid precursor protein and the sialyltransferase ST6Gal I and is important in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. The normal function of BACE1 and additional physiological substrates have not been identified. Here we show that BACE1 acts on the P-selectin glycoprotein ligand 1 (PSGL-1), which mediates leukocyte adhesion in inflammatory reactions. In human monocytic U937 and human embryonic kidney 293 cells expressing endogenous or transfected BACE1, PSGL-1 was cleaved by BACE1 to generate a soluble ectodomain and a C-terminal transmembrane fragment. No evidence of the cleavage fragment was seen in primary cells derived from mice deficient in BACE1. By using deletion constructs and enzymatic deglycosylation of the C-terminal PSGL-1 fragments, the cleavage site in PSGL-1 was mapped to the juxtamembrane region within the ectodomain. In an in vitro assay BACE1 catalyzed the formation of the PSGL-1 products seen in vivo. The cleavage occurred at a Leu—Ser peptide bond as identified by mass spectrometry using a synthetic peptide. We conclude that PSGL-1 is an additional substrate for BACE1.
Frugivory and the fate of dispersed and non-dispersed seeds of six African tree species

ABSTRACT The relationship between seedling recruitment (under and away from parent trees) and the behaviour of seed dispersers and predators, was explored in a three-year study in Kibale National Park, Uganda. On the basis of 1261 hours of observation, the foraging activity of the diurnal frugivores which fed on fruit from six tree species was quantified. The fate of dispersed and non-dispersed seeds and seedlings was examined experimentally. The findings suggest that a trade-off exists between factors that promote seedling growth in areas with high seedling density and factors that promote dispersal by frugivores. For example, dispersal of Mimusops bagshawei increases both seed and seedling survival; seeds placed away from adult conspecifics had a 8% lower probability of disappearing than seeds placed under adults and seedlings away from adults had a 30% greater probability of surviving than seedlings grown under adults. In contrast, for Uvariopsis congensis, dispersed seeds had a 56% greater probability of disappearing than seeds directly under a parent tree, while the survival of dispersed and non-dispersed seedlings was similar. Non-dispersed seed and seedling disappearance were correlated with the percentage of the fruit crop removed from focal trees, suggesting that the ability to survive under an adult maybe related to other aspects of the tree's life history.
Mitch – a rapidly evolving component of the Ndc80 kinetochore complex required for correct chromosome segregation in Drosophila

We identified an essential kinetochore protein, Mitch, from a genetic screen in D. melanogaster. Mitch localizes to the kinetochore, and its targeting is independent of microtubules (MTs) and several other known kinetochore components. Animals carrying mutations in mitch die as late third-instar larvae; mitotic neuroblasts in larval brains exhibit high levels of aneuploidy. Analysis of fixed D. melanogaster brains and mitch RNAi in cultured cells, as well as video recordings of cultured mitch mutant neuroblasts, reveal that chromosome alignment in mitch mutants is compromised during spindle formation, with many chromosomes displaying persistent mono-orientation. These misalignments lead to aneuploidy during anaphase. Mutations in mitch also disrupt chromosome behavior during both meiotic divisions in spermatocytes: the entire chromosome complement often moves to only one spindle pole. Mutant mitotic cells exhibit contradictory behavior with respect to the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC). Anaphase onset is delayed in untreated cells, probably because incorrect kinetochore attachment maintains the SAC. However, mutant brain cells and mitch RNAi cells treated with MT poisons prematurely disjoin their chromatids, and exit mitosis. These data suggest that Mitch participates in SAC signaling that responds specifically to disruptions in spindle microtubule dynamics. The mitch gene corresponds to the transcriptional unit CG7242, and encodes a protein that is a possible ortholog of the Spc24 or Spc25 subunit of the Ndc80 kinetochore complex. Despite the crucial role of Mitch in cell division, the mitch gene has evolved very rapidly among species in the genus Drosophila.
Bombesin protects against bacterial translocation induced by three commercially available liquid enteral diets: A prospective, randomized, multigroup trial

Objective: To test the hypothesis that certain commercially available liquid diets would cause bacterial translocation and that this diet‐induced translocation could be reduced with bombesin (an intestinal hormone stimulant). Design: Prospective, multigroup trial in which animals fed each test diet were randomized to receive either bombesin or saline for 7 days. On day 7, the mice were killed and their organs were cultured for translocating bacteria, their cecal bacterial population concentrations were measured, and ileal and jejunal mucosal protein content was determined. Setting: Small animal laboratory. Subjects: Outbred ICR mice weighing 25 to 35 g. Interventions: Mice received bombesin (10 &mgr;g/ kg) or saline subcutaneously three times daily for 7 days before sacrifice. Measurements and Main Results: The incidence of bacterial translocation to the mesenteric lymph node was significantly increased (p < .05) in mice fed Vivonex (53%), Criticare (67%), or Ensure (60%) compared with chow‐fed controls (0%). All three liquid diets were associated with the development of cecal bacterial overgrowth and loss of jejunal and ileal mucosal protein content. Bombesin reduced the incidence of bacterial translocation and loss of mucosal protein content in all three liquid diet groups (p < .05), but did not prevent diet‐induced cecal bacterial overgrowth. Conclusions: Three different liquid diets induced bacterial translocation to the mesenteric lymph node. Since bombesin was effective in reducing bacterial translocation, it appears that bacterial translocation induced by these liquid diets can be modulated hormonally. (Crit Care Med 1994; 22:108‐113)
Thermal Decomposition Chemistry of Poly(vinyl alcohol) Char Characterization and Reactions with Bismaleimides

The fundamental condensed phase processes which lead to char formation during the fue-like pyrolysis of polyvinyl alcohol), PVA, and PVA-cent.aining maleimides were characterized using CPIMAS 13C NMR. In addition to evidence of the well known chain-stripping elimination of ElzO and the chain-scission reactions, which occur during the pyrolysis of pure PVA, evidence is presented in support of cyclization and radical reaction pathways responsible for the conversion ( of unsa ated carbons into aliphatic carbons. Two general mechanisms; on escribed as a physical encapsulation, and the other a lowering of e average volatility of certain degradation products, are proposed for the primary modes of action of maleimides on the pyrolysis of PVA. j
OpenFlow-Based Scalable Routing With Hybrid Addressing in Data Center Networks

In this letter, we propose an OpenFlow (OF)-based SCAlable Routing strategy (OSCAR) for modular data center networks (DCN) using a hybrid addressing mechanism. Each module in the DCN constitutes a segment in the network. Inter-segment routing is performed using virtual MAC (VMAC) ids assigned to the segments and intra-segment routing is done using IP addresses. OF provides central control over the network but it suffers from limited scalability in DCNs due to high control traffic. In OSCAR, the control traffic is minimized to achieve high scalability and flexibility in DCN routing.
Trends in Occupational and Industrial Sex Segregation in 56 Countries, 1960-1980

This article examines trends in sex segregation by occupation and industry in 56 countries. International Labor Organization (ILO) data from roughly 1960 to 1980 for both developed and developing countries are included in the analysis. Evidence presented suggests that these data are reliable measures of the direction and rate of change in segregation. It was found that a majority of countries experienced declines in sex segregation between 1960 and 1980 and nearly all countries experienced declines in a size-standardized measure of segregation. A striking asymmetry in the experience of these changes for men and women was also found. In the great majority of countries, men experienced an increased chance of sharing an occupation (and industry) with women during this period, whereas women often (but not always) experienced a decline in the chances of being in the same occupational (and industrial) group as men. Finally, the article examines the effects on segregation of per capita GNP, women's labor force participation, the total fertility rate, women's educational levels, and urbanization, both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. The regression results are generally inconsistent with the predictions of the modernization perspective.
Integrating Corporate Responsibility and Sustainable Development - A Normative-Conceptual Approach to Holistic Management Thinking

Purpose – For many years, the content and applicability of various forms of corporate responsibility (CR) for issues in the domain of sustainable development have been discussed within business and society. At times, both concepts are somehow connected to each other but so far they have not been put into a truly holistic and mutual perspective. The purpose of this paper is to introduce a normative concept integrating both aspects into holistic management thinking.Design/methodology/approach – First, an interdisciplinary ethical reasoning for CR and sustainable development will be given based on the fundamental work of Kant, Rawls, Margalit and others. Based on these lines of thought, both concepts will be integrated into an advanced two‐stage approach of responsibilities to overcome possible shortcomings of an isolated analysis (and application) of either of the two.Findings – The paper provides an initial normative ethical reasoning why CR and sustainable development should be integrated into holistic ma.
Immunization With Analog Peptide in Combination With CpG and Montanide Expands Tumor Antigen-specific CD8+ T Cells in Melanoma Patients

Analog peptides represent a promising tool to further optimize peptide-based vaccines in promoting the expansion of tumor antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Here, we report the results of a pilot trial designed to study the immunogenicity of the analog peptide NY-ESO-1 157-165V in combination with CpG 7909/PF3512676 and Montanide ISA 720 in patients with stage III/IV NY-ESO-1–expressing melanoma. Eight patients were immunized either with Montanide and CpG (arm 1, 3 patients); Montanide and peptide NY-ESO-1 157-165V (arm 2, 2 patients); or with Montanide, CpG, and peptide NY-ESO-1 157-165V (arm 3, 3 patients). Only the 3 patients immunized with Montanide, CpG, and peptide NY-ESO-1 157-165V in arm 3 developed a rapid increase of effector-memory NY-ESO-1–specific CD8+ T cells, detectable ex vivo. The majority of these cells exhibited an intermediate/late-stage differentiated phenotype (CD28−). Our study further demonstrated that our vaccine approach stimulated spontaneous tumor-reactive NY-ESO-1–specific CD8+ T cells in 2 patients with advanced disease, but failed to prime tumor-reactive NY-ESO-1–specific T cells in 1 patient with no spontaneously tumor-induced CD8+ T-cell responses to NY-ESO-1. Collectively, our data support the capability of the analog peptide NY-ESO-1 157-165V in combination with CpG and Montanide to promote the expansion of NY-ESO-1–specific CD8+ T cells in patients with advanced cancer. They also suggest that the presence of tumor-induced NY-ESO-1–specific T cells of well-defined clonotypes is critical for the expansion of tumor-reactive NY-ESO-1–specific CD8+ T cells after peptide-based vaccine strategies.
Endothelial mechanosensors of shear stress as regulators of atherogenesis

Purpose of review Differences in local blood flow patterns along the endothelium may trigger abnormal vascular responses which can have profound pathophysiological consequences. While endothelial cells exposed to laminar blood flow (high shear stress) are protected from atherosclerosis formation, turbulent or disturbed blood flow, which occurs at bends and bifurcations of blood vessels, facilitates atherosclerosis formation. Here, we will highlight the endothelial cell mechanisms involved in detecting shear stress and their translation into downstream biochemical signals. Recent findings Prior evidence supports a role for integrins as mechanotransducers in the endothelium by promoting phosphorylation of different targets through the activation of focal adhesion kinase. Our recent findings show that integrins contact integrin-linked kinase and regulate vasomotor responses by an endothelial nitric oxide synthase-dependent mechanism, which stabilizes the production of vasoactive factor nitric oxide. In addition, different structures of endothelial cells, mainly primary cilia, are investigated, as they can explain the differential responses to laminar versus disturbed flow. Summary The discovery of a connection between endothelial cell structures such as cilia, integrin, extracellular matrix, and signaling events opens today a new chapter in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating vascular responses to the changes in flow.
Summary of the IADR Cariology Research Group Symposium, Barcelona, Spain, July 2010: New Directions in Cariology Research

Caries remains the most prevalent noncontagious biofilm-mediated disease in humans. It is clear that the current approaches to decrease the prevalence of caries in human populations, including water fluoridation and school-based programs, are not enough to protect everyone. The scientific community has suggested the need for innovative work in a number of areas in cariology, encompassing disease etiology, epidemiology, definition, prevention, and treatment. In this symposium, two of these areas, dealing specifically with etiological aspects of caries were discussed: (1) systematic research on caries risk assessment using population-based cohort techniques, and (2) genetic studies to identify genes and genetic markers of diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic value. This paper summarizes these presentations.