Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Model of Financialization of Commodities

A sharp increase in the popularity of commodity investing in the past decade has triggered an unprecedented inflow of institutional funds into commodity futures markets, referred to as the financialization of commodities. In this paper, we explore the effects of financialization in a model that features institutional investors alongside traditional futures markets participants. The institutional investors care about their performance relative to a commodity index. We find that in the presence of institutional investors prices and volatilities of all commodity futures go up, but more so for the index futures than for nonindex ones. The correlations amongst commodity futures as well as in equity-commodity correlations also increase, with higher increases for index commodities. Within a framework additionally incorporating storage, we show how financial markets transmit shocks not only to futures prices but also to commodity spot prices and inventories. Commodity spot prices and inventories go up with financialization. In the presence of institutional investors shocks to any index commodity spill over to all storable commodity prices.
Corrosion mechanism and bioactivity of borate glasses analogue to Hench’s bioglass

Bioactive borate glasses (from the system Na 2 O-CaO-B 2 O 3 -P 2 O 5 ) and corresponding glass-ceramics as a new class of scaffold material were prepared by full replacement of SiO 2 with B 2 O 3 in Hench patented bioactive glass. The prepared samples were investigated by differential thermal analysis (DTA), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The DTA data were used to find out the proper heat treatment temperatures for preparation of the appropriate glass-ceramics with high crystallinity. The prepared crystalline glass-ceramics derivatives were examined by XRD to identify the crystalline phases that were precipitated during controlled thermal treatment. The FTIR spectroscopy was used to justify the formation of hydroxyapatite as an indication of the bioactivity potential or activity of the studied ternary borate glasses or corresponding glass-ceramics after immersion in aqueous phosphate solution. The corrosion results are interpreted on the basis of suggested recent views on the corrosion mechanism of such modified borate glasses in relation to their composition and constitution.
Efficacy of Intraoperative Neuro-Monitoring to Localize the External Branch of the Superior Laryngeal Nerve.

BACKGROUND This study investigated whether visual localization of the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (EBSLN) coincides with its localization via intraoperative neuro-monitoring (IONM) during thyroidectomy and whether its use influences the frequency of injuries. METHODS A prospective, comparative, cross-sectional, observational study was performed in 240 superior thyroid poles. The metrics were visual identification of the EBSLN and its corroboration with IONM. The frequency of EBSLN injuries was also determined. Statistical analysis was achieved via kappa and chi-square tests, as well as odds ratios (OR). RESULTS Of the 240 superior thyroid poles, IONM identified 234 (97.5%) EBSLN, whereas 190 (79.1%) were identified visually: OR = 10.35 [CI 4.37-24.65] p < 0.0001. Of the 190 EBSLN identified visually, 150 were confirmed through IONM. Indeed, their structure corresponded to an EBSLN to yield a kappa with a linear weighting value of 0.362. The standard error was 0.0467 [CI 0.2686-0.4554], indicating a fair agreement between the visual and IONM classification. CONCLUSION IONM identified 97.5% of EBSLN cases. It was higher than the visual identification. There were no injuries to EBSLN identified through IONM.
Mass attrition: An analysis of drop out from principles of microeconomics MOOC

ABSTRACT In this article, the authors describe their Massive Open Online Course in microeconomics principles. Using the Cox proportional hazard model, they analyze the high attrition rate and relate it to demographic data, finding that younger students, U.S. participants, and females are less likely to complete the course. When designing a course, it may be appropriate to put more emphasis on the committed learners, as they have the most to gain from it. The challenge is to develop a flexible course that allows students to choose their pace and yet keeps the sense of community and sufficient structure to help completion.
Changes in the surface of bone and acid-etched and sandblasted implants following implantation and removal

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether there are any changes in the surface of bone or implant structures following the removal of a screwed dental implant. Materials and Methods: For this, six individual samples of acid-etched and sandblasted implants from three different manufacturers' implant systems were used. They were screwed in a D1 bovine bone, and they were removed after primary stabilization. The bone and implant surfaces are evaluated with scanning electron microscope. Results: Through examination of the surfaces of the bone prior to implantation and of the used and unused implant surfaces, it was found that inhomogeneity in the implant surface can cause microcracking in the bone. Conclusions: This is attributed to the stress induced during the implantation of self-tapping implants and suggests that a tap drill may be required in some instances to protect the implant surface.
Optical properties of graphene under different hydrostatic pressures

The optical properties of graphene have been studied using first-principle density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The dielectric function, refractive index and birefringence in parallel and perpendicular polarization of electric field to the plane of graphene under 0 GPa, 5 GPa and 10 GPa pressures have been studied. The values of these parameters at 5 GPa and 10 GPa have been calculated for the first time. In parallel direction, the threshold energy is blue shifted towards the IR region, whereas in perpendicular direction, it is red shifted towards the UV region. The calculated values are in good agreement with the earlier reported values.
Autism-associated neuroligin-4 mutation selectively impairs glycinergic synaptic transmission in mouse brainstem synapses

In human patients, loss-of-function mutations of the postsynaptic cell-adhesion molecule neuroligin-4 were repeatedly identified as monogenetic causes of autism. In mice, neuroligin-4 deletions caused autism-related behavioral impairments and subtle changes in synaptic transmission, and neuroligin-4 was found, at least in part, at glycinergic synapses. However, low expression levels precluded a comprehensive analysis of neuroligin-4 localization, and overexpression of neuroligin-4 puzzlingly impaired excitatory but not inhibitory synaptic function. As a result, the function of neuroligin-4 remains unclear, as does its relation to other neuroligins. To clarify these issues, we systematically examined the function of neuroligin-4, focusing on excitatory and inhibitory inputs to defined projection neurons of the mouse brainstem as central model synapses. We show that loss of neuroligin-4 causes a profound impairment of glycinergic but not glutamatergic synaptic transmission and a decrease in glycinergic synapse numbers. Thus, neuroligin-4 is essential for the organization and/or maintenance of glycinergic synapses.
Essays on exchange rate policies and monetary integration

This thesis investigates the choice of exchange rate regimes in specific economic contexts. The first part of this work (Chapters 1 and 2) considers the case of small open economies with foreign-currency denominated debt and that of a region where there is a similarity among trade-weighted currency baskets of countries. The second part of the thesis (Chapters 3 and 4) focuses on the study of exchange rate regimes and monetary integration in a liquidity trap environment relative to “tranquil” times. Based on dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) models and Bayesian and Panel data econometrics, the thesis mainly uses the analyses of impulse responses, welfare and currency misalignments as comparison criteria among alternative currency regimes.The key lessons from this work are summarized as follows. For small open economies heavily in debted in foreign currency, like those of Southeast Asia, the flexible exchange is the best regime, followed by intermediate and fixed exchange rate regimes. At the regional level, it is shown that the exchange rate targeting regime leads to a stability of intra-regional bilateral exchange rates, which is a sort of fixity of exchange rates similar to a “de facto currency area”. In the context of a liquidity trap, we find that, contrary to common belief during the Euro area crisis, the currency union welfare dominates the independent floating regime. Only a central bank intervention in the form of a managed float policy could allow the independent floating to outperform the monetary union.Through both the empirical and theoretical analyses of the liquidity trap effects on currency misalignments, it is shown that the ZLB constraint tends to reduce currency misalignments compared with the independent floating policy. This suggests a reinforcement of the monetary integration within a monetary union during the liquidity trap
Effects of Genetic and Diet‐Induced Obesity on Lipid Metabolism

C57BL/6J obese (ob/ob) and lean mice fed ad libitum on a normal mouse chow diet (Normal), were compared with lean mice of the same age and strain fed ad libitum on a high‐fat diet, consisting of the Normal diet with the addition of beef lard (Lard), from age 3 months for 34 days. The lard‐fed mice were seen to have significantly higher (P < 0.05) body weight in this 34‐day period than that of the other two groups fed on the Normal diet. Epididymal fat depot and adipocyte cell size were significantly larger (P < 0.05) in the Lard‐fed lean mice and in the obese (ob/ob) mice than were those of the Normal‐fed lean mice. Dietary Lard intake did not significantly affect concentrations of plasma triglyceride although those of plasma cholesterol were significantly increased (P < 0.05). The development of obesity in these Lard‐fed mice appeared to be accelerated and significant.
Mode of action of methoprene in affecting female reproduction in the African malaria mosquito, Anopheles gambiae.

BACKGROUND One of the most studied actions of juvenile hormone (JH) is its ability to modulate ecdysteroid signaling during insect development and metamorphosis. Previous studies in mosquitoes showed that 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) regulates vitellogenin synthesis. However, the action of JH and its mimics, e.g. methoprene, on female reproduction of mosquitoes remains unknown. RESULTS Here, a major malaria vector, Anopheles gambiae Giles, was used as a model insect to study the action of methoprene on female reproduction. Ecdysteroid titers and expression profiles of ecdysone-regulated genes were determined before and after a blood meal. An ecdysteroid peak was detected at 12 h post blood meal (PBM). The maximum expression of ecdysone-regulated genes, such as ecdysone receptor (EcR), hormone receptor 3 (HR3) and vitellogenin (Vg) gene, coincided with the ecdysteroid peak. Interestingly, topical application of methoprene at 6 h PBM delayed ovarian development and egg maturation by suppressing the expression of ecdysone-regulated genes in female mosquitoes. CONCLUSION The data suggest that ecdysteroid titers are correlated with Vg synthesis, and methoprene affects vitellogenesis by modulating ecdysteroid action in A. gambiae.
Connection of inherent structure with nutrient profiles and bioavailability of different co-products and by-products after processing using advanced grading and vibrational molecular spectroscopy

ABSTRACT This study aims to reveal connection and implication of molecular structure with nutrient profiles, utilization and bioavailability of both conventional and new co-products from bio-energy and bio-oil processing using grading and vibrational molecular spectroscopy with chemometics including univariate and multivariate techniques. The study focused on strategies to improve the utilization of the conventional and new co-products through chemical and heat processing treatments as well as the relationship of the molecular structural changes to nutrient bioavailability. The updated methods advanced molecular spectroscopy techniques with grading NIR, Globar FTIR, ATR-FTIR and Synchrotron SRFTIRM to study feed molecular structures were reviewed. This study provides an insight and a new approach on how to use grading and vibrational molecular spectroscopy to study molecular chemistry and molecular structure and molecular nutrition interaction.
An Erythropoietin Gene Polymorphism in the Hypoxia-Responsive Element at Position 3434 Is Possibly Associated with Hypertension

Background/Aims: Several polymorphisms of vasoactive hormones have been implicated in hypertension. Erythropoietin (EPO) interacts with vasoactive substances, such as angiotensin II. Previously detected single nucleotide polymorphisms in the hypoxia-responsive element of EPO might be associated with hypertension and hypertensive end organ damages. Methods: 400 hypertensive patients and 200 age- and gender-matched normotensive controls were genotyped for an EPO polymorphism [cytosine (C)/thymine (T) single nucleotide polymorphism] at position 3434. Patients were grouped according to their genotype into the CC group (CC genotype) and the CT/TT group (CT and TT genotype). BP was measured by ambulatory BP monitoring. Results: The CC genotype was present in 87% of hypertensive patients and in 78.5% of controls (p = 0.007). In addition, patients with the CC genotype had higher BP levels compared with CT/TT genotypes (BPsys 143.7 ± 20.4 vs. 136.1 ± 13.5 mm Hg, p = 0.01, and BPdias 85.8 ± 11.6 vs. 82.4 ± 8.9, p = 0.043) despite a nearly identical number of antihypertensive drugs (2.3 ± 1.5 vs. 2.3 ± 1.6; p = 0.257). 100% of the small number of patients with end-stage renal disease (n = 15) had the CC genotype. Conclusion: The CC genotype of the EPO gene at position 3434 is more frequently found in patients with hypertension and is associated with higher BP levels.
Exploring the relationships between high involvement work system practices, work demands and emotional exhaustion: a multi-level study.

Abstract This study explores the impact of enacted high involvement work systems (HIWS) practices on employee emotional exhaustion. This study hypothesized that work overload and job responsibility mediate the relationship between HIWS practices (ability, motivation, opportunity and work design HIWS practices) and employee emotional exhaustion. A total of 360 employees (nested within 49 work units) rated their feelings of work overload, job responsibility and emotional exhaustion. The line managers from these work units rated the enacted HIWS practices. Results indicate that ability- and motivation HIWS practices are positively related to work overload, and ability-, motivation- and work design HIWS practices are positively related to job responsibility. In turn, job responsibility reduces emotional exhaustion, whereas work overload has a positive effect on emotional exhaustion. The findings of this study underline the importance of blending the occupational health psychology literature with macro insights of the strategic human resource management (SHRM) literature to develop a more refined multi-level model of the processes by which HIWS affects employee emotional exhaustion.
Noise analysis for time-domain circuits

A charge integrator is an essential building block used in time-based ADCs and sensor readout circuits. In this paper, time-domain noise analysis is used to calculate the effect of all noise sources, including 1/f noise, on the voltage noise variance of the integrator. The results show that for short charge integration intervals, the contribution of 1/f noise sources to the total voltage variance of the integrator is not significant. Different design trade-offs for optimally choosing the capacitance of the integrator and current mirror ratio are discussed. The accuracy of the developed equations is verified by transient noise simulations.
Cross-View Person Identification by Matching Human Poses Estimated With Confidence on Each Body Joint

Cross-view person identification (CVPI) from multiple temporally synchronized videos taken by multiple wearable cameras from different, varying views is a very challenging but important problem, which has attracted more interests recently. Current state-of-the-art performance of CVPI is achieved by matching appearance and motion features across videos, while the matching of pose features does not work effectively given the high inaccuracy of the 3D human pose estimation on videos/images collected in the wild. In this paper, we introduce a new metric of confidence to the 3D human pose estimation and show that the combination of the inaccurately estimated human pose and the inferred confidence metric can be used to boost the CVPI performance---the estimated pose information can be integrated to the appearance and motion features to achieve the new state-of-the-art CVPI performance. More specifically, the estimated confidence metric is measured at each human-body joint and the joints with higher confidence are weighted more in the pose matching for CVPI. In the experiments, we validate the proposed method on three wearable-camera video datasets and compare the performance against several other existing CVPI methods.
Helicobacter pylori "test and treat" or endoscopy for managing dyspepsia: an individual patient data meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Helicobacter pylori "test and treat" has been recommended for the management of young dyspeptic patients without alarm symptoms, and trials have suggested that it is as effective as endoscopy. However, none of these trials have had sufficient sample size to confirm that "test and treat" costs less or to detect small differences in effect. A collaborative group has prospectively registered trials comparing prompt endoscopy with a "test and treat" approach, with the aim of performing an individual patient data meta-analysis of both effect and resource utilization data. METHODS Researchers provided data for meta-analysis, pooling effects of interventions on individual dyspepsia symptoms. Standardized unit costs were applied to resource utilization, and net benefit was calculated at patient level. Effects, costs, and net benefit were then pooled at study level. RESULTS Five trials were identified, containing 1924 patients (946 endoscopy [mean age, 40 years], 978 "test and treat" [mean age, 41 years]). The relative risk (RR) of remaining symptomatic after 1 year was reduced with endoscopy compared with "test and treat" (RR = 0.95; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.92-0.99). "Test and treat" cost 389 dollars less per patient (95% CI: 275-502 dollars). Using the net benefit approach, at no realistic level of willingness to pay per patient symptom-free did prompt endoscopy become cost-effective. CONCLUSIONS Prompt endoscopy confers a small benefit in terms of cure of dyspepsia but costs more than "test and treat" and is not a cost-effective strategy for the initial management of dyspepsia.
Guinea pig cochlear blood flow under definite sound exposure-hydrogen clearance measurement.

Blood flow measurements were carried out on 18 coloured guinea pigs (8 animals served as control group) before and during definite sound exposure (12 kHz, 110 dB SPL). The exposure time amounted to 60 min. The anaesthesia was carried out according to the following schedule: a mixture consisting of 70 mg alpha-chloralose/kg b.w. and 400 mg urethane/kg b.w. was injected intraperitoneally. The relaxation was performed by means of i.p. application of 3 mg Tricuran/kg b.w. /h. The hydrogen clearance measurements (HCM) were carried out under artificial respiration with control of arterial pH, endexpiratory CO2 content, as well as blood pressure and body temperature. After a duration of noise exposure of 30-45 min the cochlear blood flow reached an average level of 80% of the initial point. This level remained mainly unchanged until the end of noise exposure (60 min). Our HMC's confirm Laser Doppler flowmetry findings.
'Workin' Together': Indigenous Perspectives on Community Development

In this paper, the authors provide an overview of an evaluation of 'early learnings' from Indigenous Community Development projects funded by the Telstra Foundation. The projects looked at community identified solutions for serious social and health problems affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people. The projects addressed themes such as early childhood development, youth participation and leadership, and the role of schools in facilitating change.
Sugar-Sweetened Beverages: A Survey to Assess Adults Knowledge, Attitudes, and Consumption Patterns of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages

Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) have a direct impact on the general health of the country when looking at the rising obesity levels (CDC, 2017a). The USDA’s dietary guidelines suggest that the daily intake of added sugar should be limited to 6 teaspoons for women and 9 teaspoons for men (Hughes, 2017). However, the average American consumes 20 teaspoons of sugar daily (Hughes, 2017). These extra calories are converted into fat and stored in the body. Data collected throughout the years indicates a rise in the number of Americans living with a weight above healthy recommendations, which is termed, obese. Obesity is a precursor to other life-threatening diseases, and SSBs are a contributor that can be avoided (CDC, 2017b). In this study, we concluded that there was a significant relationship between the knowledge and the attitude of participants. If the knowledge was high on the subject matter, the attitude reflected the same. However, there was no significant correlation between knowledge and attitude and the number of SSBs that were consumed. In addition, there was no a significant correlation between the demographics of race, income, education, or sex and the number of SSBs consumed. The only significant correlation to the number of SSBs consumed was that of age. The younger a person was, the more SSBs were consumed, and the older an individual the less SSBs were consumed. Finally, we concluded that there is split support for a tax on SSBs and that if a tax were imposed, about one third would not change their behaviors.
Two-Dimensional Calibration for Fixed-Pattern Noise Reduction of Thermal Images

A two-dimensional calibration technique is proposed to reduce fixed-pattern noise in infrared thermal images for extending dynamic range of sampling integration time. Traditional two-point calibration generates correction coefficients by irradiance of two reference temperatures, providing excellent spatial noise performance for the predetermined sampling integration time. To break the limitation of invariable integration time, two-dimensional calibration is proposed, which generates correction coefficients not only under irradiance of two temperatures, but also with two integration times. By exploring information from both temperature and integration, the new approach can reduce fixed-pattern noise for different sampling integration time, requiring same computation complexity and hardware consumption as conventional two-point calibration. In experiments with infrared camera, the proposed method suppresses fixed-pattern noise to a low level with same correction coefficients for sampling integration time changing from 0.4 ms to 1.6 ms. Compared to traditional calibration-based approaches, the presented scheme extends dynamic range of integration time by four times.