Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Matching while Learning

We consider the problem faced by a service platform that needs to match supply with demand but also to learn attributes of new arrivals in order to match them better in the future. We introduce a benchmark model with heterogeneous workers and jobs that arrive over time. Job types are known to the platform, but worker types are unknown and must be learned by observing match outcomes. Workers depart after performing a certain number of jobs. The payoff from a match depends on the pair of types and the goal is to maximize the steady-state rate of accumulation of payoff. Our main contribution is a complete characterization of the structure of the optimal policy in the limit that each worker performs many jobs. The platform faces a trade-off for each worker between myopically maximizing payoffs (exploitation) and learning the type of the worker (exploration). This creates a multitude of multi-armed bandit problems, one for each worker, coupled together by the constraint on the availability of jobs of different types (capacity constraints). We find that the platform should estimate a shadow price for each job type, and use the payoffs adjusted by these prices, first, to determine its learning goals and then, for each worker, (i) to balance learning with payoffs during the exploration phase, and (ii) to myopically match after it has achieved its learning goals during the exploitation phase.
"Pseudotrochanteric bursitis": the differential diagnosis of lateral hip pain.

Eighteen patients who were initially diagnosed as having trochanteric bursitis refractory to conventional therapy are reported. The most common causes of pseudotrochanteric bursitis were lumbar radiculopathy (L2, L3), lumbar facet syndrome with pain referred to the lateral thigh, and entrapment neuropathies involving the subcostal, and the lateral cutaneous branches of the iliohypogastric nerves. Less common causes were undisplaced femoral neck fracture, adiposa dolorosa, and hip abductor muscle strain. Diagnosis was facilitated by selective neuroblockade.
Rivaroxaban vs. warfarin in Japanese patients with atrial fibrillation – the J-ROCKET AF study –.

BACKGROUND The global ROCKET AF study evaluated once-daily rivaroxaban vs. warfarin for stroke and systemic embolism prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). A separate trial, J-ROCKET AF, compared the safety of a Japan-specific rivaroxaban dose with warfarin administered according to Japanese guidelines in Japanese patients with AF. METHODS AND RESULTS J-ROCKET AF was a prospective, randomized, double-blind, phase III trial. Patients (n=1,280) with non-valvular AF at increased risk for stroke were randomized to receive 15 mg once-daily rivaroxaban or warfarin dose-adjusted according to Japanese guidelines. The primary objective was to determine non-inferiority of rivaroxaban against warfarin for the principal safety outcome of major and non-major clinically relevant bleeding, in the on-treatment safety population. The primary efficacy endpoint was the composite of stroke and systemic embolism. Non-inferiority of rivaroxaban to warfarin was confirmed; the rate of the principal safety outcome was 18.04% per year in rivaroxaban-treated patients and 16.42% per year in warfarin-treated patients (hazard ratio [HR] 1.11; 95% confidence interval 0.87-1.42; P<0.001 [non-inferiority]). Intracranial hemorrhage rates were 0.8% with rivaroxaban and 1.6% with warfarin. There was a strong trend for a reduction in the rate of stroke/systemic embolism with rivaroxaban vs. warfarin (HR, 0.49; P=0.050). CONCLUSIONS J-ROCKET AF demonstrated the safety of a Japan-specific rivaroxaban dose and supports bridging the global ROCKET AF results into Japanese clinical practice.
Magnetic Cells: Stuff of Legend?

Scientists have taken a step closer to confirming the existence of the ability of migratory and homing animals to use Earth9s magnetic fields to navigate. At the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS, which publishes Science ) held on 21 to 26 January in Anaheim, California, researchers presented new findings on the iron-laden cells that may provide these creatures with a legend to Earth9s magnetic road map.
The Influence of Business on Nonprofit Organizations and the Complexity of Nonprofit Accountability

The ultimate test of accountability for a nonprofit organization is whether its leadership can responsibly interpret, and honestly and energetically promote, the organization’s mission, even when environmental, stakeholder, and governance pressures make other paths more comfortable and secure. The degree to which nonprofits have become entwined with the business sector in recent years has brought new urgency to this challenge. Here, the risk is that contemporary nonprofit leaders, under tremendous financial and social pressures and eager to make their institutions economically successful are led, perhaps inadvertently, to compromise their missions. This risk is illustrated here with cases from private universities. Recommendations are offered that would strengthen nonprofit leadership and accountability practices.
The venture capital scenario in India

The emergence of venture capital companies is a relatively new phenomenon in India. In the absence of an organised venture capital industry in India until 1998, individual investors and development financial institutions have played the role of venture capitalists. Entrepreneurs have largely depended on private placements, public offerings and lending by financial institutions. The venture capital phenomenon has now reached a take-off stage in India. Risk capital in all forms is becoming available more freely. Contrary to the earlier trend, where it was easy to raise only growth capital, financing of ideas or seed capital is now available. The number of players offering growth capital and the number of investors is rising rapidly. The initiatives of the Indian government in formulating policies regarding sweat equity, stock options and tax breaks for venture capital along with overseas listings have all contributed to the enthusiasm among investors and entrepreneurs.
Flexibility of Suckler Cattle Farms in the Face of Uncertainty within the Beef Industry: A Proposed Definition and an Illustration

Abstract The aim of this study, carried out in association with beef cattle producers, was to explore the capacity of farms to adapt, from a techno-conomic point of view, to both structural changes in consumer demand for beef products and market disruptions (sudden drop in beef consumption due partly to media coverage of bovine spongiform encephalopathy [BSE] and foot-and-mouth disease in the winter 2000/2001). The aim is to help farmers and advisors to find solutions to fit farmers’ management choices with their strategic objectives. The flexibility concept was adopted in order to examine how farms reacted to the winter 2000/2001 crisis, and was based on several technical, economic and sociological surveys. A series of variables was proposed and several hypotheses were formulated regarding their impact on farm flexibility. Four types of farm strategy were identified using different combinations of the degree of importance of these variables, with technical, economic and marketing flexibilities specific to each type. The results revealed the different combinations of flexibility-types possible (technical, economic, marketing) and explain why cattle farmers reacted as they did. Analysis of farm flexibility also revealed situations where these technical, economic and marketing flexibilities were either complementary or incompatible. For traditional livestock farmers, high flexibility (technical and economic) allowed them to minimize the impact of the crisis on their systems. In other cases, low flexibility either resulted in inertia, or led farmers to react by seeking solutions outside the cattle farming system. Development groups should take into account these parameters when interacting with farmers. We propose a framework to qualify the use of information resources by farmers, relative to their flexibility.
Design of compact dual-band circularly polarized microstrip antenna based on metamaterial

A compact dual-band circularly polarized microstrip antenna is proposed, which is composed of multi-layers. A single feed and proper perturbation on the upper patch are introduced to realize circular polarization. The characteristics of metamaterial are achieved by narrow slots on the lower patch and plated-through holes to the ground to reduce the patch size. The slots and holes are arranged centrosymmetrically to guarantee circular polarization. Simulated and measured results show that fairly low return loss and wide 3dB axial ratio beamwidth can be realized at both operating frequencies, namely 2.0686GHz and 2.3875GHz.
Stochastic Correlation in Commodity Spread Options

I examine a dataset of short-dated gasoline crack spread options traded on NYMEX using a two-asset version of Black (1976) model and find that the changes in implied correlations display economically significant variations not explained by changes in futures prices or changes in implied volatilities of single-asset options. I show that unspanned stochastic correlation can be generated in Wishart-based stochastic volatility models proposed by Gourieroux (2006) and da Fonseca et al. (2007) and confirm that temporal changes in conditional correlation are absolutely necessary to explain the variations in spread options prices across time: average relative pricing error increases from 5\% to 32\% when the correlation state variable is fixed for the whole sample.
Devaluation, Relative Prices, and International Trade: Evidence from Developing Countries

Devaluation is an integral part of adjustment in many developing countries, particularly relied upon by countries facing large external imbalances. A devaluation can only reduce trade imbalances if it translates to a real devaluation and if trade flows respond to relative prices in a significant and predictable manner. However, a recent strand in the empirical trade literature has questioned the existence of a stable relationship between trade flows and its traditional determinants. This paper re-examines the relationship between relative prices and imports and exports in a sample of 12 developing countries.
Ground Water Quantity and Quality Management: Agricultural Production and Aquifer Salinization over Long Time Scales

An economic model of ground water salinization is developed. Starting from a full, high-quality aquifer, there is an initial extraction period, an intermediate waste disposal period, and a final drainage period. Drainage management is initially source control and reuse, but eventually culminates in evaporation basins and a system steady-state. This process occurs over long time scales but is consistent with historical observation. Efficiency is qualitatively similar to common property though quantitative magnitudes differ substantially. Regulatory pricing instruments are developed to support the efficient allocation. The system is not sustainable in that net returns generally decline through time until the steady-state.
Correlation of Dorsiflexion Angle and Plantar Pressure Following Arthrodesis of the First Metatarsophalangeal Joint

Background: The correlation between angle of fusion of the first metatarsophalangeal (1MTTP) joint and pressures under metatarsal heads and hallux has not been well characterized. The main purpose was to investigate the correlation between fusion dorsiflexion angle of the 1MTTP joint and plantar pressures under the first metatarsal head and hallux during gait. Methods: Patients who underwent arthrodesis of the 1MTTP joint from 2005 to 2010 were seen for a follow-up examination. Of 27 patients, 15 (22 feet) with a mean follow-up of 26.2 months were evaluated in the study. Main outcomes included the fusion clinical and radiological dorsiflexion angles and the mean and maximum dynamic plantar pressures under all 5 metatarsal heads and under the hallux. Plantar pressures were measured through an in-shoe system while patients walked normally along a corridor. Results: The dorsiflexion angle was positively correlated with mean dynamic plantar pressures under the first metatarsal head: P = . 02 (r = 0.5) for clinical angle, and P = . 01 (r = 0.58) for radiological angle. Patients with 15 degrees or more of clinical dorsiflexion angle demonstrated higher mean dynamic plantar pressure under the first metatarsal head (P = .05) and higher maximum dynamic plantar pressure under the second metatarsal head (P = .04) compared with patients with less than 15 degrees. In contrast, the latter patients demonstrated higher mean dynamic plantar pressure beneath the hallux (P = .04). Patients with 30 degrees or more of radiological dorsiflexion angle demonstrated significantly higher mean dynamic plantar pressure under the first metatarsal head (P = .04) compared with patients with less than 30 degrees. Conclusion: Higher dorsiflexion angles correlate with higher plantar pressures under the first metatarsal head. Lower dorsiflexion angles increase plantar pressures beneath the hallux during gait. Clinical Relevance: Significant increase in plantar pressure under the first metatarsal head may be avoided by performing the arthrodesis of the 1MTTP joint below 30° and 15° for the radiological and clinical dorsiflexion angles, respectively.
Increased expression of TGF-beta/Smad proteins in basal cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common cancer in humans placing a significant burden on healthcare services worldwide. There is an increasing evidence that the development of cutaneous epithelial tumours is pathogenetically linked to dysregulations of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) and its signalling molecules, the Smads. OBJECTIVE In the present study we aimed to investigate the mRNA as well as protein expression of TGF-beta/ Smad signalling proteins in patients with BCC and healthy controls. METHODS In this prospective pilot study, 24 patients with BCC were recruited. Punch biopsies were harvested from the centre of the tumour (lesional) as well as an adjacent healthy skin site (non-lesional controls). In addition to the specimens of BCC patients, skin samples (healthy controls) were obtained from subjects who had no history of skin cancer (n = 25). Real-time RT-PCR as well as immunohistochemistry was performed. - RESULTS The mRNA levels of TGF-b/Smad transducers observed in healthy controls did not significantly differ from TGF-beta/Smad levels observed in non-lesional skin of BCCs patients (P > 0.05). RT-PCR revealed significant mRNA overexpression of TGF-beta1, Smad3, and Smad7 in BCCs as compared to non-lesional skin (P < 0.05). TGF-beta1 mRNA expression significantly correlated with Smad3 (r = 0.60; P < 0.05) and Smad7 (r = 0.76; P < 0.05) levels. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated marked protein overexpression of Smad3 in tumour tissue as compared to non-lesional skin. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest a possible role of TGF-beta/Smad signalling in the pathogenesis of BCC.
Succesfully managing alliance portfolios: An alliance capability view

• A submitted manuscript is the version of the article upon submission and before peer-review. There can be important differences between the submitted version and the official published version of record. People interested in the research are advised to contact the author for the final version of the publication, or visit the DOI to the publisher's website. • The final author version and the galley proof are versions of the publication after peer review. • The final published version features the final layout of the paper including the volume, issue and page numbers.
Connecting evaluation and budgeting

This paper discusses how evaluation is an essential tool for good budgeting and a core element of any well-designed government wide performance budgeting system. It is organized into 5 sections: (1) Evaluation and performance budgeting- the principle outlines the role which evaluation should, in principle, play in supporting good budgeting. It identifies the key ways performance information in general supports budgeting and then outlines the way performance budgeting seeks to structure the contribution of performance information to budgeting. The section concludes by discussing the nature and role of evaluation as a key component of the performance information base for budgeting. (2) Evaluation and performance budgeting in practice reviews the actual relationship between evaluation and performance budgeting by looking at the experiences of countries that have made substantial efforts to implement both. (3) Recent Efforts to Connect Evaluation and Budgeting discusses the global financial crisis, renewed interest in the role of evaluation as a budgetary tool is increasingly apparent among OECD countries, with countries such as the United States and the Netherlands making moves in this direction. (4) How to Better Connect Evaluation and Budgeting requires two things. First, evaluation needs to be made more useful for budgeting. Second, the budget process needs to focus more on expenditure prioritization and performance. (5) Conclusions.
A Two-Regime Threshold Model with Conditional Skewed Student t Distributions for Stock Returns

This paper proposes a two-regime threshold model for the conditional distribution of stock returns in which returns follow a distinct skewed Student t distribution within each regime: the model allows capturing time variation in the conditional distribution of returns, as well as higher order moments. An application of the model to daily U.S. stock returns illustrates the advantages of the proposed model in comparison to alternative specifications: the model performs well in terms of in-sample fit; it more accurately estimates the conditional volatility; and it produces useful risk assessment as measured by the term structure of value at risk.
Idiosyncratic volatility and security returns: evidence from Germany and United Kingdom

Purpose – Malkiel and Xu state that idiosyncratic volatility is highly correlated with size and that it plays a powerful role in explaining expected returns. The purpose of this paper is to ask whether idiosyncratic volatility is useful in explaining the variation in expected returns; and whether the findings can be explained by the turn of the year effect. Design/methodology/design – Monthly stock returns and market values of all listed firms in Germany and UK covering the period 1991-2001 from Datastream are used as the basis of the evaluation. Findings – The paper finds that the three-factor model provides a better description of expected returns than the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM). That is, it is found that firm size and idiosyncratic volatility are related to security returns. In addition, it is noted that the findings are robust throughout the sample period Originality/value – The paper shows that the CAPM beta alone is not sufficient to explain the variation in stock returns.
In vitro Study of Five Herbs Used Against Microbial Infections in Burundi

The emergence of antimicrobial resistant infectious diseases remains a major threat to worldwide public health, in developed and in developing countries. Therefore, new antimicrobial agents acting by new mechanisms of action are urgently needed. As plants used in traditional medicine may help to overcome these problems, Justicia subsessilis, Platostoma rotundifolium, Pavetta ternifolia, Stomatanthes africanus, and Virectaria major (plants highly cited to be used against microbial infections in traditional Burundian medicine) were studied to assess their traditional use efficacy. We conducted a preliminary phytochemical screening of the extracts, as well as their direct and indirect (effect on antibiotic resistance) antibacterial activity on four bacterial strains (Staphylococcus sp. and Escherichia coli) by broth microdilution methods. All five medicinal plants investigated in this work were found to have direct antibacterial activity against all tested bacterial strains (minimum inhibitory concentration = 62.5–1000 μg/mL) that may support the use of these species in traditional Burundian medicine. Extracts (with no direct antibacterial activity), tested at 200 μg/mL, decreased the MIC values of β‐lactams and aminoglycoside antibiotics by a factor of 2 to 64‐fold. These interactions between plant extracts and antibiotics could open an avenue of research against antibiotic resistance. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Change of Osteocalcin (OC) and Tartrate Resistant Acid Phosphatase 5b (TRACP-5b) with the Menstrual Cycle

Abstract Bone metabolism markers associated with 4 menstrual cycle phases were evaluated in 14 healthy young females without menstrual disorder. Menstrual cycle phases were confirmed with basal body temperature for 3 months, luteinizing hormone kits, and sexual hormone concentrations of serum. The bone metabolism markers used were osteocalcin (OC), which was measured by immunoradiometric assay (IRMA), and tartrate resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP-5b), which was measured by enzyme immunometric assay (EIA). The highest values of OC and TRACP-5b were observed in the ovulation phase, and TRACP-5b increased significantly when compared with levels in the menstrual phase (p<0.05). Furthermore, the changes in sex-hormone secretion involved in OC and TRACP-5b showed specific patterns during the menstrual cycle. In other words, TRACP-5b levels are influenced by sex hormones produced during the menstrual period and are based on the bone-formation status. Therefore, it is presumed that the TRACP-5b levels during ovulation play a central role in bone formation and bone metabolism.
Interpersonal Callousness Trajectories Across Adolescence

The current study examined the relation between interpersonal callousness trajectories during adolescence (ages 14 to 18) and characteristics of antisocial personality and internalizing problems in young adulthood (age 26), using a community sample of 506 boys. The influence of several parent and peer factors on callousness trajectories during adolescence was also explored. Although the mean interpersonal callousness trajectory for the entire sample was relatively flat, there was substantial individual variability in both the initial status and rate of change of interpersonal callousness over time. Trajectories of interpersonal callousness were associated with higher levels of antisocial personality features in early adulthood but were unrelated to adult internalizing problems. Conduct problems and parent—child communication difficulties were the best predictors of elevated levels of interpersonal callousness throughout adolescence. However, none of the parenting and peer factors examined predicted substantive changes in interpersonal callousness over time.
Informed Consent: Does It Take a Village? The Problem of Culture and Truth Telling

Bioethicists have become very interested in the importance of social groups. This interest has spawned a growing literature on the role of the family and the place of culture in medical decisionmaking. These ethicists often argue that much of medical ethics suffers from the individualistic bias of the dominant culture and political tradition of the United States. As a result, the doctrine of informed consent has come under some scrutiny. It is believed that therein lies the source of the problem because the doctrine incorporates the assumptions of the larger society. Thus, informed consent has been reexamined, reinterpreted, and even abandoned as unworkable.
Devolving training and development to line managers

Reports that most organizations see training and development as the province of the human resource department. Proposes that responsibility for this should be placed in the hands of the line manager. Investigates how the responsibility for training and development can be successfully transferred to the line manager. Concludes with a series of key learning points which help in the implementation of this strategy.