Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Utility maximization under risk constraints and incomplete information for a market with a change point

ABSTRACT In this article, we consider an optimization problem of expected utility maximization of continuous-time trading in a financial market. This trading is constrained by a benchmark for a utility-based shortfall risk measure. The market consists of one asset whose price process is modelled by a Geometric Brownian motion where the market parameters change at a random time. The information flow is modelled by initially and progressively enlarged filtrations which represent the knowledge about the price process, the Brownian motion and the random time. We solve the maximization problem and give the optimal terminal wealth depending on these different filtrations for general utility functions by using martingale representation results for the corresponding filtration.
FIZZ1 Plays a Crucial Role in Early Stage Airway Remodeling of OVA-Induced Asthma

The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of Found in Inflammatory Zone 1 (FIZZ1, also known as RELM-α or resistin-like molecule-α) in airway remodeling in asthma. We used a rat model of ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization and challenge to induce lung inflammation and remodeling. Expression of α -SMA in the lungs of OVA-treated rats was significantly elevated in the peribronchial regions compared with control saline-treated animals. Expression of FIZZ1 mRNA in alveolar epithelial type II cells (AECII) isolated from OVA-treated animals was higher than in control animals. Forced expression of recombinant FIZZ1 in rat-1 lung fibroblast cell line enhanced production of collagen type I and α -SMA compared with control transfected cells. These results suggest that FIZZ1 can induce fibroblasts to express markers of myofibroblast differentiation such as α -SMA and collagen type I, which are characteristic of early stages of airway remodeling seen in asthma.
Upper and lower respiratory tract infections by human enterovirus and rhinovirus in adult patients with hematological malignancies

The impact of human enterovirus (HEV) and human rhinovirus (HRV) respiratory tract infections in adult patients with hematological malignancies has been infrequently reported. We retrospectively studied 31 patients with an upper or lower respiratory tract infection (URTI/LRTI) by HEV (n = 18) or HRV (n = 15). At onset, a LRTI was present in 6 (33%) and 2 (13%) episodes of HEV and HRV infections, respectively, with or without an URTI. Progression to LRTI (pneumonia) from prior URTI was seen in 1 (6%) and 2 (13%) HEV and HRV infections, respectively. The presence of lymphocytopenia (<<0.5 × 109/l) was higher in LRTI by HEV: 4/5 (80%) versus 2/10 (20%) by HRV. Eight of 18 (44%) patients with immunosuppression versus 3/14 (21%) patients with no immunosuppression at the onset of respiratory infection developed a LRTI. Thirteen per cent of patients had associated respiratory infections from bacteria, aspergillus, or CMV. Pulmonary aspergillosis was diagnosed in 20% of HRV infections. Three of 11 patients (27%) with a LRTI died, but pulmonary copathogens were also involved in all cases. In conclusion, HEV and HRV can be associated with LRTI in immunocompromised patients, although their direct impact on mortality is uncertain. Am. J. Hematol. , 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Protein Adducts Generated from Products of Lipid Oxidation: Focus on HNE and ONE

Modification of proteins in conditions of oxidative stress can contribute to protein dysfunction or tissue damage and disease progression. Bifunctional, most often α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds such as 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE), 4-oxo-2-nonenal (ONE), and acrolein, generated from oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), readily bind to protein nucleophiles. Modification by bifunctional aldehydes can also lead to intramolecular or intermolecular protein crosslinking. Model studies are revealing the structure of adducts that can then be more readily identified in mass spectrometric studies on proteins exposed to the various pure aldehydes or to peroxidized PUFAs. Although simple Michael and Schiff base adducts are often formed initially, only some of these adducts, such as the HNE- and ONE-derived Michael adducts on Cys and His residues, are found to survive the conditions of proteolysis and HPLC-MS analysis. Reversibly formed adducts, such as the HNE-Lys Michael adduct, can be found on proteolytic peptides only if a NaBH4-reduction step is used prior to proteolysis. Initial adducts can evolve by tautomerization, oxidation, cyclization, dehydration, and sometimes condensation with a second aldehyde molecule (the same or different), to give stable advanced lipoxidation end products (ALEs) that can be found by mass spectrometry. These include the HNE-Lys-derived 2-pentylpyrrole, the ONE-Lys-derived 4-ketoamide, the ONE-derived His-Lys pyrrole crosslink, and a Lys-derived 3-formyl-4-pentylpyrrole that results from combined action of ONE and acrolein. Michael adducts of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes such as HNE and ONE can be derivatized by 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) and can thus constitute significant DNPH-detectable protein-bound carbonyl activity that serves as a key indicator of oxidative stress in tissues. It appears that lipid oxidation is a more important contributor to such activity than metal-catalyzed oxidation of protein side-chains.
Global perspectives of contemporary epidemiological trends of cutaneous malignant melanoma

During the past several decades, there has been a substantial increase in the incidence of cutaneous melanoma among all caucasian populations. The number of deaths due to cutaneous malignant melanoma has also increased in most fair‐skinned populations throughout the world in the past few decades. Trends in melanoma incidence worldwide are examined. The most recent data on the mortality from cutaneous melanoma are reported. The role of different environmental, genetic and host factors in the aetiology of melanoma is discussed.
Feeding motivation on the incidence of floor eggs and extraneously calcified eggs laid by broiler breeder hens

1. Commercial broiler breeder hens lay many eggs on the floor rather than in nest boxes provided. A study was conducted to determine whether feeding feed-restricted broiler breeder hens during the sitting phase of nesting results in a higher incidence of floor eggs and/or retained eggs. 2. Sixty broiler breeder females (Ross 308) were randomly assigned to 6 deep litter pens containing 10 nest-boxes. At 35 weeks of age and for 9 weeks, feed was distributed to all pens at lights-on every second day (fed normally, FN). On alternate days (feeding delay, FD), feed was distributed when 2–3 hens/pen were sitting in a nest box. Behaviour was sampled at 41 weeks of age, for 26 d. Eggs and egg location data were collected daily, and eggs were scored for extra-cuticular calcium. 3. Of 81 instances in which the hen was sitting firmly in a nest box at the time of feeding, on 80 instances the hen left the nest-box to feed, and on one instance the hen laid her egg then exited to the feeder. Of these 80 instances, on 58 occasions the hen returned to a nest-box to lay her egg; on 12 the hen returned to the nest-box but laid no egg; on 7 the hen did not return to the nest box and laid no egg; and on three the hen laid her egg on the floor. 4. Mean floor egg percentage was 13·3 ± 3·2% on FN and 13·3 ± 4·7% on FD days; these did not differ significantly. 5. The mean extra-cuticular calcium score over all pens was 0·9 ± 0·06 on FN days and 1·2 ± 0·06 on FD days; these differed significantly. 6. In conclusion, feeding broiler breeder hens during nesting results in a conflict between feeding and nesting motivation and higher numbers of extraneously calcified eggs, but does not result in a significant increase in floor eggs even though nesting hens will leave the nest box for food.
Expression of class I histocompatibility antigens in transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder in relation to survival

The expression of class I histocompatibility antigens (HLA) in transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder was studied by the immunoperoxidase technique and correlated with tumor differentiation and survival. Tumors of 33 patients who underwent cystectomy were examined; 57% of the tumors expressed HLA class I antigens. Positive expression was observed in 5 of 6 cases with Grade 1 tumors, 8 of 13 with Grade 2, and 6 of 14 with Grade 3. The 5‐year survival was significantly better in patients with HLA class I‐positive tumors (74%) compared with those with negative tumors (36%, P < 0.05). The expression of HLA class I on tumor cells may serve as a target for the immune response and control the metastatic potential of the tumor. These results suggest that HLA class I expression in bladder carcinoma is a prognostic indicator that should be considered in treatment planning. Cancer 68:2591–2594, 1991.
Explaining municipal governance in Kosovo: local agency, credibility and party patronage

ABSTRACT What can explain the varied effectiveness of internationally led attempts at statebuilding? This article seeks to answer this question by comparing the contrasting trajectories of governance in two municipalities in Kosovo: Hani i Elezit/Elez Han and Kamenica. In Hani i Elezit, evidence suggests that effective and accountable governance is embedded. However, in Kamenica informal and clientelist practices persist and residents are less satisfied with the municipality’s performance. As the nature and extent of internationally led statebuilding has been similar in both municipalities, explaining variation requires an analytical shift to how local leadership interacts with, receives and ultimately shapes statebuilding processes. The data are based on fieldwork from 2012 to 2015. The article focuses on two critical dimensions of statebuilding: capacity building and social accountability. It argues that the impact of externally led statebuilding strategies depends on the orientation of the political leadership of the municipalities. The article identifies features of the political environment, namely credibility and the organization of political parties, which constrain the kind of public-oriented leadership necessary for effective and accountable governance.
Novel compound heterozygous mutations in TELO2 in a patient with severe expression of You‐Hoover‐Fong syndrome

Very recently, compound heterozygous loss‐of‐function mutations in TELO2 were shown to underlie the newly‐described You‐Hoover‐Fong syndrome. TELO2 forms part of the co‐chaperone triple T complex (TTT complex), which plays an important role in the maturation and stabilization of the phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase‐related protein kinases (PIKKs). Patients with mutations in TELO2 present with microcephaly and associated intellectual disability, postnatal growth retardation and dysmorphic features. Here, we describe Danish sisters with two novel mutations in TELO2. In particular, we highlight the clinical features of the 22‐year index patient, which are more severe than the original patients described, thereby expanding the clinical spectrum of YHFS.
Phosphorylation of H2AX at Short Telomeres in T Cells and Fibroblasts*

Eukaryotic cells undergo arrest and enter apoptosis in response to short telomeres. T cells from late generation mTR-/- mice that lack telomerase show increased apoptosis when stimulated to enter the cell cycle. The increased apoptosis was not inhibited by colcemid, indicating that the response did not result from breakage of dicentric chromosomes at mitosis. The damage response protein γ-H2AX localized to telomeres in metaphases from T cells and fibroblasts from mTR-/- cells with short telomeres. These data suggest that the major mechanism for induction of apoptosis in late generation mTR-/- cells is independent of chromosome segregation and that loss of telomere function through progressive telomere shortening in the absence of telomerase leads to recognition of telomeres as DNA breaks.
Trends in cigarette pricing and purchasing patterns in a sample of US smokers: findings from the ITC US Surveys (2002–2011)

Objective This paper examines trends in cigarette prices and corresponding purchasing patterns over a 9-year period and explores characteristics associated with the quantity and location of cigarettes purchased by adult smokers in the USA. Methods The data for this paper come from a nationally representative longitudinal survey of 6669 adult smokers (18 years and older) who were recruited and surveyed between 2002 and 2011. Telephone interviews were conducted annually, and smokers were asked a series of questions about the location, quantity (ie, single vs multiple packs or cartons) and price paid for their most recent cigarette purchase. Generalised estimating equations were used to assess trends and model characteristics associated with cigarette purchasing behaviours. Results Between 2002 and 2011, the reported purchase of cigarette cartons and the use of coupons declined while multipack purchases increased. Compared with those purchasing by single packs, those who purchased by multipacks and cartons saved an average of $0.53 and $1.63, respectively. Purchases in grocery and discount stores declined, while purchases in tobacco only outlets increased slightly. Female, older, white smokers were more likely to purchase cigarettes by the carton or in multipacks and in locations commonly associated with tax avoidance (ie, duty free shops, Indian reservations). Conclusions As cigarette prices have risen, smokers have begun purchasing via multipacks instead of cartons. As carton sales have declined, purchases from grocery and discount stores have also declined, while an increasing number of smokers report low tax sources as their usual purchase location for cigarettes.
Generative and Discriminative Learning by CL-Net

This correspondence presents a two-stage classification learning algorithm. The first stage approximates the class-conditional distribution of a discrete space using a separate mixture model, and the second stage investigates the class posterior probabilities by training a network. The first stage explores the generative information that is inherent in each class by using the Chow-Liu (CL) method, which approximates high-dimensional probability with a tree structure, namely, a dependence tree, whereas the second stage concentrates on discriminative learning to distinguish between classes. The resulting learning algorithm integrates the advantages of both generative learning and discriminative learning. Because it uses CL dependence-tree estimation, we call our algorithm CL-Net. Empirical tests indicate that the proposed learning algorithm makes significant improvements when compared with the related classifiers that are constructed by either generative learning or discriminative learning.
The adaptive potential of Populus balsamifera L. to phenology requirements in a warmer global climate

The manner in which organisms adapt to climate change informs a broader understanding of the evolution of biodiversity as well as conservation and mitigation plans. We apply common garden and association mapping approaches to quantify genetic variance and identify loci affecting bud flush and bud set, traits that define a tree's season for height growth, in the boreal forest tree Populus balsamifera L. (balsam poplar). Using data from 478 genotypes grown in each of two common gardens, one near the southern edge and another near the northern edge of P. balsamifera's range, we found that broad‐sense heritability for bud flush and bud set was generally high (H2 > 0.5 in most cases), suggesting that abundant genetic variation exists for phenological response to changes in the length of the growing season. To identify the molecular genetic basis of this variation, we genotyped trees for 346 candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 27 candidate genes for the CO/FT pathway in poplar. Mixed‐model analyses of variance identified SNPs in 10 genes to be associated with variation in either bud flush or bud set. Multiple SNPs within FRIGIDA were associated with bud flush, whereas multiple SNPs in LEAFY and GIGANTEA 5 were associated with bud set. Although there was strong population structure in stem phenology, the geographic distribution of multilocus association SNP genotypes was widespread except at the most northern populations, indicating that geographic regions may harbour sufficient diversity in functional genes to facilitate adaption to future climatic conditions in many sites.
Identification of androgen receptors in normal human osteoblast-like cells.

The sex steroids, androgens and estrogens, are major regulators of bone metabolism. However, whether these hormones act on bone cells through direct or indirect mechanisms has remained unclear. A nuclear binding assay recently used to demonstrate estrogen receptors in bone [Eriksen, E.F. , Colvard, D.S. , Berg, N.J., Graham, M.L. , Mann, K.G. , Spelsberg, T.C. & Riggs, B.L. (1988) Science 241, 84-86] was used to identify specific nuclear binding of a tritiated synthetic androgen, [3H]R1881 (methyltrienolone), in 21 of 25 (84%) human osteoblast-like cell strains and a concentration of bound steroid receptors of 821 +/- 140 (mean +/- SEM) molecules per cell nucleus. Binding was saturable and steroid-specific. Androgen receptor gene expression in osteoblasts was confirmed by RNA blot analysis. Relative concentrations of androgen and estrogen receptors were compared by measuring specific nuclear estrogen binding. Nuclear binding of [3H]estradiol was observed in 27 of 30 (90%) cell strains; the concentration of bound estradiol receptor was 1537 +/- 221 molecules per cell nucleus. The concentrations of nuclear binding sites were similar in males and females for both [3H]R1881 and [3H]estradiol. We conclude that both androgens and estrogens act directly on human bone cells through their respective receptor-mediated mechanisms.
Chinese patients with major depression: Do concomitant pain symptoms affect quality of life independently of severity of depression?

Abstract Objective. This study investigated whether painful physical symptoms (PPSs) influenced quality of life (QoL) when adjusting for severity of depression. Methods. Severity of depression, QoL and PPSs were assessed at baseline and 3 months among the Chinese cohort (n = 300) of a 3-month observational study of major depressive disorder (MDD) in East Asia. The presence of PPS was defined as ‘a mean score of ≥2 on the Somatic Symptom Inventory pain-related items’. Regression analyses determined predictors of QoL at 3 months, adjusting for age, sex, depressive symptoms, overall severity and QoL at baseline. Results. PPSs were present (PPS+) at baseline in 35.3% of patients. Over 3 months, in the whole sample, EuroQoL visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS) score improved from 45.5 (standard deviation [SD]: 20.9) to 81 (SD: 16.7), and EuroQoL 5-Dimension Questionnaire (EQ-5D) score improved from 0.52 (SD: 0.31) to 0.89 (0.16). At 3 months, mean EQ-VAS was 75.9 (SD: 17.7) for PPS+ versus 83.7 (SD: 15.6) for PPS−, and mean EQ-5D was 0.83 (SD: 0.17) versus 0.92 (SD: 0.14). PPS+ at baseline was a significant predictor of QoL at 3 months after adjusting for socio-demographic and baseline clinical variables. Conclusions. PPSs were associated with less improvement in QoL in patients receiving treatment for MDD, independent of severity of depression.
Including Children with Autism in General Education Classrooms

Children with autism can benefit from participation in inclusive classroom environments, and many experts assert that inclusion is a civil right and is responsible for nurturing appropriate social development. However, most children with autism require specialized supports to experience success in these educational contexts. This article provides a review of the empirical research that has addressed procedures for promoting successful inclusion of students with autism. Strategies reviewed include antecedent manipulations, delayed contingencies, self-management, peer-mediated interventions, and other approaches that have been demonstrated in the literature to be useful. The article concludes with a discussion of future research needs.
Chronic infections of the spine: surgical indications and treatments.

UNLABELLED Chronic vertebral osteomyelitis is a disease of substantial morbidity. Although uncommon to most spinal surgeons, the incidence of pyogenic and granulomatous spondylitis worldwide is on the rise. Although antibiotic therapy remains the initial treatment for most patients, surgical debridement with or without stabilization may be required for effective eradication of the disease. Indications for surgery in pyogenic and granulomatous osteomyelitis include the need to obtain a bacteriologic diagnosis when other methods have failed, the presence of a clinically significant abscess, an infection refractory to prolonged nonoperative treatment, cord compression with considerable neurologic deficit, and substantial deformity or spinal instability. Currently, controversy remains regarding the timing of surgery, the approach used, and the use of instrumentation. We reviewed the contemporary literature available through the Medline database, focusing on larger case series and, when existing, prospective randomized trials. The rationale for surgical treatment of the most common pathogens (eg, Mycobacterium tuberculae and Staphylococcus aureus) is reviewed. Commonly, anterior debridement with or without posterior instrumentation is used for cases of advanced disease, but more limited approaches may have a role in less severe cases or patients unable to tolerate extensive surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic study, level III (systematic review of level III studies). Please see the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.