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No full textUsing data on private Turkish pension funds we show that most active managers are not able to provide performance beyond what could be achieved by passive indexing. The average fund beats its benchmark by only 26 basis points, before fees. We also observe herding behavior among managers' asset allocation decisions which can potentially explain their lack of overperformance. Our results strongly support the need for low-cost index funds in emerging market countries that are reforming their pension schemes. We further recommend regulatory oversight on the "activeness" of funds and introduction of default plans with more balanced asset allocations
Quantum dot optofluidic lasers and their prospects for biochemical sensing
No full textWe achieved four types of laser emissions with quantum dots (QDs) using the same high-Q-factor optofluidic ring resonator (OFRR) platform. In the first type, 2 mu M QDs dissolved in toluene that filled the entire OFRR cavity volume were employed as the gain medium. The lasing threshold was 15-22 mu J/mm(2). In the second type, mu M aqueous QDs were in bulk buffer solution that filled the entire OFRR cavity volume. The lasing threshold was 0.1 mu J/mm(2), over 3 orders of magnitude lower than the state-of-the-art. In the third type, the aqueous QDs were immobilized as a single layer on the interface between the OFRR inner wall and buffer solution with a surface density as low as 3 x 10(9) - 10(1)0cm(-2). The lasing threshold of 60 mu J/mm(2) was achieved. In the fourth type, we achieved optofluidic FRET lasing using aqueous QDs as FRET donors and Cy5 dye molecules as acceptors. We observed lasing from Cy5 emission band in QD-Cy5 pair when excited at QD absorption band, far away from Cy5 absorption maximum. We also report a comprehensive theoretical analysis of optofluidic FRET lasers that was performed based on a Fabry-Perot microcavity using a rate equation model. By comparing FRET lasing based sensors with conventional sensors using FRET signals obtained by spontaneous fluorescence emission, we show that for optimal pump fluence and FRET pair concentration, FRET lasing can lead to more than 20-fold enhancement in detection sensitivities of conformation changes for linker lengths in the Forster radius range
The energy spectrum for stochastic eddies with gamma distribution
No full textLundgren (1982) showed that strained spiral vortex model for turbulent fine structure has exponential Kolmogorov energy spectrum form. Caglar (2007) has generalized Cinlar velocity field which defined a similar structure with Lundgren vortex and computed the energy spectrum. In this study, we investigate the energy spectrum of the stochastic velocity field using Gamma distribution for small scale eddies
Exact solvability of stochastic differential equations driven by finite activity levy processes
No full textWe consider linearizing transformations of the one-dimensional nonlinear stochastic differential equations driven by Wiener and compound Poisson processes, namely finite activity Levy processes. We present linearizability criteria and derive the required transformations. We use a stochastic integrating factor method to solve the linearized equations and provide closed-form solutions. We apply our method to a number ofstochastic differential equations including Cox-Ingersoll-Ross short-term interest rate model, log-mean reverting asset pricing model and geometric Ornstein- Uhlenbeck equation all with additional jump terms. We use their analytical solutions to illustrate the accuracy of the numerical approximations obtained from Euler and Maghsoodi discretization schemes. The means of the solutions are estimated through Monte Carlo method
Optical channel dropping using dielectric microspheres
No full textDielectric microspheres, with their morphology dependent resonances, are used to resonantly couple light from half optical fiber couplers. The dropped channels are observed in the elastic scattering and the transmission spectra. The excitation of the microsphere with the nearly Gaussian beam in the half optical fiber coupler provides spatially and spectrally selective, and enhanced light coupling. The filter drops approximately 10% (0.5 dB) of the power at the resonance wavelength. A tunable single mode distributed feedback diode laser is used as the infrared excitation source. The generalized Lorenz-Mie theory, describing the illumination of the microsphere with a Gaussian beam, is used to interpret the experimental results
Protein-DNA interactions: structural, thermodynamic and clustering patterns of conserved residues in DNA-binding proteins
No full textAmino acid residues, which play important roles in protein function, are often conserved. Here, we analyze thermodynamic and structural data of protein-DNA interactions to explore a relationship between free energy, sequence conservation and structural cooperativity. We observe that the most stabilizing residues or putative hotspots are those which occur as clusters of conserved residues. The higher packing density of the clusters and available experimental thermodynamic data of mutations suggest cooperativity between conserved residues in the clusters. Conserved singlets contribute to the stability of protein-DNA complexes to a lesser extent. We also analyze structural features of conserved residues and their clusters and examine their role in identifying DNA-binding sites. We show that about half of the observed conserved residue clusters are in the interface with the DNA, which could be identified from their amino acid composition; whereas the remaining clusters are at the protein-protein or protein-ligand interface, or embedded in the structural scaffolds. In protein-protein interfaces, conserved residues are highly correlated with experimental residue hotspots, contributing dominantly and often cooperatively to the stability of protein-protein complexes. Overall, the conservation patterns of the stabilizing residues in DNA-binding proteins also highlight the significance of clustering as compared to single residue conservation
A longitudinal examination of net promoter and firm revenue growth
No full textManagers have widely embraced and adopted the Net Promoter metric, which noted loyalty consultant Frederick Reichheld advocates as the single most reliable indicator of firm growth compared with other loyalty metrics, such as customer satisfaction and retention. Recently, however, there has been considerable debate about whether this metric is truly superior. This article (1) employs longitudinal data from 21 firms and 15,500-plus interviews from the Norwegian Customer Satisfaction Barometer to replicate the analyses used in Net Promoter research and (2) compares Reichheld and colleagues' findings with the American Customer Satisfaction Index. Using industries Reichheld cites as exemplars of Net Promoter, the research fails to replicate his assertions regarding the "clear superiority" of Net Promoter compared with other measures in those industries
Modeling protein assemblies in the proteome
No full textMost (if not all) proteins function when associated in multimolecular assemblies. Attaining the structures of protein assemblies at the atomic scale is an important aim of structural biology. Experimentally, structures are increasingly available, and computations can help bridge the resolution gap between high- and low-resolution scales. Existing computational methods have made substantial progress toward this aim; however, current approaches are still limited. Some involve manual adjustment of experimental data; some are automated docking methods, which are computationally expensive and not applicable to large-scale proteome studies; and still others exploit the symmetry of the complexes and thus are not applicable to nonsymmetrical complexes. Our study aims to take steps toward overcoming these limitations. We have developed a strategy for the construction of protein assemblies computationally based on binary interactions predicted by a motif-based protein interaction prediction tool, PRISM (Protein Interactions by Structural Matching). Previously, we have shown its power in predicting pairwise interactions. Here we take a step toward multimolecular assemblies, reflecting the more prevalent cellular scenarios. With this method we are able to construct homo-/hetero-complexes and symmetric/asymmetric complexes without a limitation on the number of components. The method considers conformational changes and is applicable to large-scale studies. We also exploit electron microscopy density maps to select a solution from among the predictions. Here we present the method, illustrate its results, and highlight its current limitations
Hormone disorder and vitamin deficiency in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs)
No full textBackground: The aim of this study was to analyze thyroid hormones and antibodies, ferritin, vitamins B12 and D, adrenal and gonadal steroid levels, and celiac antibodies in children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methods: Between February 2014 and July 2014, a total of 77 children and adolescents (31 girls, 46 boys) who were admitted to the Van Training and Research Hospital were included in the study. The study population was divided into three groups including ADHD (n=34), ASD (n=16), and age-and sex-matched healthy controls (n=27). The diagnosis of ADHD was made on the basis of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Fifth Edition (DSM-5) and DSM-4 Turkish version with the diagnostic interview and Disruptive Behavior Disorder Rating Scale (DBDRS). The diagnosis of ASD was based on the DSM-4 and DSM-5 Turkish version with the diagnostic interview and the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). The blood samples were obtained between 8: 00 and 9: 00 A.M. Results: There was a statistically significant difference in vitamin B12 and D levels and ferritin values among the three groups. The ASD group had the highest ferritin and the lowest vitamins B12 and D levels. Vitamin D levels of the ADHD group were significantly lower compared to the healthy controls. Conclusions: Our study results highlight the importance of supplementation of vitamins B12 and D in the ASD and ADHD patients
Magnetospheric injection of ELF/VLF waves with modulated or steered HF heating of the lower ionosphere
No full textELF/VLF waves have been generated via steerable HF heating of the lower ionosphere. The temperature-dependent conductivity of the lower ionospheric plasma enables HF heating (and subsequent recovery) to modulate natural current systems such as the auroral electrojet, thus generating an antenna embedded in the ionospheric plasma. We apply a realistic three-dimensional model of HF heating and ionospheric recovery, as well as ELF/VLF wave propagation in and below the ionosphere, to derive the radiation pattern into the magnetosphere as a result of steerable HF heating. It is found that modulated HF heating preferentially directs signals upward into space because of the phasing effect of the upward HF wave propagation. We find that the steering techniques such as the geometric modulation "circle sweep" enhances the total ELF/VLF power injected into the magnetosphere by 5-7 dB compared to amplitude modulated heating, with a few dB enhancement in the peak magnetic field value. Another technique known as beam painting enhances the total injected power by 1-3 dB but produces weaker peak magnetic fields due to the power being spread over a larger area. Observations on the DEMETER spacecraft are presented and compared with theoretical predictions. DEMETER observations show that the signal produced with geometric modulation can be stronger than the signal from AM under the same conditions