Blessing or Curse: Impact of Algorithmic Trading Bots Invasion of the Cryptocurrency Market

In this paper, we investigate the impact of the absence of trading bots on human traders’ investment returns. Using comprehensive data set obtained from a large cryptocurrency exchange platform, we find that trading bots play a market-making role, and they boost human traders’ investment returns. We use the natural experiment setting that transforms a heterogenous market co-created with trading bots and human traders into a human-only financial market for empirical design. This paper extends the traditional investment decision under uncertainty by considering human attitudes toward algorithms while providing significant contributions to policymakers and regulators by providing empirical evidence on trading bots

Aptamer-functionalized nano-pattern based on carbon nanotube for sensitive, selective protein detection

We have developed a horizontally aligned carbon nanotube sensor that enables not only the specific detection of biomolecules with ultra-sensitivity, but also the quantitative characterization of binding affinity between biomolecules and/or interaction between a carbon nanotube and a biomolecule, for future applications in early diagnostics. In particular, we have fabricated horizontally aligned carbon nanotubes, which were functionalized with specific aptamers that are able to specifically bind to biomolecules (i.e. thrombin). Our detection system is based on scanning probe microscopy (SPM) imaging for horizontally aligned aptamer-conjugated carbon nanotubes (ACNTs) that specifically react with target biomolecules at an ultra-low concentration. It is shown that the binding affinity between thrombin molecule and ACNT can be quantitatively characterized using SPM imaging. It is also found that the smart carbon nanotube sensor coupled with SPM imaging permits us to achieve the high detection sensitivity even up to similar to 1 pM, which is much higher than that of other bioassay methods. Moreover, we have shown that our method enables a quantitative study on small molecule-mediated inhibition of specific biomolecular interactions. In addition, we have shown that our ACNT-based system allows for the quantitative study of the effect of chemical environment (e.g. pH and ion concentration) on the binding affinity. Our study sheds light on carbon nanotube sensor coupled with SPM imaging, which opens a new avenue to early diagnostics and drug screening with high sensitivity.close2

Improvement of an optimal bus scheduling model based on transit smart card data in Seoul

This study was initiated with a goal of improving the bus scheduling model using the past data of “smart card”. Traffic congestion level of Seoul is keep aggravating and it also has negative influence on air pollution and our health. Additionally, this heavy traffic causes high congestion costs. The continuous quantitative growth of the public transportation system brings the necessity of its efficient operation system for its future qualitative growth. The improvement of operation system is necessary also to improve public transportation operation cost efficiency of Seoul. In other words, the systematic planning is necessary for maximizing passengers’ satisfaction level and the public transportation operation cost efficiency of Seoul. The current allocation interval of Seoul bus system is designed based on the empirical data of the past, which is incapable of immediate response to rapidly changing passenger demands. This research analyses passengers’ behaviour and makes a proposal for the traffic network operation by analysing the “traffic card (smart card) big data”, which comes from over 90% of the passengers so as to be flexible in dealing with rapid changes in demand

Socialize Less Pay More: The Link Between Virtual Network Embeddedness and User Contributions

This study examines the impact of network structure on two important business outcomes of the PWYW (Pay-What-You-Want) live streaming platform, namely live chat, and tipping. Specifically, we investigate the role of network embeddedness on these outcomes by analyzing 9,524,420 transaction-broadcast records from 1,334,999 users of a leading PWYW live streaming platform in South Korea. Our analysis sheds light on how user contributions in the form of tipping and live chat change because of the extent of content consumption overlaps. Our preliminary results suggest that higher levels of network embeddedness lead to increased tipping and decreased live chatting. These findings have important implications for platform designers and streamers, as they highlight the need to consider consumption patterns across users in the design of PWYW live streaming platforms

Towards successful business model management with analytic network process-based feasibility evaluation and portfolio management

Despite the great importance of designing innovative business models, a validated methodology that helps related process is still not available. To fill this gap, this research introduces business model management concepts that consider business models as individual entities that can be systematically developed and managed by utilizing science based methodology. This study mainly focuses on proposing business model evaluation and deployment framework by applying analytic network process (ANP), a multi multiple criteria decision-making method and portfolio matrix strategy. The proposed evaluation method is designed to consider both internal and external perspectives where internal perspective is measured through ANP method by employees, while external perspective is measured through customer survey by in-depth interview. The obtained values from ANP and customer survey are then used to construct the business model portfolio matrix for continuous business model management. To this end, this study identifies 12 criteria within three different categories employed in ANP analysis and business model portfolio matrix, respectively. The proposed framework for managing business models provides new insights to both practitioners and academics. It regards business models as individual entities and introduces a way to practically apply the business model concept. It also provides managers with guidelines to manage business model alternatives in terms of evaluation, selection, and continuous management. Finally, because this study is, to the best of our knowledge, one of the first attempts to employ the portfolio management concept in business model research, it can function as the foundation for future applied business model research.11Nssciscopu

Shaping Rolling Circle Amplification Products into DNA Nanoparticles by Incorporation of Modified Nucleotides and Their Application to In Vitro and In Vivo Delivery of a Photosensitizer

Rolling circle amplification (RCA) is a robust way to generate DNA constructs, which are promising materials for biomedical applications including drug delivery because of their high biocompatibility. To be employed as a drug delivery platform, however, the DNA materials produced by RCA need to be shaped into nanoparticles that display both high cellular uptake efficiency and nuclease resistance. Here, we showed that the DNA nanoparticles (DNPs) can be prepared with RCA and modified nucleotides that have side-chains appended on the nucleobase are capable of interacting with the DNA strands of the resulting RCA products. The incorporation of the modified nucleotides improved cellular uptake efficiency and nuclease resistance of the DNPs. We also demonstrated that these DNPs could be employed as carriers for the delivery of a photosensitizer into cancer cells to achieve photodynamic therapy upon irradiation at both the in vitro and in vivo levels

The selected flavonol glycoside derived from Sophorae Flos improves glucose uptake and inhibits adipocyte differentiation via activation AMPK in 3T3-L1 cells

Ministry of Education, Science and Technology [KOSEF2009-007-4808]Among nine flavonols (1-9) obtained from Sophorae Flos, we first isolated compounds 4, 5, 8, and 9. These isolates (1-9) were evaluated for the phosphorylation of AMPK and ACC. Administered at 10 mu M, 9 possessed high potent activity. Compound 9 displayed a dose-dependent stimulation of glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 cells, and this increase was obviously attenuated by compound C, an AMPK inhibitor. In addition, 9 also phosphorylated AMPK and its downstream substrate ACC in 3T3-L1 cells in a time-and dose-dependent manner. Moreover, we discovered that compound C inhibits 9-stimulated ACC phosphorylation and motivated the 9-inhibited C/EBP alpha and PPAR gamma, and FAS gene expression, significantly. These results revealed the role of the AMPK downstream signaling pathway in 9-improved glucose metabolism in 3T3-L1 cells and 9-inhibited adipocyte differentiation. Differentiation was investigated by Oil Red O staining activity after 9 administration (0-20 mu M) in 6 days. Compound 9 decreased mean droplet size in a dose-dependent manner. The results revealed that 9 blocked adipogenic conversion in 3T3-L1 cells together with several significant downregulating adipocyte-specific transcription factors, including PPAR gamma, C/EBP alpha, and SREBP1. It also reduced FAS gene expression in a dose-dependent manner, which is crucial for adipogenesis in vitro. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Enhanced delivery to brain using sonosensitive liposome and microbubble with focused ultrasound

© 2022 Elsevier B.V.Glioblastoma is considered one of the most aggressive and dangerous brain tumors. However, treatment of GBM has been still challenged due to blood-brain barrier (BBB). BBB prevents that the chemotherapeutic molecules are extravasated to brain. In this study, sonosensitive liposome encapsulating doxorubicin (DOX) was developed for enhancement of GBM penetration in combination with focused ultrasound (FUS) and microbubbles. Upon ultrasound (US) irradiation, microbubbles induce cavitation resulting in the tight junction of BBB endothelium to temporarily open. In addition, the composition of sonosensitive liposome was optimized by comparison of sonosensitivity and intracellular uptake to U87MG cells. The optimal sonosensitive liposome, IMP301-DC, resulted 123.9 ± 38.2 nm in size distribution and 98.2 % in loading efficiency. Related to sonosensitivity of IMP301-DC, US-triggered release ratio of doxorubicin was 69.2 ± 12.3 % at 92 W/cm2 of US intensity for 1 min. In the in vivo experiments, the accumulation of DiD fluorescence probe labeled IMP301-DC-shell in the brain through the BBB opening was increased more than two-fold compared to that of Doxil-shell, non-sonosensitive liposome. US exposure significantly increased GBM cytotoxicity of IMP301-DC. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that IMP301-DC could serve as an alternative solution to enhance the penetration to GBM treatment via BBB opening by non-invasive FUS combined with microbubbles.N

Statistical Analysis of Surgical Dog-Ear Regression

The definitive version is available at www3.interscience.wiley.com.BACKGROUND Several methods have been developed to prevent or correct dog-ears. Most of these methods, however, result in prolonged scars and operative times. OBJECTIVE We observed dog-ears without correction to examine the regression of dog-ears with time. METHODS The study was performed on 43 cases of dog-ears in 26 patients. Linear regression analysis was performed to examine the correlation between various factors and the height of the dog-ears (%). We produced a regression equation to allow prediction of the height of the dog-ears (%). In addition, we estimated the initial height of the dog-ears that should be removed during surgery. RESULTS The height of dog-ears regressed with time, and this response was better in younger and female patients. It was predicted that the time taken for a dog-ear to reduce to 50% of its original height was 20.697 days; the median time at which dog-ears completely regressed was 132 days. The odds of regression of dog-ears with an initial height of r8mm was 4.667 times greater than that of larger dogears. CONCLUSIONS If the height of a dog-ear is r8mm, we recommend observation rather than immediate surgical removal.This work was partially supported by Grant R13-2005-012-01002-0 from the Basic Research Program of the Korea Science & Engineering Foundation (to DK)