Periodicities of FX Markets in Intrinsic Time

This paper utilises advanced methods from Fourier Analysis in order to describe financial ultra-high frequent transaction data. The Lomb-Scargle Fourier Transform is used to take into account the irregularity in spacing in the time-domain. It provides a natural framework for the power spectra of different inhomogeneous time series processes to be easily and quickly estimated,without significant computational effort, in contrast to the common econometric approaches in the finance literature. An event-based approach (intrinsic time), which by its own nature is inhomogeneous in time, is employed using different event thresholds to filter the foreign exchange tick-data leading to a power-law relationship. The calculated spectral density demonstrates that the price process in intrinsic time contains different periodic components, especially in the medium-long term, implying the existence of new stylised facts of ultra-high frequency data in the frequency domain

The Small regulatory RNA RyhB regulates icsA expression in Shigella flexneri

Shigella flexneri is a gram negative non-motile, non-spore forming, rod-shaped bacterium responsible for bacillary dysentery in humans. The master regulator, VirF, initiates a cascade of virulence gene activation by acting as a transcription factor for the gene encoding the global regulator, VirB (1). Production of VirB is also negatively regulated by the regulatory small RNA (sRNA), RyhB 2). Regulatory sRNAs are untranslated RNA molecules involved in the regulation of both transcription and translation. RyhB, a 90 nt sRNA, was first identified in E. coli and subsequently found in all Shigella species. In Shigella this sRNA is maximally expressed in response to iron depletion and is responsible for the reduced expression of many virulence genes in Shigella flexneri by downregulating virB (2)

Charting Hong Kong - The Way Forward

Operating in one of the world’s busiest ports the idea of setting up a hydrographic survey section was first considered in 1972. The HO proposal was eventually approved by Government in 1991 with funding secured in December 1993. The office commenced setting up in July 1994 and by mid-1996 the HO will be fully functional : trained hydrographic and cartographic staff; first delivery of two fully equipped survey launches; erection of DGPS central reference station and a comprehensive, fully integrated data processing and chart production system installed in the office. With advice from HOs world-wide, the aim has been to achieve a state-of-the-art working environment. We are also firmly convinced that the electronic media revolution will rapidly reduce paper charts to become dusty collectables in ships folio drawers. S-57 and production of electronic charts has thus been in the forefront of our thinking. This paper will briefly present our progress and hopefully provide an introduction to those smaller countries currently considering setting up or modernising their own HO

Functional strength training versus movement performance therapy for upper limb motor recovery early after stroke: a RCT

Background: Not all stroke survivors respond to the same form of physical therapy in the same way early after stroke. The response is variable and a detailed understanding of the interaction between specific physical therapies and neural structure and function is needed. Objectives: To determine if upper limb recovery is enhanced more by functional strength training (FST) than by movement performance therapy (MPT), to identify the differences in the neural correlates of response to (1) FST and (2) MPT and to determine whether or not pretreatment neural characteristics can predict recovery in response to (1) FST and (2) MPT. Design: Randomised, controlled, observer-blind, multicentre trial with embedded explanatory investigations. An independent facility used computer-generated randomisation for participants’ group allocation. Setting: In-patient rehabilitation, participants’ homes, university movement analysis facilities and NHS or university neuroimaging departments in the UK. Participants: People who were between 2 and 60 days after stroke in the territory of the anterior cerebral circulation, with some voluntary muscle contraction in the more affected upper limb but not full function. Interventions: Routine rehabilitation [conventional physical therapy (CPT)] plus either MPT or FST in equal doses during a 6-week intervention phase. FST was progressive resistive exercise provided during training of functional tasks. MPT was therapist ‘hands-on’ sensory input and guidance for production of smooth and accurate movement. Main outcomes: Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) score for clinical efficacy. Neural measures were made of corticocortical [fractional anisotropy (FA) from corpus callosum midline], corticospinal connectivity (asymmetry of corticospinal tracts FA) and resting motor threshold of paretic biceps brachii (pBB) and extensor carpi radialis muscles (derived from transcranial magnetic stimulation). Analysis: Change in ARAT scores were analysed using analysis of covariance models adjusted for baseline variables and randomisation strata. Correlation coefficients were calculated between change in neural measures and change in ARAT score per group and for the whole sample. An interaction term was calculated for each baseline neural measure and ARAT score change from baseline to outcome. Results: A total of 288 participants were randomised [mean age 72.2 (standard deviation 12.5) years; mean ARAT score of 25.5 (18.2); n = 283]. For the 240 participants with ARAT measurements at baseline and outcome, the mean change scores were FST + CPT = 9.70 (11.72) and MPT + CPT = 7.90 (9.18). The group difference did not reach statistical significance (least squares mean difference 1.35, 95% confidence interval –1.20 to 3.90; p = 0.298). Correlations between ARAT change scores and baseline neural values ranged from –0.147 (p = 0.385) for whole-sample corticospinal connectivity (n = 37) to 0.199 (p = 0.320) for MPT + CPT resting motor threshold pBB (n = 27). No statistically significant interaction effects were found between baseline neural variables and change in ARAT score. There were no differences between groups in adverse events. Limitations: The number of participants in the embedded explanatory investigation was lower than expected. Conclusions: The small difference in upper limb improvement in response to FST and MPT did not reach statistical significance. Baseline neural measures neither correlated with upper limb recovery nor predicted therapy response. Future work: Needs to continue investigation of the variability of response to specific physical therapies in people early after stroke. Trial registration: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN19090862 and National Research Ethics Service reference number 11/EE/0524. Funding: This project was funded by the Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation programme, a Medical Research Council and National Institute for Health Research partnership

Discovery of A New Retrograde Trans-Neptunian Object: Hint of A Common Orbital Plane for Low Semi-Major Axis, High Inclination TNOs and Centaurs

Although the majority of Centaurs are thought to have originated in the scattered disk, with the high-inclination members coming from the Oort cloud, the origin of the high inclination component of trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs) remains uncertain. We report the discovery of a retrograde TNO, which we nickname "Niku", detected by the Pan-STARRS 1 Outer Solar System Survey. Our numerical integrations show that the orbital dynamics of Niku are very similar to that of 2008 KV$_{42}$ (Drac), with a half-life of $\sim 500$ Myr. Comparing similar high inclination TNOs and Centaurs ($q > 10$ AU, $a 60^\circ$), we find that these objects exhibit a surprising clustering of ascending node, and occupy a common orbital plane. This orbital configuration has high statistical significance: 3.8-$\sigma$. An unknown mechanism is required to explain the observed clustering. This discovery may provide a pathway to investigate a possible reservoir of high-inclination objects.Comment: 18 pages, 4 figures, 1 table, accepted for publication in ApJ Letter

Perceptions and experiences of emergency department staff during the implementation of the four-hour rule/national emergency access target policy in Australia: A qualitative social dynamic perspective

Background: The Four-Hour Rule or National Emergency Access Target policy (4HR/NEAT) was implemented by Australian State and Federal Governments between 2009 and 2014 to address increased demand, overcrowding and access block (boarding) in Emergency Departments (EDs). This qualitative study aimed to assess the impact of 4HR/NEAT on ED staff attitudes and perceptions. This article is part of a series of manuscripts reporting the results of this project. Methods: The methodology has been published in this journal. As discussed in the methods paper, we interviewed 119 participants from 16 EDs across New South Wales (NSW), Queensland (QLD), Western Australia (WA) and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), in 2015-2016. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, imported to NVivo 11 and analysed using content and thematic analysis. Results: Three key themes emerged: Stress and morale, Intergroup dynamics, and Interaction with patients. These provided insight into the psycho-social dimensions and organisational structure of EDs at the individual, peer-to-peer, inter-departmental, and staff-patient levels. Conclusion: Findings provide information on the social interactions associated with the introduction of the 4HR/NEAT policy and the intended and unintended consequences of its implementation across Australia. These themes allowed us to develop several hypotheses about the driving forces behind the social impact of this policy on ED staff and will allow for development of interventions that are rooted in the rich context of the staff\u27s experiences. © 2019 The Author(s)

Be Stars in the Open Cluster NGC 6830

We report the discovery of 2 new Be stars, and re-identify one known Be star in the open cluster NGC 6830. Eleven H-alpha emitters were discovered using the H-alpha imaging photometry of the Palomar Transient Factory Survey. Stellar membership of the candidates was verified with photometric and kinematic information using 2MASS data and proper motions. The spectroscopic confirmation was carried out by using the Shane 3-m telescope at Lick observatory. Based on their spectral types, three H-alpha emitters were confirmed as Be stars with H-alpha equivalent widths > -10 Angstrom. Two objects were also observed by the new spectrograph SED-Machine on the Palomar 60 inch Telescope. The SED-Machine results show strong H-alpha emission lines, which are consistent with the results of the Lick observations. The high efficiency of the SED-Machine can provide rapid observations for Be stars in a comprehensive survey in the future.Comment: 11 pages, 8 figures, AJ in pres

Evaluating Lifeworld as an emancipatory methodology

Disability research is conducted within a highly politicised ‘hotbed’ of competing paradigms and principles. New researchers, who want to work within the social model, are soon faced with complex and challenging methodological and philosophical dilemmas. The social model advocates research agendas that are focused on the emancipation and empowerment of disabled people but, in reality, these are rarely achieved. To be successful researchers need to engage with innovative and creative methodologies and to share their experiences of these within environments that welcome challenge and debate. This paper focuses on Lifeworld and assesses its value as a tool for emancipatory research. Using examples from a study with parents, whose children were in the process of being labelled as having autism, the paper illustrates how the principles that ‘underpin’ the methodology offered a supportive framework for a novice researcher

Management of solitary fibrous tumours of the pleura:a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background:Solitary fibrous tumours of the pleura (SFTP), or pleural fibromas, are rare tumours that generally, but not universally, follow a benign course. Surgical resection is the standard treatment, but there are no evidence-based guidelines regarding the management of these tumours. Methods:Five databases were searched from inception to April 1, 2019 for studies reporting on SFTP management. Results:Twenty-seven studies met the inclusion criteria (1542 patients, all non-comparative case series); 98% of these patients underwent resection and all SFTP included were pathologically diagnosed. 394 out of 1299 cases (30.5%, 95% CI 27.8-32.8%) were malignant with recurrence rates of between 0% and 42.9%. A pleural effusion was always associated with a negative outcome, but no other features were consistently reported to have negative associations. Preoperative biopsies incorrectly reported malignant histology in two studies. Over 25% of cases of recurrence occurred when a complete (R0) resection had been achieved. The first recurrence occurred >5 years after the initial resection in at least 23% of cases. Conclusions:There is strong evidence to support long-term surveillance after surgical resection of SFTP, even where a complete (R0) resection has been achieved; however, there is no clear evidence to inform clinicians regarding the selection of patients who should undergo resection. The rates of malignant SFTP and SFTP recurrence are higher than previously reported. Only those that were pathologically diagnosed or resected were included, which may bias the data towards more aggressive tumours. Data collection on radiologically diagnosed SFTP is required to draw conclusions regarding the timing and need for intervention