Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Continuous-Time Measurement of the Buy-Sell Pressure in a Limit Order Book Market

In this paper, we investigate the buy and sell arrival process in a limit order book market. Using an intensity framework allows to estimate the simultaneous buy and sell intensity and to derive a continuous-time measure for the buy-sell pressure in the market. Based on limit order book data from the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX), we show that the buy-sell pressure is particularly influenced by recent market and limit orders and the current depth in the ask and bid queue. We find evidence for the hypothesis that traders use order book information in order to infer from the price setting behavior of market participants. Furthermore, our results indicate that the buy-sell pressure is clearly predictable and is a significant determinant of trade-to-trade returns and volatility.
Radionecrosis after stereotactic radiotherapy for brain metastases

ABSTRACT Introduction: Radionecrosis (RN) represents the main complication of stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) for brain metastases. It may be observed in up to 34% of cases at 24 months after treatment and associated with significant morbidity in 10-17%. Areas covered: Our aim is to discuss the results of original studies on RN related to SRT for brain metastases. Expert commentary: Although the development of RN is unpredictable, larger volume of the lesion, prior whole brain irradiation, and higher dose of radiation represent the major risk factors. RN appears on MRI as contrast-enhancing necrotic lesions, surrounded by edema, occurring at least 3 months after SRT, localized within fields of irradiation. No firm criteria are established. Surgery can provide symptomatic relief but is associated with a risk of complications. Corticosteroids are considered the standard of care treatment, despite limited efficacy and many adverse effects. Bevacizumab represents another interesting option that needs to be validated.
Urinary incontinence in women: prevalence, characteristics and effect on quality of life. A primary care clinic study.

BACKGROUND Urinary incontinence in older women is common. Its characteristics and impact on quality of life is not well established since these women are usually reluctant to tell their healthcare providers about the problem. OBJECTIVE To determine the characteristics of urinary incontinence in women and the manner in which it affects patients' quality of life. METHODS Twenty family physicians were requested to distribute a questionnaire to the first 25 consecutive women aged 30 to 75 years who visited their clinic for any reason. The questionnaire covered general health issues, symptoms of urinary incontinence, and quality of life. RESULTS A total of 418 women, mean age 50.0 +/- 11.8 years, completed the questionnaire (84% response rate). Of these, 148 (36%) reported having episodes of urinary incontinence. Urinary incontinence was found to be associated with older age, menopause, obesity and coexisting chronic disorders. Sixty percent of the women with urinary incontinence found it to be a disturbing symptom, and 44% reported that it had a detrimental effect on their quality of life. Only 32% of the affected women had sought medical advice, half of them from their family physician. Treatment was recommended to 66% of those who sought help, and in about two-thirds of these it brought some measure of relief. CONCLUSIONS Urinary incontinence is a common complaint among women attending primary care clinics, but it does not receive appropriate attention. Though it often adversely affects quality of life, only a small proportion of women seek medical advice. Family physicians should raise the issue as a part of the routine general health check-up.
Characterization of Multivariate Heavy-Tailed Distribution Families via Copula

The multivariate regular variation (MRV) is one of the most important tools in modelling multivariate heavy-tailed phenomena. This paper characterizes the MRV distribution through the upper tail dependence index of the copula associated with them. Along with Theorem 2.3 in Li and Sun (2009), our results imply that the existence of the upper tail dependence index of the copula is necessary and sufficient for a random vector with regularly varying univariate marginals to have a MRV tail. Moreover, the limit measure of the MRV tail can be explicitly characterized by the tail dependence index. Our analysis is also extended to two more general multivariate heavy-tailed distributions, including the Subexponential and the Long-tailed distribution families.
Density Fluctuation in Amorphous Polymers by Small Angle X-Ray Scattering

Density fluctuations in an infinite volume can be obtained by extrapolating the scattering intensity to the zero scattering angle, while those in a finite volume having a radius of several tens of Angstrom can be obtained from intensities at non-zero scattering angles. Small angle X-ray scattering intensities for condensed phases were approximated by I(s)=I(0)exp(As2). This s dependence of the intensity arises from the repulsive interaction between two particles. Since the density fluctuations in the above two types of volume (infinite and finite) were nearly the same in magnitude and temperature dependence for an amorphous polymer (PMMA), it was concluded that no density fluctuations due to structural inhomogeneity exist. The temperature dependence of the density fluctuations in a finite volume for PMMA and PC exhibited a second transition temperature T* below Tg, the glass transition temperature.
Render me real?

The realistic depiction of lifelike virtual humans has been the goal of many movie makers in the last decade. Recently, films such as Tron: Legacy and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button have produced highly realistic characters. In the real-time domain, there is also a need to deliver realistic virtual characters, with the increase in popularity of interactive drama video games (such as L.A. Noire™ or Heavy Rain™). There have been mixed reactions from audiences to lifelike characters used in movies and games, with some saying that the increased realism highlights subtle imperfections, which can be disturbing. Some developers opt for a stylized rendering (such as cartoon-shading) to avoid a negative reaction [Thompson 2004]. In this paper, we investigate some of the consequences of choosing realistic or stylized rendering in order to provide guidelines for developers for creating appealing virtual characters. We conducted a series of psychophysical experiments to determine whether render style affects how virtual humans are perceived. Motion capture with synchronized eye-tracked data was used throughout to animate custom-made virtual model replicas of the captured actors.
The visual mismatch negativity elicited with visual speech stimuli

The visual mismatch negativity (vMMN), deriving from the brain's response to stimulus deviance, is thought to be generated by the cortex that represents the stimulus. The vMMN response to visual speech stimuli was used in a study of the lateralization of visual speech processing. Previous research suggested that the right posterior temporal cortex has specialization for processing simple non-speech face gestures, and the left posterior temporal cortex has specialization for processing visual speech gestures. Here, visual speech consonant-vowel (CV) stimuli with controlled perceptual dissimilarities were presented in an electroencephalography (EEG) vMMN paradigm. The vMMNs were obtained using the comparison of event-related potentials (ERPs) for separate CVs in their roles as deviant vs. their roles as standard. Four separate vMMN contrasts were tested, two with the perceptually far deviants (i.e., “zha” or “fa”) and two with the near deviants (i.e., “zha” or “ta”). Only far deviants evoked the vMMN response over the left posterior temporal cortex. All four deviants evoked vMMNs over the right posterior temporal cortex. The results are interpreted as evidence that the left posterior temporal cortex represents speech contrasts that are perceived as different consonants, and the right posterior temporal cortex represents face gestures that may not be perceived as different CVs.
Preemptive priority-based scheduling: an appropriate engineering approach

Scheduling theories for fixed priority scheduling are now sufficiently mature that a genuine engineering approach to the construction of hard real-time systems is possible. In this paper we review recent advances. A flexible computational model is adopted that can accommodate periodic and sporadic activities, different levels of criticality, process interaction and blocking, cooperative scheduling (deferred preemption), release jitter, precedence constrained processes, arbitrary deadlines, deadlines associated with specific events (rather than the end of a task’s execution) and offsets. Scheduling tests for these different application characteristics are described. This model can be supported by structured, object oriented or formal development methods. The paper also considers the issues involved in producing safe and predictable kernels to support this computational model.
Fine-grained recognition of abnormal behaviors for early detection of mild cognitive impairment

According to the World Health Organization, the rate of people aged 60 or more is growing faster than any other age group in almost every country, and this trend is not going to change in a near future. Since senior citizens are at high risk of non communicable diseases requiring long-term care, this trend will challenge the sustainability of the entire health system. Pervasive computing can provide innovative methods and tools for early detecting the onset of health issues. In this paper we propose a novel method relying on medical models, provided by cognitive neuroscience researchers, describing abnormal activity routines that may indicate the onset of early symptoms of mild cognitive impairment. A non-intrusive sensor-based infrastructure acquires low-level data about the interaction of the individual with home appliances and furniture, as well as data from environmental sensors. Based on those data, a novel hybrid statistical-symbolical technique is used to detect first the activities being performed and then the abnormal aspects in carrying out those activities, which are communicated to the medical center. Differently from related works, our method can detect abnormal behaviors at a fine-grained level, thus providing an important tool to support the medical diagnosis. In order to evaluate our method we have developed a prototype of the system and acquired a large dataset of abnormal behaviors carried out in an instrumented smart home. Experimental results show that our technique has a high precision while generating a small number of false positives.
Endodermal germ-layer formation through active actin-driven migration triggered by N-cadherin

Significance Construction of the adult body during development implies the separation of cells into tissues and organs. The first of these events occurs during gastrulation, when cells segregate in germ layers, setting the bases of the body plan. Despite its importance, the molecular and cellular basis of germ-layer formation has remained elusive. This work uses live imaging and functional approaches to reveal how the endodermal layer forms in zebrafish, leading to an original model of cell segregation by active migration away from neighboring cells, a process triggered by N-cadherin. We propose this may be a core conserved mechanism driving germ-layer formation and might be extended to other processes of cell segregation, highlighting gastrulation as a paradigm for tissue formation. Germ-layer formation during gastrulation is both a fundamental step of development and a paradigm for tissue formation and remodeling. However, the cellular and molecular basis of germ-layer segregation is poorly understood, mostly because of the lack of direct in vivo observations. We used mosaic zebrafish embryos to investigate the formation of the endoderm. High-resolution live imaging and functional analyses revealed that endodermal cells reach their characteristic innermost position through an active, oriented, and actin-based migration dependent on Rac1, which contrasts with the previously proposed differential adhesion cell sorting. Rather than being attracted to their destination, the yolk syncytial layer, cells appear to migrate away from their neighbors. This migration depends on N-cadherin that, when imposed in ectodermal cells, is sufficient to trigger their internalization without affecting their fate. Overall, these results lead to a model of germ-layer formation in which, upon N-cadherin expression, endodermal cells actively migrate away from their epiblastic neighbors to reach their internal position, revealing cell-contact avoidance as an unexplored mechanism driving germ-layer formation.
Effect of a coupling agent on the properties of hemp‐hurd‐powder‐filled styrene–butadiene rubber

Styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) composites filled with hemp hurd powder (HP) were prepared with bis(3-triethoxysilylpropyl) tetrasulfide (Si69) as a coupling agent. The effects of the filler content and coupling agent on the curing characteristics and dynamic mechanical properties of the composites were studied. The results indicate that with increasing filler loading, the torque values increased and the curing time decreased. The mechanical properties improved with increasing filled HP content up to 60 phr. Usually, long fibers led to a sharp decrease in the toughness of the composites, whereas short fibers, such as HP, had a positive effect on the elongation at break within the loading range studied. The extent of the filler–matrix interaction and the scanning electron micrographs of the fractured surfaces confirmed that the addition of Si69 improved the interfacial interaction between HP and the SBR matrix, which led to an increase in the maximum torque and the mechanical properties. Moreover, the coupling agent was helpful in dispersing the filler in the rubber matrix. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Forecasting Analysts ’ Forecast Errors

We forecast analyst earnings forecast errors out of sample. Forecasting variables include three “under-reaction” variables (earnings surprise, stock returns and analyst earnings forecast revisions) and seven “overreaction” variables (book to price ratio, forward earnings to price ratio, analyst long term growth forecast, sales growth, investments in property, plant and equipment, investments in other long-lived assets, and the accrual component of earnings). Estimation procedures include the traditional OLS as well as a more robust procedure that minimizes the sum of absolute errors (LAD). While in-sample we find significant prediction power using both OLS and LAD, we find far stronger results using LAD out of sample, with an average reduction in forecast errors of over thirty percent measured by the mean squared error or near ten percent measured by the mean absolute error. Most of the prediction power comes from firms whose analysts are too optimistic. The stock market seems to understand the inefficiencies in analyst forecasts: a trading strategy based on the predicted analyst forecast errors does not generate abnormal profits. Conversely, analysts seem to fail to understand the inefficiencies present in the stock prices: a trading strategy directly based on the predicted stock returns generates significant abnormal returns, and the abnormal returns are associated with predictable analyst forecast errors. The combined evidence suggests that the stock market is more efficient than financial analysts in processing public information.
The marXbot, a miniature mobile robot opening new perspectives for the collective-robotic research

Collective and swarm robotics explores scenarios involving many robots running at the same time. A good platform for collective-robotic experiments should provide certain features among others: it should have a large battery life, it should be able to perceive its peers, and it should be capable of interacting with them. This paper presents the marXbot, a miniature mobile robot that addresses these needs. The marXbot uses differential-drive treels to provide rough-terrain mobility. The marXbot allows continuous experiments thanks to a sophisticated energy management and a hotswap battery exchange mechanism. The marXbot can self-assemble with peers using a compliant attachment mechanism. The marXbot provides high-quality vision, using two cameras directly interfaced with an ARM processor. Compared to the related work, the marXbot has better energy management, vision, and interaction capabilities. By allowing complex tasks in large environments for long durations, the marXbot opens new perspectives for the collective-robotic research.
Extensive regulation of the non-coding transcriptome by hypoxia: role of HIF in releasing paused RNApol2

Hypoxia is central to both ischaemic and neoplastic diseases. However, the non‐coding transcriptional response to hypoxia is largely uncharacterized. We undertook integrated genomic analyses of both non‐coding and coding transcripts using massively parallel sequencing and interfaced this data with pan‐genomic analyses of hypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF) and RNApol2 binding in hypoxic cells. These analyses revealed that all classes of RNA are profoundly regulated by hypoxia and implicated HIF as a major direct regulator of both the non‐coding and coding transcriptome, acting predominantly through release of pre‐bound promoter‐paused RNApol2. These findings indicate that the transcriptional response to hypoxia is substantially more extensive than previously considered.
Outcomes From an Enhanced Recovery Program for Laparoscopic Gastric Surgery

Purpose: To examine the outcomes from an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) program for laparoscopic gastric surgery. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective study of patients undergoing elective laparoscopic gastric resection in an ERAS protocol at a single institution between 2008 and 2012. Outcomes included the length of hospital stay, intraoperative and postoperative complications, the readmission rate, the reoperation rate, and the 30-day mortality. Results: Of the 86 patients, 60 underwent partial gastrectomy and 26 underwent total gastrectomy. Median lymph nodes sampled was 15 (range, 9 to 47). The median length of hospital stay was 4 (range, 1 to 44) days. The conversion rate to open surgery was 11.6%. Four patients (4.7%) had an anastomotic leak. Three patients had postoperative bleeding (4.7%). About 4.7% (n=4) of the patients required readmission and 8.1% required reoperation (n=7). The 30-day mortality rate was 2.3% (n=2) due to complications from anastomotic leak. Conclusions: Laparoscopic gastrectomy within an ERAS protocol results in a short hospital stay with an acceptable morbidity and mortality rate.
FTV (free-viewpoint television)

FTV (free-viewpoint television) is an innovative visual media that allows users to view a three-dimensional (3D) scene by freely changing their viewpoints. Thus, it enables realistic viewing and free navigation of 3D scenes. FTV is the ultimate 3DTV with infinite number of views and ranked at the top of visual media. FTV is not a conventional pixel-based system but a ray-based system. New types of ray capture, processing, and display technologies have been developed for FTV. These technologies were also used to realize an all-around ray-reproducing 3DTV. The international standardization of FTV has been promoted in MPEG. The first phase of FTV ismulti-view video coding and the second phase is 3D video. In this paper, the FTV system and its technologies are reviewed.
Novel Histone Deacetylase Class IIa Selective Substrate Radiotracers for PET Imaging of Epigenetic Regulation in the Brain

Histone deacetylases (HDAC’s) became increasingly important targets for therapy of various diseases, resulting in a pressing need to develop HDAC class- and isoform-selective inhibitors. Class IIa deacetylases possess only minimal deacetylase activity against acetylated histones, but have several other client proteins as substrates through which they participate in epigenetic regulation. Herein, we report the radiosyntheses of the second generation of HDAC class IIa–specific radiotracers: 6-(di-fluoroacetamido)-1-hexanoicanilide (DFAHA) and 6-(tri-fluoroacetamido)-1-hexanoicanilide ([18F]-TFAHA). The selectivity of these radiotracer substrates to HDAC class IIa enzymes was assessed in vitro, in a panel of recombinant HDACs, and in vivo using PET/CT imaging in rats. [18F]TFAHA showed significantly higher selectivity for HDAC class IIa enzymes, as compared to [18F]DFAHA and previously reported [18F]FAHA. PET imaging with [18F]TFAHA can be used to visualize and quantify spatial distribution and magnitude of HDAC class IIa expression-activity in different organs and tissues in vivo. Furthermore, PET imaging with [18F]TFAHA may advance the understanding of HDACs class IIa mediated epigenetic regulation of normal and pathophysiological processes, and facilitate the development of novel HDAC class IIa-specific inhibitors for therapy of different diseases.
Pharmacokinetics of nitrate in humans: role of gastrointestinal absorption and metabolism.

A model to describe the response of the blood pool to an oral dose of nitrate in humans has been developed. The permeability-area product of the small intestine to nitrate was estimated by comparing simulations from a three-compartment model with published data for blood nitrate concentration following nitrate ingestion. The transport of nitrate from the bloodstream to the lumen of the large intestine and the metabolism of nitrate by enteric bacteria were examined by including an additional compartment representing the large bowel. The simulations indicate that the bacteria of the large intestine may be responsible for about half of the extrarenal removal of nitrate from the body. This prediction was tested experimentally by comparing the urinary recoveries of 15NO3- in conventional and germfree rats following an i.p. dose of Na15NO3. The mean urinary recovery in germfree rats (71% of dose) substantially exceeded that in rats with conventional bacterial flora (54%). This suggests that of the 40-45% of a nitrate dose that is metabolized in the body rather than excreted in urine as nitrate, approximately half is metabolized by mammalian processes and approximately half by enteric bacteria. This conclusion is consistent with that obtained from our pharmacokinetic model of nitrate in humans.
Complex Cooperative Networks from Evolutionary Preferential Attachment

In spite of its relevance to the origin of complex networks, the interplay between form and function and its role during network formation remains largely unexplored. While recent studies introduce dynamics by considering rewiring processes of a pre-existent network, we study network growth and formation by proposing an evolutionary preferential attachment model, its main feature being that the capacity of a node to attract new links depends on a dynamical variable governed in turn by the node interactions. As a specific example, we focus on the problem of the emergence of cooperation by analyzing the formation of a social network with interactions given by the Prisoner's Dilemma. The resulting networks show many features of real systems, such as scale-free degree distributions, cooperative behavior and hierarchical clustering. Interestingly, results such as the cooperators being located mostly on nodes of intermediate degree are very different from the observations of cooperative behavior on static networks. The evolutionary preferential attachment mechanism points to an evolutionary origin of scale-free networks and may help understand similar feedback problems in the dynamics of complex networks by appropriately choosing the game describing the interaction of nodes.