Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Closed-Form Transformations from Risk-Neutral to Real-World Distributions

Risk-neutral and real-world densities are derived from option prices and risk assumptions, and are compared with historical densities obtained from time series. Two parametric risk-transformations are used to convert risk-neutral densities into real-world densities. Both transformations are estimated by maximizing the likelihood of observed index levels, for two parametric density families. Results for the FTSE-100 index show that parametric densities derived from option prices have more explanatory power than historical densities and higher likelihoods than densities estimated by spline methods. A combination of parametric real-world and historical densities provides the preferred predictive densities.
Redistributing load using wearable resistance during power clean training improves athletic performance

Abstract A popular method to improve athletic performance and lower body power is to train with wearable resistance (WR), for example, weighted vests. However, it is currently unknown what training effect this loading method has on full-body explosive movements such as the power clean. The purpose of this study was to determine what effects WR equivalent to 12% body mass (BM) had on the power clean and countermovement jump (CMJ) performance. Sixteen male subjects (age: 23.2 ± 2.7 years; BM: 90.5 ± 10.3 kg) were randomly assigned to five weeks of traditional (TR) power clean training or training with 12% BM redistributed from the bar to the body using WR. Variables of interest included pre and post CMJ height, power clean one repetition maximum (1RM), peak ground reaction force, power output (PO), and several bar path kinematic variables across loads at 50%, 70%, and 90% of 1RM. The main findings were that WR training: (1) increased CMJ height (8.7%; ES = 0.53) and 1RM power clean (4.2%; ES = 0.2) as compared to the TR group (CMJ height = −1.4%; 1RM power clean = 1.8%); (2) increased PO across all 1RM loads (ES = 0.33–0.62); (3) increased barbell velocity at 90% 1RM (3.5%; ES = 0.74) as compared to the TR group (−4.3%); and (4) several bar path kinematic variables improved at 70% and 90% 1RM loads. WR power clean training with 12% BM can positively influence power clean ability and CMJ performance, as well as improve technique factors.
A recombinant rat regenerating protein is mitogenic to pancreatic derived cells.

Pancreatic regenerating protein (reg I) is expressed in acinar cells and is mitogenic to beta- and ductal cells. Isolation of large amounts of endogenous reg I for in vivo and in vitro experiments has been difficult. The aim of this study was to develop a recombinant protein and determine its bioactivity on rat pancreatic derived cells. cDNA of the rat reg I coding region was created with unique BamHI flanking sequences using reverse transcriptase PCR. The coding region was then cloned into a bacterial expression vector in which expression is controlled by a T7 promoter. After transformation into the Escherichia coli strain B21(DE3) and induction by isopropyl-beta-d-thiogalactopyranoside, a fusion protein of 24 kDa in size, named reg-PET, was noted in the bacterial lysate. This protein contained a polyhistidine and S-peptide sequence to facilitate isolation and identification, respectively. This protein was purified using affinity chromatography, and identity was confirmed with gel electrophoresis and Western analysis. The reg-PET protein was mitogenic to both ARIP and RIN cells, rat pancreatic ductal and beta-cell lines, respectively. Antibodies raised to the protein reacted against rat reg I in pancreas. The purified recombinant reg I fusion protein, like endogenous reg I, is mitogenic to pancreatic derived cells. It is more potent than reg I isolated from pancreatic tissue. This protein can be isolated rapidly, easily, and with a high amount of purity.
Impairment of Endothelium-Dependent Relaxation of Rat Aortas by Homocysteine Thiolactone and Attenuation by Captopril

To explore the effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors on endothelial dysfunction induced by homocysteine thiolactone (HTL). Both endothelium-dependent relaxation and nondependent relaxation of thoracic aortic rings in rats induced by acetylcholine (Ach) or sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and biochemical parameters including malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) were measured in rat isolated aorta. Exposure of aortic rings to HTL (3 to 30 mM) for 90 minutes made a significant inhibition of endothelium-dependent relaxation induced by Ach, decreased contents of NO, and increased MDA concentration in aortic tissue. After incubation of aortic rings with captopril (0.003 to 0.03 mM) attenuated the inhibition of endothelium-dependent relaxation (EDR) and significantly resisted the decrease of NO content and elevation of MDA concentration caused by HTL (30 mmol/L) in aortic tissues, a similarly protective effect was observed when the aortic rings were incubated with both N-acetylcysteine (0.05 mM). Treatment with enalaprilat (0.003 to 0.01 mM) made no significant difference with the HTL (30 mM) group regarding EDR, but enalaprilat (0.03 mM) and losartan (0.03 mM) could partly restore the EDR in response to HTL (30 mM). Captopril was more effective than enalaprilat and losartan in attenuation of the inhibition of on acetylcholine-stimulated aortic relaxation by HTL in the same concentration. Moreover, superoxide dismutase (SOD, 200 U/mL), which is a scavenger of superoxide anions, apocynin (0.03 mM), which is an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase, and l-Arginine (3 mmol/L), a precursor of nitric oxide (NO), could reduce HTL (30 mM)-induced inhibition of EDR. After pretreatment with not only the NO synthase inhibitor Nomega-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 0.01 mM) but also the free sulfhydryl group blocking agent p-hydroxymercurybenzoate (PHMB, 0.05 mM) could abolish the protection of captopril and N-acetylcysteine, respectively. These results suggest that mechanisms of endothelial dysfunction induced by HTL may include the decrease of NO and the generation of oxygen free radicals and that captopril can restore the inhibition of EDR induced by HTL in isolated rat aorta, which may be related to scavenging oxygen free radicals and may be sulfhydryl-dependent.
Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-Bisphosphate-Dependent Interaction of Myelin Basic Protein with the Plasma Membrane in Oligodendroglial Cells and Its Rapid Perturbation by Elevated Calcium

Myelin basic protein (MBP) is an essential structural component of CNS myelin. The electrostatic association of this positively charged protein with myelin-forming membranes is a crucial step in myelination, but the mechanism that regulates myelin membrane targeting is not known. Here, we demonstrate that phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) is important for the stable association of MBP with cellular membranes. In oligodendrocytes, overexpression of synaptojanin 1-derived phosphoinositide 5-phosphatase, which selectively hydrolyzes membrane PIP2, causes the detachment of MBP from the plasma membrane. In addition, constitutively active Arf6/Q67L induces the formation of PIP2-enriched endosomal vacuoles, leading to the redistribution of MBP to intracellular vesicles. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer imaging revealed an interaction of the PIP2 sensing probe PH-PLCδ1 with wild-type MBP, but not with a mutant MBP isoform that fails to associate with the plasma membrane. Moreover, increasing intracellular Ca2+, followed by phospholipase C-mediated PIP2 hydrolysis, as well as reduction of the membrane charge by ATP depletion, resulted in the dissociation of MBP from the glial plasma membrane. When the corpus callosum of mice was analyzed in acute brain slices by electron microscopy, the reduction of membrane surface charge led to the loss of myelin compaction and rapid vesiculation. Together, these results establish that PIP2 is an essential determinant for stable membrane binding of MBP and provide a novel link between glial phosphoinositol metabolism and MBP function in development and disease.
Antipsychotics for the Treatment of Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD)

Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), i.e. verbal and physical aggression, agitation, psychotic symptoms (hallucinations and delusions), sleep disturbances, oppositional behavior, and wandering, are a common and potentially severe problem complicating dementia. Their prevalence is very high and it is estimated that up to 90% of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) may present at least one BPSD. Beside the obvious impact on the quality of life of people with dementia, BPSD are responsible for increased risk of patient institutionalization and increased costs. Furthermore, they are associated with caregivers’ stress and depression. Drugs used include antipsychotics, antidepressants, anticonvulsivants, anxiolytics, cholinesterase inhibitors and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor modulators. Among these, the most commonly used are anti-psychotics. These drugs have been used for many decades, but in the last years new compounds have been marketed with the promise of comparable efficacy but less frequent adverse effects (especially extra-pyramidal side effects). Their safety, however, has been challenged by data showing a potential increase in adverse cerebrovascular side effects and mortality. This review will summarize the pathophysiology and neuropharmacology of BPSD, it will describe the characteristics of the anti-psychotics most commonly used focusing on their efficacy and safety in BPSD.
A Resistively Degenerated Wideband Passive Mixer With Low Noise Figure and High ${\rm IIP}_{2}$

A CMOS mixer whose linearity is maintained for a wide frequency range is presented. Transconductance (Gm) boosting methods, such as input cross-coupling, current reuse complementary input, and back gate connection, are used to improve overall gain and noise performance. A source-degenerated passive mixer is used to improve noise figure (NF) by increasing the equivalent mixer output impedance. The operating frequency is from 1.55 to 2.3 GHz. The measured performance shows less than 9.5 dB double-sideband (DSB) NF, more than 22-dB voltage gain, better than +50 dBm uncalibrated IIP2, and higher than +7 dBm of IIP3, while consuming only 10 mW from a 2-V supply. A 0.18-¿m Si CMOS process with metal-insulator-metal capacitors is used.
Traditional Chinese Medicine in Cancer Care: A Review of Case Series Published in the Chinese Literature

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been widely used in cancer in China. Case series report a series of cases exposed to a certain intervention. To understand the current situation of case series of TCM for cancer, we performed this review. We included case series of cancer patients treated with TCM therapy. Electronic searches were conducted in four main Chinese databases until February 2011. A total of 1,217 reports of case series (92,945 patients) were included. The top five types of cancer were lung cancer, liver cancer, stomach cancer, leukemia, and esophageal cancer. Leukopenia and hiccup treated by TCM were the most common adverse reactions after surgery or induced by chemo/radiotherapy. More than half of the patients were treated with TCM therapies alone. The application of herbal medicines especially formula based on syndrome differentiation was highly prevalent, and the typical administration route was oral usage. 1,182 reports were published in a structured format. The quantity of TCM case series for cancer treatment is substantial. Further studies should focus on the most common types of cancer and the most frequently applied TCM therapies. We presented a recommendation from the methodological point of view for the format of reporting.
The Ashgate Research Companion to Biosocial Theories of Crime

Contents: Part I Introduction and Overview of Biosocial Criminology: Biosocial criminology, Kevin M. Beaver and Anthony Walsh Biosocial interactions and correlates of crime, Anna Rudo-Hutt, Yu Gao, Andrea Glenn, Melissa Peskin, Yaling Yang and Adrian Raine The relationship between low resting heart rate and antisocial behavior: correlation or causation? , Todd A. Armstrong. Part II Genetics and Crime: The genetics of criminality and delinquency, Lisabeth Fisher DiLalla and Sufna Gheyara Molecular genetics and crime, John Paul Wright, Kristan Moore and Jamie Newsome Gene x environment interactions in antisocial behavior, Christopher J. Ferguson. Part III The Brain and Crime: Neurotransmitters: indirect molecular invitations to aggression, Raymond E. Collins The limbic system and crime, Matt DeLisi Neurobiological perspectives of brain vulnerability in pathways to violence over the life course, Denise Paquette Boots The neuroscientific basis of situational action theory, Kyle Treiber. Part IV Environments and Crime: The independence of criminological 'predictor' variables: a good deal of concerns and some answers from behavioral genetic research, H. Harrington Cleveland, Charles Beekman and Yao Zheng Birth complications and the development of criminality: a biosocial perspective, Stephen G. Tibbetts Presaging problem behavior: the mutability of child temperament, parenting, and family environments from gestation to age 3, Matt DeLisi and Michael G, Vaughn Social class and criminal behavior through a biosocial lens, Anthony Walsh and David G. Mueller. Part V Evolutionary Psychology and Crime: Women's avoidance of rape: an evolutionary psychological perspective, William F. McKibbin and Todd K. Shackelford The search for human rape and anti-rape adaptations: 10 years after A Natural History of Rape, Ryan M. Ellsworth and Craig T. Palmer The nature and utility of low self-control, Richard P. Wiebe. Part VI Implications of Biosocial Research: Biosocial treatment and prevention strategies, Michael G. Vaughn and Ralph Groom From petri dish to public policy: a discussion of the implications of biosocial research in the criminal justice arena, Joseph Rukus and Chris L. Gibson Index.
A framework for interactive and automatic refinement of transfer-based machine translation

Most current Machine Translation (MT) systems do not improve with feedback from post-editors beyond the addition of corrected translations to parallel training data (for statistical and example-base MT) or to a memory database. Rule based systems to date improve only via manual debugging. In contrast, we propose a largely automated method for capturing more information from human post-editors, so that corrections may be performed automatically to translation grammar rules and lexical entries. This paper introduces a general framework for incorporating a refinement module into rule-based transfer MT systems. This framework allows for generalizing post-editing efforts in an effective way, by identifying and correcting rules semi-automatically on order to improve coverage and overall translation quality.
Has Falling Crime Driven New York City ’ s Real Estate Boom ?

We investigate whether falling crime has driven New York City’s post-1994 real estate boom, as media reports suggest. We address this by decomposing trends in the city’s property values from 1988 to 1998 into components due to crime, the city’s investment in subsidized low-income housing, the quality of public schools, and other factors. We use rich data and employ both hedonic and repeat-sales house price models, which allow us to control for unobservable neighborhood and building-specific effects. We find that the popular story touting the overwhelming importance of crime rates has some truth to it. Falling crime rates are responsible for about a third of the post-1994 boom in property values. However, this story is incomplete because it ignores the revitalization of New York City’s poorer communities and the large role that housing subsidies played in mitigating the earlier bust.
Visual tracking of human visitors under variable-lighting conditions for a responsive audio art installation

For a responsive audio art installation in a skylit atrium, we introduce a single-camera statistical segmentation and tracking algorithm. The algorithm combines statistical background image estimation, per-pixel Bayesian segmentation, and an approximate solution to the multi-target tracking problem using a bank of Kalman filters and Gale-Shapley matching. A heuristic confidence model enables selective filtering of tracks based on dynamic data. We demonstrate that our algorithm has improved recall and F2-score over existing methods in OpenCV 2.1 in a variety of situations. We further demonstrate that feedback between the tracking and the segmentation systems improves recall and F2-score. The system described operated effectively for 5-8 hours per day for 4 months; algorithms are evaluated on video from the camera installed in the atrium. Source code and sample data is open source and available in OpenCV.
Immigrant adaption: exploring the process through the sense of community

Psychological sense of community provides a sense of belonging, identity, emotional connection, and wellbeing. There are many positives that result from people experiencing and perceiving a sense of community. People are better adjusted, feel supported, have connections to other people and to goals that are above and beyond their own limited areas, and have stronger levels of social support and social connectedness. A strong sense of community acts as a buffer against threats, provides a place in which to express our identities, and helps us deal with changes in our world. In this book, the authors have explored a series of different types of communities - moving from the basic idea of those based at a specific location all the way to virtual communities of the internet. The ways in which the communities operate, positively and negatively, what people get out of them and what they have to put into them, and the notion of being members of more than one community at the one time are considered. Sense of community is a topic that captures the attention of people from all types of backgrounds. So, contributors from fields such as community psychology, clinical areas, community development, and urban planning have added their insights and knowledge. A key feature of this book is the research focus that emphasizes the theory-driven analysis and the diversity of contexts in which sense of community is applied. This book will make a significant contribution to our understanding of life in communities and to people's sense of community. It will be of great interest to those concerned with understanding various forms of community and how communities can be mobilized to achieve wellbeing.
Population-based surveillance for bacterial meningitis in the Dominican Republic: implications for control by vaccination

Quantifying the local burden of disease is an important step towards the introduction of new vaccines, such as Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) conjugate vaccine. We adapted a generic protocol developed by the World Health Organization for population-based surveillance of bacterial meningitis. All hospitals that admit paediatric patients with meningitis in the National District, Dominican Republic were included in the system and standard laboratory methods were used. The system identified 111 cases of confirmed bacterial meningitis. Hib was the leading cause of bacterial meningitis, followed by group B streptococcus, S. pneumoniae, and N. meningitidis. Unlike hospital-based case series, this population-based system was able to calculate incidence rates. The incidence of Hib meningitis was 13 cases per 100 000 children < 5 years old. The data from this study were used by the Ministry of Health to support the introduction of routine Hib vaccination and will be used to monitor its effectiveness.
Randomized auction design for electricity markets between grids and microgrids

This work studies electricity markets between power grids and microgrids, an emerging paradigm of electric power generation and supply. It is among the first that addresses the economic challenges arising from such grid integration, and represents the first power auction mechanism design that explicitly handles the Unit Commitment Problem (UCP), a key challenge in power grid optimization previously investigated only for centralized cooperative algorithms. The proposed solution leverages a recent result in theoretical computer science that can decompose an optimal fractional (infeasible) solution to NP-hard problems into a convex combination of integral (feasible) solutions. The end result includes randomized power auctions that are (approximately) truthful and computationally efficient, and achieve small approximation ratios for grid-wide social welfare under UCP constraints and temporal demand correlations. Both power markets with grid-to-microgrid and microgrid-to-grid energy sales are studied, with an auction designed for each, under the same randomized power auction framework. Trace driven simulations are conducted to verify the efficacy of the two proposed inter-grid power auctions.
Ion Mobility Analysis of Lipoprotein Subfractions Identifies Three Independent Axes of Cardiovascular Risk

Objective—Whereas epidemiological studies show that levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) predict incident cardiovascular disease (CVD), there is limited evidence relating lipoprotein subfractions and composite measures of subfractions to risk for CVD in prospective cohort studies. Methods and Results—We tested whether combinations of lipoprotein subfractions independently predict CVD in a prospective cohort of 4594 initially healthy men and women (the Malmö Diet and Cancer Study, mean follow-up 12.2 years, 377 incident cardiovascular events). Plasma lipoproteins and lipoprotein subfractions were measured at baseline with a novel high-resolution ion mobility technique. Principal component analysis (PCA) of subfraction concentrations identified 3 major independent (ie, zero correlation) components of CVD risk, one representing LDL-associated risk, a second representing HDL-associated protection, and the third representing a pattern of decreased large HDL, increased small/medium LDL, and increased triglycerides. The last corresponds to the previously described “atherogenic lipoprotein phenotype. ” Several genes that may underlie this phenotype—CETP, LIPC, GALNT2, MLXIPL, APOA1/A5, LPL—are suggested by SNPs associated with the combination of small/medium LDL and large HDL. Conclusion—PCA on lipoprotein subfractions yielded three independent components of CVD risk. Genetic analyses suggest these components represent independent mechanistic pathways for development of CVD.
Muscle force prediction: can we rely on musculoskeletal model estimations? A case study on push force exertions with the upper limb

Muscle force prediction: can we rely on musculoskeletal model estimations? A case study on push force exertions with the upper limb S. Duprey, L. Savonnet, N. Black & X. Wang a Université de Lyon, Lyon, France b Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France c LBMC Laboratoire de Biomécanique et Mécanique des Chocs, IFSTTAR, Bron, France d Département de génie mécanique, Faculté d’ingénierie, Université de Moncton, Moncton, Canada Published online: 20 Aug 2015.