Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A comparison between tests for changes in the adjustment coefficients in cointegrated systems

In this article, we examine several approaches to detecting changes in the adjustment coefficients in cointegrated VARs. We adopt recursive and rolling techniques as mis-specification tests for the detection of non-constancy and the estimation of the breakpoints. We find that inspection of the recursive eigenvalues is not useful to detect a break in the adjustment coefficients, whereas recursive estimation of the coefficients can only indicate non-constancy, but not the exact breakpoint. Rolling estimation is found to perform better in detecting non-constancy in the parameters and their true value after the breakpoint. However, it only detects a region where the break is likely to occur. To overcome the drawbacks of these techniques, we use an OLS-based sequential test. To assess its performance, we derive its critical values for different sample sizes. Monte Carlo evidence shows that the test has reasonably good power even in moderately sized samples and that it can be used as a graphical device, as it shows a kink at the breakpoint. As a benchmark, we use the Kalman filter, of which we analyse the performance on the same data-generating processes.
Dynamic ultra high speed Scheimpflug imaging for assessing corneal biomechanical properties

OBJECTIVE: To describe a novel technique for clinical characterization of corneal biomechanics using non-invasive dynamic imaging. METHODS: Corneal deformation response during non contact tonometry (NCT) is monitored by ultra-high-speed (UHS) photography. The Oculus Corvis ST (Scheimpflug Technology; Wetzlar, Germany) has a UHS Scheimpflug camera, taking over 4,300 frames per second and of a single 8mm horizontal slit, for monitoring corneal deformation response to NCT. The metered collimated air pulse or puff has a symmetrical configuration and fixed maximal internal pump pressure of 25 kPa. The bidirectional movement of the cornea in response to the air puff is monitored. RESULTS: Measurement time is 30ms, with 140 frames acquired. Advanced algorithms for edge detection of the front and back corneal contours are applied for every frame. IOP is calculated based on the first applanation moment. Deformation amplitude (DA) is determined as the highest displacement of the apex in the highest concavity (HC) moment. Applanation length (AL) and corneal velocity (CVel) are recorded during ingoing and outgoing phases. CONCLUSION: Corneal deformation can be monitored during non contact tonometry. The parameters generated provide clinical in vivo characterization of corneal biomechanical properties in two dimensions, which is relevant for different applications in Ophthalmology.
Industrial Human-Robot Collaboration

In the future, robots are envisioned to work side by side with humans in dynamic environments both in manufacturing and in societal contexts like health care, education, and commerce. Before this vision can be realized, robots must be socially accepted. Acceptance will have to be build through improvements in robot adaptability and with a gradual introduction, where robots learn on the job. It is our conviction that this can be achieved through a combination of human-robot interaction, multi-modal signal processing and AI techniques. We seek to prove this in real world applications. Here follows a discussion on how we intend to utilize end-users in the continuous training and reﬁnement of AIs and the challenges involved in building collaborative production cells.
The Value of Usage-Based Insurance beyond Better Targeting : Better Driving

Usage-Based Insurance (UBI) is a recent auto insurance innovation that enables insurance companies to collect individual consumer’s driving data and provide individually targeted price discounts based on each consumer’s driving behaviour. In this paper, using detailed information on insurance premium, retention rates of customers and individual driving behaviour for the UBI adopters, we examine and estimate the effect of the UBI policy on changing the customers’ driving behaviour, which is a potential source of profit improvement for the insurance company beyond better selection among customers and higher retention rates. The key results of our analysis are as follow: First, after controlling for age and gender, we find considerable variation in individual level UBI scores, thus providing evidence that UBI can help the company better estimate a driver’s risk and price accordingly. Second, among the company’s customers, adopters of UBI have higher retention rates than non-adopters; moreover, among UBI customers, safer drivers have higher retention rates. Third, very importantly, our results show that after UBI adoption, the drivers improve their driving behaviour, resulting in lower risk of an accident, providing a meaningful benefit for both the driver and the insurance company. We find that not all components of the UBI measure appear to change over time. In particular, we find that customers decrease their daily average hard brake frequency by an average of 21% after using UBI for six months, but we cannot find any significant effects on the mileage driven by customers after UBI adoption. We also find heterogeneous effects across different demographic groups. For example, younger drivers are more likely to adopt UBI and they also improve their UBI scores faster than older drivers after the UBI adoption. We also find that economic incentives lead to higher adoption rates of UBI and greater improvements in driving behaviour. Our results suggest that UBI is not only beneficial to the insurance company, but also to consumers who become better drivers.
Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) and Leishmania sp. in domestic cats in the Midwest of Brazil

ABSTRACT: This search aimed to investigate FIV and FeLV infections in domestic cats, analysing the epidemiological profile of the disease as well as additional infection with Leishmania sp. We evaluated 88 domestic cats for the presence of FIV, FeLV and Leishmania sp. infection. Eleven (12.5%) cats were positive for FIV infection, four (4.5%) were positive for FeLV, and two were co-infected. However, none was infected with Leishmania sp. The prevalence for FIV infection was higher than FeLV, and those observed in other regions, but no factor was associated with the infection by FIV and FeLV in this study.
Quantifying the effects of online bullishness on international financial markets

Computational methods to gauge investor sentiment from commonly used online data sources that rely on machine learning classifiers and lexicons have shown considerable promise, but suffer from measurement and classification errors. In our work, we develop a simple, direct and unambiguous indicator of online investor sentiment, which is based on Twitter updates and Google search queries. We examine the predictive power of this new investor bullishness indicator for international stock markets. Our results indicate several striking regularities. First, changes in Twitter bullishness predict changes in Google bullishness, indicating that Twitter information precedes Google queries. Second, Twitter and Google bullishness are positively correlated to investor sentiment and lead established investor sentiment surveys. The former, in particular, is a more powerful predictor of changes in sentiment in the stock market than the latter. Third, we observe that high Twitter bullishness predicts increases in stock returns, with these then returning to their fundamental values. We believe that our results may support the investor sentiment hypothesis in behavioural finance. JEL Classification: C1, C12
Resource partitioning between kit foxes (Vulpes macrotis) and coyotes (Canis latrans): a comparison of historical and contemporary dietary overlap

Range expansions by generalists can alter communities and introduce competitive pressures on native species. In the Great Basin Desert, USA, coyotes ( Canis latrans Say, 1823) have colonized and are now sympatric with native kit foxes ( Vulpes macrotis Merriam, 1888). Since both species have similar diets, dietary partitioning may facilitate coexistence. We analyzed coyote and kit fox diets, then compared our results to an earlier study. Because populations are dynamic, we expected that decreases in prey or increases in predator abundance could alter dietary patterns. We found no significant changes in population-level prey diversity for kit foxes or coyotes, and high levels of dietary overlap between species. We did detect a significant decrease in the relative importance of leporids (family Leporidae Fischer, 1817) in both canid’s diets, but they remained important for coyotes. The relative importance of small mammals was greater for kit foxes than coyotes, but their importance had not chang.
Epibiotic bacterial community of Sphaeroma serratum Crustacea, Isopoda relationship with molt status

Sphaeroma serratum is a marine isopod species that inhabits seashores from Europe to West Africa. The individuals live under stones in direct contact with reduced sediments and harbour a diverse bacterial community on the cuticle of their pleopods. We investigated the diversity of these epibiotic bacteria on male (pubescent and senescent) and female specimens with electron microscopic obser vations and molecular tools. The microbial community of S. serratum was shown to be composed of at least 5 bacterial morphotypes observed on the pleopodal cuticle in all male specimens. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization, we identified 5 major phylogenetic groups (α-, β-, γ- and δ-Proteobacteria and Archaea) whereas denaturing gradient gel electro - phoresis (DGGE) of PCR-amplified 16S rRNA gene fragments of epibiotic bacteria revealed 50 bands. The bacterial community associated with S. serratum seems more diverse than in other marine crustaceans, such as Rimicaris. The relative diversity of this bacterial community was also studied in relation to the molt cycle. The comparison of DGGE band patterns of several individuals from female, pubescent male and senescent male groups revealed that the bacterial community diversity was dependent on the sex and the age of the individuals and more generally on the molt status.
Radon-Nikodym Derivatives of Gaussian Measures

We give simple necessary and sufficient conditions on the mean and covariance for a Gaussian measure to be equivalent to Wiener measure. This was formerly an unsolved problem [26]. An unsolved problem is to obtain the Radom-Nikodym derivative dμ/dν where μ and ν are equivalent Gaussian measure [28]. We solve this problem for many cases of μ and ν, by writing dμ/dν in terms of Fredholm determinants and resolvents. The problem is thereby reduced to the calculation of these classical quantities, and explicit formulas can often be given. Our method uses Wiener measure μw as a catalyst; that is, we compute derivatives with respect to μw and then use the chain rule: dμ/dν = (dμ/dμw) / (dν/dμw). Wiener measure is singled out because it has a simple distinctive property--the Wiener process has a random Fourier-type expansion in the integrals of any complete orthonormal system. We show that any process equivalent to the Wiener process W can be realized by a linear transformation of W. This transformation necessarily involves stochastic integration and generalizes earlier nodulation transformations studied by Legal [21] and others [4], [27]. New variants of the Wiener process are introduced, both conditioned Wiener processes and free n-fold integrated Wiener processes. We given necessary and sufficient conditions for a Gaussian process to be equivalent to any one of the variants and also give the corresponding Radon-Niels (R-N) derivative. Last, some novel uses of R-N derivatives are given. We calculate explicitly: (i) the probability that W cross a slanted line in a finite time, (ii) the first passage probability for the process W (T + 1) − W(t), and (iii) a class of function space integrals. Using (iii) we prove a zero-one law for convergence of certain integrals on Wiener paths. Disciplines Applied Statistics This journal article is available at ScholarlyCommons: http://repository.upenn. edu/statistics_papers/347 Institute of Mathematical Statistics is collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve, and extend access to The Annals of Mathematical Statistics. www.jstor. org ®
Elaboration and Electrical Characterization of PA 12 / PANI Composite Powders

Volume conducting PA-12 based composites powders were chemically prepared by in situ polymerization and doping of aniline, at room temperature. The frequency behaviour of electrical conductivity was investigated in the frequency range 10 -2 10 Hz as a function of PANI concentration. The experimental conductivity was found to increase continuously with PANI content as expected and is sensitive to many effects such as acid dopant type, matrix type, redoping, and particle size. It has been verified that smaller particles give better conductivity levels. Pressure molding had no effect on conductivity magnitude. The conductivity has been shown to remain stable for a long time; no significant ageing effect was detected. Thermal stability was investigated using TGA and DSC analysis. Keywords-conductive composites; polymers; PANI; DSC; TGA
Assessment of the Induced Electric Fields in a Carbon-Fiber Electrical Vehicle Equipped with a Wireless Power Transfer System

In this study, the electric field induced inside two realistic anatomical models placed near or inside an electric vehicle made of carbon-fiber composite while charging its battery with a wireless power transfer (WPT) system has been investigated. The WPT source consists of two parallel inductive coils operating with a power output of 7.7 kW at two different frequencies of 85 and 150 kHz. Since a misalignment between the primary and the secondary coil creates higher induced fields, a misalignment of 20 cm is also considered as the worst-case exposure condition. The analysis of the obtained results shows that the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) basic restrictions are exceeded by 1.3 dB and 4.8 dB for the aligned and misaligned coil positions, respectively. This exceedance is however confined only in a small area of the driver’s foot.
A model for the viscous dissipation rate in stably stratified, sheared turbulence

A model for the turbulence dissipation rate in stably stratified shear turbulence is developed and validated. The functional dependence of the model is derived from first principles and it represents a conceptually new approach in that it depends on the background temperature field rather than on the fluctuating velocity field. This novel feature makes the proposed model a viable candidate for dissipation rate estimates in measured real‐life flows. Direct numerical simulation data are used for a priori assessment of the proposed model. It is demonstrated that the proposed model performs very well, particularly in cases where the background stratification becomes dynamically important. Also, a generalized expression for the mixing coefficient has been rigorously derived from first principles assuming local isotropy of incompressible turbulent flows. The mixing coefficient is shown to depend on the Prandtl number and values are in correspondence with previous studies.
Galaxies that shine: radiation-hydrodynamical simulations of disc galaxies

Radiation feedback is typically implemented using subgrid recipes in hydrodynamical simulations of galaxies. Very little work has so far been performed using radiation-hydrodynamics (RHD), and there is no consensus on the importance of radiation feedback in galaxy evolution. We present RHD simulations of isolated galaxy discs of different masses with a resolution of 18 pc. Besides accounting for supernova feedback, our simulations are the first galaxy-scale simulations to include RHD treatments of photoionization heating and radiation pressure, from both direct optical/UV radiation and multiscattered, re-processed infrared (IR) radiation. Photoheating smooths and thickens the discs and suppresses star formation about as much as the inclusion of ('thermal dump') supernova feedback does. These effects decrease with galaxy mass and are mainly due to the prevention of the formation of dense clouds, as opposed to their destruction. Radiation pressure, whether from direct or IR radiation, has little effect, but for the IR radiation we show that its impact is limited by our inability to resolve the high optical depths for which multiscattering becomes important. While artificially boosting the IR optical depths does reduce the star formation, it does so by smoothing the gas rather than by generating stronger outflows. We conclude that although higher resolution simulations, and potentially also different supernova implementations, are needed for confirmation, our findings suggest that radiation feedback is more gentle and less effective than is often assumed in subgrid prescriptions.
Diabetogenic effects of Glucocorticoids : role of Protein Phosphatase 5 and GLP-1 receptor activation

Obesity, the metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes are inextricably linked together, and all increase with rapid pace globally. Glucocorticoid (GC) excess is associated with diabetogenic effects, including insulin resistance and glucose intolerance, and a role for GCs has also been proposed in the development and pathology of the metabolic syndrome. Studies have indicated that patients with glucose intolerance or the metabolic syndrome have elevated levels of cortisol and in addition, the metabolic syndrome shares many phenotypical characteristics and pathologies with cortisol excess. This thesis aimed at studying diabetogenic effects of GCs and the role of protein phosphatase 5 (PP5) and GLP-1 receptor activation in a setting of GC excess in mice in vivo. Apoptosis of insulin producing pancreatic β-cells is believed to play an important role in the pathologic development from insulin resistance and disturbed glucose tolerance to overt diabetes. Mechanisms underlying GC-mediated direct cytotoxic effects on β-cells were studied in vitro with a special emphasis on the involvement of PP5. For studies in vivo, mice were exposed to GCs for five weeks via their drinking water and characterized in terms of glucose and lipid handling. The results revealed several features mimicking the metabolic syndrome in humans. Mice became obese with ectopic fat deposition and dyslipidemia, they became hyperglycemic and hyperinsulinemic with insulin resistance and they developed hypertension. Treatment with the GLP-1 receptor agonist liraglutide slowed progression towards obesity and ectopic fat deposition and improved glucose control. Mice with a global knock-out of PP5 (Ppp5c -/) were in part protected against GC-induced hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia. Ppp5c -/mice receiving vehicle exhibited better glucose handling than Ppp5c +/+ cognates during glucose tolerance test. The observed effects of the model were reversed after GC removal. Furthermore, the studies revealed insights into β-cell adaptation to the increased insulin demand, in this setting of GC-induced insulin resistance. Increased islet volume due to cell proliferation, increased β-cell and α-cell mass, increased insulin secretory capacity and islet chaperone expression were found in GC-treated mice. The in vitro study revealed that insulinoma cells and isolated pancreatic islets succumbed to detrimental direct effects of the synthetic GC dexamethasone via increased apoptosis. Dexamethasone activated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling as evident by enhanced phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Inhibition of p38 MAPK attenuated dexamethasone-induced apoptosis and decreased phosphorylation of the GC receptor. In contrast, inhibition of JNK augmented the cytotoxic effect of dexamethasone. Downregulation or lack of PP5 made cells and islets more susceptible to the apoptotic GC-effects with concomitant activation of p38 MAPK, suggesting that MAPKs and PP5 work in concert to regulate the cytotoxic effects of GCs
When Does Vapor Pressure Deficit Drive or Reduce Evapotranspiration?

Increasing vapor pressure deficit (VPD) increases atmospheric demand for water. While increased evapotranspiration (ET) in response to increased atmospheric demand seems intuitive, plants are capable of reducing ET in response to increased VPD by closing their stomata. We examine which effect dominates the response to increasing VPD: atmospheric demand and increases in ET or plant response (stomata closure) and decreases in ET. We use Penman‐Monteith, combined with semiempirical optimal stomatal regulation theory and underlying water use efficiency, to develop a theoretical framework for assessing ET response to VPD. The theory suggests that depending on the environment and plant characteristics, ET response to increasing VPD can vary from strongly decreasing to increasing, highlighting the diversity of plant water regulation strategies. The ET response varies due to (1) climate, with tropical and temperate climates more likely to exhibit a positive ET response to increasing VPD than boreal and arctic climates; (2) photosynthesis strategy, with C3 plants more likely to exhibit a positive ET response than C4 plants; and (3) plant type, with crops more likely to exhibit a positive ET response, and shrubs and gymniosperm trees more likely to exhibit a negative ET response. These results, derived from previous literature connecting plant parameters to plant and climate characteristics, highlight the utility of our simplified framework for understanding complex land‐atmosphere systems in terms of idealized scenarios in which ET responds to VPD only. This response is otherwise challenging to assess in an environment where many processes coevolve together.
German particle verbs: Compositionality at the syntax-semantics interface

Particle verbs represent a type of multi-word expression composed of a base verb and a particle. The meaning of the particle verb is often, but not always, derived from the meaning of the base verb, sometimes in quite complex ways. In this work, we computationally assess the levels of German particle verb compositionality, with the use of distributional semantic methods. Our results demonstrate that the prediction of particle verb compositionality is possible with statistical significance. Furthermore, we investigate properties of German particle verbs that are relevant for their compositionality: the particular subcategorization behavior of particle verbs and their corresponding base verbs, and the question in how far the verb particles can be attributed meaning by themselves, which they contribute to the particle verb.
On posterior consistency of tail index for Bayesian kernel mixture models

Asymptotic theory of tail index estimation has been studied extensively in the frequentist literature on extreme values, but rarely in the Bayesian context. We investigate whether popular Bayesian kernel mixture models are able to support heavy tailed distributions and consistently estimate the tail index. We show that posterior inconsistency in tail index is surprisingly common for both parametric and nonparametric mixture models. We then present a set of sufficient conditions under which posterior consistency in tail index can be achieved, and verify these conditions for Pareto mixture models under general mixing priors.