Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Economic development and losses due to natural disasters: the role of risk

We show that the relationship between wealth and economic losses due to natural disasters is strongly linked to disaster risk. We first build an analytical model that demonstrates how countries that face a low hazard of disasters are likely to see first increasing losses and then decreasing ones with increasing economic development. At the same time, countries that face a high hazard of disasters are likely to experience first decreasing losses and then increasing ones with increasing economic development. We then use a cross country panel dataset in conjunction with a risk exposure index to investigate whether the data is consistent with the predictions from the model. As suggested by our model, we generally find an inverse ushaped link between losses and wealth for low and medium hazard countries, but a u-shaped relationship for high hazard countries.
Cross-cultural adaptation, evaluation and validation of the Spouse Response Inventory: a study protocol

Introduction Since the response of spouses has been proven to be an important reinforcement of pain behaviour and disability it has been addressed in research and therapy. Fordyce suggested pain behaviour and well behaviour be considered in explaining suffering in chronic pain patients. Among existing instruments concerning spouse's responses the aspect of well behaviour has not been examined so far. The SRI (Spouse Response Inventory) tries to consider pain behaviour and well behaviour and appears to be acceptable because of its brevity and close proximity to daily language. The aim of the study is the translation into German, followed by evaluation and validation, of the SRI on a German sample of patients with chronic pain. Methods and analyses The study is comprehensively designed: initially, the focus will lie on the translation of the instrument following the guidelines for cross-cultural translation and adaptation and evaluation of the German version according to the source study. Subsequently, a validation referring to predictive, incremental and construct validation will be conducted using instruments based on similar or close but different constructs. Evaluation of the resulting SRI-G (SRI-German) will be conducted on a sample of at least 30 patients with chronic pain attending a comprehensive pain centre. For validation at least 120 patients with chronic headache, back pain, cancer related pain and somatoform pain disorder shall be included, for a total of 480 patients. Separate analyses according to specific pain diagnoses will be performed to ensure psychometric property, interpretability and control of diagnosis of specific limitations. Analyses will include comprehensive investigation of psychometric property of the scale by hierarchical regression analyses, correlation analyses, multivariate analysis of variance and exploratory factor analyses (SPSS). Ethics The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the University of Dresden (EK 335 122008) based on the Helsinki declaration.
Building detection by fusion of optical and SAR features in metric resolution data

In this paper, we propose to jointly use optical and SAR features issued from satellite images with metric resolution, to deal with the problem of building detection and height retrieval. In a first part, a process — described in previous works — for building boundary extraction, is briefly exposed and illustrated on a Quickbird urban scene. In a second part, the framework of fusion with SAR data is developed. After the steps of feature projection and registration, a new method for building height estimation is proposed. This one is based on a Likelihood criterion optimization and is built on the scheme ”height hypothesis — characteristic areas generation — energy minimization”. Such an approach refers to the adequation between a potential building signature and the real signature, effectively present on the SAR image and defined by characteristic building areas such as layover, shadow, roof and ground / wall echo. This height retrieval process is tested on simulated and real (TerraSAR-X) data.
Speed Control for a Pseudo Direct Drive Permanent-Magnet Machine With One Position Sensor on Low-Speed Rotor

This paper describes a novel approach to operate a pseudo direct drive (PDD) permanent-magnet machine with a single sensor on the low-speed rotor (LSR). Due to the magnetic coupling between its two rotors, the PDD machine exhibits torsional oscillation when conventional control techniques are employed. While full state feedback (SFBK) control can effectively suppress torsional oscillation, the need for a position sensor mounted on the high-speed rotor (HSR) for electronic commutation imposes great constraints on the PDD mechanical design. A novel technique has been developed in order to control the PDD machine using a single sensor mounted on the LSR, whereas the position and speed of the HSR required for electronic commutation and SFBK control are estimated with an observer. Both the SFBK controller and observer are optimally designed using the genetic algorithm against a defined set of criteria and constraints. The proposed control technique has been validated by experiments on a prototype PDD system.
Provision of nitrogen as ammonium rather than nitrate increases silicon uptake in sugarcane

Silicon's role in ameliorating a range of biotic and abiotic plant stresses is beyond doubt, yet means to maximise its uptake via the roots from applied silicon sources and thereby enhance crop yields have not been fully explored. Our study found that reduction of rhizosphere pH through provision of nitrogen fertilizer to sugarcane as ammonium rather than nitrate increased silicon uptake from a low-silicon soil amended with calcium silicate slag. We propose that ammoniacal fertilizers have potential for enhancing the solubilisation of silicate slags by acidifying the rhizosphere and increasing silicic acid solubility and availability for plant uptake.
Age-Related Modifications to the Magnitude and Periodicity of Neuromuscular Noise

Background Evaluation of task related outcomes within geriatric and fall-prone populations is essential not only for identification of neuromuscular deficits, but also for effective implementation of fall prevention strategies. As most tasks and activities of daily living are performed at submaximal force levels, restoration of muscle strength often does not produce the expected benefit in functional capacity. However, it is known that muscular control plays a key role in the performance of functional tasks, but it remains unclear to what degree muscular control and the associated neuromuscular noise (NmN) is age-related, particularly in the lower-extremities. Objectives The aim of this study was to determine the effects of age and fall-pathology on the magnitude as well as the frequency of NmN during lower extremity force production. Methods Sixteen young healthy adults, as well as seventy elderly women (36 healthy, 34 elderly fallers), performed force production tests at moderate levels (15% of maximum voluntary isometric contractions). Results Elderly fallers exhibited the highest magnitude of NmN, while the highest frequency components of NmN tended to occur in the healthy elderly. Young subjects exhibited significantly more power in the low frequency ranges than either of the elderly groups, and had the lowest levels of NmN. Conclusion These data suggest increased degeneration of muscular control through greater NmN in elderly fallers compared to healthy elderly or young subjects. This could possibly be associated with muscle atrophy and lower levels of motor unit synchronisation.
An algorithm for multicast tree generation in networks with asymmetric links

We formulate the problem of multicast tree generation in asymmetric networks as one of computing a directed Steiner tree of minimal cost. We present a new polynomial-time algorithm that provides for trade-off selection, using a single parameter /spl kappa/, between the tree-cost (Steiner cost) and the runtime efficiency. Using theoretical analysis, we (1) show that it is highly unlikely that there exists a polynomial-time algorithm with a performance guarantee of constant times optimum cost, (2) introduce metrics for measuring the asymmetry of graphs, and (3) show that the worst-case cost of the tree produced by our algorithm is bounded in proportion to the graph asymmetry for two of the metrics. For a class of graphs whose asymmetry is upper bounded by a constant, this gives constant times optimum performance guarantee and is significant in light of (1). We also show that three well-known algorithms for (undirected) Steiner trees are but particular cases of our algorithm. Our experimental study shows that operating at a low /spl kappa/ gives nearly best possible average tree cost while maintaining acceptable runtime efficiency.
Distributionally Robust Counterpart in Markov Decision Processes

This technical note studies Markov decision processes under parameter uncertainty. We adapt the distributionally robust optimization framework, assume that the uncertain parameters are random variables following an unknown distribution, and seek the strategy which maximizes the expected performance under the most adversarial distribution. In particular, we generalize a previous study which concentrates on distribution sets with very special structure to a considerably more generic class of distribution sets, and show that the optimal strategy can be obtained efficiently under mild technical conditions. This significantly extends the applicability of distributionally robust MDPs by incorporating probabilistic information of uncertainty in a more flexible way.
Compensation Structure Shifts : Rationale and Likelihood of Introducing ‘ New Components ’

Managerial compensation is persistent with respect to the components in the structure, but dynamic with regards to the weights of each component in a structure. Given the adoption of FAS 123R that required mandatory expensing of stock options, research has documented a significant decline in option grants. However, this decline has coexisted with contemporaneous introduction of new components in a compensation structure in the form of restricted stock and long-term incentive plans. We aggregate this information to ascertain the consequences of addition or substitution of new equity components in a manager’s compensation structure and how that relates to pay-performance sensitivity and future firm risk. Our findings here corroborate the theory of efficient contracting, conditional on the nature of change undertaken in a compensation structure. Additionally, we also document the nature of firms that are likely to resort to new additions or substitutions, to find them differentiated by research orientation, leverage, number of operating segments, level of fixed assets and age of the CEO.
Title Contribution of discourse and morphosyntax skills to reading comprehension in Chinese dyslexic and typically developing children

This study aimed at identifying important skills for reading comprehension in Chinese dyslexic children and their typically developing counterparts matched on age (CA controls) or reading level (RL controls). The children were assessed on Chinese reading comprehension, cognitive, and reading-related skills. Results showed that the dyslexic Ann. of Dyslexia (2012) 62:1–18 DOI 10.1007/s11881-010-0045-6 This project was funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. Special thanks are due to Ms. Suk-han Lee and Ms. Suk-man Tsang, Education Bureau, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, Hong Kong, for their valuable advices and suggestions. P. P.-m. Chik Faculty of Education, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N. T. , Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China e-mail: pakeychik@cuhk.edu.hk C. S. -h. Ho (*) : P.-s. Yeung :Y. -k. Wong Department of Psychology, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China e-mail: shhoc@hkucc.hku.hk P.-s. Yeung e-mail: patcyy@hkucc.hku.hk Y. -k. Wong e-mail: herrick@hku.hk D. W. -o. Chan Department of Educational Psychology, Faculty of Education, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China e-mail: davechan@e.cuhk.edu.hk K. K. -h. Chung Department of Special Education and Counselling, The Hong Kong Institute of Education, Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China e-mail: kevin@ied.edu.hk L. -y. Lo Department of Counselling and Psychology, Hong Kong Shue Yan University, Wai Tsui Crescent, Braemer Hill, North Point, Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China e-mail: lylo@hksyu.edu children performed significantly less well than the CA controls but similarly to RL controls in most measures. Results of multiple regression analyses showed that word-level readingrelated skills like oral vocabulary and word semantics were found to be strong predictors of reading comprehension among typically developing junior graders and dyslexic readers of senior grades, whereas morphosyntax, a text-level skill, was most predictive for typically developing senior graders. It was concluded that discourse and morphosyntax skills are particularly important for reading comprehension in the non-inflectional and topicprominent Chinese system.
THE ACCRETION DISK CORONA AND DISK ATMOSPHERE OF 4U 1624−490 AS VIEWED BY THE CHANDRA-HIGH ENERGY TRANSMISSION GRATING SPECTROMETER

We present a detailed spectral study (photoionization modeling and variability) of the “Big Dipper” 4U 1624−490 based on a Chandra-High Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometer (HETGS) observation over the ∼76 ks binary orbit of 4U 1624−490 . While the continuum spectrum can be modeled using a blackbody plus power law, a slightly better fit is obtained using a single Γ = 2.25 power-law partially (71%) covered by a local absorber of column density . The data show a possible quasi-sinusoidal modulation with period 43+13−9 ks that might be due to changes in local obscuration. Photoionization modeling with the xstar code and variability studies of the observed strong Fe xxv and Fe xxvi absorption lines point to a two-temperature plasma for their origin: a highly ionized component of ionization parameter ξhot ≈ 104.3 erg cm s-1 (T ∼ 3.0 × 106 K) associated with an extended accretion disk corona of radius R ∼ 3 × 1010 cm, and a less-ionized more variable component of ξ ≈ 103.4 erg cm s-1 (T ∼ 1.0 × 106 K) and (T ∼ 0.9 × 106 K) coincident with the accretion disk rim. We use this, with the observed Fe xxv and Fe xxvi absorption line variations (in wavelength, strength, and width) to construct a viewing geometry that is mapped to changes in plasma conditions over the 4U 1624−490 orbital period.
Rethinking the Equity Risk Premium

In 2001, a small group of academics and practitioners met to discuss the equity risk premium (ERP). Ten years later, in 2011, a similar discussion took place, with participants writing up their thoughts for this volume. The result is a rich set of papers that practitioners may find useful in developing their own approach to the subject.
Morocco Experience in Islamic Finance between the Failure of the Past and the Promising Future

Opening of Islamic banks have been increasing considerably in recent years in many countries. Morocco is among these countries and will get the agreements to open in early 2016. This following work is done in the preparation phase of the launch and its importance lies in the fact that it comes after a first failure experienced in 2007 and that Morocco is among the last Muslim countries that will integrate this type of finance into their financial system. This article will focus on the first introduction by highlighting the various obstacles that were the reason for its failure, and will underline what the new banking law has done to overcome the problems encountered before. In the end, we will address two major issues, why the system failed in 2007 and why it is more likely to succeed in 2016.
Pre-Hypertension among Young Adults (20–30 Years) in Coastal Villages of Udupi District in Southern India: An Alarming Scenario

Introduction According to Joint National Committee-7 (JNC-7) guidelines, a systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 120 to 139 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of 80 to 89 mm Hg is considered as pre-hypertension. Existing evidence suggest that the cardiovascular morbidities are increasing among pre-hypertensive individuals compared to normal. Objective To assess the magnitude and factors associated with pre-hypertension among young adults (20–30 years) in coastal villages of Udupi Taluk (an area of land with a city or town that serves as its administrative centre and usually a number of villages), Udupi District, Karnataka state, India. Design Community based cross sectional study Setting 6 (out of total 14) coastal villages of Udupi Taluk, Karnataka state, India. Sample 1,152 young adults (age group: 20–30 years) selected by stratified random sampling in 6 coastal villages of Udupi Taluk, Karnataka state, India Method A semi structured pre-tested questionnaire was used to elicit the details on socio-demographic variables, dietary habits, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, physical activity, family history of hypertension and stress levels. Anthropometric measurements and blood pressure were recorded according to standard protocols. Serum cholesterol was measured in a sub sample of the study population. Multivariate logistic regression was applied to identify the independent correlates of pre-hypertension among young adults (20–30 years). Main Outcome Measures Prevalence, Odds ratio (OR) and adjusted (adj) OR for pre-hypertension among young adults (20–30 years). Results The prevalence of pre-hypertension in the study population was 45.2% (95%CI: 42.4–48). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age group of 25–30 years (adj OR: 4.25, 95% CI: 2.99–6.05), white collared (adj OR: 2.29, 95% CI: 1.08–4.85) and skilled occupation (adj OR: 3.24, 95% CI: 1.64–6.42), students (adj OR: 2.46, 95% CI: 1.22–4.95), using refined cooking oil (adj OR: 0.53, 95% CI: 0.29–0.95), extra salt in meals (adj OR: 2.46, 95% CI: 1.52–3.99), salty food items (adj OR: 6.99, 95% CI: 3.63–13.48), pre-obese (adj OR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.03–2.67) and obese (adj OR: 9.16, 95% CI: 2.54, 36.4) were the significant correlates of pre-hypertension. Conclusion In the study population, prevalence of pre-hypertension among young adults (20–30 years) was high (45.2%). Biological (age 25–30 years, pre-obesity and obesity) and behavioral (sedentary occupation, intake of extra salt in meals/salty food and not using refined cooking oil) factors were associated with pre-hypertension. Study emphasizes the need of community based screening of pre-hypertension under National Rural Health Mission. It also provides apt information for the evidence based designing of interventions for lifestyle modifications among high risk young adults in the study area.
The Possibility of a Reflective Deontology

The Effect of Short-term Exposure to Film Violence on Emotional Facial Processing Robert T. Palumbo Loyola University Chicago Laura Stockdale Loyola University Chicago Matthew J. Kmiecik Loyola University Chicago Rebecca L. Silton Loyola University Chicago Robert G. Morrison Loyola University Chicago Abstract: Exposure to media violence has been associated with decreased empathy and increased aggressive behavior. One possible mediator for this relationship may be emotional face processing; however, little is known about how media violence may influence the neural correlates of emotional face processing. Twenty-six participants were shown violent and nonviolent movie clips during separate testing sessions and then had their brain waves recorded while completing a stop-signal gender discrimination task using happy and fearful faces. Results showed that media violence exposure influences the processing of emotional faces as reflected in the P200 and P250 event-related potentials (ERPs). Inhibitory control was also influenced by media violence exposure as reflected in the P300 ERP. These results indicate that even relatively short-term passive exposure to media violence can modulate the processing of emotional faces offering a possible mechanism by which media violence could modulate empathy and possibly aggression.
TFP Growth and its Determinants: Nonparametrics and Model Averaging

Total Factor Productivity (TFP) accounts for a sizeable proportion of the income and growth differences across countries. Two challenges remain to researchers aiming to explain these differences: on the one hand, TFP growth is hard to measure; on the other hand, model uncertainty hampers consensus on its key determinants. This paper combines a non-parametric measure of TFP growth with model averaging techniques to addess both issues. The empirical findings suggest that the most robust TFP growth determinants are unobserved heterogeneity, initial GDP, consumption share, and trade openness. We also investigate the main determinants of the TFP components: efficiency change (i.e. catching up) and technological progress (i.e. innovation).
Crocidolite asbestos fibers undergo size-dependent microtubule-mediated transport after endocytosis in vertebrate lung epithelial cells.

The large respiratory epithelial cells within primary cultures of newt (Taricha granulosa) lung are uniquely suited for high resolution video-enhanced light-microscopic studies. We show here that these cells incorporate crocidolite asbestos fibers within 18 h by endocytosis. Once inside the cell, fibers less than 5 microns in length are seen by video light microscopy to undergo saltatory transport at a maximum velocity of 1.18 microns/s. By contrast, fibers over 5 microns long rarely exhibit saltatory motion. Over time, all of the fibers become preferentially located near the nucleus. This perinuclear accumulation is largely inhibited by disassembling the cytoplasmic microtubules with nocodazole. Same cell correlative light and electron microscopy reveal that fibers exhibiting saltatory behavior are enclosed within a membrane. From these observations we conclude that, upon incorporation into epithelial cells, asbestos fibers undergo size-dependent active transport along cytoplasmic microtubules. Our data are the first to link the dimension-dependent transforming ability of asbestos fibers to a basic cellular function, i.e., the microtubule-dependent transport of cellular components.
8Gb 3D DDR3 DRAM using through-silicon-via technology

With the emergence of various through-silicon-via (TSV) applications, TSV production volumes are expected to ramp up by 2010. This is because TSV technology provides many benefits including high density, high band-width, low-power, and small form-factor [1]. Also, it is a promising solution to overcome the scaling limit [2]. Demands for higher density and lower power continue to increase, especially in server applications. Currently, in order to increase the module density, more DRAM chips are simply added. However, this results in increased power waste due to duplication of circuit components.