Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Health Expenditures and Inequality: A Political Economy Perspective

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the manner in which the degree of substitutability between public and private health expenditures contributes towards the distribution of wealth and political economy outcomes in the long run.Design/methodology/approachAn overlapping generations model with heterogeneous agents where a person’s probability of survival into old age is determined by a variable elasticity of substitution (VES) health production function with public and private expenditures as inputs is developed. Public expenditure on health is determined through a political economy process.FindingsAnalytical and numerical results reveal that higher substitutability between private and public expenditures at the aggregate level and a higher share of public spending in the production of health lead to higher long run wealth levels and lower inequality. In the political equilibrium, higher aggregate substitutability between public and private health expenditures is associated with more tax revenue allocated towards public health. For most parameter combinations, the political economy and welfare maximising proportions of tax revenue allocated towards public health care converge in the long run.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper is a theoretical investigation of how substitutability between public and private health expenditures affect transitional and long run macroeconomic outcomes. These results are amenable to further empirical investigation.Practical implicationsThe findings indicate that policies to improve institutional aspects that yield higher substitutability between public and private health expenditures and returns to public health spending could lead to better long run economic outcomes.Social implicationsThe results provide a political economy explanation for the low investments in public health care in developing countries, where aggregate substitutability between public and private health expenditures is likely to be lower. Furthermore, comparing the political economy and welfare maximising paradigms broadens the scope of the framework developed herein to provide potential explanations for cross-country differences in health outcomes.Originality/valueThis paper adopts an innovative approach to exploring this issue of substitutability in health expenditures by introducing a VES health production function. In an environment where agents have heterogeneous wealth endowments, this specification enables a distinction to be made between substitutability of these expenditures at the aggregate and individual levels, which introduces a rich set of dynamics that feeds into long run outcomes and political economy results.
Taif and the Lebanese State: The Political Economy of a Very Sectarian Public Sector

Abstract The political reforms adopted in the 1989 Taif Agreement created a veritable postwar paradox: a more balanced consociational power-sharing arrangement led to a bigger, more clientelist, more corrupt, less autonomous public sector, one preoccupied by predatory rentier practices along sectarian and clientelist lines. The more durable the power-sharing arrangement the less the state in Lebanon acts as a state with a measure of bureaucratic autonomy, extractive capacities, and a national agenda. This article problematizes this postwar anomaly by examining the instrumental role played by the public sector in the reproduction of the political elite’s clientelist ensemble undergirding the political economy of sectarianism.
'Mind the gap': evaluating user physiological response for multi-genre video summarisation

Existing video summarisation techniques are often only capable of summarising video from pre-specified content genres and are often not able to produce personalised summaries as they are not able to source relevant user specific data. Because users often experience strong emotions and associated physiological responses whilst watching video, their physiological response to video content may serve as a new and valuable data source for video summarisation. Previously, we developed the Entertainment-Led VIdeo Summarisation (ELVIS) technique that summarises video based on five physiological response measures: electro-dermal response (EDR), heart rate (HR), blood volume pulse (BVP), respiration rate (RR), and respiration amplitude (RA). Here, we report a statistical analysis on a range of data collected from ELVIS in trials with 100 users relating to five distinct video content genres (Action, Drama, Romance, Horror and Comedy). The results show that the ELVIS, EDR, HR, BVP, RR and RA video summaries all consistently match with the most entertaining video sub-segments as self-reported by the user, and that the composite ELVIS video summaries achieve significantly higher level of overlap compared with a RANDOM selection. More generally, users reported that, compared with video summaries produced by another contemporary video summarisation technique, ELVIS video summaries are comparatively 'enjoyable' and 'informative' for all five video content genres. We therefore conclude that video summarisation according to users' physiological responses has great value for future development of video summarisation techniques that are applicable across a wide range of video content genres.
Towards view-invariant expression analysis using analytic shape manifolds

Facial expression analysis is one of the important components for effective human-computer interaction. However, to develop robust and generalizable models for expression analysis one needs to break the dependence of the models on the choice of the coordinate frame of the camera i.e. expression models should generalize across facial poses. To perform this systematically, one needs to understand the space of observed images subject to projective transformations. However, since the projective shape-space is cumbersome to work with, we address this problem by deriving models for expressions on the affine shape-space as an approximation to the projective shape-space by using a Riemannian interpretation of deformations that facial expressions cause on different parts of the face. We use landmark configurations to represent facial deformations and exploit the fact that the affine shape-space can be studied using the Grassmann manifold. This representation enables us to perform various expression analysis and recognition algorithms without the need for the normalization as a preprocessing step. We extend some of the available approaches for expression analysis to the Grassmann manifold and experimentally show promising results, paving the way for a more general theory of view-invariant expression analysis.
Supervising the Teacher in Ghana: Implications for Pupils’ Academic Performance in the Sissala East District

The purpose of the study, which employed qualitative and quantitative design, was to assess the core roles of supervisors in the Ghana Education Service (GES) and how effective these roles are discharged as well as the effects of the core roles of teachers on pupils’ academic performance. The data was gathered and analysed using one hundred and fifty (150) respondents. This included twenty (20) GES officials, forty (40) teachers, forty (40) parents and fifty (50) pupils in the Sissala East District. Random and stratified sampling techniques were used in the selection of respondents. A semi-structured questionnaire and an interview guide were used in collecting data for the study. The data were analysed using the Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) based on which frequency tables were generated. It emerged from the study that bodies such as the National Inspectorate Board, the Regional Monitoring Team, the District Education Oversight Committee, School Management Committees and Parent-Teacher Associations have not been effective in discharging their supervisory roles and responsibilities. The study further revealed that the core roles of teachers impact greatly on pupils’ academic performance. It is recommended that bodies responsible for supervising teachers are given the need logistics, education and training on their roles to ensure that teachers discharge their core roles and responsibilities. There is the need to institute stiffer sanctions such as placing embargo on teachers’ salary who fail to carry out their roles and responsibilities. Keywords: roles, data, effective, education and GES
The Lost World of Public Administration Education: Rediscovering the Meaning of Professionalism

"To educate a man in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society" Teddy Roosevelt Ethical values are the soul of modern public administration (Frederickson, 1997); the field originated in revulsion to corruption endemic in the spoils system. Fundamentally a moral act, reform was intended to protect civil servants from political whim so that they could pursue the public good. As symbolized by the oath of office, public administration has never been regarded merely as a technical endeavor. Instead, competence also meant responsibility; "to act ethically," Donald Menzel reminds us in his article in this issue of J-PAE, "has been at the core of modern public administration ever since Woodrow Wilson issued his call for a 'civil service cultured and self-sufficient enough to act with sense and vigor. '" Yet, the moral foundations of public service have eroded in the twentieth century. This essay briefly explores why this proud heritage was forsaken and why "the lost world" (apologies to Michael Crichton) of public administration education was found again. This is followed by a discussion of how that rediscovery may be made to flourish, or at least be kept from foundering. The analysis concludes with a final challenge to the profession.
Pharmacology of the Novel Antiangiogenic Peptide ATN-161 (Ac-PHSCN-NH2): Observation of a U-Shaped Dose-Response Curve in Several Preclinical Models of Angiogenesis and Tumor Growth

Purpose: ATN-161 (Ac-PHSCN-NH2) is an integrin-binding peptide that is currently in phase II trials in cancer patients. This peptide has been shown to have antitumor activity in a number of different preclinical models. Experimental Design: In this study, we examined the binding, biodistribution, and dose and biomarker response of ATN-161 in several animal models. Results: ATN-161 bound to the β subunit of a number of different integrins implicated in tumor growth and progression, which depended on its cysteine thiol. The peptide had antiangiogenic activity in the Matrigel plug model, and this activity could be reversed by inhibitors of protein kinase A, an effector of α5β1-dependent angiogenesis. A labeled analogue of ATN-161, ATN-453, localized to neovessels but not to preexisting vasculature in vivo. The half-life of the peptide when localized to a tumor was much longer than in plasma. Dose-response studies in the Matrigel plug model of angiogenesis or a Lewis lung carcinoma model of tumor growth showed a U-shaped dose-response curve with 1 to 10 mg/kg given thrice a week, being the optimal dose range of ATN-161. Two additional pharmacodynamic models of angiogenesis (dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging and measurement of endothelial cell progenitors) also revealed U-shaped dose-response curves. Conclusions: The presence of a U-shaped dose-response curve presents a significant challenge to identifying a biologically active dose of ATN-161. However, the identification of biomarkers of angiogenesis that also exhibit this same U-shaped response should allow the translation of those biomarkers to the clinic, allowing them to be used to identify the active dose of ATN-161 in phase II studies.
Influence of van der Waals forces on the adsorption structure of benzene on silicon studied using de

Two different adsorption configurations of benzene on the $\mathrm{Si}(001)\text{\ensuremath{-}}(2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1)$ surface, the tight-bridge and butterfly structures, were studied using density functional theory. Several exchange and correlation functionals were used, including the recently developed van der Waals density functional (vdW-DF), which accounts for the effect of van der Waals forces. In contrast to the Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof (PBE), revPBE, and other generalized-gradient approximation functionals, the vdW-DF finds that, for most coverages, the adsorption energy of the butterfly structure is greater than that of the tight-bridge structure.
LISA: Maximizing RO PUF's secret extraction

The silicon physical unclonable functions (PUF) measure uncontrollable variations of the integrated circuit (IC) fabrication process to facilitate IC authentication. One of the most reliable silicon PUF structures is the ring oscillator (RO) PUF; however, the lack of efficient secret extraction schemes diminishes its practicality. In this work, we propose a longest increasing subsequence-based grouping algorithm (LISA) to enhance the hardware utilization. To analyze the performance of LISA, we introduce a hybrid architecture and formulate its cost and delay metrics; by solving the introduced hybrid coefficient, RO PUF designers can quickly determine the optimal hardware configuration. Finally, our claims are validated by a proof-of-the-concept FPGA-based implementation.
Maintaining and Constraining Performer Touch in the Design of Digital Musical Instruments

Expression in musical practice is inextricably tied to the touch of the performer. In digital musical instruments (DMIs) the relationship of touch to sound is indirect: the nuances and fine detail of performer control can be flattened and limited during the translation of physical gesture to physical sound. The locus of this research is in the contact made between performer and DMI: focusing on this area can grant insight on fundamental issues of human computer interaction, particularly regarding intimate and expressive control of tangible interfaces. In this paper I present my research on this topic so far, which includes empirical studies that focus on specific parameters of performance where touch plays an integral role. The first study investigates how dynamic vibrations in an instrument's body can guide the hand of a performer and assist with intonation. The second study looks at asynchrony between action and sound and the influence this latency has on the perceived quality of an instrument.
Syncope, cerebral perfusion, and oxygenation.

During standing, both the position of the cerebral circulation and the reductions in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and cardiac output challenge cerebral autoregulatory (CA) mechanisms. Syncope is most often associated with the upright position and can be provoked by any condition that jeopardizes cerebral blood flow (CBF) and regional cerebral tissue oxygenation (cO(2)Hb). Reflex (vasovagal) responses, cardiac arrhythmias, and autonomic failure are common causes. An important defense against a critical reduction in the central blood volume is that of muscle activity ("the muscle pump"), and if it is not applied even normal humans faint. Continuous tracking of CBF by transcranial Doppler-determined cerebral blood velocity (V(mean)) and near-infrared spectroscopy-determined cO(2)Hb contribute to understanding the cerebrovascular adjustments to postural stress; e.g., MAP does not necessarily reflect the cerebrovascular phenomena associated with (pre)syncope. CA may be interpreted as a frequency-dependent phenomenon with attenuated transfer of oscillations in MAP to V(mean) at low frequencies. The clinical implication is that CA does not respond to rapid changes in MAP; e.g., there is a transient fall in V(mean) on standing up and therefore a feeling of lightheadedness that even healthy humans sometimes experience. In subjects with recurrent vasovagal syncope, dynamic CA seems not different from that of healthy controls even during the last minutes before the syncope. Redistribution of cardiac output may affect cerebral perfusion by increased cerebral vascular resistance, supporting the view that cerebral perfusion depends on arterial inflow pressure provided that there is a sufficient cardiac output.
Intelligent traffic light control based on clustering using Vehicular Ad-hoc Networks

As urbanization grows and the cost of vehicle production decreases, urban traffic has become a major problem of modern life. Developing intelligent vehicles alongside standardizing inter-vehicle communications promises that this technology will be a part of future life. In this research, we propose a method in which clustering is used to gather vehicles' movements information in a vehicle ad-hoc network. This method is based on extending green wave using road-side units as a fixed agent and on board units (OBU) in vehicles as a mobile agent. This information is then transmitted to traffic lights for decision making. This algorithm evaluated using Monte Carlo simulation. The simulation results show this method has a positive effect on reducing the average waiting time and overall stop of the vehicles behind the traffic lights.
Multiple stable periodic solutions in a model for hormonal control of the menstrual cycle

This study presents a nonlinear system of delay differential equations to model the concentrations of five hormones important for regulation and maintenance of the menstrual cycle. Linear model components for the ovaries and pituitary were previously analyzed and reported separately. Results for the integrated model are now presented here. This model predicts serum levels of ovarian and pituitary hormones which agree with data in the literature for normally cycling women. In addition, the model indicates the existence and stability of an abnormal cycle. Hence, the model may be used to simulate the effects of external hormone therapies on abnormally cycling women as well as the effects of exogenous compounds on normally cycling women. Such simulations may be helpful in understanding the role of xenobiotics in fertility problems, in predicting successful hormone therapies, and for testing hormonal methods of birth control.
Adaptive spatial-temporal filtering applied to x-ray fluoroscopy angiography

Adaptive filtering of temporally varying X-ray image sequences acquired during endovascular interventions can improve the visual tracking of catheters by radiologists. Existing techniques blur the important parts of image sequences, such as catheter tips, anatomical structures and organs; and they may introduce trailing artifacts. To address this concern, an adaptive filtering process is presented to apply temporal filtering in regions without motion and spatial filtering in regions with motion. The adaptive filtering process is a multi-step procedure. First a normalized motion mask that describes the differences between two successive frames is generated. Secondly each frame is spatially filtered using the specific motion mask to specify different types of filtering in each region. Third an IIR filter is then used to combine the spatially filtered image with the previous output image; the motion mask thus serves as a weighted input mask to determine how much spatial and temporal filtering should be applied. This method results in improving both the stationary and moving fields. The visibility of static anatomical structures and organs increases, while the motion of the catheter tip and motion of anatomical structures and organs remain unblurred and visible during interventional procedures.
Countering violent extremism, governmentality and Australian Muslim youth as ‘becoming terrorist’

This article explores how a ‘regime of truth’ about Muslim youth has been historically produced through the underlying logic of Australia’s counter-terrorism and countering violent extremism (CVE) policies and practices. The article is divided into three parts. I first look at how the pre-emptive logic of countering the ‘becoming terrorist’ constitutes young Australian Muslims. I then interrogate the way CVE has constituted Australian Muslims as a self-contained space, a governmental population divided between ‘moderates’ and ‘extremists’. Lastly, I discuss how CVE operates as a technique of governmentality in the way that it deploys grants programs to foster the ‘conduct of conduct’ of Muslim subjects within this self-contained racialised space. I argue that the central organising logic of community partnership has been the targeting of the conditions of emergence of ‘extremist’ Muslim subjects, thereby guaranteeing the racialisation of Muslim youth as always at-risk, marked with the ‘potential’ of ‘becoming terrorist’.
Recognition of Polish Derivational Relations Based on Supervised Learning Scheme

The paper presents construction of \emph{Derywator} -- a language tool for the recognition of Polish derivational relations. It was built on the basis of machine learning in a way following the bootstrapping approach: a limited set of derivational pairs described manually by linguists in plWordNet is used to train \emph{Derivator}. The tool is intended to be applied in semi-automated expansion of plWordNet with new instances of derivational relations. The training process is based on the construction of two transducers working in the opposite directions: one for prefixes and one for suffixes. Internal stem alternations are recognised, recorded in a form of mapping sequences and stored together with transducers. Raw results produced by \emph{Derivator} undergo next corpus-based and morphological filtering. A set of derivational relations defined in plWordNet is presented. Results of tests for different derivational relations are discussed. A problem of the necessary corpus-based semantic filtering is analysed. The presented tool depends to a very little extent on the hand-crafted knowledge for a particular language, namely only a table of possible alternations and morphological filtering rules must be exchanged and it should not take longer than a couple of working days.
GRAVITATIONAL PERTURBATIONS OF HIGHER DIMENSIONAL ROTATING BLACK HOLES

Assessing the stability of higher-dimensional rotating black holes requires a study of linearized gravitational perturbations around such backgrounds. We study perturbations of Myers-Perry black holes with equal angular momenta in an odd number of dimensions (greater than five), allowing for a cosmological constant. We find a class of perturbations for which the equations of motion reduce to a single radial equation. In the asymptotically flat case we find no evidence of any instability. In the asymptotically anti-de Sitter case, we demonstrate the existence of a superradiant instability that sets in precisely when the angular velocity of the black hole exceeds the speed of light from the point of view of the conformal boundary. We suggest that the endpoint of the instability may be a stationary, nonaxisymmetric black hole.