Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Breast electron boost planning: comparison of CT and US.

PURPOSE To compare computed tomography (CT) with ultrasonography (US) for depiction of the biopsy cavity. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-two consecutive patients who underwent radiation therapy following lumpectomy with a planned electron boost were examined. At the time of simulation for whole-breast radiation therapy, all patients underwent planning CT (CT 1) at 3-mm section intervals. At the time of electron boost simulation, US was performed to define the biopsy cavity. In 17 cases, a second CT examination (CT 2) was performed at the time of electron boost simulation. CT and US studies were reviewed jointly and assigned a cavity visualization score (CVS) of 1 (cavity not visualized) to 5 (all cavity margins clearly defined). RESULTS The median CVS at CT 1 was 5; at CT 2, 4; and at US, 4. For patients who underwent all three studies, the median CVS at CT 1 was 5; at CT 2, 4; and at US, 4. Factors related to CVS at CT 1 were homogeneous versus heterogeneous appearance (score, 5 vs 4), surgery-to-CT interval (< or =30 days, 5; 31-60 days, 4; >60 days, 4), and cavity size (>15 cm(3), 5; <15 cm(3), 4). In all cases, cavity volume decreased somewhat during the CT 1-to-CT 2 interval. CONCLUSION CT performed at the time of whole-breast simulation can be used to plan electron boost fields, with cavity visualization similar to that at US.
BIG DATA ANALYTICS IN FINANCIAL MARKET

Big data plays a serious role within the business for creating higher predictions over business information that is collected from the real world. Finance is that the new sector wherever the big data technologies like Hadoop, NoSQL are creating its mark in predictions from financial data by the analysts. It’s a lot of fascinating within the stock exchange choices which might predict on a lot of profits of stock exchange. For this stock exchange analysis each regular information and historical information of specific stock exchange are needed for creating predictions. There are varied techniques used for analyzing the unstructured information like stock exchange reviews (day-to-day information) and historical statistic of economic information severally. This paper involves discussion regarding the strategies that square measure used for analyzing each varieties of information.
The Relation Between Individual Differences and Accountants' Fraud Detection Ability

This report examines the potential application of the deception detection literature to auditing research. A pilot study focusing on auditor quality perceptions post Enron is used to explore the potential relevance of deception detection research theory and techniques. The pilot study findings highlight some potential areas for researchers to focus on in terms of construct, internal, external and statistical validity.
An Empirical Job-Search Model, with a Test of the Constant Reservation-Wage Hypothesis

This paper provides an empirically tractable version of a job-search model. The model is estimated using data on a sample of workers who were laid off when their plants closed. A generalization of the empirical model which allows for reservation wages to change over duration of unemployment is provided and estimated. Reservation wages are found to decline significantly with duration. Applications of the model and the estimates to explain diverse labor market phenomena are provided.
Is there a rationale for the continuing link to oil product prices in continental European long‐term gas contracts?

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the continuing justification for linking the prices of European gas to those oil products.Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses an analytic‐deductive approach supported by relevant analysis of data over a period of two decades.Findings – Statistical analysis of the end‐uses of gas and oil products over the past two decades reveal that, with few exceptions, use of oil is increasing confined to transportation while gas is a utility fuel used to generate heat and power. The ability of end‐users to substitute oil products for gas – the principal justification for price linkage – has substantially diminished over the past two decades, and this trend is continuing. The implication of these findings is that nearly 20 percent of Europe's energy supplies are priced inappropriately with reference to a fuel which has little relevance to the supply/demand dynamics of natural gas. At levels of oil prices seen since 2003, this has significantly negative conse.
Immunocytochemical assay for estrogen receptor in patients with breast cancer: relationship to a biochemical assay and to outcome of therapy.

We developed an immunoperoxidase technique using a monoclonal antibody to the estradiol receptor (ER) to identify immunoreactive ER (iER) in breast carcinomas and compared this with the conventional dextran-coated charcoal (DCC) steroid binding assay. We also examined the relationship between the iER and response to therapy in patients with advanced breast cancer. We found iER-positive cells in 60 of 90 carcinomas (66.7%); this correlated with the DCC assay (r = 0.76; P less than .001). Of these, 56 patients were found to be assessable for response to endocrine therapy. Twenty-two showed an objective response to some form of endocrine manipulation, and all these had positively stained carcinomas. By deriving a staining intensity index (SII) we observed that 21 of 22 responders (95%) had an SII of greater than or equal to 0.5, whereas only 8 of 34 nonresponders (24%) had an SII of greater than or equal to 0.5. This difference is highly significant (P less than .001). None of the 17 patients with negatively stained carcinomas responded to endocrine therapy. We conclude that the monoclonal antibody to ER can help identify breast cancer patients who may respond to endocrine therapy.
Life Expectancy, Schooling Time, Retirement, and Growth

I analyze how changes in life expectancy affect retirement age, education time, and growth rates of economies. I set up a continuous time, overlapping generations model of endogenous growth with externalities in human capital production. I find that increases in life expectancy give rise to first, higher retirement ages and second, higher education spans. A threshold level for life expectancy exists such that per capita growth rates follow an inverted U pattern. (JEL D9, E17, I29, J24) Copyright 2004, Oxford University Press.
Factors affecting Singaporeans’ acceptance of international postings

Singapore is a cosmopolitan city. With the rapid globalisation of businesses and the government's call for Singapore companies to “go global”, to what extent are Singaporeans ready to take up foreign assignments? Location‐related factors have often been cited in the popular press as one of the most powerful barriers to expatriation. This study aims to ascertain: the willingness of Singaporeans to consider overseas assignments with specific reference to the cultural distance between the host and home countries; and the relative importance of different contributing factors (demographic attributes, individual personality traits, job and community tenure, spouse‐related attributes and company relocation policy) in determining Singaporeans’ willingness to accept expatriate assignments. Results from a survey of 200 working adults reveal that Singaporeans, in general, prefer to work in a culturally similar host country rather than an unfamiliar place. For both locations, the most influential antecedent of expatriation appears to be a company's relocation policy.
Conservative Party policy for planning: caught betweenthe market and local communities

Whether in power or in opposition, the planning policies of the Conservative Party are caught in a tension between the free market and local communities. On one hand, the Conservatives face developers who want to simplify the planning system, speed up decision making and make sufficient land available for economic activities. All this is likely to promote a small government, deregulatory policy agenda that is, in principle at least, distinctive. On the other hand, the Conservatives face local authorities and a Conservative electorate that are keen on conserving local amenities and the local environment and that, as a result, are also keen on promoting effective systems of local consultation and effective mechanisms of development control. The tension between the market and local communities has been recurrent in Conservative planning policy since at least the 1980s and is unlikely to disappear in the near future. The tension also means, however, that Conservative proposals tend to be relatively narrow in their scope. Keywords: Conservative Party, town planning, environment.
Noninvasive detection of fibrillation potentials in skeletal muscle

The presence of spontaneous muscle activity was determined by analysis of the power spectra of computer-model-generated sequences of spontaneous activity and additive noise. The modeling results identified the frequency band of 100-300 Hz as the band of peak signal-to-noise ratio for the detection of fibrillation potentials. Animal experiments were conducted in which the left sciatic nerves of three rats were transected. Measurements were taken 14 days following surgery with Ag/AgCl gel electrodes on the skin surface. Data was recorded from the gastrocnemius muscle on both the normal and denervated side for all three rats. The normal data and the denervated data yielded no discernible difference in the time-domain. Spectral analysis, however, demonstrated a clear and quantifiable difference between denervated and normal muscle signals. The average difference between the denervated and normal power spectral densities for the frequency band from 100 Hz to 300 Hz was 3.43, 1.90, and 3.02 dB for the three rats. The additional energy observed in the signals recorded from denervated muscles suggests that the single fiber spontaneous muscle activity that occurs in denervated muscle can be noninvasively detected. The potential diagnostic utility of noninvasive fibrillation potential detection is discussed and suggestions for future experiments are made.
'The situation and the uncertainty about the coming result scared me but interaction with the radiographers helped me through': a qualitative study on patients' experiences of magnetic resonance imaging examinations.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To describe patients' expectations before and experiences during a head-first magnetic resonance imaging scan. BACKGROUND Previous studies have reported that patients experience fear and anxiety leading to discomfort before, during and after magnetic resonance imaging scans. Frequent problems persist in producing high-quality images due to motion artefacts. These results imply a need for improvement of patient conditions to allow for the added benefit of better diagnostic quality. Provision of extended written information has not appeared to reduce patients' stress, while interaction with staff has been described as the most important factor for reducing such feelings. DESIGN AND METHODS A qualitative, phenomenological approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and data were analysed with systematic text condensation. RESULTS The experiences of the ten participants were encapsulated by the main theme: 'The situation and the uncertainty about the coming result scared me but interaction with the radiographers helped me through'. Subthemes were 'Prescan preparation', 'Mastering threats to self-control' and 'Personal achievements by completing the scan'. CONCLUSIONS Our study has provided a deeper understanding of the expectations before, and experiences during, a head-first magnetic resonance imaging scan. Valuable insight into patients' apprehension about written and verbal information was obtained. The patients reported how they coped with the unfamiliar and stressful magnetic resonance imaging scanning procedure. A trustful dialogue with the radiographer was described as being crucial for patients' ability to manage fear, discomfort and feelings of loss of self-control. We suggest a need for individualised information based on patient participation. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Radiographers, as well as nurses caring for patients who will undergo magnetic resonance imaging examinations, should recognise the difficulties inherent in written information. It is also of importance to adjust the patient-radiographer interaction to address patients' expressions of worries about the scanning procedure or the following result.
An Investigation into the Effect of Surplus Free Cash Flow, Corporate Governance and Firm Size on Earnings Predictability

Purpose - – Existing studies on corporate governance mainly focus on how a strong governance system enhances the valuation of firms with cash holding or free cash flow agency problem. The aims of this paper are threefold. First, it investigates the impact of surplus free cash flows (SFCF) on earnings predictability. Second, it investigates whether corporate governance variables moderate the negative impact of SFCF on earnings predictability. Finally, this study examines whether the ability of corporate governance to mitigate SFCF and improve the predictive value of earnings varies between large and small firms. Design/methodology/approach - – This paper uses heteroskedasticity-corrected least square regressions upon a sample of Malaysian listed firms. Findings - – This paper finds that firms with high SFCF experience less earnings predictability. It also indicates that earnings of firms with high SFCF are more predictable when institutional investors hold a large stake of shares and when a chairperson is independent. Finally, this paper reveals that the role of institutional and managerial ownership in mitigating agency conflict of free cash flow and improving earnings predictability is more prominent in larger firms. This study implies that investors still have reservations about the ability of boards to enhance earnings numbers in Malaysia, although efforts were taken to reform the corporate governance mechanisms following the Asian financial crisis. Originality/value - – This research is considered as the first attempt to examine the relationships between SFCF, corporate governance, firm size, and earnings predictability in a developing county such as Malaysia. The findings of this paper serve as a wake-up call to policy makers to evaluate the importance of governance structure in enhancing earnings predictability in emerging economies.
Mean reversion in target zones: a re-examination of some ERM exchange rates

The theoretical literature on exchange rate behaviour in target zones predicts that the exchange rate would be mean reverting. This article empirically investigates this theoretical prediction in the case of the German mark bilateral exchange rates. Using a recently developed unit root test, this article provides evidence that is generally negative to the idea of mean reversion. It shows that all bilateral exchange rates under investigation appear to be unit root processes with the exception of the Dutch guilder/German mark rate.
Fostering talent opportunity: getting past first‐base

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify key new dynamics in the talent pool; identify the role of opportunity in the development of organizational talent; distinguish between the effectiveness of image and leadership behaviors in the attraction and retention of key organizational talent; touch on the key talent management areas which are well managed by successful organizations: employer brand/employee of choice strategy, employee engagement, coaching, project and stretch opportunities, and redeployment/outplacement; and to reiterate the need for senior ownership of the talent strategy, without which most talent strategies are doomed to remain expensive means to an elusive endDesign/methodology/approach – The paper is an opinion paper, which draws broadly on a range of talent management experience, and it identifies key acid tests of talent strategy successFindings – Reiterates the need for senior ownership of the talent strategy.Originality/value – The paper identifies key acid tests of talent.
Tracking multiple unresolved targets using MIMO radars

Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) radars are a new generation of radar systems that may bring about many benefits compared to traditional phased-array and multistatic radars. Although different aspects of MIMO radars have been discussed in the literature, the application of MIMO radars in target tracking problems has not been explored in depth. Target localization using MIMO radars with co-located antennas has been discussed in the literature. The main limitation of those approaches is that the number of targets that can be uniquely localized in one cell is restricted. This paper presents a new application of MIMO radars in Multi-Target Tracking (MTT) problems. The main contribution is to show that the use of prior information about the motion of targets relaxes the limitation on the number of targets that can be uniquely detected. A general MTT problem with several targets in the same resolution cell is considered. The goal is to propose a technique to estimate targets' states and the number of targets in one cell. Because multiple targets may fall in the same cell, the measurement in a cell is associated with more than one target. Measurements are outputs of matched filters and range bins that are nonlinear functions of targets' states. Multiple hypotheses are generated based on the uncertainty in target-to-cell association. Then, the best model which gives the number of new targets whose estimates are obtained by the localization algorithm, is selected according to its likelihood . Finally, due to the nonlinearity in measurement model, a UKF based method is used to update estimates of new targets and initialize new born targets. Simulation results show the superiority of the proposed method for joint localization and tracking compared to the previous localization approach suggested in the literature for unresolved targets.
An evolutionary algorithm for solving nonlinear bilevel programming based on a new constraint-handling scheme

In this paper, a special nonlinear bilevel programming problem (nonlinear BLPP) is transformed into an equivalent single objective nonlinear programming problem. To solve the equivalent problem effectively, we first construct a specific optimization problem with two objectives. By solving the specific problem, we can decrease the leader's objective value, identify the quality of any feasible solution from infeasible solutions and the quality of two feasible solutions for the equivalent single objective optimization problem, force the infeasible solutions moving toward the feasible region, and improve the feasible solutions gradually. We then propose a new constraint-handling scheme and a specific-design crossover operator. The new constraint-handling scheme can make the individuals satisfy all linear constraints exactly and the nonlinear constraints approximately. The crossover operator can generate high quality potential offspring. Based on the constraint-handling scheme and the crossover operator, we propose a new evolutionary algorithm and prove its global convergence. A distinguishing feature of the algorithm is that it can be used to handle nonlinear BLPPs with nondifferentiable leader's objective functions. Finally, simulations on 31 benchmark problems, 12 of which have nondifferentiable leader's objective functions, are made and the results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
NEW ESTIMATES OF BRITISH UNEMPLOYMENT, 1870–1913

We present new estimates of the British industrial unemployment rate for 1870–1913, which improve on the Board of Trade's prior estimates. We use similar sources, but our series includes additional industrial sectors, allows for short-time working, and aggregates the various sectors using appropriate labor-force weights from the census. The resulting index suggests a rate of industrial unemployment that was generally higher, but less volatile, than the board's index. We then adjust our series to an economywide basis, and construct a consistent time series of overall unemployment for 1870–1999.
Adult Education as Vocation: A Critical Role for the Adult Educator.

Part 1 The Current Crisis in Adult Education: Obsession with Technique and Shortfalls in Practice Fixation on Technique Erosion of Autonomous and Community Interests The Trappings - Co-optation and Consensus Professionalization, the Cult of Efficiency and Mandatory Continuing Education. Part 2 On Contemporay Practice and Research: Self-Directed Learning to Critical Theory Focus on the Learner - Self-Directed Learning Research to Practice in Adult Education. Part 3 Adult Education as Vocation: Role of the Adult Educator Retrieving a Sense of Mission The Issue of Competence Friends Educating Friends Theories of Action Perspectives Making Music Together. Part 4 Addressing Needs, Program Design and Evaluation: Assessing Needs Program Planning Program Evaluation. Part 5 The Critical Turn - Re-viewing Professionalization: Training and the Problem of Competence Professionalization or Professionalism? Training The Problem of Competence. Part 6 Adult Life-World Concerns and Protection of the Commons: Questioning the Taken-for-Granted Critical Adult Education - Outlines of a Transformative Pedagogy Constituencies of a Transformative Pedagogy The Promise and Limitations of Critical Theory Alternatives to a Non-Critical Practice.
Corporate Governance in Germany: The Role of Banks and Ownership Concentration

The German system of corporate governance is often thought to be effective at addressing problems arising in large firms. In addition to the usual emphasis on the role of German banks, it is increasingly recognized that the German system also involves a high concentration of the ownership of large firms. We analyse the relative significance of these two features of the German system and conclude that high ownership concentration is more important. Although banks may influence corporate governance via their control of proxy votes, positions on supervisory boards, and provision of loan finance, in practice they do not play a role in the governance of large German firms which is distinct from that of other types of large shareholders. Any case for the superiority of German corporate governance of large firms must therefore be based on high ownership concentration rather than a special role of banks, and must consider the costs of ownership concentration as well as the benefits.
Progressing research impact assessment: A ‘contributions’ approach

There is an increasing interest in demonstrating the outcomes from research for the purposes of learning, accountability, or to demonstrate the value of research investments. However, assessing the impact of social science research on policy and practice is challenging. The ways in which research is taken up, used, and reused in policy and practice settings means that linking research processes or outputs to wider changes is difficult, and timescales are hard to predict. This article proposes an empirically grounded framework for assessing the impact of research— the Research Contribution Framework. A case study approach was adopted to explore the nature of research impact and how it might be assessed. Findings were used to design, develop, and test a framework to assess the contribution of research to relevant areas of policy and practice and to articulate wider benefits. The framework has been adapted from contribution analysis, using the idea of ‘contribution’ to help explain the ways research is taken up and used to influence policy and practice. The framework allows for a focus on the roles of research users, and examines both processes and outcomes. It is argued that this approach gets round some of the common problems in assessing impact. It provides a method of linking research and knowledge exchange to wider outcomes whilst acknowledging and including contextual factors that help or hinder research impact. It is practical, balancing robustness with feasibility. It is adaptable for a wide range of content, types of impact assessment, and purposes.