Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Content‐Independent Multi‐Spectral Display Using Superimposed Projections

Many works focus on multi‐spectral capture and analysis, but multi‐spectral display still remains a challenge. Most prior works on multi‐primary displays use ad‐hoc narrow band primaries that assure a larger color gamut, but cannot assure a good spectral reproduction. Content‐dependent spectral analysis is the only way to produce good spectral reproduction, but cannot be applied to general data sets. Wide primaries are better suited for assuring good spectral reproduction due to greater coverage of the spectral range, but have not been explored much. In this paper we explore the use of wide band primaries for accurate spectral reproduction for the first time and present the first content‐independent multi‐spectral display achieved using superimposed projections with modified wide band primaries. We present a content‐independent primary selection method that selects a small set of n primaries from a large set of m candidate primaries where m > n. Our primary selection method chooses primaries with complete coverage of the range of visible wavelength (for good spectral reproduction accuracy), low interdependency (to limit the primaries to a small number) and higher light throughput (for higher light efficiency). Once the primaries are selected, the input values of the different primary channels to generate a desired spectrum are computed using an optimization method that minimizes spectral mismatch while maximizing visual quality. We implement a real prototype of multi‐spectral display consisting of 9‐primaries using three modified conventional 3‐primary projectors, and compare it with a conventional display to demonstrate its superior performance. Experiments show our display is capable of providing large gamut assuring a good visual appearance while displaying any multi‐spectral images at a high spectral accuracy.
Uraemic pruritus is not related to plasma histamine concentrations

Pruritus is a common symptom in uraemic patients and its aetiology is poorly understood, although several factors have been implicated, including high histamine plasma levels. The aim of the study was to evaluate plasma levels of histamine in patients on maintenance haemodialysis in relation to the presence of itching (35 pruritic patients = group A; 50 non‐pruritic patients = group B), Furthermore, we compared the values obtained with those of a healthy control group (64 subjects). We observed increased plasma histamine levels in uraemic patients compared with healthy controls. However, no relationship was found between plasma histamine values and itching because groups A and B showed overlapping values and there was no correlation between the intensity of pruritus and plasma histamine concentrations in group A patients. In conclusion, we suggest that there is no evidence for plasma histamine playing a significant part in uraemic pruritus.
Method of Recognition and Assistance Combining Passive RFID and Electrical Load Analysis That Handles Cognitive Errors

The integration of wireless sensor technologies has increased awareness of many laboratories on the field of embedded network system. Many researchers seek exploiting these advances to develop technological assistance for frail people in smart homes. However, to reach the full potential of applications using network embedded systems such as assistive smart home, the first challenge to overcome is the recognition of the ongoing inhabitant activity of daily living (ADL). Moreover, to provide adequate assistance, it is essential to be able to detect every perceptive error. Such an approach proposes the use of ubiquitous sensors hidden in the environment for monitoring and detecting behavioral abnormalities associated with cognitive deficits and then does a proper guidance by providing advice using different kinds of effectors (screen, light, sound, etc.). In this paper, we present an affordable system that exploits a combination of passive RFID and the load signatures of appliances to assist elders and to detect errors related to cognitive impairment. The entire multi-sensor system has been implemented and deployed in a real prototype smart home. We present the promising results of our experiment on real daily routines.
STUDIES ON THE MODIFYING EFFECT OF DIMETHYL SULFOXIDE AND OTHER CHEMICALS ON EXPERIMENTAL SKIN TUMOR INDUCTION *

Exposure to environmental carcinogens often takes place through the action of different agents, many of which are harmless in themselves, but may however promote tumor formation in combination with other agents. In their fundamental studies on skin tumor formation, Berenblum and Shubik1s3 concluded that the initiation process leads to the production of dormant tumor cells. Furthermore, it was shown that this action is unaffected if the initiation treatment is preceded by the use of other agents. It has also been suggested that initiation and promotion are essentially similar phenomena, and that the end result is due to their summative effect The carcinogenic potential of chemicals applied on the skin may be influenced by other chemical compounds, depending upon their physical, chemical, and toxic properties. The possibility that a given chemical may have either a stimulating or a retarding effect on the neoplastic progression, besides its cocarcinogenic or anticarcinogenic effects,O-I4 is still largely unexplored. The solvent used, however, does determine the absorption rate of the carcinogen, and affects both the latent period and the tumor ~ i e l d . ~ ~ l ~ Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), for example, is known to increase the ability of chemicals to penetrate through the kin,'^-^^ a process that may promote tumor f o r m a t i ~ n . ~ ~ ' ~ In addition, other anti-inflammatory, membranelabilizing agents such as chlorpromazine (CPZ)18-zo and cortisonez1 affect tumorigenesis. In this presentation, the effects of DMSO and other chemicals on skin carcinogenesis will be discussed; their effects on tumor formation by different carcinogens and at different stages of formation will be reviewed in comparison with the effects of other solvents such as methanol and acetone; and the possible carcinogenic activity of DMSO alone will be considered.
Gender and public choice in rural India: can female leaders really influence local governance?

With established quotas that formalise the presence of women in local governance in rural India, it remains unclear how women are shaping public decision-making in practice. This paper, based on a survey carried out in four female-led and two male-led local governance institutions in Himachal Pradesh, empirically analyses decision-making based on competing Public Choice models. Results indicate that Public Choice theories fail to accurately predict decision-making because they do not account for embedded norms of gendered labour division. Female leaders can be constrained in their policy-making by the gender congruence of certain political tasks. This paper suggests that in the case of female-congruent political domains, such as health and education, a Citizen–Candidate model might best predict female-led decision-making processes while in the case of male congruence, such as irrigation and land development, a Downsian model might prevail.
Natural Disasters and Foreign Direct Investment

The world’s population has witnessed the concurrence of two powerful global trends: an unprecedented growth in foreign direct investment (FDI) and an increase in natural disasters. Since investment decisions are based on an evaluation of expected risks and returns, we consider whether FDI decisions are influenced by natural disasters. We do so by considering the relation between FDI in 94 countries between 1984 and 2004 and the number of disasters striking those countries. Across a variety of empirical tests that control for two-way fixed effects we find natural disasters to be negatively and statistically significantly associated with a country’s FDI. (JEL Q54)
Dynamic upper airway soft-tissue and caliber changes in healthy subjects and snoring patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The oropharyngeal airways are smaller in those who snore than in those who do not. We sought to determine which soft-tissue component surrounding the airways contributes to upper airway narrowing in those who snore. METHODS Ten control subjects and 19 snoring patients underwent CT, with 2-mm-thick axial sections obtained every 0.6 seconds during the respiration cycle at the same oropharyngeal level. We selected two sections with the widest and narrowest parts of the oropharyngeal airway to measure the anteroposterior and lateral dimensions of the airway and the thickness of the bilateral parapharyngeal fat pads, pterygoid muscles, and parapharyngeal walls. Mean values were calculated for each phase. For each subject, differences were calculated by subtracting the values in narrowest phase from those in the widest phase. RESULTS Changes in airway dimension (P < .05) and lateral parapharyngeal wall thickness (P < .01) were significantly different between snorers and control subjects. Changes in parapharyngeal wall thickness and transverse oropharyngeal airway diameter changes were significantly related (P < .01) in those who snored but not in control subjects. CONCLUSION Airway narrowing predominantly occurs in the lateral dimension in people who snore. Changes in the lateral pharyngeal wall are more important than the parapharyngeal fat pads in airway calibration. Narrowing of the upper airway area at the end of the expirium and the beginning of the inspirium is thought to be the cause of snoring and due to augmented muscle mass and prolonged laxity rather than inadequate activation of the pharyngeal dilating muscles.
Understanding US Traveler Behavior to Asian Countries: A Secondary Analysis Approach

Over the last few decades, US travelers have taken an increasing number of trips to Asian countries. Considering the strong growth of the Asian tourism market and the consistent growth in numbers of US travelers to Asian countries, an examination of these travelers to identify meaningful market segments can benefit Asian destination marketers in developing better marketing strategies. This study aims to conduct a distinctive analysis for segmenting the US travelers to Asia market through empirical examination. The study data set, obtained from a Travel Activity and Motivation Survey, identified three lucrative segments: ProTravelers, Safety Conscious Travelers and Traditionalists. The study presents the distinctive characteristics of the three segments and discusses managerial recommendations.
Master of the game: assessing approachability in future game design

Game Approachability Principles (GAP) is proposed as a set of useful guidelines for game designers to create better tutorials, or first learning levels-especially for the casual gamer. Developing better first learning levels can be a key step to ease the casual gamer into play and to do so proactively-before it is too costly or cumbersome to restructure the tutorials to be more effective. Thus, Game Approachability in the context of game development is defined as making games initially more friendly and accessible for players who have the desire to play, yet do not always follow-through to actually play. GAP has evolved through a series of stages assessing applicability as a stand alone, heuristic based approach versus one-on-one usability testing. Outcomes suggest potential for GAP as (1) effective Heuristic Evaluation, (2) adjunct to Usability Testing, and (3) as proactive filters in beginning conceptual and first learning level tutorial design to increase Game Approachability--for all levels of gamers.
Optimal Contracting, Incentive Effects and the Valuation of Executive Stock Options

In this paper, I examine the optimal contracting problem between a firm and its chief executive officer in a principal-agent framework with information asymmetry. The firm (principal) selects the size and composition of the agent's (executive's) compensation in order to maximize firm value. Given a compensation contract, the risk-averse and effort-averse agent in turn maximizes his own expected utility by optimizing his effort at the firm and the allocation of his outside investments. Using parameters consistent with average CEO pay of S&P 500 companies, I find that market performance (stock price) based incentive pay represents an important part (14 to 100%) of the optimal compensation contract between the firm and its executive. However, the optimal contract includes stock option grants only if the executive is at most modestly risk averse (with coefficient of relative risk aversion
The superiority of the two-thumb over the two-finger technique for single-rescuer infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Objectives The two-finger technique (TFT) using the index-middle fingers of the right hand (TFT-R23) was recently confirmed to produce deeper chest compression depth (CCD) compared with the TFT using any other fingers. This study was carried out to confirm whether the TFT-R23 would be as effective as the two-thumb technique (TTT). In addition, individual finger strengths were measured to identify the reasons why the TTT and TFT-R23 produced deeper CCD than any other methods. Methods This prospective randomized cross-over trial compared TTT with TFT-R23. A total of 37 doctors conducted 2 min single-rescuer cardiopulmonary resuscitation using TTT and TFT-R23 in a random order using a 3-month-old sized infant manikin laid on the floor. The chest compression to ventilation ratio was set to 15 : 2. In addition, finger strengths were measured using a pinch meter. Results The actual CCD of the TTT was significantly deeper than that of the TFT-R23 (41.3±1.3 vs. 39.8±1.5 mm, P<0.001). Although the hands-off time of the TTT was significantly longer than that of the TFT-R23 (55.6±5.7 vs. 53.6±5.8 s, P=0.002), the mean difference was only 2.0±3.7 s (95% confidence interval: 0.755–3.245). The finger strength of the TTT was significantly higher than that of TFT-R23 (23.8±10.1 vs. 13.7±5.1 kg, P<0.001). Conclusion The TTT produced deeper CCD compared with that of the TFT-R23 because the finger strength of the TTT was significantly higher than that of the TFT-R23.
Managed personal budgets for older people: what are English local authorities doing to facilitate personalized and flexible care?

This paper explores how three local authorities in England have tried to facilitate personalized home care for older people through changes in commissioning and market development activities; and how these changes have been experienced by support planners and home care agency managers. Overall, it appears that changes are well intended, but the practicalities of implementing them raise some challenges that mean desired objectives may not always be achieved.
Mobile game-based virtual reality rehabilitation program for upper limb dysfunction after ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND Virtual reality (VR) has the potential to provide intensive, repetitive, and task-oriented training, and game-based therapy can enhance patients' motivation and enjoyment. OBJECTIVE The objective of the present study was to develop a mobile game-based upper extremity VR program for patients who have experienced stroke, and to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of the program. METHODS This randomized, double-blind, controlled trial included 24 patients with ischemic stroke. The intervention group (n = 12) received 30 min of conventional occupational therapy (OT) and 30 min of the mobile upper extremity rehabilitation program using a smartphone and a tablet PC (MoU-Rehab). The controls (n = 12) received conventional OT alone for 1 h per day. Rehabilitation consisted of 10 sessions of therapy, 5 days per week, for 2 weeks. The outcome measures (Fugl-Meyer Assessment of the upper extremity [FMA-UE], Brunnström stage [B-stage] for the arm and the hand, manual muscle testing [MMT], modified Barthel index [MBI], EuroQol-5 Dimension [EQ-5D], and Beck Depression Inventory [BDI]) were assessed at the beginning and end of treatment, and at 1 month. User satisfaction was evaluated by a questionnaire. RESULTS A greater improvement in the FMA-UE, B-stage, and MMT was found after treatment with the MoU-Rehab than with conventional therapy. The extent of improvements in the MBI, EQ-5D, and BDI was not significantly different between the two groups. Patients in the experimental group completed the 2-weeks treatment without adverse effects, and they were generally satisfied with MoU-Rehab. CONCLUSION This mobile game-based VR rehabilitation program appears to be feasible and effective for promoting upper limb recovery after ischemic stroke.
Poverty, Battering, Race, and Welfare Reform

Abstract Poverty and battering trap women. Poor battered women find it especially difficult to move quickly from welfare to work and therefore to comply with the requirements of welfare reform. Interviews with the population of Black and White women enrolled at six sites of a short-term job readiness program (N = 122) revealed a significant association between battering and welfare-to-work transition. Women threatened or battered severely enough to have sought a protective order had three times the drop out rate of other enrollees. Black-White differences in program participation outcomes and in patterns of battering and its consequences were few but striking. White women dropped out more frequently than did Black women. There were no significant Black-White differences in reported violence and injury. However, White women reported significantly higher rates of some nonviolent abuse, specifically threats enforcing their conformity to traditional notions of maternity, domesticity, and economic dependence on men. According to colorblind models of battering, Black-White differences are either artifacts of reporting or are unpredicted and inexplicable. I interpret Black-White differences in the context of structural and institutional factors rather than individualistic racial stereotypes. Both White and Black battered women may need help with safety planning and should not be sanctioned if battering derails their compliance with welfare reform timetables. However, Black women will benefit even more from structural changes that make waged work a more viable route to safety and solvency.
Are Business Cycles All Alike?

This paper examines two questions. The first is whether economic fluctuations-business cycles-are due to an accumulation of nall shocks or instead mostly to infrequent large shocks. The paper concludes that neither of these two extreme views accurately characterize fluctuations. The second question is whether fluctuations are due mostly to one source of shocks, for example monetary, or instead to many sources. The paper concludes that evidence strongly supports the hypothesis of many, about equally important, sources of shocks.To analyze the empirical evidence and to reach these conclusions, the paper uses two different statistical approaches. The first is estimation ofa structural model, using a set of just identifying restrictions. The secondis non-structural and may be described as a formalization of the Burns Mitchell techniques. Both approaches are somewhat novel and should be of independent interest.
A Reactive and Efficient Walking Pattern Generator for Robust Bipedal Locomotion

Available possibilities to prevent a biped robot from falling down in the presence of severe disturbances are mainly Center of Pressure (CoP) modulation, step location and timing adjustment, and angular momentum regulation. In this paper, we aim at designing a walking pattern generator which employs an optimal combination of these tools to generate robust gaits. In this approach, first, the next step location and timing are decided consistent with the commanded walking velocity and based on the Divergent Component of Motion (DCM) measurement. This stage which is done by a very small-size Quadratic Program (QP) uses the Linear Inverted Pendulum Model (LIPM) dynamics to adapt the switching contact location and time. Then, consistent with the first stage, the LIPM with flywheel dynamics is used to regenerate the DCM and angular momentum trajectories at each control cycle. This is done by modulating the CoP and Centroidal Momentum Pivot (CMP) to realize a desired DCM at the end of current step. Simulation results show the merit of this reactive approach in generating robust and dynamically consistent walking patterns.
Raftery curve construction for tender price forecasts

John Raftery (1993), in his Inaugural Lecture at the University of Greenwich, suggested that project cost estimates be presented in the form of cumulative probability functions (termed here ‘Raftery curves’) rather than the current practice of single-point estimates. This paper describes a method for the empirical construction of Raftery curves for tender price forecasts, which then is applied to ten previously published data sets gathered throughout the world. In comparing the resulting curves, the most consistent feature is shown to be the shift associated with to the number of bidders entering bids for contracts. This is examined both in terms of bias and consistency. Contrary to some previous studies, no evidence is found of any trends related to the value size of projects.
Reporting of sample size calculation in randomised controlled trials: review

Objectives To assess quality of reporting of sample size calculation, ascertain accuracy of calculations, and determine the relevance of assumptions made when calculating sample size in randomised controlled trials. Design Review. Data sources We searched MEDLINE for all primary reports of two arm parallel group randomised controlled trials of superiority with a single primary outcome published in six high impact factor general medical journals between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2006. All extra material related to design of trials (other articles, online material, online trial registration) was systematically assessed. Data extracted by use of a standardised form included parameters required for sample size calculation and corresponding data reported in results sections of articles. We checked completeness of reporting of the sample size calculation, systematically replicated the sample size calculation to assess its accuracy, then quantified discrepancies between a priori hypothesised parameters necessary for calculation and a posteriori estimates. Results Of the 215 selected articles, 10 (5%) did not report any sample size calculation and 92 (43%) did not report all the required parameters. The difference between the sample size reported in the article and the replicated sample size calculation was greater than 10% in 47 (30%) of the 157 reports that gave enough data to recalculate the sample size. The difference between the assumptions for the control group and the observed data was greater than 30% in 31% (n=45) of articles and greater than 50% in 17% (n=24). Only 73 trials (34%) reported all data required to calculate the sample size, had an accurate calculation, and used accurate assumptions for the control group. Conclusions Sample size calculation is still inadequately reported, often erroneous, and based on assumptions that are frequently inaccurate. Such a situation raises questions about how sample size is calculated in randomised controlled trials.
The 2011 Danish Parliamentary Election: A Very New Government

The 2011 election resulted in the fall of the Liberal–Conservative (Venstre and Det Konservative Folkeparti) government supported by the Danish People’s Party (Dansk Folkeparti), which was replaced by a new minority coalition government consisting of the Social Democrats (Socialdemokraterne), Social Liberals (Radikale Venstre) and Socialist People’s Party (Socialistisk Folkeparti) with the support of the Red–Green Alliance (Enhedslisten). This truly represented a shift from the right of the traditional political spectrum to the centre-left, a new government with young, inexperienced ministers and the first female Prime Minister in Danish history.