Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quantitative and Qualitative Evaluation of Exoskeleton Transparency Controllers for Upper-Limb Neurorehabilitation

High transparency is a fundamental requirement for upper-limb exoskeletons to promote active patient participation. Although various control strategies have been suggested to improve the transparency of these robots, there are still some limitations, such as the need for precise dynamic models and potential safety issues when external forces are applied to the robot. This study presents a novel hybrid controller designed to tackle these limitations by combining a traditional zero-torque controller with an interaction torque observer that compensates for residual undesired disturbances. The transparency of the proposed controller was evaluated using both quantitative-e.g., residual joint torques and movement smoothness-and qualitative measures-e.g., comfort, agency, and perceived resistance-in a pilot study with six healthy participants. The performance of the new controller was compared to that of two conventional controllers: a zero-torque closed-loop controller and a velocity-based disturbance observer. Our preliminary results show that the proposed hybrid controller may be a good alternative to state-of-the-art controllers as it allows participants to perform precise and smooth movements with low interaction joint torques. Importantly, participants rated the new controller higher in comfort and agency, and lower in perceived resistance. This study highlights the importance of incorporating both quantitative and qualitative assessments in evaluating control strategies developed to enhance the transparency of rehabilitation robots.
Autonomous and Human-Driven Vehicles Interacting in a Roundabout: A Quantitative and Qualitative Evaluation

Optimizing traffic dynamics in an evolving transportation landscape is crucial, particularly in scenarios where autonomous vehicles (AVs) with varying levels of autonomy coexist with human-driven cars. While optimizing Reinforcement Learning (RL) policies for such scenarios is becoming more and more common, little has been said about realistic evaluations of such trained policies. This paper presents an evaluation of the effects of AVs penetration among human drivers in a roundabout scenario, considering both quantitative and qualitative aspects. In particular, we learn a policy to minimize traffic jams (i.e., minimize the time to cross the scenario) and to minimize pollution in a roundabout in Milan, Italy. Through empirical analysis, we demonstrate that the presence of AVs can reduce time and pollution levels. Furthermore, we qualitatively evaluate the learned policy using a cutting-edge cockpit to assess its performance in near-real-world conditions. To gauge the practicality and acceptability of the policy, we conduct evaluations with human participants using the simulator, focusing on a range of metrics like traffic smoothness and safety perception. In general, our findings show that human-driven vehicles benefit from optimizing AVs dynamics. Also, participants in the study highlight that the scenario with 80% AVs is perceived as safer than the scenario with 20%. The same result is obtained for traffic smoothness perception.
Stratigraphic Significance of 13C/12C Ratios in Mid-Cretaceous Rocks of the Western Interior, U.S.A.

Abstract Stratigraphic profiles of carbon isotopic ratios in organic matter (δ13Corg) from Cenomanian and Turanian strata have been established for four locations in the southern part of the Western Interior basin of North America. Each δ13Corg profile includes a 2.5-3.5 ‰ positive excursion that spans the Cenomanian-Turonian boundary. Detailed features of the isotopic excursions are consistent and can be correlated on profiles from the western siliciclastic facies, the central pelagic facies, and the eastern carbonate-bank facies. This δ13Corg excursion is a valuable stratigraphic marker because it resulted from a geologically brief, global geochemical event (estimated duration, 0.5 m.y.) and because it can be readily distinguished from other isotopic events in the geologic record. The Cenomanian-Turonian excursion and other major shifts in carbon isotopic ratios can provide a means to establish chronostratigraphic boundaries that cross the boundaries of lithofacies and depositional environments.
Imaging the subducting slabs and mantle upwelling under the Japan Islands

SUMMARY A high-resolution P-wave tomography of the crust and mantle down to 700 km depth beneath the Japan Islands is determined using a large number of high-quality arrival-time data from local earthquakes and teleseismic events simultaneously. The tomography shows that the Philippine Sea slab is subducting aseismically down to 430 km depth under southwest Japan, though the seismicity within the slab ends at 180 km depth. A low-velocity (low-V) zone in the mantle wedge under Tohoku and Kyushu is found to extend westward from the volcanic front to the backarc under the Japan Sea and East China Sea. Significant low-V anomalies are revealed in the deep portion of the mantle wedge (400–500 km depth) above the Pacific slab under southwest Japan, which may reflect hot mantle upwelling associated with fluids from the deep dehydration of the Pacific slab. Low-V anomalies appear at 420–700 km depths beneath the Pacific slab under eastern Japan, which may reflect hot mantle upwelling associated with the deep subduction of the Pacific slab and its collapsing down to the lower mantle.
Clinical and imaging characteristics of orbital metastatic lesions among egyptian patients

License. The full terms of the License are available at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed. Permissions beyond the scope of the License are administered by Dove Medical Press Limited. Information on how to request permission may be found at: http://www.dovepress. com/permissions.php Clinical Ophthalmology 2015:9 1683–1687 Clinical Ophthalmology Dovepress
Seroprevalence and associated risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii in goats and sheep in the Khomas region of Namibia

This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence levels of T. gondii in small ruminants (goats and sheep) and the associated risk factors in the Khomas region of Namibia. A total of 299 and 345 sheep and goat sera, respectively, were collected from 22 farming establishments. An IDEXX Toxotest Ab®, a commercial ELISA kit, was used to test for IgG antibodies to T.gondii. Overall, 3.68% (11/299) of the sheep sera were positive, and 61.54% (8/13) of the sheep �ocks tested had at least one positive animal. Only 0.29% (1/345) of the goat sera were positive, and only one of the 19 goat �ocks had at least one positive animal giving a herd-level prevalence of 5.26%. Sheep �ocks had signi�cantly greater animal-level and ock-level prevalences than goats (p < 0.05) and were 13.14 times more likely to be seropositive (OR = 13.14; CI 95%: 1.686-102.382) than goat �ocks. A questionnaire was also administered to identify any putative risk factors associated with seropositive cases. Eight risk factors were evaluated, including the total number of goats, total number of sheep, farm size, average rainfall, level of Feliformia, history of abortions and the presence of domesticated cats and strays. Seropositivity to T. gondii was positively associated with the total number of sheep at the farming establishment, history of abortions and farm size (p < 0.05), but not goats. The study concluded that sheep were probably more susceptible to toxoplasmosis than goats and that the T. gondii seroprevalence level in the Khomas region was very low compared to other countries.
Paleoseismic Evidence of the 1890 and 1838 Earthquakes on the Santa Cruz Mountains Section of the San Andreas Fault, near Corralitos, California

Abstract Paleoseismic investigations at the Hazel Dell site on the Santa Cruz mountains section (SAS) of the San Andreas fault provide the first definitive geologic evidence of two pre‐1906 nineteenth‐century earthquakes based on the presence of anthropogenic artifacts at the antepenultimate earthquake (E3) horizon. We review historic accounts of candidate events and interpret the penultimate earthquake and E3 to be the April 1890 and June 1838 earthquakes, respectively. These new data suggest more frequent surface‐rupturing earthquakes within historical time than previously recognized and highlight variability of interseismic intervals on the SAS of the San Andreas fault. We correlate earthquakes between Hazel Dell and nearby paleoseismic sites based on revised timing, similarity of stratigraphy, style, and size of displacement, and build a composite paleoseismic record. The composite record requires at least two modes of behavior in strain release on the SAS through time. One mode is through great multisegment earthquakes, like that in 1906. Historic records and geologic studies suggest that prior to 1906 the Santa Cruz mountains region was characterized by a second mode of moderate seismicity, with three M≥6 earthquakes between 1838 and 1890, including two that caused surface rupture at Hazel Dell. In the 700 years prior to 1800, individual sites have evidence ranging from 1 to 5 events, suggesting that the longer record remains unresolved. Online Material: Additional Hazel Dell trench logs, figure of age ranges for wood chips, Arano Flat OxCal model, and table of radiocarbon samples.
Detrital zircon geochronology of pre‐ and syncollisional strata, Acadian orogen, Maine Appalachians

The Central Maine Basin is the largest expanse of deep‐marine, Upper Ordovician to Devonian metasedimentary rocks in the New England Appalachians, and is a key to the tectonics of the Acadian Orogeny. Detrital zircon ages are reported from two groups of strata: (1) the Quimby, Rangeley, Perry Mountain and Smalls Falls Formations, which were derived from inboard, northwesterly sources and are supposedly older; and (2) the Madrid, Carrabassett and Littleton Formations, which were derived from outboard, easterly sources and are supposedly younger. Deep‐water deposition prevailed throughout, with the provenance shift inferred to mark the onset of foredeep deposition and orogeny. The detrital zircon age distribution of a composite of the inboard‐derived units shows maxima at 988 and 429 Ma; a composite from the outboard‐derived units shows maxima at 1324, 1141, 957, 628, and 437 Ma. The inboard‐derived units have a greater proportion of zircons between 450 and 400 Ma. Three samples from the inboard‐derived group have youngest age maxima that are significantly younger than the nominal depositional ages. The outboard‐derived group does not share this problem. These results are consistent with the hypothesised provenance shift, but they signal potential problems with the established stratigraphy, structure, and (or) regional mapping. Shallow‐marine deposits of the Silurian to Devonian Ripogenus Formation, from northwest of the Central Maine Basin, yielded detrital zircons featuring a single age maximum at 441 Ma. These zircons were likely derived from a nearby magmatic arc now concealed by younger strata. Detrital zircons from the Tarratine Formation, part of the Acadian foreland‐basin succession in this strike belt, shows age maxima at 1615, 980 and 429 Ma. These results are consistent with three episodes of zircon recycling beginning with the deposition of inboard‐derived strata of the Central Maine Basin, which were shed from post‐Taconic highlands located to the northwest. Next, southeasterly parts of this succession were deformed in the Acadian orogeny, shedding detritus towards the northwest into what remained of the basin. Finally, by Pragian time, all strata in the Central Maine Basin had been deformed and detritus from this new source accumulated as the Tarratine Formation in a new incarnation of the foreland basin. Silurian‐Devonian strata from the Central Maine Basin have similar detrital zircon age distributions to coeval rocks from the Arctic Alaska and Farewell terranes of Alaska and the Northwestern terrane of Svalbard. We suggest that these strata were derived from different segments of the 6500‐km‐long Appalachian‐Caledonide orogen.
Solar and net radiation in Peninsular Malaysia

Linear regression equations relating the global solar radiation and sunshine duration are derived for a total of 14 stations in Peninsular Malaysia. Mean monthly global solar radiation values for other stations which have only sunshine data are estimated using these regression equations. The intensities of global solar radiation during different times of the day and under different meteorological conditions are discussed. Maps of mean monthly global solar radiation are presented and discussed. It is found that the distribution pattern of global solar radiation follows somewhat with that of rainfall pattern. Net radiation was estimated using empirical equations developed by Chang (1970), Davies (1967). Selirio et al. (1971) and Penman (cited by Chang, 1970). Comparison of the estimated net radiation with the limited net radiation record available shows that the Davies' formula gives the best estimates. Hence Davies' formula is used for the estimation of net radiation. Maps of estimated net radiation are similarly prepared and discussed.
The Maximum Glaciation and Desert Expansion in China during MIS16

The Shagou loess section, which is situated in the border between the Tibetan Plateau and northwest arid region of China, records the detail of climate changes and desert evolution over the past 0\^83 Ma BP. Median grain size and sand content in the L6 loess layer indicate that winter monsoon greatly enhanced and desert extremely expanded at that time. During the MIS16, ice sheets in the Northern Hemisphere extended largely, and the global ice volume reached the Maximum since the mid\|Pleistocene climate transition. The expansion of northern Siberian ice sheet also reinforced the Siberian High during MIS16. At the same time, the Maximum glaciation developed in the Tibetan Plateau greatly adjusted the westerly and amplified winter monsoon via the Siberian High. Responding to the maximum of global ice volume, as a climate background, and the Maximum Glaciation in the Tibetan Plateau, as an amplifier of the winter monsoon and westerly, deserts in East China expanded extremely. Global ice volume and the Tibetan Plateau are the two important factors influencing desert evolution among others.
The Reach of the Disposition Effect : Large Sample Evidence Across Investor Classes By

We examine detailed share registry data for investors in IPO and index stocks between 1995 and 2000 and find that the “disposition effect”, investors’ reluctance to crystallise losses and relative eagerness to realise gains, is pervasive among institutional and individual shareholders alike. Our novel findings include (a) that the disposition effect ameliorates over time, being undetectable in our tests from around 200 trading days after purchase, (b) the “house money” effect tempers the disposition effect, (c) shareholder loyalty schemes also partially off-set investors’ relative preference for selling winning stocks, and (d) the reversal of the disposition effect in June (the last month of the fiscal year) does not occur among investors unable to take advantage of tax shields. In line with earlier research, our results support a tax related explanation for the June effect rather than window dressing or momentum effect explanations. Finally, our tests confirm Odean’s (1988) finding that the disposition effect is not driven by diversification motives, or to avoid higher transaction costs associated with lower priced stocks.
DO CREDIT CONSTRAINTS AMPLIFY MACROECONOMIC FLUCTUATIONS ?

Previous studies on financial frictions have been unable to establish the empirical significance of credit constraints in macroeconomic fluctuations. This paper argues that the muted impact of credit constraints stems from the absence of a mechanism to explain the observed persistent comovements between housing prices and business investment. We develop such a mechanism by incorporating two key features into a DSGE model: we identify shocks that shift the demand for collateral assets and we allow productive agents to be credit-constrained. A combination of these two features enables our model to successfully generate an empirically important mechanism that amplifies and propagates macroeconomic fluctuations through
The Reach of the Disposition Effect : Large Sample Evidence Across Investor Classes By

We examine detailed daily Australian Stock Exchange share registry data for investors in IPO and index stocks between 1995 and 2000 and find that the “disposition effect”, investors’ reluctance to crystallise losses and relative eagerness to realise gains, is pervasive across investor classes, however, traders instigating larger investments tend to be less, if not entirely unaffected by the disposition bias. Our novel findings include (a) that the disposition effect ameliorates over time, being undetectable in our tests from around 200 trading days after purchase, (b) the “house money” effect tempers the disposition effect, (c) shareholder loyalty schemes also partially off-set investors’ relative preference for selling winning stocks, and (d) the reversal of the disposition effect in June (the last month of the fiscal year) does not occur among investors unable to take advantage of tax shields. In line with earlier research, our results support a tax related explanation for the June effect rather than window dressing or momentum effect explanations. Finally, our tests confirm Odean’s (1998) finding that the disposition effect is not driven by diversification motives, or to avoid higher transaction costs associated with lower priced stocks. JEL Classification: G12. G14
Belief-dependent Utilities , Aversion to State-Uncertainty and Asset Prices ¤

This paper introduces the concepts of “belief dependent” utility functions and aversion to “state-uncertainty,” and it shows that these preferences help to explain both the unconditional and the conditional properties of asset returns. To solve for asset prices and returns under general conditions, the paper also develops a discretization methodology to obtain approximate analytical solutions. In a parsimonious parametrization that is consistent with habit utility, the model generates unconditional moments for asset returns that closely match the empirical ones. Finally, the estimated time-variation in the dispersion of the conditional posterior distribution on the drift rate of consumption implies a pattern of conditional return volatility that matches the properties of the stock index volatility. JEL Classi.cation Number: D81, G12
Adapting to Climate Change: The Remarkable Decline in the U.S. Temperature-Mortality Relationship Over the 20th Century

Adaptation is the only strategy that is guaranteed to be part of the world's climate strategy. Using the most comprehensive set of data files ever compiled on mortality and its determinants over the course of the 20th century, this paper makes two primary discoveries. First, we find that the mortality effect of an extremely hot day declined by about 80% between 1900-1959 and 1960-2004. As a consequence, days with temperatures exceeding 90°F were responsible for about 600 premature fatalities annually in the 1960-2004 period, compared to the approximately 3,600 premature fatalities that would have occurred if the temperature-mortality relationship from before 1960 still prevailed. Second, the adoption of residential air conditioning (AC) explains essentially the entire decline in the temperature-mortality relationship. In contrast, increased access to electricity and health care seem not to affect mortality on extremely hot days. Residential AC appears to be both the most promising technology to help poor countries mitigate the temperature related mortality impacts of climate change and, because fossil fuels are the least expensive source of energy, a technology whose proliferation will speed up the rate of climate change.
Experimental Characterization of the Flow across Fish-friendly Angled Trashrack Models

An experimental study of open channels flows across conventional and fish-friendly trashrack models in a towing tank is reported. Experiments are conducted for two kinds of trashracks, respectively comprised of fixed-width rectangular and profiled bars. Various trashrack orientation angles, bar-to-bar spacings and incoming flow velocities are investigated, while detailed Particle Image Velocimetry measurements are carried-out upstream and downstream of the trashracks in the streamwise-spanwise plane, along with pressure recordings. A stitching technique applied to the quasi time-resolved PIV snapshots allows a precise reconstruction of the flows, leading to the investigation of extended datasets. The flow analysis reveals significant effects of the various trashrack configurations on the topology of the flow, with a strong influence on the mixing layer and on the extent of the downstream recirculation region.
The Response of a Stochastically Forced ENSO Model to Observed Off-Equatorial Wind Stress Forcing

Abstract This study investigates the response of a stochastically forced coupled atmosphere–ocean model of the equatorial Pacific to off-equatorial wind stress anomaly forcing. The intermediate-complexity coupled ENSO model comprises a linear, first baroclinic mode, ocean shallow water model with a steady-state, two–pressure level (250 and 750 mb) atmospheric component that has been linearized about a state of rest on the β plane. Estimates of observed equatorial region stochastic forcing are calculated from NCEP–NCAR reanalysis surface winds for the period 1950–2006 using singular value decomposition. The stochastic forcing is applied to the model both with and without off-equatorial region wind stress anomalies (i.e., poleward of 12.5° latitude). It is found that the multiyear changes in the equatorial Pacific thermocline depth “background state” induced by off-equatorial forcing can affect the amplitude of modeled sea surface temperature anomalies by up to 1°C. Moreover, off-equatorial wind stress anom.
A review of paleobotanical studies of the Early Eocene Okanagan (Okanogan) Highlands floras of British Columbia, Canada, and Washington, USA

The history of plant fossil collecting in the Okanagan (Okanogan) Highlands of British Columbia and northeastern Washington is closely intertwined with the history of geological surveys and mining activities from the 1870s onward. The first descriptions of fossil plants from British Columbia were published in 1870–1920 by J.W. Dawson, G.M. Dawson, and D.P. Penhallow. In the United States, fossil leaves and fish were first recognized at Republic, Washington, by miners in the early 1900s. Many early workers considered these floras to be of Oligocene or Miocene age. C.A. Arnold described Canadian occurrences of conifers and Azolla in the 1950s. Palynological studies in the 1960s by L.V. Hills, G.E. Rouse, and others and those of fossil fish by M.V. H. Wilson in the 1970–1980s provided the framework for paleobotanical research at several key localities. Permineralized plants were first described from the Princeton chert in the 1970s by C.N. Miller, J.F. Basinger, and others, followed by R.A. Stockey and her st.