Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
How Nonlinear-Type Time-Frequency Analysis Can Help in Sensing Instantaneous Heart Rate and Instantaneous Respiratory Rate from Photoplethysmography in a Reliable Way

Despite the population of the noninvasive, economic, comfortable, and easy-to-install photoplethysmography (PPG), it is still lacking a mathematically rigorous and stable algorithm which is able to simultaneously extract from a single-channel PPG signal the instantaneous heart rate (IHR) and the instantaneous respiratory rate (IRR). In this paper, a novel algorithm called deppG is provided to tackle this challenge. deppG is composed of two theoretically solid nonlinear-type time-frequency analyses techniques, the de-shape short time Fourier transform and the synchrosqueezing transform, which allows us to extract the instantaneous physiological information from the PPG signal in a reliable way. To test its performance, in addition to validating the algorithm by a simulated signal and discussing the meaning of “instantaneous,” the algorithm is applied to two publicly available batch databases, the Capnobase and the ICASSP 2015 signal processing cup. The former contains PPG signals relative to spontaneous or controlled breathing in static patients, and the latter is made up of PPG signals collected from subjects doing intense physical activities. The accuracies of the estimated IHR and IRR are compared with the ones obtained by other methods, and represent the state-of-the-art in this field of research. The results suggest the potential of deppG to extract instantaneous physiological information from a signal acquired from widely available wearable devices, even when a subject carries out intense physical activities.
The Impact of the Euro on Financial Markets

We assess whether the euro had an impact first on the degree of integration of European financial markets, and, second, on the euro area term structure. We propose two methodologies to measure integration: one relies on time-varying GARCH correlations, and the other one on a regression quantile-based codependence measure. We document an overall increase in co movements in both equity and bond euro area markets, suggesting that integration has progressed since the introduction of the euro. However, while the correlations in bond markets reaches almost one for all euro area countries, co-movements in equity markets are much lower and the increase is limited to large euro area economies only. In the second part of the paper, we focus on the asset pricing implications of the euro. Specifically, we use a dynamic no arbitrage term structure model to examine the risk - return trade-off in the term structure of interest rates before and after the introduction of the euro. The analysis shows that while the average level of term premia seems little changed following the euro introduction, the variability of premia has been reduced as a result of smaller macro shocks during the euro period. Moreover, the macro factors that were found to be important in explaining the dynamics of premia before the introduction of the euro continue to play a key role in this respect also thereafter. JEL Classification: F36, G12, E43, E44, C22
Development of body weight support gait training system using pneumatic mckibben actuators -Control of Lower Extremity Orthosis-

Recently, robot assisted therapy devices are increasingly used for spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation in assisting handicapped patients to regain their impaired movements. Assistive robotic systems may not be able to cure or fully compensate impairments, but it should be able to assist certain impaired functions and ease movements. In this study, the control system of lower extremity orthosis for the body weight support gait training system which implements pneumatic artificial muscle (PAM) is proposed. The hip and knee joint angles of the gait orthosis system are controlled based on the PAM coordinates information from the simulation. This information provides the contraction data for the mono- and bi-articular PAMs that are arranged as posterior and anterior actuators to simulate the human walking motion. The proposed control system estimates the actuators' contraction as a function of hip and knee joint angles. Based on the contraction model obtained, input pressures for each actuators are measured. The control system are performed at different gait cycles and two PMA settings for the mono- and bi-articular actuators are evaluated in this research. The results showed that the system was able to achieve the maximum muscle moment at the joints, and able to perform the heel contact movement. This explained that the antagonistic mono- and bi-articular actuators worked effectively.
Tamsulosin combined with solifenacin versus tamsulosin monotherapy for male lower urinary tract symptoms: a meta-analysis

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of tamsulosin and solifenacin combination therapy compared with tamsulosin monotherapy for male lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Methods: We identified all eligible studies that compared tamsulosin and solifenacin combination therapy with tamsulosin monotherapy for male LUTS (up to January 2015). The fixed- or random-effects model was selected depending on the proportion of heterogeneity. Results: Seven articles were identified as eligible for this meta-analysis, with a total of 3063 participants. Synthetic data showed combination therapy had significant improvements in Storage International Prostate Symptom Score (WMD = −0.60; 95% CI: −0.81 to −0.38, P < 0.0001), quality of life (WMD = −0.23; 95% CI: −0.34 to −0.11, P < 0.0001), micturitions per 24 hours (WMD = −0.70; 95% CI: −0.86 to −0.55, P < 0.0001) and urgency episodes per 24 hours (WMD = −0.26; 95% CI: −0.48 to −0.05, P = 0.018). The incidence of adverse effects in the tamsulosin and solifenacin combined therapy group (30.82%) was similar to the tamsulosin monotherapy group (25.75%). Acute urinary retention was seldom reported in the studies and no clinically significant changes regarding Qmax were showed in our meta-analysis. Conclusions: Tamsulosin and solifenacin combination therapy may be a reasonable option for male LUTS patients, especially for those who have significant storage symptoms. However, PVR should be measured during treatment to assess the increase in PVR or the incidence of AUR.
The valuation of path dependent contracts on the average

This article values option contracts based on the average price realized over a finite time horizon. Such contracts are of importance to traders who periodically transact in spot markets and who require protection from adverse moves in their total accrued costs realized over their trading horizons. Explicit valuation models for pricing a variety of path dependent contracts based on geometric and arithmetic averages are developed. The early exercise features of American contracts are investigated, and it is shown that this feature has significant value.
ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND NIGERIAN ECONOMIC GROWTH: AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS

The study evaluates thecausal nexus between energy consumption andNigeria's economic growth for the period of 1975 to 2010. Secondary time-series data were analyzed using cointegration and ordinary least square techniques. Co-integration results show a long run relationship among the variables. The result shows that in the long run, total energy consumption had a similar movement with economic growth except for coal consumption. The empirical results reveal that petroleum, electricity and the aggregate energy consumptionhave significant and positive relationship with economic growth in Nigeria. However, gas consumption although positive, does not significantlyaffecteconomic growth. The impact of coal was negative but significant; therefore this is just the time to increase the use this resource to the nation's benefit. Therefore, the study recommends that government should encourage a levelplaying field for all energy forms available in the country by diversifying its power-generation portfolio. Also, the government should continue to collaborate with the private sector within the context of public-privatepartnership (PPP) to further exploit the opportunities in the sector in order to increase economic growth.
Patterns and Predictors of Prehypertension Among “Healthy” Urban Adults in India

Cardiovascular disease is still on the increase in India owing to changing socioeconomic factors and unhealthy lifestyles. Better understanding of the role of hypertension (HTN) has led to new Joint National Committee (JNC-7) guidelines for its diagnosis and management. The authors aimed to evaluate the predictors and correlates of prehypertension (PreHTN) among adults in urban India. Study design is a cross-sectional survey among 2,007 adults in Chennai in July 2003; 1,505 men and 502 women over the age of 18 years were studied. Demographic data collected by direct interview were the following: age, smoking, alcohol intake, type of work, exercise patterns, and monthly income. Anthropometric data of height, weight, and waist and hip dimensions were measured. Blood pressure (BP) was recorded thrice, with at least 15 minutes between readings 2 and 3. The mean of readings 2 and 3 was taken for the study. Of the 2,007 people studied, 951 (47.4%) had PreHTN and 696 (34.7%) had HTN. PreHTN was found in 46.6% of the men and 49.8% of the women. PreHTN was prevalent in 47.4% of adults, and another 34.7% had hypertension (Stage I, 20%, and Stage II, 14.7%). In urban India less than 18% of adults have normal BP of less than 120/80. Multiple logistic regression analysis after age and sex correction identified obesity, diet, family history and middle-income group as correlating with PreHTN. The factors that predict HTN were age, sex, smoking, alcohol intake, sedentary lifestyle, and type of work.
Use of Algae for Removing Heavy Metal Ions From Wastewater: Progress and Prospects

ABSTRACT Many algae have immense capability to sorb metals, and there is considerable potential for using them to treat wastewaters. Metal sorption involves binding on the cell surface and to intracellular ligands. The adsorbed metal is several times greater than intracellular metal. Carboxyl group is most important for metal binding. Concentration of metal and biomass in solution, pH, temperature, cations, anions and metabolic stage of the organism affect metal sorption. Algae can effectively remove metals from multi-metal solutions. Dead cells sorb more metal than live cells. Various pretreatments enhance metal sorption capacity of algae. CaCl2 pretreatment is the most suitable and economic method for activation of algal biomass. Algal periphyton has great potential for removing metals from wastewaters. An immobilized or granulated biomass-filled column can be used for several sorption/desorption cycles with unaltered or slightly decreased metal removal. Langmuir and Freundlich models, commonly used for fitting sorption data, cannot precisely describe metal sorption since they ignore the effect of pH, biomass concentration, etc. For commercial application of algal technology for metal removal from wastewaters, emphasis should be given to: (i) selection of strains with high metal sorption capacity, (ii) adequate understanding of sorption mechanisms, (iii) development of low-cost methods for cell immobilization, (iv) development of better models for predicting metal sorption, (v) genetic manipulation of algae for increased number of surface groups or over expression of metal binding proteins, and (vi) economic feasibility.
Obstetrics and Gynecology Resident Satisfaction With an Integrated, Comprehensive Abortion Rotation

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate obstetrics and gynecology resident satisfaction with a comprehensive, integrated abortion rotation. METHODS: The University of California, San Francisco obstetrics and gynecology residency program includes a 6-week PGY-3 family planning rotation at an in-hospital clinic where abortions are provided up to 23 weeks of gestation. Residents annually evaluate the educational value of all clinical rotations on a 5-point Likert scale, with 5 indicating “maximum value,” and 1 “no value. ” Using data from 1998–2003, we compared ratings of the family planning rotation with all other PGY-3 rotations. We also surveyed residents 1 to 3 years after graduation to assess the rotation qualitatively and quantitatively. RESULTS: Forty residents completed the abortion training, none opted out of training, and all completed the evaluations. Of all rotations in the third year, the family planning rotation was the highest rated (4.70), was similar in value to a high-volume surgical rotation (4.51, P > .10) and the elective rotation (4.45, P >.05), and surpassed the average score for all inpatient rotations (4.00, P < .001), continuity clinic (4.10, P < .001), and outpatient clinical experiences (4.06, P <.01). According to residency graduates, the family planning rotation was rated 4.8 (where 5 indicates “far greater value” than other rotations), and 85% of respondents rated it of “maximum learning value. ” CONCLUSION: Obstetrics and gynecology residents place high value in the University of California, San Francisco PGY-3 family planning rotation during their training and in their first years of practice. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II-3
Family Ownership and the International Involvement of Taiwan's High-Technology Firms: The Moderating Effect of High-Discretion Organizational Slack

This study examined the combined effect of family ownership and high-discretion organizational slack on the international involvement of Taiwanese firms. Employing a sample of 179 publicly listed high-tech firms in Taiwan over a period of 6 years (2000–2005), we found that firms with high levels of international involvement, that is, a higher degree of internationalization, (i) were not closely held, and (ii) were not excessively controlled by the family. Further, high-discretion organizational slack (indicated by resources that can be deployed in a flexible fashion such as in cash and receivables) moderated the negative relationship between family control and international involvement. This relationship is stronger with a higher level of high-discretion slack. The results support the hypothesis that family control and high-discretion organizational slack negatively influence the decision to internationalize.
Do EU Structural Funds Promote Regional Employment? Evidence from Dynamic Panel Data

Despite its rather broad goal of promoting “economic, social and territorial cohesion”, the existing literature has mainly focused on investigating the Cohesion Policy’s growth effects. This ignores the fact that part of the EU expenditures is directly aimed at reducing disparities in the employment sector. Against this background, the paper analyses the impact of EU structural funds on employment drawing on a panel dataset of 130 European NUTS regions over the time period 1999-2007. Compared to previous studies we (i) explicitly take into account the unambiguous theoretical propositions by testing the conditional impact of structural funds on the educational attainment of the regional labour supply, (ii) use more precise measures of structural funds for an extended time horizon and (iii) examine the robustness of our results by comparing different dynamic panel econometric approaches to control for heteroscedasticity, serial and spatial correlation as well as for endogeneity. Our results indicate that high-skilled population in particular benefits from EU structural funds. JEL Classification: R11, R12, C23, J20
Structure and biological activity of human homologs of the raf/mil oncogene

Two human genes homologous to the raf/mil oncogene have been cloned and sequenced. One, c-raf-2, is a processed pseudogene; the other, c-raf-1, contains nine exons homologous to both raf and mil and two additional exons homologous to mil. A 3' portion of c-raf-1 containing six of the seven amino acid differences relative to murine v-raf can substitute for the 3' portion of v-raf in a transformation assay. Sequence homologies between c-raf-1 and Moloney leukemia virus at both ends of v-raf indicate that the viral gene was acquired by homologous recombination. Although the data are consistent with the traditional model of retroviral transduction, they also raise the possibility that the transduction occurred in a double crossover event between proviral DNA and the murine gene.
Communism and Economic Development

One of the major efforts of students of comparative politics in recent years has been directed at establishing, more or less systematically, relationships between economic development and political change. Much of the literature in this area, perhaps because of its stated or unstated value and policy orientation, has been concerned with the conditions and the prospects for democracy. In the present article, we attempt to correlate economic development with another phenomenon of political change, that of Communism and, more specifically, the strength of Communist parties. We begin with the hypothesis that the relationship between economic development and Communist party strength is curvilinear. In underdeveloped countries—and these included all Communist-ruled countries at the time the Communist party came to power except East Germany and the Czech sections of Czechoslovakia—Communist parties may be regarded as merely one variety of the modernizing movements that evolved in these countries in response to the impact of Western industrialism.
Monopulse Estimation of the Centroid of an Ensemble of Radar Scatterers

The use of data obtained by a monopulse radar to estimate the location of the radar cross-section centroid of an ensemble of scatterers is discussed. Both dish and phased-array antenna radars are treated. Expressions for the bias and variance of the centroid estimates are presented, including the effects of the radar receiver and beam pattern characteristics, receiver noise, and the video waveform sampling granularity, as well as the target properties. The monopulse tracking approach discussed here is contrasted with a raster scan approach presented previously.
Volatility Dependence Across Asia-Pacific On-Shore and Off-Shore U.S. Dollar Futures Markets

This paper estimates switching autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (SWARCH) time series models for weekly returns of nine Asian forward exchange rates. We find two regimes with different volatility levels, whereby each regime displays considerable persistence. Our analysis provides evidence that the knock-on effects from China´s U.S. dollar future rates upon other Asian countries have been modest, in that little evidence exists for co-dependence of volatility regimes.
Biochemical and Electron Microscopic Studies of the Streptomyces reticuli Cellulase (Avicelase) in Its Mycelium-Associated and Extracellular Forms

Streptomyces reticuli is able to grow efficiently with crystalline cellulose (Avicel) as the sole carbon source. Cultivation in the presence of the nonionic detergent Tween 80 at a concentration of 0.1% led to a 10-fold increase in extracellular cellulolytic activity. Under these conditions, one single 82-kDa cellulase (Avicelase) capable of degrading crystalline and soluble cellulose as well as cellodextrins and p-nitrophenylcellobioside was purified to apparent homogeneity by a procedure which consisted of two consecutive anion-exchange chromatographies followed by chromatofocusing. Aggregation, which was a major problem during protein purification, could be avoided by including Triton X-100 at a concentration of 0.1% in every chromatographic step. The Avicelase was identified in extracellular and mycelium-associated forms, the latter of which could be released efficiently by nonionic detergents. In addition, a 42-kDa truncated form retaining cellulolytic activity was identified which had been generated from the 82-kDa enzyme by a protease. Antibodies raised against the mycelium-associated Avicelase reacted with the 42-kDa derivative and the extracellular form. The mycelial association of the enzyme was confirmed by immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopies.
Strategies for Mitigating Climate Change Through Energy Efficiency: the RFF Haiku Electricity Market Model

Abstract This analysis uses the RFF Haiku electricity market model to analyze several of the policies under consideration for EMF-25: an energy (electricity) tax, a carbon tax, a subsidy to energy efficiency and a combination of the last two policies. Reported results include the effects of these policies on electricity demand, electricity price, and emissions of CO2 from the electricity sector. This analysis also reports a partial equilibrium measure of the net economic benefits of each policy that accounts for the economic benefits of CO2 emissions reductions and the electricity market economic surplus costs of each of the policies. The findings suggest that policies that increase electricity prices can actually increase total economic surplus in electricity markets in some parts of the country. This result hinges on electricity market regulation and the price impact of the policy. Given the scale of the policies modeled here and for mid-range estimates of the social costs of CO2 emissions, the carbon tax policy produces the largest increase in net economic surplus. doi: 10.5547/ISSN0195-6574-EJ-Vol32-SI1-11
Information Asymmetry and Equity Issues

Abstract The paper examines the relevance of information asymmetry between the managers of the firm and the market for the equity issue process. It uses four proxies for information asymmetry and presents three groups of tests: cross-sectional regressions of the reaction at equity issue announcements, comparisons of information asymmetry before and after the announcements, and analyses of the timing behavior observed during the equity issue process. The results show that information asymmetry is a significant variable for equity issues.
Can Analysts Assess Fundamental Risk and Valuation Uncertainty? An Empirical Analysis of Scenario-Based Value Estimates

We use a dataset of sell-side analysts' scenario-based valuation estimates to examine whether analysts reliably assess the risk surrounding a firm’s fundamental value. We find that the spread in analysts’ state-contingent valuations captures the riskiness of operations and predicts the absolute magnitude of future long-run valuation errors and changes in firm fundamentals. Similarly, asymmetry embedded in the analysts’ scenario-based valuations conveys information about asymmetric risk-reward exposure and predicts skewness in future long-run valuation errors; however, embedded asymmetry is not correlated with changes in fundamentals. The results confirm that analysts’ valuations reflect both state-contingent risk assessments and non-fundamental factors.
Balanced scorecard implementation in an Italian local government organization

This article explains how action research was used to analyse the implementation of the balanced scorecard (BSC) model to meet the legislative requirements of strategic control reporting in Italian local government. The BSC model was modified for local government and was used for political action, non-financial measures, budget allocations, and to meet legislative requirements. This article offers some important lessons for policy-makers and practitioners about adopting and implementing a BSC model.