Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EEG-based hybrid BCIs and their applications

In this paper, we presented two hybrid brain computer interfaces (BCIs), one combing motor imagery (MI) and P300 and another combing P300 and steady state visual evoked potential (SSVEP), and their applications. An important issue in BCI research is multidimensional control. Potential applications include BCI controlled computer mouse, document and email processing, web browser, wheelchair and neuroprosthesis. The challenge for EEG-based multidimensional control is to obtain multiple independent control signals from the noisy EEG data. For this purpose, hybrid BCIs may yield better performance than BCIs those use only one type of brain pattern. In this project, we first developed a hybrid system for 2-D cursor control. In our system, two independent signals based on MI and P300 were produced from EEG for the vertical and horizontal movement control of the cursor respectively, and the cursor can be moved from an arbitrary initial position to a randomly given target position. Furthermore, a hybrid feature was extracted for selecting the target-of-interest and rejecting the target-of-no-interest, as fast and accurate as possible. In this way, a BCI mouse was implemented. Then an internet browser and a mail client were developed based on the BCI mouse. Moreover, we extended this hybrid BCI system to control a virtual car/wheelchair. On the other hand, we also developed a P300 and SSVEP-based hybrid BCI not only to improve the classification performance, but also to validate the possibility of clinical applications, e.g., detection of residual cognitive function and covert awareness in patients with disorders of consciousness.
Trends in the Danish work environment in 1990-2000 and their associations with labor-force changes.

OBJECTIVES The aims of this study were (i) to describe the trends in the work environment in 1990-2000 among employees in Denmark and (ii) to establish whether these trends were attributable to labor-force changes. METHODS The split-panel design of the Danish Work Environment Cohort Study includes interviews with three cross-sections of 6067, 5454, and 5404 employees aged 18-59 years, each representative of the total Danish labor force in 1990, 1995 and 2000. In the cross-sections, the participation rate decreased over the period (90% in 1990, 80% in 1995, 76% in 2000). The relative differences in participation due to gender, age, and region did not change noticeably. RESULTS Jobs with decreasing prevalence were clerks, cleaners, textile workers, and military personnel. Jobs with increasing prevalence were academics, computer professionals, and managers. Intense computer use, long workhours, and noise exposure increased. Job insecurity, part-time work, kneeling work posture, low job control, and skin contact with cleaning agents decreased. Labor-force changes fully explained the decline in low job control and skin contact to cleaning agents and half of the increase in long workhours, but not the other work environment changes. CONCLUSIONS The work environment of Danish employees improved from 1990 to 2000, except for increases in long workhours and noise exposure. From a specific work environment intervention point of view, the development has been less encouraging because declines in low job control, as well as skin contact to cleaning agents, were explained by labor-force changes.
Space Charge Distribution in an Extruded Cable Aged in Tap Water for 3 Years

Moisture is one of the parameters which might have an effect on the space-charge distribution in an extruded insulation system under DC voltage. Investigation into their relationship is of importance for gaining insight into the conduction and breakdown mechanisms of insulation materials. In this study, a specially manufactured lab sample in the form of an extruded cable has been aged in tap water for 3 years under DC voltage. Space charge measurements were made using the PEA (pulsed electro-acoustic) method. These measurements were performed before, during and after the wet ageing. Limited hetero-charge was observed in the vicinity of insulation screen / insulation interface. Both negative and positive DC voltages have been examined. The cable survived the 3-year-long wet ageing without breakdown.
Qualitative Evaluation of Fiducial Markers for Radiotherapy Imaging

Purpose: To evaluate visibility, artifacts, and distortions of various commercial markers in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computer tomography (CT), and ultrasound imaging used for radiotherapy planning and treatment guidance. Methods: We compare 2 solid gold markers, 4 gold coils, and 1 polymer marker from 3 vendors. Imaging modalities used were 3-T and 1.5-T GE MRIs, Siemens Sequoia 512 Ultrasound, Phillips Big Bore CT, Varian Trilogy linear accelerator (cone-beam CT [CBCT], on-board imager kilovoltage [OBI-kV], electronic portal imaging device megavoltage [EPID-MV]), and Medtronic O-ARM CBCT. Markers were imaged in a 30 × 30 × 10 cm3 custom bolus phantom. In one experiment, Surgilube was used around the markers to reduce air gaps. Images were saved in Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) format and analyzed using an in-house software. Profiles across the markers were used for objective comparison of the markers’ signals. The visibility and artifacts/distortions produced by each marker were assessed qualitatively and quantitatively. Results: All markers are visible in CT, CBCT, OBI-kV, and ultrasound. Gold markers below 0.75 mm in diameter are not visible in EPID-MV images. The larger the markers, the more CT and CBCT image artifacts there are, yet the degree of the artifact depends on scan parameters and the scanner itself. Visibility of gold coils of 0.75 mm diameter or larger is comparable across all imaging modalities studied. The polymer marker causes minimal artifacts in CT and CBCT but has poor visibility in EPID-MV. Gold coils of 0.5 mm exhibit poor visibility in MRI and EPID-MV due to their small size. Gold markers are more visible in 3-T T1 gradient-recalled echo than in 1.5-T T1 fast spin-echo, depending on the scan sequence. In this study, all markers are clearly visible on ultrasound. Conclusion: All gold markers are visible in CT, CBCT, kV, and ultrasound; however, only the large diameter markers are visible in MV. When MR and EPID-MV imagers are used, the selection of fiducial markers is not straightforward. For hybrid kV/MV image-guided radiotherapy imaging, larger diameter markers are suggested. If using kV imaging alone, smaller sized markers may be used in smaller sized patients in order to reduce artifacts. Only larger diameter gold markers are visible across all imaging modalities.
Does corruption increase or decrease employment in firms?

Abstract We use representative data for firms for Latin American firms and show that corruption decreases employment in firms. This result is robust to changes in specification and also consistent with the use of an instrumental variables approach. Corruption appears to negatively impact the growth and wealth in a country, not by introducing labour distortion in firms, but by keeping them small.
Accountability sought by patients following adverse events from medical care: the New Zealand experience

Background: Unlike Canada's medical malpractice system, patients in New Zealand who are dissatisfied with the quality of their care may choose between 2 well-established medicolegal paths: one leads to monetary compensation and the other to nonmonetary forms of accountability. We compared the forms of accountability sought by patients and families in New Zealand who took different types of legal action following a medical injury. This study offers insights into the forms of accountability sought by injured patients and may help to inform tort-reform initiatives. Methods: We reviewed compensation claims submitted to the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC), New Zealand's national no-fault insurer, following injuries associated with admission to a public hospital in 1998 (n = 582). We also reviewed complaint letters (n = 254) submitted to the national Health and Disability Commissioner (HDC) that same year to determine the forms of accountability sought by injured patients. We used univariable and multivariable analyses to compare sociodemographic and socioeconomic characteristics of patients who sought nonmonetary forms of accountability with those of patients who claimed compensation. Results: Of 154 injured patients whose complaints were sufficiently detailed to allow coding, 50% sought corrective action to prevent similar harm to future patients (45% system change, 6% review of involved clinician's competence) and 40% wanted more satisfying communication (34% explanation, 10% apology). The odds that patients would seek compensation were significantly increased if they were in their prime working years (aged between 30 and 64 years) (odds ratio [OR] 1.66, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14–2.41) or had a permanent disability as a result of their injury (OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.14–2.70). When injuries resulted in death, the odds of a compensation claim to the ACC were about one-eighth those of a complaint to the HDC (OR 0.13, 95% CI 0.08–0.23). Interpretation: Injured patients who pursue medicolegal action seek various forms of accountability. Compensation is important to some, especially when economic losses are substantial (e.g., with injury during prime working years or severe nonfatal injuries). However, others have purely nonmonetary goals, and ensuring alternative options for redress would be an efficient and effective response to their needs.
The Causal Relationship between Private and Public Investment in Zimbabwe

The study examines the relationship between private and public investment in Zimbabwe utilizing yearly time series data for the period 1970 to 2007. Emphasis is placed on the direction of causality and the effect of the two types of investment on each other. The paper constructs empirical models for both private and public investment, based on the flexible accelerator theory. Private investment is found to be cointegrated with public investment. A cointergration approach and VEC model are employed to assess the short run relationship existing between public and private investment. The relationship between private and public investment is found to be insignificant and the direction of causality found to be unidirectional. The results support the notion that private investment precedes public investment.
Efficient Factor Identification

Of the hundreds of published asset pricing anomalies, few have been properly tested to determine if they are admissible as true risk factors. Anomalies need not be risk factors, but they are often deployed in subsequent empirical tests as if they are. I leverage the equivalence between the linear factor (beta) model and the stochastic discount factor frameworks to show that the usual (Fama-MacBeth) statistical tests do not correspond to the null hypothesis of interest. These tests demonstrate only that the candidate risk factor is a viable trading strategy, in that it possesses a positive risk-adjusted return. I show that it is neither necessary nor sufficient for a risk factor to be a trading strategy, however. The sufficient statistic for whether a set of candidates are true risk factors is the multivariate analog of the Sharpe ratio, which accounts for the covariance structure of the factors. I present an MCMC procedure that efficiently estimates the multivariate Sharpe ratio and provides valid finite-sample inference.
Book Review: Human Resource Management

The author talks about the evolution of Human Resource Management and the Indian scenario. He starts by explaining the changing scenario in the industry and the role that the Human Resource manager can play in it. There is a stress on the need of identifying the workers as assets of the organization, of taking in new technologies, and of making of a learning organization. He talks about merging the Industrial Relations and Human Resource departments work wise and outlook wise. He goes to the extent of saying that only organizations which make these changes will survive in the coming years. He stresses on the issue of corporate excellence and suggests guidelines for the setting up of a monitoring system for ethics in organization. He recommends a ‘Panchsheel’ model. The first step is to prepare the organization psychologically to accept a moralistic stand on corporate excellence. Second is the audit, this is a scientific method of self assessment of the present values within the organization. Third is the need for publicly stated expectations about the employee behaviour. This includes proliferation of the company codes on ethics. Fourth is the need for an organizational structure and to support the ethical behaviour and an ethics committee should be created for this. The last step is that the ethical behaviour should be supported by the management through reward systems.
Change detection applied on shorelines in the mouth of Amazon River

The Brazilian Amazon Coastal Zone is marked by impressive discharge of sediment and freshwater influence by the mouth of the Amazon River. An extremely wide continental shelf characterizes this coast, rolling plains are periodically flooded and higher plateaus formed in older sedimentary rocks. The objective of this work is to detect changes along the coastline in Marajó Bay (southern portion of the mouth of the Amazon River) for a period from 1984 to 2013. The analysis of change detection in coastal environments of the mouth of the Amazon River quantified a total of changes between Water and Earth in the order of predominance 853.59 km2 with a balanced sediment budget with slight erosion with -2.39 km2. The change detection in coastal environments applied to the mouth of the Amazon is able to indicate areas most susceptible to natural processes of sediment deposition and coastal erosion.
ESDebate : international debate on education for sustainable development

This novel publication includes summaries of the main issues arising from an internet discussion on the changing perspectives on environmental education in the light of the global initiative on sustainable development. Fifty experts from around the world discussed in five rounds how they see the field evolving. The accompanying CD-ROM allows you to delve into the points made by each participant. It also contains a top-10 list of books and sites on the subject. It explains how the web site discussion was managed, for those interested in learning more about mobilizing knowledge using the opportunities of the worldwide web.
Monetary Policy and Financial Stability: Cross‐Country Evidence

Central banks may face challenges in achieving their price stability goals when financial stability risks are present. There is, however, considerable heterogeneity among central banks with respect to how they manage these potential trade-offs. In this paper, we review the institutional and operational policy frameworks of ten central banks in major advanced economies and then assess the effect of financial stability risks on their monetary policy decisions according to these frameworks. To do so, we construct a time-varying financial stability orientation (FSO) index that quantifies a central bank’s policy orientation with respect to financial stability that spans the major viewpoints of the literature: “leaning against the wind” versus “cleaning up after the crash. ” The index encompasses three dimensions: (i) the nature of the statutory frameworks, (ii) the extent of the regulatory tool kit, and (iii) the prominence of financial stability references in central bank monetary policy statements. We then include our FSO index in a modified Taylor rule, which is estimated using a cross-country panel of up to ten central banks for the period from 2000Q1 to 2014Q4. We find that in episodes of high financial stability risks, measured by a strongly positive credit to GDP gap, “leaning-type” central banks, i.e., those with a high FSO index value, appear to account for financial stability considerations in their monetary policy rate decisions. For “cleaning-type” central banks, we do not find this to be the case. Our baseline specification suggests that a representative leaning-type central bank’s policy rate is about 0.3 percentage points higher when financial stability risks are present than the policy rate of a representative cleaning-type central bank. We also find that the strength of this response increases in the additional presence of a house price boom but not so for the simultaneous occurrence of an equity price boom.
Risk factors for recruit exertional heat illness by gender and training period.

INTRODUCTION Exertional heat illness (EHI) is a recurrent problem for both male and female recruits during basic military training. A matched case control study investigated the effects of fitness and conditioning on EHI risk among Marine Corps recruits during 12 wk of basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC. METHODS Physical fitness and anthropometric measurements at entrance were acquired for 627 EHI cases that occurred during the period 1988-1996 and for 1802 controls drawn from the same training platoons. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate EHI risk. RESULTS Slower physical fitness test run times during processing week strongly predicted risk for subsequent EHI in both male and female recruits. A 9% increase in risk for EHI associated with body mass index (BMI = kg x m(-2); weight/height2) was found in male recruits, while BMI was not associated with risk among female recruits. BMI and initial run time were important predictors for EHI in early training, while in late training the initial BMI was no longer as important a risk factor and improvements in fitness reduced risk. CONCLUSION Tables of estimated absolute risks categorized by BMI and VO2max are provided as a guide for identifying recruits who are at high risk for developing EHI during training.
Hierarchical modular structure enhances the robustness of self-organized criticality in neural networks

One of the most prominent architecture properties of neural networks in the brain is the hierarchical modular structure. How does the structure property constrain or improve brain function? It is thought that operating near criticality can be beneficial for brain function. Here, we find that networks with modular structure can extend the parameter region of coupling strength over which critical states are reached compared to non-modular networks. Moreover, we find that one aspect of network function—dynamical range—is highest for the same parameter region. Thus, hierarchical modularity enhances robustness of criticality as well as function. However, too much modularity constrains function by preventing the neural networks from reaching critical states, because the modular structure limits the spreading of avalanches. Our results suggest that the brain may take advantage of the hierarchical modular structure to attain criticality and enhanced function.
Characterization and reproducibility of forearm arterial flow during reactive hyperemia

Peripheral arterial flow has been assessed for a variety of indications including characterization of endothelial function during reactive hyperemia. However, quantification of this blood flow as a surrogate remains an imperfect reflection of endothelial function. We sought to better characterize hyperemic reaction to (1) elucidate the influence of the endothelial function and (2) assess the reproducibility of our modeling over time. Sixteen normal subjects underwent simultaneous forearm reactive hyperemia testing with a near-infrared system at baseline, baseline +24 h and baseline +27 h. Baseline flow was measured to 3.6 ± 0.2 ml dl−1 min−1, and was highly reproducible 24 and 27 h later. With reactive hyperemia, the blood flow increased to 20.5 ± 4.6 ml dl−1 min−1. Arterial blood flow curves during reactive hyperemia displayed a bimodal pattern, with the second peak occurring 59.1 ± 10.6 s after the onset of hyperemia. We believe that this latest peak represents the contribution of endothelial factors to the hyperemic reaction. Modeling of hyperemic curves led to the introduction of a reproducible new parameter (ηfactor) that reflects the normalized contribution of this second peak. In conclusion, forearm arterial flow during reactive hyperemia revealed a bimodal distribution where functional interpretation allowed distinction of the two components. Basal flow measurements and results of this modeling were reproducible 24 and 27 h later.
Educating for Gross National Happiness: A New Paradigm for Education in Bhutan

It is generally assumed that people from all walks of life want happiness. Human beings have aspired to live a happy life since time immemorial. Brooks (2008) cited Socrates, an ancient Greek philosopher, who once asked his students, “Do not all men desire happiness? One of the students answered: There is no one who does not” (p. 1). Similarly, Aristotle stated that “Happiness is the meaning and purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence” (Kesebir & Diener, 2008, p. 69).
The Ohio Patient Navigation Research Program: Does the American Cancer Society Patient Navigation Model Improve Time to Resolution in Patients with Abnormal Screening Tests?

Background: Patient navigation (PN) has been suggested as a way to reduce cancer health disparities; however, many models of PN exist and most have not been carefully evaluated. The goal of this study was to test the Ohio American Cancer Society model of PN as it relates to reducing time to diagnostic resolution among persons with abnormal breast, cervical, or colorectal cancer screening tests or symptoms. Methods: A total of 862 patients from 18 clinics participated in this group-randomized trial. Chart review documented the date of the abnormality and the date of resolution. The primary analysis used shared frailty models to test for the effect of PN on time to resolution. Crude HR were reported as there was no evidence of confounding. Results: HRs became significant at 6 months; conditional on the random clinic effect, the resolution rate at 15 months was 65% higher in the PN arm (P = 0.012 for difference in resolution rate across arms; P = 0.009 for an increase in the HR over time). Conclusions: Participants with abnormal cancer screening tests or symptoms resolved faster if assigned to PN compared with those not assigned to PN. The effect of PN became apparent beginning six months after detection of the abnormality. Impact: PN may help address health disparities by reducing time to resolution after an abnormal cancer screening test. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 21(10); 1620–8. ©2012 AACR.