Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Examensarbete Non-destructive Testing Using Thermographic Image Processing

In certain industries, quality testing is crucial, to make sure that the components being manufactured do not contain any defects. One method to detect these defects is to heat the specimen being inspected and then to study the cooling process using infrared thermography. The explorations of non-destructive testing using thermography is at an early stage and therefore the purpose of this thesis is to analyse some of the existing techniques and to propose improvements. A test specimen containing several different defects was designed specifically for this thesis. A flash lamp was used to heat the specimen and a high-speed infrared camera was used to study both the spatial and temporal features of the cooling process. An algorithm was implemented to detect anomalies and different parameter settings were evaluated. The results show that the proposed method is successful at finding the searched for defects, and also outperforms one of the old methods.
Incorporating texture features in a computer-aided breast lesion diagnosis system for automated three-dimensional breast ultrasound

Abstract. We investigated the benefits of incorporating texture features into an existing computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) system for classifying benign and malignant lesions in automated three-dimensional breast ultrasound images. The existing system takes into account 11 different features, describing different lesion properties; however, it does not include texture features. In this work, we expand the system by including texture features based on local binary patterns, gray level co-occurrence matrices, and Gabor filters computed from each lesion to be diagnosed. To deal with the resulting large number of features, we proposed a combination of feature-oriented classifiers combining each group of texture features into a single likelihood, resulting in three additional features used for the final classification. The classification was performed using support vector machine classifiers, and the evaluation was done with 10-fold cross validation on a dataset containing 424 lesions (239 benign and 185 malignant lesions). We compared the classification performance of the CAD system with and without texture features. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve increased from 0.90 to 0.91 after adding texture features (p<0.001).
Cancer Patients' Desires for Communication of Prognosis Information

A mail survey was sent to cancer patients to determine how often they want, request, and receive a qualitative prognosis (i.e., will they die from the disease? ) and a quantitative estimate (how long they will survive). The survey included measures of social and psychological characteristics that were hypothesized to be associated with their desire for and willingness to request prognosis information (N = 352). Major findings are as follows: (a) Whereas about 80% of patients wanted a qualitative prognosis, only about one half wanted a quantitative one; (b) over 90% of those who wanted a qualitative prognosis were given one, but only about one half of those who wanted a quantitative prognosis were given one; and (c) about 15% of those who wanted a qualitative prognosis failed to ask for it, and over one third of those who wanted a quantitative prognosis failed to ask for it. Multivariate analyses indicate that the effects of education on wanting, asking for, and receiving prognosis information are slight, and the effects of sex are essentially nil. Older people were significantly less likely to request and to be given prognosis information. Those who had greater anxiety and who needed to avoid thinking about death wanted, requested, and received significantly less information. Fear had significant nonlinear effects on desire, request, and receipt of quantitative information. Those whose prognosis was worse were less likely to want, ask for, and receive quantitative information. Those least likely to want, request, and be given qualitative information were those who combined a bad prognosis with a need to avoid thinking about death.
Breast Cancer Receptor Status: Do Results from a Centralized Pathology Laboratory Agree with SEER Registry Reports?

We investigated the extent to which estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) status results from a centralized pathology laboratory agree with ER and PR results from community pathology laboratories reported to two Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) registries (Los Angeles County and Detroit) and whether statistical estimates for the association between reproductive factors and breast cancer receptor subtypes differ by the source of data. The agreement between the centralized laboratory and SEER registry classifications was substantial for ER (κ = 0.70) and nearly so for PR status (κ = 0.60). Among the four subtypes defined by joint ER and PR status, the agreement between the two sources was substantial for the two major breast cancer subtypes (ER−/PR−, κ = 0.69; ER+/PR+, κ = 0.62) and poor for the two rarer subtypes (ER+/PR−, κ = 0.30; ER−/PR+, κ = 0.05). Estimates for the association between reproductive factors (number of full-term pregnancies, age at first full-term pregnancy, and duration of breastfeeding) and the two major subtypes (ER+/PR+ and ER−/PR−) differed minimally between the two sources of data. For example, parous women with at least four full-term pregnancies had 40% lower risk for ER+/PR+ breast cancer than women who had never been pregnant [centralized laboratory, odds ratio, 0.60 (95% confidence interval, 0.39-0.92); SEER, odds ratio, 0.57 (95% confidence interval, 0.38-0.85)]; no association was observed for ER−/PR− breast cancer (both Ptrend > 0.30). Our results suggest that conclusions based on SEER registry data are reasonably reliable for ER+/PR+ and ER−/PR− subtypes. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009;18(8):2214–20)
Measuring Entry Barriers Using a Switching Regression Model of Industry Profitability

Numerous previous studies in industrial organization have attempted to assess the impact of entry barrier levels on industry profitability. A major problem one encounters when trying to measure the impact of entry barriers is that entry barriers themselves are not easily measurable. Previous works have generally followed one of two approaches regarding the measurement of entry barriers. The first approach is characterized by the work of Bain [1], Mann [10], and Weiss [22, 376]. ' After collecting data on a group of industries, the researcher makes a judgement as to whether entry barrier are "moderate to low," "substantial," or "very high," based on his expert assessment of industry structure. Presumably economies of scale, absolute capital requirements, and product differentiation are important structural features of the industry which may have some weight in the researcher's judgement. A drawback to this approach is that the researcher who anticipates a positive relationship between profits and entry barriers may subconsciously incorporate that knowledge into his judgements about entry barriers, and thus bias the conclusions of his study in the anticipated direction. The second approach involves the use of empirical proxies for entry barriers (such as the advertising/sales ratio, the cost disadvantage ratio, or measures of minimum efficient scale). These proxy variables can directly enter a regression equation explaining industry profitability. Martin [12; 13; 14] has used this
Competing Liberalizations: Tariffs and Trade in the 21st Century

This paper proposes a unique overview of trade policies trends since the launch of the Doha Round, based on detailed data on tariffs and trade covering 130 countries. We show that regionalism has delivered limited effective liberalization so far, leading to only a 0.3 percentage point (p.p.) cut in the worldwide average applied tariff duty between 2001 and 2013. WTO commitments (1.0 p.p. average cut) and unilateral liberalizations on a most-favored-nation (MFN) basis (1.3 p.p.) mattered far more on average, with more uneven consequences. As a result, we reckon that trade policy changes between 2001 and 2013 more than halved the worldwide welfare gains to be expected from the tariff-cutting provisions of the hypothetical Doha Agreement. If all ongoing RTA negotiations were concluded, expected gains would fall to one-third of their 2001 level.
Fatigue After Traumatic Brain Injury and Its Impact on Participation and Quality of Life

ObjectivesTo examine the relationships between post-TBI fatigue (PTBIF) and comorbid conditions, participation in activities, quality of life, and demographic and injury variables. Participants223 community-dwelling individuals with mild to severe TBI and 85 noninjured controls. MeasuresGlobal Fatigue Index (GFI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Inventory (PSQI), Participation Objective Participation Subjective (POPS), SF-36, Life-3. MethodData were collected through interviews and administration of self-report measures as part of a study of PTBIF. ResultsFatigue was more severe and prevalent in individuals with TBI, and more severe among women. It was not correlated with other demographic and injury variables. Once overlap in measurement instruments' content was removed, depression, pain, and sleep problems accounted for approximately 23% of the variance in fatigue in those with TBI compared to 58% of the variance in the control group. PTBIF was correlated with health-related quality of life and overall quality of life, but was not generally related to participation in major life activities. ConclusionsPTBIF has significant impact on well-being and quality of life and cannot be accounted for by comorbid conditions alone, suggesting that it is related to brain injury itself. It appears to be unrelated to demographic and injury variables other than gender. PTBIF does not limit the quantity and frequency of participation. Future research should focus on the relationship between fatigue and the quality of participation.
An epidemic of influenza on Tristan da Cunha

SUMMARY Respiratory disease on Tristan da Cunha has been observed since the islanders returned in 1962. An epidemic of unprecedented severity occurred in the winter of 1971 and involved 273 (96%) of 284 islanders, 92 of whom had two attacks. The epidemic was apparently introduced by the Tristania. The illness of both first and second attacks ranged from mild to severe but there were some differences. There were two deaths, both in elderly persons with chronic chest disease and heart failure. Serological evidence suggests that this was due to influenza A2 of the Hong Kong serotype H3N2
A Vibration-Based Electromagnetic Energy Harvester Using Mechanical Frequency Up-Conversion Method

This paper presents a new vibration-based electromagnetic energy harvester using a mechanical frequency up-conversion method for harvesting energy from external low-frequency vibrations within a range of 1-10 Hz. The structure consists of a magnet placed on a diaphragm, a polystyrene cantilever carrying a pick-up coil, and a mechanical barrier which converts low-frequency vibrations to a higher frequency, hence increasing the efficiency of the system. The tested structure proved to generate 88.6 mV and 544.7 μW rms power output by up-converting 10-Hz external vibration to 394 Hz. The obtained power density is 184 μW/cm3, with a device volume of 2.96 cm3. An analytical model is developed to analyze the behavior of the energy harvester prototypes with various dimensions. The model predicts the performance parameters of the structures within 5% error range. The effect of scaling down the device dimensions is investigated through the developed model and fabricated prototypes. It is shown that the power density of the energy harvester is increased as its dimensions are scaled down, proving that the proposed structure is a good candidate to be used in low-power wireless microsystems operating at low-frequency vibrations.
Iterative Learning Identification and Control of Discrete Time-varying Systems

This paper presents discrete iterative learning control for systems with time-varying parametric uncertainties. Two prototype iterative learning identification algorithms, iterative learning projection and iterative learning least squares, are presented for estimating the time-varying unknowns. The main properties of the learning algorithms are explored for establishing the stability and convergence of the control scheme. The proof is based upon the use of a key technical lemma, which extends the existing one and tailored for the purpose of analysis in the iteration domain. It is shown that the complete tracking is achieved for every instant except for the initial instant, while the input and output signals of the controlled system remain bounded. The proposed scheme in this paper is applicable to tracking iteration-varying trajectories without any restriction on initial repositioning.
Prenatal dysthymia versus major depression effects on maternal cortisol and fetal growth

To determine differences between pregnant women diagnosed with Dysthymia versus Major Depression, depressed pregnant women (N=102) were divided by their diagnosis into Dysthymic (N=48) and Major Depression (N=54) groups and compared on self‐report measures (depression, anxiety, anger, daily hassles and behavioral inhibition), on stress hormone levels (cortisol and norepinephrine), and on fetal measurements. The Major Depression group had more self‐reported symptoms. However, the Dysthymic group had higher prenatal cortisol levels and lower fetal growth measurements (estimated weight, femur length, abdominal circumference) as measured at their first ultrasound (M=18 weeks gestation). Thus, depressed pregnant women with Dysthymia and Major Depression appeared to have different prenatal symptoms. Depression and Anxiety 0:1–6, 2007. Published 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An empirical approach to subtype identification in individuals with social phobia

Background. The present study used cluster analysis procedures to identify empirically subgroups of patients with social phobia in a large clinical sample. Method. The Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) was administered to 382 patients from several studies of the treatment of social phobia. LSAS fear ratings were summed into four subscale scores (social interaction, public speaking, observation by others, eating and drinking in public) based on a previous factor analytical study of the LSAS. In order to produce a stable and robust solution, these factor scores were submitted to a two-stage clustering procedure consisting of an agglomerative-hierarchical clustering method followed by an iterative non-hierarchical clustering method. Results. Three patient subgroups were identified based on their pattern of feared social situations on the LSAS. These groups were labelled: (1) pervasive social anxiety; (2) moderate social interaction anxiety; and (3) dominant public speaking anxiety. Clusters differed significantly on age and age of social phobia onset, as well as on measures of social anxiety, general anxiety and depressive symptomatology. Clusters also differed in the percentage of assigned patients who met criteria for the generalized subtype of social phobia and avoidant personality disorder. Conclusions. The results provide empirical support for the existence of three subgroups in a clinical sample of individuals with social phobia and contribute to the growing evidence for the heterogeneity of social phobia. Further study of the conceptual, clinical and aetiological significance of these subgroups is needed.
A Test of Adverse Selection in the Market for Experienced Workers

We show that in labor market models with adverse selection, otherwise observationally equivalent workers will experience less wage growth following a period in which they change jobs than following a period in which they do not. We find little or no evidence to support this prediction. In most specifications the coefficient has the opposite sign, sometimes statistically significantly so. When consistent with the prediction, the estimated effects are small and statistically insignificant. We consistently reject large effects in the predicted direction. We argue informally that our results are also problematic for a broader class of models of competitive labor markets.
A negative regulatory element with properties similar to those of enhancers is contained within an Alu sequence

A negative regulatory element has been found within a member of the African green monkey Alu family of interspersed repeated sequences. This "reducer" element decreased transcription in both directions from a cellular simian virus 40-like bidirectional promoter independently of both orientation and position. The reducer was not promoter specific since it also decreased expression from the simian virus 40 early and human beta-globin promoters. In addition, the reducer decreased transcription from a polymerase III promoter. The reducer was contained in 38 base pairs of an Alu family member and interacted specifically with a monkey cell nuclear protein.
Impact of a 4-H Youth Development Program on At-Risk Urban Teenagers

Dynamic programs that integrate science literacy and workforce readiness are essential to today's youth. The program reported here combined science literacy (gardening and technology) with workforce readiness to assess the impact of program type, prior program participation, and behavior/punctuality on knowledge gain. Findings show that past participation in a similar program positively impacted knowledge gain. Further, the results indicate that behavior/punctuality also increased knowledge gain. Of particular interest to Extension educators, this article discusses the implications of examining only mean scores to assess program effectiveness, especially where prior programs have been attended by students.
Lung Ultrasound in Community-Acquired Pneumonia and in Interstitial Lung Diseases

Lung ultrasound (LUS) is an accurate tool for the diagnosis and follow-up of pneumonia in adults as well as in children. LUS is at least as accurate as chest radiography in diagnosing pneumonia. The most important parenchymal criterion is the positive air bronchogram within an echopoor area. Among pleural criteria, basal effusion was most often detected. The presence of multiple diffuse bilateral B-lines on lung examination indicates the interstitial syndrome (IS). For further differential diagnosis, an integrated consideration of history, clinical examination, LUS and echocardiography should be performed. LUS is an excellent tool for IS screening. Repeated LUS control examinations may reflect the dynamics of IS under therapy and so LUS may serve as a therapy guide.
Alcohol and Mortality

OBJECTIVE To study the relation between alcohol intake and mortality in a large ambulatory population with attention to causes of death and differences related to age, sex, race, and baseline risk. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. SETTING Prepaid comprehensive health care program facilities in Oakland and San Francisco, California. PARTICIPANTS Adults (n = 128,934) who supplied data at health evaluations between 1978 and 1985. MEASUREMENTS Demographic data and health history were supplied using questionnaires. Death was ascertained by an automated linkage system and was individually validated. Relative risk for death at various levels of drinking was calculated by Cox proportional hazards models using lifelong nondrinkers as the reference and controlling for eight covariables. RESULTS Heavier drinkers were at greater risk for death from noncardiovascular causes (relative risk at greater than or equal to 6 drinks per day compared with no alcohol = 1.6, 95% Cl, 1.3 to 2.0) especially cirrhosis, unnatural death, and tobacco-related cancers. This alcohol-associated risk was higher in women (relative risk for death from all causes at greater than or equal to 6 drinks per day = 2.2; Cl, 1.4 to 3.8) and younger persons (for persons less than 50 years of age, relative risk for death from all causes at greater than or equal to 6 drinks per day = 1.9; Cl, 1.3 to 2.9). Lighter drinkers were at lower risk for death from cardiovascular disease, especially coronary heart disease (relative risk at 1 to 2 drinks per day = 0.7; Cl, 0.6 to 0.9), independent of baseline risk, with the greatest reduction of risk in older persons. Lighter drinkers over 60 years of age also had a slightly lower risk for noncardiovascular death, but this finding was not independent of baseline coronary heart disease risk. CONCLUSIONS Women and younger persons appear more susceptible to the increased mortality risk of heavy drinking. The reduced cardiovascular risk of lighter drinkers is more pronounced in older persons. Lower coronary disease prevalence may reduce the noncardiovascular mortality risk of lighter drinkers.
Thin and thick films of metal oxides and metal phthalocyanines as gamma radiation dosimeters

Numerous efforts were devoted to investigating the influence of radiation on metal oxides and polymer materials for dosimetry applications. Metal oxides, such as NiO, LaFeO/sub 3/, CeO/sub 2/, TeO/sub 2/, In/sub 2/O/sub 3/, SiO and MnO, and polymers, such as CuPc, NiPc, MnPc and CoPc, were used as the active constituents in the fabrication of /spl gamma/-radiation sensors. Thin and thick film devices were made in various topologies to form resistors, capacitors, pn-junctions and transistors. It was found that the properties of the active films (and, hence, their sensitivity to radiation) could be controlled by doping their constituent materials with carbon and mixing them in different proportions. The /sup 60/Co and /sup 137/Cs sources were used to expose the samples to /spl gamma/-radiation. Current-voltage characteristics, optical absorption spectra, Raman spectra, SEM and XRD measurements were recorded for the samples after each exposure procedure and values of radiation damage were estimated. Thin film devices were found to be more sensitive to radiation than their thick film counterparts. Annealing was used to restore the properties of thick film devices after they were damaged with radiation. Thick films could be therefore reused on a repeatable basis, but thin film devices could not, as the heat treatments necessary for annealing were found to cause diffusion of the electrode materials. In this work, the possibility of fabricating a device that would satisfy the requirement of a particular application, such as sensitivity to /spl gamma/-radiation and working dose region, was experimentally demonstrated. Based on the findings, these devices were found to provide a cost-effective alternative for room temperature real time /spl gamma/-radiation dosimeter applications.
Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensor Based on Microstructured Optical Fiber With Ring-Core Configuration

A novel surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor based on ring-core microstructured optical fiber with silver film is presented in this paper. Field leakage from the ring core to the central metal film excites plasmon polaritons. Through numerical simulation with the finite-element method, we found that fundamental modes and one of second-order modes have strong interaction with surface plasma modes. Analyzing coupling characteristics, results show that high sensitivity using linear fitting and narrow full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) can both be acquired in these two modes, which contributes to the highest value of figure of merit reaching 2203. The proposed model with two air-hole rings is easy to fabricate in the real operation. Finally, influences of different metal and geometrical parameters on sensing performance are also discussed for optimization further.