Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exploring Elements of Exchange Rate Theory in a Controlled Enivronment

This paper analyzes the simple implications of exchange rate theories in the laboratory. It shows that purchasing power parity, covered interest parity, and uncovered interest parity fare well in simple environments. Not-traded goods and non-stationary domestic prices do cause deviations from these elements of exchange rate theories. But the experimental evidence indicates that non-stationary domestic prices have a much stronger effect than not-traded goods in causing deviations from purchasing power parity and the two interest parity conditions.
What are the farm-level impacts of Malawi's farm input subsidy program? A critical review

This article provides a critical analysis of the current frontier of research evaluating Malawi's Farm Input Subsidy Program (FISP), whose main objectives are increasing maize production, promoting household food security, and enhancing rural incomes. We focus on farm-level studies in Malawi, identifying consistent and contrasting research results in order to draw important policy lessons and provide suggested avenues for future research. While national production estimates suggested dramatic increases in maize production and productivity during the years of the FISP, the farm-level studies found relatively modest increases in maize production and yields over the same period. Consistent with the farm-level results of modest maize production increases, there has been a relative increase in real maize prices and the country continued to import maize during most of the subsidy program years. Furthermore, there is evidence that better-off households gained substantially more than poorer households when they participated in the program. Together these findings cast some doubt on the FISP's ability to reduce food insecurity and poverty. We propose a number of policy lessons and suggestions for rigorous investigation, including research that directly measures the causal impacts of the FISP program on poverty in Malawi.
Posttraumatic Stress in Volunteer Firefighters: Predictors of Distress

Posttraumatic stress was studied in volunteer firefighters who regularly engage in threatening situations. In response to a survey of firefighters across New South Wales, Australia, 751 firefighters completed questionnaires concerning trauma experiences and posttraumatic stress levels. The presence of posttraumatic stress was best predicted by a combination of event-related and response-related aspects of the trauma. Firefighters' proximity to death, perceived severity of trauma, and fear of the traumatic event were closely associated with posttraumatic stress. In addition, the presence of stresses subsequent to the trauma, including unemployment and the loss of a loved one, was also related to posttraumatic stress. Findings are discussed in terms of etiological factors in posttraumatic stress and the need for adequate coping resources to manage the aftermath of a traumatic event. —J Nerv Ment Dis 183:267-271, 1995
The Role of Individual Differences in Promoting Front Liners to Become Customer-Oriented: A Case of the Hotel Industry in Malaysia

As other service industry, hoteliers are highly relying on their contact employees known as front liners to deliver services to customers. Therefore, the behaviors of front liners can influence customers' perceptions of a hotel service. Customer-orientation behavior of employees has become a prime variable of interest for organizations wishing to successfully market their products. However, previous researches on this area have stressed the need for a better understanding of the process relating to customer orientation behavior and its influencing factors. This paper investigates the influence of organizational commitment, self-efficacy and intrinsic job motivation of front liners on customer-orientation behavior.
User Selection and Power Allocation for mmWave-NOMA Networks

This paper investigates the application of nonorthogonal multiple access (NOMA) in millimeter wave (mmWave) communication with beamforming, user selection and power allocation. To overcome the burden of feedback, random beamforming to mmWave NOMA systems is considered. We then formulate an optimization problem to maximize the sum rate of the proposed mmWave NOMA systems, which is nonconvex. To solve the challenging problem, we invoke the branch and bound (BB) technique to develop an optimal power allocation algorithm. Then a low complexity suboptimal algorithm based on matching theory is proposed to realize user selection. Simulation results are provided for validating the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms and to show that the sum rate performance of the mmWave NOMA systems can be substantially improved by the proposed algorithms compared to the conventional mmWave orthogonal multiple access (OMA) systems.
Healthy Aging Among Inner-City Men

Objective: Until now, prospective studies of aging have begun with 50- to 60-year olds, not adolescents. Premature deaths, childhood variables, and alcohol abuse have been often ignored. So has positive aging. As people live longer, gerontology needs to understand the determinants of health as well as illness in the later years. Method: The present study follows a cohort of adolescent boys (332 inner-city youths) for 60 years or until death. Complete physical exams were obtained every 5 years and psychosocial data every 2 years. Predictor variables assessed prior to age 50 include six variables reflecting uncontrollable factors—parental social class, environmental strengths, number of family problems, major depression, ancestral longevity, and premorbid physical health at age 50—and six variables reflecting (at least some) personal control: alcohol abuse, smoking, marital stability, body mass index, coping mechanisms, and education. The four outcome variables chosen to assess healthy aging at 70 reflected both “mind” and “body”. They included objectively assessed variables (death and/or disability prior to 70, and objectives mental health) and two subjectively assessed variables (perceived instrumental activities of daily living and life enjoyment). Results: Multivariate analysis suggested that positive aging at 70 could be predicted by variables assessed prior to age 50. More hopeful still, if the six variables under some personal control were controlled, depression was the only uncontrollable variable that affected the quality of subjective and objective aging. Conclusions: First, we may have greater personal control over our biopsychosocial health after retirement than previously recognized. Second, in this cohort, psychiatric rather than sociological predictors appeared more important.
Intrarater reliability of the adductor squeeze test in gaelic games athletes.

CONTEXT Groin pain is commonly experienced by athletes involved in field-based sports and is particularly prevalent in Gaelic Games athletes. The adductor squeeze test is commonly used in the assessment of groin pain and injuries. To date, no evidence in the literature provides the reliability of the adductor squeeze test using a sphygmomanometer in assessing the adductor muscle integrity of Gaelic Games athletes. Given the high proportion of groin pain encountered in Gaelic Games athletes, establishing the reliability of the adductor squeeze test will allow clinicians to monitor injury responses and to assess return-to-play criteria. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the intrarater reliability of a commercially available sphygmomanometer for measuring adductor squeeze values in Gaelic Games athletes and to determine if different squeeze values are associated with the 3 commonly used test positions. DESIGN Descriptive laboratory study. SETTING University clinical skills laboratory. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS Eighteen male Gaelic Games athletes without any previous or current history of groin or pelvic pain. INTERVENTION(S) Each participant performed the adductor squeeze test in 3 positions of hip joint flexion (0°, 45°, and 90°) on 2 test days separated by at least 1 week. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Adductor squeeze test values (mm Hg) quantified by a commercially available sphygmomanometer. RESULTS Intrarater reliability intraclass correlation values ranged from 0.89 to 0.92 (intraclass correlation coefficients were 0°, 0.89; 45°, 0.92; and 90°, 0.90). The highest squeeze values were recorded in the 45° of hip flexion test position, and these values differed from those demonstrated in the 0° and 90° hip flexion test positions (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS A commercially available sphygmomanometer is a reliable device for measuring adductor squeeze test values.
Transcranial Ultrasound from Diagnosis to Early Stroke Treatment – Part 2: Prehospital Neurosonography in Patients with Acute Stroke – The Regensburg Stroke Mobile Project

Background and Purpose: The primary aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic accuracy and time frames for neurological and transcranial color-coded sonography (TCCS) assessments in a prehospital ‘911’ emergency stroke situation by using portable duplex ultrasound devices to visualize the bilateral middle cerebral arteries (MCAs). Methods: This study was conducted between May 2010 and January 2011. Patients who had sustained strokes in the city of Regensburg and the surrounding area in Bavaria, Germany, were enrolled in the study. After a ‘911 stroke code’ call had been dispatched, stroke neurologists with expertise in ultrasonography rendezvoused with the paramedic team at the site of the emergency. After a brief neurological assessment had been completed, the patients underwent TCCS with optional administration of an ultrasound contrast agent in cases of insufficient temporal bone windows or if the agent had acute therapeutic relevance. The ultrasound studies were performed at the site of the emergency or in the ambulance during patient transport to the admitting hospital. Relevant timelines, such as the time from the stroke alarm to patient arrival at the hospital and the duration of the TCCS, were documented, and positive and negative predictive values for the diagnosis of major MCA occlusion were assessed. Results: A total of 113 patients were enrolled in the study. MCA occlusion was diagnosed in 10 patients. In 9 of these 10 patients, MCA occlusion could be visualized using contrast-enhanced or non-contrast-enhanced TCCS during patient transport and was later confirmed using computed tomography or magnetic resonance angiography. One MCA occlusion was missed by TCCS and 1 atypical hemorrhage was misdiagnosed. Overall, the sensitivity of a ‘field diagnosis’ of MCA occlusion was 90% [95% confidence interval (CI) 55.5–99.75%] and the specificity was 98% (95% CI 92.89–99.97%). The positive predictive value was 90% (95% CI 55.5–99.75%) and the negative predictive value was 98% (95% CI 92.89–99.97%). The mean time (standard deviation) from ambulance dispatch to arrival at the patient was 12.3 min (7.09); the mean time for the TCCS examination was 5.6 min (2.2); and the overall mean transport time to the hospital was 53 min (18). Conclusion: Prehospital diagnosis of MCA occlusion in stroke patients is feasible using portable duplex ultrasonography with or without administration of a microbubble contrast agent. Prehospital neurological as well as transcranial vascular assessments during patient transport can be performed by a trained neurologist with high sensitivity and specificity, perhaps opening an additional therapeutic window for sonothrombolysis or neuroprotective strategies.
Crises, Liquidity Shocks, and Fire Sales at Commercial Banks

type="main"> If liquidity shortages cause financial crises, a lender of last resort can provide funds to banks facing potential fire sales. However, if funding problems primarily occur at banks with existing solvency problems, then government liquidity programs may not spur bank lending. We find that commercial bank funding does not typically dry up in a crisis, not even during the subprime crisis. Rather, weak banks are more likely to borrow less. Furthermore, banks rely more on deposits and newly issued equity than fire sales. When they do sell assets, they cherry pick assets in order to alleviate pressure from capital regulations.
Phase II randomized study of cisplatin plus etoposide phosphate or etoposide in the treatment of small-cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE This randomized phase II study evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of etoposide phosphate when used in combination with cisplatin in the treatment of small-cell lung cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with previously untreated small-cell lung cancer were randomized to receive cisplatin in combination with either etoposide or etoposide phosphate. Molar-equivalent doses of etoposide and etoposide phosphate were used. Response rate, time to progression, survival, and toxicity were compared. RESULTS Major response rates with etoposide phosphate and etoposide were 61% (95% confidence interval, 55% to 67%) and 58% (95% confidence interval, 52% to 64%), respectively (P = .85). No significant differences in median time to progression or survival were observed in patients who received etoposide phosphate versus etoposide. Grade 3 and 4 leukopenia occurred in 63% of patients who received etoposide phosphate compared with 77% who received etoposide (P = .16). CONCLUSION The combination of etoposide phosphate and cisplatin is effective in the treatment of small-cell lung cancer, and can be administered with acceptable toxicity. Although this study was not designed to be a formal comparative trial, the efficacy and toxicity observed with this regimen were found to be similar to a standard etoposide/cisplatin regimen, using molar-equivalent etoposide doses. Because of its greater ease of administration, etoposide phosphate is preferable to etoposide for routine clinical use.
Matrix substitution method for power bus analysis with isolated power island in high-speed packages and PCBs

We propose a matrix substitution method for analyzing a power bus containing a power island in high-speed packages and printed circuit boards (PCBs). The method is based on a segmentation method and a resonant cavity model for a rectangular cavity, and the impedance of the power bus containing the power island can be calculated analytically. Finally, the proposed method is verified by means of impedance measurements in the frequency domain
Antenna diagnostics using phaseless NF information

An extension of the Sources Reconstruction Method (SRM) for antenna diagnostics using phaseless information is presented. The aim of this work is to extend the method's capabilities from planar field acquisition domains to arbitrary ones. To achieve this goal, the SRM capabilities for handling with arbitrary-geometry domains are combined with phase retrieval technique. The consideration of the radiation inverse problem with a general integral equation formulation using arbitrary-geometry field and currents domains, and field phaseless information, supposes a challenging ill-posed problem that is solved using iterative minimization techniques for non-linear problems. An application example is presented, comparing the proposed method's performance with amplitude and phase results.
A Concise Horn Theory for RCC8

RCC8 is a well-known constraint language for expressing and reasoning about spatial knowledge. We state a simple and concise Horn theory for RCC8 analogous to the ORD-Horn theory for temporal reasoning. This theory allows for expressing RCC8 and retains tractability of the well-known Horn reduct of RCC8. Further, it is much more adequate for practical purposes in the area of logic programming and surpasses previous attempts.
Disadvantaged pre-schoolers attending day care in Salvador, Northeast Brazil have a low prevalence of anaemia and micronutrient deficiencies

Abstract Objective To examine the micronutrient status of disadvantaged pre-schoolers from Northeast Brazil, following the introduction of pro-poor policies, by assessing the prevalence of anaemia and micronutrient deficiencies and the role of sociodemographic factors, genetic Hb disorders and parasitic infections. Design In a cross-sectional study, data on sociodemographic status, health, growth, genetic Hb disorders, parasites and nutrient supply from day-care meals were obtained. Fasting blood samples were collected and analysed for Hb, serum ferritin, transferrin receptor, folate, vitamin B12, retinol, Zn and Se. Setting Seven philanthropic day-care centres serving urban slums in Salvador, Northeast Brazil. Subjects Pre-schoolers aged 3–6 years from disadvantaged households. Results Of the 376 sampled children, 94 % were of black or mixed race; 33 % and 29 % had at least one genetic Hb disorder and intestinal parasite, respectively. Stunting and underweight were ≤5 %; 14 % were overweight. Day-care centres supplied micronutrient-dense meals and snacks each weekday. Less than 10 % of pre-schoolers had anaemia and micronutrient deficiencies. Predictors (P < 0·05) of Hb were α3·7 thalassaemia, Se and retinol (but not ferritin). Micronutrient predictors (P < 0·05) were: elevated α1-glycoprotein for ferritin, Hb AS and BMI Z-score >1 for transferrin receptor, Zn and elevated α1-glycoprotein for retinol, sex and helminths for Se, helminths for vitamin B12, and Giardia intestinalis infection for serum folate. Conclusions Impaired growth, anaemia and micronutrient deficiencies were uncommon among these disadvantaged pre-schoolers attending day care. A range of interventions including provision of micronutrient-dense, fortified day-care meals, deworming and vitamin A supplementation likely contributed to improved micronutrient status, suggesting expanded coverage of these programmes.
Fostering radical innovations with open innovation

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of inside‐out open innovation (as opposed to closed innovation) on firm innovation performance. Inside‐out open innovation involves the exploitation of existing internal technologies through innovation and commercialization.Design/methodology/approach – Hypotheses are tested empirically using survey data collected from stock‐listed companies in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. The data include the complete responses from 141 R&D managers for the period from 2004 to 2008.Findings – The results reveal that companies that emphasize inside‐out open innovation are more likely to create radical innovations and tend to sell a greater number of new products. Companies pursuing closed innovation are more likely to exhibit a higher incremental product innovation performance.Research limitations/implications – The cross‐sectional data approach and its dependency on the perceptions and experiences of the respondents has its limitations. Future research .
Modeling Three Dimensional Channel Characteristics in Outdoor-to-Indoor LTE Small Cell Environments

The main contribution of the paper is demonstrating a ray tracing framework to extract the three dimensional (3D) channel parameters as input to stochastic models in studying small cell environments. We focus on Long Term Evolution (LTE) small cells, taking as reference outdoor small cells deployments providing services to indoor users. Many stochastic channel models model the channel parameters in two dimensions and ignore the variation in the elevation plane. They are designed to capture the characteristics of macrocellular networks where eNBs are placed hundreds of meters away from each other. In such scenarios the two-dimensional channel characteristics might be sufficient to capture the channel properties. In contrast, small cells are deployed much more closely to each other. The performance of small cells is highly dependent on 3D antenna patterns, the environment specific characteristics such as 3D geometry of the buildings, materials used for building construction and their specific propagation properties. Therefore in small cell environments the site specific modeling of channel parameters in three dimensions is needed. Measurements to determine the channel parameters may not be available for every environment of interest. Ray tracing could close the gap in extracting the 3D site-specific channel parameters pertaining to small cell environments.
A language for high-level programming of mathematical applications

A language system called the Automated Programmer automates a great deal of routine effort for scientific, engineering, and mathematical application programming. Its notation is modeled after conventional textbook mathematical representation, so that mathematical expressions can be entered just as they appear in conventional solution specifications. It uses a flexible vocabulary and syntax that emulates technical English. This approach enhances self-documentation, diminishes programming error, and eases maintainability and verifiability. System design is highly user-oriented, making the system easy to learn and use. Programs are input using a two-dimensional screen editor. Lexical restrictions are minimal, keyword synonyms are available, and various common synonymous syntactic structures are acceptable. Powerful input and output facilities are provided. <<ETX>>
An integrable model for the basilar membrane.

Assuming a logarithmic relationship between place and characteristic frequency, proportionality between the latter and phase velocity, and a loss factor independent of place, the wave equation for the basilar membrane displacement can be integrated analytically. The main theoretical results are as follows: (1) The low‐frequency phase slope equals approximately −Kωr(x), where K is a dimensionless constant and ωr(x) is the characteristic frequency at place x; (2) the asymptotic high‐frequency amplitude slope equals −6(K+1) dB/oct; (3) just above resonance the phase reaches a minimum value of about −K rad. The Rhode (1971) low‐frequency phase‐slope data yields K=27±3. The asymptotic high‐frequency amplitude slope should therefore be (168±18) dB/oct. Surprisingly, the great frequency selectivity of the cochlea as reflected in the large numerical value of the high‐frequency amplitude‐slope is not determined by hydromechanical losses, which primarily influence behavior, near resonance, but the constant K whose .
Altered Retinal Flicker Response Indicates Microvascular Dysfunction in Women With Preeclampsia

Flicker-induced dilatation is reduced in patients with cardiovascular risk, and the following arteriolar constriction is reduced with aging, leading to a reduced arteriolar amplitude and, thereby, indicating microvascular endothelial dysfunction. As endothelial dysfunction is associated with preeclampsia, we assessed retinal flicker response during pregnancy and postpartum. Between 2006 and 2013, women were recruited from University Hospital Jena and Prenatal Diagnostic Center Erfurt, Germany, of which 34 women with preeclampsia, 45 women with normal pregnancy, and 22 nonpregnant controls were included in the study. Women with normal pregnancy were matched for age, nulliparity, smoking, previous gestational hypertensive disorders, and family history of cardiovascular disease. Nonpregnant women were age-matched, nulliparous, nonsmoking, without family history of cardiovascular disease. Retinal vessel measurement using Dynamic Vessel Analyzer consisted of 50-seconds baseline acquisition, followed by three 20-second flicker and 80-second relaxation periods. Arteriolar constriction and arteriolar amplitude were reduced during pregnancy (P=0.001 and P=0.008) and postpartum (P=0.018 and P=0.034) in women with preeclampsia, adjusted for age, body mass index, mean arterial pressure, baseline diameter, and family history of cardiovascular disease. Flicker-induced dilatation was unchanged within the groups and throughout the study period. The unchanged flicker-induced dilatation may support a preserved autoregulatory competence of the microvasculature, and the diminished arteriolar amplitude, mainly because of the absence of the arteriolar constriction, indicates a commenced retinal microvascular dysfunction in women with preeclampsia during pregnancy and postpartum. Mechanisms responsible for altered retinal flicker response in preeclampsia need to be clarified in further studies.