Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fast Statistical Image Reconstruction for Emission Tomography: Application to SPECT

Nuclear medicine imaging, including PET and SPECT, has become a powerful diagnostic tool, in that nuclear medicine imaging is able to visualize physiological functions or functional metabolism. In nuclear medicine, an estimate of the three-dimensional spatial distribution of injected radionuclide is needed for diagnosis. This estimate is obtained through a reconstruction algorithm. Statistical image reconstructions have been proven to outperform the traditional FBP reconstruction in many aspects. However, the main problem with statistical reconstruction is its computation load and slow convergence. The OSEM (ordered subset expectation maximization) algorithm, which has an order-of-magnitude speed enhancement over the original MLEM (maximum likelihood EM) algorithm, is the most popular statistical reconstruction method used in many clinical hospitals worldwide. Nevertheless, the OSEM algorithm does not converge for real data so that its noise and resolution are difficult to predict. Furthermore, the OSEM is not easy to include a prior term. Many fast OS-type algorithms were proposed to solve for the speed and the convergence problems of the OSEM. They all need a user-specified relaxation schedule to ensure the speed and convergence property. But there is no easy way to decide the relaxation schedule. Previously, we had proposed a fast, convergent OS-type algorithm, called COSEM-MAP, to retain the speed while at the same time without any relaxation schedule. Here, we briefly review the COSEM algorithm, and then apply the method to a set of real SPECT phantom data acquired from the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. A segmented attenuation correction method is applied to the SPECT data. The COSEM-MAP result is compared to those of the popular FBP and OSEM methods often used in clinical reconstruction. Our COSEM-MAP method shows potential effectiveness as compared to the FBP and OSEM.
SALTER: A General Equilibrium Model of the World Economy

SALTER - A General Equilibrium Model of the World Economy by J. Zeitsch. , R. McDougall. , P. Jornini. , A. Welsh. , J. Hambley. , S. Brown. , and J. Kelly is Working Paper number 4 in the development of The SALTER Model of the World Economy. Available for download at: http://www.pc. gov.au/ic/research/models/saltermodel/workingpaper04
Improvement of dynamic terrain rendering using ROAM algorithm

3D realistic terrain generation is a hot topic in computer graphics field.Real-time Optimal Adaptive Meshes(ROAM) algorithm based on level of detail technique is introduced to render terrain dynamically.Visibility culling technology of projection based on bounding box of the terrain block is used.A algorithm that combines nested bounding sphere method with screen space error method is introduced to optimize the error criterion to improve the speed of terrain rendering.Implementation method of the level of detail model in terrain rendering process is given.Experimental results show that the method reduces expenses and improves real-time rendering speed under the premise of guaranteeing that it is in a certain terrain rendering effect.
GPU Acceleration of Nonbonded Forces for Molecular Dynamics Simulation

The most costly computation required by molecular dynamics(MD) is the calculation of non-bonded forces.This paper presents two algorithms based on CUDA and Brook+ to accelerate the calculation of non-bonded forces and then examines them on two popular GPUs of NVIDIA and AMD.The algorithms enable fine-grained task decomposition and spatial decomposition of forces that map efficiently to the compute units of GPU.They also present optimization methods such as use of shared memory between threads and strip-mined.We then test our implementations for 432 thousand atoms.Our code executed on Tesla C1060 runs 6.5 times faster than the original application running on single core of Intel Intel Xeon 2.6GHZ CPU,while on HD4870 it runs 4.8 times faster.
Newspaper Framing of Biafra Agitation Under Buhari’s Administration and its Influence on Public Support for the Struggle

ABSTRACT This study examined newspaper framing of Biafra agitation under Buhari's administration and its influence on public support for the struggle. Specific objectives of the study are to assess the patterns of news framing of the Biafra agitation under Buhari's administration; to know whether there is a difference in the patterns of news frames used by the pro-Igbo/pro-Biafra City newspapers and other national dailies in covering the Biafra agitation under Buhari's administration; to ascertain readers' perception of the Biafra agitation under Buhari's administration; to find out whether news stories on Biafra agitation influenced public support for the struggle under Buhari's administration. The survey and the content analysis methods were used as the research design. Findings from the study show that seven patterns of frames were used by the four selected newspapers in covering the Biafra agitation. The frames are: economic frame, political frame, ethnic frame, response frame, religious frame, human interest frame and attribution of responsibility frame. The study found that the pro-Igbo/Biafra (Daily Sun and Biafra Times) newspapers used frames that highlighted copiously the deprivation, marginalisation and oppression the Igbos are suffering under Buhari's administration thus lent support to the Biafra agitation. The other two national dailies (This Day and Guardian) used frames that tend to denounce the agitation. Finally, the study found that news stories on the Biafra agitation have had great influence on public support for the struggle.
Mapping the Pupil-Glint Vector to Gaze Coordinates in a Simple Video-Based Eye Tracker

In a video-based eye tracker, the normalized pupil-glint vector changes as the eyes move. Using an appropriate model, the pupil-glint vector can be mapped to gaze coordinates. Using a simple hardware configuration with one camera and one infrared source, several mapping functions – some from literature and some derived here – were compared with one another with respect to the accuracy that could be achieved. The study served to confirm the results of a previous study with another data set and to expand on the possibilities that are considered from the previous study. The data of various participants was examined for trends which led to derivation of a mapping model that proved to be more accurate than all but one model from literature. It was also shown that the best calibration configuration for this hardware setup is one that contains fourteen targets while taking about 20 seconds for the procedure to be completed.
Optimized Hardware Crypto Engines for XTEA and SHA-512 for Wireless Sensor Nodes

Objectives: This study proposes an optimized power-efficient cryptosystem that is suitable for Wireless Sensor Networks. Methods: A number of cryptographic algorithms have been proposed to secure Wireless Sensor Networks. However, these compute-intensive and power-hungry algorithms do not take into consideration the limitations of resource found on the sensor nodes. We propose profiling some of these popular algorithms to identify the speed bottlenecks and develop hardware accelerators that maintain the real-time performance, with an efficient use of power. Findings: The proposed optimizations to the hardware accelerators were mapped to reconfigurable computing devices. Results show that the performance of the proposed hardware outperforms the software implementation running on contemporary CPU by up to 21.9×. In addition, the results indicate that the hardware is efficiently managing its power budget. Application: These accelerators can be utilized in heterogeneous system architectures, where the CPU controls the overall operations, and the accelerators efficiently perform the necessary encryption and decryption.
FEDERAL RESERVE BANK o f ATLANTA WORKING PAPER SERIES The Two-Pillar Policy for the RMB Urban

We document stylized facts about China’s recent exchange rate policy for its currency, the renminbi (RMB). Our empirical findings suggest that a “two-pillar policy” is in place, aiming to balance RMB index stability and exchange rate flexibility. We then develop a tractable no-arbitrage model of the RMB under the two-pillar policy. Using derivatives data on the RMB and the U.S. dollar index, we estimate the model to assess financial markets’ views about the fundamental exchange rate and sustainability of the policy. Our model is able to predict the modification of the two-pillar policy in May 2017, when a discretion-based “countercyclical factor” was introduced for the first time. We also examine the model’s ability to forecast RMB movements. JEL classification: F31, G12, G13, G15
Impact of regional systems of innovation on the formation of university spin-offs by biomedical star scientists

Scientists in research universities can play a formative role in commercialising their inventions for the benefit of society. University spin-off formation is increasing in importance as an alternative to licensing, and can be impacted by both micro and macro-level factors of the regional system of innovation. However, there is limited understanding of the ways in which these factors can interact to enable the formation of university spin-offs. In this study we examine how the productivity of two biomedical star scientists in co-founding university spin-offs can be supported or constrained by other elements of the regional system of innovation. Recommendations are made for research universities seeking to foster entrepreneurship through university spin-off formation.
Using SEM-PLS and Fuzzy logic to determine the influence of Uncertainty Avoidance and Accreditation cost on Strategic Intention

Gaining accreditation from international bodies will improve university reputation, image and the scientific research quality. As the observation from scholars, the Jordanian private universities seems to have an ambiguity in the strategic intention towards international accreditation also Jordanian HEIs were not aware of any suitable strategy formulation and implementation framework, which could be suitable for their peculiar environment. The objective of this study is to explore what factors may influence the strategic intention to go for international accreditation within the perspective of Jordanian private universities. The researcher hypothesis that uncertainty avoidance and accreditation cost has a significant relationship with strategic intention to go for international accreditation. A survey was conducted on population of 593 personals in 17 Jordanian Private Universities. Data were collected via questionnaire from University president, vise president, Dean, head of departments and professors. WarpPLS version 3.0 structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data and the relationships and effects among the variables based on hypotheses. In addition, fuzzy logic employed for model simulation regarding the relationship among the constructs. In particular, the research will interpret the models based on four conditions, which capture alternative interpretations of the dependencies, combining quantitative and qualitative information.
Gas pipeline infrastructure and economic growth of Russian regions: panel cointegration analysis

The Russian gas supply system is one of the largest infrastructures in the world. It is continuing to develop at a high rate. Modern methodological approaches and software allow to investigate the relationship between the development of energy infrastructure and economic dynamics of the regions. This paper proposes a methodological approach to the evaluation of the relationship “development of gas distribution systems – economic growth”. The evaluation is based on the concept of cointegration and an error-correction models. This approach identifies both long-run and short-run components of this relationship. In this paper we aim to estimate the relationship using annual data of 17 Central Russia regions for the period 1998-2017. The results indicate that this relationship is statistically significant. It allows to apply proposed approach and the obtained estimates to the problems of analysis and forecasting of the domestic gas market.
Sustainability Infused across the Curriculum at a Minority Serving Liberal Arts Institution: A Case Study

A critical challenge facing institutions of higher education is the integration of a sustainable energy curriculum into interdisciplinary education. This case study will evaluate the campus-wide development, adoption, and evaluation of an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary sustainability education, at a small liberal arts college. The process and outcomes of the development of this sustainability curriculum are reported. The efficacy of the development and adoption of the curriculum was assessed by student surveys and faculty interviews. The interview results indicated substantial faculty interest and approval of implementing sustainability education at the institution. Survey results reveal an increased interest in pursuing studies and careers in sustainability and energy among students. Upon the completion of the study it was concluded that the sustainability initiative was successfully developed and infused at a historically black college and university (HBCU). The implications of this study advance the importance of incorporating sustainability education within all academic disciplines throughout a minority-serving, small, liberal arts college to increase the presence of African Americans in future careers in energy, green jobs or energy policy/economics.
Foreign Exchange Intervention and Exchange Rate Volatility: Evidence from Turkey

This paper investigates the effects of foreign exchange intervention by the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey on the behavior of exchange rates during the float period starting with 2001 crisis. Even though the bank is apparently quite willing to intervene the foreign exchange market during the float period, the results suggest that intervention policies are completely ineffective. More specifically, the purchases operations do not have any statistically significant impact on the exchange rate returns and volatility while the central bank intervention sales exert an incorrectly signed effect on the levels of exchange rates and tend to raise volatility of exchange rates returns. Hence, the bank should avoid intervening foreign currency markets. Additionally, the tightening monetary policy in the form of rising the short run interest rates is effective for positive exchange rates returns; but not for dampening the volatility.
Resiliency and Stock Returns

We present resiliency as a measure of liquidity and assess its relationship to expected returns. We establish a covariance-based measure, RES, that captures opening period resiliency, and use it to find a significant nonresiliency premium that ranges from 33 to 57 basis points per month. The premium persists after accounting for an extensive list of other liquidity-related measures and control variables. The results are significant for both value-weighted and equal-weighted returns, when micro-cap stocks are excluded, and for a sample of large cap stocks. The premium is particularly pronounced when trading volume is high. Authors have furnished an Internet Appendix, which is available on the Oxford University Press Web site next to the link to the final published paper online.
Anomaly Detection Model of Network Traffic Based on Statistics

The paper presents a traffic anomaly detection model based on statistics.According to the measurable aggregate of network traffic,a normal network baseline is built.Compared to the normal network baseline,the theory of hypothesis test is used to execute the anomaly detection.In order to make the anomaly detection more efficiently,the model adopts a traffic update policy based on glide window.The method of improving detection capability in the high-speed network is also discussed.
Marriage of the Unwilling? The Implication of Trade Liberalization for the Ghanaian Economy (El matrimonio de lo indispuesto? La implicación de la liberalización del comercio para la economía de Ghana)

<b>English Abstract:</b> The reaction of growth to trade liberalization has varied considerably across countries, with most countries gaining, but others being adversely affected by trade liberalization. Therefore, this study sought to examine the relationship between trade liberalization and economic growth in Ghana. The study used annual time series data covering the period of 1970-2016. Using the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model and Granger causality test, the study found that trade openness (proxied for trade liberalization), inflation, and population growth negatively affect the growth rate of the Ghanaian economy in the long-run, whilst exchange rate has a significant and long-run positive effect on economic growth. Also, investment has no impact on economic growth in the long-run. The study further indicated that only inflation and population growth have significant impacts on economic growth in the short-run. The results of the Granger causality test showed that there exists no complementary relationship between trade openness and economic growth in the short-run in Ghana. <br><br><b>Spanish Abstract:</b> La reacción del crecimiento a la liberalización del comercio ha variado considerablemente entre los países, y la mayoría de los países están ganando, pero otros se ven perjudicados por la liberalización del comercio. Por lo tanto, este estudio buscó examinar la relación entre la liberalización del comercio y el crecimiento económico en Ghana. El estudio utilizó datos anuales de la serie de tiempo que cubrían el período de 1970-2016. Usando el modelo de Lag distribuida autoregresiva (ARDL) y el test de causalidad de Granger, el estudio encontró que la apertura comercial (proxy para la liberalización comercial), la inflación y el crecimiento demográfico afectan negativamente la tasa de crecimiento de la economía de Ghana a largo plazo, mientras que el tipo de cambio tiene un efecto positivo significativo y a largo plazo sobre el crecimiento económico. Además, la inversión no tiene ningún impacto en el crecimiento económico a largo plazo. El estudio indicó además que sólo la inflación y el crecimiento demográfico tienen impactos significativos en el crecimiento económico a corto plazo. Los resultados de la prueba de causalidad de Granger mostraron que no existe ninguna relación complementaria entre la apertura comercial y el crecimiento económico en el corto plazo en Ghana.
Convolutional Neural Network Based dem Super Resolution

Abstract. DEM super resolution is proposed in our previous publication to improve the resolution for a DEM on basis of some learning examples. Meanwhile, the nonlocal algorithm is introduced to deal with it and lots of experiments show that the strategy is feasible. In our publication, the learning examples are defined as the partial original DEM and their related high measurements due to this way can avoid the incompatibility between the data to be processed and the learning examples. To further extent the applications of this new strategy, the learning examples should be diverse and easy to obtain. Yet, it may cause the problem of incompatibility and unrobustness. To overcome it, we intend to investigate a convolutional neural network based method. The input of the convolutional neural network is a low resolution DEM and the output is expected to be its high resolution one. A three layers model will be adopted. The first layer is used to detect some features from the input, the second integrates the detected features to some compressed ones and the final step transforms the compressed features as a new DEM. According to this designed structure, some learning DEMs will be taken to train it. Specifically, the designed network will be optimized by minimizing the error of the output and its expected high resolution DEM. In practical applications, a testing DEM will be input to the convolutional neural network and a super resolution will be obtained. Many experiments show that the CNN based method can obtain better reconstructions than many classic interpolation methods.
A constrained and weighted fitting method for hydrologic frequency calculation

Based on a computer optimized fitting method and a computer graphic fitting method, a constrained and weighted fitting method for hydrologic frequency calculation is developed. According to data accuracy, fitting goal and graphic fitting result, this method can directly adjust the weights of point data, and efficiently fit the frequency curve and empirical point data among the parameter constrained domain.
Moving from arrogance to acceptance: narratively shifting human perceptions through a China study abroad programme

ABSTRACT This research combines Lugones’ notions of arrogant perception and loving acceptance with Buber's concepts of I-It (treating people like objects) and I-Thou (treating people as valued human beings) to examine what 43 doctoral students reciprocally learned when they embarked on a travel study abroad program to China. The work, which draws on literature about reflection, travel study and culturally competent educators, was conducted as a narrative inquiry. Narrative inquiry’s four analytical devices (broadening, burrowing, storying/restorying, fictionalisation) helped to make sense of the educators’ small stories. The research themes that emerged were the: (1) continuity of the travel study experience, (2) comparative nature of the travel study experience, (3) unique nature of the travel study experience, (4) bodily basis of the travel study experience, and (5) living/re-living through the travel study experience. The work concludes that perspectives, identities and communities are not fixed. Finally, educators must ensure that their present pedagogical actions are consistent with their desired futures.
Understanding Fiscal Policy Shocks in Costa Rica

In this paper we employ a Structural Vector Autoregression(SVAR)technique to estimate and analyze the effects of government spending shocks on Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the real exchange rate in Costa Rica. Our structural identiﬁcation embraces that macroeconomic variables such as output and real exchange rate react immediately to ﬁscal policy shocks, whereas ﬁscal policy makers are not able to respond immediately to output shocks. Our main contribution is to ﬁnd that changes in government consumption does not produce a signiﬁcant eect on output and the real exchange rate. In addition, we ﬁnd, through dierent simulations, that if the government reduces the spending rigidity, it could increase the contemporaneous relation between GDP and government expenditure substantially and, thus, expand the capacity of the government spending to foster economic activity.
Development of optimistic and pessimistic models using FDEA to measure performance efficiencies of DMUs

In this paper, we develop optimistic and pessimistic models using fuzzy data envelopment analysis (FDEA). We find the fuzzy optimistic and fuzzy pessimistic efficiencies by using the α-cut method. By using super-efficiency technique, we develop models to obtain the complete ranking of the DMUs when fuzzy optimistic and pessimistic models are considered separately. Further, to rank the DMUs when both fuzzy optimistic and pessimistic models are taken simultaneously as hybrid approach. To address the overall performance using fuzzy optimistic and pessimistic situations together in FDEA, we propose a hybrid FDEA using α-cut efficiencies decision model. Finally, these developed optimistic and pessimistic FDEA models and ranking models are illustrated with two examples. The proposed model is applied to a real world problem of health sector. We determine the performance efficiencies of hospitals in Meerut District, Uttar Pradesh state, India for the calendar year 2013-2014 using the proposed model. Number of health superintendents and number of health workers are taken as input variables, and number of inpatients and number of outpatients as output variables.