Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Color lesion boundary detection using live wire

The boundaries of oral lesions in color images were detected using a live-wire method and compared to expert delineations. Multiple cost terms were analyzed for their inclusion in the final total cost function including color gradient magnitude, color gradient direction, Canny edge detection, and Laplacian zero crossing. The gradient magnitude and direction cost terms were implemented so that they acted directly on the three components of the color image, instead of using a single derived color band. The live-wire program was shown to be considerably more accurate and faster compared to manual segmentations by untrained users.
Intellectual capital vs the book-value of assets

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide new evidence, made possible by human capital data that became available after IFRS adoption, on the productivity of intellectual capital and its components. These productivity measures are modelled to determine their value-relevance in the share market, and the modelling is extended to comparative productivity measures for the book-value of assets. Design/methodology/approach – Financial data are sourced from financial databases and company annual reports on a sample of 160 Australian listed firms over a five-year period. Panel regression analysis is used to test five models built from Riahi-Belkaoui's (1999) general price model of the value-relevance of accounting numbers. Findings – The results show that the productivity of human capital, structural capital and intellectual capital are each significantly positively related to share price (i.e. have value-relevance), whereas the productivity of total assets at book-value is non-significant and tangible as.
EFFECT OF DIFFERENT REST INTERVAL LENGTHS OF RESISTANCE EXERCISE ON LIPID PEROXIDATION AND CREATINE KINASE RESPONSES

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of two resistance exercise (RE) protocols with different rest intervals between sets on oxidative stress and exercise-induced muscle damage. For this purpose, twenty untrained males voluntarily participated in the research and were randomly assigned to one of two resistance exercise groups: a) a shorter inter-set rest interval of 90 second (RI-90; n=10); or b) a longer rest interval of 180 second (RI-180; n=10). Resistance exercise in both groups consisted of chest press (CP), “lat” pull down (LP), leg extension (LE), leg curl (LC), and back squat (BS) exercises; these were done at a load of six repetitions maximum (6 RM). Blood samples were collected from the antecubital vein preexercise, immediately post-exercise, 6, 24, and 48 hours post-exercise, and analyzed for malondiadehyde (MDA) concentration and creatine kinase (CK) activity. The results indicated that both RI-90 and RI-180 caused significant changes in the MDA response (p=.003 and p=.036 in RI-90 and RI-180, respectively); MDA significantly increased six hours post-resistance exercise in both groups. Creatine kinase activity significantly increased at the 24-hour point post-exercise in both groups and continued for 48 hours postexercise (p=.000 for RI-90 and RI-180). There was no significant difference between corresponding MDA and CK values of two groups. We conclude that the rest interval between sets of resistance exercise does not affect oxidative stress and myocellular damage.
Memory Profiling For Directing Data Speculative Optimizations And Scheduling

iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would rst like to thank my advisor, Professor Wen-mei Hwu, for giving me the opportunity to pursue my goals in computer architecture research. His integrity as an outstanding teacher has innuenced my graduate career more than any other teacher. My appreciation and thanks extend to many of the members of the IMPACT group. Among them, I would like to thank Rick Hank, my mentor, for giving me valuable advice concerning many things. For their help in the development o f m y thesis and my research, In addition, David August was instrumental to the writing and development of this thesis. I am especially grateful for my family and all my friends. Jaymie Braun's enthusiasm made my life in graduate school more enjoyable, while Margaret Carns' southern charm brightened my outlook on life. My brother Mel's sense of humor and caring nature helped me more than anyone on Earth. Also I would like to thank my sister Melody for being my biggest fan and giving me all of her attention. Finally and most importantly, I extend my l o v e and appreciation to my mother. She is by far the most supportive person in my life.
Design of a SIR bandpass filter with spurious passband suppression using defected ground structure and Spurline

A new structure of compact microstrip bandpass filter with wide out of band suppression has been proposed and implemented in this letter. It is proposed by using stub-loaded resonator, quarter-wavelength stepped impedance resonator (SIR), Dumbbell-Shape Defect Ground Structure (DGS) and symmetrical Spurline. By utilizing two forms of the SIR, the second harmonic can be eliminated. In order to suppress higher harmonics, the Spurline is needed. A dumbbell shape DGS which is etched in bottom-layer of the substrate, provides bandgap and slow-wave characteristics to improve the filter's performance. The BPF was fabricated, the measured results show that the proposed filter could obtain 20 dB rejection level in the stopband from 1.2 f0 to 3.2 f0. The experimental results show excellent agreements with theoretical results and the validity of the modeling method for the proposed compact bandpass filter.
The multilevel ant stigmergy algorithm for numerical optimization

The Multilevel Ant Stigmergy Algorithm (MASA) is a new approach to solving multi-parameter problems based on stigmergy, a type of collective work that can be observed in nature. In this paper we evaluate the performance of MASA regarding its applicability as numerical optimization techniques. The evaluation is performed with several widely used benchmarks functions, as well as on an industrial case study. We also compare the MASA with Differential Evolution, well-known numerical optimization algorithm. The average solution obtained with the MASA was better than a solution recently found using Differential Evolution.
Social Capital as Good Culture

To explain the extremely long-term persistence (more than 500 years) of positive historical experiences of cooperation (Putnam 1993), we model the intergenerational transmission of priors about the trustworthiness of others. We show that this transmission tends to be biased toward excessively conservative priors. As a result, societies can be trapped in a low-trust equilibrium. In this context, a temporary shock to the return to trusting can have a permanent effect on the level of trust. We validate the model by testing its predictions on the World Values Survey data and the German Socio Economic Panel. We also present some anecdotal evidence that differences in priors across regions are reflected in the spirit of the novels that originate from those regions.
The Cult of the Leader: A Manifesto for More Authentic Business

Acknowledgements ix Introduction: The Gods that Failed 1 Part One: The Diagnosis 13 1. Practically perfect in every way: The making of the modern leader 15 2. Because we're worth it: The rise of the L'Oreal generation 44 3. Why didn't we see it coming? The loss of liability, stewardship and owner control 67 4. The public gets what the public wants: Values, confidence, trust and reputation in leadership 98 Part Two: The Solutions 125 5. The manifesto for a more authentic business 127 6. Diamonds on the soles of your shoes: The real war for talent 136 7. Moving from warm gestures to cold showers: A reframing of executive reward 166 8. Less is more: The future of leadership and its development in organizations 202 Conclusion: The importance of being earnest. The price of the cult and the value of leadership 229 Index 256
Killing forms on G 2 - and Spin 7 -manifolds

Killing forms on Riemannian manifolds are differential forms whose co-variant derivative is totally skew-symmetric. We prove that on a compact manifold with holonomy G 2 or Spin 7 any Killing form has to be parallel. The main tool is a universal Weitzenböck formula. We show how such a formula can be obtain for any given holonomy group and any representation defining a vector bundle.
Subsidy schemes for the dissemination of improved stoves Experiences of GTZ HERA and Energising Development

On behalf of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH, HERA Poverty-oriented basic energy services Subsidy schemes for the dissemination of improved stoves SiNERGi – Renewable Energy Services 2 Acknowledgement This study could only be prepared with the kind support of many people: of GTZ/HERA provided important background information and documents on the program for household energy and sustainable development. For the different case studies Moussa Doumbia, Antene Gulelat, Klas Heising, Benoit Legong, Andrea Reikat and Hiwote Teshome supported the project analysis providing key documents and patently answering the numerous detail questions.
POVERTY AND TRANSPORT

The goal of this paper is an articulation of the role of public transport sector operation in contributing to poverty reduction. The primary objective is to establish a sound conceptual framework for identifying, examining, and shaping the full potential role of transport operations in reducing poverty. A review of recent transport operations was undertaken to comprehend existing practices and to identify innovative approaches. A key finding of the paper is that there is a need to strengthen the direct role of transport intervention in poverty alleviation. This will require building far better knowledge of the transport needs of the poor, and how these needs are best met.
Performance evaluation of fast TCP and TCP Westwood+ for multimedia streaming in wireless environment

Although TCP is one of the key protocols of the Internet infrastructure, it is not optimized for either wireless environment or multimedia streaming applications. It fails to meet the service requirement of streaming applications because of its strict adherence to congestion control. Besides, non-congestion packet loss fools TCP to slow down its sending rate over wireless links. Fast TCP and TCP Westwood+ are two well known TCP variants which are supposed to resolve these problems. This paper analyzes the performance of TCP Westwood+ and Fast TCP for various issues in wireless network for multimedia streaming. Simulation results show that, Fast TCP shows better goodput, average throughput, and fairness index but TCP Westwood+ shows less jitter and better performance in presence of heavy reverse flows.
On principles for model-based systems engineering

This article addresses the problem of consolidating technical descriptions of how a system is built with operational descriptions of the missions the system shall complete (how the system is to be used). It also discusses how a central model constituted from design objects with requirements, test cases, problems and documents as attributes, to these design objects, can support modern principles for “incremental acquisition” and “incremental development. ” Modeling principles, based on entity–relationship diagrams and the UML (Unified Modeling Language) component diagram, combined with pseudo code behavioral descriptions, are described as means to build the “central model. ” After a “central model” for systems engineering is established, it is shown how the model can be extended into a “Common Project Model,” being common in two ways: common for “real implementations” and simulators required for the system; common for all concerned stakeholders such as acquirers and contractors. Application of the “Common Project Modeling” principle, with computer-stored models, holds promises for increased system quality and for more efficient systems engineering. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Syst Eng 3: 38–49, 2000
As America Becomes More Diverse: The Impact of State Higher Education Inequality

Questions You Should Ask How educated is Arizona’s adult population and workforce? How does Arizona compare to the national average, the most educated states, and the most educated countries? What are the disparities in educational attainment, participation and completion in higher education, and personal income by gender and race/ethnicity? How is the demographic composition of Arizona expected to change? How will expected changes in demography – given current disparities in education and personal income – affect the overall educational attainment and personal income of Arizona?
Thousands of human mobile element fragments undergo strong purifying selection near developmental genes

At least 5% of the human genome predating the mammalian radiation is thought to have evolved under purifying selection, yet protein-coding and related untranslated exons occupy at most 2% of the genome. Thus, the majority of conserved and, by extension, functional sequence in the human genome seems to be nonexonic. Recent work has highlighted a handful of cases where mobile element insertions have resulted in the introduction of novel conserved nonexonic elements. Here, we present a genome-wide survey of 10,402 constrained nonexonic elements in the human genome that have all been deposited by characterized mobile elements. These repeat instances have been under strong purifying selection since at least the boreoeutherian ancestor (100 Mya). They are most often located in gene deserts and show a strong preference for residing closest to genes involved in development and transcription regulation. In particular, constrained nonexonic elements with clear repetitive origins are located near genes involved in cell adhesion, including all characterized cellular members of the reelin-signaling pathway. Overall, we find that mobile elements have contributed at least 5.5% of all constrained nonexonic elements unique to mammals, suggesting that mobile elements may have played a larger role than previously recognized in shaping and specializing the landscape of gene regulation during mammalian evolution.
"Unemployment Insurance Benefits and Takeup Rates"

Despite clear theoretical predictions of UI effects on takeup there is little work on the link between program generosity and the propensity to file for benefits. Administrative data allow us to assign the potential level and duration of benefits accurately for a sample of workers separating from their employers, whether or not UI was ever actually received. We then use these values along with marginal tax rates as our main explanatory variables in logit equation estimates of the probability that a separating employee receives UI. We find a strong positive effect of the benefit level on takeup, but little effect of the potential duration of benefits. The estimates imply elasticities of the takeup rate with respect to benefits of about 0.46 to 0.78. Our estimates also show that potential claimants respond to the tax treatment of benefits. Simulations of the effects of taxing UI benefits indicate that recent tax changes can account for most of the decline in UI receipt in the 1980's. In addition, we find theoretical and empirical support for the proposition that those with short unemployment spells are less likely to file. We show that if the decision to file for UI is affected by benefit levels and the expected duration of unemployment, it will bias estimates of the effects of UI on unemployment duration.
A Call for Change: Improving Judicial Selection Methods

Empirical data show that, despite the significant electoral success of state court judges, elections still impact judicial decision-making, and elected judges are less consistent in their voting patterns than appointed judges. In addition, if interest in state judicial elections continues to wane and these contests are not robust, states no longer even benefits from the participatory advantages of an elective system. Using the State of Wisconsin as an example, this Article suggests that Wisconsin and other state legislatures, with the support of bar associations and academics, should revisit the historical underpinnings of judicial elections, and consider both whether electing judges conforms with the historical goals of having an elected judiciary and whether the available empirical data support the belief that elected judges can be systematically consistent and independent in the decision-making process.
Wavelet-Based Face Recognition Method by Using Support Vector Machine

A new method of facial representation proposed for face recognition by Support Vector Machine (SVM). For face representation we have used a five-step multiresolution method, namely the two-dimensional Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) is used to transform the faces to a more discriminated space and then use the approximations of subimages in each scale as feature points to classify different faces. The experimental results shown a significant improvement which includes a substantial reduction in error rate and the correct recognition rate is high up to 100%.
Aerosol-induced thermal effects increase modelled terrestrial photosynthesis and transpiration

Previous studies suggest that the radiative effects of atmospheric aerosols (reducing total radiation while increasing thediffuse fraction) can enhance terrestrial productivity. Here, simulations using a regional climate/terrestrial biospheremodel suggest that atmospheric aerosols could also enhance terrestrial photosynthesis and transpiration through aninteraction between solar radiation, leaf temperature and stomatal conductance. During midday, clear-sky conditions, sunlit-leaf temperatures can exceed the optimum for photosynthesis, depressing both photosynthesis and transpiration.Aerosols decrease surface solar radiation, thereby reducing leaf temperatures and enhancing sunlit-leaf photosynthesisand transpiration. This modelling study finds that, under certain conditions, this thermal response of aerosols can havea greater impact on photosynthesis and transpiration than the radiative response. This implies that a full understandingof the impact of aerosols on climate and the global carbon cycle requires consideration of the biophysical responses ofterrestrial vegetation as well as atmospheric radiative and thermodynamic effects.
Mobilization and transplantation patterns of autologous hematopoietic stem cells in multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

BACKGROUND The mobilization of hematopoietic stem cells can be a limiting factor for transplantation, yet little is known about how the availability of novel mobilizing agents has affected the practices of oncologists and transplant specialists. METHODS US-based oncologists (n = 48) and transplant specialists (n = 46) were separately surveyed with a partial overlap of assessed information. RESULTS More transplant specialists than oncologists believed that the time between referral and first consultation is adequate (89.1% vs 54.2%; P < .001). The presence of comorbidities was the most common reason for patients not being referred for transplantation. Among oncologists, 31.3% avoided cyclophosphamide and 16.7% avoided lenalidomide to prevent mobilization impairment in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Chemotherapy mobilization for MM was used by 23.9% of transplant specialists due to higher CD34+ yields and by 21.7% due to its anti-MM effect. In non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), 26.1% of transplant specialists used chemotherapy mobilization due to higher CD34+ yields, and 26.1% collected hematopoietic stem cells on the rebound prior to chemotherapy. With regard to plerixafor use in MM, 36.9% of transplant specialists reported that they did not use it, and 28.3% said they reserved it for second mobilization. In NHL, 4.3% of transplant specialists reported not using plerixafor, and 39.1% reserved it for second mobilization. CONCLUSIONS Educational needs were identified to promote adequate referral for transplantation as well as successful and cost-effective methods for the mobilization of hematopoietic stem cells.
Integrating microfinance and health strategies: examining the evidence to inform policy and practice.

INTRODUCTION Single solutions continue to be inadequate in confronting the prevalent problems of poverty, ill health and insufficient health system capacity worldwide. The poor need access to an integrated set of financial and health services to have income security and better health. Over 3500 microfinance institutions (MFIs) provide microcredit and financial services to more than 155 million households worldwide. Conservative estimates indicate that at least 34 million of these households are very poor by the definition in the Millennium Development Goals, representing around 170 million people, many in remote areas beyond the reach of health agencies, both private and governmental. A small but increasing number of MFIs offer health-related services, such as education, clinical care, community health workers, health-financing and linkages to public and private health providers. REVIEW OF EVIDENCE Multiple studies indicate the effectiveness of microfinance and its impact on poverty. A small but growing number of studies also attempt to show that MFIs are capable of contributing to health improvement by increasing knowledge that leads to behavioural changes, and by enhancing access to health services through addressing financial, geographic and other barriers. While these studies are of uneven quality, they indicate positive health benefits in diverse areas such as maternal and child health, malaria and other infectious disease, and domestic violence. While more rigorous research is needed to inform policy and guide programme implementation to integrate microfinance and health interventions that can reliably enhance the well-being of the poor, there is useful evidence to support the design and delivery of integrated programmes now. CONCLUSION Worldwide, current public health programmes and health systems are proving to be inadequate to meet population needs. The microfinance sector offers an underutilized opportunity for delivery of health-related services to many hard-to-reach populations.
Stroke: Medium and long-term mortality and associated factors in French-speaking West Africa, case of Benin

Introduction: Stroke is the leading cause of mortality and physical disability in sub-Saharan Africa. Objective: Determining medium-term and long-term mortality for stroke and identifying associated factors. Method: It consists in a cross-sectional, prospective, descriptive and analytical study that was conducted from April 1 to August 31, 2013 in the Neurology Department of CNHU-HKM in Cotonou. It involved patients who have known stroke for at least 6 months, and were all admitted and discharged later on. The disease survivors were re-contacted and examined again at home or at hospital. Then, the number of deceased was systematically recorded with precision of death time-limit. Results: The overall mortality rate was 29%. Mortality was higher with patients over 70 years with a frequency of 57.1%. The medium-term mortality rate was 25% against 4% for long-term. The average time-limit for death occurrence after the vascular incident was 7 months ± 6.4 months. Prognostic factors of mortality were: the age of the patient (IC95% = 7.73 [1.49 - 39.99], p = 0.015 ), marital status (IC95% = 0.27 [0.08 to 0.94], p = 0.039 ) and the presence of aphasia (IC95% = 5.52 [1.45 to 20.94 ], p = 0.012). Conclusion: Stroke mortality still remains significant, even after the patients have been discharged from hospital. A good psychological family support and efficient aphasia coverage are essential for its reduction.