Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Illumination System Modeling Techniques in Wire Bonding Pattern Recognition System

A method has been proposed to model the illumination characteristics of a typical wire bonder vision system. The proposed model can be used to calibrate the illumination of the vision system to ensure the same level of illumination brightness across different machines, given the same lighting level setting. The approach to extract the machine illumination model is semi-empirical and the model provides a closed-form solution
Singlet oxygen quenching and radical scavenging capacities of structurally-related flavonoids present in Zuccagnia punctata Cav.

The singlet oxygen (1O2) quenching and free radical (DPPH•, ABTS• + and O2• −) scavenging ability of three structurally-related flavonoids (7-hydroxyflavanone HF, 2′,4′-dihydroxychalcone DHC and 3,7-dihydroxyflavone DHF) present in the Argentinean native shrub Zuccagnia punctata Cav. were studied in solution by combining electrochemical and kinetic measurements, mass spectroscopy, end-point antioxidant assays and computational calculations. The results showed that the antioxidant properties of these flavonoids depend on several factors, such as their electron- and hydrogen atom donor capacity, the ionization degree of the more acidic group, solvatation effects and electrostatic interactions with the oxidant species. The theoretical calculations for both the gas and solution phases at the B3LYP level of theory for the Osanger reaction field model agreed with the experimental findings, thus supporting the characterization of the antioxidant mechanism of the Z. punctata flavonoids.
THE RELEVANT INTERNAL RATE OF RETURN

In this article we present a method for determining project acceptability in the presence of multiple internal rates of return. An internal rate of return is an interest rate that equates the present worth of a cash flow stream to zero. When unique, it provides valuable information about the return on the investment and is often viewed as a measure of efficiency. Unfortunately, this analysis is clouded when there are multiple internal rates of return, which can occur when a project is defined by a mixture of positive and negative cash flows. While many methods have been presented in the literature to deal with this problem, we believe ours to be unique in that it does not rely on the computation of another measure of worth, but rather, the identification of the relevant rate of return from the set of internal rates of return. We show that this rate always produces decisions consistent with present worth under the assumption that at least one real internal rate of return exists. In doing so, we provide new definitions of when a project is borrowing from, or loaning to, the firm. These definitions help in understanding the meaning of multiple internal rates of return, which is also discussed.
Thickness Distribution of Glenohumeral Joint Cartilage

High-resolution 3-dimensional cartilage-specific magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed at 3 T to test the following hypotheses: (1) there is a nonuniform cartilage thickness distribution both on the proximal humerus and on the glenoid surface and (2) the glenohumeral joint as a combined system is congruent with the level of the joint cartilage surface without substantial radial mismatch. Inclusion of 38 volunteers (19 females, mean age 24.34 ± 2.22 years; range 21-29 years) in a prospective study. Measurements of: cartilage thickness in 3 regions and 3 zones; radius of both circles (glenoid and humeral cartilage) for congruency calculation using 3-T MRI with 3-dimensional dual-echo steady-state sequence with water excitation. A homogenous mean cartilage thickness (1.2-1.5 mm) and slightly higher values for the glenoidal articulating surface radii both in the mid-paracoronar section (2.4 vs. 2.1 cm, P < 0.001) and in the mid-paraaxial section (2.4 vs. 2.1 cm, P < 0.001) compared with the humeral side were observed. The concept of a radial mismatch between the humeral head and the glenoid in healthy human subjects can be confirmed. This study provides normative data for the comparison of joint cartilage changes at the shoulder for future studies.
Exploring change processes in compassion focused therapy in psychosis: results of a feasibility randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES Compassion focused therapy (CFT) was developed to stimulate capacities for soothing and affiliation to self and others as a way to regulate the threat system. This feasibility study aimed to assess the safety, the acceptability, the potential benefits, and associated change processes of using group CFT with people recovering from psychosis. DESIGN A prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded end point evaluation design was used. METHOD Forty adult patients with a schizophrenia-spectrum disorder were randomized to CFT plus treatment as usual (TAU; n = 22) or to TAU alone (n = 18). Group CFT comprised 16 sessions (2 hr each, 1 x week). Participants were assessed prior to randomization and at the end of treatment. Assessments included semi-structured interviews to elicit narratives of recovery from psychosis and self-report measures. At the end of treatment, participants were rated on the Clinical Global Impression Scale. Narratives were coded using the Narrative Recovery Style Scale to provide measures of change in compassion and avoidance. Change processes were correlated with changes in depression, personal beliefs about illness, fear of recurrence, and positive and negative affect. RESULTS Group CFT was associated with no adverse events, low attrition (18%), and high acceptability. Relative to TAU, CFT was associated with greater observed clinical improvement (p < 0.001) and significant increases in compassion (p = 0.015) of large magnitude. Relative to TAU, increases in compassion in the CFT group were significantly associated with reductions in depression (p = 0.001) and in perceived social marginalization (p = 0.002). DISCUSSION Findings support the feasibility of group CFT in psychosis and suggest that changes in compassion can be achieved, which appear to reduce depression in particular. This is the first randomized controlled evaluation of CFT. CONCLUSION Compassion focused therapy appears as a safe, acceptable, promising, and evolving intervention for promoting emotional recovery from psychosis.
The Elusive Price Premium for Ecolabelled Products: Evidence from Seafood in the UK Market

Ecolabelling is an increasingly important tool used in the promotion of sustainable forestry and fishery products around the world. Whether the consumer is actually paying a price premium for ecolabelled products is of fundamental importance as it indicates a return on the investment of sustainable practices, providing an incentive for producers to undertake such practices. This article seeks to address the question of whether or not an actual premium is being paid by consumers for ecolabelled seafood by conducting a hedonic analysis of Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)-certified frozen processed Alaska pollock products in the London metropolitan area in the UK market using scanner data. Regression results show a statistically significant premium of 14.2%. This implies the presence of market differentiation for sustainable seafood and the potential of the MSC’s fisheries certification programme to generate market incentives for sustainable fisheries practices.
CARAMILLA - Speech Mediated Language Learning Modules for Refugee and High School Learners of English and Irish

In the development of Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) modules there is a growing emphasis on the use of evolving technological developments which include text-to-speech technology (TTS) and automatic speech recognition (ASR). These technologies allow for greater spoken interaction between the learner and the computer, which is particularly useful when native speaker input is not readily available and to elicit learner speech in a quasi-natural environment. They also allow for greater learner autonomy, and facilitate the creation of modules based on effective learning activities at all levels to address needs for accuracy as well as ﬂuency. The present paper reports on two modules which integrate speech technology, (1) a spoken dictogloss, or text reconstruction, module and (2) a pronunciation module. These modules have been implemented in JAVA as part of CARAMILLA, a spoken dialogue-based language learning tool, which is based on an earlier prototype, MILLA. The dictogloss module is being evaluated with two distinct learner groups – adult refugees learning English while living in the host country and learners of Irish, a minority endangered language. The pronunciation module is also being evaluated with the adult refugee group.
Land value as a function of distance from the CBD: The case of the eastern suburbs of Pretoria

The greater the benefit derived from using a piece of land for any particular purpose the higher the price the prospective user is willing to pay. The demand for land is thus a reflection of the utility derived from its use by current or potential users. The ability to compete for sites depends on whether they have the means to benefit from accessibility and complementarity within the urban framework. Conventional theory states that productivity determines urban rent, which is the highest at the place of maximum accessibility, i.e. the central business district (CBD). This paper review selected residential location theories and the factors influencing location decisions. Using selected eastern suburbs of Pretoria, the paper tries to determine whether residential land values decrease as distance from the CBD increase as theory suggests. Foreign aid and poverty reduction in sub-Saharan Africa: A cross-country investigation
IL-25 Receptor Expression on Airway Dendritic Cells after Allergen Challenge in Subjects with Asthma.

RATIONALE IL-25 is an epithelial-derived cytokine, whose effects are mediated by the IL-25 receptor (IL-17RB), and that has been implicated in the pathogenesis of allergic disease and airway viral responses. Airway myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) are professional antigen-presenting cells. pDCs may play a protective role in asthma and are key players in the innate immune response through recognition of microbial products via Toll-like receptors (TLRs). The effects of inhaled allergens on the expression of IL-17RB by mDCs and pDCs, and the effects of IL-25 on pDCs, are unknown. OBJECTIVES To evaluate allergen-induced changes in IL-17RB expression by mDCs and pDCs and to investigate the effects of IL-25 on pDCs. METHODS Patients with mild atopic asthma (n = 13) were challenged with inhaled allergen. Blood and sputum DCs were enumerated and IL-17RB expression was determined by flow cytometry before and 7 and 24 hours after allergen challenge. The effects of IL-25 on pDCs in vitro were also assessed. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Inhaled allergen significantly increased mDC and pDC numbers in sputum but not in blood. The percentage of IL-17RB(+) mDCs and pDCs was significantly increased in blood and sputum 24 hours after challenge. IL-25 up-regulated TLR9 expression by pDCs and orchestrated the responses to TLR9 ligation. CONCLUSIONS IL-17RB is up-regulated on blood and sputum mDCs and pDCs after allergen inhalation. IL-25 modulates pDC function through an effect on TLR9 expression.
Will Hunters Steward Wolves? A Comment on Treves and Martin

As wolf conservation transitions away from federally sponsored protection and recovery toward sustainable management under state fish and game agencies, researchers and policymakers are interested to know what role hunters will play. Based upon hunters' responses to three recent surveys in Wisconsin and the northern Rockies, Treves and Martin question the assumption that hunters will steward wolves, noting that the majority of hunters that responded were unsupportive of wolf conservation. However, this conclusion largely depends upon what is meant by stewardship and what actions are required for wolves to be conserved. This article discusses the meaning of three concepts either explicitly or implicitly discussed by Treves and Martin—tolerance, acceptance, and stewardship—and offers a conceptual model of wildlife conservation behavior that clarifies the relationship among these concepts.
Does the opioid-sparing effect of rectal diclofenac following total abdominal hysterectomy benefit the patient?

BACKGROUND The aim of this prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial was to investigate the opioid-sparing effects of rectal diclofenac following total abdominal hysterectomy. METHODS Forty ASA I-II patients, aged 20-60 yr, were randomized to receive identical-looking suppositories of either diclofenac 75 mg or placebo, twice daily. All patients were given a standardized anaesthetic, with intravenous morphine via a patient-controlled analgesia device and either diclofenac or placebo for postoperative analgesia. RESULTS The median 24 h morphine consumption (interquartile range) was significantly higher (P=0.02) in the placebo group [59 (45-85) mg] than in the diclofenac group [31 (14-65) mg]. In comparison with the placebo group, there were significant reductions in total pain score in the diclofenac group at rest (P=0.04) and on movement (P<0.01). Total (SD) sedation score was significantly lower (P=0.04) in the diclofenac group [90 (73) mm] than in the placebo group [148 (89) mm]. Total (interquartile range) nausea score was significantly lower (P<0.01) in the diclofenac group [14 (0-53) mm] than in the placebo group [64 (30-109) mm]. There was no significant difference between the two groups of patients in episodes of vomiting or number of rescue antiemetics. CONCLUSIONS Rectal diclofenac reduces morphine consumption, improves postoperative analgesia, and reduces the incidence of adverse effects such as sedation and nausea.
Thrombin induces osteosarcoma growth, a function inhibited by low molecular weight heparin in vitro and in vivo

Procoagulant states, leading to activation of the coagulation protease thrombin, are common in cancer and portend a poor clinical outcome. Although procoagulant states in osteosarcoma patients have been described, studies exploring osteosarcoma cells' ability to directly contribute to procoagulant activity have not been reported. This study explores the hypothesis that osteosarcoma can regulate thrombin generation and proliferate in response to thrombin, and that attenuating thrombin generation with anticoagulants can slow tumor growth.
The Rise of Red and the Wane of White: Wine Demand in Ontario Canada

Health Information is found to be a significant determinant of demand for white and red table wine using a two stage translog demand system model of wine demand in Ontario, Canada over the period 1985 to 1998. However, aging of the population seems to be the greatest factor affecting the shift from white to red wine over the study period.
DevOpsEnvy: An Education Support System for DevOps

As an emerging approach to support fast delivery of software features with reliable quality, DevOps attracts more and more practitioners and shows the potential to become one of the mainstream approach for software development and operation. Many universities begin to offer DevOps related courses to the students majored in software engineering and computer science. However, as a critical part of a DevOps course, the project practicing using DevOps might cast big challenges for teachers, compared to traditional project practicing. For example, the more frequent than ever delivery in DevOps practicing will inevitably increase the workload vastly for teachers to conduct effective evaluation. In this paper, we introduce a web based system (DevOpsEnvy) to support the management and monitoring of student teams practicing DevOps. By integrating several popular open source tools, this system provides students with features such as group management, project status monitoring and student performance data analysis, etc. Meanwhile, DevOpsEnvy system also provides teachers with sufficient evidence to perform evaluation. Our preliminary trial in Nanjing University revealed several advantages of DevOpsEnvy system.
Antimicrobial resistance 1979–2009 at Karolinska hospital, Sweden: normalized resistance interpretation during a 30‐year follow‐up on Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli resistance development

Kronvall G. Antimicrobial resistance 1979–2009 at Karolinska hospital, Sweden: normalized resistance interpretation during a 30‐year follow‐up on Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli resistance development. APMIS 2010; 118: 621–39.
The economics of tobacco control in low- and middle-income countries

Global best practice in tobacco control policy is anchored by the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control which recommends that countries use, amongst other things, tax increases and advertising bans to reduce tobacco consumption. Furthermore, this is supplemented by various policy documents and technical manuals produced by the World Health Organisation and the World Bank which provide a more thorough justification of these policy measures. This thesis seeks to examine the application of these tobacco control policy measures on tobacco consumption in lowand middle-income countries. The thesis focuses on tax policy in lowand middle-income countries by moving the metric from price to affordability (which considers price and income simultaneously). This is important since many lowand middle-income countries are growing rapidly and price increases may not be reducing consumption. First, methods for measuring the affordability of cigarettes are proposed. Secondly, trends in affordability over time and across countries are investigated. Results show that cigarettes have become less affordable in high-income countries and more affordable in lowand middle-income countries since 1990, and at a faster pace in recent years. Furthermore, where cigarettes have become less affordable price increases have been the catalytic factor, while in those countries where cigarettes have become more affordable growth in prices has not kept pace with growth in incomes. The concept of affordability is operationalised by proposing a tax policy rule that explicitly targets affordability using a case study on South Africa. As taxes increase so do the incentives to avoid and evade taxes. As such the illicit trade in cigarettes can undermine tax policy by diverting legal sales to the illegal market rather than by encouraging a decrease in smoking. However, little country level research which estimates levels of illicit trade and its impact on tobacco control
Dividend Privileges and the Value of Voting Rights: Evidence from Italy

The present paper proposes a new measure of the voting right, the Relative Vote Segment, which incorporates dividend privileges into the inferior class of shares. We test and compare it against the standard Relative Price Difference and the Nenova (2003) measure using 1998–2008 data from Italy, a country where dividend privileges are relevant. Results show that when dividend privileges are considered, the average voting right equals +35.63%, while its estimated value corresponds to a significantly lower +20.35% and +1.29% with the Relative Price Difference and the Nenova (2003) measure, respectively. Negative values of voting rights drop significantly with our methodology. Results become even more clear-cut when we clean the sample of possible measurement errors. As far as the determinants of the voting premium are concerned, the choice of the measure does not appear to have a significant impact, as long as the dividend differences are controlled for.
Cretaceous park of sex determination: sex chromosomes are conserved across iguanas

Many poikilothermic vertebrate lineages, especially among amphibians and fishes, possess a rapid turnover of sex chromosomes, while in endotherms there is a notable stability of sex chromosomes. Reptiles in general exhibit variability in sex-determining systems; as typical poikilotherms, they might be expected to have a rapid turnover of sex chromosomes. However, molecular data which would enable the testing of the stability of sex chromosomes are lacking in most lineages. Here, we provide molecular evidence that sex chromosomes are highly conserved across iguanas, one of the most species-rich clade of reptiles. We demonstrate that members of the New World families Iguanidae, Tropiduridae, Leiocephalidae, Phrynosomatidae, Dactyloidae and Crotaphytidae, as well as of the family Opluridae which is restricted to Madagascar, all share homologous sex chromosomes. As our sampling represents the majority of the phylogenetic diversity of iguanas, the origin of iguana sex chromosomes can be traced back in history to the basal splitting of this group which occurred during the Cretaceous period. Iguanas thus show a stability of sex chromosomes comparable to mammals and birds and represent the group with the oldest sex chromosomes currently known among amniotic poikilothermic vertebrates.
Why Ask Why?

1986 a brand of dry beer called Super Dry was mass-produced and introduced in Japan’s markets by Asahi, a Japanese brewer. That brand created the dry-beer niche in the beer market. Super Dry quickly increased Asahi’s Japanese market share from 9.6 percent in 1986 to 25 percent in 1989, and Asahi climbed from the number-three position to number two in Japan. 2 After Asahi’s success, its primary competitors created their own dry versions in 1987. Asahi’s market share remained
Anxiety among women with mild dyskaryosis: a randomized trial of an educational intervention.

BACKGROUND Women with mild dyskaryosis are currently managed by six-month cytological surveillance. While there is good evidence that women suffer psychological distress on receipt of an abnormal test, and that this is amenable to educational intervention, it remains uncertain whether this distress is prolonged and, if so, how it should best be managed. AIM To investigate whether a structured educational intervention containing a risk communication package impacts upon psychological sequelae associated with this surveillance. METHOD A pragmatic cluster-randomized controlled trial during 14 months in 1995 and 1996, based in general practices in Avon and South Glamorgan, that compared the intervention with standard care. Follow-up was by postal questionnaire at six weeks and four months after the screening laboratory had reported the test result. The intervention was an invitation to attend the general practice to consult with a practice nurse trained to deliver the package. The main outcome measures were Spielberger state-anxiety, SF-36 Mental Health dimension, four condition-specific questions regarding concerns about gynaecological health and timing of the repeat smear test, and attendance for the repeat test. RESULTS Of 514 eligible women, 270 were recruited, of whom 240 returned the six-week questionnaire and 181 returned the four-month questionnaire. On all but one outcome measure, the differences between the groups were not statistically significant. At six-week follow-up, the proportion who preferred the repeat test to be sooner than six months was statistically significantly higher among controls (74% versus 53%; 95% CI = 9% to 33%). At the four-month follow-up, the difference was 7% (95% CI = -7% to 21%). CONCLUSION There appear to be high levels of anxiety during surveillance for mild dyskaryosis that were not reduced by the intervention. Given that a personally delivered educational intervention designed to reduce anxiety could be viewed as the best available practice, it is of concern that women in the intervention group demonstrated sustained anxiety over a four-month period. The research agenda therefore seems to return to the fundamental question of whether surveillance should be the management of choice.