Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Surgeon and Type of Anesthesia Predict Variability in Surgical Procedure Times

Background Variability in surgical procedure times increases the cost of healthcare delivery by increasing both the underutilization and overutilization of expensive surgical resources. To reduce variability in surgical procedure times, we must identify and study its sources. Methods Our data set consisted of all surgeries performed over a 7-yr period at a large teaching hospital, resulting in 46,322 surgical cases. To study factors associated with variability in surgical procedure times, data mining techniques were used to segment and focus the data so that the analyses would be both technically and intellectually feasible. The data were subdivided into 40 representative segments of manageable size and variability based on headers adopted from the common procedural terminology classification. Each data segment was then analyzed using a main-effects linear model to identify and quantify specific sources of variability in surgical procedure times. Results The single most important source of variability in surgical procedure times was surgeon effect. Type of anesthesia, age, gender, and American Society of Anesthesiologists risk class were additional sources of variability. Intrinsic case-specific variability, unexplained by any of the preceding factors, was found to be highest for shorter surgeries relative to longer procedures. Variability in procedure times among surgeons was a multiplicative function (proportionate to time) of surgical time and total procedure time, such that as procedure times increased, variability in surgeons’ surgical time increased proportionately. Conclusions Surgeon-specific variability should be considered when building scheduling heuristics for longer surgeries. Results concerning variability in surgical procedure times due to factors such as type of anesthesia, age, gender, and American Society of Anesthesiologists risk class may be extrapolated to scheduling in other institutions, although specifics on individual surgeons may not. This research identifies factors associated with variability in surgical procedure times, knowledge of which may ultimately be used to improve surgical scheduling and operating room utilization.
Communication technologies for an intelligent bus monitoring system

This paper highlights the implementation of an intelligent bus monitoring system using radio frequency identification (RFID) and integrated sensing technologies such as global positioning system (GPS), general packet radio service (GPRS) and geographic information system (GIS) are used to monitor the movement of a bus. A new theoretical framework and ruled based decision algorithms are developed for the system. An experimental setup is developed for the prototype implementation. The results show that the choice of integrated technologies used in the system is suitable to monitor and manage a vehicle transportation system.
The Solar Heavy-Element Abundances. I. Constraints from Stellar Interiors

The latest solar atmosphere models including non-LTE corrections and three-dimensional hydrodynamic convection simulations predict a significant reduction in the solar metal abundance. This leads to a serious conflict between helioseismic data and the predictions of solar interiors models. We demonstrate that the helioseismic constraints on the surface convection zone depth and helium abundance combined with stellar interiors models can be used to constrain chemical composition. A detailed examination of the errors in the theoretical models disfavors strongly (disagreeing at the 15 σ level with the seismic data) the proposed new low abundance, while the models constructed with the older and higher solar abundances are consistent (within 2 σ). We then use the sensitivity of the seismic properties to abundance changes to invert the problem and infer a seismic solar heavy-element abundance mix with two components: meteoritic abundances and the light metals CNONe. Seismic degeneracies between the best solutions for the elements arise for changes in the relative CNONe abundances and their effects are quantified. We obtain Fe/H = 7.50 ± 0.045 ± 0.003(CNNe) and O/H = 8.86 ± 0.041 ± 0.025(CNNe) on the logarithmic scale, where H = 12 for the relative CNNe mixtures in the Grevese & Sauval mixture; the second error term reflects the uncertainty in the overall abundance scale from errors in the C, N, and Ne abundances relative to oxygen. These are consistent within the errors with the previous standard solar mixture but in strong conflict with the low oxygen abundance inferred from the three-dimensional hydro models. Changes in the Ne abundance can mimic changes in oxygen for the purposes of scalar constraints. However, models constructed with low oxygen and high neon are inconsistent with the solar sound speed profile. Implications for the solar abundance scale are discussed.
3D Shape Descriptor Based on 3D Fourier Transform

- In this paper, we propose a new method for describing 3D-shape in order to perform similarity search for polygonal mesh models. The approach is based on characterization of spatial properties of 3D-objects by suitable feature vectors, i.e., the goal is to define 3D-shape descriptors in such a way that similar objects are represented by “close” points in the feature vector space. We present a descriptor which is invariant with respect to translation, rotation, scaling, and reflection and robust with respect to level-of-detail. A coarse voxelization of a 3D-model is used as the input for the 3D Discrete Fourier Transform (3D DFT), while the absolute values of obtained (complex) coefficients are considered as components of the feature vector. Multiple levels of abstraction of the feature are embedded by the applied transform. The performance of the proposed method is compared to some previous approaches by means of precision/recall tests. Generally, results show that the new approach introduces improvements in the 3D-model retrieval process.
Filtering and Rendering of Resolution-Dependent Reflectance Models

The reflectance of a surface depends upon the resolution at which it is imaged. In this work, we propose to represent this resolution-dependent reflectance as a mixture of multiple conventional reflectance models and present a framework for efficiently rendering the reflectance effects of such mixture models over different resolutions. To rapidly determine reflectance at runtime with respect to resolution, we record the mixture model parameters at multiple resolution levels in mipmaps and propose a technique to minimize aliasing in the filtering of these mipmaps. This framework can be applied to several widely used parametric reflectance models and can be implemented in graphics hardware for real-time processing, using a presented hardware-accelerated technique for nonlinear filtering of mixture model parameters. In addition, shadowing and masking effects can be included into this framework to increase the realism of rendering. With this mixture model filtering and rendering framework, our system can efficiently render the fine reflectance detail that is customarily disregarded in conventional rendering methods.
Comment on “ Realized Variance and Market Microstructure Noise ” by Peter Hansen and Asger Lunde

If efficient asset prices follow continuous semi-martingales and are perfectly observed, their quadratic variation can be measured accurately from the sum of a large number of squared returns sampled over very finely spaced intervals, i.e., realized variance (Andersen et al., 2003, and Barndorff-Nielsen and Shephard, 2002). With the emergence of high-frequency data, it seems that we should be able to identify volatility rather easily. However, this identification hinges on being able to observe the true (or efficient) price process. Unfortunately, observed asset prices are affected by market microstructure effects, such as discreteness, different prices for buyers and sellers, “price impacts” of trades, and so forth. If we think of observed logarithmic prices as efficient logarithmic prices plus logarithmic market microstructure noise contaminations, then we face an interesting as well as complex econometric task in using high-frequency data to estimate quadratic variation from noisy observed asset price data. Hansen and Lunde make several important contributions to this growing literature. First, they document empirical evidence regarding the dynamic features of microstructure noise. Second, they propose a clever procedure to remove microstructure-induced biases
Leadership and Fulfillment of the Three Basic Psychological Needs at Work.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between transformational leadership and a transactional leadership component (management by exception‐active), and fulfillment of the basic needs of autonomy, competence and relatedness.Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on cross sectional data from 661 employees who completed validated questionnaires such as the the multifactor leadership questionnaire (MLQ) and the basic need satisfaction at work (BNSW). The data were analysed using structural equation modeling in AMOS 18.0. Findings – The results show that both transformational leadership and the transactional behavior management by exception active are significantly related to fulfillment of the basic needs. Significant regression weights of 0.50 (p<0.01) 0.46 (p<0.01), and 0.21 (p<0.01) from transformational leadership to relatedness, autonomy and competence were also found. Negative and smaller paths were revealed from management by exception to relatedness (=−0.12, p<0.
Guidance on internal audit's interface with regulators: An analysis and appraisal of recent developments

Purpose - – The purpose of this paper is to identify and interpret expectations of regulators about the interface between regulators and internal audit. Design/methodology/approach - – Contemporary pronouncements are subjected to a content analysis about the relationship demands that regulators place upon internal audit. Comparison is made with internal auditing standards. The paper identifies the significant challenges and considers the future. Findings - – Regulators are increasingly prescriptive about what they expect from internal audit. The scope of internal audit work must cover all matters of interest to the regulator. Internal audit is now regarded as part of the supervisory process. Unlike financial reporting and external auditing, there is no attempt to regulate the setting of internal audit standards, but regulators themselves are enunciating internal audit requirements that go beyond the standards. Research limitations/implications - – The paper draws mainly upon developments in the financial sector, which is leading the way in prescribing the interface between regulator and internal audit. Practical implications - – The enhanced requirements of regulators impact upon internal audit's other relationships on the internal audit universe and scope, and on staffing internal audit. Originality/value - – This is the first attempt to synthesise what regulators currently require from their relationship with internal audit, which needs to be reflected in internal audit charters and in future releases of global internal auditing standards.
Anti-Discrimination or Reverse Discrimination: the Impact of Changing Demographics, Title Vii and Affirmative Action on Productivity

Opponents of the integration by race and gender of the American workplace have argued that forced equity will entail reduced productivity as employers are forced to hire lower quality females and minorities. The numerous wage equation studies always reach the same dead-end: residual differences across race or gender are due either to discrimination or to unobserved quality differences. This study takes a new approach, and directly estimates over time the ratio of minority to white male, and of female to white male productivity, using a new two-digit SIC industry by state production function data set for 1966 and 1977. The major finding is that there is no significant evidence that the productivity of minorities or females decreased relative to that of white males as relative minority and female employment increased during the 1960's and 1970's. This study also presents evidence that Title VII litigation has played a significant role in increasing black employment. This suggests that the employment of minorities and females has not entailed large efficiency costs, and that Title VII litigation has had some success in fighting racial discrimination. Direct tests of the impact of Title VII litigation and affirmative action regulation also find no significant evidence that these policies have contributed to a productivity reduction.
Facial expression communication with FES

Facial expression communication is considered, mainly focusing on achieving smooth telecommunications. Gesture and facial expressions are considered to be significant factors in telecommunications, such as tele-services. To realize a real time communication system for facial expression, we proposed the facial expression space (FES) and a correspondence technique between each personal facial expression space. Then, a real time facial expression communication system is developed, which transports the facial expressions but not the images themselves. This final system is able to synthesize the facial expressions with two persons, further more in cartoon characters. The experimental results show the validity of these criteria.
Has Egypt’s Monetary Policy Changed after The Float?

After maintaining a currency peg to the US$ for more than 40 years, Egypt announced the float of its exchange rate in 2003. Yet, the somewhat stable exchange rate suggests that it continues to be managed by the Central Bank of Egypt. The objective of this paper is to assess whether monetary policy significantly changed after the float. It first applies cointegration methodology using monthly data from 1981 to 2008 to show that there is a long-run relationship between the LE/US$ exchange rate and monetary fundamentals. A vector error-correction model shows that the speed of exchange rate adjustment to long-run equilibrium is slow suggesting that exchange rate misalignments are persistent. The model also shows that there has not been a significant change in exchange rate determination after the float. Second, the paper attempted to provide a de facto classification for Egypt’s exchange rate regime and could not classify it as a float.
Effective High Resolution 3D Geometric Reconstruction of Heritage and Archaeological Sites from Images

Motivated by the need for fast, accurate, and high-resolution approach to document heritage and archaeological sites before they are removed or destroyed, the goal of this paper is to develop and demonstrate advanced image-based techniques to capture the fine 3D geometric details of such sites. The size of the site can be large and of any arbitrary shape which presents a challenge to all existing 3D techniques. Although laser scanners can acquire large number of 3D points, they can be impractical to set up and move around in archaeological sites. Alternatively, image-based techniques entail data from inexpensive portable digital cameras. We present a sequential multi-stage procedure for 3D data capture from images designed to model the fine geometric details. Test results demonstrated the utility and flexibility of the technique and proved that it creates highly detailed models in a reliable manner for many different types of surface detail.
Class I-restricted processing and presentation of exogenous cell- associated antigen in vivo

MHC class I-restricted T lymphocyte responses are usually directed to cellular antigenic components resulting from endogenous gene expression. Exogenous, non-replicating antigens, such as soluble proteins, usually fail to enter the class I pathway of antigen processing and presentation. Consistent with this notion, we have recently shown that soluble, exogenous proteins can be efficiently processed for class I presentation in vitro only if they are introduced directly into the target cell cytoplasm. In this report we extend this work to the in vivo situation by introducing soluble protein into the cytoplasm of mouse splenocytes via the osmotic lysis of pinosomes and then using these cells for in vivo immunization. Our results show that cytoplasmic loading of OVA and beta-GAL into H-2b and H-2d splenocytes respectively, resulted in effective in vivo immunogens for class I- restricted CTL. To our surprise, control spleen cell preparations simply incubated with the exogenous, native protein for 10 min at 37 degrees C in isotonic medium and then washed could also induce a comparable class I-restricted CTL response following intravenous injection. Experiments using (H-2b X H-2d)F1 mice showed that protein pulsed splenocytes from one parental strain could effectively "cross prime" T cells restricted to the MHC of the other parental strain. In all cases, target cell recognition by the effector CTL generated by immunization with spleen cell-associated antigen required the antigen to be present in the cell cytoplasm. Thus the CTL do not recognize target cells exposed to soluble, exogenous antigen. These results, reminiscent of analogous experiments with cross priming by minor histocompatibility antigens, argue that class I-restricted processing and presentation of exogenous antigen can occur in vivo following immunization with cell-associated antigen.
Wycena opcji na VIX - podejscie heurystyczne

W artykule przedstawiamy prostą parametryzacje powierzchni zmienności w opcjach, ktorych instrumentem bazowym jest zmiennośc implikowana z opcji na SP (ii) zmiennośc implikowana ATM opcji na VIX zmniejsza sie wykladniczo wraz z terminem wygaśniecia opcji; (iii) uśmiech zmienności opcji na VIX daje sie dobrze opisac za pomocą popularnego modelu zmienności stochastycznej SABR. Wykorzystując proste reguly kciuka opisane w pkt. (i)-(iii) mozna podac cene (zmiennośc implikowaną) opcji na VIX o dowolnym terminie i cenie wykonania, otrzymując wartośc zblizoną do rynkowej.
Magnetic structures in a dynamo simulation

We use three-dimensional simulations to study compressible convection in a rotating frame with magnetic fields and overshoot into surrounding stable layers. The, initially weak, magnetic field is amplified and maintained by dynamo action and becomes organized into flux tubes that are wrapped around vortex tubes. We also observe vortex buoyancy which causes upward flows in the cores of extended downdraughts. An analysis of the angles between various vector fields shows that there is a tendency for the magnetic field to be parallel or antiparallel to the vorticity vector, especially when the magnetic field is strong. The magnetic energy spectrum has a short inertial range with a slope compatible with k+1/3 during the early growth phase of the dynamo. During the saturated state the slope is compatible with k−1. A simple analysis based on various characteristic timescales and energy transfer rates highlights important qualitative ideas regarding the energy budget of hydromagnetic dynamos.
The Design of Reliable Protocols for Wireless Traffic Signal System

Electronic traffic signal has the advantage of being easily visible to machines. It is expected to augment the traditional traffic light system in future intelligent transportation environments, where intelligent vehicles interact with each other and with traffic systems and give informed advisories to drivers. One problem with wireless signals is that they are essentially omnidirectional. Even if one uses directional wireless signaling source, it is not clear how any recipient of a signal can reliably determine whether the signal is meant for him or her, in the presence of signal reflections. In this paper, we present a basic electronic traffic signalling protocol framework and two reliable protocols for intersection traffic signal and stop sign signal. These protocols enable recipient vehicles to robustly differentiate the signal’s designated directions despite of potential threats (confusions) caused by reflections. We demonstrate how to use one of the protocol to construct a sample application: a red-light alert system. We also address potential inconsistency threats caused by the uncertainty of location system being usedand discuss means to handle them. Keywords— traffic signal, wireless, protocol, reliable
Analysing wage and price dynamics in New Zealand

This paper examines the relationship between wages and consumer prices in New Zealand over the last 15 years. Reflecting the open nature of the New Zealand economy, the headline CPI is disaggregated into non-tradable and tradable prices. We find that there is a joint causality between wages and disaggregate inflation. An increase in wage inflation forecasts an increase in non-tradable inflation. However, it is tradable inflation that drives wage inflation. While exogenous shocks to wages do not help to forecast inflation, the leading relationship from wages to non-tradable inflation implies that monitoring wages may prove useful for projecting the impact of other shocks on future inflation.
A Change Impact Analysis Approach for Workflow Repository Management

Large and complex workflow repositories include a series of interdependent workflows. In this scenario, it becomes hard to estimate the effort required to accomplish changes to workflows. Furthermore, ad-hoc changes may induce side and ripple effects, which ultimately hamper the reliability of the repository. In this paper, we introduce a static dependency-centric change impact analysis approach for workflow repository management. The approach relies on metrics and visualizations that makes it easy and quick to estimate change impact. We implemented the approach, incorporated it into HP Operations Orchestration (HP OO), and conducted an exploratory study in which we thoroughly analyzed the workflow repository of 8 HP OO customers. Besides being able to characterize and compare the repositories against each other, we found that while the out-of-the-box repository provided by HP OO has 10 flows with high change impact, 5 customer repositories had higher values that ranged from 11 (+10%) to 35 (+250%).
Tremor Price Dynamics in the World’s Network of Stock Exchanges

We use insight from a model of earth tectonic plate movement to obtain a new understanding of the build up and release of stress in the price dynamics of the worlds stock exchanges. Nonlinearity enters the model due to a behavioral attribute of humans reacting disproportionately to big changes. This nonlinear response allows us to classify price movements of a given stock index as either being generated due to specific economic news for the country in question, or by the ensemble of the worlds stock exchanges reacting together like a complex system. Similar in structure to the Capital Asset Pricing Model in Finance, the model predicts how an individual stock exchange should be priced in terms of the performance of the global market of exchanges, but with human behavioral characteristics included in the pricing. A number of the models assumptions are validated against empirical data for 24 of the worlds leading stock exchanges. We show how treshold effects can lead to synchronization in the global network of stock exchanges.
On the limitations of binaural reproduction of monaural blind source separation output signals

In this contribution we analyze the binaural reproduction of an acoustic scene from monaural blind source separation (BSS) outputs for headphone applications. In practice, a perfect separation of the individual sources cannot be achieved, there are always residual components in the BSS outputs which constitute a major problem for binaural reproduction of an acoustic scene. We derive a necessary condition for the required signal-to-interference-ratio (SIR) at the BSS outputs so that a binaural reproduction of the source signals is possible up to a given tolerable error based on a simplified free-field model. The theoretical findings are verified by simulations with speech signals.