Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative Role of Sonourethrography (SUG) and Magnetic Resonance Urethrography (MRU) in Anterior Male Urethral Strictures

Anterior urethral stricture is a common clinical condition encountered in day-to-day urological practice affecting predominantly males. Retrograde urethrography (RGU) is a common investigation done to determine the future course of management. But with increasing use of plastic surgery and other endoscopic procedures, information regarding presence of spongiofibrosis and other associated conditions, in addition to length of stricture is being demanded from radiologist for deciding the mode of management. Sonourethrography (SUG) has started gaining acceptance over RGU in last few decades for determining periurethral spongiofibrosis which at the same time obviates radiation to gonads. In recent years, magnetic resonance urethrography (MRU) has also been advocated for evaluation of anterior urethral strictures due to its excellent soft tissue contrast and lack of operator dependence. Besides, MRU can delineate posterior urethra simultaneously, affecting further management obviating the need for micturating cystourethrogram (MCU). Hence, in this article we evaluate the comparative role of SUG ad MRU in the evaluation of male anterior urethral strictures.
Tourism and Sustainable Regional Development in Romania and France: an Approach from the Perspective of New Economic Geography

The issue of sustainable tourism and its potential contribution to regional development and convergence within the EU has been, in recent years, one of the primary research themes and a constant concern in European policies. However, currently, the European tourism industry is facing a loss in competitiveness at the global level due to a reduction in its share in world tourism and lower average revenues, many regions being in decline and the geographical flows being redirected. Based on these aspects, the present study proposes an analysis from the New Economic Geography perspective, considering two EU countries, a developed one (France), but situated in a tourist sub-region with a declining share in the total international tourist arrivals (Western Europe) and a developing one (Romania), from a growing tourism sub-region (Central/Eastern Europe). Using a comparative analysis at regional level, with three categories of functions - a function of impact (economic, social, environmental), a function of stability and a function of convergence - combined into a matrix model, we achieved an integrated research on the contribution that tourism brings in the two countries in terms of development and regional convergence. Then, we proposed a classification of regions according to the tourism index (mature tourist destinations, less attractive or in the early stage), the conclusions of the paper outlining several action lines for improving competitiveness of tourism in developing regions.
Parallel Reverse Treebanks for the Discovery of Morpho-Syntactic Markings

This paper describes a corpus of syntactic structures and associated sentences. However, it is not a traditional treebank. The syntactic structures are created first and are then associated with sentences in a human language. We therefore call it a reverse treebank (RTB). 1 The RTB has been created for elicitation of sentences in low resource languages. First, a corpus of feature structures is created using a tool suite built by the authors. The second step is to add sentences in a widely spoken language like English or Spanish that express the meanings of each feature structure. We will call this language the Elicitation Language. The third step is to have a bilingual informant translate the sentences into a low resource language. Using an elicitation tool, the informant can also graphically align the words of the Elicitation Language to the words of the low resource language. The result is a high quality parallel, word aligned corpus annotated with feature structures, which we will call a parallel RTB. RTB sentences may have multiple clauses, but they are generally short in comparison to naturally occurring sentences in treebanks. The reason is that parallel RTBs provide small, but highly structured corpora for machine learning with small amounts of resources. Corpora such as these have been used for automatic learning of transfer rules for machine translation [8].
Predictability of Tropical Cyclone Intensity Evaluated through 5-yr Forecasts with a Convection-Permitting Regional-Scale Model in the Atlantic Basin

AbstractThe practical predictability of tropical cyclone (TC) intensity in terms of mean absolute forecast error with respect to different conditions at forecast initialization was explored through convection-permitting hindcasts of all Atlantic storms during the 2008–12 hurricane seasons using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model. Averaged over a total of 2190 simulations, the day 1–5 performance of these WRF hindcasts was comparable to two operational regional-scale hurricane prediction models used by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) but was slightly inferior to the NHC official forecasts. It was found that the prediction accuracy of TC intensity, both at the initialization time and the targeted forecast hours, was strongly correlated with the TC intensity. On average, for both the WRF hindcasts and the NHC official forecasts, stronger intensities and larger intensity variations led to larger forecast errors. A number of synoptic-scale environmental parameters, such as vertical wind shear.
O A ] 3 1 O ct 2 01 7 Spectral geometries on a compact metric space

The notion of a spectral geometry on a compact metric space X is introduced. This notion serves as a discrete approximation of X motivated by the notion of a spectral triple from noncommutative geometry. A set of axioms charaterizing spectral geometries is given. Bounded deformations of spectral geometries are studied and the relationship between the dimension of a spectral geometry and more traditional dimensions of metric spaces is investigated.
Teacher training, extra education and students' achievement. The evaluation of a program for promoting students' performances in Italian lower secondary schools

This paper evaluates the short-term eects of a program targeting students enrolled in sixth grade classes in lower secondary schools. The program provided a in-service training to the mathematics and language teachers of the treated classes and additional hours of education to the students belonging to these classes. The intervention aimed at rising students’ performances in some of the worse performing schools located in four Italian southern regions. Using a comparison group of schools, chosen by propensity score matching, and implementing a dierence-in-dier ences estimation strategy, we nd that students in the treated classes reach higher test scores in mathematics, while no eect is found on the language test.
Clay mineral anomalies in the fault zone of the Chelungpu Fault, Taiwan, and their implications

The Taiwan Chelungpu‐fault Drilling Project (TCDP) Hole‐A recovered continuous core samples across the rupture zone of the 1999 Chi‐Chi earthquake (Mw7.6). Studying in‐situ chemical properties sequentially from fresh‐fault‐zone materials of the Chelungpu fault provides insight into possible faulting mechanisms. Distinct anomalies of mineral assemblages at the 1111‐m fault zone of TCDP Hole‐A are found to be: (1) A decrease in clay content within the primary slip zone (PSZ); and (2) A significant decline of illite, disappearance of chlorite and kaolinite, and spike in smectite within the PSZ. Meanwhile, features relating to melting or amorphous material in the PSZ have been observed by SEM and TEM. The results suggest that the PSZ might have experienced generation of glassy materials such as pseudotachylyte by the expense of clay minerals due to strong shear heating, then prompt alteration of pseudotachylyte into smectite. Characteristics of clay minerals and images obtained from electronic microscopes in the PSZ thus imply that pseudotachylyte possibly developed during the 1999 Chi‐Chi earthquake, but quickly altered into smectite. This particular phenomenon may explain why pseudotachylyte is rarely found in exhumed hydrated fault zones.
Large scale magnetic fields in viscous resistive accretion disks - I. Ejection from weakly magnetized disks

Aims. Cold steady-state disk wind theory from near Keplerian accretion disks requires a large scale magnetic field at near equipartition strength. However the minimum magnetization has never been tested with time dependent simulations. We investigate the time evolution of a Shakura-Sunyaev accretion disk threaded by a weak vertical magnetic field. The strength of the field is such that the disk magnetization falls off rapidly with radius. Methods. Four 2.5D numerical simulations of viscous resistive accretion disk are performed using the magnetohydrodynamic code PLUTO. In these simulations, a mean field approach is used and turbulence is assumed to give rise to anomalous transport coefficients (alpha prescription). Results. The large scale magnetic field introduces only a small perturbation to the disk structure, with accretion driven by the dominant viscous torque. However, a super fast magnetosonic jet is observed to be launched from the innermost regions and remains stationary over more than 953 Keplerian orbits. This is the longest accretion-ejection simulation ever carried out. The self-confined jet is launched from a finite radial zone in the disk which remains constant over time. Ejection is made possible because the magnetization reaches unity at the disk surface, due to the steep density decrease. However, no ejection is reported when the midplane magnetization becomes too small. The asymptotic jet velocity remains nevertheless too low to explain observed jets. This is because of the negligible power carried away by the jet. Conclusions. Astrophysical disks with superheated surface layers could drive analogous outflows even if their midplane magnetization is low. Sufficient angular momentum would be extracted by the turbulent viscosity to allow the accretion process to continue. The magnetized outflows would be no more than byproducts, rather than a fundamental driver of accretion. However, if the midplane magnetization increases towards the center, a natural transition to an inner jet dominated disk could be achieved.
Service Clues and Customer Assessment of the Service Experience: Lessons from Marketing

Executive Overview Because customers' assessment of services is based on performances rather than objects, they rely on the numerous clues that are embedded in performance when choosing services and evaluating service experiences. Indeed, it is often small clues that influence a customer's overall perception of an experience. Customers form perceptions based on the technical performance of the service (functional clues), the tangibles associated with the service (mechanic clues), and the behavior and appearance of service providers (humanic clues). Functional, mechanic, and humanic clues play specific roles in creating the customer's service experience, influencing both rational and emotional perceptions of service quality. Clearly and consistently designing and orchestrating clues is a critical management responsibility; businesses need to be “clue conscious” and add “clue management” to their job descriptions.
The Taylor Rule and Dynamic Stability in a Small Macroeconomic Model

In this paper, we embed the Taylor interest rate rule in a simple macroeconomic model with Calvo contracts. We contrast this with the case in which the interest rate is determined by the conventional LM curve along with a fixed value for the monetary aggregate. We derive conditions under which the adjustment of the economy is characterized by a unique saddle-path and show that the conditions required for this to be the case are more stringent when the authorities adopt the Taylor rule. In both cases, the possible failure of the saddle-path condition arises when there are debt-deflation effects in the IS curve. If interest rates are set according to the Taylor rule, then debt-deflation is always enough to cause the failure of the saddle-path condition. However, when interest rates are determined by the LM curve then it is possible that the real balance effect from the LM curve may offset the debt-deflation effect and produce a saddle-path. Copyright Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena SpA, 2003
Influence of niobium impurity on spin density in metallic iron

Random alloys of Nb in α‐Fe with the Nb concentration up to about 5 at. % were investigated by means of Mössbauer spectroscopy at room temperature vs. Nb concentration. A solid solution saturates at about 2.3 at. % of Nb. Non‐stoichiometric Fe2Nb phase rich in Fe precipitates at higher Nb concentrations leaving α‐Fe phase with about 1.6 at. % of Nb. The spin density of the iron atom is influenced in the α phase by the Nb atoms residing as nearest neighbours or second nearest neighbours. More distant impurities have no effect on the hyperfine parameters of Fe. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Characterization of non-methane hydrocarbons in Asian summer monsoon outflow observed by the CARIBIC aircraft

Abstract. Between April and December 2008 the CARIBIC commercial aircraft conducted monthly measurement flights between Frankfurt, Germany and Chennai, India. These flights covered the period of the Asian summer monsoon (June–September), during which enhancements in a number of atmospheric species were observed in the upper troposphere over southwestern Asia. In addition to in situ measurements of trace gases and aerosols, whole air samples were collected during the flights, and these were subsequently analyzed for a suite of trace gases that included a number of C 2 –C 8 non-methane hydrocarbons. Non-methane hydrocarbons are relatively short-lived compounds and the large enhancements in their mixing ratios in the upper troposphere over southwestern Asia during the monsoon, sometimes more than double their spring and fall means, provides qualitative evidence for the influence of convectively uplifted boundary layer air. The particularly large enhancements of the combustion tracers benzene and ethyne, along with the similarity of their ratios with carbon monoxide and emission ratios from the burning of household biofuels, indicate a strong influence of biofuel burning to NMHC emissions in this region. Conversely, the ratios of ethane and propane to carbon monoxide, along with the ratio between i-butane and n-butane, indicate a significant source of these compounds from the use of fossil fuels, and comparison to previous campaigns suggests that this source could be increasing. Photochemical aging patterns of NMHCs showed that the CARIBIC samples were collected in two distinctly different regions of the monsoon circulation: a southern region where air masses had been recently influenced by low level contact and a northern region, where air parcels had spent substantial time in transit in the upper troposphere before being probed. Estimates of age using ratios of individual NMHCs have ranges of 3–6 days in the south and 9–12 days in the north.
The changing landscape of conservation science funding in the United States

To understand the changing role of funding sources in shaping conservation science in the United States, we analyzed acknowledgments from published studies, trends in research funding, and survey responses from conservation scientists. Although the U.S. federal government was the most frequently acknowledged source of support overall, U.S. foundations and NGOs were the predominant sources for tropical and socioeconomic research. Acknowledgments of foundation support for conservation research increased over the last two decades, while recognition of federal funds declined. Concordant trends in funding and acknowledgments indicated a changing landscape for conservation science, in which federal support has not kept pace with the growth in conservation research efforts or needs. Survey responses from conservation scientists about their funding sources were consistent with acknowledgment data, and most (64%) indicated that shifts in funding sources and amounts affected the type of research they conduct. Ongoing changes in the funding landscape shape the direction of conservation research and may make conservation science more vulnerable to economic recessions.
The Influence of Alarm Siren Structure Parameters on Output Sound Pressure Level

The paper is a discussion of the construction of an alarm siren based on the active piezoelectric element. The in uence of various parameters on the loudness of the siren was investigated. E orts to increase the e ciency of selected design were made. The simulations carried out based on an ANSYS. Individual dimensions of a piezoelectric transducer were selected as well as a collaborate diaphragm. The possibility of using di erent piezoelectric materials was also analyzed. All tasks and computer simulations were aimed at receiving a siren structure able to obtain the highest sound pressure level at selected frequency.
Long term unemployment and violent crimes - using post-2000 data to reinvestigate the relationship between unemployment and crime

Abstract This study reinvestigates the relationship between unemployment and crime. By being the first study to use long-term unemployment, it contributes unique findings. Moreover, with a Swedish panel consisting of 288 municipalities and annual data from 1997 to 2009, the relationship is investigated for the first time with aggregate post-2000 data. The results show that long-term unemployment exhibits a strong association with violent crimes in addition to property crimes, highlighting a potential gap in the conventional theories of economics of crime. The point-estimate of long-term unemployment for violent crimes is between 1.5 and 4, and for property crimes it is between 1.3 and 2.3. Thus, long-term unemployment identifies a marginal group for committing crimes, particularly violent crimes, better than total unemployment does. Long-term unemployment plausibly creates a feeling of alienation that fosters violent and other non-rational behaviors.
FAST SURPRISE AND MOTION-BASED SALIENCY FOR FINDING OBJECTS OF INTEREST IN DYNAMIC SCENES

Related U.S. Application Data (63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 12/982,713, filed on Dec. 30, 2010, now Pat. No. 8,774,517, which is a continuation-in-part of application No. 12/214,259, filed on Jun. 16, 2008, now Pat. No. 8,363.939, application No. 13/743,742, which is a continuation-in-part of application No. 13/669,269, filed on Nov. 5, 2012, which is a continuation-in-part of application No. 12/214,259, which is a continuation-in-part of application No. 1 1/973,161, filed on Oct. 4, 2007, now Pat. No. 8,165,407.
Sense-giving in health care: the relationship between the HR roles of line managers and employee commitment

In this article, we examine line manager prioritisation of HR roles and the consequences for employee commitment in a health-care setting. Our analysis is based on a quantitative, multi-actor study (509 employees and 67 line managers) in four Dutch hospitals. Using sense-giving as a theoretical lens, we demonstrate that, in addition to the effects of high commitment HRM, prioritising the Employee Champion role alone and the Employee Champion and Strategic Partner roles in combination is associated with higher employee commitment. We argue that through performing roles that are evocative of deep-seated values, such as excellent patient care and concern for others, line managers can have a positive effect on staff attitudes. In a sector often beleaguered by staff turnover, exhaustion and burnout, we offer an important, empirically based framework that has the potential to improve employee commitment and, from there, enhance performance.
Can Direct Regulations Spur Innovations in Environmental Technologies? A Study on Firm‐Level Patenting

This paper provides new evidence on the role of non-market based ("command-and-control") regulations in relation to innovations in environmental technologies. While pricing is generally considered the first-best policy instrument, non-market regulations, such as technology standards and non-tradable emission quotas, are common when a regulator faces multiple emission types and targets, heterogeneous recipients, or uncertainty with regard to marginal damages. Knowing whether these regulations spur or hinder innovation is of great importance to environmental policy. Using a unique Norwegian panel data set that includes information about the type and number of patent applications, technology standards, non-tradable emission quotas, and a large number of control variables for almost all large and medium-sized Norwegian incorporated firms, we are able to conduct a comprehensive study of the effect of non-market based regulations on environmental patenting. Unlike previous studies that are typically conducted at the industry level, we are able to take firm heterogeneiry into account, and thereby reduce the common problem of omitted variable bias in our analysis. We empirically identify strong and significant effects on innovations from implicit regulatory costs associated with the threat that a firm will be sanctioned for violating an emission permit.
Using Virtual Clinicians to Promote Functional Communication Skills in Aphasia

Persons with aphasia (PWA) re-enter their community after their rehabilitation program is ended. Thus it is incumbent on rehabilitation specialists to incorporate training in using residual language skills for functional communication [1]. Evidence indicates that language abilities improve with continued treatment, even during chronic stages of aphasia (refs) For optimal generalization, PWA need to practice language in everyday living situations. Virtual reality technology is a method of providing home-based therapeutic interventions. A valuable potential of virtual reality technology is that it supports the successful generalization of residual language skills to functional communication situations. Traditionally, role-playing [2] and script training [3] have been used to improve functional communication in PWA. A more recent approach has been the adaptation of scripts through the implementation of virtual technology. [4]. We report progress on a project that aims to develop a virtual clinician that is capable of recognizing a variety of potential responses in the context of functional communication scenarios. Our goal is to develop a virtual clinician-human interaction system that can be used independently by PWA to practice and improve communication skills. This involves development of software that will support a spoken dialog system (SDS) that can interact autonomously with an individual and can be configured to personalize treatment [5]. As use of virtual technology in aphasia rehabilitation increases, questions about the physical and psychosocial factors that influence successful use of residual communication skills need to be resolved. Thus, a second aim of this project, the topic of this paper, is to determine whether interactive dialogues between a client and virtual clinician differ in the quantity and quality of the client’s language output compared to dialogues between client and human clinician. Although the potential of using virtual clinicians is promising, it must be determined if individuals with aphasia (or other language disorder) will be responsive to the virtual clinician and produce as much language in this context as they would during dialogues with human clinicians. We addressed two hypotheses in this study: 1. For PWA, practice with dialogues that focus on everyday activities will improve quality and quantity of verbal output in those dialogues. 2. For PWA, verbal output practiced in dialogues with a virtual clinician and a human clinician will yield similar amounts of verbal output as measured by information units in the dialogues.