The Histogram Probabilistic Multi-Hypothesis Tracker (H-PMHT) algorithm is a parametric track-before-detect method. It locates targets in imagery by fitting a mixture of probability densities. In recent work, an unknown target shape was accommodated through the use of a Wishart prior on the measurement probability density, this version of the algorithm is referred to as H-PMHT-RM. This paper ap...

The objective of this paper is to present a set of techniques for video analysis aiming a visual surveillance system for monitoring scenarios, detecting and tracking moving objects. The proposed method integrates motion, spatial position and color information to track object blobs which are segmented using Eigenbackground subtraction. To deal with occlusions and splits, detected blobs are organ...

The goal of this paper is to provide new evidence on how the zero-interest rate policy implemented by the Bank of Japan has affected the sensitivity of money demand with respect to the opportunity cost of holding money. To the empirical ends of the analysis, the study makes use of the univariate conditional autoregressive value-at-risk (CAViaR) estimator to obtain robust quantile measures. The ...

There are a number of solutions to automate the monotonous task of looking at a monitor to find suspicious behaviors in video surveillance scenarios. Detecting strange objects and intruders, or tracking people and objects, is essential for surveillance and safety in crowded environments. The present work deals with the idea of jointly modeling simple and complex behaviors to report local and gl...

We examine the allocation of hours of work across industrial sectors in OECD countries. We find large disparities across three sector groups, one that produces goods without home substitutes,and two others that have home substitutes but treated differently by welfare policy. We attribute the disparities to the countries’ tax and subsidy policies. High taxation substantially reduces hours in sec...

We study the impact of strategic commitment on cooperation in indefinitely repeated games of strategic substitutes (Cournot) and complements (Bertrand) using laboratory experiments. Overall, strategic commitment has no effect on cooperation with strategic substitutes and a negative one with strategic complements. In the absence of strong strategic commitment, we find more cooperation in the com...

OBJECTIVES To investigate the effect of saliva substitutes on enamel erosion in vitro. METHODS A total of 204 bovine enamel samples were embedded in acrylic resin and allocated to 17 groups (n=12). The specimens were eroded in an artificial mouth (3 days; 6×30 s/days, flow rate: 2 ml/min) using citric acid (pH: 2.5). Immediately after the erosive attacks, saliva substitutes (12 sprays, 3 gels...

Bear bile has been a well-known Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Because of the endangered species protection, the concept on substitutes for bear bile was proposed decades ago. Based on their chemical composition and pharmacologic actions, artificial bear bile, bile from other animals, synthetic compounds, and medicinal plants may be the promising candidates to replace bear bile for th...

Tissue engineered skin substitutes for wound healing have evolved tremendously over the last couple of years. New advances have been made toward developing skin substitutes made up of artificial and natural materials. Engineered skin substitutes are developed from acellular materials or can be synthesized from autologous, allograft, xenogenic, or synthetic sources. Each of these engineered skin...