Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bridging the gap between claimed and actual behaviour: The role of observational research

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to understand better the number of people consuming alcohol, the types of beverages chosen and the amount of alcohol consumed.Design/methodology/approach – Actual alcohol consumption collected using the covert observation method is compared with claimed alcohol consumption collected through surveys to understand the extent of the gap between claimed and actual behaviour.Findings – A notable gap between claimed and actual drinking levels was evident. A total of 70 percent more males were observed drinking alcohol at risky or high‐risk levels while 49 percent more females were observed drinking at risky or high risk levels when compared to claimed behaviour data. Further, a higher proportion of people were observed drinking alcohol than claims lead one to believe.Research limitations/implications – This research used human covert observation, thus limiting episode length. Further, this study was restricted to six venues in one month of one year. Future research opportu.
C-Reactive Protein (CRP), Interferon Gamma-Inducible Protein 10 (IP-10), and Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) Are Associated with Risk of Tuberculosis after Initiation of Antiretroviral Therapy in Resource-Limited Settings

Objective The association between pre-antiretroviral (ART) inflammation and immune activation and risk for incident tuberculosis (TB) after ART initiation among adults is uncertain. Design Nested case-control study (n = 332) within ACTG PEARLS trial of three ART regimens among 1571 HIV-infected, treatment-naïve adults in 9 countries. We compared cases (participants with incident TB diagnosed by 96 weeks) to a random sample of controls (participants who did not develop TB, stratified by country and treatment arm). Methods We measured pre-ART C-reactive protein (CRP), EndoCab IgM, ferritin, interferon gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin 6 (IL-6), interferon gamma-inducible protein 10 (IP-10), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), soluble CD14 (sCD14), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and CD4/DR+/38+ and CD8/DR+/38+ T cells. Markers were defined according to established cutoff definitions when available, 75th percentile of measured values when not, and detectable versus undetectable for LPS. Using logistic regression, we measured associations between biomarkers and incident TB, adjusting for age, sex, study site, treatment arm, baseline CD4 and log10 viral load. We assessed the discriminatory value of biomarkers using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Results Seventy-seven persons (4.9%) developed incident TB during follow-up. Elevated baseline CRP (aOR 3.25, 95% CI: 1.55–6.81) and IP-10 (aOR 1.89, 95% CI: 1.05–3.39), detectable plasma LPS (aOR 2.39, 95% CI: 1.13–5.06), and the established TB risk factors anemia and hypoalbuminemia were independently associated with incident TB. In ROC analysis, CRP, albumin, and LPS improved discrimination only modestly for TB risk when added to baseline routine patient characteristics including CD4 count, body mass index, and prior TB. Conclusion Incident TB occurs commonly after ART initiation. Although associated with higher post-ART TB risk, baseline CRP, IP-10, and LPS add limited value to routine patient characteristics in discriminating who develops active TB. Besides determining ideal cutoffs for these biomarkers, additional biomarkers should be sought that predict TB disease in ART initiators.
Political and social analysis for development policy and practice - an overview of five approaches

The use of Political Economy Analysis in development is a relatively recent phenomenon, beginning in the early 2000s. Prior to this, theory and practice largely ignored political and social context. Policies and programmes were planned and implemented in a technical manner, based on the presumption that expertise and aid was sufficient to generate growth. The failure of development interventions to produce expected results led to a growing awareness among donors that politics, ‘political will’ and local context matter to development. In order to gain a better understanding of these issues, donors have developed various tools for political and social analysis. This paper provides a detailed overview of five of these tools and frameworks: Power Analysis, Drivers of Change, Strategic Corruption and Governance Analysis, Poverty and Social Impact Analysis, and Problem-Driven Political Economy Analysis. Under each tool or framework, it discusses how to use the tool (research methods, processes, outputs, and elements of the approach); skills and resources required; the value added and operational impact of the approaches; key challenges; and linkages with other analytical tools.
Intrinsic image decomposition from a single image via nonlinear anisotropic diffusion

Intrinsic image decomposition has become a hot topic since the ground truth dataset was proposed by Grosse and his colleagues in 2009. In this paper, we present a simple but effective approach to intrinsic image decomposition based on nonlinear anisotropic diffusion. The procedure originates from the iterative Retinex algorithm for illumination estimation, which can be interpreted as a nonlinear isotropic diffusion. By introducing a novel edge-stopping function incorporating intensity derivatives and color differences, the nonlinear anisotropic diffusion is quite effective in preserving intensity edges with little color change while calculating the shading image. With this respect, the shading is estimated from its neighbors with similar color, and is efficiently propagated across the image by the diffusion process. Experiments show that the proposed method produces good results on the benchmark, and has better performance according to the established principles compared with the state of the art single-image based methods.
A search for X-ray variability in the open cluster NGC 2516

We present the results of a search for X-ray variability in the galactic open cluster NGC 2516. This cluster has been observed on 8 occasions using XMM-Newton making it an excellent target for such a study. We find 4 sources which show significant variability, implying the detection of one significantly variable source every 25ksec. All sources exhibit spectra which can be fitted using an absorbed one or two temperature thermal plasma model. The brightest of these flares also show a prominent Iron line near �7.0keV. All 4 sources lie near the observed main sequence of NGC 2516 suggesting they are cluster members. We propose that at least 3 of the 4 objects are RS CVn systems. We compare the properties of the brightest flare with those of solar flares.
Heart Rate Variability in Patients with Essential Hypertension.

Background: Essential hypertension may be associated with altered cardiovascular autonomic nerve function. Heart Rate Variability (HRV) analysis is an important tool for quantitative measurement of autonomic nerve activity. Objective: To assess the cardiac autonomic nerve function status in essential hypertension by analyzing time domain measures of heart rate variability. Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out in the Department of Physiology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University from 1st July 2008 to 30th June 2009.For this purpose, 60 hypertensive male patients with age ranged between 40-60 years (group B) were enrolled from the Out Patient Department of Cardiology, BSMMU, Dhaka. Based on treatment received, hypertensive patients were subdivided into group B1 i.e.untreated patients on their 1st day of diagnosis and group B2 i.e.patients with antihypertensive therapy. For comparison, 30 age & sex matched apparently healthy normotensive subjects (group A) were also studied as control group. Time domain measures of Heart Rate Variability (HRV) such as Mean RR intervals, Mean HR, SDNN & RMSSD were assessed by a Polygraph machine to observe both sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve function status. For statistical analysis of data, Independent sample t-test, One-way ANOVA test, were used as applicable. Results: Mean R-R interval SDNN and RMSSD were significantly (P<0.01) lower but mean heart rate was significantly (P<0.01) higher in untreated hypertensive patients than those of normotensive subjects. But differences in all these 4 parameters when compared between control and treated hypertensive patients were found statistically non significant. Conclusion: Impaired cardiac autonomic nerve function characterized by sympathetic overactivity may occur in hypertensive patients. Key words: Mean RR; SDNN; RMSSD; hypertension DOI: 10.3329/jbsp.v5i1. 5411 J Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2010 June; 5(1): 1-7
The Distribution and Strength of Brönsted Acid Sites on the Multi-Aluminum Model of FER Zeolite: A Theoretical Study

One of the fundamental issues in catalysis is to identify the catalytic active site. Due to its prominent pore topology and acidity, ferrierite (FER) zeolite has attracted extensive interest in various catalytic reactions such as isomerization of butenes. However knowledge on the active Bronsted acid site is still absent. In the present study, we perform extensive density functional theory calculations to explore the distribution and strength of the Bronsted acid sites and their potential catalytic activity for the double-bond isomerization of 1-butene to 2-butene. We employ a two-layered ONIOM scheme (our Own N-layered Integrated molecular Orbital + molecular Mechanics) to describe the structure and energetic properties of FER zeolite. We find that the hydrogen bond could improve the stability of Bronsted acid sites effectively, and, as a result, Al4-O6-Si2 and Al4-O-(SiO)2-Al4 are the most stable sites for 1-Al substitution and 2-Al substitution, respectively. We further find that the Bronsted acid strength tends to decrease with the increase of Al contents and increase when the distance between the Al atoms is increased in 2-Al substitution. Finally it is demonstrated that the strength of acid sites determines the catalytic activity for the double bond isomerization of 1-butene to 2-butene.
Searching Visual Semantic Spaces with Concept Filters

Semantic concepts cement the ability to correlate visual information to higher-level semantic concepts. Traditional image search leverages text associated with images, a low-level content-based matching, or a combination of the two. We propose a new system that uses 374 semantic concepts (derived from the LSCOM lexicon (L. Kennedy, 2006)) to semantically facilitate fast exploration of a large set of video data. This new system, when coupled with traditional image search techniques produces a very intuitive and fruitful design for targeted user interaction.
Ocean Shipping in the Great Lakes: An Analysis of Industry Transportation Cost Savings

This study examines the role of ocean shipping on the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System in light of the diminished importance of opening the Lakes to ocean vessels and their position as the largest freshwater body in the world and a major tourist attraction and element in quality of life for the region. The value is important to measure as new investments in the Seaway are starting to be required, and awareness is growing of previously unexpected environmental impacts, such as the introduction of invasive species from ocean-going vessels, which have led to calls for moratoria on ocean shipping. The Seaway extends 1,300 miles from Montreal to Duluth. The Great Lakes represent some 95 percent of fresh water in the U.S. The methodology involved a literature review and examination of several earlier studies, followed by interviews with carriers, stevedores, ports, ocean brokers, ocean rate services, grain and steel shipper/receivers, and related government organizations. The aim is to estimate the transportation productivity benefits of ocean vessel shipping compared to using other modes. A number of costs had to be quantified along the supply chain to carry out the comparison. A detailed cost analysis was conducted for three major commodity movements that account for 70 percent of the shipping into and out of the Lakes. A less detailed weighted average estimate was done for the remaining 30 percent. The 12.3 million metric tons moved on ocean vessels is 6.8 percent of the total on the Great Lakes-Seaway System. Volumes are much lower than at the peak in 1978 and appear to be falling still. The cost savings to shippers who use ocean vessels is compared to costs imposed by mitigating invasive species, social, and environmental costs of maintaining the current share of ocean shipping, as well as social and environmental costs of shifting the freight to other modes.
Long-Term Effects of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Hippocampal Reactivity to Afferent Stimulation

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has become a promising treatment of affective disorders in humans, yet the neuronal basis of its long-lasting effects in the brain is still unknown. We studied acute and lasting effects of TMS on reactivity of the rat hippocampus to stimulation of the perforant path. Application of TMS to the brain of the anesthetized rat caused a dose-dependent transient increase in population spike (PS) response of the dentate gyrus to perforant path stimulation. In addition, TMS caused a marked decrease in inhibition and an increase in paired-pulse potentiation of reactivity to stimulation of the perforant path. Also, TMS suppressed the ability of fenfluramine (FFA), a serotonin releaser, to potentiate PS response to perforant path stimulation. Chronic TMS did not affect single population spikes but caused an increase in paired-pulse potentiation, which was still evident 3 weeks after the last of seven daily TMS treatments. After chronic TMS, FFA was ineffective in enhancing reactivity to perforant path stimulation, probably because it lost the ability to release serotonin. In addition, the β adrenergic receptor agonist isoproterenol, which caused an increase in PS in the control rats, failed to do so in the TMS-treated rats. These results indicate that TMS produces a long-term reduction in efficacy of central modulatory systems.
oftware effort models should be assessed via leave-one-out validation

Context: More than half the literature on software effort estimation (SEE) focuses on model comparisons. Each of those requires a sampling method (SM) to generate the train and test sets. Different authors use different SMs such as leave-one-out (LOO), 3Way and 10Way cross-validation. While LOO is a deterministic algorithm, the N-way methods use random selection to build their train and test sets. This introduces the problem of conclusion instability where different authors rank effort estimators in different ways. Objective: To reduce conclusion instability by removing the effects of a sampling method’s random test case generation. Method: Calculate bias and variance (B&V) values following the assumption that a learner trained on the whole dataset is taken as the true model; then demonstrate that the B&V and runtime values for LOO are similar to N-way by running 90 different algorithms on 20 different SEE datasets. For each algorithm, collect runtimes, B&V values under LOO, 3Way and 10Way. Results: We observed that: (1) the majority of the algorithms have statistically indistinguishable B&V values under different SMs and (2) different SMs have similar run times. Conclusion: In terms of their generated B&V values and runtimes, there is no reason to prefer N-way over LOO. In terms of reproducibility, LOO removes one cause of conclusion instability (the random selection of train and test sets). Therefore, we depreciate N-way and endorse LOO validation for assessing effort models. © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
A fixed-structure automaton for load management of electric vehicles

The uncontrolled charging of electric vehicles (EVs) imposes additional stresses on the grid. These stresses are set to increase due to the predicted increase in penetration of EVs. However, EV charging loads offer opportunities for controlling the actual demand to limit the peak demand or track variable generation to support the grid. This also can facilitate the integration of intermittent renewable energy generation in the near future. In this paper a learning automaton is proposed to manage EVs capable of on/off charging. We propose a new algorithm for distributed control of charging based on the broadcast of a congestion signal to regulate the aggregated demand. We show that the proposed algorithm converges to steady state operation, and analyse its implications on the distribution of power demand amongst the EVs. The potential of the proposed algorithm is illustrated by simulations for capping the aggregate demand of the EVs, and for tracking of slowly varying power generation signals.
Image restoration and classiﬁcation by topological asymptotic expansion

We present in this paper a new way for modeling and solving image restoration and classiﬁcation problems, the topological gradient method. This method is considered in the frame of variational approaches and the minimization of potential energy with respect to conductivity. The numerical experiments show the eﬃciency of the topological gradient approach. The image is most of the time restored or classiﬁed at the ﬁrst iteration of the optimization process. Moreover, the computational cost of this iteration is reduced drastically using spectral methods. We also propose an algorithm which provides the optimal classes (number and values) for the unsupervised regularized classiﬁcation problem.
Interaction of cellular and network mechanisms for efficient pheromone coding in moths

Sensory systems, both in the living and in machines, have to be optimized with respect to their environmental conditions. The pheromone subsystem of the olfactory system of moths is a particularly well-defined example in which rapid variations of odor content in turbulent plumes require fast, concentration-invariant neural representations. It is not clear how cellular and network mechanisms in the moth antennal lobe contribute to coding efficiency. Using computational modeling, we show that intrinsic potassium currents (IA and ISK) in projection neurons may combine with extrinsic inhibition from local interneurons to implement a dual latency code for both pheromone identity and intensity. The mean latency reflects stimulus intensity, whereas latency differences carry concentration-invariant information about stimulus identity. In accordance with physiological results, the projection neurons exhibit a multiphasic response of inhibition–excitation–inhibition. Together with synaptic inhibition, intrinsic currents IA and ISK account for the first and second inhibitory phases and contribute to a rapid encoding of pheromone information. The first inhibition plays the role of a reset to limit variability in the time to first spike. The second inhibition prevents responses of excessive duration to allow tracking of intermittent stimuli.
Review: Friction stir welding tools

Friction stir welding (FSW) is a widely used solid state joining process for soft materials such as aluminium alloys because it avoids many of the common problems of fusion welding. Commercial feasibility of the FSW process for harder alloys such as steels and titanium alloys awaits the development of cost effective and durable tools which lead to structurally sound welds consistently. Material selection and design profoundly affect the performance of tools, weld quality and cost. Here we review and critically examine several important aspects of FSW tools such as tool material selection, geometry and load bearing ability, mechanisms of tool degradation and process economics.
The Effects of Attention Pre-Allocation and Target-Background Integration on Object-Based Attention

Object-based attention has been documented as an important mechanism with which to control attention in several studies. To date, two main hypotheses have been proposed to interpret object-based attention: attention spreading and prioritization of search. There is evidence that supports these hypotheses in the literature. In the present study, we sought to compare these two hypotheses systematically by manipulating two factors: the integration of the target and background and the presence of attention pre-allocation. For this purpose, we used a flanker task in which the location of the task-relevant target was fixed, but the relationship between the target and the background varied. In addition, attention pre-allocation was presented in only half of the conditions. The results revealed that the attention spreading hypothesis was supported only when attention was not pre-allocated and target-background integration was high; however, the prioritization hypothesis was supported in all other conditions. Our findings provide insight into the comparisons of the attention spreading and prioritization hypotheses. Furthermore, our findings suggest that attention resources may be the underlying factor determining appropriate strategy in the control of attention.
Linking the continental migratory cycle of the monarch butterfly to understand its population decline

Threats to several of the world's great animal migrations necessitate a research agenda focused on identifying drivers of their population dynamics. The monarch butterfly is an iconic species whose continental migratory population in eastern North America has been declining precipitously. Recent analyses have linked the monarch decline to reduced abundance of milkweed host plants in the USA caused by increased use of genetically modified herbicide-resistant crops. To identify the most sensitive stages in the monarch's annual multi-generational migration, and to test the milkweed limitation hypothesis, we analyzed 22 years of citizen science records from four monitoring programs across North America. We analyzed the relationships between butterfly population indices at successive stages of the annual migratory cycle to assess demographic connections and to address the roles of migrant population size versus temporal trends that reflect changes in habitat or resource quality. We find a sharp annual population decline in the first breeding generation in the southern USA, driven by the progressively smaller numbers of spring migrants from the overwintering grounds in Mexico. Monarch populations then build regionally during the summer generations. Contrary to the milkweed limitation hypothesis, we did not find statistically significant temporal trends in stage-to-stage population relationships in the mid-western or northeastern USA. In contrast, there are statistically significant negative temporal trends at the overwintering grounds in Mexico, suggesting that monarch success during the fall migration and re-establishment strongly contributes to the butterfly decline. Lack of milkweed, the only host plant for monarch butterfly caterpillars, is unlikely to be driving the monarch's population decline. Conservation efforts therefore require additional focus on the later phases in the monarch's annual migratory cycle. We hypothesize that lack of nectar sources, habitat fragmentation, continued degradation at the overwintering sites, or other threats to successful fall migration are critical limiting factors for declining monarchs.