Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Violence as a part of the drug scene

ABSTRACT Our study explores the violence that occurs in the drug scene from the perspective of those who use illicit drugs in Finland. We conducted 56 theme interviews with people with experience using multiple substances and studied how they produced agency related to violent acts. We were interested in the kinds of meanings they gave to violence and how these meanings varied according to different positions: (1) experiencing violence (victim), (2) committing violence and (3) witnessing violence. We found that in the drug scene, these positions were not fixed but overlapping and intertwined. Violence was usually projected onto the psychopharmacological properties of the substances or rationalized as being necessary for survival. The relations to and positions of violence differed considerably between men and women. Whereas in men’s interviews violence was often anchored to masculine power and questions of honour, in women’s accounts it was often related to intimate partner violence. However, irrespective of the individual’s position and gender, violence appeared to be a damaging experience that weakened his or her self-esteem. This vulnerability is encountered when people wish to quit the drug scene and its internal normative rules.
This Is a Publication of the American Association for Artificial Intelligence Motivation: Integrating the Enterprise

The material herein is copyrighted material. It may not be reproduced in any form by any electronic or mechanical means (including photocopying, recording, or information storage and retrieval) without permission in writing from AAAI. s To remain competitive, enterprises must become increasingly agile and integrated across their functions. Enterprise models play a critical role in this integration, enabling better designs for enterprises, analysis of their performance, and management of their operations. This article motivates the need for enterprise models and introduces the concepts of generic and deductive enterprise models. It reviews research to date on enterprise modeling and considers in detail the Toronto virtual enterprise effort at the University of Toronto. A n enterprise model is a computational representation of the structure, activities, processes, information, resources, people , behavior, goals, and constraints of a business , government, or other enterprise. It can be both descriptive and definitional—spanning what is and what should be. The role of an enterprise model is to achieve model-driven enterprise design, analysis, and operation. From a design perspective, an enterprise model should provide the language used to explicitly define an enterprise. We need to be able to explore alternative models in the design of enterprises spanning organization structure and behavior. To reason about alternative designs for enterprises, we need to reason about different possible sets of constraints for enterprises within the model. We need to ask the following questions: Can a process be performed in a different way, or can we achieve some goal in a different way? Can we relax the constraints in the enterprise such that we can improve performance or achieve new goals? We also need to be able to determine the impact of changes on all parts of the enterprise. For example, how will relaxation of policies affect the quality of products or services provided by the enterprise? How will the purchase of a new machine affect the activities that are performed? Will we need to retrain people in the enterprise to give them the skills to use the machine? How will changing the activities change resource consumption? From an operations perspective, the enterprise model must be able to represent what is planned, what might happen, and what has happened. It must supply the information and knowledge necessary to support the operations of the enterprise, whether they be performed by hand or machine. It must be able to provide answers to questions …
Semantic-laden peer-to-peer service directory

The most intuitive way to build a service directory application that allows for service entities to register or search for services on top of a structured peer-to-peer network is to build reverse indices at appropriate nodes on the network. However, this implies trust on the reliability and integrity of other nodes on the network, which may be too risky an assumption for businesses. This paper proposes a service directory that groups service entities of the same category together; this is achieved by dedicating part of the node identifiers to correspond to their service category semantic. Using chord as the peer-to-peer substrate, this scheme logically divides the chord circle into equidistant arcs; each arc is called an island. This scheme results in the formation of islands of varying population, and thus changing the uniformly spread topology of the original chord. Simulations are used to investigate the path length and message load of the changed topology. An additional routing scheme is also proposed and simulated to exploit the new topology to gain better path length.
Variational Bayesian Parameter Estimation Techniques for the General Linear Model

Variational Bayes (VB), variational maximum likelihood (VML), restricted maximum likelihood (ReML), and maximum likelihood (ML) are cornerstone parametric statistical estimation techniques in the analysis of functional neuroimaging data. However, the theoretical underpinnings of these model parameter estimation techniques are rarely covered in introductory statistical texts. Because of the widespread practical use of VB, VML, ReML, and ML in the neuroimaging community, we reasoned that. a theoretical treatment of their relationships and their application in a basic modelling scenario may be helpful for both neuroimaging novices and practitioners alike. In this technical study, we thus revisit the conceptual and formal underpinnings of VB, VML, ReML, and ML and provide a detailed account of their mathematical relationships and implementational details. We further apply VB, VML, ReML, and ML to the general linear model (GLM) with non-spherical error covariance as commonly encountered in the first-level analysis of fMRI data. To this end, we explicitly derive the corresponding free energy objective functions and ensuing iterative algorithms. Finally, in the applied part of our study, we evaluate the parameter and model recovery properties of VB, VML, ReML, and ML, first in an exemplary setting and then in the analysis of experimental fMRI data acquired from a single participant under visual stimulation.
THE ORIGIN OF THE SILICATE EMISSION FEATURES IN THE SEYFERT 2 GALAXY NGC 2110

The unified model of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) predicts silicate emission features at 10 and 18 μm in type 1 AGNs, and such features have now been observed in objects ranging from distant quasi-stellar objects to nearby LINERs. More surprising, however, is the detection of silicate emission in a few type 2 AGNs. By combining Gemini and Spitzer mid-infrared imaging and spectroscopy of NGC 2110, the closest known Seyfert 2 galaxy with silicate emission features, we can constrain the location of the silicate-emitting region to within 32 pc of the nucleus. This is the strongest constraint yet on the size of the silicate-emitting region in a Seyfert galaxy of any type. While this result is consistent with a narrow-line region origin for the emission, comparison with clumpy torus models demonstrates that emission from an edge-on torus can also explain the silicate emission features and 2–20 μm spectral energy distribution of this object. In many of the best-fitting models the torus has only a small number of clouds along the line of sight, and does not extend far above the equatorial plane. Extended silicate-emitting regions may well be present in AGNs, but this work establishes that emission from the torus itself is also a viable option for the origin of silicate emission features in active galaxies of both type 1 and type 2.
Silicosis at autopsy in platinum mine workers.

BACKGROUND South Africa is the largest producer of platinum group metals in the world. Platinum is found in the Bushveld Complex in the north-east of the country. This volcanic intrusion contains many other minerals, including crystalline silica. Little is known about the health risks in the platinum mining industry. AIMS To explore the potential for platinum mine workers to develop silicosis. METHODS Autopsies are performed at the National Institute for Occupational Health, for compensation purposes. Platinum mine workers, who had worked for more than a year and had silicosis and/or fibrotic nodules in the lymph nodes, were identified from the autopsy database. An exhaustive search of other available data sources was undertaken to exclude exposure to silica dust in the gold mining industry. RESULTS Eighty-five of 3863 (2.2%) platinum mine workers employed for more than a year had silicosis at autopsy; an additional 490 (12.7%) had fibrotic nodules in the lymph nodes. After reviewing all data sources, five mine workers with silicosis and 25 with fibrotic nodules in the lymph nodes fulfilled the study inclusion criteria. CONCLUSIONS This case series supports the suggestion that there is a risk of silica exposure in platinum mine workers, a hypothesis supported by the few silica dust measurements taken in the platinum mines. The mining companies should be cognisant of this risk. The recording of comprehensive work histories and the routine measurement of silica dust levels should be enforced to enable risk of disease to be quantified in future studies.
Microlensing by Stellar Black Holes around Sagittarius A*

We show that at any given time, the Galactocentric black hole Sgr A* is expected to be microlensing Nlens ~ 1.7 bulge stars if the threshold of detectability of the fainter image is Kthr = 21, and Nlens ~ 8 sources if Kthr = 23. The lensed images then provide a unique way to detect stellar-mass black holes predicted to cluster around Sgr A*. If a black hole passes close to a microlensed image, it will give rise to a short (weeks long) microlensing event. We show that the mass and projected velocity of the stellar-mass black hole can both be measured unambiguously from such an event, provided that either a caustic crossing is observed or the astrometric displacement is measured. For Kthr = 23 and moderate magnifications by Sgr A*, the microlensing event rate from a cluster of 20000 black holes within a radius of 0.7 pc is only 0.06 yr- 1; however, if highly magnified images of a star were found, the rate of events by the stellar black holes would be much higher. In addition, the Nlens sources lensed by Sgr A* provide a unique probe of extinction behind the Galactic center along 2Nlens lines of sight.
Air Pollution and Atherosclerosis: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Four European Cohort Studies in the ESCAPE Study

Background: In four European cohorts, we investigated the cross-sectional association between long-term exposure to air pollution and intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery (CIMT), a preclinical marker of atherosclerosis. Methods: Individually assigned levels of nitrogen dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter ≤ 2.5 μm (PM2.5), absorbance of PM2.5 (PM2.5abs), PM10, PMcoarse, and two indicators of residential proximity to highly trafficked roads were obtained under a standard exposure protocol (European Study of Cohorts for Air Pollution Effects—ESCAPE study) in the Stockholm area (Sweden), the Ausburg and Ruhr area (Germany), and the Girona area (Spain). We used linear regression and meta-analyses to examine the association between long-term exposure to air pollution and CIMT. Results: The meta-analysis with 9,183 individuals resulted in an estimated increase in CIMT (geometric mean) of 0.72% (95% CI: –0.65%, 2.10%) per 5-μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 and 0.42% (95% CI: –0.46%, 1.30%) per 10–5/m increase in PM2.5abs. Living in proximity to high traffic was also positively but not significantly associated with CIMT. Meta-analytic estimates for other pollutants were inconsistent. Results were similar across different adjustment sets and sensitivity analyses. In an extended meta-analysis for PM2.5 with three other previously published studies, a 0.78% (95% CI: –0.18%, 1.75%) increase in CIMT was estimated for a 5-μg/m3 contrast in PM2.5. Conclusions: Using a standardized exposure and analytical protocol in four European cohorts, we found that cross-sectional associations between CIMT and the eight ESCAPE markers of long-term residential air pollution exposure did not reach statistical significance. The additional meta-analysis of CIMT and PM2.5 across all published studies also was positive but not significant. Citation: Perez L, Wolf K, Hennig F, Penell J, Basagaña X, Foraster M, Aguilera I, Agis D, Beelen R, Brunekreef B, Cyrys J, Fuks KB, Adam M, Baldassarre D, Cirach M, Elosua R, Dratva J, Hampel R, Koenig W, Marrugat J, de Faire U, Pershagen G, Probst-Hensch NM, de Nazelle A, Nieuwenhuijsen MJ, Rathmann W, Rivera M, Seissler J, Schindler C, Thiery J, Hoffmann B, Peters A, Künzli N. 2015. Air pollution and atherosclerosis: a cross-sectional analysis of four European cohort studies in the ESCAPE Study. Environ Health Perspect 123:597–605; http://dx.doi. org/10.1289/ehp.1307711
Transgenic Rat Model of Neurodegeneration Caused by Mutation in the TDP Gene

TDP-43 proteinopathies have been observed in a wide range of neurodegenerative diseases. Mutations in the gene encoding TDP-43 (i.e., TDP) have been identified in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and in frontotemporal lobe degeneration associated with motor neuron disease. To study the consequences of TDP mutation in an intact system, we created transgenic rats expressing normal human TDP or a mutant form of human TDP with a M337V substitution. Overexpression of mutant, but not normal, TDP caused widespread neurodegeneration that predominantly affected the motor system. TDP mutation reproduced ALS phenotypes in transgenic rats, as seen by progressive degeneration of motor neurons and denervation atrophy of skeletal muscles. This robust rat model also recapitulated features of TDP-43 proteinopathies including the formation of TDP-43 inclusions, cytoplasmic localization of phosphorylated TDP-43, and fragmentation of TDP-43 protein. TDP transgenic rats will be useful for deciphering the mechanisms underlying TDP-43–related neurodegenerative diseases.
Inverting face embeddings with convolutional neural networks

Deep neural networks have dramatically advanced the state of the art for many areas of machine learning. Recently they have been shown to have a remarkable ability to generate highly complex visual artifacts such as images and text rather than simply recognize them. In this work we use neural networks to effectively invert low-dimensional face embeddings while producing realistically looking consistent images. Our contribution is twofold, first we show that a gradient ascent style approaches can be used to reproduce consistent images, with a help of a guiding image. Second, we demonstrate that we can train a separate neural network to effectively solve the minimization problem in one pass, and generate images in real-time. We then evaluate the loss imposed by using a neural network instead of the gradient descent by comparing the final values of the minimized loss function.
Lower periprosthetic bone loss and good fixation of an ultra-short stem compared to a conventional stem in uncemented total hip arthroplasty

Background and purpose — We hypothesized that an ultra-short stem would load the proximal femur in a more physiological way and could therefore reduce the adaptive periprosthetic bone loss known as stress shielding. Patients and methods — 51 patients with primary hip osteoarthritis were randomized to total hip arthroplasty (THA) with either an ultra-short stem or a conventional tapered stem. The primary endpoint was change in periprosthetic bone mineral density (BMD), measured with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), in Gruen zones 1 and 7, two years after surgery. Secondary endpoints were change in periprosthetic BMD in the entire periprosthetic region, i.e. Gruen zones 1 through 7, stem migration measured with radiostereometric analysis (RSA), and function measured with self-administered functional scores. Results — The periprosthetic decrease in BMD was statistically significantly lower with the ultra-short stem. In Gruen zone 1, the mean difference was 18% (95% CI: −27% to −10%). In zone 7, the difference was 5% (CI: −12% to −3%) and for Gruen zones 1–7 the difference was also 5% (CI: −9% to −2%). During the first 6 weeks postoperatively, the ultra-short stems migrated 0.77 mm more on average than the conventional stems. 3 months after surgery, no further migration was seen. The functional scores improved during the study and were similar in the 2 groups. Interpretation — Up to 2 years after total hip arthroplasty, compared to the conventional tapered stem the ultra-short uncemented anatomical stem induced lower periprosthetic bone loss and had equally excellent stem fixation and clinical outcome.
Using art to illuminate social workers’ stress

Summary: This article aims to capture the self-defined holistic interaction between stressors, stress reactions and coping for social workers’ stress. We utilised an arts-based intervention in the form of a single drawing with 80 social workers, who were actively guided to explore their own stressors, stress reactions and coping. Findings: Our findings suggest that whilst social workers define their stressors as being related to a lack of social work professional and managerial support (a macro problem), they experience this stress as lack of personal efficacy and self-worth and expect to cope by drawing on their inner strengths rather than by challenging the ‘system’ (micro solutions). Thus, they tend not to utilise available systemic ideas and theories in social work to address their own problems. Application: These findings offer a way of exploring stress and coping as an interactive whole that helps to understand both systemic stressors and the gaps in social workers’ coping methods. It also explores the relationship between stressors, stress reactions and coping through the personal drawings and narratives of participating social workers. The findings are relevant for supervisors, and managers helping social workers to manage stress, and offer an example of how visual methods might be used as a pedagogic tool in social work education and practice.
Socio-spatial legibility, discipline, and gentrification through favela upgrading in Rio de Janeiro

This paper contributes to global perspectives on gentrification by interrogating the experiences of urban redevelopment and transformation in the global South. Through unpacking the contradictions of public space revitalization and upgrading in two favelas in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, we critically examine changes to the socio-spatial fabric of informal settlements over time. Our analysis reveals that upgrading projects, when combined with state-led favela pacification, create socio-spatial legibility through three inter-related pathways of physical, symbolic, and economic discipline. In the outset, favela upgrading increases property prices and produces an urban scenario molded for outsiders while simultaneously invisibilizing traditional cultural and social uses. For favela residents, however, upgrading is experienced as iterative processes of securitization and restriction, which involve strategies such as environmental clean-up, property enclosure, police violence, and new exclusionary forms of investments. As a result, the most socially vulnerable residents are controlled, coercively driven away, and slowly erased. Over time, the apparent integration of the formal and informal city, of the rich and the poor, of the ‘asphalt’ and the ‘hill’ in Rio de Janeiro produces new forms of separation, segregation, and fragmentation.
Survival Trends After Surgery for Acute Subdural Hematoma in Adults Over a 20-year Period

Objective: We sought to determine 30-day survival trends and prognostic factors following surgery for acute subdural hematomas (ASDHs) in England and Wales over a 20-year period. Summary of Background Data: ASDHs are still considered the most lethal type of traumatic brain injury. It remains unclear whether the adjusted odds of survival have improved significantly over time. Methods: Using the Trauma Audit and Research Network (TARN) database, we analyzed ASDH cases in the adult population (>16 yrs) treated surgically between 1994 and 2013. Two thousand four hundred ninety-eight eligible cases were identified. Univariable and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed, using multiple imputation for missing data. Results: The cohort was 74% male with a median age of 48.9 years. Over half of patients were comatose at presentation (53%). Mechanism of injury was due to a fall (<2 m 34%, >2 m 24%), road traffic collision (25%), and other (17%). Thirty-six per cent of patients presented with polytrauma. Gross survival increased from 59% in 1994 to 1998 to 73% in 2009 to 2013. Under multivariable analysis, variables independently associated with survival were year of injury, Glasgow Coma Scale, Injury Severity Score, age, and pupil reactivity. The time interval from injury to craniotomy and direct admission to a neurosurgical unit were not found to be significant prognostic factors. Conclusions: A significant improvement in survival over the last 20 years was observed after controlling for multiple prognostic factors. Prospective trials and cohort studies are expected to elucidate the distribution of functional outcome in survivors.
Descriptive study of autopsies in the Atlantic and Magdalena departments

The present study is aimed to determine some epidemiological aspects related to homicides committed by hired killers with firearms. We conducted a data collection survey of historical records from the Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences. The sample (n = 310) is composed of homicide victims in 2007 in the departments of Atlantico and Magdalena. We found that 93.5 % of the victims were male. Most of the victims (38.7 %) were found in the age range between 21 and 30 years old. A high percentage (32.9 %) of the victims were unmar- ried. The most common racial trait was the “mestizo” (94.2 %). A percentage of 48.4 % of the victims had a height between 161 and 170 cms. The days with higher incidence of killings were Mondays (19 %) and Fridays (18.4 %). The places where most of the murders happened were “in public” places with a percentage of 33.2 %. The most common number of bullet impacts was “2” with a 21.3 %. The most common body region impacted was on the head. Finally the paper presents the findings of the study.
Molecular Cloning, Bioinformatics Analysis and Expression of Insulin-Like Growth Factor 2 from Tianzhu White Yak, Bos grunniens

The IGF family is essential for normal embryonic and postnatal development and plays important roles in the immune system, myogenesis, bone metabolism and other physiological functions, which makes the study of its structure and biological characteristics important. Tianzhu white yak (Bos grunniens) domesticated under alpine hypoxia environments, is well adapted to survive and grow against severe hypoxia and cold temperatures for extended periods. In this study, a full coding sequence of the IGF2 gene of Tianzhu white yak was amplified by reverse transcription PCR and rapid-amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) for the first time. The cDNA sequence revealed an open reading frame of 450 nucleotides, encoding a protein with 179 amino acids. Its expression in different tissues was also studied by Real time PCR. Phylogenetic tree analysis indicated that yak IGF2 was similar to Bos taurus, and 3D structure showed high similarity with the human IGF2. The putative full CDS of yak IGF2 was amplified by PCR in five tissues, and cDNA sequence analysis showed high homology to bovine IGF2. Moreover the super secondary structure prediction showed a similar 3D structure with human IGF2. Its conservation in sequence and structure has facilitated research on IGF2 and its physiological function in yak.