Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reassembling religious symbols: the Pagan God Baphomet

Abstract Religious symbols are primarily significant because they draw people into relationships. Drawing on actor-network theory the paper demonstrates that symbols are hybrids of beliefs, cognitive interpretations, ritual performances and relational networks. The significance of symbols is located in this middle ground, as they mediate between thought and action, as well as between interpretative meaning and relational practice. Aesthetic experiences and ritual performance are interwoven with cognitive meaning and representation to generate the impact of religious symbols. This understanding of symbols is illustrated through an ethnographic account of a Pagan ritual involving the deity Baphomet. One of the participants describes this ritual succinctly: ‘Baphomet is a recreation of the Witches’ sabbat, an invocation of archetypal Witchcraft. It's R-rated, it contains adult themes, nudity and sex references. ’ Through ritual experiences, religious symbols change the way people feel about themselves, the world and the people around them.
Supervised machine learning techniques for the classification of metabolic disorders in newborns

MOTIVATION During the Bavarian newborn screening programme all newborns have been tested for about 20 inherited metabolic disorders. Owing to the amount and complexity of the generated experimental data, machine learning techniques provide a promising approach to investigate novel patterns in high-dimensional metabolic data which form the source for constructing classification rules with high discriminatory power. RESULTS Six machine learning techniques have been investigated for their classification accuracy focusing on two metabolic disorders, phenylketo nuria (PKU) and medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MCADD). Logistic regression analysis led to superior classification rules (sensitivity >96.8%, specificity >99.98%) compared to all investigated algorithms. Including novel constellations of metabolites into the models, the positive predictive value could be strongly increased (PKU 71.9% versus 16.2%, MCADD 88.4% versus 54.6% compared to the established diagnostic markers). Our results clearly prove that the mined data confirm the known and indicate some novel metabolic patterns which may contribute to a better understanding of newborn metabolism.
The Hierarchical Cosmic Web and Assembly Bias

Accurate modeling of galaxy distributions is paramount for cosmological analysis using galaxy redshift surveys. However, this endeavor is often hindered by the computational complexity of resolving the dark matter halos that host these galaxies. To address this challenge, we propose the development of effective assembly bias models down to small scales, i.e., going beyond the local density dependence capturing non-local cosmic evolution. We introduce a hierarchical cosmic web classification that indirectly captures up to third-order long- and short-range non-local bias terms. This classification system also enables us to maintain positive definite parametric bias expansions. Specifically, we subdivide the traditional cosmic web classification, which is based on the eigenvalues of the tidal field tensor derived, with an additional classification based on the Hessian matrix of the negative density contrast. We obtain the large-scale dark matter field on a mesh with $\sim3.9\,h^{-1}$ Mpc cell side resolution through Augmented Lagrangian Perturbation Theory. To assess the effectiveness of our model, we conduct tests using a reference halo catalogue extracted from the UNIT project simulation, which was run within a cubical volume of 1 $h^{-1}$ Gpc side. The resulting mock halo catalogs, generated trough our approach, exhibit a high level of accuracy in terms of the one-, two- and three-point statistics. They reproduce the reference power spectrum within better than 2 percent accuracy up to wavenumbers $k\sim0.8\,h$ Mpc$^{-1}$ and provide accurate bispectra within the scales that are crucial for cosmological analysis. This effective bias approach provides a forward model appropriate for field-level cosmological inference and holds significant potential for facilitating cosmological analysis of galaxy redshift surveys, particularly in the context of projects such as DESI, EUCLID, and LSST.
Hillary and Barack: Will Atypical Candidates Lead to Atypical Coverage?

This analysis compares how the press covered the campaigns of then-senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton to determine if—when not compared to a White male candidate—the press still focused on a Black candidate's skin color, a female candidate's gender and appearance, and if it continued to portray both candidates unfavorably. As the first national election with an African American male and White female frontrunners, this is perhaps the first study that directly examines the effect the novelty of race and gender have on press coverage. It found the press still made gender a salient aspect of Clinton's campaign. Also, despite his reticence to focus on race, the press still more frequently portrayed Obama as the “Black” candidate. However, in contrast to previous studies, neither candidate received more coverage for their appearance (i.e., attractiveness, attire, or smile), nor did either receive more favorable coverage than the other. These findings suggest that to some extent, these atypical candidates may have led to atypical coverage.
Carbon Dioxide Absorbents Containing Potassium Hydroxide Produce Much Larger Concentrations of Compound A from Sevoflurane in Clinical Practice

We investigated the concentrations of degraded sevoflurane Compound A during low-flow anesthesia with four carbon dioxide (CO2) absorbents. The concentrations of Compound A, obtained from the inspiratory limb of the circle system, were measured by using a gas chromatograph. In the groups administered 2 L/min fresh gas flow with 1% sevoflurane, when the conventional CO2 absorbents, Wakolime™ (Wako, Tokyo, Japan) and Drägersorb™ (Dräger, Lübeck, Germany), were used, the concentrations of Compound A increased steadily from a baseline to 14.3 ppm (mean) and 13.2 ppm, respectively, at 2 h after exposure to sevoflurane. In contrast, when the other novel types of absorbents containing decreased or no potassium hydroxide/sodium hydroxide, Medisorb™ (Datex-Ohmeda, Louisville, CO) and Amsorb™ (Armstrong, Coleraine, Northern Ireland), were used, Compound A remained at baseline (<2 ppm) throughout the study. In the groups administered 1 L/min fresh gas flow with 2% sevoflurane, Wakolime™ and Drägersorb™ produced much larger concentrations of Compound A (35.4 ppm and 34.2 ppm, respectively) at 2 h after exposure to sevoflurane. Medisorb™ showed measurable concentrations of Compound A (8.6 ppm at 2 h), but they were significantly smaller than those produced by the two conventional absorbents. In contrast, when Amsorb™ was used, Compound A concentrations remained at baseline throughout the study period. Implications Carbon dioxide absorbents containing potassium hydroxide/sodium hydroxide produce much larger concentrations of Compound A from sevoflurane in clinical practice. An absorbent containing neither potassium hydroxide nor sodium hydroxide produces the smallest concentrations of Compound A.
Implementing Cooperative Learning for Language Minority Students

Abstract This study analyzed the relationships between variables affecting the degree to which cooperative learning (CL) was implemented by English as second language (ESL) and bilingual education teachers. Three sets of variables were investigated: (a) teacher beliefs about the acquisition of knowledge, teacher role, and second language instruction, (b) teacher attitudes about CL, and (c) teacher perceptions of constraints and opportunities of their school environment. Subjects were 227 ESL and bilingual teachers (K-12) who elected to respond to a questionnaire of 87 items. The dependent variable, frequency of CL implementation, was based on teachers' estimations of the percent of their teaching time used for CL instruction. A hierarchical discriminant function analysis predicted membership in one of three groups; HI, MID-RANGE, and LO users. There was a statistically significant discrimination among the three groups on the basis of the 28 variables included in the analysis. The largest percentage of the.
Attitudes Toward the Use of Racial/Ethnic Profiling to Prevent Crime and Terrorism

Research indicates that public approval for the use of racial/ethnic profiling to prevent crime is low. In contrast, recent research and polling data suggest the public is more supportive of the use of racial/ethnic profiling to prevent terrorism. Using a survey-based experiment that varies the context for the use of racial/ethnic profiling (to prevent crime or to prevent terrorism), this study examines whether public approval for the use of racial/ethnic profiling by law enforcement officers differs across context. In addition, multivariate analyses examine whether the factors that are associated with support for the use of profiling, including race of respondent, salience of crime and terrorism, perceived racial bias in the justice system, and racial stereotyping, vary across context.
Cloudy with a Chance of Green: Measuring the Predictability of 18,009 Traffic Lights in Hamburg

Informing drivers about the predicted state of upcoming traffic lights is considered a key solution to reduce unneeded energy expenditure and dilemma zones at intersections. However, newer traffic lights can react to traffic demand, resulting in spontaneous switching behavior and poor predictability. To assess whether future traffic light assistance services are viable, it is crucial to understand how strongly predictability is affected by such spontaneous switching behavior. Previous studies have so far only reported percentages of adaptivity-capable traffic lights, but the actual switching behavior has not been measured. Addressing this research gap, we conduct a large-scale predictability evaluation based on 424 million recorded switching cycles over four weeks for 18,009 individual traffic lights in Hamburg. Two characteristics of predictability are studied: cycle discrepancy and wait time diversity. Results indicate that fewer traffic lights exhibit hard-to-predict switching behavior than suggested by previous work, considering a reported number of 90.7% adaptive traffic lights in Hamburg. Contrasting previous work, we find that not all traffic lights capable of adaptiveness may necessarily exhibit low predictability. We critically review these results and derive avenues for future research.
Pharmacodynamics of Echinocandins against Candida glabrata: Requirement for Dosage Escalation To Achieve Maximal Antifungal Activity in Neutropenic Hosts

ABSTRACT Candida glabrata is a leading cause of disseminated candidiasis. The echinocandins are increasingly used as first-line agents for the treatment of patients with this syndrome, although the optimal regimen for the treatment of invasive Candida glabrata infections in neutropenic patients is not known. We studied the pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of micafungin, anidulafungin, and caspofungin in a neutropenic murine model of disseminated Candida glabrata infection to gain further insight into optimal therapeutic options for patients with this syndrome. A mathematical model was fitted to the data and used to bridge the experimental results to humans. The intravenous inoculation of Candida glabrata in mice was followed by logarithmic growth throughout the experimental period (101 h). A dose-dependent decline in fungal burden was observed following the administration of 0.1 to 20 mg/kg of body weight every 24 h for all three agents. The exposure-response relationships for each drug partitioned into distinct fungistatic and fungicidal components of activity. Surprisingly, the average human drug exposures following currently licensed regimens were predicted to result in a fungistatic antifungal effect. Higher human dosages of all three echinocandins are required to induce fungicidal effects in neutropenic hosts.
Adult Attachment, Sensory Processing, and Distress in Healthy Adults.

OBJECTIVE To better understand the ways in which adult attachment, sensory processing, and distress may be interrelated in healthy adults. METHOD A cross-sectional study design was used with a convenience sample of 116 healthy participants who completed questionnaires before participating in a cold pressor pain-inducement task. RESULTS Attachment anxiety was significantly positively correlated with sensory sensitivity as measured using the Highly Sensitive Persons Scale and the Sensory Profile and with distress (i.e., stress, anxiety, and depression). Associations between attachment anxiety and both sensory sensitivity variables were lost when controlling for stress. Attachment avoidance was correlated only with sensory sensitivity measured using the Sensory Profile, and this relationship was retained when controlling for stress. Neither the attachment nor the stress variables were associated with sensation seeking. CONCLUSION Findings suggest that developing active coping approaches to deal with sensory sensitivities may be a valuable way to minimize distress. Recommendations for future research are provided.
Differences Between Pediatric Extra-Pulmonary and Pulmonary Tuberculosis: a Warning Sign for the Future

Background Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major global health problem. The childhood tuberculosis has some unique features different which makes the diagnosis more complicated. Here we described the epidemiologic, clinical and microbiologic features of children with extra pulmonary and pulmonary TB. Methods The data of the patients <14 years with active TB were collected and compared in pulmonary (PTB) and extrapulmonary TB (EXPTB) patients. Results A total of 128 cases was included. Forty-two cases occurred in children were < 5 years of age; 41 cases between 6–10 years and 45 cases > 10 years. PTB was present in 75,0% of the cases, and EXPTB was present in 25% of cases. There was no significant difference between the EXPTB and PTB by means of distribution of age groups (p=0,201). The rate of patients free of constitutional symptoms were significantly higher in EXPTB compared to PTB(p=0,000). There was no significant difference between EXPTB and PTB by means of sources detection(p=0,069). Conclusion TB is still a major public health problem. EXPTB has an insidious and silent onset without any constitutional symptoms, and both microbiological confirmation and the source by an adult are not frequently found. Moreover, detection of the adult source is mandatory for controlling the TB disease in children
Phylogeography of the tree lizard, Urosaurus ornatus: responses of populations to past climate change

Isolation due to both geological barriers and range contractions during the Pleistocene glacial maxima has been an important cause of diversification of arid‐adapted species in the North American deserts. Tree lizards, Urosaurus ornatus, are distributed across much of the southwestern arid regions and can tolerate a wide range of environments. Thus, they may have avoided large‐scale shifts in distribution caused by Pleistocene climate change and any subsequent evolutionary impacts. Cytochrome b sequences were sampled from U. ornatus across the northern part of their range to test if current structure of these populations resulted from post‐Pleistocene range expansion and habitat fragmentation, or prior geological isolation. Phylogenetic analyses found geographical structuring of populations consistent with a model of long‐term geographical isolation corresponding to each of the desert regions. The two post‐Pleistocene hypotheses were not well supported as estimated times of divergence predated the retreat of the last continental ice sheet. Populations in different regions were impacted by different processes. Southern populations of U. ornatus appear to have remained largely independent of more derived northern and eastern populations during Pleistocene climate change, while populations in regions containing more derived populations showed evidence of more recent range expansion (Colorado Plateau). As populations of U. ornatus attest to, the complex and dynamic history of the southwestern USA has left a deep‐rooted and multifaceted imprint on genetic and phylogeographical structure of the species living there.
Contracting Out Information Technology in Public Sector Contexts: Research and Critique

Abstract The growing trend towards IT outsourcing within the United Kingdom (UK) public sector is analysed. Factors influencing the degree of success experienced in a range of IT outsourcing deals are detailed, and then used as a framework for analysing and discussing two case histories — of selective and large-scale IT outsourcing — drawn from different parts of the public sector. Both examples demonstrate how distinctive public sector contexts influence the direction and degree of outsourcing. At the same time, they highlight a range of managerial and organisational issues raised by moves towards contractual, core competence forms of organising. Selective outsourcing is revealed as effective provided key decisions and actions are taken. The large-scale outsourcing case raises a number of critical issues not just for how it can be conducted in public sector contexts, but also about the efficacy of such arrangements in terms of cost savings, possible over-dependence on a few suppliers, and ability to respond flexibly to changing political requirements and legislation.
Coming to terms: parents' response to a first cancer recurrence in their child.

The purpose of this study was to explore, using grounded theory, the process experienced by parents who are dealing with the first recurrence of cancer in their child. The sample of 33 guardians (27 mothers, 1 grandmother, and 5 fathers) was drawn from three pediatric oncology settings. Data were collected through interviews, observations, and medical record review. Thirteen parents were interviewed to validate first the evolving and, later, the complete study findings. Four interactive components emerged: regulating shock, situation monitoring, alternating realizations, and eyeing care-limiting decisions. The overall organizing construct induced from these components was labeled "coming to terms. " This construct represents the parents' efforts to overcome shock and despair to make wise decisions about treatment while accepting that the outcome if beyond their control, and to help their child have the optimal chance for cure while preparing for the child's possible death.
Play and Games in the Peer Cultures of Preschool and Preadolescent Children

This article is an ethnographic study of children's production and participation in play and games in an Italian preschool and an afterschool program in a Swedish elementary school. Most traditional theoretical and empirical work on children's play and games has focused on the contributions of these activities for children's development of social, cognitive and communicative skills. Other research has extended this developmental focus by examining play and games as valued activities in children's production, organization and maintenance of their peer cultures. This article extends this work by examining play and games as part of a process of interpretive reproduction in children's lives. We demonstrate how children in the production of play and games simultaneously use (as well as refine and develop) a wide range of communicative skills, collectively participate in and extend their peer cultures, and appropriate features of, and develop an orientation to, the wider adult culture.
Factors predicting academic success in second and third language among Russian-speaking immigrant students studying in Israeli schools

The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors predicting academic proficiency (AP), the specialised domains required for performing academic tasks, among Russian speaking (L1) immigrants currently studying Hebrew as a second language (L2) and English as a third language (L3) in Israeli schools. Specifically, the study examined the contribution of demographic, linguistic, and social-psychological variables, as well as the AP level in first, second and third language to the prediction of AP in L2 and L3. The sample included 274 eleventh grade students. The instruments for assessing AP included a writing task in L1, and AP tests in L2 and L3. Questionnaires were administered to collect information regarding the participants' demographic, linguistic and social-psychological variables. The results indicated that gender, arrival age, current language use, perceived parental aspirations, L3 writing ability and studying L1 at school significantly predicted AP in L2, while only age at onset, current language use and L2 writing ability predicted L3. Writing ability in L1 was a significant predictor of reading and writing abilities in both L2 and L3, even after controlling for all background variables. Studying L1 at school contributed to the prediction of L2 reading ability only, holding all other variables constant.
Precise people counting in real time

In this paper we propose a motion-based people counting algorithm that relies on a weak camera calibration and produces a smooth estimate of the number of people in the scene. The method performs an analysis of the severity of possible occlusions and the integration of instantaneous observations over time. The key features of the algorithm are a simple pipeline, a small computational cost, the use of a model-free approach that does not need complex training procedures and its ability to work in different types of scenarios. We report results on both benchmark and acquired in-house datasets of different degrees of complexity, showing how our solution achieves comparable or superior performances with respect to state-of-art methods, while providing real-time performances.
Family Environment, Love Withdrawal, Childhood Sexual Abuse, and Adult Attachment

This survey of 60 male and 65 female undergraduates tested predictions based on adult attachment and structural family theories about family environment, sexual abuse, and adult attachment. Survey packets contained the Love Withdrawal Scale, Family Structure Survey, Family Environment Scale, and Experiences in Close Relationships Scale. Memories of parents' highly contingent caregiving (love withdrawal) were related to both adult attachment anxiety and avoidance and accounted for 14% of the variance in avoidance beyond other family variables. For men memories of low family warmth and responsiveness were related to adult attachment anxiety and avoidance, whereas for women memories of violation of structural family boundaries were related to anxiety and avoidance. Women who reported incestuous sexual abuse exhibited more adult attachment avoidance than those who did not report abuse and those who had been sexually abused by a nonfamily member. Hypotheses about connections between specific kinds of family dysfunction and specific adult attachment problems received only modest support.