Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cost-Effectiveness of Antivenoms for Snakebite Envenoming in 16 Countries in West Africa

Background Snakebite poisoning is a significant medical problem in agricultural societies in Sub Saharan Africa. Antivenom (AV) is the standard treatment, and we assessed the cost-effectiveness of making it available in 16 countries in West Africa. Methods We determined the cost-effectiveness of AV based on a decision-tree model from a public payer perspective. Specific AVs included in the model were Antivipmyn, FAV Afrique, EchiTab-G and EchiTab-Plus. We derived inputs from the literature which included: type of snakes causing bites (carpet viper (Echis species)/non-carpet viper), AV effectiveness against death, mortality without AV, probability of Early Adverse Reactions (EAR), likelihood of death from EAR, average age at envenomation in years, anticipated remaining life span and likelihood of amputation. Costs incurred by the victims include: costs of confirming and evaluating envenomation, AV acquisition, routine care, AV transportation logistics, hospital admission and related transportation costs, management of AV EAR compared to the alternative of free snakebite care with ineffective or no AV. Incremental Cost Effectiveness Ratios (ICERs) were assessed as the cost per death averted and the cost per Disability-Adjusted-Life-Years (DALY) averted. Probabilistic Sensitivity Analyses (PSA) using Monte Carlo simulations were used to obtain 95% Confidence Intervals of ICERs. Results The cost/death averted for the 16 countries of interest ranged from $1,997 in Guinea Bissau to $6,205 for Liberia and Sierra Leone. The cost/DALY averted ranged from $83 (95% Confidence Interval: $36-$240) for Benin Republic to $281 ($159–457) for Sierra-Leone. In all cases, the base-case cost/DALY averted estimate fell below the commonly accepted threshold of one time per capita GDP, suggesting that AV is highly cost-effective for the treatment of snakebite in all 16 WA countries. The findings were consistent even with variations of inputs in 1—way sensitivity analyses. In addition, the PSA showed that in the majority of iterations ranging from 97.3% in Liberia to 100% in Cameroun, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Nigeria and Senegal, our model results yielded an ICER that fell below the threshold of one time per capita GDP, thus, indicating a high degree of confidence in our results. Conclusions Therapy for SBE with AV in countries of WA is highly cost-effective at commonly accepted thresholds. Broadening access to effective AVs in rural communities in West Africa is a priority.
Accelerated Vector Pruning for Optimal POMDP Solvers

Partially Observable Markov Decision Processes (POMDPs) are powerful models for planning under uncertainty in partially observable domains. However, computing optimal solutions for POMDPs is challenging because of the high computational requirements of POMDP solution algorithms. Several algorithms use a subroutine to prune dominated vectors in value functions, which requires a large number of linear programs (LPs) to be solved and it represents a large part of the total running time. In this paper we show how the LPs in POMDP pruning subroutines can be decomposed using a Benders decomposition. The resulting algorithm incrementally adds LP constraints and uses only a small fraction of the constraints. Our algorithm significantly improves the performance of existing pruning methods and the commonly used incremental pruning algorithm. Our new variant of incremental pruning is the fastest optimal pruning-based POMDP algorithm.
Analysis and Experimental Evaluation of IEEE 802.15.4e TSCH CSMA-CA Algorithm

Time-slotted channel hopping (TSCH) is one of the medium access control (MAC) behavior modes defined in the IEEE 802.15. 4e standard. It combines time-slotted access and channel hopping, thus providing predictable latency, energy efficiency, communication reliability, and high network capacity. TSCH provides both dedicated and shared links. The latter is special slots assigned to more than one transmitter, whose concurrent access is regulated by a carrier-sense multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA-CA) algorithm. In this paper, we develop an analytical model of the TSCH CSMA-CA algorithm to predict the performance experienced by nodes when using shared links. The model allows for deriving a number of metrics, such as delivery probability, packet latency, and energy consumption of nodes. Moreover, it considers the capture effect (CE) that typically occurs in real wireless networks. We validate the model through simulation experiments and measurements in a real testbed. Our results show that the model is very accurate. Furthermore, we found that the CE plays a fundamental role as it can significantly improve the performance experienced by nodes.
Developing a recovery college: a preliminary exercise in establishing regional readiness and community needs

Abstract Background: Recovery orientated intervention has experienced a paradigm shift towards stakeholder training and education within recovery colleges. Such colleges are typically underpinned by a culture of emancipatory education that aims to facilitate recovery through educational choice. Aims: The study aims to establish regional readiness for a recovery college. Specifically, we aim to uncover key stakeholder attitudes towards recovery, outline a contextual conceptualization of recovery and show how inductive, community-based research can incorporate stakeholder views with core fidelity markers of a recovery college. Method: A mixed methods approach, specifically a cross-sectional survey, was adopted to intersect quantitative scales of stakeholder attitudes and qualitative assessment of recovery concepts and community needs. Results: Stakeholders’ recovery attitudes were positive overall with some variation between participant groups. Concepts of recovery were developing independent abilities, establishing connectedness to support and as a journey. The needs cited by the stakeholders were largely correlated with the core fidelity markers of a recovery college. Conclusion: A community psychology approach offers a means to ascertain regional readiness for a recovery college, and uncover key development foci based on community needs. We recommend that service areas adopt a similar approach when considering recovery-orientated service developments.
A Survey of the Values of Christian-Affiliated Girls in the UK

This paper explores the values of girls who affiliate themselves with Christianity, in comparison with the values of girls of no religious affiliation, in the context of the ongoing debate regarding the social significance of religious affiliation. The values of 9,447 Christian-affiliated girls, and 7,185 girls of no religious affiliation are explored over the six value areas of: myself; my worries; school; religion and society; moral issues; and societal and world concerns. The data demonstrate that Christianaffiliated girls as a group have a distinct identity as expressed through their values, in that they are more positive in their outlook on life, yet also more anxious, and more conservative in their values than girls of no religious affiliation. This finding supports the concept of religious affiliation is a key part of a person's identity, and has important implications for policy regarding young people, specifically Christian-affiliated girls.
Playing with fire : Category-level strategies for dealing with public disapproval. The case of the global arms industry (1996-2007)

Using qualitative and quantitative data, this dissertation investigates the anticipation and response strategies used by firms to deal with public disapproval and stigmatization. External audiences rely on organizational categories to make sense of the industry landscape. Categories are combinations of linguistic, symbolic, and substantive features that shape how social evaluations, positive or negative, are conveyed. Thus, association to certain categories can increase or decrease disapproval levels, and so can category straddling. To decrease future disapproval levels, firms can manage strategically the categories with which audiences associate them. Specifically, in the global arms industry, the categories that matter most are located at the home country, customer, and output levels. However, anticipation strategies are not always enough. Firms can be targeted by corporate scandal, a very stigmatizing form of disapproval. The dissertation demonstrates that in such cases firms implement response strategies that also modify categorical associations at the industry level, with the aim of loosening the ties that connect the targeted firm to the scandal, and the scandal to the rest of the firm's partners in the industry. The dissertation contributes to strategy and organization theory, especially to research streams on industry evolution, categorization, and stigmatization
Explaining Counterproductive Work Behaviors Among Police Officers: The Indirect Effects of Job Demands Are Mediated by Job Burnout and Moderated by Job Control and Social Support

The present study applied two theoretical frameworks (the demands–control–support model and the conservation of resources model) to investigate associations between job demands, job burnout, and counterproductive work behaviors (CWB) in the context of social support and job control. Data were collected among 625 police officers. Moderated mediation analysis showed that high job demands were indirectly related to high CWB, with job burnout acting as the mediator. These indirect effects were moderated by work-related resources (social support and job control). Job demands were associated with higher job burnout when social support was low. High job burnout was related to more frequent CWB when support was low and control was high. Finally, the job demands–CWB association was significant when support was low and control was high.
External Influences and Institutional Constraints on UK Monetary Policy, 1985-2000

We examine the role and nature of external influences (US as well as German) and changing institutional constraints upon UK monetary policy by estimating Taylor-type reaction functions for three subperiods: 1985-90 (pre-ERM), 1992-97 (post-ERM) and 1997-2000 (MPC). We identify and contrast 'domestic' and 'international' models of the reaction function, and show that while the international model dominates for the first subperiod, a joint model dominates for the post-ERM, and a domestic model in which foreign interest rates function only as instruments dominates for the MPC period. We use these models to comment on the short ERM period, when the authorities reduced interest rates further and faster than they would have done on the basis of the pre-ERM rule, but less than on the post-ERM or MPC (or standard Taylor) rules. We interpret our findings as showing that it is the institutional changes (towards central bank independence) rather than changes in the external regime which have been decisive in the development of UK monetary policy in this period.
Biomimetic composite learning for robot motion control

This paper focuses on biomimetic hybrid feedback feedforward (HFF) learning for robot motion control. Existing HFF robot motion control approaches have a major problem that accurate estimation of the robotic dynamics, which is crucial for mimicking biological control, is not taken into account. In this study, a composite learning technique is presented to achieve fast and accurate estimation of the robotic dynamics in robot motion control without a stringent persistent-excitation (PE) condition. The control architecture includes a proportional-derivative (PD) controller acting as a feedback servo machine and an estimation model acting as a feedforward predictive machine. In the composite learning, a time-interval integral of a filtered regressor is utilized to construct a prediction error, and both the prediction error and a filtered tracking error are used to update parametric estimates. Semiglobal exponential stability of the closed-loop system is rigorously established under an interval-excitation (IE) condition which is much weaker than the PE condition. Simulation results have been provided to demonstrate effectiveness and superiority of the proposed approach.
Novel Embryonic Neuronal Migration and Proliferation Defects in Dcx Mutant Mice Are Exacerbated by Lis1 Reduction

Heterozygous LIS1 mutations and males with loss of the X-linked DCX result in lissencephaly, a neuronal migration defect. LIS1 regulates nuclear translocation and mitotic division of neural progenitor cells, while the role of DCX in cortical development remains poorly understood. Here, we uncovered novel neuronal migration and proliferation defects in the Dcx mutant embryonic brains. Although cortical organization was fairly well preserved, Dcxko/Y neurons displayed defective migration velocities similar to Lis1+/ko neurons when characterized by time-lapse video-microscopy of embryonic cortical slices. Dcxko/Y migrating neurons displayed novel multidirectional movements with abnormal morphology and increased branching. Surprisingly, Dcxko/Y radial glial cells displayed spindle orientation abnormalities similar to Lis1+/ko cells that in turn lead to moderate proliferation defects both in vivo and in vitro. We found functional genetic interaction of the two genes, with the combined effects of Lis1 haploinsufficiency and Dcx knock-out leading to more severe neuronal migration and proliferation phenotypes in the Lis1+/ko;Dcxko/Y male double mutant compared with the single mutants, resulting in cortical disorganization and depletion of the progenitor pool. Thus, we provide definitive evidence for a critical role for Dcx in neuronal migration and neurogenesis, as well as for the in vivo genetic interaction of the two genes most commonly involved in human neuronal migration defects.
Gender Differences in Attributions of Blame for Male Rape Victims

Past research on blaming the victim has virtually ignored male victimization while concentrating on the female victim. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether or not gender differences exist in blaming a male rape victim and whether or not any theories of victim blame could be applied to this domain. Subjects were given the Belief in a Just World Scale, an intervening cognitive task, and a scenario describing a young man who was arrested outside of a bar where a fight occurred and who was later raped in a police holding cell. The manipulation consisted of whether or not the man had a previous arrest record. Subjects were then given a questionnaire assessing victim blame. Results showed males blamed the victim more than females and that the prior arrest victim was held more responsible than was the no-prior-arrest victim. The present findings are consistent with Lerner's belief in a just world theory.
Structured illumination microscopy reveals focal adhesions are composed of linear subunits

The ability to mechanically interact with the extracellular matrix is a fundamental feature of adherent eukaryotic cells. Cell–matrix adhesion in many cell types is mediated by protein complexes called focal adhesions (FAs). Recent progress in super resolution microscopy revealed FAs possess an internal organization, yet such methods do not enable observation of the formation and dynamics of their internal structure in living cells. Here, we combine structured illumination microscopy (SIM) with total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRF) to show that the proteins inside FA patches are distributed along elongated subunits, typically 300 ± 100 nm wide, separated by 400 ± 100 nm, and individually connected to actin cables. We further show that the formation and dynamics of these linear subunits are intimately linked to radial actin fiber formation and actomyosin contractility. We found FA growth to be the result of nucleation of new linear subunits and their coordinated elongation. Taken together, this study reveals that the basic units of mature focal adhesion are 300‐nm‐wide elongated, dynamic structures. We anticipate this ultrastructure to be relevant to investigation of the function of FAs and their behavior in response to mechanical stress. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Student-Centered Learning at Sultan Qaboos University: EFL Students' Perceptions

On-going research in education is focusing on exploring various approaches driven by a growing concern of ideal teaching and learning methods. Student-Centered Learning is characterized by innovative methods of teaching and it has been promoted to support the rapidly changing education environment. This study aims at investigating EFL students’ perceptions of practicing SCL in the teaching/learning process at Sultan Qaboos University. Data was gathered through a survey from 57 EFL students studying at SQU. Results show that the different dimensions of Student-Centered Learning are used to significantly varying degrees. Some implications and recommendations were elaborated in this paper.
Diffractive leptoproduction of vector mesons in QCD.

We demonstrate that the distinctive features of the forward differential cross section of diffractive leptoproduction of a vector meson can be legitimately calculated in perturbative QCD in terms of the light-cone [ital q[bar q]] wave function of the vector meson and the gluon distribution of the target. In particular, we calculate the [ital Q][sup 2] and nuclear dependence of the diffractive leptoproduction of vector mesons and estimate the cross section. The production of longitudinally polarized vector mesons by longitudinally polarized virtual photons is predicted to be the dominant component, yielding a cross section behaving as [ital Q][sup [minus]6]. The nuclear dependence of the diffractive cross sections, which follows from a factorization theorem in perturbative QCD, provides important tests of color transparency as well as constraints on the shadowing of the gluon structure functions and the longitudinal structure functions of nuclei.
Magnesium Uptake by CorA Transporters Is Essential for Growth, Development and Infection in the Rice Blast Fungus Magnaporthe oryzae

Magnaporthe oryzae, the causative organism of rice blast, infects cereal crops and grasses at various stages of plant development. A comprehensive understanding of its metabolism and the implications on pathogenesis is necessary for countering this devastating crop disease. We present the role of the CorA magnesium transporters, MoAlr2 and MoMnr2, in development and pathogenicity of M. oryzae. The MoALR2 and MoMNR2 genes individually complement the Mg2+ uptake defects of a S. cerevisiae CorA transporter double mutant. MoALR2 and MoMNR2 respond to extracellular Mg2+ and Ca2+ levels and their expression is elevated under Mg2+ scarce conditions. RNA silencing mediated knockdown of MoALR2 (WT+siALR2, Δmnr2+siALR2 and ALR2+MNR2 simultaneous silencing) drastically alters intracellular cation concentrations and sensitivity to metal ions. MoALR2 silencing is detrimental to vegetative growth and surface hydrophobicity of mycelia, and the transformants display loss of cell wall integrity. MoALR2 is required for conidiogenesis and appressorium development, and is essential for infection. Investigation of knockdown transformants reveal low cAMP levels and altered expression of genes encoding proteins involved in MoMps1 cell wall integrity and cAMP MoPmk1 driven MAP Kinase signaling pathways. In contrast to MoALR2 knockdowns, the MoMNR2 deletion (Δmnr2) shows increased sensitivity to CorA inhibitors as well as altered cation sensitivity, but has limited effect on surface hydrophobicity and severity of plant infection. Interestingly, MoALR2 expression is elevated in Δmnr2. Impairment of development and infectivity of knockdown transformants and altered intracellular cation composition suggest that CorA transporters are essential for Mg2+ homeostasis within the cell, and are crucial to maintaining normal gene expression associated with cell structure, signal transduction and surface hydrophobicity in M. oryzae. We suggest that CorA transporters, and especially MoALR2, constitute an attractive target for the development of antifungal agents against this pathogen.
A critique of schema theory in reading and a dual coding alternative

sentences. In two related experiments, Wippich found integration effects that strongly favored concrete over abstract sentences in results from recognition, reconstruction, and inference tasks that tapped various aspects of text processing. His conclusions strongly support the dual coding view of qualitative differences in the integration of concrete and abstract sentences and texts. Paivio (in press) provides further explanation of and evidence for qualitative differences in the integration of concrete and abstract texts that are consistent with dual
Community integration following multidisciplinary rehabilitation for traumatic brain injury

Primary objective : To determine the extent to which participation in a multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme and patient characteristics predict improvement in community integration following mild-to-moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI). Research design : A non-randomized case-control study was conducted employing a pre-test-post-test multiple regression design. Methods and procedures : Archival data for 42 patients with mild-to-moderate TBI who completed the Community Integration Questionnaire (CIQ) at intake and again 6-18 months later were analysed. Half the sample participated in an intensive outpatient rehabilitation programme that provided multi-modal interventions, while the other half received no rehabilitation. The two groups were matched on age, education and time since injury. Results : On the CIQ Home Integration scale, participation in rehabilitation and female gender predicted better outcome. On the Productivity scale, patients with a lower age at injury had better outcome. Outcome on both of these scales, as well as on the Social Integration scale, was predicted by the baseline pre-test score (initial severity). Conclusions : Overall, multidisciplinary rehabilitation appeared to increase personal independence. It is also concluded that: (1) multivariate analysis can reveal the relative importance of multiple predictors of outcome; (2) different predictors may predict different aspects of outcome; and (3) more sensitive and specific outcome measures are needed.
Control of Uncertain Robot Manipulators using Integral Backstepping and Time Delay Estimation

In this paper, a novel controller is proposed and applied for high accuracy tracking trajectory in the workspace of robot manipulators in presence of uncertainties and external disturbances. Most of nonlinear controllers are based on the mathematical model of robot manipulator, but a lot of robotic systems do not have exact model. This novel approach which consists on designing an Integral Backstepping with Time Delay Control (IBTDC) can estimate uncertainties and keep high tracking performance. The proposed controller is able to stabilize the robot system, and also to drive the trajectory tracking errors to converge in finite time. Furthermore, experimental results are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method applied to the 7-DOF ANAT robot arm.