Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The World Bank

Abstract The control of human onchocerciasis (river blindness) is one of the most successful global partnerships ever supported by the World Bank. Mectizan mass treatments have greatly contributed to this success and have shaped the strategies of the programmes in which the World Bank has been involved — the Onchocerciasis Control Programme (OCP), which covered onchocerciasis control in West Africa until 2002, and the African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control (APOC), which is currently working in 30 countries, to protect millions of people from onchocerciasis. Through the strategy of community-directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTI), onchocerciasis control in Africa was transformed from a technologically-driven and vertical health initiative to a community-directed process of treatment and empowerment. Together, CDTI and the donation of Mectizan also reduced costs, producing one of the most effective and affordable disease-control schemes ever seen, and the CDTI strategy is now being applied to other disease-control initiatives. The onchocerciasis programmes have also been exemplary in shaping partnerships with communities, countries, the World Health Organization, governments, non-governmental development organizations, and the private sector. The Bank's involvement in onchocerciasis control has helped mobilize funds, giving confidence to other donors. More than U. S. $800 million was raised for both the OCP and APOC (excluding the initial costs of Mectizan). With these funds and the commitment of the partners involved, high coverages have been achieved in the Mectizan distributions. The Bank is confident that, during the years to come, the partners will continue their success, and that the APOC will achieve its goals by the target date for its closure, in 2015.
Practical Black-Box Attacks against Deep Learning Systems using Adversarial Examples

Advances in deep learning have led to the broad adoption of Deep Neural Networks (DNNs) to a range of important machine learning problems, e.g., guiding autonomous vehicles, speech recognition, malware detection. Yet, machine learning models, including DNNs, were shown to be vulnerable to adversarial samples-subtly (and often humanly indistinguishably) modified malicious inputs crafted to compromise the integrity of their outputs. Adversarial examples thus enable adversaries to manipulate system behaviors. Potential attacks include attempts to control the behavior of vehicles, have spam content identified as legitimate content, or have malware identified as legitimate software. Adversarial examples are known to transfer from one model to another, even if the second model has a different architecture or was trained on a different set. We introduce the first practical demonstration that this cross-model transfer phenomenon enables attackers to control a remotely hosted DNN with no access to the model, its parameters, or its training data. In our demonstration, we only assume that the adversary can observe outputs from the target DNN given inputs chosen by the adversary. We introduce the attack strategy of fitting a substitute model to the input-output pairs in this manner, then crafting adversarial examples based on this auxiliary model. We evaluate the approach on existing DNN datasets and real-world settings. In one experiment, we force a DNN supported by MetaMind (one of the online APIs for DNN classifiers) to mis-classify inputs at a rate of 84.24%. We conclude with experiments exploring why adversarial samples transfer between DNNs, and a discussion on the applicability of our attack when targeting machine learning algorithms distinct from DNNs.
The uneven impact of different life domains on the wellbeing of migrants

Life satisfaction and motives for migration are both complex entanglements, reflecting multiple desires and experiences. The aim of this paper is to show that a focussed analysis of satisfaction with particular domains of life can lend support to the claim that residential migration is not only a life stressor but also a positive means leading to enduring improvements in individual satisfaction. Using the British Household Panel Survey we examine overall life satisfaction and satisfaction in various life domains such as housing, job, social life, household income, spouse and health, both prior to and after moving. A temporal pattern of migrants’ satisfaction for a number of years before and after the move is derived employing a fixed-effects model. Our results reveal that moving increases housing satisfaction considerably. Despite some decrease over time, five years after migration housing satisfaction is still significantly higher than it was initially. The positive effect of migration on housing satisfaction is much stronger and endures longer for those with a sustained desire to move before migration. Changes in satisfaction with other life domains are much less pronounced and no lasting improvements in satisfaction are observed for them.
Specialization of Neural Mechanisms Underlying Face Recognition in Human Infants

Newborn infants respond preferentially to simple face-like patterns, raising the possibility that the face-specific regions identified in the adult cortex are functioning from birth. We sought to evaluate this hypothesis by characterizing the specificity of infants' electrocortical responses to faces in two ways: (1) comparing responses to faces of humans with those to faces of nonhuman primates; and 2) comparing responses to upright and inverted faces. Adults' face-responsive N170 event-related potential (ERP) component showed specificity to upright human faces that was not observable at any point in the ERPs of infants. A putative infant N170 did show sensitivity to the species of the face, but the orientation of the face did not influence processing until a later stage. These findings suggest a process of gradual specialization of cortical face processing systems during postnatal development.
Absence of Ndn, Encoding the Prader-Willi Syndrome-Deleted Gene necdin, Results in Congenital Deficiency of Central Respiratory Drive in Neonatal Mice

necdin (Ndn) is one of a cluster of genes deleted in the neurodevelopmental disorder Prader-Willi syndrome. necdin is upregulated during neuronal differentiation and is thought to play a role in cell cycle arrest in terminally differentiated neurons. Mostnecdin-deficientNdntm2Stw mutant pups carrying a targeted replacement of Ndn with a lacZreporter gene die in the neonatal period of apparent respiratory insufficiency. We now demonstrate that the defect can be explained by abnormal neuronal activity within the putative respiratory rhythm-generating center, the pre-Bötzinger complex. Specifically, the rhythm is unstable with prolonged periods of depression of respiratory rhythmogenesis. These observations suggest that the developing respiratory center is particularly sensitive to loss of necdin activity and may reflect abnormalities of respiratory rhythm-generating neurons or conditioning neuromodulatory drive. We propose that necdin deficiency may contribute to observed respiratory abnormalities in individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome through a similar suppression of central respiratory drive.
SASB : Spatial Activity Summarization using constant area Buffers

Given a spatial network, a spatial neighbourhood, a collection of activities, a constant buffer area and a number of clusters to identify (k), the problem of spatial activity summarization using constant area buffers is to choose the user defined k constant area buffers which maximizes the number of activities covered. Spatial activity summarization is an important societal problem and has been used by authorities to curb crime [16, 7, 13] and respond to natural disasters [18, 5, 1]. Oliver et al. [18] proved, in specific cases, network based summarization is a better approach than geometry based ones whereas the existence of geometry based approaches for the last 2 decades [10] proves their acceptance with the environmental criminologists and the authorities [7]. This paper presents an alternative way of summarizing spatial activities which helps the user summarize activities using k different buffers. The problem is of choosing the k best buffers out the available β buffers which provides us with a β choose k ( β k ) ways of accomplishing it. We use a greedy approach to maximize the number of activities covered in the k buffers. First principle examples show that this approach’s performance is comparable to the the above-mentioned approaches and in most instances presented in the examples it outperforms both.
The reading–writing connection

R eading and writing development begin in early childhood and are linked in daily function and in classroom activities from kindergarten or prekindergarten through high school and beyond. They form an integral part of the now widely adopted Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts. Although few would argue that reading and writing are related in important ways, there is little research addressing that relationship , or when and how best to integrate these two critical areas instructionally. A panel of individuals with expertise in reading, writing, instruction, intervention, assessment, and research methods convened under a partnership activity of the International Reading Association and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) here offers a consensus about some issues to consider in moving the field toward more fully understanding the nature and importance of the reading–writing connection. The document presents the panel's thinking on instructional issues, technology, the sharing of existing information, and the need for new approaches to assessment. The document ends with a summary of what the panel agreed are important areas for future research for better understanding and instructionally addressing the reading–writing connection. To simplify the consideration of the connection between reading and writing, reading is here defined as the ability to decode written text quickly and accurately and to comprehend what is read. Writing is defined as the ability to produce connected text (sentences, paragraphs, and documents), either by handwriting or keyboarding, that communicates an idea or information. Note also that the panel specifically does NOT address the issue of the reading–writing connection in the learning and instruction of students learning English as a second or additional language. Some of the broader statements in the document could apply directly to that population, while others would require significant nuancing, as instruction for second language learners requires specific expertise and supports, and is a complex issue in its own right. This decision in no way diminishes the importance of reading , writing and their connection in this group, but rather should indicate that the topic deserves separate consideration. (See August & Shanahan, 2008, which addresses reading and writing in second language learners.)
Lee-vortex formation in free-slip stratified flow over ridges. Part II: Mechanisms of vorticity and PV production in nonlinear viscous wakes

Abstract The formation of orographic wakes and vortices is studied within the context of numerically simulated viscous flow with uniform basic-state wind and stability past elongated free-slip ridges. The viscosity and thermal diffusivity are sufficiently large that the onset of small-scale turbulence is suppressed. It is found in Part I of this study that wake formation in the viscous flow is closely tied to the dynamics of a low-level hydraulic-jump-like feature in the lee of the obstacle. Here the role of the hydraulic jump in producing the vorticity and potential vorticity (PV) of the viscous wake is considered. A method for diagnosing vorticity production is developed based on a propagator analysis of the Lagrangian vorticity equation that generalizes Cauchy's formula for the evolution of vorticity in a Lagrangian framework. Application of the method reveals that the vertical vorticity of the wake originates through baroclinic generation and tilting in the mountain wave upstream of the jump. However,.
Production and Perception of English Vowels

The present study basically conducted a qualitative-oriented research to identify the articulating and listening problems of eleven AE vowels for Taiwanese eighth graders. It aimed to examine the relationship between production and perception of English vowels. Gender differences were probed under this sound pronunciation and discrimination framework. A vowel articulating test followed by a vowel discerning test was administered to 42 eighth graders (M=21, F=21). In addition, post-survey interviews were given to further explore the learners’ vowel learning difficulties and to triangulate the data obtained from the oral and aural tests. The results showed that (1) The senior high students had more difficulties pronouncing and perceiving the central vowels and the front vowels than the back vowels. (2) They were mostly confused with /ʌ-ɑ/, /e-ɛ/, and /i-ɪ/ in both production and perception tests. (3) All the inaccuracies in the vowels /i/, /u/, and /o/ were caused by the participants’ ignoring the length and tensity of the vowels. (4) Inappropriate substitution was the major error patterns found in the vowel pair (/ʌ-ɑ /, /i-ɪ/, /e-ɛ/, /u-ʊ/, and /o-ɔ/). (5) There was no significant relationship between the production and perception performances in these vowels. (6) There was insignificant gender effect on both tests. (7) In the interviews, the students expressed their awareness of certain vowel learning difficulties, which was quite consistent with what was found in the study. Pedagogical implications and suggestions for future studies were given to conclude the study.
Control of Invasive Weeds with Prescribed Burning1

Prescribed burning has primarily been used as a tool for the control of invasive late-season annual broadleaf and grass species, particularly yellow starthistle, medusahead, barb goatgrass, and several bromes. However, timely burning of a few invasive biennial broadleaves (e.g., sweetclover and garlic mustard), perennial grasses (e.g., bluegrasses and smooth brome), and woody species (e.g., brooms and Chinese tallow tree) also has been successful. In many cases, the effectiveness of prescribed burning can be enhanced when incorporated into an integrated vegetation management program. Although there are some excellent examples of successful use of prescribed burning for the control of invasive species, a limited number of species have been evaluated. In addition, few studies have measured the impact of prescribed burning on the long-term changes in plant communities, impacts to endangered plant species, effects on wildlife and insect populations, and alterations in soil biology, including nutrition, mycorrhizae, and hydrology. In this review, we evaluate the current state of knowledge on prescribed burning as a tool for invasive weed management. Nomenclature: Barb goatgrass, Aegilops triuncialis L. #3 AEGTR; Canada bluegrass, Poa compressa L. # POACO; Chinese tallow tree, Sapium sebiferum (L.) Roxb. # SAQSE; downy brome, Bromus tectorum L. # BROTE; French broom, Genista monspessulana (L.) L. Johnson # TLNMO; garlic mustard, Alliaria petiolata Andrz. # ALAPE; Kentucky bluegrass, Poa pratensis L. # POAPR; medusahead, Taeniatherum caput-medusae (L.) Nevski; red brome, Bromus madritensis L. ssp. rubens (L.) Husnot # BRORU; ripgut brome, Bromus diandrus Roth # BRODI; Scotch broom, Cytisus scoparius (L.) Link # SAOSC; smooth brome, Bromus inermis Leysser # BROIN; sweetclover, Melilotus spp. ; yellow starthistle, Centaurea solstitialis L. # CENSO. Additional index words: Fire, integrated vegetation management, rangelands, wildlands.
ICE: Idiom and Collocation Extractor for Research and Education

Collocation and idiom extraction are well-known challenges with many potential applications in Natural Language Processing (NLP). Our experimental, open-source software system, called ICE, is a python package for flexibly extracting collocations and idioms, currently in English. It also has a competitive POS tagger that can be used alone or as part of collocation/idiom extraction. ICE is available free of cost for research and educational uses in two user-friendly formats. This paper gives an overview of ICE and its performance, and briefly describes the research underlying the extraction algorithms.
The Performance of Random Forests in an Operational Setting for Large Area Sclerophyll Forest Classification

Mapping and monitoring forest extent is a common requirement of regional forest inventories and public land natural resource management, including in Australia. The state of Victoria, Australia, has approximately 7.2 million hectares of mostly forested public land, comprising ecosystems that present a diverse range of forest structures, composition and condition. In this paper, we evaluate the performance of the Random Forest (RF) classifier, an ensemble learning algorithm that has recently shown promise using multi-spectral satellite sensor imagery for large area feature classification. The RF algorithm was applied using selected Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) imagery metrics and auxiliary terrain and climatic variables, while the reference data was manually extracted from systematically distributed plots of sample aerial photography and used for training (75%) and accuracy (25%) assessment. The RF algorithm yielded an overall accuracy of 96% and a Kappa statistic of 0.91 (confidence interval (CI) 0.909–0.919) for the forest/non-forest classification model, given a Kappa maximised binary threshold value of 0.5. The area under the receiver operating characteristic plot produced a score of 0.91, also indicating high model performance. The framework described in this study contributes to the operational deployment of a robust, but affordable, program, able to collate and process large volumes of multi-sourced data using open-source software for the production of consistent and accurate forest cover maps across the full spectrum of Victorian sclerophyll forest types.
Reaching phase elimination in variable structure control of the third order system with state constraints

In this paper the design of a time varying switching plane for the sliding mode control of the third order system subject to the velocity and acceleration constraints is considered. Initially the plane passes through the system representative point in the error state space and then it moves with a constant velocity to the origin of the space. Having reached the origin the plane stops and remains motionless. The plane parameters (determining angles of inclination and the velocity of its motion) are selected to ensure the minimum integral absolute error without violating velocity and acceleration constraints. The optimal parameters of the plane for the system subject to the acceleration constraint are derived analytically, and it is strictly proved that when both the system velocity and acceleration are limited, the optimal parameters can be easily found using any standard numerical procedure for solving nonlinear equations. The equation to be solved is derived and the starting points for the numerical procedure are given.
pobj : A Lightweight Persistent Objects Library and Its Application to Persistency in Titanium / Java Gilad

Persistent objects are useful for applications that require data structures to be maintained across multiple executions. This paper describes pobj, a lightweight facility for providing persistent objects. The library offloads the actual backing store management to lladd, an open-source implementation of the ARIES recovery algorithm, and memory management to external libraries. This layered approach allows pobj to be used to implement transparent persistency in Titanium, a language based on Java. pobj’s combination of ease of use and flexibility make it ideal for a wide range of programmers and applications, even though it does not perform as well as other persistency tools.
Scoring Persuasive Essays Using Opinions and their Targets

In this work, we investigate whether the analysis of opinion expressions can help in scoring persuasive essays. For this, we develop systems that predict holistic essay scores based on features extracted from opinion expressions, topical elements, and their combinations. Experiments on test taker essays show that essay scores produced using opinion features are indeed correlated with human scores. Moreover, we find that combining opinions with their targets (what the opinions are about) produces the best result when compared to using only opinions or only topics.
Statistical Model of Downlink Power Consumption in Cellular CDMA Networks

Present work proposes a theoretical statistical model of the downlink power consumption in cellular CDMA networks. The proposed model employs a simple but popular propagation model, which breaks down path losses into a distance dependent and a log-normal shadowing loss term. Based on the aforementioned path loss formalism, closed-form expressions for the first and the second moment of power consumption are obtained taking into account conditions placed by cell selection and handoff algorithms. Numerical results for various radio propagation environments and cell selection as well as handoff schemes are provided and discussed.
Level-K Reasoning in a Generalized Beauty Contest

We study how the predictive power of level-k models changes as we perturb the classical beauty contest setting along two dimensions: the strength of the coordination motive and the information symmetry. We use a variation of the Morris and Shin (2002) model as the unified framework for our study, and find that the predictive power of level-k models varies considerably along these two dimensions. Level-k models are successful in predicting subject behavior in settings with symmetric information and a strong coordination motive. Their predictive power weakens significantly when either private information is introduced or the importance of the coordination motive is decreased.
'Helpfulness' in online communities: a measure of message quality

Online communities displaying textual postings require measures to combat information overload. One popular approach is to ask participants whether or not messages are helpful in order to then guide others to interesting content. Adopting a well-established framework for assessing data quality, we examine the nature of "helpfulness. "We study consumer reviews at Amazon.com, deriving 22 measures quantifying their textual properties, authors' reputations and product characteristics. Confirmatory factor analysis reveals five underlying quality dimensions representing reviewers' reputations in the community, the topical relevancy of the reviews, the ease of understanding them, their believability and objectivity. A correlation and regression analysis confirms that these dimensions are related to the helpfulness scores assigned by community participants. However, it also uncovers a strong relationship between the chronological ordering of reviews and helpfulness, which both community participants and designers should keep in mind when using this method of social navigation.