Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Relationship between Mental Health and General Self-Efficacy Beliefs, Coping Strategies and Locus of Control in Male Drug Abusers

Background Various studies have been conducted to determine the causes of drug abuse from a psychological perspective. Mental health has also been among the studied factors. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between mental health and general self-efficacy beliefs, coping strategies and locus of control in male drug abusers. Methods This was a correlational descriptive study involving all male drug abusers (4,493 cases) at self-introducing detoxification centers in Kerman, Iran, during 2010-11. A total number of 354 patients were selected randomly with cluster sampling. Measurement tools were included Goldberg’s General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE-10), Coping Responses Inventory (CSI), and Internal-External Locus of Control Scale (I-E). The survey data were analyzed by SPSS using Pearson correlation and stepwise regression. Findings There were significant correlations between mental health and self-efficacy beliefs (r = -0.626), problem-oriented coping strategy (r = -0.535), emotion-oriented coping strategy (r = 0.573), external locus of control (r = -0.298), and internal locus of control (r = -0.525) (P < 0.01 for all). The results of the regression analysis showed that 58.7 percent of total variance of mental health can be estimated by general self-efficacy beliefs, coping strategies and locus of control. Conclusion In general, the results showed that increased levels of general self-efficacy, problem-oriented coping strategy and internal locus of control will improve mental health. In contrast, decreased general self-efficacy, emotion-oriented coping strategy and external locus of control would lead to decreased mental health.
Bandit Optimization with Upper-Confidence Frank-Wolfe

We consider the problem of bandit optimization, inspired by stochastic optimization and online learning problems with bandit feedback. In this problem, the objective is to minimize a global loss function of all the actions, not necessarily a cumulative loss. This framework allows us to study a very general class of problems, with applications in statistics, machine learning, and other fields. To solve this problem, we introduce the Upper-Confidence Frank-Wolfe algorithm, inspired by techniques for bandits and convex optimization. We show upper bounds on the optimization error of this algorithm over various classes of functions, and discuss the optimality of these results.
Disclosure and assessment in child abuse and maltreatment cases: young people’s and social work professionals’ perspectives

ABSTRACT This paper explores young people’s stories of receiving (or not receiving) help for abuse and maltreatment as children. Furthermore, it explores what social work professionals’ say they do, and which knowledge and approaches they emphasise when assisting abused and maltreated children or young people and their parents. The findings show the young people tend to focus on professionals’ ability to talk to them, listen and take them seriously, although they may be ambivalent about disclosing violence. Whereas caseworkers tend to focus mainly on identifying and disclosing abuse through standardised approaches and procedures. Taking these empirical findings into consideration, this paper aims to discuss possible implications embedded in different approaches in child abuse and maltreatment cases within the context of Norwegian child welfare services. Applying the social work concept of person-in-situation as the theoretical lens, this analysis sheds light on the mutual interdependency of the individual and context, and the complexities in each individual child abuse case. Discussing how child welfare workers may enquire about and grasp the complexities in child abuse and maltreatment cases, the paper contributes to the debate on professional discretion in light of the increasing trend to standardise investigative procedures in child welfare services.
Effectiveness of a Government-Organized and Hospital-Initiated Treatment for Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis Patients-A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background In contrast to the conventional model of hospital-treated and government directly observed treatment (DOT) for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) patient care, the Taiwan MDR-TB Consortium (TMTC) was launched in May 2007 with the collaboration of five medical care groups that have provided both care and DOT. This study aimed to determine whether the TMTC provided a better care model for MDR-TB patients than the conventional model. Methods and Findings A total of 651 pulmonary MDR-TB patients that were diagnosed nation-wide from January 2000-August 2008 were enrolled. Of those, 290 (45%) MDR-TB patients whose initial sputum sample was taken in January 2007 or later were classified as patients in the TMTC era. All others were classified as patients in the pre-TMTC era. The treatment success rate at 36 months was better in the TMTC era group (82%) than in the pre-TMTC era group (61%) (p<0.001). With multiple logistic regressions, diagnosis in the TMTC era (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.9–4.2) was an independent predictor of a higher treatment success rate at 36 months. With the time-dependent proportional hazards method, a higher treatment success rate was still observed in the TMTC era group compared to the pre-TMTC era group (adjusted hazard ratio 6.3, 95% CI 4.2–9.5). Conclusion The improved treatment success observed in the TMTC era compared to the pre-TMTC era is encouraging. The detailed TMTC components that contribute the most to the improved outcome will need confirmation in follow-up studies with large numbers of MDR-TB patients.
Neutrino-dominated Accretion Models for Gamma-Ray Bursts: Effects of General Relativity and Neutrino Opacity

We first refine the fixed concept in the literature that the usage of the Newtonian potential in studies of black hole accretion is invalid and the general relativistic effect must be considered. As our main results, we then show that the energy released by neutrino annihilation in neutrino-dominated accretion flows is sufficient for gamma-ray bursts when the contribution from the optically thick region of the flow is included, and that in the optically thick region advection does not necessarily dominate over neutrino cooling because the advection factor is relevant to the geometrical depth rather than the optical depth of the flow.
Relation of cortical areas MT and MST to pursuit eye movements. II. Differentiation of retinal from extraretinal inputs.

1. We investigated cells in the middle temporal visual area (MT) and the medial superior temporal area (MST) that discharged during smooth pursuit of a dim target in an otherwise dark room. For each of these pursuit cells we determined whether the response during pursuit originated from visual stimulation of the retina by the pursuit target or from an extraretinal input related to the pursuit movement itself. We distinguished between these alternatives by removing the visual motion stimulus during pursuit either by blinking off the visual target briefly or by stabilizing the target on the retina. 2. In the foveal representation of MT (MTf), we found that pursuit cells usually decreased their rate of discharge during a blink or during stabilization of the visual target. The pursuit response of these cells depends on visual stimulation of the retina by the pursuit target. 3. In a dorsal-medial region of MST (MSTd), cells continued to respond during pursuit despite a blink or stabilization of the pursuit target. The pursuit response of these cells is dependent on an extraretinal input. 4. In a lateral-anterior region of MST (MST1), we found both types of pursuit cells; some, like those in MTf, were dependent on visual inputs whereas others, like those in MSTd, received an extraretinal input. 5. We observed a relationship between pursuit responses and passive visual responses. MST cells whose pursuit responses were attributable to extraretinal inputs tended to respond preferentially to large-field random-dot patterns. Some cells that preferred small spots also had an extraretinal input. 6. For 92% of the pursuit cells we studied, the pursuit response began after onset of the pursuit eye movement. A visual response preceding onset of the eye movement could be observed in many of these cells if the initial motion of the target occurred within the visual receptive field of the cell and in its preferred direction. In contrast to the pursuit response, however, this visual response was not dependent on execution of the pursuit movement. 7. For the remaining 8% of the pursuit cells, the pursuit discharge began before initiation of the pursuit eye movement. This occurred even though the initial motion of the target was outside the receptive field as mapped during fixation trials. Our data suggest, however, that such responses may be attributable to an expansion of the receptive field that accompanies enhanced visual responses. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Defining the nature of blended learning through its depiction in current research

ABSTRACT Blended learning has been a feature of higher education practice and research for almost two decades. This article takes stock of current blended learning research, contributing to the growing number of meta-analyses of higher education and blended learning research more generally, through a review of ninety-seven articles relating to blended learning in higher education published in fifteen journals between 2012 and mid-2017. The review focused on where and when the articles were published; their provenance, scale, scope; methodological approach; the broad research themes; and definition of blended learning used. The review shows that despite its ubiquity, blended learning’s definition is all-encompassing; its spread is global but research is dominated by key players; it is of technical interest; and its research is small-scale, individually focused, seeking to evidence the benefits of blended learning. The article concludes with recommendations of how higher education research could provide institutions with evidence to ensure their ‘best of blends’.
Culture-dependent and culture-independent characterization of potentially functional biphenyl-degrading bacterial community in response to extracellular organic matter from Micrococcus luteus

Biphenyl (BP)‐degrading bacteria were identified to degrade various polychlorinated BP (PCB) congers in long‐term PCB‐contaminated sites. Exploring BP‐degrading capability of potentially useful bacteria was performed for enhancing PCB bioremediation. In the present study, the bacterial composition of the PCB‐contaminated sediment sample was first investigated. Then extracellular organic matter (EOM) from Micrococcus luteus was used to enhance BP biodegradation. The effect of the EOM on the composition of bacterial community was investigated by combining with culture‐dependent and culture‐independent methods. The obtained results indicate that Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria were predominant community in the PCB‐contaminated sediment. EOM from M. luteus could stimulate the activity of some potentially difficult‐to‐culture BP degraders, which contribute to significant enhancement of BP biodegradation. The potentially difficult‐to‐culture bacteria in response to EOM addition were mainly Rhodococcus and Pseudomonas belonging to Gammaproteobacteria and Actinobacteria respectively. This study provides new insights into exploration of functional difficult‐to‐culture bacteria with EOM addition and points out broader BP/PCB degrading, which could be employed for enhancing PCB‐bioremediation processes.
Case-based reasoning in clinical processes using clinical data banks

This study describes an approach to building a clinical data bank on the basis of a standardized clinical process model. A clinical data bank is considered as a repository of clinical cases, which is medical knowledge reflecting both up-to-date and retrospective medical data. In view of the case-based nature of the decision making process in medicine, a clinical data bank can be used in clinical processes to make diagnosis and treatment decisions. The study discusses the following issues: a) choosing an approach to modeling a clinical process; b) completeness of the model; c) medical data standardization and normalization; d) plain medical text mining; d) big medical data analysis. The study also looks at metric-based methods of searching for relevant clinical cases in the data bank.
A multi-component wellbeing programme for upper secondary students: Effects on wellbeing, buoyancy, and adaptability

School-related wellbeing, academic buoyancy, and adaptability are valued constructs in their own right, as indicators of student welfare and as predictors of academic achievement. In the present study, we examined the impact of a six-session multi-component, intervention on school-related wellbeing, academic buoyancy, and adaptability. Participants in their first year of upper secondary education were randomly allocated to early intervention groups, or wait list-control groups. Following baseline measurements, outcomes were assessed after the early intervention groups and again after the wait list-control groups. Following intervention, a slowed decline was shown in school-related wellbeing and adaptability was boosted. Buoyancy was boosted in the early intervention group but not the late intervention group. Findings show how a relatively short intervention can beneficially impact on student outcomes. Booster sessions may be required to maintain the benefits for wellbeing and adaptability.
Intersection of Mixed Methods and Community-Based Participatory Research: A Methodological Review

Although mixed methods research (MMR) and community-based participatory research (CBPR) have been employed to investigate complex research questions to improve the reach, rigor, and relevance of research, little is understood about the intersection of the approaches. We conducted a methodological review of studies (n = 129) using both MMR and CBPR, an advanced application we refer to as mixed methods community-based participatory research (MMCBPR). We systematically examined published MMCBPR studies to identify the methodological features and use in current research. Findings demonstrate that the components of MMR were not adequately described although some detail was provided about the use of CBPR. This study contributes to the evolution of advanced applications, and we offer recommendations for future applications of MMCBPR.
Spectral Efficiency of CDMA with Random Spreading

The CDMA channel with randomly and independently chosen spreading sequences accurately models the situation where pseudonoise sequences span many symbol periods. Furthermore, its analysis provides a comparison baseline for CDMA channels with deterministic signature waveforms spanning one symbol period. We analyze the spectral efficiency (total capacity per chip) as a function of the number of users, spreading gain, and signal-to-noise ratio, and we quantify the loss in efficiency relative to an optimally chosen set of signature sequences and relative to multiaccess with no spreading. White Gaussian background noise and equal-power synchronous users are assumed. The following receivers are analyzed: (a) optimal joint processing, (b) single-user matched filtering, (c) decorrelation, and (d) MMSE linear processing.
On the application of text input metrics to handwritten text input

This paper describes the current metrics used in text input research, considering those used for discrete text input as well as those used for spoken input. It examines how these metrics might be used for handwritten text input and provides some thoughts about different metrics that might allow for a more fine grained evaluation of recognition improvement or input accuracy. Text Input Methods Users spend a significant amount of carrying out text input activities. This time comprises thinking time, input time, and correction time and, more often than not, this time is spent at a keyboard, either a QWERTY keyboard or a reduced keyboard (as found on mobile phones). It is therefore, unsurprising that most of the work on text input has focussed on these two paradigms. There are several other methods for entering text at a computer, these include gaze typing and spoken input and, with the advent of the PDA and, more recently, the tablet PC, users can use handwritten text that is created with a stylus or pen. This handwritten text can be close to the users ‘natural 1 ’ handwriting, for example, cursive writing, or can require the user to construct letters in a constrained way (as found in the unistroke gestures such as those incorporated in Graffiti) [1], [2]. When the characters that make up a word are entered one by one the text input method can be described as discrete. Apart from in some of the chord keyboards, in keyboard based text input, the text is always entered discretely, in speech applications, and those handwriting applications that allow for ‘natural’ writing, the text is entered in a continuous stream which makes identification of individual letters problematic.
Maximum drive current scaling properties of strained Si NMOS in the deca-nanometer regime

The scaling of the drive current of strained Si NMOSFETs with gate lengths from 250 nm down to 50 nm is investigated with the self-consistent full-band Monte Carlo model. Although a degradation of the performance improvement due to strain is observed for decreasing gate length, this effect seems to saturate at very short channel lengths because of quasiballistic transport effects. For a gate length of 50 nm still an improvement of the drive current of more than 30% is found for Ge concentrations in the substrate of more than 15%.
Machine learning techniques for intrusion detection on public dataset

The development of computer based systems expands the usage of computer based application in human life. It can be observed that illegal activities such as unauthorized data access, data theft, data modification and various other intrusion activities are rapidly growing during last decade. Hence, deployment and continuous improvement of Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) are of paramount importance. Training, testing and evaluation of IDS with real network traffic is significant challenge, so most of IDS evaluation is based on intrusion datasets. Therefore, analysis of intrusion datasets are of paramount importance. In this paper, we evaluated Aegean Wi-Fi Intrusion Dataset (AWID) with different machine learning techniques. Feature reduction techniques such as Information Gain (IG) and Chi-Squared statistics (CH) were applied to evaluate dataset performance with feature reduction. Results of experiments show that feature reduction can lead to better analysis in terms of accuracy, processing time and complexity. It was observed that, the maximum increment of classification accuracy with feature reduction from 110 to 41 is 2.4%.
Behavior of Plastic Tubular Specimens Filled with Brick-Aggregates Concrete Under Compressive Loads

This study represents results of an experimental test to investigate the effect on the compression strength of gravel and recycled brick aggregates concrete specimens confined using plastic tubes. Plastic tubes used to confine concrete which is produced using river gravel or broken brick as a replacement for river gravel. A compressive load was applied to the specimens gradually up to failure. The results have indicated that as concrete compressive strength increased from (21.0 to 27.5)MPa, an increase in peak load of (3-46)% was achieved. Moreover, the brick aggregates concrete specimens have lower peak load as compared to gravel concrete and the peak load of confined specimens increased (3-6) times as compared to unconfined. Also, when the ratio of (height/diameter) of the concrete specimen increases from (2-4) the peak load decreased by about (2-12)%. The use of brick aggregates as a replacement to river aggregates results in significant decrease in weight and cost of concrete members. As well, the use of plastic tubes as a concrete form is superior to other construction materials such as wood or steel forms, since plastic tubes reduce the cost of forms and time of construction, and it protects concrete used for underground construction.
Vascular endothelial growth factor C mRNA expression correlates with stage of progression in patients with melanoma.

PURPOSE Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C promotes the ingrowth and invasion of lymphatics in many different tumor types, including melanoma. To determine whether expression of VEGF-C correlates with stage of progression, we measured VEGF-C mRNA levels in melanomas representing different stages of progression and from the vertical and horizontal growth-phase of individual primary melanomas. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Total RNA was extracted from human melanoma specimens taken from operative specimens and subjected to quantitative real-time PCR. VEGF-C levels were determined for 54 melanoma samples, including primary melanomas (n=15), local recurrences (n=6), regional dermal metastases (n=11), nodal metastases (n=12), and distant metastases (n=10). As a surrogate for lymphatic density, we also measured the expression of the lymphatic endothelial marker LYVE-1 and correlated its expression with previously measured VEGF-C levels. RESULTS Vertical growth phase melanomas expressed significantly higher levels of VEGF-C than horizontal growth phase melanomas. Nodal metastases expressed the highest level of VEGF-C, followed by regional dermal metastases. Primary and local recurrences expressed a relatively low level of VEGF-C, as did negative lymph nodes and distant metastases. In addition, VEGF-C expression correlated well with LYVE-1 expression (r=0.611; P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that high levels of VEGF-C may be important in regional lymphatic disease in melanoma and that VEGF-C and LYVE-1 levels may identify tumors with a high risk for nodal metastases, for which antilymphangiogenic therapy may be more effective.
The radio-loud/radio-quiet dichotomy: news from the 2dF QSO Redshift Survey

We present a detailed analysis of a sample of radio-detected quasars, obtained by matching together objects from the FIRST survey and the 2dF Quasar Redshift Survey (2dF). The data set consists of 113 sources, spanning aredshift range 0.35 ≤ z ≤ 2.2, with optical magnitudes 18.25 ≤ b J ≤ 20.85 and radio fluxes S 1 . 4 G H z ≥ 1 mJy. These objects exhibit properties such as redshift and colour distribution in full agreement with those derived for the whole quasar population, suggesting that the mechanism(s) controlling the birth and lifetime of quasars are independent of their level of radio emission. The long-debated question of the radio-loud/radio quiet (RL/RQ) dichotomy is then investigated for the combined FIRST-2dF and FIRST-LBQS (Large Bright Quasar Survey) samples, as they present similar selection criteria. We find the fraction of radio detections to increase with magnitude from ≤3 per cent at the faintest levels up to ∼20 per cent for the brightest sources. The classical RL/RQ dichotomy, in which the distribution of radio-to-optical ratios and/or radio luminosities shows a lack of sources, is ruled out by our analysis. We also find no tight relationship between optical and radio luminosities for sources in the sample considered, a result that tends to exclude the mass of the quasar black hole as the physical quantity determining the level of radio emission.