Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimizing budget allocation among channels and influencers

Brands and agencies use marketing as a tool to influence customers. One of the major decisions in a marketing plan deals with the allocation of a given budget among media channels in order to maximize the impact on a set of potential customers. A similar situation occurs in a social network, where a marketing budget needs to be distributed among a set of potential influencers in a way that provides high-impact. We introduce several probabilistic models to capture the above scenarios. The common setting of these models consists of a bipartite graph of source and target nodes. The objective is to allocate a fixed budget among the source nodes to maximize the expected number of influenced target nodes. The concrete way in which source nodes influence target nodes depends on the underlying model. We primarily consider two models: a source-side influence model, in which a source node that is allocated a budget of k makes k independent trials to influence each of its neighboring target nodes, and a target-side influence model, in which a target node becomes influenced according to a specified rule that depends on the overall budget allocated to its neighbors. Our main results are an optimal (1-1/e)-approximation algorithm for the source-side model, and several inapproximability results for the target-side model, establishing that influence maximization in the latter model is provably harder.
The Mental Capacity Act 2005.

a stalwart right or authority to control one’s personal destiny, that is to say, the right to control one’s goals on the basis of one’s desires and plans. However, this is not to say that respect for autonomy is the only source of moral obligations and rights, nor that it is absolute or lexically superior to other principles such as expressions of beneficence, where doctors act to promote the welfare of patients.1 Many other moral rules including truth telling, promise keeping, confidentiality, and consent, can be derived from respect for autonomy. An expression of respect for autonomy includes treating people in such a way as to enable them to act autonomously. The new Mental Capacity Act 2005 deals with decisions relating to people who temporarily or permanently lack mental capacity and therefore are unable to act autonomously. Its starting point is that all people have the capacity to make healthcare decisions and their decisions, and more importantly their autonomy, must be respected. It emphasises that unwise decisions do not automatically invalidate autonomous judgements. Respect for autonomy is most evident when unwise or indeed capricious decisions are accepted as valid and binding.
Generalized Kalman-Yakubovich-Popov lemma for 2-D FM LSS model and its application to finite frequency positive real control

This paper is concerned with the development of the generalized Kalman-Yakubovich-Popov (KYP) lemma for two-dimensional (2-D) Fornasini-Marchesini local state-space (FM LSS) systems and its application to state-feedback positive realness control with finite frequency specifications. An linear matrix inequality (LMI) characterization for a rectangular finite frequency region is firstly technically constructed and then a generalized KYP lemma is proposed for 2-D FM LSS models. This lemma provides sufficient conditions in terms of LMI for general quadratic properties of the transfer function over a rectangular finite frequency region, including the extensively investigated bounded realness and positive realness as special cases. Based on this result, a new condition is further derived for designing controllers guaranteeing the finite frequency positive realness of the closed-loop systems. The presented numerical example shows the advantage of the proposed design method.
Personalizing Search Using Socially Enhanced Interest Model Built from the Stream of User's Activity

Older studies have proved that when searching information on the Web, users tend to write short queries, unconsciously trying to minimize the cognitive load. However, as these short queries are very ambiguous, search engines tend to find the most popular meaning - someone who does not know anything about cascading stylesheets might search for a music band called css and be very surprised about the results. In this paper we propose a method which can infer additional keywords for a search query by leveraging a social network context and a method to build this network from the stream of user's activity on the Web. The approach was evaluated on real users using a personalized proxy server platform. The query expansion method was integrated into Google search engine and where possible, the original query was expanded and additional search results were retrieved and displayed. 70% of the expanded results were clicked and we observed a significant increase of time that the users spent on the expanded results when compared to the time spent on standard results.
Generation of Nakagami Fading Signals with Arbitrary Correlation and Fading Parameters

Mobile radio channel simulators are essential for repeatable system tests in the development, design, or test laboratory. Field tests in a mobile environment are considerably more expensive and may require permission from regulatory authorities. Because of the random, uncontrollable nature of the mobile propagation path, it is difficult to generate repeatable field test results. The Nakagami model can be used to test the performance of radios in a mobile environment in the lab, without the need to perform measurements whilst actually mobile. The mobile fading simulation can also if required be replicated, and the effects can be varied according to the ‘velocity’ of the mobile receiver. This allows the comparison of the performance of different receivers under standardized conditions that would not normally be possible in actual mobile testing situations. In this paper, two techniques that are capable of generating correlated Nakagami channels with arbitrary fading parameters are proposed. Basically our approach is to generate Nakagami RVs from the square root of directly generated correlated Gamma RVs (not from sum of squares of Gaussian RVs).
Adoption of Information Security as Decision-making under Uncertainty: A Behavioural Economics Approach

In this study, we consider the question of adoption of information security technologies at individual level as a problem of decision-making under uncertainty and analyse it using a behavioural economics approach. We highlight the importance of the security adoption question for individuals outside of the organizational setting. In our model, we assume that an individual faces two sources of uncertainty, namely, environmental uncertainty and product uncertainty. An experiment is proposed to derive the utility function by testing personal perceptions toward varying levels of environmental and product uncertainties. Expected results are derived analytically and future research directions are discussed.
Dynamic Infinite Mixed-Membership Stochastic Blockmodel

Directional and pairwise measurements are often used to model interactions in a social network setting. The mixed-membership stochastic blockmodel (MMSB) was a seminal work in this area, and its ability has been extended. However, models such as MMSB face particular challenges in modeling dynamic networks, for example, with the unknown number of communities. Accordingly, this paper proposes a dynamic infinite mixed-membership stochastic blockmodel, a generalized framework that extends the existing work to potentially infinite communities inside a network in dynamic settings (i.e., networks are observed over time). Additional model parameters are introduced to reflect the degree of persistence among one's memberships at consecutive time stamps. Under this framework, two specific models, namely mixture time variant and mixture time invariant models, are proposed to depict two different time correlation structures. Two effective posterior sampling strategies and their results are presented, respectively, using synthetic and real-world data.
Implant surface roughness alterations induced by different prophylactic procedures: an in vitro study

AIM To evaluate surface roughness alterations at the smooth neck of dental implants after the use of eight different prophylactic procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS 50 tissue level implants (Institut Straumann AG, Basel, Switzerland) were used for the present investigation. The smooth collar of each implant was divided into two segments, each treated with one of eight cleaning procedures: use of a rubber cup (RCZ) or a brush (BZ) combined with an abrasive paste containing zirconium or a paste derived from perlite (RCP, BP); use of 2 composite resin burs reinforced by zirconium glass fibers (F1, F2); and use of an air-polishing system with glycine powder and two power settings (AP1, AP2). The qualitative alterations were recorded by means of a laser profilometer and the mean roughness (Ra ) and mean roughness profile depth (Rz ) were reported. Twenty untreated surfaces were used as controls. RESULTS The implant collars treated with RCZ (Ra = 0.33 μm, Rz = 2.43 μm) or BZ (Ra = 0.30 μm, Rz = 3.70 μm) yielded the highest roughness values, followed by the surfaces treated with RCP (Ra = 0.28 μm, Rz = 2.02 μm), with BP (Ra = 0.25 μm, Rz = 2.16 μm) and by the use of F1 (Ra = 0.27 μm, Rz = 2.22 μm) and F2 (Ra = 0.27 μm, Rz = 2.04 μm). The lowest roughness values were observed in the AP1 (Ra = 0.23 μm, Rz = 1.60 μm) and AP2 (Ra = 0.16 μm, Rz = 1.06 μm) group, respectively. Implant collars treated with AP2 yielded statistically significantly lower (P = 0.01) Rz values compared with untreated surfaces. CONCLUSION All tested procedures did not increase implant surface roughness significantly. Treatment with an air-powder abrasive system at high-pressure setting resulted in a smoothening of the implant collar surface.
Mercury, Lead, and Zinc in Baby Teeth of Children with Autism Versus Controls

This study determined the level of mercury, lead, and zinc in baby teeth of children with autism spectrum disorder (n = 15, age 6.1 ± 2.2 yr) and typically developing children (n = 11, age = 7 ± 1.7 yr). Children with autism had significantly (2.1-fold) higher levels of mercury but similar levels of lead and similar levels of zinc. Children with autism also had significantly higher usage of oral antibiotics during their first 12 mo of life, and possibly higher usage of oral antibiotics during their first 36 mo of life. Baby teeth are a good measure of cumulative exposure to toxic metals during fetal development and early infancy, so this study suggests that children with autism had a higher body burden of mercury during fetal/infant development. Antibiotic use is known to almost completely inhibit excretion of mercury in rats due to alteration of gut flora. Thus, higher use of oral antiobiotics in the children with autism may have reduced their ability to excrete mercury, and hence may partially explain the higher level in baby teeth. Higher usage of oral antibiotics in infancy may also partially explain the high incidence of chronic gastrointestinal problems in individuals with autism.
Phase–Amplitude Coupling in Human Electrocorticography Is Spatially Distributed and Phase Diverse

Spatially distributed phase-amplitude coupling (PAC) is a possible mechanism for selectively routing information through neuronal networks. If so, two key properties determine its selectivity and flexibility, phase diversity over space, and frequency diversity. To investigate these issues, we analyzed 42 human electrocorticographic recordings from 27 patients performing a working memory task. We demonstrate that (1) spatially distributed PAC occurred at distances >10 cm, (2) involved diverse preferred coupling phases, and (3) involved diverse frequencies. Using a novel technique [N-way decomposition based on the PARAFAC (for Parallel Factor analysis) model], we demonstrate that (4) these diverse phases originated mainly from the phase-providing oscillations. With these properties, PAC can be the backbone of a mechanism that is able to separate spatially distributed networks operating in parallel.
Factors Associated with Poststroke Anxiety: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background and Purpose. Anxiety affects 25% of stroke survivors. There are no effective treatments. Poststroke depression, prestroke anxiety and depression, locus of control, coping, confidence, fatigue, and sleep are factors that may be associated with poststroke anxiety and can potentially be targeted by therapy. We systematically reviewed the literature and performed a meta-analysis to identify associations with these factors. Methods. We searched electronic databases from January 2014 to July 2015 to complement a literature search performed from inception to May 2014. Study quality was assessed using an internationally endorsed checklist. We used odds ratios (ORs) to estimate the strength of associations and random-effects modelling to calculate summary effect sizes. Results. There were 24 studies recruiting 15448 patients. Quality of reporting was satisfactory. 13 studies with 2408 patients reported associations between poststroke anxiety and poststroke depression (OR = 4.66, 95% confidence interval: 2.23, 9.74). One study reported association with prestroke anxiety, three with prestroke depression, one with fatigue, and two with sleep. No studies reported on locus of control, coping, or confidence. Conclusion. Poststroke anxiety was associated with depression but there are limited data on other modifiable associations. Further research is needed to identify potential targets for treatment.
A focus theory of normative conduct: Recycling the concept of norms to reduce littering in public places.

Past research has generated mixed support among social scientists for the utility of social norms in accounting for human behavior. We argue that norms do have a substantial impact on human action; however, the impact can only be properly recognized when researchers (a) separate 2 types of norms that at times act antagonistically in a situation—injunctive norms (what most others approve or disapprove) and descriptive norms (what most others do)—and (b) focus Ss' attention principally on the type of norm being studied. In 5 natural settings, focusing Ss on either the descriptive norms or the injunctive norms regarding littering caused the Ss* littering decisions to change only in accord with the dictates of the then more salient type of norm.
How to be Fair and Diverse?

Due to the recent cases of algorithmic bias in data-driven decision-making, machine learning methods are being put under the microscope in order to understand the root cause of these biases and how to correct them. Here, we consider a basic algorithmic task that is central in machine learning: subsampling from a large data set. Subsamples are used both as an end-goal in data summarization (where fairness could either be a legal, political or moral requirement) and to train algorithms (where biases in the samples are often a source of bias in the resulting model). Consequently, there is a growing effort to modify either the subsampling methods or the algorithms themselves in order to ensure fairness. However, in doing so, a question that seems to be overlooked is whether it is possible to produce fair subsamples that are also adequately representative of the feature space of the data set - an important and classic requirement in machine learning. Can diversity and fairness be simultaneously ensured? We start by noting that, in some applications, guaranteeing one does not necessarily guarantee the other, and a new approach is required. Subsequently, we present an algorithmic framework which allows us to produce both fair and diverse samples. Our experimental results on an image summarization task show marked improvements in fairness without compromising feature diversity by much, giving us the best of both the worlds.
Using human motion estimation for human-robot cooperative manipulation

Traditionally the leader or follower role of the robot in a human-robot collaborative task has to be predetermined. However, humans performing collaborative tasks can switch between or share the leader-follower roles effortlessly even in the absence of audio-visual cues. This is because humans are capable of developing a mutual understanding while performing the collaborative task. This paper proposes a framework to endow robots with a similar capability. Behavior of the robot is controlled by two types of controllers such as reactive and proactive controllers each giving the robot follower and leader characteristics respectively. Proactive actions are based on human motion prediction. We propose that the role of the robot can be governed by the confidence of prediction. Hence, the robot can determine its role during the task autonomously and dynamically. The framework is demonstrated and evaluated through a table-lifting task. Experimental results confirm that the proposed system improves the overall task performance.
Regulation of myosin synthesis by thyroid hormone: relative change in the alpha- and beta-myosin heavy chain mRNA levels in rabbit heart.

The expression of mRNAs for two cardiac myosins has been examined in the ventricles of hypo- and hyperthyroid rabbits by means of cloned cDNA sequences corresponding to the mRNAs of the alpha- and beta-myosin heavy chains (HCs). The temporal change in the relative levels of the alpha- and beta-HC mRNAs after 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) treatment of hypothyroid rabbits was determined by nuclease S1 mapping. In the hypothyroid state, only HC beta-mRNA was expressed in the ventricles. The HC alpha-mRNA was first detectable 4 h after administration of T3 (200 micrograms/kg) to hypothyroid animals. By 12 h, HC alpha-mRNA represented 20% of total myosin mRNA, increasing to 50% by 24 h and to about 90% by 72 h. The relationship between the relative mRNA levels and relative synthesis rates of the myosin HCs was evaluated in 5-6-week-old normal and thyrotoxic rabbits. Myosin synthesis rates were determined by labeling of protein in vivo with [3H]leucine. The V1 (HC alpha) and V3 (HC beta) isomyosins were separated by affinity chromatography with monoclonal antibodies, and the HCs were isolated electrophoretically. In a normal euthyroid group of animals and in animals 12 and 24 h after administration of 200 micrograms of 3,5,3',5'-tetraiodothyronine/kg, the relative mRNA levels and relative synthesis rates of the alpha- and beta-HCs were not significantly different. Our results show that, first, thyroid hormone causes a rapid accumulation of HC alpha-mRNA and loss of HC beta-mRNA and, second, in normal and thyrotoxic rabbits, the relative synthesis rates of HC alpha and HC beta reflect the relative abundance of the alpha- and beta-HC mRNAs. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Understanding Farmers Information Communication Strategies for Managing Climate Risks in Rural Semi-Arid Areas, Tanzania

Crop production risk caused by climate variability cannot be managed in the absence of climate information. Despite the use of various communication strategies by rural communities in Tanzania, access and use of agricultural information is inadequate to cope with challenges in crop production. This study aims at assessing farmers information needs, examine communication strategies used and hence recommend information and knowledge sharing strategies for improved decision making. In addition, the study examined how modern ICT used together with tradition methods can reduce risks and improve crop productivity of smallholder farmers. A cross-sectional research design and simple random sampling techniques were used for the study. Interviews using structured questionnaires and focus group discussion were conducted to collect primary data from farmers and extension workers. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics where Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) was used. The findings showed that smallholder farmers require climate, market and agricultural inputs information to make strategic and tactical farm-level decisions for managing climate variability and extreme events. Climate information was found to be important factor for making decisions. Radio was found to be an important communication channel by the respondents in the study area, for communicating climate information. In addition, the respondents used extension officers and fellow farmers to access climate, market and agricultural input information. Mobile phones were noted to be preferred by surveyed farmers for communicating agricultural information. The study concluded that, efforts to improve adaptation capacity of smallholder farmers in rural areas should target the extended use of information technology for improved access to climate information and advisories. Furthermore, development initiatives for managing risks of climate variability should focus on improving climate forecasts issued by Tanzania Meteorological Agent (TMA).
Preventing Youth Violence in a Multicultural Society.

"Preventing Youth Violence in a Multicultural Society" highlights the importance of creating culturally compatible interventions to stop violence among the youngest members of diverse populations. The chapters explore how ethnicity and culture can increase or decrease risk for violence among youth depending on contextual factors such as a disadvantaged upbringing, exposure to trauma, and acculturation status. Authors focus on the interaction between environmental conditions and the individual risk factors that foster youth violence. They begin by examining risk factors common to all groups of youth, such as feeling alienated from mainstream culture and searching for self-identity, and then focus on risk, resilience, and distinguishing factors among particular racial and ethnic groups, including Latino, African American, Asian American, Pacific Islander, American Indian, and White youth. The authors recommend interventions tailored to each group as well as advice on how to incorporate cultural competence into more general youth violence prevention programs. The social-ecological approach taken in this volume emphasizes the learned nature of aggression and violence, and many of the recommended interventions involve changing the context in which violence is taught, therefore truly encouraging long-term violence prevention. This practical, empirically supported book serves as an important resource to all mental health practitioners working in the field of youth violence.
Towards Proofs as Successful Executions of Processes

We further the understanding of the relationship between process calculi and non-commutative logic. This work focuses on, a first-order extension of the proof calculus BV featuring a de Morgan dual pair of nominal quantifiers, called BV1. An embedding of π-calculus process as predicates in BV1 is defined, and a procedure is provided for extracting successful executions from proofs of embedded processes. This procedure is used to establish the soundness of linear implication in BV1 with respect to trace inclusion in the π-calculus. We illustrate the expressive power of BV1, by demonstrating that these techniques extend also to the internal π-calculus, where privacy of inputs are guaranteed. We emphasise that linear implication is strictly finer than trace inclusion, providing a tight refinement semantics for processes respecting both causality and the scope of private names.