Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Comparison Study between Various Fuzzy Clustering Algorithms

Clustering is the classification of objects into different groups, or more precisely, the partitioning of a data set into subsets (clusters), so that the data in each subset shares some common features. This paper reviews and compares between the two most famous clustering techniques: Fuzzy C-mean (FCM) algorithm and Subtractive clustering algorithm. The comparison is based on validity measurement of their clustering results. Highly non-linear functions are modeled and a comparison is made between the two algorithms according to their capabilities of modeling. Also the performance of the two algorithms is tested against experimental data. The number of clusters is changed for the fuzzy c-mean algorithm. The validity results are calculated for several cases. As for subtractive clustering, the radii parameter is changed to obtain different number of clusters. Generally, increasing the number of generated cluster yields an improvement in the validity index value. The optimal modelling results are obtained when the validity indices are on their optimal values. Also, the models generated from subtractive clustering usually are more accurate than those generated using FCM algorithm. A training algorithm is needed to accurately generate models using FCM. However, subtractive clustering does not need training algorithm. FCM has inconsistency problem where different runs of the FCM yields different results. On the other hand, subtractive algorithm produces consistent results.
Local ISM 3D Distribution and Soft X-ray Background Inferences for Nearby Hot Gas

Three-dimensional (3D) interstellar medium (ISM) maps can be used to locate not only interstellar (IS) clouds, but also IS bubbles between the clouds that are blown by stellar winds and supernovae, and are filled by hot gas. To demonstrate this, and to derive a clearer picture of the local ISM, we compare our recent 3D IS dust distribution maps to the ROSAT diffuse Xray background maps after removal of heliospheric emission. In the Galactic plane, there is a good correspondence between the locations and extents of the mapped nearby cavities and the soft (0.25 keV) background emission distribution, showing that most of these nearby cavities contribute to this soft X-ray emission. Assuming a constant dust to gas ratio and homogeneous 106 K hot gas filling the cavities, we modeled in a simple way the 0.25 keV surface brightness along the Galactic plane as seen from the Sun, taking into account the absorption by the mapped clouds. The data-model comparison favors the existence of hot gas in the solar neighborhood, the so-called Local Bubble (LB). The inferred mean pressure in the local cavities is found to be approx.9,400/cu cm K, in agreement with previous studies, providing a validation test for the method. On the other hand, the model overestimates the emission from the huge cavities located in the third quadrant. Using CaII absorption data, we show that the dust to CaII ratio is very small in those regions, implying the presence of a large quantity of lower temperature (non-X-ray emitting) ionized gas and as a consequence a reduction of the volume filled by hot gas, explaining at least part of the discrepancy. In the meridian plane, the two main brightness enhancements coincide well with the LB's most elongated parts and chimneys connecting the LB to the halo, but no particular nearby cavity is found towards the enhancement in the direction of the bright North Polar Spur (NPS) at high latitude. We searched in the 3D maps for the source regions of the higher energy (0.75 keV) enhancements in the fourth and first quadrants. Tunnels and cavities are found to coincide with the main bright areas, however no tunnel nor cavity is found to match the low-latitude b > or approx. 8deg, brightest part of the NPS. In addition, the comparison between the 3D maps and published spectral data favors a NPS central source region location beyond 230 pc, i.e. at larger distance than usually considered. Those examples illustrate the potential use of more detailed 3D distributions of the nearby ISM for the interpretation of the diffuse soft X-ray background.
ects of fragmentation of the Atlantic forest on mammal communities in south-eastern Brazil

Six Atlantic forest reserves, two large (c. 20,000 ha each), two medium-sized (c. 2,000 ha each) and two small (c. 200 ha each), located in northern EspõÂ rito Santo, south-eastern Brazil were censused for mammals from October 1994 to April 1996. Diurnal and nocturnal line-transect sampling was used for censusing mammals>1 kg body weight, and the relative abundance of species in the six fragments was compared. The number of mammal species recorded in the reserves was strongly related to the forest area, the richest community being recorded in the two large reserves and the poorest in the two small reserves. The large reserves had a structurally more complex community, with top predators, large, terrestrial frugivores and large myrmecophages. The mammal community of the small and the medium-sized reserves was impoverished and less complex. Frugivores were numerically predominant in both large and medium-sized reserves, whereas herbivores dominated the mammal community of the small reserves, mainly through the absence of agoutis Dasyprocta leporina and the high density of maned sloth Bradypus torquatus in the two small reserves. The lack of predators and the proliferation of secondary vegetation and lianas throughout the small reserves are probably the main causes for the success of arboreal folivores there. Illegal hunting was found to reduce the encounter rates of mostly large, terrestrial frugivores such as agoutis, pacas Agouti paca, peccaries Pecari tajacu and Tayassu pecari and deer Mazama spp. , and is contributing to keep the population of the surviving species low. # 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Statistical and ecological challenges of monitoring parasitic salmon lice infestations in wild salmonid fish stocks

Ecological monitoring programmes should provide precise data to inform management, but the data quality is often limited by methodological challenges and the need for cost-effective sampling. Parasite infestations are particularly challenging to monitor due to complex interactions among hosts, parasites and the environment. In Norway, salmon lice infestations on wild salmonid fish have been mon- itored since 1992 to survey the potential transmission between farmed and wild salmonids. Here, we com- pared spatiotemporal variation in salmon lice levels with variations in local fjord conditions, including salinity, temperature and infestation pressure from salmon farms (measured as mean abundance of ma- ture female lice × number of farmed fish). We tested 3 different measures of infestation with different statis- tical properties. Our results confirm that, even after correcting for temperature and salinity effects, in - festation pressure from salmon farms significantly increases the probability of lice infestation in wild salmonids. The probability of infestation increases with fish body length, salmon farm infestation pres- sure and tem perature, and decreases with increasing freshwater influence. Furthermore, we found a signif- icant interaction between temperature and infestation pressure from salmon farms. When the infestation pressure from farms is low, temperature has a strong increasing effect on the probability of infestation, but as the infestation pressure from farms increases, tem- perature gradually becomes less important. The exact results vary somewhat depending on the measure of lice infestations used, but the same trend can be seen in all models. We discuss the statistical and biological complexities that make monitoring of salmon lice in wild populations challenging.
Knowledge , Attitude , and Practice of Primary health care Workers regarding Tuberculosis disease in Minna municipal council area , Niger State , Nigeria

Introduction: Despite tremendous efforts to control tuberculosis (TB), it is still a major public health problem in Nigeria.Nigeria is among the six countries that contributed 60% of all new TB cases in 2015 and remains among the 22 high burden countries. National Tuberculosis Control Programme has continued to work towards controlling TB epidemic by expanding DOTS treatment and microscopic centers across the country.Data about knowledge and attitude of healthcare workers especially at the primary health care level where the majority of TB patients resides is scarce in Nigeria. Thus, a detailed understanding of the factors associated with the knowledge of and attitude towards TB among primary healthcare (PHC) workers is needed to support case detection and reduce TB-related morbidity in Nigeria. Objective:To assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of primary health care workers regarding tuberculosis disease in Minna municipal council area, Niger State, Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study to assess knowledge, attitude, and practice of163 primary health care workers regarding tuberculosis disease in Minna municipal area council was carried out from June to August 2015. A self-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Data wereanalyzed using SPSS version 22. Results: The response rate was 126 (77.3%). Overall, 63 (50.0%) of the respondents had satisfactory knowledge, 55 (43.7%) had positive attitude and 65(51.6%) had good practices regarding tuberculosis. Ages of the respondents were significantly associated with knowledge (p = 0.048), while years of service was associated with attitude (p =0.049) and practice (p = 0.003). Conclusion:There issignificant gap in knowledge and practices on tuberculosis prevention and control among primary health care workers in centers providing DOTS services in Minna Municipal council area. Therefore, training and retraining ofall PHC workers involved in thecare of TB patients should be strengthened.
Challenges in transforming manufacturing organisations into product‐service providers

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present challenges experienced by UK manufacturing companies undergoing a servitization journey to becoming product‐service providers.Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses an exploratory single‐case study approach based on semi‐structured interviews, and archival data. A total of 22 senior managers were interviewed from the product‐service provider and its two suppliers, resulting in more than 400 pages of interview data. Data were analysed through an inductive research analysis by an emergent identification of patterns.Findings – This research identifies critical and frequent challenges experienced by UK manufacturing companies undergoing a servitization journey to becoming product‐service system (PSS) providers. They are condensed into five pillars, which constitute the architecture of challenges in servitization. The architecture of challenges in servitization provides a full description of the strategy and operations of PSSs.Research limitations/implica.
Calibration of a semi-distributed model for conjunctive simulation of surface and groundwater flows / Calage d’un modèle semi-distribué pour la simulation conjointe d’écoulements superficiels et souterrains

Abstract Abstract A hydrological simulation model was developed for conjunctive representation of surface and groundwater processes. It comprises a conceptual soil moisture accounting module, based on an enhanced version of the Thornthwaite model for the soil moisture reservoir, a Darcian multi-cell groundwater flow module and a module for partitioning water abstractions among water resources. The resulting integrated scheme is highly flexible in the choice of time (i.e. monthly to daily) and space scales (catchment scale, aquifer scale). Model calibration involved successive phases of manual and automatic sessions. For the latter, an innovative optimization method called evolutionary annealing-simplex algorithm is devised. The objective function involves weighted goodness-of-fit criteria for multiple variables with different observation periods, as well as penalty terms for restricting unrealistic water storage trends and deviations from observed intermittency of spring flows. Checks of the unmeasured catchment responses through manually changing parameter bounds guided choosing final parameter sets. The model is applied to the particularly complex Boeoticos Kephisos basin, Greece, where it accurately reproduced the main basin response, i.e. the runoff at its outlet, and also other important components. Emphasis is put on the principle of parsimony which resulted in a computationally effective modelling. This is crucial since the model is to be integrated within a stochastic simulation framework.
Solar Cycle Observations of the Neon Abundance in the Sun-as-a-star

Properties of the Sun’s interior can be determined accurately from helioseismological measurements of solar oscillations. These measurements, however, are in conflict with photospheric elemental abundances derived using 3D hydrodynamic models of the solar atmosphere. This divergence of theory and helioseismology is known as the “solar modeling problem. ” One possible solution is that the photospheric neon abundance, which is deduced indirectly by combining the coronal Ne/O ratio with the photospheric O abundance, is larger than generally accepted. There is some support for this idea from observations of cool stars. The Ne/O abundance ratio has also been found to vary with the solar cycle in the slowest solar wind streams and coronal streamers, and the variation from solar maximum to minimum in streamers (∼0.1–0.25) is large enough to potentially bring some of the solar models into agreement with the seismic data. Here we use daily sampled observations from the EUV Variability Experiment on the Solar Dynamics Observatory taken in 2010–2014, to investigate whether the coronal Ne/O abundance ratio shows a variation with the solar cycle when the Sun is viewed as a star. We find only a weak dependence on, and moderate anti-correlation with, the solar cycle with the ratio measured around 0.2–0.3 MK falling from 0.17 at solar minimum to 0.11 at solar maximum. The effect is amplified at higher temperatures (0.3–0.6 MK) with a stronger anti-correlation and the ratio falling from 0.16 at solar minimum to 0.08 at solar maximum. The values we find at solar minimum are too low to solve the solar modeling problem.
Dissolution and regeneration of wool keratin in ionic liquids

Wool keratin, a natural biopolymer, is potentially an important renewable source of raw materials for the polyamide plastics industry. Large quantities of non-spinnable and short fibers of wool are discarded globally and hence are available as low value waste materials. In this study, we have investigated different solvents, including ionic liquids and deep eutectic mixtures, for the dissolution and processing of wool. The results show that substantial dissolution of wool (up to 475 mg wool per gram of solvent) can be obtained in the 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium dicyanamide [AMIM][dca] ionic liquid at 130 °C. Our studies also indicated enhanced dissolution (an additional 50–100 mg g−1) of wool upon the addition of a reducing agent to the ionic liquids. Water insoluble fractions (20–40%) were obtained on the addition of water to the dissolved wool. This regenerated fraction was characterized for structural and chemical changes and found to contain a larger fraction of β-sheets and random coils than the starting material. The water soluble fraction was characterised and the results indicated the presence of fragments of low molecular weight polypeptide chains.
Contracts as Threats: On a Rationale for Rewarding A While Hoping for B

In this paper we explore theoretically the relationship between explicit and implicit/relational contracting distinguishing between the ex-ante decision to sign an explicit contract and the ex-post decision wheter to actually apply it. We show, among other things, that the relational efficient explicit contract tends to display overcontracting on tasks or qualitative requirements (A) that are verifiable but apparently of little use for the principal. The ex-post (non)implementation of such explicit contract can then be discretionally exchanged against the provision of non contractible tasks (B) that are highly valuable for the principal. An empirical implication of the result, consistent with casual observation in procurement, is that penalties for infringements established by explicit contracts are seldom exercised, even though violations take place and are easy to monitor and verify.
Assessing Vancomycin Dosing Per Pharmacy in Elderly Patients Over the Age of 74 Years

Vancomycin has a complex pharmacokinetic profile and carries potential risks for nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity. The pharmacokinetic profile in elderly patients significantly differs from that of younger patients. It is common practice in many institutions for pharmacists to intentionally round serum creatinine levels to 1 mg/dl in elderly patients with levels <1 mg/dl to avoid overestimating clearance and toxicities. This can potentially lead to underestimation of creatinine clearance, and subsequently lead to vancomycin under dosing. The aim of this study was to evaluate vancomycin target trough attainment and the time to trough attainment with vancomycin dosing per pharmacy in elderly patients. Methods In this retrospective study, patients 75 years and older who received vancomycin at our institution were evaluated. Subjects were included in the study if they were at least 75 years of age, received intravenous vancomycin therapy, and had a vancomycin trough drawn after the third dose. The study patients were divided into three serum creatinine groups; <0.8 mg/dl (LSCr), 0.8–0.9 mg/dl (MSCr), and ≥1 mg/dl (HSCr). Patients were excluded from the study if they did not meet inclusion criteria, had no trough levels drawn, or were <75 years of age. Results Two hundred and four patients 75 years or older were included in the study. The target trough attainment was highest in the HSCr group (n = 37, 80%), which was significantly higher than the LSCr (n=21, 31%; p<0.0001) and MSCr (n=42, 46%; p<0.0001) groups. The time to target trough goals (days, mean ± SD) differed between the three groups, with the LSCr group taking the longest duration: LSCr: 5.14 ± 2.5; MSCr: 3.74 ± 1.1; HSCr: 3.78 ± 1.6, p=0.005. Conclusion Adjustments need to be done to improve vancomycin dosing per pharmacy in patients 75 years of age and older. This study shows that LSCr patients (<0.8 mg/dl) had the lowest rates of target trough level attainment. Intentionally rounding serum creatinine to 1 mg/dl if values are less when estimating renal function in this older patient population may not be predictive of true renal function and can decrease the likelihood of target attainment or increase time to target attainment.
Late-Holocene climate dynamics recorded in the peat bogs of Tierra del Fuego, South America

The ombrotrophic peat bogs of Tierra del Fuego are located within the southern westerly wind belt (SWWB), which dominates climate variability in this region. We have reconstructed late-Holocene water-table depths from three peat bogs and aimed to relate these records to shifts in regional climate. Water-table depths were quantified by the analysis of testate amoeba assemblages, and a regional transfer function was used to infer past water-table depths. During the last 2000 years, testate amoeba assemblages have been relatively stable, with a dominance of Difflugia pulex and Difflugia pristis type, and an increase in Assulina muscorum and other Euglyphida at the top of each section. Multivariate analyses show that water-table depth remained the main environmental variable explaining assemblages along the TiA12 core, but reconstructions were not significant for the two other cores. In line with the low variability in assemblages, water tables were relatively stable during the last 2000 years. Slightly wetter conditions were found between ~1400 and 900 cal. BP and a pronounced recent dry shift was reconstructed in all of the three peat profiles. Considering the regional climatic context, this recent shift may have been forced by a decrease in precipitation and warmer conditions linked to an increase in the importance of the SWWB. Nevertheless, we cannot exclude the influence of higher UV-B radiation resulting from the local degradation of the ozone layer since the late 1970s, which may have had an additional effect on the relative presence of A. muscorum in the southern Patagonian region.
A Wavelet Analysis for the Relationship between Financial Stressand the Equity Premium in US

This study investigates the empirical influence of financial stress on equity premium in the case of United States by using the wavelet transform framework. This new methodology enables the decomposition of timeseries at different time-frequencies. Generally, empirical results show strong evidence of significant linkage between financial stress on the stock markets. These findings confirm that financial stress is majority having the influence over equity premium in short run, but also for both medium and large time horizons.
Correlates of Physical Activity in Male and Female Youth

This study examined associations between psychosocial factors and physical activity in a group of youth (n = 520). Students completed the Previous Day Physical Activity Recall and a survey of potential determinants of physical activity. Regression analyses of intentions to be physically active revealed that enjoyment and self-efficacy predicted intentions for both males and females. Attitudes predicted moderate to vigorous activity (MVPA), and enjoyment and self-efficacy predicted vigorous activity (VPA) for males. Self-efficacy predicted both MVPA and VPA for females. The findings suggest that intervention programs targeted at youth should include developmentally appropriate activities that are fun and promote physical activity self-efficacy.
Do Interventions Change the Network? A Panel Peer-Effect Model Accounting for Endogenous Network Changes

A large literature has studied how peers affect behavior by exploiting the preexisting social network structure only. What if networks rewire in response to changes in the economic environment, such as a randomized intervention? We exploit a unique panel dataset that contains detailed information on the network of informal financial transactions before and after a field experiment that randomized access to savings accounts in Nepal. First, we show that the intervention affects the structure of the network of informal financial transactions among households. Second, we estimate a panel model of peer effects in expenditure where the network may change endogenously, and we exploit the design of the randomized intervention to instrument for the observed network change. Our results suggest that disregarding the network change would underestimate both total peer effects and the overall impact of the intervention.