Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Insights and directions for sociological approaches to saving: The case of a Financial Education Programme for children in Portugal

The recent contexts of financial and economic crises have fostered discourses and initiatives for encouraging people to save. Despite there being, for the sake of sustainability, a generalized support to educational measures for increasing savings from early childhood, a complete understanding of why and how people save has not yet been attained. The absence of sociological attention to the engagement of consumers in such financial decisions is particularly scant. This article takes the case-study of a financial education programme for children to suggest future directions for the sociological investigation of savings. Literature review and the analysis of a Portuguese programme revealed a clear absence of sociological insights in financial education programmes’ contents and procedures. However, sociological research has already come to relevant findings about social aspects and processes of financial decisions that allow for a better understanding of how consumers, and children in particular, learn about and behave in relation to money, consumption and savings. In our view, the study of savings should pay more attention to several adjoining, concurrent and complimentary practices encompassed in the consumption process. This article contributes not only to fill in the literature gaps identified by the study, but also to counter-offer non-judgemental research regarding current literature on the subject.
Domain-specific Relation Extraction: using distant supervision Machine Learning

The increasing accessibility and availability of online data provides a valuable knowledge source for information analysis and decision-making processes. In this paper we argue that extracting information from this data is better guided by domain knowledge of the targeted use-case and investigate the integration of a knowledge-driven approach with Machine Learning techniques in order to improve the quality of the Relation Extraction process. Targeting the financial domain, we use Semantic Web Technologies to build the domain Knowledgebase, which is in turn exploited to collect distant supervision training data from semantic linked datasets such as DBPedia and Freebase. We conducted a serious of experiments that utilise the number of Machine Learning algorithms to report on the favourable implementations/configuration for successful Information Extraction for our targeted domain.
Mining relationships in learning-oriented social networks

The widespread use of computing and communications technologies has enabled the popularity of social networks oriented to learn. In this work, we study the nature and strength of associations between students using an online social network embedded in a learning management system. With datasets from two offerings of the same course, we mined the sequences of questions and answers posted by the students to identify structural properties of the social graph, patterns of collaboration among students and factors influencing the final achievements. The results show some hints to pursue and investigate deep user analytics in online social learning systems, e.g., to build accurate prediction models for the success of effectiveness of the learning tasks based on the patterns of students' participation in the platform.
Oil Spill Mapping and Measurement in the Gulf of Mexico With Textural Classifier Neural Network Algorithm (TCNNA)

We developed a Textural Classifier Neural Network Algorithm (TCNNA) to process Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data to map oil spills. The algorithm processes SAR data and wind model outputs (CMOD5) using a combination of two neural networks. The first neural network filters out areas of the image that do not need to be processed by flagging pixels as oil candidates; the second neural network performs a statistical textural analysis to differentiate between pixels of sea surface with or without floating oil. By combining the two neural networks, we are able to process a full resolution geotiff SAR image (16 bit, ~ 350 MB) in less than one minute on a conventional PC. The algorithm performs efficiently for all radar incidence angles when wind conditions are above 3 m/s. When low wind conditions are present, the performance of the neural network classification is limited, however the algorithm output allows the user to easily discard any elements of the classification and export the final product as a map of the water covered by oil. The results of this algorithm allowed us to process rapidly all of the images collected by Envisat during the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill event. By normalizing oil detections by the frequency that each area was sampled, we estimate that oil covered a mean daily area of 10,750 km2 (with a total extent of 119,600 km2 of the GOM surface waters), and approximately 1,300 km of the Northern GOM shoreline was threatened by the presence of drifting oil.
Underdiagnosis of dementia in primary care: Variations in the observed prevalence and comparisons to the expected prevalence

Objectives: Dementia is a major and growing health problem. Diagnosis is an important step in the access to care, but many dementia patients remain undiagnosed. This study investigated the magnitude and variation in the difference between ‘observed’ and ‘estimated’ prevalence of dementia in general practices. We also explored practice characteristics associated with observed prevalence rates. Method: Six Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) provided data on all general practices (N = 351) in their area in terms of number of doctors, patient list size, number of patients over 65 years of age, socio-economic deprivation status of practices and number of patients on dementia registers. Results: The average observed prevalence overall of dementia amongst patients 65 years and over was 3.0% [95CI 2.8, 3.2]. The observed prevalence was 54.5% [95CI 49.2, 58.9] lower than the prevalence observed in the epidemiological studies in the UK. For an average size general practice (list size of 5269 patients) approximately 27 [95CI 22, 32] patients with dementia may remain undiagnosed. Statistically significant differences in prevalence rates were found between the different PCTs (Wald chi-square = 103.8 p < 0.001). The observed prevalence of dementia was significantly lower among practices run by one GP compared to multiple GPs (p = 0.003), and in more affluent areas (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Just under a half of the expected numbers of patients with dementia are recognised in GP dementia registers. The underdiagnosis of dementia varies with practice characteristics, socio-economic deprivation and between PCTs, which has implications for the local implementation of the National Dementia Strategy.
Bathymetric and geographic population structure in the pan‐Atlantic deep‐sea bivalve Deminucula atacellana (Schenck, 1939)

The deep‐sea soft‐sediment environment hosts a diverse and highly endemic fauna of uncertain origin. We know little about how this fauna evolved because geographic patterns of genetic variation, the essential information for inferring patterns of population differentiation and speciation are poorly understood. Using formalin‐fixed specimens from archival collections, we quantify patterns of genetic variation in the protobranch bivalve Deminucula atacellana, a species widespread throughout the Atlantic Ocean at bathyal and abyssal depths. Samples were taken from 18 localities in the North American, West European and Argentine basins. A hypervariable region of mitochondrial 16S rDNA was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequenced from 130 individuals revealing 21 haplotypes. Except for several important exceptions, haplotypes are unique to each basin. Overall gene diversity is high (h = 0.73) with pronounced population structure (ΦST = 0.877) and highly significant geographic associations (P < 0.0001). Sequences cluster into four major clades corresponding to differences in geography and depth. Genetic divergence was much greater among populations at different depths within the same basin, than among those at similar depths but separated by thousands of kilometres. Isolation by distance probably explains much of the interbasin variation. Depth‐related divergence may reflect historical patterns of colonization or strong environmental selective gradients. Broadly distributed deep‐sea organisms can possess highly genetically divergent populations, despite the lack of any morphological divergence.
Running head : THE SUBJECTIVE SENSE OF FEELING SATIATED 1 The Subjective Sense of Feeling Satiated

The traditional view of satiation is that repeated consumption produces an unavoidable decline in liking according to the quantity and recency of consumption. We challenge this deterministic view by showing that satiation is instead partially constructed in the moment based on contextual cues. More specifically, while satiation is a function of the actual amount consumed, it also depends on the subjective sense of how much one has recently consumed. We demonstrate the influence of this subjective sense of satiation, and show it is driven by metacognitive cues such as the ease of retrieval of past experiences (Experiments 1 and 2), and can also be directly manipulated by providing a normative standard for consumption quantity (Experiment 3). Our research demonstrates that satiety is not driven solely by the amount and timing of past consumption, thereby establishing the role of higher-order metacognitive inferences in satiation and providing insight into how they underlie the construction of satiation.
Analysis of the full‐length genome of a subgenotype IIIB hepatitis A Virus isolate: Primers for broadly reactive PCR and genotypic analysis

Among six known subgenotypes (IA, IB, IIA, IIB, IIIA, and IIIB) of human hepatitis A virus (HAV), the complete genomic sequence has not been determined for IIIB. In this study, the full‐length genomic sequence of a IIIB HAV isolate (HA‐JNG06‐90F) recovered from a Japanese patient who contracted sporadic hepatitis A in 1990, was determined. The HA‐JNG06‐90F genome, which comprised 7462 nt excluding the poly(A) tail, was related most closely to NOR‐21 of subgenotype IIIA with an identity of 89.1%, and was only 82.6–83.4% similar to human HAV isolates of genotypes I and II over the entire genome. Comparison of full‐length genomic sequences of 20 reported isolates and HA‐JNG06‐90F generated optimal results for separation of different levels: the nucleotide identities were 80.7–86.6% at the genotype level, 89.1–91.9% at the subgenotype level, and 94.6–99.7% at the isolate level. Similar ranges of nucleotide identity were observed when comparing partial nucleotide sequences of the VP1‐2B (481 nt; primer sequences at both ends excluded) and 3C/3D (590 nt) regions, which were amplifiable by PCR with primers designed from well‐conserved areas of the HAV genome. All 66 samples with IgM‐class HAV antibodies tested positive for HAV RNA by both VP1‐2B (481 nt)‐PCR and 3C/3D (590 nt)‐PCR: subgenotype assignment was concordant in all samples tested (IA [n = 61], IB [n = 1], IIIA [n = 2] and IIIB [n = 2]). These results suggest that two broadly reactive PCRs using primers derived from the VP1‐2B and 3C/3D regions, respectively, may be applicable to universal detection and phylogenetic analysis of various HAV strains. J. Med. Virol. 79:8–17, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Oncostatin M‐Mediated Growth Inhibition of Human Glioblastoma Cells Does Not Depend on Stat3 or on Mitogen‐Activated Protein Kinase Activation

Abstract: Oncostatin M (OSM) and other members of the interleukin‐6 cytokines, like ciliary neurotrophic factor and leukemia inhibitory factor, can induce differentiation of glial cells. We have recently described that OSM inhibited the growth of human glioma cells in vitro and induced a cell morphology resembling that of mature astrocytes. Using the glioblastoma cell line 86HG39, we demonstrated that treatment of the glioma cells with OSM also leads to a differentiation of the malignant glioma cells as judged by a strong increase in glial fibrillary acidic protein expression. The differentiation and the growth inhibition were not significantly blocked by expression of a dominant‐negative (dn) signal transducer and activator of transcription (Stat) 3 protein. OSM exerted a reduction in DNA synthesis even in the presence of a high expression level of dnStat3. Moreover, inhibition of the ras‐raf‐mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway by the MAPK kinase 1 inhibitor PD98059 resulted in a synergistic enhancement of the OSM effect, indicating that the activation of this pathway counteracts the activity of the cytokine.
Is direct transport to a trauma centre best for patients with severe traumatic brain injury? A study in south-central Taiwan

Objective This study attempted to identify any differences between the outcomes of patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) who were directly transported to Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and those who were stabilised initially at other hospitals in south-central Taiwan. Methods A retrospective review of the records of 254 patients with isolated severe TBI who visited this hospital's emergency department from July 2003 to June 2008, of whom 167 were referred from other hospitals. Logistic regression was used to assess the effects of transfer and its components on mortality. Results Transfer from another hospital was not significantly correlated with mortality in this study (OR 0.513, 95% CI 0.240 to 1.097). Moreover, neither intubation (OR 1.356, 95% CI 0.445 to 4.133) nor transfer time over 4 h (OR 0.549, 95% CI 0.119 to 1.744) had a significant effect on mortality. Conclusion No differences in outcome were found between patients with isolated severe TBI who were directly transported and those transferred to this hospital's emergency room.
Factors that influence support for community-based ecotourism in the rural communities adjacent to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Botswana

Community-based tourism (CBE) has become an important livelihood option for rural communities in Botswana. The growth of CBE has been facilitated via community-based natural resources management initiatives that have yielded positive and tangible benefits to some regions more than others. The south-western region of the country lacks the level of tourism development of other areas, but has the opportunity to capitalise via CBE based on Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park area. Given the paucity of information and research on CBEs in the region, there is a dire need for additional baseline data. This study empirically explored knowledge, concern, perceptions of and support for CBE among residents living adjacent to the Transfrontier Park. Data were collected via a semi-structured questionnaire among 746 households in 9 villages. Results highlight the diverse array of factors that were likely to influence residents' perception and support of CBE development in the area. In addition to descriptive analysis, two models were tested via hierarchical regression to examine the factors that influence residents' support for CBE development. Overall, four independent variables were important predictors of residents' CBE support with environmental being the most important factor followed by economic, socio-cultural, and knowledge of ecotourism. This study contributes to the emerging literature in the region, as well as assists policy-makers, planners, and other stakeholders with respect to what should be considered when assessing the communities for CBE development.
The influence of local antichlamydial antibody on the acquisition and persistence of human ocular chlamydial infection: IgG antibodies are not protective

Summary In order to study the effect of antichlamydial antibodies in ocular secretions on resistance to ocular chlamydial infection and clearance of this infection, we have performed linked longitudinal studies in a Gambian village in which trachoma is endemic. We have measured IgG and IgA antibody levels to a local serotype B isolate of Chlamydia trachomatis by amplified enzyme immunoassay, and chlamydial antigen levels in conjunctival swabs using a commercially available immunoassay which detects chlamydial glycolipid. Having previously demonstrated that sharing a bedroom with a case of active trachoma is a risk factor for acquisition of the disease, we have analysed the effect of IgG and IgA antibody on the acquisition and persistance of clinical trachoma after controlling for age, sex, exposure to infection and for the presence of chlamydial antigen using a Poisson regression model. We have found that the presence of antichlamydial IgG in ocular secretions of disease-free subjects is associated with an increased incidence of trachoma. IgA antibody shows an opposite trend, but this is not statistically significant. One possible explanation of these findings is that antichlamydial IgG antibodies enhance the infectivity of C. trachomatis for the human eye; this could have major implications for the development of a chlamydial vaccine.
A Novel Sirtuin 2 (SIRT2) Inhibitor with p53-dependent Pro-apoptotic Activity in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer*

Background: Pharmacological inhibition of the NAD+-dependent deacetylase SIRT2 holds promise for cancer therapy by preventing deacetylation and inactivation of p53. Results: We identified two novel SIRT2 inhibitors that induce apoptosis in a p53-dependent fashion and activate three p53 target genes. Conclusion: Small-molecule inhibition of SIRT2 activates p53-dependent apoptosis in cancer cells. Significance: The compounds reported here are promising lead candidates for use in cancer treatment. Sirtuin 2 (SIRT2) is an NAD+-dependent protein deacetylase whose targets include histone H4 lysine 16, p53, and α-tubulin. Because deacetylation of p53 regulates its effect on apoptosis, pharmacological inhibition of SIRT2-dependent p53 deacetylation is of great therapeutic interest for the treatment of cancer. Here, we have identified two structurally related compounds, AEM1 and AEM2, which are selective inhibitors of SIRT2 (IC50 values of 18.5 and 3.8 μm, respectively), but show only weak effects on other sirtuins such as SIRT1, SIRT3, and yeast Sir2. Interestingly, both compounds sensitized non-small cell lung cancer cell lines toward the induction of apoptosis by the DNA-damaging agent etoposide. Importantly, this sensitization was dependent on the presence of functional p53, thus establishing a link between SIRT2 inhibition by these compounds and p53 activation. Further, treatment with AEM1 and AEM2 led to elevated levels of p53 acetylation and to increased expression of CDKN1A, which encodes the cell cycle regulator p21WAF1, as well as the pro-apoptotic genes PUMA and NOXA, three transcriptional targets of p53. Altogether, our data suggest that inhibition of SIRT2 by these compounds causes increased activation of p53 by decreasing SIRT2-dependent p53 deacetylation. These compounds thus provide a good opportunity for lead optimization and drug development to target p53-proficient cancers.
The Debt Trap: Wealth Transfers and Debt‐Equity Choices of Junk‐Grade Firms

If outstanding debt is risky, issuing equity transfers wealth from equity holders to debt holders. If existing leverage is high and bankruptcy costs are small, this wealth transfer effect outweighs the gains to stockholders from optimizing firm value. Empirically, we find that for investment‐grade firms, higher leverage implies a greater likelihood of issuing equity, as expected in a standard tradeoff model. However, consistent with the impact of wealth transfer effects, for junk‐grade firms, higher leverage implies a greater likelihood of issuing debt. The analysis implies an additional route through which historical shocks determine firms’ financing choices.
High performance work practices, employee outcomes and organizational performance: a 2-1-2 multilevel mediation analysis

Abstract This study examines the mediating role of employee outcomes in terms of the relationship between high-performance work practices (HPWP) and organizational performance. The study presents a 2-1-2 multilevel meditation model in which HPWP and organizational performance (staff absenteeism and patient satisfaction) are measured at the organizational level (Level-2), and employee outcomes at the individual level (Level-1). Using secondary data from the British National Health Service, evidence was found for a direct positive relationship between HPWP and employee outcomes (job satisfaction and employee engagement). Both job satisfaction and employee engagement mediated a negative relationship between HPWP and staff absenteeism, but the positive relationship between HPWP and patient satisfaction was mediated by job satisfaction only. We outline the research methodology and discuss practical implications for our findings.
An Analysis of Pattern of Fatal Head Injuries in Road Traffic Accidents

One of the common regional injuries an individual can sustain in Road Traffic Accidents is head injury. Head and face is the region which is more susceptible and requires an immediate care and treatment. The fatality rate is high even with intense treatment. Law making agencies has been continuously trying to enforce the rules of wearing helmets both in riders and pillion in two wheelers. Considering the same, this study was done in eastern part of Bangalore, an IT hub and a rapidly developing area with increase in vehicular movements. The study concluded that incidence was common among age group of 21–30 years with male predominance and among two wheel riders. Laceration is most common external injury followed by abrasion. Fissure fractures are most common type of Fracture, and sub dural haemorrhage is seen in majority of cases.
A Texture Segmentation Algorithm Based on PCA and Global Minimization Active Contour Model for Aerial Insulator Images

In this paper, a novel texture segmentation algorithm is proposed to partition the complex aerial insulator images into sub-regions with closed smooth contours. Firstly, Gray Level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM) is employed to extract the texture features of insulators and is calculated by the rapid Gray Level Co-occurrence Integrated Algorithm (GLCIA). We divide the extracted texture features into two categories: one with the stronger discriminative ability and the other with weaker ability. The second category is optimized by Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to better distinguish the different texture objects with low contrast. Then, a new convex energy functional is defined by taking the non-convex model of the Texture Descriptor Active Contour (TDAC) into a global minimization framework (GMAC) during segmentation. The proposed energy functional can avoid the existence of local minima in the minimization of the TDAC. A fast dual formulation is introduced for the efficient evolution of the contour. The experimental results on synthetic and real aerial insulator remote sensing images have shown that the proposed algorithm obtains more satisfactory segmentation compared to the classical models in terms of accuracy, efficiency and independence of initial contour. The influence of the algorithm parameters is also analyzed.
The social and economic bases of network multiplexity: Exploring the emergence of multiplex ties

The goal of this article is to shed light on the role of tie content in the evolution of multiplex ties – i.e., ties featuring both an economic and a social component – in interorganizational networks. The authors clarify and extend the theoretical framework on network multiplexity by testing the extent to which two distinct tie content-related logics – social interaction and economic exchange – and their underlying mechanisms lead to the emergence of multiplex ties. Results from a longitudinal network analysis of firms located in an Italian multimedia cluster support the authors’ hypotheses, confirming that both social and economic drivers contribute to the emergence of network multiplexity, and that social ties have a stronger impact than economic ties on this process, thus providing further insight into the microdynamics of network evolution.