Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Size estimation of key populations in the HIV epidemic in eSwatini using incomplete and misaligned capture-recapture data

In 2020, our understanding of the distributions of HIV risks in the most burdened settings including eSwatini remains limited. In part, this is driven by the limited availability of the size and burden of the populations at the greatest risk for HIV. Given pervasive social and healthcare stigmas, the size estimations of these populations often rely on the multiplier method – a variant of the capture-recapture approach where the first survey is replaced by an enumeration of population members who used some service or attended an event. To characterize the distributions of marginalized communities in eSwatini, multiple data sources are available at each region for the multiplier method. Current practices in such circumstances produce multiple population size estimates at each region ignoring the correlation among these estimates. We recast multiple multiplier method as a special case of capture-recapture problem with incomplete data, and propose a fully model based approach for size estimation using multiple capture-recapture data with arbitrary pattern of incompleteness. We use a data augmentation scheme that allows us to model the correlations in the data and produce a unified estimate of population size per region. A hierarchical model ties together the models for multiple regions, allowing us to borrow strength across the regions enabling extrapolation to areas without data. In eSwatini we also encounter data misalignment where counts from some of the data sources are not available for each region but as an aggregate over few regions. We propose a solution to the general misalignment problem which considers data-source-specific patterns of misalignment. We use simulation studies to demonstrate the accurate inferential capabilities of our Bayesian multiplier method. This approach is then used to produce uncertainty-quantified population size estimates of key populations in eSwatini. Lastly, we propose a Bayesian non-parametric extension for incomplete capture-recapture that allows non-independent data sources. MSC 2010 subject classifications: Primary 60K35, 60K35; secondary 60K35
Characteristics of Shar¯ı‘ah Supervisory Board, Corporate Governance Mechanisms and E (cid:14) ciency of Islamic Banks: Evidence from Listed Banks in Asia

This study investigates the impact of characteristics and role of Shar¯ı‘ah Supervisory Board (SSB) and corporate governance mechanisms on e (cid:14) ciency in Islamic Banks (IBs). A sample of 30 banks is drawn from those IBs that are listed on Asian stock markets. Corporate and SSB act as guardians of rights of minority shareholders by constantly monitoring controlling shareholders. The characteristics of both these boards a (cid:11) ect the procedures installed thus a (cid:11) ecting e (cid:14) ciency of these ﬁnancial institutions. Multivariate panel data regression analysis is employed as the estimation procedure. The results show that a few characteristics of both the boards are positively related to e (cid:14) ciency. The study reports an empirical evidence of positive association between size of the SSB, audit committee independence and e (cid:14) ciency of banks listed in Asia. The results of this study suggest that the users of ﬁnancial statements should consider characteristics of corporate as well as Shar¯ı‘ah boards for the evaluation of respective Islamic banks. This study also notiﬁes that in order to improve e (cid:14) ciency, the regulators should set forth guidelines regarding the size of SSB as well as the percentage of independent members on the audit committee in Islamic banks where governance is shared between the two boards, regulations are constantly being developed and installed with somewhat limited knowledge and skill of board members regarding the implementation of these regulations to improve e (cid:14) ciency.
Paravertebral Block Versus Preemptive Ketamine Effect on Pain Intensity after Posterolateral Thoracotomies: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Severe postoperative pain affects most patients after thoracotomy and is a risk factor for post-thoracotomy pain syndrome (PTPS). This randomized controlled trial compared preemptively administered ketamine versus continuous paravertebral block (PVB) versus control in patients undergoing posterolateral thoracotomy. The primary outcome was acute pain intensity on the visual analog scale (VAS) on the first postoperative day. Secondary outcomes included morphine consumption, patient satisfaction, and PTPS assessment with Neuropathic Pain Syndrome Inventory (NPSI). Acute pain intensity was significantly lower with PVB compared to other groups at four out of six time points. Patients in the PVB group used significantly less morphine via a patient-controlled analgesia pump than participants in other groups. Moreover, patients were more satisfied with postoperative pain management after PVB. PVB, but not ketamine, decreased PTPS intensity at 1, 3, and 6 months after posterolateral thoracotomy. Acute pain intensity at hour 8 and PTPS intensity at month 3 correlated positively with PTPS at month 6. Bodyweight was negatively associated with chronic pain at month 6. Thus, PVB but not preemptively administered ketamine decreases both acute and chronic pain intensity following posterolateral thoracotomies.
Cyber-victimization and perceived depression: Serial mediation of self-esteem and learned-helplessness

Literature suggests that the perception of being cyber-victimized is a stronger predictor of depression symptoms than the perception of being victimized offline, and that learned-helplessness can explain the prediction of perceived cyber-victimization on perceived depression. Nevertheless, other studies suggested that the link between perceived cyber-victimized and learned-helplessness is weakened by state self-esteem. This study investigates the double mediation effect of state self-esteem and learned-helplessness on the relationship between perceived cyber-victimized and perceived depression. 104 participants between 18 and 30 years of age (63 females, 41 males, 1 prefer not to say) have been recruited through haphazard sampling method to fill in the Cyberbullying Victimization Scale, State Self-Esteem Scale, Learned Helplessness Scale, and Beck’s Depression Inventory. Our findings suggest that the double mediation effect occurs. As a conclusion, our findings suggested that cyberbullied social media users will only fall into perceived depression when their state self-esteem is also negatively affected by their perception of being cyberbullied, up to the point where they learn that they are helpless. Further implication are discussed at the end of the paper.
Introducción Número Especial: OUTLIERS OF PRESIDENTIAL APPROVAL: DYNAMICS, LEVELS, AND RATES

Presidential approval tends to exhibit the dynamics of honeymoon, decline, and a rebound as elections near. But several presidential administrations and, indeed, some countries themselves, do not conform to this pattern. This introduction to the special issue identifies and classifies outliers to the typical dynamics of approval using a 12-category taxonomy and data on 140 presidential administrations in 18 Latin American countries from the Executive Approval Project 1.0. Contributors to this special issue use this taxonomy to select outlier cases to explain in their respective articles. This combination of cross-national and case-study approaches suggest a more general theory of presidential approval can be constructed by systematically testing new hypotheses generated in this special issue concerning the role of governing style, political communication, security, policy choice, and institutional context. 1 The authors are grateful to Mariano Torcal and the editorial board of RLOP for their encouragement and support of this special issue. We thank Peter Enns, Gregg Johnson, Aníbal Pérez-Liñán, Sarah Shair-Rosenfield, James Stimson, Christopher Wlezien, Elizabeth Zechmeister, and the other core members of the Executive Approval Project (Jonathan Hartlyn, Timothy Hellwig, Gregory Love, and Matthew Singer) for their feedback on previous drafts of this manuscript and on the structure of the special issue. Additionally, we thank all Executive Approval Project Country Team Leaders and all others who contributed the data that make these analyses possible. Finally, we greatly appreciate the work of two anonymous reviewers who provided excellent comments on all articles in this special issue. 2 Professor, Department of Political Science and Director of the Center for Human Rights and Democracy, Georgia State University; Core Member, Executive Approval Project; rcarlin@gsu.edu. 3 Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Core Member, Executive Approval Project; cmg@unc.edu. 8 REVISTA LATINOAMERICANA DE OPINIÓN PÚBLICA / NÚMERO 9
Research on the Visualization of Ocean Big Data Based on the Cite-Space Software

Ocean big data is the scientific practice of using big data technology in the marine field. Data from satellites, manned spacecraft, space stations, airship, unmanned aerial vehicles, shore-based radar and observation stations, exploration platforms, buoys, underwater gliders, submersibles, and submarine observation networks are seamlessly combined into the ocean’s big data. Increasing numbers of scholars have tried to fully analyze the ocean’s big data. To explore the key research technology knowledge graphs related to ocean big data, articles between 1990 and 2020 were collected from the “Web of Science”. By comparing bibliometric software and using the visualization software Cite-Space, the pivotal literature related to ocean big data, as well as countries, institutions, categories, and keywords, were visualized and recognized. Journal co-citation analysis networks can help determine the national distribution of core journals. Co-citation analysis networks for documents show authors who are influential at key technical levels. Key co-occurrence analysis network keywords can determine research hot spots and research frontiers. The three supporting elements of marine big data research are shown in the co-citation network. These elements are author, institution, and country. By examining the co-occurrence of keywords, the key technology research directions for future marine big data were determined.
STEM and teens: An algorithm bias on a social media PRELIMINARY VERSION, DO NOT QUOTE

We study whether online platforms might reproduce offline stereotypes of girls in the STEM disciplines. The article contributes to work that aims to shed light on the possible bias generated by algorithms. We run a field experiment based on launching online ad campaigns on a popular social media platform on behalf of a French computer science engineering school. We randomize the ad campaign in order to estimate whether a message aimed at prompting girls is more displayed to girls than to boys. The ad campaign targets students in high schools in the Paris area. Our results show that on average girls received 25 fewer impressions than boys, but were more likely to click on the ad if they come across it. This bias is moderated for science oriented high schools with a large majority of girls enrolled in science track. This group of girls receive more impressions compared to other girls. The treatment ad aimed at targeting more girls has a crowding-out effect, with an ad which was, overall, less shown to all.
Is Bt Gene Cotton Adoption Paying Off Farmers in Pakistan?

Existing literature on impact of Bacillus Thuringiensis (Bt) cotton gene adoption in Pakistan is based on districts of one province and one or two years of data. This study contributes to literature in two aspects; we have conducted farm level survey in six districts (Rahim Yar Khan, Multan, Bahawalpur, Matiari, Shaheed Benazirabad and Sukkur) of two provinces (Punjab and Sindh) of Pakistan for three consecutive years (2014-15 to 2016-17) to assess the comparative advantage of Bt gene adoption over conventional cotton crop within and across provinces. Moreover, this study has assessed farmer? s wellbeing by comparing per capita income of farmers with poverty line. Results of panel data indicate that net yield gain from Bt gene cotton per acre is 33 to 37.5 % higher than conventional cotton gene. However, Bt cotton yield per acre is 13% higher in districts of Punjab than yield in districts of Sindh, this has resulted in huge gap between per capita incomes of Bt farmers in these provinces. Furthermore, Bt gene growers have significantly low pesticide applications as compared to conventional cotton producers. The results obtained from Cobb-Douglas production specification establish that irrigation cost, seed cost and fertilizer quantity have significant positive impact on over all cotton yield. This study suggests that awareness programs regarding refuge area and specification of seeds might improve yield as well as per capita income of farmers in Pakistan.
Feature: Writing Proficiency and Student Placement in Community College Composition Courses

Despite national efforts to accelerate students through precollegiate writing course sequences to transfer-level composition, questions persist regarding appropriate placement and the support needed for students to succeed. An analytical text-based writing assessment was administered to students across four levels of composition courses at a California community college. Differences in student writing scores between course levels and the relationship between writing score, course level, and high school GPA were examined. Key findings include (1) significant differences in average scores between the first precollegiate course and other courses in the sequence and (2) weak relationships between course level and high school GPA and assessment scores and high school GPA.
COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGE AND COMPETITIVENESS OF MAIN INDUSTRIES IN THE NORTH-EASTERN REGION OF SOUTH AFRICA: APPLICATION OF LOCATION QUOTIENT AND SHIFT-SHARE TECHNIQUES

It is important for policy makers to know where main industries are regionally concentrated. This allows investors to take carefully calculated risks on opportunities and for development policy makers to prudently provide the right economic development direction and properly implement strategies for the regional and/or national development. The primary objective of this paper is to provide an empirical investigation of the geographic concentration of the main industries in South Africa by means of comparing four selected provinces. This paper focuses on two economic base techniques, namely the location quotient and shift-share analysis that both seek to examine industrial advantages (disadvantages), structure and competitiveness. The key findings indicate that the comparative advantage declined in different industries. A worrying industry is mining in Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces, where there is a remarkable decline in LQs and, thus, these industries need intensive care. In terms of shiftshare analysis, regional competitiveness factors were the largest positive contributor in two industries in KwaZulu Natal, three in Gauteng and Mpumalanga and four in Limpopo province. Considering the state of employment in the primary sector (agriculture and mining), the results suggest that policy makers should keep accelerating the construction of large and medium sized industrial enterprises, promoting and encouraging the development of secondary industry, and actively enhance the development of the tertiary industry in the north-eastern region of South Africa. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ECONOMICS AND FINANCE STUDIES Vol 10, No 1, 2018 ISSN: 1309-8055 (Online) 97
Could an antisocial behaviour be influenced by our genes?

Since the early '90, some hypothesis have been developed in order to understand if an antisocial behaviour could be generated by a low level of a particular enzyme called Monoamine Oxidase A (MAOA). Recently, such correlation influenced the discussion of three important murder cases in which the involved persons were affected by this MAOA-L genotype (where L states for low level). Nowadays, the progress in the genetic technologies, permits to map an entire genome and its known polymorphism in an easy and secure way, which could be used as proof during the trial. Such possibility lead to some important questions: How the court should take into consideration a MAOA deficiency? Should a genetic test help to prevent further crimes? There is the possibility that a person affected by MAOA-L genotype will be discriminated? Moreover, once tested that a subject possesses MAOA-L, should we get this information freely or there must to be some restrictions concerning the safeguard of the individual? Here we take into consideration some of the more famous cases of MAOA-L genotype and their relation to the behaviour. We also discuss the ethical and moral aspects concerning the genes importance in relation with the person's attitude an how they can affect the judges during the sentences.
Rodents as Hosts of Pathogens and Related Zoonotic Disease Risk

Rodents are known to be reservoir hosts for at least 60 zoonotic diseases and are known to play an important role in their transmission and spread in different ways. We sampled different rodent communities within and around human settlements in Northern Senegal, an area subjected to major environmental transformations associated with global changes. Herein, we conducted an epidemiological study on their bacterial communities. One hundred and seventy-one (171) invasive and native rodents were captured, 50 from outdoor trapping sites and 121 rodents from indoor habitats, consisting of five species. The DNA of thirteen pathogens was successfully screened on the rodents’ spleens. We found: 2.3% of spleens positive to Piroplasmida and amplified one which gave a potentially new species Candidatus “Theileria senegalensis”; 9.35% of Bartonella spp. and amplified 10, giving three genotypes; 3.5% of filariasis species; 18.12% of Anaplasmataceae species and amplified only 5, giving a new potential species Candidatus “Ehrlichia senegalensis”; 2.33% of Hepatozoon spp. ; 3.5% of Kinetoplastidae spp. ; and 15.2% of Borrelia spp. and amplified 8 belonging all to Borrelia crocidurae. Some of the species of pathogens carried by the rodents of our studied area may be unknown because most of those we have identified are new species. In one bacterial taxon, Anaplasma, a positive correlation between host body mass and infection was found. Overall, male and invasive rodents appeared less infected than female and native ones, respectively.
Machine learning approaches for the histopathological diagnosis of prostatic hyperplasia

Aim: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effectiveness of computer vision-based system for the histopathological assessment of prostatic tissue and its diagnostic accuracy for the detection of hyperplasia of the glandular component of prostate. Materials and Methods: A total of 59 digital images have been acquired from the hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections of the prostatic tissue. In these 59 images, 169 regions were marked as sites of hyperplasia of the prostatic glandular component. The entire dataset has been divided into three classes, which included the training set containing 41 images (70% of the total images), that had 109 marked regions as prostatic hyperplasia, validation set contained 6 images (10% of total images), that had 19 marked regions as prostatic hyperplasia and Testing set contained 12 images (20% of total images), that had 41 marked regions as the hyperplasia of the glandular component of the prostatic tissue. Results: A total of fifty-nine digital images containing one hundred and sixty-nine marked regions of glandular hyperplasia of prostatic tissue are used in which 70% were employed for training, 10 % for validation, and 20% for testing. The computer vision-based system has diagnosed correctly with 96.3% f1-score. Discussion: The application of artificial intelligence with the help of computer is emerging an important technique that will improve the diagnostic accuracy and will reduce the chance of human errors. The development of pattern recognition algorithms may be of great help in the histopathological diagnosis in the near future. Conclusion: The present study revealed that computer vision-based system may be an effective adjunct tool for the histopathological assessment of benign prostatic hyperplasia
Synchronicity and Stock Price Informativeness: Evidence from the European Union’s Transparency Directive

Abstract: We examine changes in synchronicity surrounding the European Union’s (EU) Transparency Directive (TPD), which aimed to enhance corporate transparency through more timely financial disclosures. We exploit this exogenous regulatory event, implemented by EU countries at different times between 2007 and 2009, and document a significant decrease in synchronicity following implementation of the TPD. We additionally find that the decrease in synchronicity was most pronounced in countries with strong regulatory environments. Our findings suggest that the TPD improved firm transparency, leading to greater firm-information in EU stock prices, and lend support the use of synchronicity as a measure of stock price informativeness.
No longer a threat: a failure to evoke stereotype threat using the race IAT

Previous research has argued the Implicit Association Test (IAT) can be used to demonstrate stereotype threat, specifically the fear of white individuals to be perceived as racist. To establish the extent to which this tool can evoke physiological anxiety surrounding the threat, participants completed the IAT under three separate threat conditions while both behavioral and arousal measures were recorded. Results did not show evidence of the stereotype threat, nor any changes in arousal. However, participants did show implicit biases favoring European Americans. These findings suggest several experimental considerations before attempting to use the IAT to evoke a stereotype threat.
The Prevalence, Communicability and Co-Occurrence of Inverted Hallucinations: An Overlooked Global Public Health Concern

While scientific understanding concerning the role of biological pathogenic agents in the transmission of communicable diseases has increased markedly in recent decades, the possibility of a psychological pathogenic agent that underlies the transmission of a number of key global public health concerns has largely been overlooked. The present paper identifies inverted hallucinations as a novel category of hallucination that not only reflect a key public health concern in their own right, but also appear to play an active role in the gradual transmission of diseases traditionally deemed to be non-communicable, such as mental health problems, obesity, and social media addiction. More specifically, the present paper delineates the assumptions and indicative empirical support underlying inverted hallucination theory as well as the characteristic features, functional consequences, prevalence, communicability, and co-occurrence of inverted hallucinations in the general population. Inverted hallucinations appear to be both globally prevalent and communicable, and are estimated to affect the average person on at least an occasional basis. Inverted hallucinations cause individuals to succumb to states of mind wandering that distorts their perception of what is happening in the present moment and increases their susceptibility to other deleterious health conditions. Moreover, inverted hallucinations appear to reflect a key overlooked public health need that not only stunt human potential and quality of life but also pose a risk to the wellbeing of the population globally