Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A validation of a computer‐assisted randomized response survey to estimate the prevalence of fraud in social security

Summary. In the Netherlands, there is a research tradition that measures fraud against regulations by interviewing eligible individuals using a survey. In these studies the sensitive questions about fraud are posed by using a randomized response method. The paper describes the results of a Dutch study into the consequences of replacing home interviews by trained interviewers with Internet‐delivered interviews in a survey on fraud in the area of disability benefits. Both surveys used computer‐assisted self‐interviews with randomized response questions. This study has three goals: first to present the research tradition that makes use of randomized response, second to compare the results of home interviews and the Internet survey and finally to introduce an adapted weighted logistic regression method to test the relationship between the probability of fraud and explanatory variables. The results show that there are no systematic differences between modes of interview, either for estimates of the prevalence of fraud or for the identification of associated variables. These outcomes result in the conclusion that the Internet survey is a useful and cost‐effective instrument for measuring fraud in a population, and that it is unlikely that replacing home interviews with the Internet survey will result in a significant break with tradition.
Molecular mixing in Rayleigh–Taylor instability

Mixing produced by Rayleigh–Taylor instability at the interface between two layers is the subject of a comparative study between laboratory and numerical experiments. The laboratory experiments consist of a layer of brine initially at rest on top of a layer of fresh water. When a horizontal barrier separating the two layers is removed, the ensuing motion and the mixing that is produced is studied by a number of diagnostic techniques. This configuration is modelled numerically using a three-dimensional code, which solves the Euler equations on a 1803 grid. A comparison of the numerical results and the experimental results is carried out with the aim of making a careful assessment of the ability of the code to reproduce the experiments. In particular, it is found that the motions are quite sensitive to the presence of large scales produced when the barrier is removed, but the amount and form of the mixing is not very sensitive to the initial conditions. The implications of this comparison for improvements in the experimental and numerical techniques are discussed.
Estimation for Single-Index and Partially Linear Single-Index Nonstationary Time Series Models

Estimation in two classes of popular models, single-index models and partially linear single-index models, is studied in this paper. Such models feature nonstationarity. Orthogonal series expansion is used to approximate the unknown integrable link function in the models and a profile approach is used to derive the estimators. The findings include dual convergence rates of the estimators for the single-index models and a trio of convergence rates for the partially linear single-index models. More precisely, the estimators for single-index model converge along the direction of the true parameter vector at rate of n^(-1/4), while at rate of n^(-3/4) along all directions orthogonal to the true parameter vector; on the other hand, the estimators of the index vector for the partially single-index model retain the dual convergence rates as in the single-index model but the estimators of the coefficients in the linear part of the model possess rate n^(-1). Monte Carlo simulation verifies these theoretical results. An empirical study on the dataset of aggregate disposable income, consumption, investment and real interest rate in the United States between 1960:1-2009:3 furnishes an application of the proposed estimation procedures in practice.
High-frequency analysis of EM scattering from a conducting sphere coated with a composite material

The asymptotic high-frequency solution for the scattered field produced by a plane wave incident on a perfectly conducting sphere coated with a thin composite material is considered. In the shadow region, the high-frequency scattered field is entirely associated with the usual creeping-wave diffraction. In the lit region, the scattered field can be expressed as a sum of geometrical optics (GO) and creeping-wave diffraction terms. The field in the caustic regions, where the ray solution fails, is excluded. The appropriate formula for each term is derived, and the result is presented in a form suitable for computation. Numerical results for the bistatic scattering patterns of the coated sphere show excellent agreement with the rigorous eigenfunction solutions. >
Trapped modes in curved elastic plates

We investigate the existence of trapped modes in elastic plates of constant thickness, which possess bends of arbitrary curvature and flatten out at infinity; such trapped modes consist of finite energy localized in regions of maximal curvature. We present both an asymptotic model and numerical evidence to demonstrate the trapping. In the asymptotic analysis we utilize a dimensionless curvature as a small parameter, whereas the numerical model is based on spectral methods and is free of the small-curvature limitation. The two models agree with each other well in the region where both are applicable. Simple existence conditions depending on Poison's ratio are offered, and finally, the effect of energy build-up in a bend when the structure is excited at a resonant frequency is demonstrated.
A finite volume method for viscous incompressible flows using a consistent flux reconstruction scheme

An incompressible Navier–Stokes solver using curvilinear body‐fitted collocated grid has been developed to solve unconfined flow past arbitrary two‐dimensional body geometries. In this solver, the full Navier–Stokes equations have been solved numerically in the physical plane itself without using any transformation to the computational plane. For the proper coupling of pressure and velocity field on collocated grid, a new scheme, designated ‘consistent flux reconstruction’ (CFR) scheme, has been developed. In this scheme, the cell face centre velocities are obtained explicitly by solving the momentum equations at the centre of the cell faces. The velocities at the cell centres are also updated explicitly by solving the momentum equations at the cell centres. By resorting to such a fully explicit treatment considerable simplification has been achieved compared to earlier approaches. In the present investigation the solver has been applied to unconfined flow past a square cylinder at zero and non‐zero incidence at low and moderate Reynolds numbers and reasonably good agreement has been obtained with results available from literature. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bulk and surface sensitivities of surface plasmon waveguides

The potential of surface plasmon waveguides for bulk and surface (bio)chemical sensing was assessed theoretically, anticipating their use in an integrated optics sensor such as a Mach–Zehnder interferometer (MZI). The performance of a generic MZI implemented with attenuating waveguides was assessed initially, revealing that attenuating waveguides constrain the sensing length to an optimal length equal to the propagation length of the mode used. The MZI sensitivities for bulk and surface sensing were found to be proportional to the ratio of the waveguide sensitivity to its normalized attenuation: H=(∂neff/∂nc)/keff for bulk sensing and G=(∂neff/∂a)/keff for surface sensing. Maximizing H or G maximizes the corresponding MZI sensitivity and minimizes its detection limit, leading to preferred waveguide designs and operating wavelengths. The propagation constant, the sensitivities, and the H and G parameters were then determined for the surface plasmon in the single interface, the sb mode in the metal–insulator–metal (MIM) waveguide and the sb mode in three variants of the insulator–metal–insulator (IMI) waveguide, as a function of dimensions, for wavelengths spanning 600⩽λ0⩽1600 nm, assuming Au and H2O as the materials and adlayers representative of biochemical matter. The principal findings are: (i) the surface sensitivity in the thin MIM can be 100× larger than in the single interface, whereas that in the thin IMI is up to 5× smaller; (ii) the bulk sensitivity in the thin MIM can be 3× larger than in the single interface, whereas that in the IMI is slightly smaller; (iii) G in the thin MIM can be 3× larger than in the single interface, whereas G in the IMI is about 10× larger; and (iv) H in the thin MIM can be 10× smaller than in the single interface, whereas H in the thin IMI is about 10× larger. The IMI and the MIM both offer an improvement in sensitivity and detection limit for surface sensing over the single interface in an integrated MZI (or Kretschmann–Raether) configuration, despite the fact that they are at opposite ends of the confinement–attenuation trade-off. Preferred wavelengths for surface sensing were found to be near the short wavelength edge of the Drude region, where detection limits of about 0.1 pg mm−2 are predicted. With regard to bulk sensing, only the IMI offers an improvement over the single interface. The results are collected in a form that should be useful for investigating other sensor architectures implemented with these waveguides or variants thereof.
Breastfeeding and respiratory, ear and gastro-intestinal infections, in children, under the age of one year, admitted through the paediatric emergency departments of five hospitals

Background Breastfeeding is a protective factor against respiratory and intestinal infections in developing countries. In developed countries, proof of this protection is more difficult to show. The objective of the study is to compare the proportion of children breastfed during their first year in groups of children with infectious pathologies supposedly prevented by breastfeeding and children free of these infectious pathologies. Method Questionnaires about diet, socio-demographic data and the motive for consultation were given to the parents upon arrival in the paediatric emergency departments of 5 hospitals located in Pays de Loire (France) in 2018 and 2019. Children with lower respiratory tract infections, acute gastroenteritis and acute otitis media were included in the case group (A), children admitted for other reasons were included in the same control group (B). Breastfeeding was classified as exclusive or partial. Results During the study period, 741 infants were included, of which 266 (35.9%) in group A. In this group, children were significantly less likely to have been breastfed at the time of admission than children in group B: for example, for children under 6 months, 23.3% were currently breastfed in group A, vs. 36.6% (weaned BF or formula diet) in group B [OR = 0.53 (0.34–0.82); p = 0.004]. Similar results were found at 9 and 12 months. After taking into account the age of the patients, the same results were confirmed with an aOR = 0.60 (0.38–0.94) (p = 0.02) at 6 months, but with when considering six variables six variables, aOR was not significative aOR = 0.65 (0.40–1.05); p = 0.08), meaning that factors such as the childcare out of home, socio-professional categories, and the pacifier decrease the protective effect of breastfeeding. Sensitivity analyses (age-matching, analysis by type of infection) showed the same protection effect provided by breastfeeding when it was pursued for at least 6 months and also that the protective effect of breastfeeding is especially true against gastro-enteritis. Conclusion Breastfeeding is a protective factor against respiratory, gastrointestinal and ear infections when pursued at least 6 months after birth. Other factors such as collective childcare, pacifiers and low parental professional status can reduce the protective effect of breastfeeding.
Flow past a transversely rotating sphere at Reynolds numbers above the laminar regime

Abstract The flow past a transversely rotating sphere at Reynolds numbers of $\mathit{Re}=500{-}1000$ is directly simulated using an unstructured finite volume collocated code. The effect of rotation rate on the flow is studied by increasing the dimensionless rotation rate, ${\it\Omega}^{\ast }$ , from 0 to 1.20, where ${\it\Omega}^{\ast }$ is the maximum sphere surface velocity normalised by the free stream velocity. This study investigates the marked unsteadiness of the flow structures at $\mathit{Re}=500{-}1000$ . Comparison with previous numerical data (Giacobello et al., J. Fluid Mech., vol. 621, 2009, pp. 103–130; Kim, J. Mech. Sci. Technol., vol. 23, 2009, pp. 578–589) reveals a new flow regime, namely a ‘shear layer–stable foci’ regime, besides the widely reported ‘vortex shedding’ and ‘shear layer instability’ regimes. The ‘shear layer–stable foci’ regime is observed at $\mathit{Re}=500$ and ${\it\Omega}^{\ast }=1.00$ ; $\mathit{Re}=640{-}1000$ and ${\it\Omega}^{\ast }\geqslant 0.80$ . In this flow regime, the shear layer on the advancing side of the sphere (where the sphere surface velocity vector opposes the free stream velocity) shortens significantly while fluid from the retreating side (opposite to the advancing side) is drawn towards the mid-plane normal to the peripheral velocity. This results in the formation of a stable focus near the onset of the shear layer instability. This stable focus becomes more pronounced with increasing $\mathit{Re}$ and ${\it\Omega}^{\ast }$ . It increases the oscillation magnitude and decreases the oscillation frequency of the hydrodynamic forces.
Numerical analysis of ionosphere disturbances and Schumann mode splitting in the Earth-ionosphere cavity

[1] The variability of ionosphere properties plays an important role in the Schumann resonances (SR), amplitudes, frequencies, and Q factor. Therefore, as atmosphere ionization is related to solar activity, SR could be devised as a source of indirect parameters that locally from the surface of the Earth could provide space weather information. A proper understanding of this link to SR parameters can be obtained through finite difference time domain (FDTD) simulations, specifically with the numerically obtained modes and frequencies that relate frequency shifts to the day-night asymmetry and polar inhomogeneities. Day-Night asymmetry is observed to have a minor influence in SR; however, large changes are deduced from polar nonuniformities associated to Solar Proton Events (SPE) and X-ray bursts. The field volume distribution of the modes provides the understanding of the SR variability, related to the altitude and latitude of the ionization phenomenon.
Positive-measure self-similar sets without interior

We recall the problem posed by Peres and Solomyak in Problems on self-similar and self-affine sets; an update. Progr. Prob.46 (2000), 95–106: can one find examples of self-similar sets with positive Lebesgue measure, but with no interior? The method in Properties of measures supported on fat Sierpinski carpets, this issue, leads to families of examples of such sets.
Characterization of the Antitumor Potential of Extracts of Cannabis sativa Strains with High CBD Content in Human Neuroblastoma

Cannabis has been used for decades as a palliative therapy in the treatment of cancer. This is because of its beneficial effects on the pain and nausea that patients can experience as a result of chemo/radiotherapy. Tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol are the main compounds present in Cannabis sativa, and both exert their actions through a receptor-mediated mechanism and through a non-receptor-mediated mechanism, which modulates the formation of reactive oxygen species. These oxidative stress conditions might trigger lipidic changes, which would compromise cell membrane stability and viability. In this sense, numerous pieces of evidence describe a potential antitumor effect of cannabinoid compounds in different types of cancer, although controversial results limit their implementation. In order to further investigate the possible mechanism involved in the antitumoral effects of cannabinoids, three extracts isolated from Cannabis sativa strains with high cannabidiol content were analyzed. Cell mortality, cytochrome c oxidase activity and the lipid composition of SH-SY5Y cells were determined in the absence and presence of specific cannabinoid ligands, with and without antioxidant pre-treatment. The cell mortality induced by the extracts in this study appeared to be related to the inhibition of the cytochrome c oxidase activity and to the THC concentration. This effect on cell viability was similar to that observed with the cannabinoid agonist WIN55,212-2. The effect was partially blocked by the selective CB1 antagonist AM281, and the antioxidant α-tocopherol. Moreover, certain membrane lipids were affected by the extracts, which demonstrated the importance of oxidative stress in the potential antitumoral effects of cannabinoids.
Three Different Behaviors of Liquid Water Path of Water Clouds in Aerosol-Cloud Interactions

Abstract Estimates of the indirect aerosol effect in GCMs assume that either cloud liquid water path is constant (Twomey effect) or increases with increased droplet number concentration (drizzle-suppression or Albrecht effect). On the other hand, if cloud thermodynamics and dynamics are considered, cloud liquid water path may also decrease with increasing droplet number concentration, which has been predicted by model calculations and observed in ship track and urban influence studies. This study examines the different changes of cloud liquid water path associated with changes of cloud droplet number concentration. Satellite data (January, April, July, and October 1987) are used to determine the cloud liquid water sensitivity, defined as the ratio of changes of liquid water path and changes of column droplet number concentration. The results of a global survey for water clouds (cloud-top temperature >273 K, optical thickness 1 ≤ τ < 15) reveal all three behaviors of cloud liquid water path with aerosol ch.
Electron density measurements during microwave generation in a high power backward-wave oscillator

Laser interferometry is used for the first time to measure plasma electron density along the slow wave structure (SWS) wall during microwave generation in a vacuum, long pulse, high power backward-wave oscillator (BWO). The University of New Mexico long pulse backward-wave oscillator, which displays the characteristic pulse shortening phenomenon, is investigated in these studies. Although pulse shortening is observed across a wide class of high power microwave devices, its origin is not definitively understood. Many hypotheses suggest that the unintentional introduction of plasma into the interaction region near the walls of the SWS is one of several likely causes of pulse shortening in intense electron beam driven slow wave devices. This article presents initial measurements of the line-integrated, temporally resolved plasma density between an intense, relativistic, annular electron beam and SWS walls for a variety of radiated microwave peak power levels. Line-integrated electron densities, , between 9.10/sup 15/ and 2.410/sup 16/ cm/sup -2/ for radiated microwave powers between 20 and 120 MW have been measured. The two main sources of the measured electron density are postulated to be (i) plasma generated from the cutoff neck due to beam scrape off, and (ii) material removed and ionized from the SWS walls during microwave generation.
Closed-streamline flows past rotating single cylinders and spheres: inertia effects

The flow around a cylinder and a sphere rotating freely in a simple shear was studied experimentally for moderate values of the shear Reynolds number Re. For a freely rotating cylinder, the data were found to be consistent with the results obtained numerically by Kossack & Acrivos (1974), at least for Reynolds numbers up to about 10. Rates of rotation of a freely suspended sphere were also obtained over the same range of Reynolds numbers and showed that, with increasing Re, the dimensionless angular velocity does not decrease as fast for a sphere as it does for a cylinder. In both cases, photographs of the streamline patterns around the objects were consistent with this behaviour. Furthermore, it was found in each case that the asymptotic solutions for Re [Lt ] 1 derived by Robertson & Acrivos (1970) for a cylinder and by Lin, Peery & Schowalter (1970) for a sphere are not valid for Reynolds numbers greater than about 0.1, and that the flow remains steady only up to values of Re of about 6.
A reconstruction algorithm for electrical impedance tomography based on sparsity regularization

This paper develops a novel sparse reconstruction algorithm for the electrical impedance tomography problem of determining a conductivity parameter from boundary measurements. The sparsity of the ‘inhomogeneity’ with respect to a certain basis is a priori assumed. The proposed approach is motivated by a Tikhonov functional incorporating a sparsity‐promoting ℓ1‐penalty term, and it allows us to obtain quantitative results when the assumption is valid. A novel iterative algorithm of soft shrinkage type was proposed. Numerical results for several two‐dimensional problems with both single and multiple convex and nonconvex inclusions were presented to illustrate the features of the proposed algorithm and were compared with one conventional approach based on smoothness regularization. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
How Much Evidence Is Enough? Biased Thresholds in Judgments of Scientific Conclusions

Abstract People are biased in their consumption of scientific information. The current research investigated conclusion thresholds, testing the hypothesis that more scientific evidence is needed to arrive at a non-preferred than a preferred conclusion. Participants read brief summaries of scientific studies exploring the nature of homosexuality (Study 1; N = 126) and air safety that supported either the Democratic or the Republican position on the issue (Study 2; N = 311). Participants read summaries until a conclusion could be made about the evidence. Supporting the hypotheses, participants read fewer study summaries when the results of those studies supported their preferred conclusion than when they did not. Recommendations focus on how the scientific community and science journalism can address this bias.
Characteristics of the magnetopause energetic electron layer

Three years of Imp 5 data show that the magnetopause layer of energetic electrons was present during 227 of 230 orbits over this period and extends along the magnetopause from geomagnetic latitudes as low as 40degree to latitudes corresponding to the polar cap. It also exists at the boundary between the magnetosheath and the polar cusp region. The data show that the integral energy spectrum of these electrons (E/sube/>18 keV) varies greatly with the planetary Kp index and hardens with increasing Kp values. The average spectrum can be represented by a power law J (>E) proportionalE$sup -$/sup alpha/, where $alpha$=1.94plus-or-minus0.19. The intensity of the magnetopause layer electrons increases with increasing Kp values and also has a weak dependence on the magnitude of the north-south component of the interplanetary magnetic field. The energy density of the energetic electrons in this layer is of the order of 10$sup -14$ erg/cm$sup 3$. (AIP)