Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ETHIOPIAN PREPARATORY STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS OF THE RELEVANCE OF MATHEMATICS TO LEARNING GOALS

This study investigates Ethiopian students’ perceptions of the relevance of mathematics to their learning goals. Interview, classroom observation and survey were used to examine students’ perceptions in the cultural, economic, historical and social context they are situated. The results indicate that participants in this study hold perception of the relevance of mathematics which is characterized by unknown future, trust, identity, empowerment to make informal decision and exchange value, which are held to various levels of strengths, with the characterizations trust, unknown future, and exchange value being strongly held. They are motivational factors to students’ engaging in mathematics, and emotion is intertwined with them.
WHO EMRO | Communicable diseases management in disasters: an analysis of improvement measures since 2005, Islamic Republic of Iran

1Health Management and Economics Reserach Center, Department of Health in Disasters and Emergencies, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran (Correspondence to: Hesam Seyedin: h.seyedin@iums.ac.ir). 2School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran. 3Communicable Diseases Management Centre, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
How structural adjustment programs impact bureaucratic quality in developing countries

The administrative ability of the state to design and implement effective policy is an essential condition for economic development. Social scientists have long devoted attention to domestic forces underpinning state capacity, but not to the impact of the world system. A key mechanism through which this operates is the activities of Western-dominated international organizations, exerting pressure on developing countries to unleash market forces. We take on this task by examining the impact of policy reforms mandated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the bureaucratic quality of its borrowing countries. To develop a nuanced account of this impact, we scrutinize the IMF’s practice of ‘conditionality’—far-reaching policy reforms borrowing countries must implement as a precondition for access to loans—which may (unintentionally) incapacitate state bureaucracies. In particular, so-called ‘structural conditions’ can exert a deleterious effect on bureaucratic quality, as they increase the risk that bureaucrats fall prey to special interests and reduce the range of policy instruments available to bureaucrats to steer the economy. We test these arguments using a new dataset on IMF conditionality from 1985 to 2014. Our analysis shows that structural conditions—and, more specifically, conditions on privatization, price deregulation, and public sector employment— reduce bureaucratic quality. Deploying a new instrumentation technique, the analysis also discounts the possibility that the relationship is driven by the Fund imposing structural conditions precisely in countries with low bureaucratic quality. These findings suggest that conditionality needs to be carefully designed so that it does not undermine local institutions.
Avocado ‘Hass’ leaf age affects life table parameters of Oligonychus yothersi (McGregor) (Acari: Tetranychidae) under laboratory conditions

The avocado red mite Oligonychus yothersi (McGregor) is the most important avocado (Persea americana Mill.) foliar pest in Chile, infesting ‘Hass’ avocado between mid-summer and late autumn. The post-embryonic development, survival, longevity and life table parameters of O. yothersi were evaluated on both young and mature ‘Hass’ avocado leaves at 25 ± 0.7 °C, 60 ± 5% relative humidity and 16:8 h photoperiod. The time for larvae, protonymphs and deutonymphs to develop was longer on young leaves than on mature leaves. The immature stage of O. yothersi was shorter (9.29 ± 0.22 d) on mature leaves than on young leaves (14.43 ± 0.28 d); O. yothersi also exhibited higher survival rates for larvae, protonymphs, and deutonymphs on mature leaves. The net reproductive rate (R0) 52.756 ± 1.749 individuals female-1; intrinsic rate of increase (rm) 0.241 ± 0.002 female female-1 d-1, and finite rate of increase (λ) 1.273 ± 0.002 female female-1 of O. yothersi were significantly higher on mature avocado leaves than on young leaves (R0 = 2.727 ± 0.271, rm = 0.049 ± 0.004, and λ = 1.051 ± 0.004). The time required to double the O. yothersi population was only 2.872 ± 0.002 d on mature leaves. Therefore, life table parameters of O. yothersi are negatively affected by young avocado leaves, suggesting that constitutive defenses present in young leaves could affect O. yothersi population parameters. Key word: Avocado red mite, fecundity, life history, post-embryonic, Tetranychidae.
OPTIMAL MONETARY AND FISCAL POLICY IN A CURRENCY UNION WITH FRICTIONAL GOODS MARKETS

We develop an open economy model of a currency union with frictional goods markets and endogenous search decisions to study optimal monetary and fiscal policy. Households finance consumption with a common currency and can search for locally produced goods across regions that differ in their market characteristics. Equilibrium is generically inefficient due to regional spillovers from endogenous search decisions. While monetary policy alone cannot correct this distortion, fiscal policy can help improve allocations by taxing or subsidizing production at the regional level. When households of only one region can search, optimal policy entails a deviation from the Friedman rule and a production subsidy (tax) if there is underinvestment (overinvestment) in search decisions. Optimal policy when households from both region search requires the Friedman rule and zero production taxes in both regions.
Peer Effects in Academic Research: Senders and Receivers

Using an instrument based on a national contest in France determining researchers’ location, we find evidence of peer effects in academia, when focusing on precise groups of senders (producing the spillovers) and receivers (benefiting from the spillovers), defined based on field of specialisation, gender and age. These peer effects are present even outside formal co-authorship relationships. Furthermore, the match between the characteristics of senders and receivers plays a critical role. In particular, men benefit a lot from peer effects provided by other men, while all other types of gender combinations produce spillovers twice as small. Part of the peer effects results from researchers switching research fields.
Performance of Modified Anaerobic Hybrid Baffled (MAHB) bioreactor treating recycled paper mill effluent: Effects of organic loading rates

The performance of modified anaerobic hybrid baffled (MAHB) bioreactor treating recycled paper mill effluent (RPME) was investigated at various organic loading rates (OLR) of 1, 2, 3 and 4 g COD/ L.day. The bioreactor was operated continuously at constant hydraulic retention time (HRT) of a day without effluent recycled and chemicals adjustment/addition. Throughout 70 days of operation, a maximum removal efficiency up to 97% of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and 98% of volatile fatty acid, biogas production of 12.51 L/day equivalent to methane (CH4) yield of 0.108L CH4/ g COD and a stable pH system between 6.6 to 7.2 were achieved. Additionally, alkalinity of the bioreactor system shows a stable profile that indicates the whole system was well buffered with a quit high degradation of volatile solid (VS) up to 18%. These results indicated that MAHB bioreactor has been successfully treated RPME at various OLR.
Online Probabilistic Interval-Based Event Calculus

Activity recognition systems detect temporal combinations of ‘low-level’ or ‘short-term’ activities on sensor data. These systems exhibit various types of uncertainty, often leading to erroneous detection. We present an extension of an interval-based activity recognition system which operates on top of a probabilistic Event Calculus implementation. Our proposed system performs on-line recognition, as opposed to batch processing, thus supporting data streams. The empirical analysis demonstrates the efﬁcacy of our sys-tem, comparing it to interval-based batch recognition, point-based recognition, as well as structure and weight learning models.
Modeling interaction as a complex system

ABSTRACT Researchers in Human-Computer Interaction typically rely on experiments to assess the causal effects of experimental conditions on variables of interest. Although this classic approach can be very useful, it offers little help in tackling questions of causality in the kind of data that are increasingly common in HCI – capturing user behavior ‘in the wild. ’ To analyze such data, model-based regressions such as cross-lagged panel models or vector autoregressions can be used, but these require parametric assumptions about the structural form of effects among the variables. To overcome some of the limitations associated with experiments and model-based regressions, we adopt and extend ‘empirical dynamic modelling’ methods from ecology that lend themselves to conceptualizing multiple users’ behavior as complex nonlinear dynamical systems. Extending a method known as ‘convergent cross mapping’ or CCM, we show how to make causal inferences that do not rely on experimental manipulations or model-based regressions and, by virtue of being non-parametric, can accommodate data emanating from complex nonlinear dynamical systems. By using this approach for multiple users, which we call ‘multiple convergent cross mapping’ or MCCM, researchers can achieve a better understanding of the interactions between users and technology – by distinguishing causality from correlation – in real-world settings.
The Relationship between Norms and Risky Driving Behavior: A Systematic Review

Background: Road accident statistics has been seen increasing over the years despite numerous efforts made by the authorities. Human factors have contributed 90% of accident occurrence with risky driving behavior being one of the significant human factors that can be further explained through norms. This review paper aimed to investigate the relationship between norms and drivers’ risky driving behavior. Methods: A systematic review process was conducted through four academic databases namely Scopus, Wiley Online Library, Emerald and Web of Science of no limitation for date. Overall, 3443 titles were identified and after several screening and reviewing processes, only 27 studies were included. Results: The results of the review demonstrated mixed findings between subjective norm and risky driving behavior, whereas the relationship between group norm, moral norm, injunctive norm, descriptive norm and risky driving behavior were observed significant. Conclusion: Appropriate educational awareness is required to educate the society in practicing good norms for mutual benefit of the society. Parents also need to set a good example for their children by abiding the traffic rules and regulation.
Identifying the Vulnerable: Concepts and Measurement∗

Vulnerability to poverty, which broadly captures the susceptibility to becoming poor in the future, has become an integral part of any deprivation assessment. In this paper we take a fresh look at measuring vulnerability, where we separate out the identification part of whether an individual is vulnerable, from the aggregation part which measures the level of vulnerability of the individual. In doing so, we also take into account the substantial informational challenges that one faces in the context of measuring vulnerability. These challenges lead us to propose identification rules which are not too demanding in terms of information. We axiomatically characterise several identification rules and a widely used measure of vulnerability. This allow us to have a deeper insight into normative judgements behind those criteria. Further, we provide an empirical illustration of the identification and measurement rules proposed in this paper using real world data from Bangladesh.
DRY CALVING AT THE TERMINUS OF A POLAR GLACIER, TAYLOR GLACIER, MCMURDO DRY VALLEYS, ANTARCTICA by PETER JAMES SNIFFEN A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE in GEOLOGY: GEOHYDROLOGY

An abstract of the thesis of Peter James Sniffen fo r the Master of Science in Geology: Geohydrology presented July 30, 2007. Title: Dry calving at the terminus of a polar glaci er, Taylor Glacier, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica. The polar glaciers of the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Anta rctica terminate on dry land yet exhibit terminal morphologies characterize d by near-vertical cliffs that are partially maintained by the process of dry calving. Ice flow data collected between 2003 and 2007 on Taylor Glacier are described and i lluminate some of the processes that contribute to the development of the near-vert ical ice cliffs. Surface velocities are higher in the interior of t he glacier (5.0 ± 0.14 ma) and lower along the sides (3.0 ± 0.14 ma). At surface sites located within 20 meters of the cliff, velocity in the cliff-parallel direction increases with distance from the cliff while cliff-perpendicular velocities do not change appreciably. This motion is consistent with a strain regime of simple shear. M apping of ice structures at the nearcliff sites document fractures oblique to the cliff edge that are consistent with shearing. Strain rates on the order of 10 -3 a also indicate shear but uncertainty is also 10 a. The velocity profile of ice cliff face may contrib ute to an overhanging cliff profile. Ablation on the cliff face may contribute to undercutting more than ice flow. 2 Ablation ranges from 40 cm at the top of the cliff to over 100 cm near the base over the two-month summer season. Undercutting of the c liff face may create an unstable cliff. Fractures created by shearing at the surfac e may serve as planes of weakness and preferentially accommodate strain from the over hanging cliff face leading to calving events that return the cliff to a more stab le vertical or sub-vertical profile. DRY CALVING AT THE TERMINUS OF A POLAR GLACIER, TAYLOR GLACIER, MCMURDO DRY VALLEYS, ANTARCTICA by PETER JAMES SNIFFEN A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE in GEOLOGY: GEOHYDROLOGY Portland State University 2008
A Practical Approach for Taking Down Avalanche Botnets Under Real-World Constraints

In 2016, law enforcement dismantled the infrastructure of the Avalanche bulletproof hosting service, the largest takedown of a cybercrime operation so far. The malware families supported by Avalanche use Domain Generation Algorithms (DGAs) to generate random domain names for controlling their botnets. The takedown proactively targets these presumably malicious domains; however, as coincidental collisions with legitimate domains are possible, investigators must first classify domains to prevent undesirable harm to website owners and botnet victims. The constraints of this real-world takedown (proactive decisions without access to malware activity, no bulk patterns and no active connections) mean that approaches from the state of the art cannot be applied. The problem of classifying thousands of registered DGA domain names therefore required an extensive, painstaking manual effort by law enforcement investigators. To significantly reduce this effort without compromising correctness, we develop a model that automates the classification. Through a synergetic approach, we achieve an accuracy of 97.6% with ground truth from the 2017 and 2018 Avalanche takedowns; for the 2019 takedown, this translates into a reduction of 76.9% in manual investigation effort. Furthermore, we interpret the model to provide investigators with insights into how benign and malicious domains differ in behavior, which features and data sources are most important, and how the model can be applied according to the practical requirements of a real-world takedown.
DROP: Optimizing Stochastic Dimensionality Reduction via Workload-Aware Progressive Sampling

Dimensionality reduction is a critical step in analyzing high-volume, high-dimensional datasets. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) is frequently the method of choice, yet is often prohibitively expensive. Theoretical means of accelerating PCA via sampling have been proposed, but these techniques typically treat PCA as a reusable statistical operator, independent of downstream analytics workflows. We show how accounting for downstream analytics operations during dimensionality reduction via PCA allows stochastic methods to efficiently operate over very small (e.g., 1%) sub-samples of input data, thus reducing computational overhead and end-to-end runtime. This enables end-to-end optimization over both dimensionality reduction and analytics tasks. By combining techniques spanning progressive sampling, approximate query processing, and cost-based optimization, our optimizer enables speedups of up to 5 × over Singular-Value-Decomposition-based PCA techniques, and achieves parity with or exceeds conventional approaches like FFT and PAA by up to 16 × in end-to-end workloads.
Effect of Moringa oleifera leaves powder as antioxidant on quality of meat-rice Kofta during frozen storage

Meat-rice kofta is the famous, delicious and common local dish in Egypt. Meat, rice powder and green herbs are the main components of meat-rice kofta. So, dark green color of moringa leaves powder had no effect in appearance, color and acceptability of samples. Different levels of moringa leaf powder (MLP) were used to process meat-rice kofta. Chemical composition (moisture, fat, protein and minerals content) were determined at zero time. Antioxidant activity, physical properties (cooking loss, color and shearing force) and sensory evaluation of samples were studied during 90 days storage at –18 °C. Protein and fat content of meat-rice kofta at zero time ranged from (18.01 to 19.52 %) and (8.22 to 9.62 %), respectively. Also, results show that MLP exhibited high phenolic content (55 mg/gm Gallic acid equivalent per gm). Good antioxidant activity as determined by radical scavenging activity of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), it was 96.038 % at 200 μg/ml concentration. Thiobarbituric acid decreased very fast after 45 days storage, then increased after 90 days of storage but still lower than zero time. Peroxide value generally decreased during different storage periods.The results indicated that the MLP can be used as natural antioxidant to extend shelf life of meat-rice product without loss in quality and nutritional value.
ON HEALTH AND APPEARANCE-ORIENTED EATING REGULATION GOALS: A LOOK AT PERSONAL AND VICARIOUS GOALS

The regulation of eating behaviours is among the most common health goals among the general population (e.g., Milyavskaya & Nadolny, 2016). According to Self-Determination Theory (SDT), goals are often pursued in the service of broader life-goals, or aspirations (Kasser & Ryan, 1996), which can be categorized as extrinsic (such as aspirations for wealth, fame, and physical attractiveness) or intrinsic (such as aspirations for personal growth and community contribution). In accordance with SDT, it has been proposed that eating regulation goals can be pursued in order to reach a slender and physically attractive body or in order to have a more healthy and fit lifestyle (e.g., Verstuyf, Vansteenkiste, & Soenens, 2012). The main purpose of this chapter is to present a brief summary of the literature on health vs. appearance-oriented eating regulation goals. More specifically, we present studies that have examined how these two types of eating regulation goals are differently related to eating behaviours, well-being, and interpersonal styles with others. We also review our recent research (Carbonneau & Milyavskaya, 2017) showing that the health vs. appearance orientation not only applies to personal goals, but also to the goals that individuals have for their romantic partners.
MiR-139-5p negatively regulates PMP22 to repress cell proliferation by targeting the NF-κB signaling pathway in gastric cancer

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide. Peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP22) is a 22-kDa tetraspan glycoprotein that is predominantly expressed by myelinating Schwann cells. However, recent studies have shown that PMP22 is closely related to cell proliferation and tumorigenesis in different cancers. In this study, we discovered a new miRNA that regulates PMP22 and gastric cancer cell prolifration. Our bioinformatics analysis suggested that there is a conserved miRNA recognition site for miR-139-5p on the 3' UTR of PMP22. Interestingly, our results showed overexpression of miR-139-5p significantly suppressed growth and prolifration in GC cells and inhibited tumor growth in nude mice xenografted with GC cells. MiR-139-5p suppressed the activity of a luciferase reporter containing the PMP22-3' UTR, and the ectopic expression of PMP22 rescued the miR-139-5p-mediated inhibition of cell proliferation in GC cells. Mechanistically, miR-139-5p may negatively regulate PMP22 to repress cell proliferation by targeting the NF-κB signaling pathway in gastric cancer. Finally, overexpression of miR-139-5p significantly inhibited tumor growth in nude mice xenografted with GC cells.and the miR-139-5p levels were inversely correlated with PMP22 expression in nude mice tumor. Taken together, our data suggest an important regulatory role of miR-139-5p in gastric cancer, suggesting that miR-139-5p and PMP22 might be important diagnostic or therapeutic targets for gastric cancer and other human diseases.
Extraction of Biographical Information from Wikipedia Texts

Documents with biographical information are frequently found on the Web, containing information useful for many diﬀerent applications. In this paper, we address the task of automatically extracting biographical facts from textual documents published on the Web. We propose to segment documents into sequences of sentences, afterwards classifying each sentence as describing either a speciﬁc type of biographical fact, or some other case not related to biographical data. For classifying the sentences, we experimented with classiﬁcation models based on the formalist of Naive Bayes, Support Vector Machines, Conditional Random Fields and voting protocols, using various sets of features for describing the sentences. Experimental results attest for the adequacy of the proposed approaches, showing an F 1 score of approximately 84% in the 2-class classiﬁcation problem, 65% for 7-class classiﬁcation problem and 59% for the 19-class classiﬁcation problem.