Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Deep learning-based regional image caption generation with refined descriptions

Image captioning in recent research generally focuses upon small, relatively high-level captions. These captions are generally without detail, or insight. Missing out information which we as humans could easily, and would generally, report. This restricts the usefulness of existing systems within real-world applications. Within this thesis, we propose the following solutions to address these problems. The first stage proposes a region-based approach, focusing upon regions within images and describing them with attributes. These attributes add more meaning to standard classification labels. Improving the classification label, ‘dog’, produced by existing systems, to the more detailed label ‘white spotted dog’. This adds a large degree of detail when used within template-based description generation. The area of healthcare is also explored in which the system is paired with a visual agent. The agent can describe the environment and report potential hazards, as well as socialising through conversation. The second stage improves upon the previous architecture, by proposing another region-based architecture which removes the rigidity of templates. Instead sentences are generated through a Recurrent Neural Network. Training this architecture on multiple smaller datasets allows for a quicker training stage, with less computing power required during both training and testing. An encoder-decoder structure is proposed to translate the detailed region labels into full image descriptions. This produces natural sounding descriptive phrases that accurately depict the contents of an image. The third stage proposes a hierarchically trained, end-to-end style system to generate an image description with the same required functionality to describe detections in detail but without the need for multiple models. This system can utilise the humanoid robot’s vision and voice synthesis capabilities. Overall, the above proposed systems within this research outperform many state-of-the-art methods for the refined image description generation task, especially with complex and out-of-domain images, such as images of paintings.
Statistical Inference for High-Dimensional Generalized Linear Models With Binary Outcomes

Abstract This article develops a unified statistical inference framework for high-dimensional binary generalized linear models (GLMs) with general link functions. Both unknown and known design distribution settings are considered. A two-step weighted bias-correction method is proposed for constructing confidence intervals (CIs) and simultaneous hypothesis tests for individual components of the regression vector. Minimax lower bound for the expected length is established and the proposed CIs are shown to be rate-optimal up to a logarithmic factor. The numerical performance of the proposed procedure is demonstrated through simulation studies and an analysis of a single cell RNA-seq dataset, which yields interesting biological insights that integrate well into the current literature on the cellular immune response mechanisms as characterized by single-cell transcriptomics. The theoretical analysis provides important insights on the adaptivity of optimal CIs with respect to the sparsity of the regression vector. New lower bound techniques are introduced and they can be of independent interest to solve other inference problems in high-dimensional binary GLMs.
Debating Yoga and Mindfulness in Public Schools

The introduction explains how yoga, mindfulness, and meditation entered the U.S. cultural mainstream, including public schools, between the 1970s and 2010s, and why it matters for education, law, and religion. In the 1960s, the U.S. Supreme Court prohibited public schools from endorsing prayer and devotional Bible reading. Yoga and meditation advocates reframed these practices as secular by downplaying religious beliefs and advertising scientific evidence of health benefits and cultivation of universal morality and ethics. Certain promoters used tactics of self-censorship, camouflage, code-switching, or frontstage/backstage behaviour to win a “Vedic Victory” or skilfully advance “stealth Buddhism. ” Drawing on the author’s experience as an expert witness in four legal challenges, the introduction examines key terms: “yoga,” “mindfulness,” “meditation,” “Hinduism,” “Buddhism,” “religion,” “secularity,” “spirituality” and “science. ” Because meanings of these terms are contested, social institutions such as schools and courts must arbitrate disputes by formulating and applying definitions for policy purposes. The introduction argues that the school programs considered are both secular and religious, and that their integration into public-school curricula may result in an unrecognized, fundamental historic and legal transformation: the reestablishment of religion in America.
A Randomized Controlled Trial of an Online Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-Based Intervention for Chronic Pain for Military and Police

Abstract Chronic pain is a serious health issue worldwide and is a prominent issue in military and police populations. Chronic pain sufferers often find it difficult to attend in-person treatment sessions for a variety of reasons. Utilizing the internet may allow for greater accessibility to interventions that cater to their specific needs. This randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluated the efficacy of an 8-week online ACT-based intervention for chronic pain within a military and police outpatient sample. A total of 29 patients with chronic pain were randomly assigned to treatment or waitlist control conditions, and completed pain-related measures pretreatment, post-treatment, and 3-month follow-up. Positive outcomes for pain acceptance, fear of movement/re-injury, and pain disability in favor of the treatment condition were found, with interaction effects ranging from moderate to large (i.e., ηp 2 = 0.11–0.32). Improvements in pain-related variables were maintained at the 3-month follow-up. Baseline PTSD and depression scores were not found to be meaningful predictors of changes in primary outcome variables from pre- to post-treatment. We conclude that an online ACT-based intervention can be effective for military and police suffering from chronic pain, though limitations to the study suggest further research is warranted.
Post‐Disaster least loaded lightpath routing in elastic optical networks

Disaster events directly affect the physical topology of core networks and may lead to simultaneous failure of multiple lightpaths leading to massive service outages for network operators. To recover from such a failure scenario, the existing routing algorithms running on network nodes (routers or switches) typically attempt to reestablish the connections over new routes with shortest distances and hop count approach. However, this approach may result in congestion on some links, while other links may have the unutilized capacity. Hence, intelligent lightpath computing techniques are required to efficiently route network traffic over the new routes by considering traffic load of each link in addition to distance and hop count to minimize network congestion. In this paper, we have proposed a capacity‐constrained maximally spatial disjoint lightpath algorithm to tackle the provisioning and restoration of disrupted lightpaths in a postdisaster scenario in the context of elastic optical networking. This algorithm computes an alternate least loaded lightpath for disrupted primary lightpath using capacity‐constrained shortest lightpath. Alternate lightpath selection is based on a criteria parameter for a lightpath to be least loaded and constrained by either the length or the spatial distance between primary and alternate lightpaths. The spatial distance between lightpaths enables to reestablish the disrupted connection request away from disaster proximity. The performance of the proposed algorithm is evaluated through simulation for several parameters like blocking probability, network utilization, connection success rates, and minimum spatial distance.
Comparison of the Effect of Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy on Periodontal Health Status and Glycemic Control between Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 and Type 2

Objectives . This study aims to compare the results of non-surgical periodontal therapy on the periodontal health status and glycemic control between diabetes mellitus type 1 (T1DM) and type 2 (T2DM). Methods. A total of 24 adult patients participated in this study. Patients divided into two groups, 12 patients are diagnosed with T1DM, and 12 diabetic patients with T2DM. After 3 months non-surgical periodontal treatment, the following parameters were investigated at baseline: glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing (BOP), gingival recession (GR), probing pocket depth (PPD), and clinical attachment level (CAL). After baseline investigation, both groups received one stage full mouth scaling and root planning, combined with systemic Doxycycline, statistical analysis was performed by Student T-test. Results. By comparing between T1DM and T2DM at base line, and after 3 months non-surgical periodontal therapy showed generally no significant differences with respect to periodontal parameters, while HbA1c values were always significantly higher in T1DM. By comparing of each parameter before- and 3 months after non-surgical periodontal therapy with relation to the type of diabetes mellitus showed reduction of gingival inflammation (PI, BOP), but there are no significant differences of probing pocket depth in both diabetic groups, glycemic control level HbA1c showed significant reduction only in diabetic patients Type 2. Conclusion. Results of the present study showed that non-surgical periodontal therapy in both diabetes types decreased gingival inflammation, no changes in periodontal pocket depth, but reduced glycemic control significantly only on type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Effect of increased intake of milk replacer in young calves on growth and the neonatal mode of action of IGF-I.

Background Optimizing growth and rumen development of calves in the preweaning period can lead to reduced costs of raising replacement heifers, bulls and fattening beef cattle. In the neonatal period, the quantity and quality of milk replacer consumed by calves directly impacts their growth, development and maturational changes in the somatotropic axis. This study evaluated the effects of plane of nutrition in neonatal calves on growth, development of the somatotropic axis and mode of action of IGF-I. Eight Holstein bull calves (3–4 days old) were fed either a low (LM, average 0.63 kg DM/d) or high (HM, average 1.15 kg DM/d) level of a 28% crude protein milk replacer until slaughtered at 41–42 days old.Results Compared to LM calves, calves on the HM diet had heavier (P < 0.01) body, carcass and semitendinosus muscle weights at slaughter. At three weeks of age, plasma insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) concentrations rose more rapidly in HM calves and were significantly higher at three, four and six weeks of age compared to LM calves. IGF-I mRNA levels were higher (P < 0.01) in liver, and lower (P < 0.01) in longissimus dorsi muscle in HM calves compared to LM calves. Growth hormone and IGF-I receptor mRNA levels in liver and muscle were not affected by plane of nutrition.Conclusions Increasing intake of a high-protein milk replacer in suckling calves improved growth rate in the preweaning period. The higher plane of nutrition promoted a shift towards an endocrine mode of IGF-I action and a decline in the autocrine/paracrine IGF-I control of muscle growth.
Bio-Ecological and Management Studies of Coffee Berry Borer, Hypothenemus Hampei Ferrari (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) in Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, coffee is important to the economy of the country and also millions of the population relying on for their livelihood. Besides its importance, coffee production has constraints with number of biotic factors of which insect pests are the major ones. The present review was designed to summarize studies conducted on bio ecology and management of coffee berry borer in the country. The coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei is a small black beetle that attacks the fruits of C. arabica. The first occurrence of coffee berry borer in Ethiopia was reported by Davidson. H. hampei is a pest of immature and mature coffee berries, causing no damage to the leaves, branches or stem. Attack by H. hampei begins at the apex of the coffee berry. The female beetle bores through the berry into the bean and lays eggs in the tunnel. Total number of eggs laid per female ranged from 20 to 40 eggs with a mean of 32 + 0.3 eggs. Large-scale coffee plantations, research centers and smallscale farmers’ showed a considerable variation in the level of damage. Creating an atmosphere that is not conducive to borer breeding and reducing primary sources of infestation are very important to reduce pest attack. Shade tree regulation and pruning can reduce the populations and also exposing them to attack by the natural enemies. Insect traps play an important role in monitoring and minimizing the borer. Beavaria bassiana which are efficient are considered to be good candidate on selecting biopesticides agents. In general, vigorous research needs to be taken to update the biology and management of coffee berry borer especially biological method. As Ethiopia is the centre of origin and diversity of Arabica coffee, there is a potential to find natural enemies and tolerant varieties against the pest.
The presence of honey triggers inhibition of pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence and metabolism

Honey is an ancient remedy with a high potency against drug-resistant bacteria, which has gained renewed interest in naturopathic medicine for its beneficial effect in treatment and prevention of wound infections. The exact antibacterial property and mode of action of honey is still unknown, however in recent years, there has been various studies focusing on the effect of honey on bacterial gene regulation. With the focus of current literature being at the molecular level, the first aim of this study was to examine the effect of honey at the cell level and its influence on the metabolism of P. aeruginosa biofilm. The second objective of this study was to test the influence of the combination of the iron chelating agent (EDTA) and honey on biofilm metabolism. P. aeruginosa metabolism in this study was analyzed through (i) siderophore excretion and (ii) monitoring of the biofilm CO2 respiration rate with a Carbon dioxide Evolution Measurement System (CEMS). The results obtained indicate that honey reduces biofilm metabolism and inhibits siderophore production, while the combination of honey and EDTA has a greater impact on biofilm metabolism, which influences P. aeruginosa iron homeostasis, inhibits siderophore production, and increases bacterial recovery time after exposure. However, when provided at concentrations lower than its inhibitory concentration, honey is used as a nutrient source for biofilm development. The results obtained illustrated the importance of the environmental conditions on biofilm metabolism, as the biofilm response varied with minor changes in the composition of their media. In summary, this study showed that biofilm cells shut down their metabolism in the presence of honey, which also inhibits bacterial siderophore production and can play an importance role on the virulence of P. aeruginosa.
Enterprise resource planning post-implementation assimilation challenge : an integrative framework for a better post-implementation assimilation

The present study subscribes in the emerging post-implementation IT research and aims to contribute to the ongoing discussion of the impact of contextual factors on the level of assimilation of complex technologies such as ERP systems. Given the dearth of research on ERP experience in developing countries, the present study purports to enrich this much neglected field by mainly considering ERP initiatives of firms in a developed and a developing country. Since an IT business value could be realized only when the system is deeply assimilated in the organization, this research investigates the factors that lead to varying ERP assimilation levels among firms despite their use of a similar basic technology. Based on a qualitative research methodology using the multiple case study approach, we explore the determinants of an effective ERP assimilation and its subsequent challenges. Furthermore, we develop an integrative model that describes the relationships between the identi~ed factors. The data analysis revealed a set of organizational, technological and environmental factors which have a direct or an indirect impact on ERP assimilation. This is mainly true of the top management support, their strategies, interventions, and perceptions, aIl of which have tumed to be the underlying factor shaping, directly or indirectly, the assimilation process in an organization. In the same vein, differences between the two groups of firms in the two countries are related more to their organizational contexts than to cultural differences. These findings are common across the studied companies in both contexts. Based on the analysis results, an integrative rramework is suggested in order to delineate the relationships between the identified factors. AlI in aIl, the present study provides a structured road-map for understanding ERP assimilation and highlights several critical issues and crucial determinants which should be carefully managed and thoroughly considered in order to achieve high ERP business value.
Factors Affecting Fraudulent Statement in Forensic Accounting Perspective

Nowadays the awareness of loss from fraud has been shifted from blue collared employee theft to white collared management fraudulent statement. Forensic accounting becomes one of the solutions to detect this fraudulent statement. On the basic of our premise, the purpose of research to explore empirical evidence regarding financial statement fraud detection factors with net worth method as control variable. Our independent variables were debt to equity ratio, change in net assets, and return on asset. The research was quantitatively on food and beverage manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. We use financial statement year end audited from 2013-2017. We used purposive sample, when selecting the samples. Total of 55 company reports samples were used in this research. We analyzed the data using statistical multiple linear regression analysis. We used statistical software to do the regression, in order to answer the research questions and test the hypothesis. Fraudulent reporting fraud was examined using proxies Beneish M-score. After the statistical test, this research concludes that financial distress factor proxy Debt to Equity Ratio (DER) has no significant effect on fraud detection. Other factor that is financial stability was proxies by changes in total assets (ACHANGE), and financial targets in the proxy of Return on Assets (ROA) both have significant impact on the detection of financial statement fraud.
Greater Adherence to Dietary Guidelines were Associated with Lower Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases in Chinese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Case-Control Study

Background The evidence regarding the impact of the healthy eating index on the risk of cardiovascular events among patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) is limited. To examine the associations of adherence to the Chinese and American dietary guidelines and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among Chinese individuals with T2D. Methods This 1:1 matched case-control study included 419 enrolled pairs hospital-based CVD cases and controls who were matched by age and sex, in Guangdong province, China, all of whom had T2D. A structured questionnaire and a 79-item food-frequency questionnaire was used to collect general information and dietary intake information. Diet quality scores were calculated according to the Chinese Healthy Eating Index (CHEI) and the Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015). Results After adjustment for various confounding factors, the higher diet quality scores on the CHEI and HEI-2015 showed a significant association with a lower risk of CVD. The odds ratios (95% confidence interval) per 5-score increment were 0.88(0.83,0.92) in the CHEI and 0.80(0.74,0.88) in the HEI-2015, respectively. In stratified analyses, the protective associations remained significant in the subgroups of sex, smoking status, tea-drinking, hypertension state, dyslipidemia state, BMI, and T2D duration, but not among the drinkers in CHEI. Conclusion Greater adherence to the most recent Chinese or American dietary guidelines were associated with a lower risk of CVD incidents among Chinese patients with T2D.
AN INSIGHT OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF MICRO-FRANCHISE BUSINESSES OPERATING IN SOUTH AFRICA

Microfranchising is one of the new innovative business concepts that has gained traction in the past few years, and which could provide a solution to the challenges faced by micro- entrepreneurs and stimulate the growth of entrepreneurship. Microfranchising has therefore, emerged as a potential strategy meant to rapidly scale-up entrepreneurship behaviour within the Bottom of the Pyramid (BoP). However, despite microfranchising being singled out as a panacea for economic growth globally, very little is known about the microfranchising business concept in South Africa. Resultantly, the latter is ignored from entrepreneurship discussion and discourse at both academic and policy levels. To address this gap, the study assessed microfranchising practices in South Africa, to profile the characteristics of microfranchise businesses in South Africa. The study used the interpretivism research paradigm to achieve the study objectives. Primary and secondary data were employed to collect data on the microfranchising practices in South Africa. Five in-depth interviews were successfully conducted with microfranchisees, while secondary data (microfranchisees’ and microfranchisors’ success stories) was employed to collect data on the former and current practices of microfranchising in South Africa. The collected data was analysed using the ATLAS.ti. The study results show that the microfranchise business exhibits traits of BoP markets, centralised inventory buying, comprehensive training of microfranchisees, decentralised inventory buying, job creation, master microfranchisee, sales orientation, self-reliance of the business, standardisation and adaptation.
On the Controllability of a System Modeling Cell Dynamics Related to Leukemia

In this paper, two control problems for a symmetric model of cell dynamics related to leukemia are considered. The first one, in connection with classical chemotherapy, is that the evolution of the disease under treatment should follow a prescribed trajectory assuming that the drug works by increasing the cell death rates of both malignant and normal cells. In the case of the second control problem, as for targeted therapies, the drug is assumed to work by decreasing the multiplication rate of leukemic cells only, and the control objective is that the disease state reaches a desired endpoint. The solvability of the two problems as well as their stability are proved by using a general method of analysis. Some numerical simulations are included to illustrate the theoretical results and prove their applicability. The results can possibly be used to design therapeutic scenarios such that an expected clinical evolution can be achieved.