Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Whence Induced Demand: How Access Affects Activity

Additional highway capacity, by increasing travel speed, affects the individual share of time within a 24-hour budget allocated to various activities (time spent at and traveling to home, shop, work and other), some activities will be undertaken more, others less. This paper extends previous research that identified and quantified induced demand in terms of vehicle miles traveled, by considering questions of what type of demand is induced and which activities are consequently reduced. This paper uses the 1990 and 1995 Nationwide Personal Transportation Survey and Federal Highway Administration highway statistics data. While total travel times have not seen any significant change between the years 1990 and 1995, there is a significant change in activity durations. Further, as a result of additional capacity, workers spend less time traveling. Workers also spend more time at home and other activities and less at work and shop. Non-workers, in contrast, travel more, and spend more time shopping and at home, but less time at other activities. This points out the differences in discretionary and non-discretionary activities for workers and non-workers. It also suggests that there are real gains from capacity in people's lives, at least in the short term, as it is time, and not VMT, that individuals base decisions on.
Variability of Phenological Behaviours of Wild Fruit Tree Species Based on Discriminant Analysis

Vegetation phenology is considered an important biological indicator in understanding the behaviour of ecosystems and how it responds to environmental cues. The aim of this paper is to provide information on the variability of phenological behaviours based on discriminant analysis using the R software package with the following libraries: ggplot2, heplots, candisc, MASS, car, and klaR. Three phenological phases were analysed with eight wild fruit tree species from a forest ecosystem in the southwestern part of Romania (44°05′19.5” N 23°54′03.5” E). It was found that there is a large and very large variability for the “bud burst” phenophase, medium and low for “full flowering”, and reduced for the “all petals fallen” phenophase. For the analyzed data, the discriminant analysis model has high accuracy (accuracy: 0.9583; 95% CI: (0.7888, 0.9989). Partition plots show the results of “full flowering” and “all petals fallen” as a function of the “bud burst” of pockmarks when separated into eight clusters and eight clusters of “full flowering” as a function of “all petals fallen”. The differences observed, from a phenological point of view, are not only due to the different cold requirements of these species but also to the temperatures during the spring.
A Fair Allocation Algorithm for Predictive Police Patrolling

We address the tradeoff of developing good predictive models for police allocation vs. optimally deploying police officers over a city in a way that does not imply an unfair allocation of resources. We modify the fair allocation algorithm of [1] to tackle a real world problem: crime in the city of Bogota, Colombia. Our approach allows for more sophisticated prediction models and we ´ show that the whole methodology outperforms the current police allocating mechanism in the city. Results show that even with a simple model such as a Kernel Density Estimation of crime, one can have much better prediction than the current police model and, at the same time, mitigate fairness concerns. Although we can not provide general performance guarantees, our results apply to a real life problem and should be seriously considered by policy makers.
Complete Genome Sequence, Molecular Characterization and Phylogenetic Relationships of a Novel Tern Atadenovirus

Discovery and study of viruses carried by migratory birds are tasks of high importance due to the host’s ability to spread infectious diseases over significant distances. With this paper, we present and characterize the first complete genome sequence of atadenovirus from a tern bird (common tern, Sterna hirundo) preliminarily named tern atadenovirus 1 (TeAdV-1). TeAdV-1 genome is a linear double-stranded DNA molecule, 31,334 base pairs which contain 30 methionine-initiated open reading frames with gene structure typical for Atadenovirus genus, and the shortest known inverted terminal repeats (ITRs) within the Atadenovirus genus consisted of 25 bases. The nucleotide composition of the genome is characterized by a low G + C content (33.86%), which is the most AT-rich genome of known avian adenoviruses within Atadenovirus genus. The nucleotide sequence of the TeAdV-1 genome shows high divergence compared to known representatives of the Atadenovirus genus with the highest similarity to the duck atadenovirus 1 (53.7%). Phylogenetic analysis of the protein sequences of core genes confirms the taxonomic affiliation of the new representative to the genus Atadenovirus with the degree of divergence from the known representatives exceeding the interspecies distance within the genus. Thereby we proposed a novel TeAdV-1 to be considered as a separate species.
Therapeutic interventions employed when working with maltreated children

A number of effective treatments are available for children and young people who have developed various forms of psychological difficulties as a consequence of traumatic experiences. The aim of this paper is to review the therapeutic approaches employed when working with children who have been exposed to various forms of abuse and neglect during their childhood. This paper provides relevant information to psychotherapists and counsellors on new trends in therapy, as well as techniques and possibilities in interventions in this field, not only with respect to traumatised children, but also family members and other caregivers involved in the child’s life. Furthermore, this paper reviews the therapeutic interventions used to treat emotionally, sexually, and physically abused children, neglected children, children who have witnessed domestic violence, and children who have been exposed to multiple forms of abuse.
Positional asymmetries in consonant production and intelligibility in dysarthric speech

ABSTRACT Consonant production errors are common in dysarthric speech, but not all consonants are affected to the same extent. Currently, only limited knowledge exists regarding whether different positional allophones are affected to varying degrees in dysarthric speech. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of consonants’ position-in-words on consonant production accuracy and their relevance to speech intelligibility. To this end, the percentage of correctly articulated consonants was analyzed with respect to position-in-words, manner of articulation, and speakers’ overall intelligibility in dysarthric speech secondary to cerebral palsy. Results revealed that consonants were generally more accurate in initial positions than other positions, and when they were singletons rather than clusters. However, fricatives, a category commonly noted for frequent misarticulations, exhibited no significant positional effects, indicating that fricatives were affected to a similar degree across all word positions. In addition, positional asymmetry manifested to a greater degree as intelligibility decreased. Finally, the strength of the relationship between consonant production accuracy and intelligibility varied depending on positions-in-words, with strong correlations in the medial and final cluster positions but no significant correlation for fricatives in the initial and final singleton positions. The correlation was markedly low for the initial consonants, possibly due to the resistance of initial consonants to production errors. The positional asymmetry found in this study necessitates more research on non-initial consonants and clusters for their potential in improving consonant production and speech intelligibility as a part of dysarthria management.
Metrics in Software Test Planning and Test Design Processes

Software metrics plays an important role in measuring attributes that are critical to the success of a software project. Measurement of these attributes helps to make the characteristics and relationships between the attributes clearer. This in turn supports informed decision making. The field of software engineering is affected by infrequent, incomplete and inconsistent measurements. Software testing is an integral part of software development, providing opportunities for measurement of process attributes. The measurement of software testing process attributes enables the management to have better insight in to the software testing process. The aim of this thesis is to investigate the metric support for software test planning and test design processes. The study comprises of an extensive literature study and follows a methodical approach. This approach consists of two steps. The first step comprises of analyzing key phases in software testing life cycle, inputs required for starting the software test planning and design processes and metrics indicating the end of software test planning and test design processes. After establishing a basic understanding of the related concepts, the second step identifies the attributes of software test planning and test design processes including metric support for each of the identified attributes. The results of the literature survey showed that there are a number of different measurable attributes for software test planning and test design processes. The study partitioned these attributes in multiple categories for software test planning and test design processes. For each of these attributes, different existing measurements are studied. A consolidation of these measurements is presented in this thesis which is intended to provide an opportunity for management to consider improvement in these processes.
On the role of hemodynamics in predicting rupture of the abdominal aortic aneurysm

Hemodynamics plays a crucial role in the growth of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and its possible rupture. Due to the serious consequences that arise from the aneurysm rupture, the ability to predict its evolution and the need for surgery are of primary importance in the medical field. Furthermore, the presence of intraluminal thrombus (ILT) strongly affects the evolution of the pathology. In this study, we analyzed the influence of hemodynamics on the growth and possible rupture of AAAs. Numerical investigations of pulsatile non-Newtonian blood flow were performed in six patient-specific AAAs reconstructed from diagnostic images, having different sizes and shapes, and with or without ILT. Wall shear stress and vorticity distribution in the bulge and their evolution during the cardiac cycle were analyzed. The results indicate that blood flow dynamics acts synergistically with atherosclerotic degeneration in the development of the disease. The high surface complexity and tortuosity of the aneurysms significantly affect the blood motion, and the presence of inflection in the aneurysm centerline has a noticeable effect on the vortex dynamics. Links between regions of slow recirculating flows, low values of time-averaged wall shear stress, high values of oscillatory shear index, and zones of ILT deposition were found. In the absence of ILT, possible thrombus accumulation areas and consequent aneurysm growth were identified. The findings of this study highlight the importance of hemodynamics in assessing the vulnerability of the aortic wall and underline the crucial role of patient-specific investigations in predicting the rupture of individual aneurysms.
Optimal design of water distribution systems

Abstract In this paper, the similarities between a water distribution system (WDS) and a structural truss are discussed. Based on this discussion, the problem of determining the optimal design of a WDS is studied by extending some of the methods used to good effect in structural optimization. Two sensitivity analysis methods for node heads, i.e. virtual-discharge method and pseudo-discharge method, are proposed, and the sensitivity formula for pipe flowrates is derived. An algorithm based on the Sequential Linear Programming (SLP) technique is suggested. Finally, two numerical examples are presented.
Experimental Evaluation of Earthquake Resistant Posttensioned Steel Connections

Nine large-scale subassembly tests were conducted to investigate the behavior of an innovative posttensioned wide flange beam-to-column connection for steel moment resisting frames subjected to seismic loading conditions. The connection includes top and seat angles bolted to the beam and column. Strands are placed along the length of the beam, passing through the column and posttensioned to provide a precompression of the beam against the column. The parameters investigated in the study include the angle thickness, angle gage length, beam flange reinforcing plates, connection shim plates, and posttensioning force. The test results demonstrate that posttensioned connections provide excellent elastic stiffness, strength, and ductility under cyclic loading, with energy dissipation occurring primarily in the angles. The connection initial elastic stiffness is comparable to that of a fully restrained welded connection. In addition, the connection has essentially no residual deformation following several cycles.
Multidisciplinary treatment strategy for early rectal cancer A review

The early rectal cancer (ERC) has increased with the national cancer screening project for early detection of colorectal cancer. The gold standard treatment for low rectal cancer is low anterior resection (LAR) based on total mesorectal excision. However, radical resection results in a high mortality and complication rate, and the deterioration of quality of life due to LAR syndrome, genitourinary dysfunction, and possible permanent stoma. Local excision with chemoradiation therapy could be one of the alternative therapeutic strategies for the organ preservation and a cure of cancer. To decide the treat-ment strategies, it is important to establish sophisticated indications that can maximize the therapeutic effect. ERC has heterogeneous pathological features, including aggressive behavior and occult lymph node metastasis, with different responses to chemora-diotherapy. Therefore, radiologic, endoscopic and pathologic evaluation to predict the risk of lymph node metastasis and local recurrence has been evolving to determine the optimal treatment strategy in the patient-tailored medicine. Recently, the long-term outcomes of prospective randomized clinical trials provide new hope for organ preservation in patients with ERC. In this paper, we aim to review various risk factors related to local recurrence and discuss the optimal treatment strategy for ERC
Faulting and Magmatic Accretion Across the Overlapping Spreading Center Between Vance Segment and Axial South Rift, Juan de Fuca Ridge

Plate divergence along mid‐ocean ridges is accommodated through faulting and magmatic accretion, and, at overlapping spreading centers (OSC), is distributed across two curvilinear overlapping ridge axes. One‐meter resolution bathymetry acquired by autonomous underwater vehicles, combined with distribution and ages of lava flows, is used to: (a) analyze the spatial and temporal distribution of flows, faults, and fissures in the OSC between the distal south rift zone of Axial Seamount and the Vance Segment, (b) locate spreading axes, (c) calculate extension, and (d) determine the proportion of extension accommodated at the surface by faults and fissures versus volcanic extrusion over a period of ∼1300–1450 years. Our study reveals that in the recent history of the ridges, extension over a distance of 14 km across the Axial/Vance OSC was asymmetric in proportion and style: faults and fissures across 1–2 km of the Vance axial valley accommodated ∼3/4 of the spreading, whereas dike‐fed eruptions contributed ∼1/4 of the extension and occurred across 4 km of the south rift of Axial Seamount.
Work environments and job performance of librarians in the public universities in South -west Nigeria

This study investigates the work environments and job performance of librarians working in public universities in South-West, Nigeria with the aid of survey research approach. Questionnaire was used to elicit information from 189 Academic Librarians, out of which 153 (81%) copies of the questionnaire were duly completed and returned. The data collected were analyzed using frequency count, percentage and Anova Analysis tested at 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that the work environment of librarians in terms of physical facilities, open communication, motivation etc are fairly favourable while personnel emolument was considered not to be favourable at all. This inadequacy is reflected in the job performance of the librarians as their performance only seems to be fair. The study also established that there is significant correlation between work environment and job performance of the librarians. To alleviate the incidence of poor work environment and under performance in libraries, the study recommended improvement in the levels of physical facilities, personnel emolument, open communication as wells as adequate funding from government, donor agencies and philanthropists. Key words: Nigerian universities, South-West Nigeria, work environment, academic librarians, job performance.
Inhibition of the Quadriceps Muscles in Patients with Anterior Knee Pain

The present study was aimed at determining muscle inhibition (MI) and knee extensor moments in 42 subjects with unilateral anterior knee pain syndrome. The results were compared to a normal, healthy population with no history of knee injury. Also, the effects of 1 week of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) on MI and knee extensor moments were tested in a randomized controlled trial. At baseline, the involved leg showed significantly higher MI than the noninvolved leg. In both legs, MI was significantly higher and knee extensor moments lower than the corresponding values of the nonimpaired subjects. There was a direct relationship between knee pain during testing and the extent of MI. Higher MI, in turn, was associated with lower knee extensor moments. The study demonstrated significant MI in the quadriceps muscles of the involved and noninvolved legs of subjects with unilateral anterior knee pain syndrome. The results indicate that the noninvolved leg cannot be considered a normal control for a.
In Vivo Investigation of Polymer-Ceramic PCL/HA and PCL/β-TCP 3D Composite Scaffolds and Electrical Stimulation for Bone Regeneration

Critical bone defects are a major clinical challenge in reconstructive bone surgery. Polycaprolactone (PCL) mixed with bioceramics, such as hydroxyapatite (HA) and tricalcium phosphate (TCP), create composite scaffolds with improved biological recognition and bioactivity. Electrical stimulation (ES) aims to compensate the compromised endogenous electrical signals and to stimulate cell proliferation and differentiation. We investigated the effects of composite scaffolds (PCL with HA; and PCL with β-TCP) and the use of ES on critical bone defects in Wistar rats using eight experimental groups: untreated, ES, PCL, PCL/ES, HA, HA/ES, TCP, and TCP/ES. The investigation was based on histomorphometry, immunohistochemistry, and gene expression analysis. The vascular area was greater in the HA/ES group on days 30 and 60. Tissue mineralization was greater in the HA, HA/ES, and TCP groups at day 30, and TCP/ES at day 60. Bmp-2 gene expression was higher in the HA, TCP, and TCP/ES groups at day 30, and in the TCP/ES and PCL/ES groups at day 60. Runx-2, Osterix, and Osteopontin gene expression were also higher in the TCP/ES group at day 60. These results suggest that scaffolds printed with PCL and TCP, when paired with electrical therapy application, improve bone regeneration.
High-Performance Deep Learning Toolbox for Genome-Scale Prediction of Protein Structure and Function

Computational biology is one of many scientific disciplines ripe for innovation and acceleration with the advent of high-performance computing (HPC). In recent years, the field of machine learning has also seen significant benefits from adopting HPC practices. In this work, we present a novel HPC pipeline that incorporates various machine-learning approaches for structure-based functional annotation of proteins on the scale of whole genomes. Our pipeline makes extensive use of deep learning and provides computational insights into best practices for training advanced deep-learning models for high-throughput data such as proteomics data. We showcase methodologies our pipeline currently supports and detail future tasks for our pipeline to envelop, including large-scale sequence comparison using SAdLSA and prediction of protein tertiary structures using AlphaFold2.
Besting the Black-Box: Barrier Zones for Adversarial Example Defense

Adversarial machine learning defenses have primarily been focused on mitigating static, white-box attacks. However, it remains an open question whether such defenses are robust under an adaptive black-box adversary. In this paper, we specifically focus on the black-box threat model and make the following contributions: First we develop an enhanced adaptive black-box attack which is experimentally shown to be $\geq 30\%$ more effective than the original adaptive black-box attack proposed by Papernot et al. For our second contribution, we test 10 recent defenses using our new attack and propose our own black-box defense (barrier zones). We show that our defense based on barrier zones offers significant improvements in security over state-of-the-art defenses. This improvement includes greater than 85% robust accuracy against black-box boundary attacks, transfer attacks and our new adaptive black-box attack, for the datasets we study. For completeness, we verify our claims through extensive experimentation with 10 other defenses using three adversarial models (14 different black-box attacks) on two datasets (CIFAR-10 and Fashion-MNIST).
EXPLORING THE EFFECTS OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) ON CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. THE CASE OF BARCLAYS BANK OF GHANA LTD., TAFO BRANCH

Rapid advancements in technology in the service industry is radically changing the way business is done. These developments in technology have resulted in new delivery channels for banking products and services such as Short Message Service (SMS) alerts, Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), Telephone Banking, PC-Banking, and Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale (EFTPoS) among others. The main objectives were to: identify ICT strategies used at Barclays Bank to improve customer service; measure the extent of customer satisfaction of Barclays Bank ICT strategies; identify the problems associated with the ICT strategies being used at Barclays Bank; and measure the relationship between the use of ICT and customer satisfaction at Barclays Bank. The researcher used both quantitative and qualitative research methods in this study and data was collected mainly from primary sources. Questionnaire and interview guide were used for data collection from sampled customers and management staff of Barclays Bank Ghana limited respectively. The data collected was analysed by use of frequency, percentage and correlation analysis. The results of the study generally indicate that, ICT have contributed positively to customer satisfaction in the Ghanaian banking industry. The study revealed that, customers of the bank are generally satisfied with the level of ICT strategies being implemented by the bank though some expressed misgivings about some inconveniences caused with the use of ATMs. However, to maximize the benefits of these strategies, it is suggested that the bank creates awareness, improves on security measures and constantly monitor and evaluate these various strategies.