Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Selective Imputation of Covariates in High Dimensional Censored Data

Abstract Efficient modeling of censored data, that is, data which are restricted by some detection limit or truncation, is important for many applications. Ignoring the censoring can be problematic as valuable information may be missing and restoration of these censored values may significantly improve the quality of models. There are many scenarios where one may encounter censored data: survival data, interval-censored data or data with a lower limit of detection. Strategies to handle censored data are plenty, however, little effort has been made to handle censored data of high dimension. In this article, we present a selective multiple imputation approach for predictive modeling when a larger number of covariates are subject to censoring. Our method allows for iterative, subject-wise selection of covariates to impute in order to achieve a fast and accurate predictive model. The algorithm furthermore selects values for imputation which are likely to provide important information if imputed. In contrast to previously proposed methods, our approach is fully nonparametric and therefore, very flexible. We demonstrate that, in comparison to previous work, our model achieves faster execution and often comparable accuracy in a simulated example as well as predicting signal strength in radio network data. Supplementary materials for this article are available online.
Assessment of a Mining-Waste Dump of Galena Mine in the East of Morocco for Possible Use in Civil Engineering

Mining dumps, particularly inactive or abandoned mines located near makeshift mining towns, have significant environmental and social impacts. The Touissit-Boubker lead mine, operated for years by the Touissit Mining Company (CMT) and abandoned without rehabilitation, is an example of this socio-economic and environmental collapse. Large quantities of harmful solid waste containing clayey aggregates rich in lead sulphide have been dumped in dykes on the edge of the village of Touissit. These mining wastes were rewashed to extract galena causing a depletion of lead sulphide. The objective of this study is to evaluate the possibility of using washed mining waste as sandy aggregate for the manufacture of masonry mortar. Cylindrical mortar tests, made with various proportions of sand and mine waste were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and mechanical analysis by uni-axial compressive strength after curing for 3, 14, 28 and 60 days. The results obtained revealed that the mining waste consists of dolomite, quartz and clay. The dehydration rate of the mortar specimens is strongly affected by the amount of the waste added and the grain size. The mechanical strength of the mortar specimens mostly depends on the grain-size of the aggregates than on the amount of mine waste added. The microstructure of the mortar did not change when sand was replaced by mine waste of the same grain size.
An Algorithm for the Selection of Probes for Specific Detection of Human Disease Pathogens Using the DNA Microarray Technology

The aim of the study was to develop an algorithm for the selection of discriminating probes to identify a wide range of causative agents of human infectious diseases. Materials and Methods The algorithm for selecting the probes was implemented in the form of the disprose (DIScrimination PRObe SElection) computer program written in the R language. Additionally, third-party software was used: the BLAST+ and ViennaRNA Package programs. The developed algorithm was tested by selecting specific probes for detecting Chlamydophila (Chlamydia) pneumoniae — an atypical bacterial pathogen causing community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Nucleotide sequences for analysis were downloaded from the NCBI databank. Results An algorithm for the selection of specific probes capable of detecting human infectious pathogens has been developed. The algorithm is implemented in the form of the disprose modular program, which allows for performing all stages of the probe selection process: loading the nucleotide sequences and their metadata from available databanks, creating local databases, forming a pool of probes, calculating their physicochemical parameters, aligning the probes and sequences contained in local databases, processing and evaluating the alignment results. The algorithm was successfully tested and its performance was confirmed by selecting a set of probes for the specific detection of Chlamydophila pneumoniae. The specificity of the selected probes calculated in silico indicated a low risk of their nonspecific binding and a high potential of using them as molecular genetic diagnostic tools (DNA microarrays, PCR). Conclusion An algorithm for the selection of specific probes detecting a wide range of human pathogens in clinical biomaterial has been developed and implemented in the form of the disprose modular program. The probes selected using this program can serve as the functional basis of DNA-oriented microarrays able to identify causative agents of polyetiological diseases, such as CAP. Due to the flexibility and openness of the program, the scope of its application can be expanded.
Proxy Information Seeking by Users of a Parenting Information Website: Quantitative Observational Study

Background One of the largest groups of consumers who seek health information on the internet are parents of young children, as well as people in their social circle. The concept of proxy seeking (on behalf of others) has been explored in the literature, yet little is known about the outcomes. Objective The main aim of this study was to describe consumer health information outcomes reported by proxy seekers using a parenting website. Methods We conducted a 2-year quantitative observational study. Participants were parents of 0- to 8-year-old children and members of their entourage in Canada who had accessed Naître et Grandir through the website or through a weekly newsletter. For each Naître et Grandir webpage, participants’ perceptions regarding the outcomes of seeking and using specific webpages were gathered using a content-validated Information Assessment Method questionnaire. We compared the outcomes reported by parents with those reported by members of their entourage after consulting a parenting information website and explored if the method of accessing the information by the proxy seekers (website or weekly newsletter) changed the outcomes reported. For key primary survey items, the chi-square test was conducted, and differences in relative frequencies of responses were computed along with confidence intervals. Results A total of 51,325 completed questionnaires were included in the analysis, pertaining to 1079 Naître et Grandir webpages (mean 48; range 1-637). Compared to parents, individuals in the entourage are more likely to report using the information in discussion with others (mean difference 0.166, 95% CI 0.155-0.176). Parents, on the other hand, were more likely than the entourage to report using the information to better understand (mean difference 0.084, 95% CI 0.073-0.094), to decide to do something (mean difference 0.156, 95% CI 0.146-0.166), or to do something in a different manner (mean difference 0.052, 95% CI 0.042-0.061). In addition, results suggest that the differences in perceived benefits of parenting information by the entourage depend on how they access the information. Respondents who were actively seeking the information (through the website) were more likely to report that the information would help them be less worried (mean difference 0.047; 95% CI 0.024-0.069), handle a problem (mean difference 0.083; 95% CI 0.062-0.104), and decide what to do with someone else (mean difference 0.040, 95% CI 0.020-0.058). Respondents who passively acquired the information (through the newsletter) were more likely to report that the information would help improve the health or well-being of a child (mean difference 0.090; 95% CI 0.067-0.112). Conclusions By better understanding how consumers and their entourages use information, information providers can adapt information to meet both individual and group needs, and health care practitioners can target patients’ entourages with web-based health information resources for dissemination and use.
Development and experiment evaluation of a compact inchworm piezoelectric actuator using three-jaw type clamping mechanism

A compact inchworm piezoelectric actuator using three-jaw type clamping mechanism is developed in this study. Different from the previous inchworm piezoelectric actuators constructed with guiding structures, the proposed actuator can drive an output shaft to realize linear motion without other auxiliary structures based on the automatic centering and guidance functions of the designed three-jaw type clamping mechanism, and a compact structure is obtained. The configuration of the actuator is presented to describe the operating principle in detail. Then the structures of the clamping and actuating units are designed by the assistance of finite element simulations. A prototype is fabricated and a compact structure is achieved with outer diameter of 34 mm and length of 40 mm. The experiments are performed to investigate the characteristics, a maximum speed of 155.5 μm s−1 and a thrust force of 12.3 N are achieved. The experimental results confirm that the proposed inchworm actuator can achieve a compact structure by adopting the designed three-jaw type clamping mechanisms, it has great potential in integration with precision equipment, which is conductive to apply in the fields of biological manipulation robots and aerospace devices.
Municipal Solid Waste to Energy: Palletization of Paper and Garden Waste into Refuse Derived Fuel

The purpose of this research was to process a mixture of paper waste and garden waste based on material flow analysis and to analyze its parameters based on water content, ash content, heating value, along with Thermogravimetry Analysis (TGA)/Derivative Thermogravimetry (DTG). The garden waste treatment process consists of shredding, drying with a rotary dryer, separator, and then shaving with a hammer mill. Paper waste only needs a shredder process. Then, the mixing process and pelletizing of paper waste as well as garden waste are carried out according to the variation (w/w) 100% paper (K100), 75% paper (K75), 50% paper (K50), 25% paper (K25), and 100% garden waste (K0). The water content ranged from 5.8 to 15.25%. From K0 to K100 samples, the ash content increased from 4.54 to 9.85%. A correlation of 0.9047 was found from samples K0 to K100. There was a correlation between increasing calorific value along with the mixture with paper waste. The caloric value in K0 to K100 increased from 13.11 to 19.03 MJ/kg. The TGA/DTG analysis reduced mass due to water evaporation, devolatilization, and carbonization processes.
Cyclic Strain Mitigates Nanoparticle Internalization by Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Background Intravascular delivery of nanoparticles for theranostic application permits direct interaction of nanoparticles and vascular cells. Since vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), the major components of the vascular wall, are constantly subjected to mechanical stimulation from hemodynamic influence, we asked whether cyclic strain may modulate internalization of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) by cultured VSMCs. Methods Cyclic strain (1 Hz and 10%) was applied with Flexcell system in cultured VSMCs from rats, with cell-associated MNPs (MNPcell) determined by a colorimetric iron assay. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy were used for morphology studies. Confocal microscopy was used to demonstrate distribution of actin assembly in VSMCs. Results Incubation of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA)-coated MNPs with VSMCs for 4 h induced microvilli formation and MNP internalization. Application of cyclic strain for 4–12 h significantly reduced MNPcell by up to 65% (p < 0.05), which was associated with blunted microvilli and reduced vesicle size/cell, but not vesicle numbers/cell. Confocal microscopy demonstrated that both cyclic strain and fibronectin coating of the culture plate reduced internalized MNPs, which were co-localized with vinculin. Furthermore, cytochalasin D reduced MNPcell, suggesting a role of actin polymerization in MNP uptake by VSMCs; however, a myosin II ATPase inhibitor, blebbistatin, exhibited no effect. Cyclic strain also attenuated uptake of PAA-MNPs by LN-229 cells and uptake of poly-L-lysine-coated MNPs by VSMCs. Conclusion In such a dynamic milieu, cyclic strain may impede cellular internalization of nanocarriers, which spares the nanocarriers and augments their delivery to the target site in the lumen of vessels or outside of the circulatory system.
Measurement of sewer sediments with acoustic technology: from laboratory to field experiments

Abstract Monitoring sewer sediments is necessary to better understand sedimentation and erosion processes. Sonar is one of the available techniques to proceed to sewer sediment measurements. Extraction of numerical data, implementation of a new algorithm to identify the water-sediment interface, laboratory and field experiments have been done to evaluate the device, to quantify uncertainties and to test the sonar under various conditions. Results demonstrate that: 1) uncertainties in repeatability are less than 4%, 2) the sonar delivers accurate results under various conditions (small to large sewers and grit chambers), and 3) in situ measurements are affected by uncertainties, mainly due to the fact that the sensor is not in a fixed position but is floating on the free surface in the sewer. This device is useful and accurate for semi-automatic measurement but further research and improvements should be done to better know the position of the device in the section.
Genetic algorithm for optimization of L-shaped PIFA antennas

Two new designs of the L-shaped Planar Inverted–F Antenna (PIFA) antennas with single and dual polarization operating at the frequency band for IEEE 802.11b/g standard with satisfactory radiation characteristics are presented. We further propose a genetic algorithm (GA) embedded in CST Microwave Studio for optimizing these antenna parameters. The agreement of simulation and measurement results shows the performance of our joint model. Also, they show that our dual-polarization antenna is suitable for indoor Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) wireless environment applications.
N ONLINEAR FILTERING A PPROACHES TO FIELD MAPPING BY SAMPLING USING MOBILE SENSORS

This work proposes a novel application of existing powerful nonlinear filters, such as the standard Extended Kalman Filter (EKF), some of its variants and the standard Unscented Kalman Filter (UKF), to the estimation of a continuous spatio-temporal field that is spread over a wide area, and hence represented by a large number of parameters when parameterized. We couple these filters with the powerful scheme of adaptive sampling performed by a single mobile sensor , and investigate their performances with a view to significantly improving the speed and accuracy of the overall field estimation. An extensive simulation work was carried out to show that different variants of the standard EKF and the standard UKF can be used to improve the accuracy of the field estimate. This paper also aims to provide some guideline for the user of these filters in reaching a practical trade-off between the desired field estimation accuracy and the required computational load.
Effect of Customer Satisfaction on the Profitability of the Sacco Sector in Kenya. A Case of Thamani Sacco Society Limited Tharaka Nithi County

SACCOs are on the forefront to offer financial services to their members, with the liberalization of financial industry in Kenya, this has brought in more financial institutions providing accessible cheap loans. As a result of this, financial institutions including SACCOs are competing to attract and serve the same customers. The study sought to establish the effect of customer satisfaction on the profitability of Thamani SACCO in Tharaka Nithi County. The accessible population of the study are 45 selected employees of Thamani SACCO drawn from all the 5 branches in the County. Descriptive research design was adopted to conduct this study. Data collection was by means of a structured questionnaire utilizing both closed and open-ended questions. Qualitative data was analysed via the coding of themes and concepts from which generalization was conducted. Quantitate data was analysed using descriptive statistics (frequency distribution table) Inferential statistics used included ANOVA techniques and correlation analysis to establish the relationship between research variables. The questionnaire was pre-tested to establish the reliability and viability of the questionnaire instrument. The study findings revealed a strong and substantial correlation between Sacco profitability and Customer satisfaction indicators (r=0.554, p=0.000) and that customer Satisfaction and Sacco Profitability were positively and significantly related (β =0.137, p=0.001), The study recommended that the Sacco sector in Tharaka Nithi County can use customer satisfaction as a strategic action to enhance Sacco profitability and counter competitive pressure in the industry, the study further recommended for a different study looking at the different Customer satisfaction indicators affecting Sacco profitability in Kenya.
Action research investigation into the process of teaming in one school district

Working as an insider in collaboration with other insiders, this participatory action research study, through two action research cycles of diagnosing, planning, taking action, and evaluating, explored the implementation of preK-12 vertical teaming in a school district with a traditional culture. This study was guided by two research questions: (a) To what extent, if at all, have the preK-12 vertical teams understood the principles and characteristics of teaming? ; and (b) What is the experience of the vertical teams in the organization learning to function from a radical transition during a top-down leadership to teaming? Cycle One was the implementation of district teaming focusing on district teaming structures and administrator professional development. Cycle Two was the implementation of preK-12 vertical teams led by teacher leaders and a new district evaluative team comprised of teacher leaders over the preK-12 vertical teams with a focus on teacher leader and team professional development. Through a series of three or four three-hour meetings with four vertical teams, two three-hour meetings with the Data Analysis and Assessment Team, two interviews with teacher leaders, personal journaling, and analysis of team artifacts such as team meeting notes and professional development, this study documented the experience of
Tablet Applications for the Elderly: Specific Usability Guidelines

While the world population is aging, the technological progress is steadily increasing. Smartphones and tablets belong to a growing market and even more people aged 65 and above are using such touch devices. However, with advancing age normal cognitive, sensory, perceptual and motor changes influence psychological and physical capabilities and therefore the way the elderly are able to use tablet-applications. When designing tablet-applications for the elderly developers have to be supported in understanding these capabilities. Therefore, this thesis provides a comprehensive compilation of usability guidelines in order to develop user-friendly tablet-applications for older people. The development and testing of an exemplary tablet-application within this thesis shows how these guidelines can be brought into practice and how this realization is evaluated by test persons in this age group.
Transparency in Software Engineering

Transparency has the meaning of making information visible to people. Good transparency enhances the reputation of organisations and enables people to make informed decisions. Transparency is widely used in software engineering, but it is unclear how the concept of transparency might help software development. Two questions inspire this thesis: What is transparency in software engineering? How useful is transparency to software development? Current definitions in software development lack specific measurable characteristics and ways to measure transparency. We propose an introductory definition of transparency as it relates to software development: the degree to which stakeholders can answer their questions by using the information they obtain about a software system during its life cycle. This definition rests on three attributes: accessibility, understandability, and relevance. These attributes affect stakeholder's ability to see the information necessary to achieve their goals. We use evidence from an exploratory survey which asks software practitioners their personal opinions about transparency. We also collect evidence from a controlled experiment which compares two software artefacts with different degrees of transparency in presenting functional requirements to software practitioners and tertiary students. This experiment enables us to test how useful transparency is in requirements engineering. The results from the exploratory survey reveal that software practitioners encounter transparency problems during communication in their software projects. The findings from the controlled experiment illustrate that a more transparent software artefact is more effective in presenting functional requirements than a less transparent software artefact. Future research in this area will give software developers a diagnostic framework which enables them to articulate transparency problems and to improve communication in the software life cycle.
Enhanced 3D Shape Reconstruction With Knowledge Graph of Category Concept

Reconstructing three-dimensional (3D) objects from images has attracted increasing attention due to its wide applications in computer vision and robotic tasks. Despite the promising progress of recent deep learning–based approaches, which directly reconstruct the full 3D shape without considering the conceptual knowledge of the object categories, existing models have limited usage and usually create unrealistic shapes. 3D objects have multiple forms of representation, such as 3D volume, conceptual knowledge, and so on. In this work, we show that the conceptual knowledge for a category of objects, which represents objects as prototype volumes and is structured by graph, can enhance the 3D reconstruction pipeline. We propose a novel multimodal framework that explicitly combines graph-based conceptual knowledge with deep neural networks for 3D shape reconstruction from a single RGB image. Our approach represents conceptual knowledge of a specific category as a structure-based knowledge graph. Specifically, conceptual knowledge acts as visual priors and spatial relationships to assist the 3D reconstruction framework to create realistic 3D shapes with enhanced details. Our 3D reconstruction framework takes an image as input. It first predicts the conceptual knowledge of the object in the image, then generates a 3D object based on the input image and the predicted conceptual knowledge. The generated 3D object satisfies the following requirements: (1) it is consistent with the predicted graph in concept, and (2) consistent with the input image in geometry. Extensive experiments on public datasets (i.e., ShapeNet, Pix3D, and Pascal3D+) with 13 object categories show that (1) our method outperforms the state-of-the-art methods, (2) our prototype volume-based conceptual knowledge representation is more effective, and (3) our pipeline-agnostic approach can enhance the reconstruction quality of various 3D shape reconstruction pipelines.