Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adaptive Machine Learning for Credit Card Fraud Detection

Billions of dollars of loss are caused every year by fraudulent credit card transactions. The design of efficient fraud detection algorithms is key for reducing these losses, and more and more algorithms rely on advanced machine learning techniques to assist fraud investigators. The design of fraud detection algorithms is however particularly challenging due to the non-stationary distribution of the data, the highly unbalanced classes distributions and the availability of few transactions labeled by fraud investigators. At the same time public data are scarcely available for confidentiality issues, leaving unanswered many questions about what is the best strategy. In this thesis we aim to provide some answers by focusing on crucial issues such as: i) why and how undersampling is useful in the presence of class imbalance (i.e. frauds are a small percentage of the transactions), ii) how to deal with unbalanced and evolving data streams (non-stationarity due to fraud evolution and change of spending behavior), iii) how to assess performances in a way which is relevant for detection and iv) how to use feedbacks provided by investigators on the fraud alerts generated. Finally, we design and assess a prototype of a Fraud Detection System able to meet real-world working conditions and that is able to integrate investigators’ feedback to generate accurate alerts.
Knowledge Requirements and Unmet Needs of Informal Caregivers of Patients with End-Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) Receiving Haemodialysis: A Narrative Review

Background: Patients with end-stage kidney disease receiving haemodialysis rely heavily on informal caregivers to support them living at home. Informal caregiving may exact a toll on caregivers’ physical, emotional, and social well-being, impacting negatively on their overall quality of life. The aim of this narrative review is to report knowledge requirements and needs of informal caregivers of patients with end stage kidney disease (ESKD) receiving haemodialysis. Methods: The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Reporting Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA). Five electronic databases were searched: Web of Science, PsycINFO, Embase, Medline, and CINAHL to identify the experiences and unmet needs of informal caregivers of patients with end stage kidney disease (ESKD) receiving haemodialysis. Results: Eighteen papers were included in the review and incorporated a range of methodological approaches. There are several gaps in the current literature around knowledge and informational needs and skills required by informal caregivers, such as signs and symptoms of potential complications, dietary requirements, and medication management. Although most research studies in this review illustrate the difficulties and challenges faced by informal caregivers, there is a paucity of information as to which support mechanisms would benefit caregivers. Conclusion: Informal caregivers provide invaluable assistance in supporting people with ESKD undergoing haemodialysis. These informal caregivers however experience multiple unmet needs which has a detrimental effect on their health and negatively influences the extent to which they can adequately care for patients. The development of supportive interventions is essential to ensure that informal caregivers have the requisite knowledge and skills to allow them to carry out their vital role.
Loop-Star Functions Including Multibranch Rao-Wilton-Glisson Basis Functions

A quasi-Helmholtz decomposition with loop-star basis functions including multibranch Rao-Wilton-Glisson (MB-RWG) basis functions is proposed for electromagnetic scattering problems on an object with multiple surfaces. The loop and star basis functions in the interior region of each surface are generated with RWG functions, and those loop functions and star functions at the bordering lines between different surfaces are constructed with MB-RWG and RWG functions. With MB-RWG functions, the proposed loop-star scheme can be applied to two adjacent surfaces with different mesh resolutions directly. Some numerical examples are presented at low frequencies to verify the accuracy of the method.
Noncontact optical displacement measurements by dynamic contrast auto focusing for slow oscillatory motion

Abstract. A noncontact displacement system suitable for tracking slow moving surfaces with low reflectivity is demonstrated. The displacement is measured by dynamic tracking of the moving focal plane of the sample under test. The system comprises a camera, a vertical digital piezo driver, and a data acquisition module. The tracking effect is achieved by continuously driving the sample with a 2-μm sweep around the focal plane, simultaneously acquiring the sample position and images of the part of the sample defined as a region of interest (ROI). The position of the focal plane is identified by fitting the contrast of the ROI versus the stage position to a Gaussian function. Using an ROI provides the ability to test various regions across the object and eliminates the demand for the surface to be flat or reflective. The system is low cost, is applicable to a large variety of samples and has an accuracy better than 10 nm.
Dual-band bandpass filter with source-load coupling

A compact dual-band bandpass filter is presented for wireless LAN applications. Using two centrally-loaded stepped-impedance resonators, the second passband frequency can be conveniently tuned. Two transmission zeros are generated between the two passbands because of source-loading coupling topology. Simulated results show that two central frequencies are located at desired 2.4 and 5.7 GHz with 3 dB fractional bandwidths of 18.8 and 7.1%, respectively. Comparison of measured and simulated results shows good agreement.
Harmonic suppression compensation of photovoltaic generation using cascaded active power filter

The wide spectrum of electromagnetism that explains current and voltage at specific time and location in a power system is referred to as power quality. Alternative energies are becoming more popular due to concerns about power quality, safety, and the environment, as well as commercial incentives. Moreover, photovoltaic (PV) energy is one of the most well-known renewable resources since it is free to gather, unlimited, and considerably cleaner. Active power filter (APF) is an effective means to dynamically suppress harmonics and solve power quality problems caused by the DC side voltage fluctuation. Therefore, this paper describes a substantial advancement in the harmonic suppression compensation algorithm, as well as the cascaded active power filter. Also, this paper focuses on compensating the error of photovoltaic grid-connected generation based on optimized H-bridge cascaded APF. The details of the working principle and topological structure of the APF used as the compensation device are analyzed. The H-bridge cascaded APF is optimized using the segmented variable step-length conductance increment (SVSLCI) algorithm. The overall cascaded APF control strategy is designed and simulated using MatLab/Simulink environment. By the simulation results comparing the existing traction network power quality control measures, before and after compensation, the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy is verified. The proposed controller strengthens the compensation of specific odd harmonics to improve the system work models and criteria to improve power quality. Moreover, the proposed algorithm showed positive significance for optimizing the quality of photovoltaic grid-connected power, reducing the current harmonic, and improving the equipment utilization of photovoltaic inverters.
“Obesity and Insulin Resistance” Is the Component of the Metabolic Syndrome Most Strongly Associated with Oxidative Stress

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is not a homogeneous entity, but this term refers to the coexistence of factors that increase the risk for the development of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. There are different versions of the criteria for the diagnosis of MS, which makes the population of patients diagnosed with MS heterogeneous. Research to date shows that MS is associated with oxidative stress (OS), but it is unclear which MS component is most strongly associated with OS. The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between the parameters of OS and the presence of individual elements of MS in young adults, as well as to identify the components of MS by means of principal components analysis (PCA) and to investigate how the parameters of OS correlate with the presence of individual components. The study included 724 young adults with or without a family history of coronary heart disease (population of the MAGNETIC study). Blood samples were taken from the participants of the study to determine peripheral blood counts, biochemical parameters, and selected parameters of OS. In addition, blood pressure and anthropometric parameters were measured. In subjects with MS, significantly lower activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), copper- and zinc-containing SOD (CuZnSOD), and manganese-containing SOD (MnSOD) were found, along with significantly higher total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and significantly lower concentration of thiol groups per gram of protein (PSH). We identified three components of MS by means of PCA: “Obesity and insulin resistance”, “Dyslipidemia”, and “Blood pressure”, and showed the component “Obesity and insulin resistance” to have the strongest relationship with OS. In conclusion, we documented significant differences in some parameters of OS between young adults with and without MS. We showed that “Obesity and insulin resistance” is the most important component of MS in terms of relationship with OS.
An Automated Statechart Diagram Assessment using Semantic and Structural Similarities

— The statechart diagram is a behavior diagram in the unified modeling language (UML) diagram. Numerous state chart diagrams are taught in computer science majors. In teaching and learning activities, the assessment process is essential. A teacher is required to be objective in assessing. However, objectivity can be affected by inconsistency and fatigue. Thus, an automatic assessment is very important. Automatic assessments can help teachers save time while assessing answers given by multiple students. By combining semantic and structural similarities, we propose a method to evaluate statechart diagrams automatically. Semantic comparison is conducted based on the lexical information from the states and transitions between the two diagrams. We then use a combination of cosine similarity, Wu palmer, and WordNet to assess the semantic similarity between the two diagrams. The structural assessment is conducted on the basis of the structure of the two diagrams using the greedy graph edit distance. The diagram structure is obtained by translating the diagram into several graphs. The graph is divided into two types of subgraphs, namely intraSim subgraph and interSim subgraph. Further, our results demonstrate that the proposed method agrees well with the state chart diagram assessed by the teacher. The agreement value between the teacher and our proposed method is an almost perfect agreement. In the assessment process, we observe that teachers see the structure of the statechart diagram instead of the lexical of the statechart diagram.
Improving the unit for melting cheese masses

This paper reports the improved model of the unit for melting cheese masses. The device differs in the technique of heat supply to working tanks through the replacement of a steam jacket with heating by a flexible film resistive electric heater of radiative type (FFREhRT). The heat exchange surface of the working container was increased through heating the mixing device by FFREhRT. In addition, the unit is distinguished by utilizing secondary thermal energy of melting cheese masses (35.95 °C) by converting it with Peltier elements into a low-voltage power supply to autonomous fans (3.5.12 W) in order to cool the control unit. Such a solution would improve the efficiency of the proposed structure, which is explained by reducing the dimensional and weight parameters of the cheese melting unit by replacing the steam heating technique with an electric one. A decrease in the time to enter a stationary mode (85 °C) when melting cheese masses was experimentally confirmed: for the bowl of the examined unit ‒ 575 s, compared to the analog ‒ 725 s. That confirms the reduction in the time to enter a stationary mode by 21 % compared to the base unit B6-OPE-400. The estimation has established a 1.2-time decrease in the main indicator of resource efficiency of the specific energy consumption for heating the volume of a unit of product in the improved plant for melting cheese masses – 3,037.2 kJ/kg, compared to the base B6-OPE-400 – 3,672.5 kJ/kg. The results confirm an increase in resource efficiency that is achieved by the elimination of steam heat networks; the increased heat exchange surface of working bowls by heating the stirrer with the help of FFREhRT. The heat transfer that employs FFREhRT simplifies the operational indicators of the temperature stabilization system in the bowl of the cheese mass melting unit. The results reported here may prove useful when designing thermal equipment with electric heating while using secondary thermal energy.
Using image theory for finite electrostatic problems-some observations and guidelines

The following question is examined: can image theory be used to provide reasonably accurate results for electrostatic problems involving finite conducting structures? The moment method is used in this investigation to determine the surface charge distribution induced on a finite conducting plane by a point charge above the plane. The size of the plane and position of the charge are arbitrary. Results are compared with those obtained from image theory for various point charge positions. These results can provide guidelines regarding when it is appropriate to use image theory to obtain reasonably accurate results for electrostatic problems involving finite conducting structures.
An Iterative Deferred Acceptance Mechanism for Decentralized, Fast and Fair Childcare Assignment

We design and implement an iterative, program-proposing deferred acceptance mechanism with ties (IDAT) and apply it to childcare assignment in two German cities. The mechanism can accommodate complementarities in providers’ preferences, is fast to terminate even in larger cities, is difficult to manipulate in practice, and produces stable allocations. It can be further sped up by introducing two new features. First, allowing for an arbitrary share of facilities who participate in a centralized manner by submitting a rank-order-list over applicants. Second, by breaking ties in applicants’ rankorder-lists on a first-come-first-serve basis, which sets incentives for programs to propose faster. JEL-Classification: C78, D02, D47, D82, I24
A Role for ER-Beta in the Effects of Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and 27-Hydroxycholesterol on Breast Cancer Progression: Involvement of the IGF Signalling Pathway?

Cholesterol—in particular, high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and its metabolite, 27-hydroxycholesterol (27-OHC)—is correlated with increases in the risks of breast cancer and obesity. Although the high expression of LDL/27-OHC has been reported in breast cancer, its effects and mechanism of action remain to be fully elucidated. In this study, we found that the effects of LDL on cell proliferation were mediated by the activation of the cytochrome P450 enzyme, sterol 27 hydroxylase, and cholesterol 27-hydroxylase (CYP27A1) in both ER-α-positive and ER-α-negative breast cancer cells. We found that treatment with 27-OHC only increased cell growth in oestrogen receptor-α (ER-α)-positive breast cancer cells in an ER-α-dependent manner, but, interestingly, the effects of 27-OHC on cell migration and invasion were independent of ER-α. Using ER-α-negative MDA-MB-231 cells, we found that 27-OHC similarly promoted cell invasion and migration, and this was mediated by oestrogen receptor β (ER-β). These results suggest that 27-OHC promotes breast cancer cell proliferation in ER-α-positive breast cancer cells via ER-α, but migration and invasion are mediated via ER-β in ER-α positive and negative cell lines. The addition of LDL/27OHC increased the production of IGF-I and the abundance of IGF-IR in TNBC. We further found that modulating ER-β using an agonist or antagonist increased or decreased, respectively, levels of the IGF-I and EGF receptors in TNBC. The inhibition of the insulin-like growth factor receptor blocked the effects of cholesterol on cell growth and the migration of TNBC. Using TCGA and METABRIC microarray expression data from invasive breast cancer carcinomas, we also observed that higher levels of ER-beta were associated with higher levels of IGF-IR. Thus, this study shows novel evidence that ER-β is central to the effects of LDL/27OHC on invasion, migration, and the IGF and EGF axes. Our data suggest that targeting ER-β in TNBC could be an alternative approach for downregulating IGF/EGF signalling and controlling the impact of LDL in breast cancer patients.
Efficacy of a standardized Centella asiatica (ECa 233) extract against allodynia in a mouse model of temporomandibular osteoarthritis

Prolonged inflammation causing tissue injury can induce chronic pain hypersensitivity (allodynia and hyperalgesia). Osteoarthritis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ-OA) is a common cause of chronic allodynia encountered in dental practice, but many currently available treatments induce intolerable side effects. In this study, we investigated the potential efficacy of a standardized Centella asiatica extract (ECa 233) on allodynia in a TMJ-OA mouse model established by an injection of complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) into the TMJ. After CFA injection, animals daily received oral administration of vehicle, 0.14 g/kg ibuprofen (positive control), 30 mg/kg ECa 233, or 100 mg/kg ECa 233. Behavioral pain responses were examined by air-puff tests before and after CFA injection on days 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28. On day 28, TMJ-OA pathology was assessed by changes in articular cartilage thickness and graded according to the Osteoarthritis Cartilage Histopathology Assessment (OCHA) system. In the CFA + vehicle group, pain response scores increased gradually, reaching statistical significance compared to untreated Sham controls on days 14, 21, and 28. On day 28, OCHA grade score was 3.5±0.35, and articular cartilage thickness was reduced compared to the Sham group. Both ECa 233 doses significantly attenuated pain response scores and also slowed degeneration of the TMJ with efficacy comparable to ibuprofen. We conclude that ECa 233 can protect against mechanical allodynia and cartilage degeneration in a mouse model of TMJ-OA.
Internet Infrastructure Topology Assessment

The study presents the performed research on the analysis of the Internet network of a region formed of stochastically interconnected sub-networks, as one system and searching for the ways to identify the indicators of support of reliability, continuity of functioning and quality of services of such system. Different types of AS ant its interconnections identified and graphs metrics, node degree and node degree distributions, proposed to be used for the analysis of network topology. Assessment of Lithuanian Internet network identified that regional network infrastructure is segmented out of proportion in relation to AS and AS connection types which means that interconnection nodes of special importance with crucial influence onto the functioning of the Internet network come into existence).
Development and Validation of a Questionnaire to Assess the Determinants of Dietary Adherence Among Patients After Bariatric Surgery

Purpose This study was aimed to develop a questionnaire to assess the determinants of dietary adherence among patients after bariatric surgery based on the attitude-social influence-efficacy (ASE) model and to evaluate its psychometric properties. Patients and Methods According to semi-structured interview, Delphi expert consultation and pilot study, the initial questionnaire was formed and applied to investigate 319 patients after bariatric surgery in a tertiary hospital in Jiangsu Province, China. The reliability and validity of the scale were tested. Results The 28-item of the attitude-social influence-efficacy questionnaire after bariatric surgery (ASEQBS) was formed. The results of exploratory factor analysis showed that four factors, including intention, attitude, social influence, and self-efficacy, could be extracted, and the cumulative variance contribution rate reached 59.98%. Confirmatory factor analysis showed the model fit well. The content validity index of each item was 0.800–1.000, and the content validity index of the ASEQBS was 0.857. The total Cronbach’s α of the ASEQBS was 0.920, the split-half reliability was 0.774, and the retest reliability was 0.922. Conclusion The results suggest that ASEQBS is a valid and reliable measure of determinants of dietary adherence. It may be useful to evaluate the influence factors of dietary adherence and helpful to evaluate the efficacy of tailored dietary intervention programs.
Computational study of Richness and Diversity Indices of fish species in rivers and other wetland areas and fish marketplaces under Kurigram District, Banglades

The present study revealed that a total of 101 indigenous species of large fish (28 species) and Small Indigenous fish (73 species) belonging to 63 genera and 31 families were observed and identified while 17 exotic fish species were found under 5 families. Among the indigenous species, the highest number of species were found in family Cyprinidae and Bagridae with a relative diversity of 28.28% and 11.11%. In case of group species richness, highest number 27 fish species were found in catfish group followed by 12 species of carp, 8 species of each barbs and minnows, 6 species of eel fish, 8 species of loaches, 4 species of each prawn, snake-headed or airbreathing fish and glass perches, 3 species of each climbing perches and clupeid, 2 species of each goby fish, knifefish and puffer fish, and rest of the group true perch, leaf fish, halfbeak fish, Needlefish, mullet fish, anchovies and killifish has one species. Of the total species, 47 species were considered as least concerned, 10 species as vulnerable, 11 species as endangered, 11 species as critically endangered, 14 species as nearly threatened and 8 species as data deficient. Considering the seasonal variation for all selected areas simultaneously, Shannon-Weaver diversity (H) index were found ranged from 3.53 (May) to 4.37 (January) where the highest Shannon -Weaver diversity index value 4.37 were found in winter season while 3.01 in Phulkumar, 3.73 in Dudhkumar, 3.87 in Dharla, 3.67 in Tista and 3.79 in Brahmaputra were recorded separately.