Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Unravelling black box machine learning methods using biplots

Following the development of new mathematical techniques, the improvement of computer processing power and the increased availability of possible explanatory variables, the financial services industry is moving toward the use of new machine learning methods, such as neural networks, and away from older methods such as generalised linear models. However, their use is currently limited because they are seen as “black box” models, which gives predictions without justifications and which are therefore not understood and cannot be trusted. The goal of this dissertation is to expand on the theory and use of biplots to visualise the impact of the various input factors on the output of the machine learning black box. Biplots are used because they give an optimal two-dimensional representation of the data set on which the machine learning model is based. The biplot allows every point on the biplot plane to be converted back to the original p-dimensions – in the same format as is used by the machine learning model. This allows the output of the model to be represented by colour coding each point on the biplot plane according to the output of an independently calibrated machine learning model. The interaction of the changing prediction probabilities – represented by the coloured output – in relation to the data points and the variable axes and category level points represented on the biplot, allows the machine learning model to be globally and locally interpreted. By visualing the models and their predictions, this dissertation aims to remove the stigma of calling non-linear models “black box” models and encourage their wider application in the financial services industry. Acknowledgements “If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants” – Sir Isaac Newton I would like to thank the Giants on whose shoulders I stood on during the writing of this dissertation, and without whom it would not have been possible to even attempt it. To my parents, for a lifetime of continuous support and motivation and their unfailing believe in my abilities to succeed. To Professor Francesca Little, for all the help and support during the course work preceeding the dissertation. To Professor Sugnet Lubbe, for suggesting the topic and for all the hours she spent explaining biplots to me and reviewing my notes. And through her, to Professor Niël le Roux, and through him, to Professor John Gower.
Prevalence of Khat chewing and associated factors in Ethiopia

Abstract Background: Chewing of the leaves of the plant khat (Catha edulis Forsk) is a common habit in some countries of East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Khat is chewed by an estimated 20 million population every day in the Arabian Peninsula and in Eastern Africa region including Ethiopia. Ethiopia is believed to be the country of origin of khat where millions chew khat on a daily bases. Khat is also one of Ethiopia's biggest export commodities. This particular study assessed the prevalence of khat chewing and its predictors in Ethiopia. Method: We used a community based cross-sectional data collected in 2015 as part of the National STEPs survey on NCD risk factors. The target population for this survey was all men and women aged 15-69 years who had been living at their place of residence for at least six months prior to the survey. A mix of stratified, three-stage cluster and simple random sampling were used to the study setting or clusters and households. The sampling frame was based on the population and housing census conducted in Ethiopia in 2007. A total of 10,260 households were selected from the 513 enumeration areas. Data were collected using WHO STEPS questionnaire and a locally constructed structured questionnaire to collect data on life time and current khat chewing and associated factors. Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 20, descriptive statistics as well as association tests were carried out. Result: Nineteen percent of the respondents had ever chewed khat where among these, the majority (83%) were current khat chewers giving an overall prevalence of current khat chewing rate of 15.8% (21.1% of males and 9.4% of females). Khat was significantly higher in Afar [AOR and (95% CI)] [7.23 (2.01-26.01)], Dire Dawa [AOR and (95% CI)] [5.945 (2.116-16.706)], Harari [AOR and (95% CI)] [5.83 (1.49-22.87)] and Somali [AOR and (95% CI)] [4.315 (1.36-13.71)] among others. Similarly, the odds of khat chewing in urban areas [AOR and (95% CI)] [1.726 (1.18-2.53)] and current users of tobacco [AOR and (95% CI)] [2.882 (1.744 to 4.764)] were higher than their counterparts. Those who were in the third and fourth quartile income ranges [AOR and (95% CI)] 0.612 (0.384-0.974)], [AOR and (95% CI)] [0.508(0.309-0.84)] and those in high school education [AOR and (95% CI)] [0.386 (0.213-0.70)] were less likely to use Khat respectively. Conclusion: Almost 1 out of 5 respondents had ever chewed khat and among these, the vast majority, more than 80%, reported to have been current khat chewers. Being educated and in a better economic status were the protective factors for current khat chewing Current tobacco use was associated with khat chewing increasing the risk to NCDs. Hence, policy measures aiming at prevention of khat chewing are recommended. Further studies aiming at problematic khat chewing and associated psychosocial and physical health problems is recommended. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2017;31(Special Issue):320-230] Key words: Ethiopia, Risk Factors, Khat, NCD, Protective Factors, Tobacco
Development of a Process for Migration of Data from Relational to Non-Relational Database

--- As we know the world is moving towards the cloud computing very fast, it has become the need of every sector. Cloud computing is one of the rapid growing and fast adapting technology so data confidentiality and other issues are also growing and it needs to be resolved and deal on prior basis. The purpose of this paper is to identify reliability issues of cloud based applications in mass media sector of Malaysia and how world have suffered due this problem and as well as how Malaysia can suffer in future if they not constantly work on this domain. This paper consists of various incidents and thorough those we can identify the importance of cloud computing security.
Low back pain and disability in military police: an epidemiological study

Introduction: The low back pain is a major public health problem in industrialized societies, commonly affecting the adult population. The occupation is considered as a risk factor, especially those functions that require physical effort, we have as example the job of the military police, who are exposed to several risk factors, both those who perform administrative activities, and those who perform the ostensive policing. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of low back pain among military police, as well the presence of disability and associated factors. Methods: This is an analytical cross-sectional study. Was evaluated the level of disability, pain before and after the work shift, flexibility, postural alterations and anthropometric measures. It was used the regression analysis, considering 95% CI and p < 0.05. Were interviewed 97 military police with mean age of 39.30 (± 5.33), all males. Results: The complaint of low back pain was significantly larger after the work shift, and 82.5% reported difficulties in daily life activities due to low back pain. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of low back pain and impairment in daily life activities because of military police. The data presented reinforce the need to consider low back pain as a public health problem that affects the whole population, especially the military police.
End-to-End Learning of Social Behaviors for Humanoid Robots

Social robots should understand the user’s nonverbal behavior and respond appropriately. Machine learning is one way of implementing the social intelligence. It provides the ability to automatically learn and improve from experience instead of explicitly telling the robot what to do. This paper proposes an end-to-end machine learning method to learn social behaviors for humanoid robots. We adapt sequence-to-sequence architecture consisting of two long short-term memory (LSTM) units. One is an LSTM encoder for encoding the previous sequence of human poses, and the other is an LSTM decoder for generating the next sequence of robot poses. The weights of the LSTMs are trained using human-human interaction data such as greeting and handshaking. The trained model is implemented in a humanoid robot, Pepper, to show its feasibility. Experimental results show that the robot can generate gestures appropriate to the situation and recognize subtle differences in user behavior. In addition, when a user’s behavior changes, the transition to another behavior occurs naturally.
Efficacy of a Physical Training Program on Pregnancy Related Lumbopelvic Pain

Objectives: A large number of women suffer from lumbopelvic pain during pregnancy. This pain continues in considerable percentage of women after pregnancy and causes considerable distress and disability. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of a physical training program on lumbopelvic pain and its physical disability during pregnancy. Materials and Methods: A quasi-experimental study was performed to investigate the effects of a physical training program in women with lumbopelvic pain in 2010-2011. A total of 180 pregnant women were randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 90) and control groups (n = 90). The physical training program consisted of stretching and strengthening exercises and body posture modifications. This 12-week program was administered to the intervention group only and the control group received the routine prenatal care. The main outcome for measurement were pain and physical disability that was assessed at baseline and 12 weeks post treatment by visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index, respectively. Results: There was no significant difference in pain intensity and physical disability between groups before intervention (P > 0.05), however pain and physical disability decreased significantly in the intervention group (P < 0.05). Conclusions: It seems that a designed physical program and body postures modification may reduce the severity of lumbopelvic pain and its related disability in pregnant women. It is recommended that midwives emphasize the importance of back pain and pelvic pain in prenatal counseling sessions and provide solutions for pain relief, including physical exercise and posture modification. Â© 2018 The Author (s).
Prognostic value of quantitative coronary artery calcium and myocardial blood flow assessed by hybrid rubidium-82 PET/CT imaging in patients with suspected coronary artery disease

Background: Aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term prognostic value of coronary artery calcium (CAC) score and myocardial blood flow (MBF) by hybrid 82Rb positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) imaging in a cohort of patients with low-intermediate risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: A total of 295 (mean age 57 ± 14 years) consecutive patients were studied. CAC score was measured according to the Agatston method and patients were categorized into 3 groups (0, 1-399 and ≥400). Baseline and hyperemic MBF were automatically quantified. CFR was calculated as the ratio of hyperemic to baseline MBF and it was considered reduced when <2. Patients were followed up for the presence of composite end point of cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or unstable angina requiring coronary revascularization whichever occurred first. Results: The median follow-up was 48±18 months and follow-up data were not available in 26 patients (8%). Patients who experienced event showed a higher ln(CAC + 1) and a lower CFR values as compared to patients without event, while no differences has been observed in baseline and hyperemic MBF between the two groups. Event rate significantly increased with increasing of CAC score categories (P for trend = .000) and it was higher in patients with reduced CFR (P = .001). At multivariable analysis CAC score ≥400 (P = .007) and CFR (P = .03) were independent predictors of events. Event-free survival decreased with worsening of CAC score category (P <.001) and in patients with reduced CFR (P <.005). CAC score added prognostic information to a model including in hierarchical order clinical variables, increasing the global chi-square from 21.65 to 28.78 (P = .005). Moreover, the addition of CFR to a model including clinical data and CAC score further significantly increased global chi-square from 28.78 to 34.76 (P = .002). Conclusions: In patients with suspected CAD both the extent of coronary calcification and the presence of coronary vascular dysfunction are associated with increased risk of adverse cardiac events, even after adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors. CAC score≥400 and CFR resulted both as independent predictors of events. However, CFR provides incremental prognostic information over established CAD risk factors and CAC score for predicting cardiac adverse events. Combined evaluation of functional and structural abnormalities might allow risk stratification in patients with low-intermediate risk of CAD
Retentivity Beats prior Knowledge as Predictor for the Acquisition and Adaptation of New Production Processes

In the time of digitalization the demand for organizational change is rising and demands ways to cope with fundamental changes on the organizational as well as individual level. As a basis, learning and forgetting mechanisms need to be understood in order to guide a change process efficiently and successfully. Our research aims to get a better understanding of individual differences and mechanisms in the change context by performing an experiment where individuals learn and later re-learn a complex production process using a simulation setting. The individual’s performance, as well as retentivity and prior knowledge is assessed. Our results show that higher retentivity goes along with better learning and forgetting performances. Prior knowledge did not reveal such relation to the learning and forgetting performances. The influence of age and gender is discussed in detail.
A Novel Energy Supply Strategy for Stable Sensor Data Delivery in Wireless Sensor Networks

Recently, extensive studies have been performed on simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT) and energy harvesting (EH) from both radio frequency (RF) and ambient energy sources. The application of these technologies in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) reduces the dependence on battery energy. However, there are few studies on the energy supply strategy for a whole WSN system. In this article, using a tree-based WSN, we propose a novel energy supply strategy for a whole system by combining SWIPT and EH from both RF and ambient energy sources. To this end, the sensing data transmission schedules for all sensor nodes are derived and then, the frame structure and operation are analyzed in real time. Our extensive simulation results prove that the implementation of the novel energy supply system in WSNs can provide stable data delivery and guarantee a perpetual energy supply for WSNs if the parameters are carefully designed based on our proposed principles.
Identification of Markers in Challenging Conditions for People with Visual Impairment Using Convolutional Neural Network

People with visual impairment face a lot of difficulties in their daily activities. Several researches have been conducted to find smart solutions using mobile devices to help people with visual impairment perform tasks. This paper focuses on using assistive technology to help people with visual impairment in indoor navigation using markers. The essential steps of a typical navigation system are identifying the current location, finding the shortest path to the destination, and navigating safely to the destination using navigation feedback. In this research, the authors proposed a system to help people with visual impairment in indoor navigation using markers. In this system, the authors have re-defined the identification step to a classification problem and used convolutional neural networks to identify markers. The main contributions of this paper are: (1) A system to help people with visual impairment in indoor navigation using markers. (2) Comparing QR codes with Aruco markers to prove that Aruco markers work better. (3) Convolutional neural network has been implemented and simplified to detect the candidate markers in challenging conditions and improve response time. (4) Comparing the proposed model with another model to prove that it gives better accuracy for training and testing.
Quand le numérique interroge la culture scolaire

Cette contribution propose d’interroger le lien entre innovation technologique et innovation pedagogique dans le domaine de l’education au developpement durable. La double analyse educationnelle et communicationnelle d’une sequence pedagogique mediee par les TIC permet de montrer que le potentiel novateur de ces medias informatises en education s’inscrit dans les rapports changeant qu’ils induisent dans la culture scolaire traditionnelle par la materialisation de contenus produits par les eleves au cours de l’action educative. Dans le cadre d’une education a visee sociocritique, cette concretisation mediatique a un effet symbolique de legitimation des idees endogenes a la situation pedagogique qui serait en mesure de soutenir le developpement de competences ecosociales.
Kinematic Reliability Analysis of 3-PSS manipulator based on the explicit solution and design of experiment method

This paper aims at the kinematic reliability analysis of the 3-PSS parallel robot. Parallel manipulators bear many advantages like higher stiffness, more accuracy, and speed compared to the serial counterparts. Because of several uncertainty factors such as actuators error, links flexibility, etc. a robot moving platform cannot follow the desired trajectory without an error. In this study, at first, eight, and next twelve uncertainties that seem to affect the kinematics of robot are selected. Next, the probability distribution of the moving platform position is conducted using the closed-form kinematic relation of a robot and the Monte Carlo Simulation, then, the kinematic reliability is calculated for different levels of accuracy. As the closed-form kinematic relation between the actuators rate and the moving platform position cannot be obtained, a polynomial algebraic equation is fitted via the design of experiments method. Using fitted polynomial kinematic equation at hand, the reliability analysis is conducted and evaluated for different levels of accuracy. Also, an experimental reliability analysis is performed to evaluate the results which are obtained numerically. The results show that the difference between the reliability values obtained by the design of experiments and the Monte Carlo Simulation methods is %4.7, and between the design of experiments method and experimental data is %7.7. In the end, a sensitivity analysis is conducted to determine the influence of each uncertainty on the accuracy. Review History: Received: Revised: Accepted: Available Online:
The Family’s Push and Pull on Female Entrepreneurship: Evidence in China

ABSTRACT Although the effects of family on performance are well documented in the literature on entrepreneurship, few accounts explore the underlying mechanism of influence that the family has on female entrepreneurial performance. We divide family factors into demands and resources and develop a conceptual framework to explore the mediating effects of family–work relationships and the moderating roles of two boundary attributes in the relationship between family and female entrepreneurial performance. Our research conducted in western China reveals that family demands have a negative effect on female entrepreneurial performance while family resources have a positive effect; family–work relationships partially mediate the effects that family demands and resources have on female entrepreneurial performance; women whose families have greater flexibility are less likely to suffer from the negative effect of family–work conflict on their performance; and those whose family boundaries are less permeable are more likely to achieve higher performance with the help of family–work enrichment.
Acute encephalopathy in a person with spinal cord injury and chronic renal failure, treated with high doses of thiamine

Encephalopathy due to thiamine deficit is described mainly in alcohol addicted persons. Thiamine is one of the micronutrients that resulted deficient in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI), but no cases of acute encephalopathy due to thiamine deficit in SCI person is published. In this paper is reported an acute loss of consciousness in a person affected by sub-acute spinal cord injury (a spinal cord compression due to an hematoma), chronic renal failure (secondary to a nephrectomy for a widespread urinary bladder neoplasia and an atrophic contralateral kidney) in treatment by dialysis, and negative anamnesis for alcoholic abuse, recovered after four days of high doses of thiamine parenteral administration . Correspondence to: Stampacchia G, Spinal Cord Unit, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy, E-mail: g.stampacchia@ao-pisa.toscana. it
Blood and blood component transfusion on 30-day mortality and morbidity of infra-renal ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm

This thesis for the first time in the literature, through a single cohort (n=82), systematic review and meta-aggregation of the data, has identified that the majority (>85%) of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA) do not present with coagulopathy. In addition, the thesis for the first time, through a retro and prospective cohort study, has demonstrated that the hemostatic resuscitation protocols derived from military and civilian trauma for the correction of coagulopathy with a blood product ratio of one unit of packed red blood cell to one unit of fresh frozen plasma to one pool of platelet (1:1:1), contributes to increased postoperative (30-day) morbidity and mortality, especially thrombotic complications. This was attributed to different baseline demographics, pathophysiology and coagulation status. Through a comparative study, the thesis then confirms that such transfusion practice not only contributes to adverse outcomes, but also has no impact on final coagulation status of rAAAs. In addition, through a retro and prospective cohort study, a novel hematological marker (neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio) (NLR) was identified as an independent predictor of morbidity in rAAAs. This thesis was set on the background of significant research into all factors that could contribute to pathogenesis, inhibition and progression of rAAAs. This thesis concludes that the use of additional blood products (fresh frozen plasma and platelet) in hemostatic resuscitation of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms alongside packed red blood cell is not evidence based and a single protocol derived from one cohort (military and civilian trauma) of patients does not apply to another. The use of additional products in ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms should be tailored to the individual hematological and clinical requirements and not as a part of a set transfusion ratio (1:1:1). This thesis has resulted in a change of practice and has created a platform for further search of the optimal transfusion protocol in this cohort of patients.