Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Fog-Assisted Privacy-Preserving Task Allocation in Crowdsourcing

As a people-centric sensing paradigm, crowdsourcing has attracted considerable attention since it can solve a complicated task by gathering the wisdom of a crowd of workers. To increase the efficiency of task allocating and recruit suitable workers, the crowdsourcing server needs to obtain information related to task content and worker profiles, which poses a threat to privacy leaks of both tasks and workers. Although several privacy-preserving crowdsourcing mechanisms with simultaneously achieving task privacy and worker privacy have been proposed, there are two problems for these schemes, either the ability of workers is not taken into account or they are computationally intensive. To address the above problems simultaneously, fog-assisted privacy-preserving task allocation in crowdsourcing is proposed by means of the advantages of fog computing, which can not only achieve privacy protection of both the task and the worker but also alleviate the workers’ computational burden by offloading partial computation to the fog node. By applying threshold secret sharing technology, the proposed scheme enables that only workers satisfying task requirements can decrypt the task content, which achieves the verification of the workers’ ability and resists the attacks of the greedy workers. Then, rigorous security proofs about privacy properties are given in the proposed scheme. Finally, the proposed scheme is estimated through theoretical analysis and experiments. The experimental results show that compared with the current state-of-the-art scheme, the proposed scheme has more advantages in terms of computational cost and storage overhead. Especially for a worker, it only requires one pairing and two multiplication operations in the decrypting phase.
Proteinuria in Children Living with HIV on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (Haart)

Objective: To determine the prevalence of proteinuria in children living with HIV (CLHIV) and identify associated factors. Patients and methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study carried out from April to August 2017 in the HIV care centres in Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire. The study included CLHIV with dipstick urinalysis test “Combur10 Test® M”. Results: Thirty seven CLHIV on HAART presented a proteinuria, 21.8%. Children were male gender in 21 cases (56.8%) and female gender in 16 cases (43.2%). Mean age was 10.9 ± 3.9 years. The children were infected with type 1 virus in 35 cases (94.6%), vertical transmission in all the cases (100%). Children were living with HIV for about 2 to 4 years of average n = 18 (48.6%) and they were WHO clinical stage 2 in 18 cases (48.6%). 13 children (35%) had CD4 level 3. All CLHIV (100%) were on HAART thus 20 (37.7%) on the combination of zidovudine (AZT), lamivudine (3TC) and nevirapine (NVP). This combination AZT, 3TC, NVP was a protective factor regarding the occurrence of proteinuria (OR: 0.43; IC (95%). Conclusion: Proteinuria is less observed in CLHIV on HAART. Systematic screening and early management of proteinuria during follow-up of these children improve their survival.
Cosmic magnetic fields in clusters of galaxies and their analysis

Abstract We discuss how measurements of linear polarisation of cluster background and embedded sources can be used to study cluster magnetic fields via Faraday rotation. We make forecasts for up-coming radio instruments on the basis of synthetic radio sky observations. Our mock polarised sky is modelled to agree with the sparse available data. By applying Bayesian statistical analysis methods, such as Markov Chain Monte Carlo and nested sampling techniques, we investigate which constraints can be placed on cluster magnetic field properties.
Genetic mechanisms underlying feed utilization and implementation of genomic selection for improved feed efficiency in dairy cattle

Abstract: The economic importance of genetically improving feed efficiency has been recognized by cattle producers worldwide. It has the potential to considerably reduce costs, minimize environmental impact, optimize land and resource use efficiency, and improve the overall cattle industry’s profitability. Feed efficiency is a genetically complex trait that can be described as units of product output (e.g., milk yield) per unit of feed input. The main objective of this review paper is to present an overview of the main genetic and physiological mechanisms underlying feed utilization in ruminants and the process towards implementation of genomic selection for feed efficiency in dairy cattle. In summary, feed efficiency can be improved via numerous metabolic pathways and biological mechanisms through genetic selection. Various studies have indicated that feed efficiency is heritable, and genomic selection can be successfully implemented in dairy cattle with a large enough training population. In this context, some organizations have worked collaboratively to do research and develop training populations for successful implementation of joint international genomic evaluations. The integration of “-omics” technologies, further investments in high-throughput phenotyping, and identification of novel indicator traits will also be paramount in maximizing the rates of genetic progress for feed efficiency in dairy cattle worldwide.
Effects of Occupational Exposure to Pesticides on Male Sex Hormones

Pesticides have been extensively studied for their toxic hazards. The effect of exposure to pesticides has been studied among occupationally exposed workers. This study aimed to determine the role of occupational exposure to pesticides on male reproductive hormones. Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone of 51 pesticide sprayers occupationally exposed to pesticides and 50 controls were estimated. Results revealed a significant increase in FSH concentration among the workers compared to controls. While there was no significant difference in the concentrations of LH and testosterone between the two groups. In conclusion: occupational exposure to pesticides may result in a significant increase of FSH, but not affecting LH and testosterone in the studied pesticide sprayers, and that could be attributed to their use of non-persistent pesticides and the resting durations between the peaks of their occupational exposures.
USING ROBOTICS AND ENGINEERING DESIGN INQUIRIES TO OPTIMIZE MATHEMATICS LEARNING FOR MIDDLE LEVEL TEACHERS: A CASE STUDY

This exploratory case study reports findings on 20 middle-level science and mathematics teachers’ perceptions of the effectiveness of a one-year project in which teachers engaged in using robotics and engineering design inquiries in their classrooms. Principled by Bandura’s Social Learning Theory (SLT) and using mixed methods approaches, the study measured teachers' efficacy through the Mathematics Teaching Efficacy Belief Instrument (MTEBI) and observation logs before and after the program. The results of this study showed statistically significant differences between PRE MTEBI and POST MTEBI scores. Furthermore, five themes emerged that illuminated potential affordances and constraints that teachers perceive as opportunities and barriers to employing robotics and design thinking in the mathematics/science classrooms. The reported themes are creating collaborative spaces underpinned by design thinking affords transformative learning; problem-solving through shared inquiry elevates confidence; building connections between mathematical concepts and real-life phenomenon supports a willingness to learn new ideas; system support, resources, and funding are prerequisites to engage in modeling design; and designated curriculum restrains teachers from engaging in extra activities that focus on design thinking.
Limiting nutrients for bean production on contrasting soil types of Lake Victoria Crescent of Uganda

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is one of the most important grain legumes in East Africa, but its yield has remained below the genetic potential. Declining soil fertility is among the primary constraints to bean production in most East African bean producing regions. Often existing recommendations are generic and inept to guide farm level decision making on nutrient replenishment. A greenhouse nutrient omission study was conducted to determine the limiting nutrients in three soils of Masaka District, commonly cropped to beans: “Liddugavu” a Phaeozem, “Limyufumyufu” a Cambisol and “Luyinjayinga” an Umbrisol soil. Nine treatments; (i) complete nutrient treatment, (ii) N omitted, (iii) P omitted, (iv) K omitted, (v) Mg omitted, (vi) S omitted, (vii) Ca omitted, (viii) Micronutrients omitted and (ix) control without nutrients. Each treatment was randomly assigned to the three soils and replicated three times using a completely randomised design. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were limiting nutrients for bean production in Umbrisol (Luyinjayinja) while in Cambisol (‘Limyufumyufu), common bean production was most limited by soil acidity. The performance varied with soil types, with beans grown on the Phaeozem registering greater leaf number and growth, confirming both scientist’s and local farmer’s knowledge that this soil has greater potential than the other two soils.
Fighting terrorism in Africa : benchmarking policy harmonization Forthcoming in Physica A : Statistical Mechanics and its Applications

This study assesses the feasibility of policy harmonization in the fight against terrorism in 53 African countries with data for the period 1980-2012. Four terrorism variables are used, namely: domestic, transnational, unclear and total terrorism dynamics. The empirical evidence is based on absolute beta catch-up and sigma convergence estimation techniques. There is substantial absence of catch-up. The lowest rate of convergence in terrorism is in landlocked countries for regressions pertaining to unclear terrorism (3.43% per annum for 174.9 years) while the highest rate of convergence is in upper-middle-income countries in domestic terrorism regressions (15.33% per annum for 39.13 years). After comparing results from the two estimation techniques, it is apparent that in the contemporary era, countries with low levels of terrorism are not catching-up their counterparts with high levels of terrorism. As a policy implication, whereas some common policies may be feasibly adopted for the fight against terrorism, the findings based on the last periodic phase (2004-2012) are indicative that country-specific policies would better pay-off in the fight against terrorism than blanket common policies. Some suggestions of measures in fighting transnational terrorism have been discussed in the light of an anticipated surge in cross-national terrorism incidences in the coming years. JEL Classification: C52; D74; F42; K42; O38
Low abundance distribution of Pfiesteria piscicida in Pacific and Western Atlantic as detected by mtDNA-18S rDNA real-time polymerase chain reaction

Information on the abundance of Pfiesteria piscicida in the natural environment is needed for understanding the ecological roles of this dinoflagellate. In this study, a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was developed using mitochondrial cytochrome b upstream region and 18S rDNA (PpmtDNA and Ppl8S), and the geographic and temporal distribution of P. piscicida was investigated in several locations. Both PpmtDNA and Ppl8S generally gave similar results, indicating that P. piscicida was present at all studied regions along the American coast (from Maine to North Carolina along the US Atlantic coast and Los Lagos along the Chilean Pacific coast). Despite its widespread distribution, P. piscicida was only detected in 36% of the 431 water samples analyzed, and its abundance was generally low (<1.0-1.5 cells mL -1 ). Populations detected at the jive stations in the Nuse River (North Carolina) and two stations in Chesapeake Bay (Maryland) were genetically homogeneous, whereas those from other locations appeared to be genetically diverse. It can be concluded that (i) the PpmtDNA-Pp18S real-time PCR assay is sensitive and specific for detecting and quantifying P. piscicida in the natural environment and (ii) P. piscicida is widespread along the American coasts, but normally only as a minor component of plankton even in the high-risk estuaries (Neuse River, Chesapeake Bay).
How Do Consumers Fare When Dealing with Debt Collectors? Evidence from Out-of-Court Settlements

Do deals with debt collectors alleviate consumer financial distress? Using new data linking court and credit registry records, we examine civil collection lawsuits where consumers can settle out of court. Random assignment of judges with different styles generates exogenous variation in the likelihood of settlement negotiations. We find that settlements increase financial distress relative to going to court, likely by draining consumers of liquidity. The effect is stronger among less financially literate consumers. Survey evidence suggests that consumers generally overestimate how much they would pay through the court system. Perceived nonpecuniary benefits also motivate some consumers to settle.
ST-VIO: Visual-Inertial Odometry Combined With Image Segmentation and Tracking

In this article, we develop a new monocular visual-inertial odometry system ST-VIO: visual-inertial odometry combined with image segmentation and tracking. We apply the direct method to track the keyframe of images. Meanwhile, we segment and track the keyframe with Siamese Network to achieve the medium-term tracking. This method allows the system to estimate the pose by the overall feature matching of the image in the large-scale motion. In order to obtain higher precision positioning, we tightly couple the image alignment factor, the IMU factor, and the medium-term tracking factor with iSAM2 solver using factor graph optimization. Our method can reduce the cumulative error of incremental positioning system because the medium-term tracking makes the system realize the partial loop closure detection. In order to verify the stability and accuracy of the proposed method, we have tested the algorithm by the EuRoC data set and the UAV platform, respectively. The results have been also compared with those by the OKVIS and R-VIO algorithms. The experimental tests demonstrate that the proposed ST-VIO has the ability to obtain excellent results with high real-time and robust performance.
Field-Based Analysis of Runoff Generation Processes in Humid Lowlands of the Taihu Basin, China

In the flat lowland agricultural areas of subtropical climate zones, the runoff process has a great influence on the regional water quantity and quality. In this study, field data about rainfall, evapotranspiration, soil moisture, groundwater table, and surface water dynamics were collected in two different experimental sites in the Taihu Basin, China. Results showed that densely distributed ditches contributed to shallow groundwater depths and persistent near-saturation soil. A correlation analysis was conducted to improve the understandings of runoff generation in humid lowland areas of the Taihu Basin. It was found that a Dunne overland flow was the dominant mechanism responsible for the rapid runoff generation. The total rainfall and runoff expressed a good linear relationship with an R2 of 0.95 in the Hongqiwei test site. The initial groundwater depth was considered as the indicator of the antecedent soil moisture estimation for the close relationship. The depression storage was suggested in a range from 4.72 to 8.03 mm for an estimation based on the water balance analysis for each rainfall event, which proves that the depression storage should not be neglected when calculating the runoff generation process in humid lowlands.
Estimation of surface runoff using NRCS curve number in some areas in northwest coast, Egypt

The sustainable agricultural development in the northwest coast of Egypt suffers constantly from the effects of surface runoff. Moreover, there is an urgent need by decision makers to know the effects of runoff. So the aim of this work is to integrate remote sensing and field data and the natural resource conservation service curve number model (NRCS-CN). using geographic information systems (GIS) for spatial evaluation of surface runoff . CN approach to assessment the effect of patio-temporal variations of different soil types as well as potential climate change impact on surface runoff. DEM was used to describe the effects of slope variables on water retention and surface runoff volumes. In addition the results reflects that the magnitude of surface runoff is associated with CN values using NRCS-CN model . The average of water retention ranging between 2.5 to 3.9m the results illustrated that the highest value of runoff is distinguished around the urban area and its surrounding where it ranged between 138 - 199 mm. The results show an increase in the amount of surface runoff to 199 mm when rainfall increases 200 mm / year. The north of the area may be exposed to erosion hazards more than the south and a change in the soil quality may occur in addition to the environmental imbalance in the region.
AtlasReader: A Python package to generate coordinate tables, region labels, and informative figures from statistical MRI images

1 The Laboratory for Investigative Neurophysiology (The LINE), Department of Radiology and Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Lausanne, Switzerland; Center for Biomedical Imaging (CIBM), Lausanne, Switzerland 2 Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen’s University, Kingston, Canada 3 Laboratory for Multimodal Neuroimaging, Philipps-University Marburg, Hesse, Germany 4 International Laboratory for Brain, Music and Sound Research, Université de Montréal & McGill University, Montréal, Canada 5 McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montréal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Canada 6 Centre Leenaards de la Mémoire, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland 7 Alan Turing Institute, London, UK; Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK DOI: 10.21105/joss.01257
ALLOWABLE FILL HEIGHTS FOR CORRUGATED POLYETHYLENE PIPE

Provided in this study are fill height tables and graphs that give the maximum allowable burial depth of regularly produced sizes of corrugated polyethylene pipe with diameters ranging up to 30 in. The employed design criteria satisfy the proposed American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials specifications for service load design of plastic pipe including thrust stress, vertical deflection, flexural strain, and buckling. Both short-term and long-term polyethylene properties are used for the design evaluation, as well as the influence of soil type and compaction. Design solutions are determined with the aid of the CANDE computer program and compare favorably with laboratory test data. As a final result, knowing values for the inside and outside diameter along with the corrugated sectional area, an engineer may determine the maximum allowable burial depth for a 50-year design life by directly reading from the tables and graphs that are presented as a function of soil type and compaction. In addition, design guidelines are provided to interpolate the increase in allowable burial depths for design periods less than fifty years.
Single-Input Control of Multiple Fluid-Driven Elastic Actuators Via Interaction Between Bistability and Viscosity.

A leading concept in soft robotics actuation, as well as in microfluidics applications such as valves in lab-on-a-chip devices, is applying pressurized flow in cavities embedded within elastic bodies. Generating complex deformation patterns typically requires control of several inputs, which greatly complicates the system's operation. In this study, we present a novel method for single-input control of a serial chain of bistable elastic chambers connected by thin tubes. Controlling a single flow rate at the chain's inlet, we induce an irreversible sequence of transitions that can reach any desired state combination of all bistable elements. Mathematical formulation and analysis of the system's dynamics reveal that these transitions are enabled, thanks to bistability combined with pressure lag induced by viscous resistance. The results are demonstrated through numerical simulations combined with experiments for chains of up to five chambers, using water-diluted glycerol as the injected fluid. The proposed technique has a promising potential for development of sophisticated soft actuators with minimalistic control.
Effort allocation and marine protected areas: is the North Sea Plaice Box a management compromise?

Kjaersgaard, J., and Frost, H. 2008. Effort allocation and marine protected areas: is the North Sea Plaice Box a management compromise? - ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65: 1203-1215.A complex bioeconomic model is used to study the economic and biological consequences of establishing a marine protected area (MPA). The model is a multispecies age-structured bioeconomic model that treats days at sea and number of vessels, for different fleets fishing inside and outside the protected area, as endogenous variables. A simulation applies an adaptive investment rule that determines fleet size from year to year, and an optimization procedure provides a benchmark for a profit-maximizing solution over time. In contrast to most conventional studies on MPAs, fishing within the protected area is possible. Moreover, the stock is not divided between inside and outside the protected area, although the abundance of different age classes in each area differs. Therefore, the economic and biological impacts of fishing inside or outside are different. The North Sea flatfish fishery is used as a case study, so the analysis is particularly relevant because North Sea flatfish regulation is currently under revision.
Exploration Driven by an Optimistic Bellman Equation

Exploring high-dimensional state spaces and finding sparse rewards are central problems in reinforcement learning. Exploration strategies are frequently either naïve (e.g., simplistic-greedy or Boltzmann policies), intractable (i.e., full Bayesian treatment of reinforcement learning) or rely heavily on heuristics. The lack of a tractable but principled exploration approach unnecessarily complicates the application of reinforcement learning to a broader range of problems. Efficient exploration can be accomplished by relying on the uncertainty of the state-action value function. To obtain the uncertainty, we maintain an ensemble of value function estimates and present an optimistic Bellman equation (OBE) for such ensembles. This OBE is derived from a relative entropy maximization principle and yields an implicit exploration bonus resulting in improved exploration during action selection. The implied exploration bonus can be seen as a well-principled type of intrinsic motivation and exhibits favorable theoretical properties. OBE can be applied to a wide range of algorithms. We propose two algorithms as an application of the principle: Optimistic Q-learning and Optimistic DQN which outperform comparison methods on standard benchmarks.