Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Concentration Index Defi Nition and Properties

Concentration curves can be used to identify whether socioeconomic inequality in some health sector variable exists and whether it is more pronounced at one point in time than another or in one country than another. But a concentration curve does not give a measure of the magnitude of inequality that can be compared conveniently across many time periods, countries, regions, or whatever may be chosen for comparison. The concentration index (Kakwani 1977, 1980), which is directly related to the concentration curve, does quantify the degree of socioeconomic-related inequality in a health variable (Kakwani, Wagstaff, and van Doorslaer 1997; Wagstaff, van Doorslaer, and Paci 1989). It has been used, for example, to measure and to compare the degree of socioeconomic-related inequality in child mortality (Wagstaff 2000), child immunization (Gwatkin et al. 2003), child malnutrition (Wagstaff, van Doorslaer, and Watanabe 2003), adult health (van Doorslaer et al. 1997), health subsidies (O'Donnell et al. 2007), and health care utilization (van Doorslaer et al. 2006). Many other applications are possible. In this chapter we defi ne the concentration index, comment on its properties, and identify the required measurement properties of health sector variables to which it can be applied. We also describe how to compute the concentration index and how to obtain a standard error for it, both for grouped data and for microdata. Defi nition The concentration index is defi ned with reference to the concentration curve, introduced in chapter 7. The concentration index is defi ned as twice the area between the concentration curve and the line of equality (the 45-degree line). So, in the case in which there is no socioeconomic-related inequality, the concentration index is zero. The convention is that the index takes a negative value when the curve lies above the line of equality, indicating disproportionate concentration of the health variable among the poor, and a positive value when it lies below the line of equality. If the health variable is a " bad " such as ill health, a negative value of the concentration index means ill health is higher among the poor. Formally, the concentration index is defi ned as (8.1) C=1− 2 L h p
Alternating-electric-field-enhanced reversible switching of DNA nanocontainers with pH

Macroscopically realizable applications of DNA-based molecular devices require individual molecules to cooperate with each other. However, molecular crowding usually introduces disorder to the system, thus jeopardizing the molecular cooperation and slowing down their functional performance dramatically. A challenge remaining in this field is to obtain both smarter response and better cooperation simultaneously. Here, we report a swift-switching DNA nanodevice that is enhanced by an alternating electric field. The device, self-assembled from folded four-stranded DNA motifs, can robustly switch between closed and open states in smart response to pH stimulus, of which the closed state forms a nanometer-height container that is impermeable to small molecules. This character was used to directly and non-specifically catch and release small molecules emulating mechanical hand in a controllable way. The alternating electric field was used to accelerate molecular cooperative motion during the device switching, which in turn shortened the closing time remarkably to thirty seconds.
Memory tasks in normal aged volunteers:an fMRI study

Objective To investigate the feasibility and cortex activation of fMRI in the aged volunteers during the performance of memory tasks. Methods Memory tasks including encoding and retrieval of nonsense line drawings were conducted in 11 normal aged volunteers. The fMRI data was processed using SPM99 to reveal the activated cortex. Results The memory tasks were fulfilled satisfactorily in 10 aged subjects. Cortex in the bilateral dorsal lateral frontal lobes,bilateral parahippocampus,right hippocampus and bilateral parietal lobes showed activation. The head of right hippocampus showed activation during the encoding phase whereas the body and the tail of the hippocampus showed activation during the retrieval phase. Conclusion fMRI cognitive tasks are feasible in the aged people. The medial temporal lobe takes part in the encoding and retrieval processes,but the cortex involved in the two processes are different.
CLASSIFICATION OF POLARIMETRIC SAR IMAGES BASED ON SCATTERING MECHANISMS

Polarimetric classification is one of the most significant applications of polarimetric radar in remote sensing. During the last decade, several research tasks revealed the contribution of polarimetric data in classification of soil types and landcover. They contributed thus to a better comprehension of the scattering mechanisms. We propose in this paper a strategy analysis for forest types discrimination and their cartography on the ground using fully polarimetric data based on scattering matrix decompositions. To determine the scattering mechanism associated to each pixel with the target, we developed a supervised classification procedure where the training set is established from the entropy/Alpha space. The polarimetric coherence matrix was used to determine soil scattering parameters. To this end, we described two scattering types: deterministic scattering and random scattering. Classification of the image gives good discrimination of forests types and the results are checked using polarimetric signatures. The test area used is the Oberpfaffenhofen in Munich. The SAR images are acquired in the P band. RESUME: La classification polarimétrique est l’une des applications les plus importante de la polarimétrie radar en télédétection. Durant la dernière décennie, plusieurs travaux de recherche ont montré la contribution des données polarimétriques en classification des types de sols et les types de couverts de sol. Ainsi, ils ont contribué à une meilleure compréhension des mécanismes de diffusion. Nous proposons dans cette article une stratégie d’analyse pour la discrimination des types de forets et leur cartographie sur le sol, en utilisant des données radar complètement polarimétrique basé sur la décomposition de la matrice de diffusion. Pour déterminer le mécanisme de diffusion associé à chaque pixel avec la cible, nous avons développé une classification supervisée, ou la base d’entraînement est établit à partir de l’espace entropie/Alpha. La matrice polarimétrique de cohérence a été utilisée pour déterminer les paramètres de diffusion du sol. Dans ce but, nous décrivons deux types de diffusion : Diffusion déterministe et diffusion aléatoire. La classification de l’image donne une bonne discrimination des types de forêts et les résultas sont vérifiées en utilisant les signatures polarimétriques. Le site d’étude est la zone de Oberpfafenhoffen à Munich. Les images RSO sont acquises dans la bande P.
Les dessous de la gouvernance clinique : l'entrée de l'hôpital dans la société de l'audit

L'article montre d'abord que l'interet principal du concept de gouvernance clinique est de rendre compte de dynamiques d'hybridation entre logiques medicales et logiques manageriales. De plus, il pretend conduire a une neutralisation des conflits dans les organisations de sante a travers des dispositifs incitatifs (la contractualisation, la participation des medecins a la definition des objectifs economiques) et des outils d'evaluation de l'activite. Le concept, cependant, minimise voire occulte, les enjeux de pouvoir entre acteurs hospitaliers dans un contexte qui exige l'auditabilite des organisations. Cette auditabilite peut etre definie comme l'action de soumettre des activites economiques (ici des activites de soin) au controle exterieur, en produisant une mesure et une auto-evaluation permanentes. L'entree de l'hopital dans la societe de l'audit est une dynamique profonde porteuse de tensions, conflits et incertitudes que ne peut resoudre a lui seul le modele organisationnel encore flou de la gouvernance clinique. En effet, la mesure des activites de soins, en soumettant le travail des professionnels de sante (au premier rang desquels les medecins) au regard exterieur, remet en question leur capacite de controle sur leur propre travail. La gouvernance clinique n'empechera donc pas l'apparition de comportements comme l'exces de zele, la resistance au changement ou la manipulation des indicateurs chiffres.
Bilinear pairing-based hybrid mixnet with anonymity revocation

A hybrid mix is presented providing anonymity and eligibility verification of senders, the possibility of anonymous reply and anonymity revocation, that are usually required in practice. Furthermore the proposed mix is capable of processing messages with arbitrarily length. In the process of design we applied bilinear pairings due to their good properties. We compared the time and space complexity of Zhong's mix (Zhong, 2009) to our one, we achieved better efficiency. In the security evaluation we prove, that our mix is correct, provides anonymity and eligibility verification for senders.
[Prevalence of atrial fibrillation in the Spanish population aged 60 years or more. The PREV-ICTUS study].

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of atrial fibrillation in individuals aged 60 years or more in Spain using a random sample of the population and to identify associated factors. METHODS An analysis of the PREV-ICTUS study, a randomized cross-sectional population-based study of individuals aged 60 years or more, was carried out. Data on demographic variables, cardiovascular risk factors, and cardiovascular disease were obtained from medical records. The diagnosis of atrial fibrillation was based on the patient's medical history and an electrocardiogram performed during the study. RESULTS In the 7108 individuals studied (mean age 71.9 [7.1] years, 53.6% female), the prevalence of atrial fibrillation was 8.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] 7.9-9.2%). It was higher in males (9.3% vs 7.9% in females; P=.036) and increased from 4.2% in individuals aged 60-64 years to 16.5% in those aged 85 years or more (chi-squared test for linear trend, P< .001). Multivariate analysis showed that existing cardiovascular disease, hypertension, age, and left ventricular hypertrophy had the strongest associations with atrial fibrillation. Although there was a strong relationship between hypertension and atrial fibrillation (odds ratio 2.53, 95% CI, 1.60-4.01), no association was found between poor blood pressure control and atrial fibrillation. A weak association with diabetes mellitus was found only when arterial pressure was included in the model, but not when a diagnosis of hypertension was included. CONCLUSIONS In this cross-sectional population-based study of elderly individuals, the prevalence of atrial fibrillation was 8.5%, and was strongly associated with existing cardiovascular disease, hypertension, age and left ventricular hypertrophy.
Instrumentation design of an image fusion based on biorthogonal wavelet

Image fusion could process and utilize the source images, with complementing different image information, to achieve the more objective and essential understanding of the identical object. In order to implement image fusion on a real-time embedded system, a proper algorithm must be considered. A novel image fusion scheme based on biorthogonal wavelet decomposition is presented in this paper. As for wavelet transform algorithm, due to the virtue of its multi-resolution, wavelet transform has been applied in image processing successfully. Another advantage of wavelet transform is that it can be much more easily realized in hardware because its data format is very simple. This could save a lot of resources, besides, to some extent, it can solve the real-time problem of huge-data image fusion. However, as the orthogonal filter of wavelet transform doesn't have the characteristics of linear phase, the phase distortion will lead to distortions of the image edge. To make up for this shortcoming, the biorthogonal wavelet is introduced here. In this paper, the hardware and software solutions of an embedded real-time instrumentation are demonstrated. This design which is implemented on the high performance DSP (TMS320DM642) platform has combined an infrared image and a visible image with biorthogonal wavelet fusion technology.
Collaborative Query Previews in Digital Libraries

A novel method named collaborative query previews (CQPs) to augment information seeking in digital libraries is proposed. CQPs aim to help users make better sense of the collection of a digital library from two perspectives: query previews and recommendations of past queries. Query previews generate overviews about a collection of documents through a set of aggregate information on selected attributes. As a user issues queries, related queries submitted previously by other users are recommended. By obtaining overview information and utilizing other user’s experiences in retrieving information, a user is expected to formulate queries that better meet information needs. A prototype work environment incorporating CQPs has been developed and described in this paper.
Analysis of the frequency-domain Wiener filter with the prediction gain

This paper presents a theoretical analysis on the performance of the optimal noise-reduction filter in the frequency domain. Using the autoregressive (AR) model to model both the clean speech and noise, we build the relationship between the Wiener filter and the AR parameters of the clean speech and noise signals. We show that if noise is not predictable, the Wiener filter is mostly related to the AR parameters of the desired speech signal. On the contrary, if the desired signal is not predictable, the Wiener filter is then mostly related to the AR parameters of the noise signal. More importantly, we provide the bounds for noise reduction, speech distortion, and SNR improvement, and show that the performance of the Wiener filter in terms of SNR improvement and degree of noise reduction and speech distortion is closely related to the prediction gain of the desired speech and noise signals.
An Exploratory Study Of Igbo Entrepreneurial Activity And Business Success In Nigeria As The Panacea For Economic Growth And Development

It is no doubt that Igbo entrepreneurs play vital roles in the growth of the Nigerian economy. Igbo Entrepreneurial activities have been observed to be a backbone for the economy of Nigeria and have facilitated improved standard of living of the people at both rural and urban settings. This study aims at investigating whether the Igbo entrepreneurial activities are the panacea for the Nigerian economic growth and development, and whether the Igbo Trade Apprenticeship System is a rationale behind their business success. The study used both primary and secondary source for gathering reliable and adequate data and information. The primary sources of data include the personal interview and questionnaire administered to the sampled metropolises (Sango-Ota, Ifo, Oshodi and Apapa); and the secondary sources include textbooks, journal and internet. Taro Yamane sampling method was adopted to determine the sample size, and Bowler’s proportional allocation method to distribute questionnaires in these selected metropolises. To analyze the data gathered for this study, descriptive statistical tool, tables and Likert Scale method were used. The study revealed that the Igbo entrepreneurial activities are the panacea for the Nigerian economic growth and development, and that ITAS is a business success factor. It was concluded that the Igbo entrepreneurial activities are the panacea for the Nigerian economic growth and development. The study therefore recommended that Nigerians and the people of other developing countries of the world should emulate the Igbo entrepreneurship culture for economic development purpose.
Cystic fibrosis mice carrying the missense mutation G551D replicate human genotype‐phenotype correlations.

We have generated a mouse carrying the human G551D mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene (CFTR) by a one‐step gene targeting procedure. These mutant mice show cystic fibrosis pathology but have a reduced risk of fatal intestinal blockage compared with ‘null’ mutants, in keeping with the reduced incidence of meconium ileus in G551D patients. The G551D mutant mice show greatly reduced CFTR‐related chloride transport, displaying activity intermediate between that of cftr(mlUNC) replacement (‘null’) and cftr(mlHGU) insertional (residual activity) mutants and equivalent to approximately 4% of wild‐type CFTR activity. The long‐term survival of these animals should provide an excellent model with which to study cystic fibrosis, and they illustrate the value of mouse models carrying relevant mutations for examining genotype‐phenotype correlations.
YOUNG STELLAR CLUSTERS CONTAINING MASSIVE YOUNG STELLAR OBJECTS IN THE VVV SURVEY

The purpose of this research is to study the connections of the global properties of eight young stellar clusters projected in the Vista Variables in the Via Lactea (VVV) ESO Large Public Survey disk area and their young stellar object (YSO) populations. The analysis is based on the combination of spectroscopic parallax-based reddening and distance determinations with main-sequence and pre-main-sequence ishochrone fitting to determine the basic parameters (reddening, age, distance) of the sample clusters. The lower mass limit estimations show that all clusters are low or intermediate mass (between 110 and 1800 M⊙), the slope Γ of the obtained present-day mass functions of the clusters is close to the Kroupa initial mass function. The YSOs in the cluster’s surrounding fields are classified using low resolution spectra, spectral energy distribution fits with theoretical predictions, and variability, taking advantage of multi-epoch VVV observations. All spectroscopically confirmed YSOs (except one) are found to be massive (more than 8 M⊙). Using VVV and GLIMPSE color–color cuts we have selected a large number of new YSO candidates, which are checked for variability and 57% are found to show at least low-amplitude variations. In few cases it was possible to distinguish between YSO and AGB classifications on the basis of light curves.
A CRITICAL OVERVIEW OF EXISTING QUERY PROCESSING SYSTEMS OVER HETEROGENEOUS DATA SOURCES

In the past, to answer a user query, we generally extract data from one centralized database or from multiple sources with the same structure. then things have been changed and we are facing the fact that in some cases, it is necessary to use a set of data sources to provide a complete information. these sources are physically separated, but they are logically seen as a single component to the final user. Besides the structure heterogeneity, there is another important point for what specialists are trying to find a solution which is the semantic heterogeneity of data sources. In this paper we are going to provide a list of different approaches that treated the query processing problem on heterogeneous data sources under different angles
Extract Secrets from Wireless Channel: A New Shape-based Approach

Existing secret key extraction techniques use quantization to map wireless channel amplitudes to secret bits. This pa- per shows that such techniques are highly prone to environ- ment and local noise effects: They have very high mismatch rates between the two nodes that measure the channel be- tween them. This paper advocates using the shape of the channel instead of the size (or amplitude) of the channel. It shows that this new paradigm shift is significantly ro- bust against environmental and local noises. We refer to this shape-based technique as Puzzle. Implementation in a software-defined radio (SDR) platform demonstrates that Puzzle has a 63% reduction in bit mismatch rate than the state-of-art frequency domain approach (CSI-2bit). Exper- iments also show that unlike the state-of-the-art received signal strength (RSS)-based methods like ASBG, Puzzle is robust against an attack in which an eavesdropper can pre- dict the secret bits using planned movements.
Significant Effects of Oral Phenylbutyrate and Vitamin D3 Adjunctive Therapy in Pulmonary Tuberculosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Development of new tuberculosis (TB) drugs and alternative treatment strategies are urgently required to control the global spread of TB. Previous results have shown that vitamin D3 (vitD3) and 4-phenyl butyrate (PBA) are potent inducers of the host defense peptide LL-37 that possess anti-mycobacterial effects. Objective To examine if oral adjunctive therapy with 5,000IU vitD3 or 2x500 mg PBA or PBA+vitD3 to standard chemotherapy would lead to enhanced recovery in sputum smear-positive pulmonary TB patients. Methods Adult TB patients (n = 288) were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted in Bangladesh. Primary endpoints included proportions of patients with a negative sputum culture at week 4 and reduction in clinical symptoms at week 8. Clinical assessments and sputum smear microscopy were performed weekly up to week 4, fortnightly up to week 12 and at week 24; TB culture was performed at week 0, 4 and 8; concentrations of LL-37 in cells, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) in plasma and ex vivo bactericidal function of monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) were determined at week 0, 4, 8, 12 and additionally at week 24 for plasma 25(OH)D3. Results At week 4, 71% (46/65) of the patients in the PBA+vitD3-group (p = 0.001) and 61.3% (38/62) in the vitD3-group (p = 0.032) were culture negative compared to 42.2% (27/64) in the placebo-group. The odds of sputum culture being negative at week 4 was 3.42 times higher in the PBA+vitD3-group (p = 0.001) and 2.2 times higher in vitD3-group (p = 0.032) compared to placebo. The concentration of LL-37 in MDM was significantly higher in the PBA-group compared to placebo at week 12 (p = 0.034). Decline in intracellular Mtb growth in MDM was earlier in the PBA-group compared to placebo (log rank 11.38, p = 0.01). Conclusion Adjunct therapy with PBA+vitD3 or vitD3 or PBA to standard short-course therapy demonstrated beneficial effects towards clinical recovery and holds potential for host-directed-therapy in the treatment of TB. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov NCT01580007
Selection of Antimalarial Drug Resistance after Intermittent Preventive Treatment of Infants and Children (IPTi/c) in Senegal

Our study investigated the possible impact of SP-IPT given to infants and children on the prevalence of SP-resistant haplotypes in the Plasmodium falciparum genes Pfdhfr and Pfdhps, comparing sites with and without IPTi/c. P. falciparum positive samples (N = 352) collected from children < 5 years were analyzed to determine the prevalence of SP resistance-related haplotypes by nested PCR followed by sequence-specific oligonucleotide probe-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The prevalence of the Pfdhfr triple mutant haplotype (CIRN) increased in both groups, but only significantly in the IPTi/c group from 41% to 65% in 2011 (P = 0.005). Conversely, the Pfdhps 437G mutation decreased in both groups from 44.6% to 28.6% (P = 0.07) and from 66.7% to 47.5% (P = 0.02) between 2010 and 2011 in the control and the IPTi/c groups, respectively. A weak trend for decreasing prevalence of quadruple mutants (triple Pfdhfr + Pfdhps 437G) was noted in both groups (P = 0.15 and P = 0.34). During the two cross-sectional surveys some significant changes were observed in the SP resistance-related genes.