Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
'Because it's Our Culture!' (Re)negotiating the Meaning of Lobola in Southern African Secondary Schools

Payment of bridewealth or lobola 1 is a significant element of marriage among the Basotho of Lesotho and the Shona of Zimbabwe. However, the functions and meanings attached to the practice are constantly changing. In order to gauge the interpretations attached to lobola by young people today, this paper analyses a series of focus group discussions conducted among senior students at two rural secondary schools. It compares the interpretations attached by the students to the practice of lobola with academic interpretations (both historical and contemporary). Among young people the meanings and functions of lobola are hotly contested, but differ markedly from those set out in the academic literature. While many students see lobola as a valued part of 'African culture', most also view it as a financial transaction that necessarily disadvantages women. The paper then seeks to explain the young people's interpretations by reference to discourses of 'equal rights' and 'culture' prevalent in secondary schools. Young people make use of these discourses in (re)negotiating the meaning of lobola, but the limitations of the discourses restrict the interpretations of lobola available to them.
Geographies of Whiteness and Wealth: White, Middle Class Discourses on Segregation and Social Mix in Flanders, Belgium

ABSTRACT: While policy makers in different parts of the world are worried about the supposedly negative consequences of spatial concentrations of ethnic minorities and/or disadvantaged people, researchers continue the debate about the desirability and feasibility of social mix. In this article, we add to this literature by focusing on the often neglected, but crucial practices and discourses of the privileged in urban and suburban neighborhoods. Drawing on in-depth interviews with 74 white, middle class residents of eight different neighborhoods of the Ghent urban region in Belgium, we demonstrate that few middle class whites actually want to live in a mixed neighborhood. We also make it clear that those living in diversity do not necessarily take up the roles they are expected to take up by the advocates of social mix policies. Drawing on these findings, we propose to broaden the research agenda of studies on segregation and social mix.
Examining the Priority Heuristic in Conditions of Resource Need Levels

Within the domain of risky decision making, there are a number of predictive models which are consistent with the hypothesis that human minds are molded for specific behavioral patterns based on environmental cues. Two models are the priority heuristic and risk sensitive foraging. Using a modified version of the traditional risky choice gambles paradigm, a study was designed to tease apart specific predictions made by each of these two models. It was discovered that the best explanation for choice behavior was consistent with risk sensitive foraging. This was true for risky preferences in gambles. Also, decision time predictions from the priority heuristic were not supported. Collectively, this may show additional support for risk-sensitivity driving some human behaviors. It may also carve out the boundaries for the proper “ecology” of the priority heuristic.
Cytopenias during Treatment of HIV–HCV-Coinfection with Pegylated Interferon and Ribavirin: Safety Analysis of the OPERA Study

Background Until recently, recommendations for HCV treatment in HIV-coinfected patients have been combination therapy with pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) and ribavirin (RBV). However, this treatment is often accompanied with cytopenias which lead to drug-dose reduction/discontinuation, therefore influencing sustained virological response (SVR). This study aimed at evaluating incidence and predictors of cytopenias and to define their impact on SVR in Italian HIV–HCV-coinfected patients undergoing PEG-IFN/RBV treatment. Methods OPERA was a multicentric, observational study conducted in 98 Italian centres. Patients with HIV–HCV coinfection were administered with PEG-IFN/RBV combination treatment for 48 weeks. Incidence and time of onset of cytopenias and multiple bone marrow toxicity (mBMT) was monitored. Logistic regression analysis assessed factors associated with SVR, anaemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and mBMT. Results Between 2005 and 2011, 1,523 patients were enrolled. Anaemia (haemoglobin <10 g/dl) occurred in 197 (12.9%) patients and a haemoglobin drop ≥3 g/dl was recorded in 796 (52.3%). Anaemia did not impact on SVR, its rate being 42.1% and 38.1%, respectively, in patients with and without anaemia (P=0.31). Therapy discontinuation due to anaemia occurred in 47 patients (3.1%). Neutropenia (<1,000 neutrophils/mm3) occurred in 652 (42.8%) patients, and SVR was higher (P<0.001) for patients with neutropenia (44.8%) compared to without neutropenia (34%). Patients developing neutropenia did not have an increased risk of developing infections. Thrombocytopenia (<100,000 platelets/mm3) occurred in 595 (39.1%) patients, SVR was not influenced by it (38.2% versus 38.9% in patients with and without thrombocytopenia, respectively; P=0.79), and 16 patients (1.1%) discontinued therapy due to it. Cirrhosis was found in 148/734 evaluated patients (20.2%) and was significantly associated with thrombocytopenia (P<0.0001). mBMT was found in 417 patients (27.4%). Conclusions Cytopenias are frequent side effects of PEG-IFN/RBV combination therapy in HIV–HCV-coinfected patients. However, SVR is not negatively affected by their presence, nor is there an increased risk of infections in patients developing neutropenia. Several predicting factors for the onset of cytopenias have been unravelled, which will help to identify early those patients at high risk of developing cytopenia.
Impact of Grid Asymmetries on the Operation and Capacitive Energy Storage Design of Modular Multilevel Converters

The grid-connected modular multilevel converter (MMC) is very likely to operate under asymmetric grid conditions. Such a converter features several unique characteristics, which make its analysis different from other types of power converters in similar cases. In this paper, the three well-established control techniques, i.e., balanced current and negative sequence current injection for active/reactive power oscillation elimination, are tailored for the MMC case taking into account grid current limitation under fault conditions. Since the focus is laid on the MMC design impact during grid asymmetries, the three methods are compared in terms of branch energy variation increase as well as maximum achievable active power transfer. Moreover, the effect of circulating current second-order harmonic injection for capacitive storage reduction as well as dc-link oscillation elimination is also studied. Finally, experimental results from a downscaled laboratory prototype verify the theoretical studies.
Copula Processes

We define a copula process which describes the dependencies between arbitrarily many random variables independently of their marginal distributions. As an example, we develop a stochastic volatility model, Gaussian Copula Process Volatility (GCPV), to predict the latent standard deviations of a sequence of random variables. To make predictions we use Bayesian inference, with the Laplace approximation, and with Markov chain Monte Carlo as an alternative. We find our model can outperform GARCH on simulated and financial data. And unlike GARCH, GCPV can easily handle missing data, incorporate covariates other than time, and model a rich class of covariance structures.
QMCTLS: Quasi Monte Carlo Texture Likelihood Sampling for Despeckling of Complex Polarimetric SAR Images

Despeckling of complex polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images is more difficult than denoising of general images due to the low signal-to-noise ratio and the complex signals. A novel stochastic polarimetric SAR despeckling technique based on quasi Monte Carlo sampling (QMCS) and region-based probabilistic similarity likelihood has been developed. The despeckling of complex polarimetric SAR images is formulated as a Bayesian least squares optimization problem, where the posterior distribution is estimated by QMCS in a nonparametric manner. The QMCS approach allows the incorporation of the statistical description of local texture pattern similarity. Experiments on two benchmark quad-pol SAR images demonstrate that the proposed QMC texture likelihood sampling (QMCTLS) filter outperforms referenced methods in terms of both noise removal and detail preservation.
Resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma with left hepatectomy after pre-operative embolization of the proper hepatic artery.

BACKGROUND Right or right-extended hepatectomy including the caudate lobe is the most common treatment for hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HC). A 5-year survival of up to 60% can be achieved using this procedure if R0-resection is obtained. However, for some patients a left-sided liver resection is necessary to obtain radical resection. The close relationship between the right hepatic artery and the HC in these patients frequently limits the ability to achieve a radial R0-resection without difficult vascular reconstruction. The aim of the present study was to describe the outcome of patients who underwent pre-operative embolization of the proper hepatic artery in an effort to induce development of arterial collaterals thus allowing the resection of the proper and right hepatic artery without vascular reconstruction. METHODS In patients presenting with HC who were considered to require a left hepatic lobectomy and in whom pre-operative work up revealed possible tumour invasion of the right hepatic artery, transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) of the proper hepatic artery or the left and right hepatic arteries was performed. Three weeks later, a left-sided hepatectomy with resection of all portal structures except the portal vein was performed. RESULTS In six patients, pre-operative embolization of the proper hepatic artery was performed. Almost instantaneously in all six patients arterial flow signals could be detected in the liver using Doppler ultrasonography. No patient died peri-operatively. In all six patients an R0 radial resection was achieved and in three an R0 proximal transection margin was obtained. All post-operative complications were managed successfully using percutaneous drainage procedures. No patient developed local recurrence and two patients remain disease free more than 7 years after surgery. SUMMARY After pre-operative embolization of the proper hepatic artery, resection of the HC with left hepatectomy is a promising new approach for these technically demanding patients, giving them the chance of a cure.
Power Delivery Network Design for 3D SIP Integrated over Silicon Interposer Platform

As mobile hand-held devices including mobile phone are required to provide multi-media services more and more, it is necessary that the various hardware including high speed memory, high capacity data storage device, and high performance logic processor are integrated into the limited volume, which results in high density 3D SIP. In this work, power delivery network for 3D SIP integrated on silicon interposer will be discussed. The silicon interposer used in 3D SIP includes integrated decoupling capacitor, which gives good power delivery performance.
The Structured Use of Personal Associates

There are often consistencies in the personal characteristics of associates used for particular purposes (e.g., people socialize with associates who are the same age, and ask advice of associates who are of the same religion). These consistencies are usually attributed to deliberate choices to use associates with certain characteristics; but the structured social contexts from which the associates are drawn may be more important determinants of associates' characteristics. Analysis of data from Fischer's Northern California Study indicates that: (1) associates serving certain purposes tend to be drawn from certain types of foci of activity (e.g., families, workplaces, neighborhoods, or voluntary organizations), (2) foci of activity tend to include people with particular characteristics (some are more homogeneous in age or in religion), and (3) these two factors together explain most of the tendency for people to use associates with certain characteristics for certain purposes. Personal relationships perform a variety of expressive and instrumental functions for individuals-being sociable, confiding, helping in emergencies, etc. The same individuals use different associates for different purposes. There are often consistencies in the personal characteristics of associates used for particular purposes. For example, people may socialize with others who are the same age and ask advice of others who are the same religion. Deliberate choices to use associates with certain characteristics are often the most apparent reasons why associates with those characteristics are used (e.g., people may choose same age associates for being sociable). However, the personal characteristics of associates may not be as important criteria for choosing to use associates as they seem to be. Associates are chosen from within structured social contexts, such as families, neighborhoods, workplaces, and voluntary organizations. Each context is most suitable as a source of associates to serve certain purposes (e.g.,
Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in an Adult Urban Population in The South of Iran

OBJECTIVE: We determine the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in an urban population of Jahrom, a city located in the south of Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Randomly selected subjects ≥30 years-old were studied using stratified sampling. Target study sample was 892 (405 men and 487 women). Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed using modified Adult Treatment Panel guidelines when any three of the following were present: central obesity, raised triglyceride ≥150 mg/dl, low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (<40mg/dl in men and <50mg/dl in women), blood pressure ≥ 130/85mm Hg, and diabetes or fasting plasma glucose (FPG) ≥ 100 mg/dl. We used body mass index instead of central obesity. RESULTS: Metabolic syndrome was present in 257 (28.8%; CI 95%: %) subjects, 24.7% in men and 32.2% in women (P= 0.013). This prevalence increased with age in both men and women (p<0.05). The most common component of metabolic syndrome was high blood pressure (51.2%) and low HDL cholesterol (51.3%) in men and women, respectively. CONCLUSION: There is a high prevalence of metabolic syndrome in this urban population. Method of cardiovascular prevention should be focused on this issue
An efficient recovery algorithms using complex to real transformation of compressed sensing

Compressed sensing is an important topic in signal processing that provides the reconstruction of a signal from a small number of linear measurements. The condition for compressed sensing is that the input signal must be sparse. Some signals are sparse in time domain and other signals must be converted to the frequency domain to be sparse. In this paper, sparse signal in the frequency domain will be assumed. When the signal is converted to sparse by using transform domain, it will cause the complex representation of both the sensing matrix and the input signal. To overcome this complexity, an efficient complex to real transformation technique is proposed to enhance the system performance. Furthermore, the sparse signal is recovered in less time and minimum error. Also, the signal to error ratio from the recovery process is increased. The proposed algorithm removes the imaginary parts and doubles the size of both the sensing matrix and the sparse signal by separating the real and complex variables to remove complexity.
Sexual Addiction and Substance Addiction: Comparing Sexual Addiction Treatment Outcomes Among Clients With and Without Comorbid Substance Use Disorders

The current study sought to compare treatment outcomes for individuals with a single diagnosis of sexual addiction (SA) to those with comorbid sexual and substance addiction (SA-SUD), and to explore whether these two disorders can be successfully treated concurrently. Baseline and 6 month follow-up data were collected from adults receiving inpatient residential treatment for SA (n = 21) or for SA-SUD (n = 36) examining sexual impulse control, alcohol and drug use, and quality of life. Both SA and SA-SUD clients experienced significant improvements in self-reported sexual compulsivity and quality of life; however, on average, SA clients had significantly higher levels of compulsive sexual behavior than SA-SUD clients. The findings suggest that the two disorders can be successfully treated concurrently. Implications of these findings are discussed.
BATHYMETRIC PATTERNS OF BODY SIZE IN DEEP‐SEA GASTROPODS

The shift to smaller body size in marine invertebrates at the deep‐sea threshold and size‐depth clines within the deep‐sea ecosystem are global biogeographic phenomena that remain poorly understood. We present the first standardized measurements of larval and adult size among ecologically and phylogenetically similar species across a broad and continuous depth range, using the largest family of deep‐sea gastropods (the Turridae). Size at all life stages increases significantly with depth from the upper bathyal region to the abyssal plain. These consistent clines may result from selection favoring larger size at greater depths because of its metabolic and competitive advantages. The unusually small size of deep‐sea mollusks, in general, may represent an independent evolutionary process that favors invasion by inshore taxa composed of small organisms.
Fenofibrate‐Induced Elevation in Serum Creatinine

Fenofibrate, a fibric acid derivative, is used as adjunctive therapy with diet for treatment of hyperlipidemia. Side effects include gastrointestinal complaints and, rarely, elevations in liver function tests. According to the drug's package insert, elevations in serum creatinine may occur; although, no postmarketing case reports of fenofibrate‐induced elevations in serum creatinine are on file with the manufacturer. Fenofibrate was the probable cause of elevations in serum creatinine concentrations in six patients at our clinic. As the implications of these elevations may be serious, routine serum creatinine monitoring is recommended at baseline and 1–2 months after starting fenofibrate.
A cocktail approach on random access scan toward low power and high efficiency test

Scan design, providing a good test solution to sequential circuits, suffers large data volume, long test time and high test power problem. Recently, the random access scan (RAS) scheme offers a solution to alleviate the above problems (Baik et al., 2004). In this paper, based on RAS, a cocktail scan scheme is proposed and demonstrated to improve the test efficiency significantly. The scheme adopts a two-phase approach, firstly by using a cycle random scan test with a few random seed patterns to test the DUT and secondly, by using the RAS mechanism to test the circuit. Due to employment of a revised process and several strategies, namely, test response abundant, constrained static compaction, and bit propagation before test vector dropping, it is very effective in reducing bit flipping and test data volume, consequently, the test application time and power. Experimental results show that the scheme can achieve 86% reduction in test data volume and 10 times of speedup in test application time.
Teachers’ Concepts of Spatial Scale: An international comparison

Metric scale is an important concept taught as part of science curricula across different countries. This study explored metric and relative (body-length) scale concepts of inservice (N = 92) and preservice (N = 134) teachers from Austria, and Taiwan, and their concepts were compared with those of teachers from the USA. Participants completed three assessments: the Scale Anchoring Objects (SAO), Scale of Objects Questionnaire (SOQ), and a subsample of participants were interviewed with the Learning Scale Interview. A Rasch analysis was conducted with the SAO and SOQ and results showed that the Rasch model held for these assessments, indicating that there is an underlying common dimension to understanding scale. Further analyses showed that accuracy of knowledge of scale measured by the SAO and SOQ was not related to professional experience. There were significant differences in teachers’ accuracy of scale concepts by nationality. This was true for both metric and body-length SAO assessments. Post hoc comparisons showed that the Austrian and Taiwanese participants were significantly more accurate than the US sample on the SAO and SOQ. The Austrian participants scored significantly higher than the US and the Taiwanese participants. The results of the interviews showed that the Taiwanese experienced teacher participants were more likely to report learning size and scale through in-school experiences than the Austrian or the US participants. US teachers reported learning size and scale most often through participating in hobbies and sports, Taiwanese teachers reported learning scale through sports and reading, and Austrian teachers most often noted that they learned about scale through travel.
Detecting Parkinson’s disease from sustained phonation and speech signals

This study investigates signals from sustained phonation and text-dependent speech modalities for Parkinson’s disease screening. Phonation corresponds to the vowel /a/ voicing task and speech to the pronunciation of a short sentence in Lithuanian language. Signals were recorded through two channels simultaneously, namely, acoustic cardioid (AC) and smart phone (SP) microphones. Additional modalities were obtained by splitting speech recording into voiced and unvoiced parts. Information in each modality is summarized by 18 well-known audio feature sets. Random forest (RF) is used as a machine learning algorithm, both for individual feature sets and for decision-level fusion. Detection performance is measured by the out-of-bag equal error rate (EER) and the cost of log-likelihood-ratio. Essentia audio feature set was the best using the AC speech modality and YAAFE audio feature set was the best using the SP unvoiced modality, achieving EER of 20.30% and 25.57%, respectively. Fusion of all feature sets and modalities resulted in EER of 19.27% for the AC and 23.00% for the SP channel. Non-linear projection of a RF-based proximity matrix into the 2D space enriched medical decision support by visualization.
Essays in Empirical Matching

This thesis combines three essays on empirical applications and methods in two-sided matching markets. The first essay uses existing methods to estimate preferences for schools using rank order lists from New York City’s new high school assignment system launched in Fall 2003 to study the consequences of coordinating school admissions in a mechanism based on the student-proposing deferred acceptance algorithm. The second essay develops techniques for estimating preferences in two-sided matching markets with non-transferable utility using only data on final matches. It uses these techniques to estimate preferences in the market for family medicine residents. These estimates are then used to analyze two economic questions. First, it investigates whether centralization in the market for medical residents is primarily responsible for low salaries paid to medical residents. Second, it analyzes the effects of government interventions intended to encourage training of medical residents in rural areas. The final essay studies estimation and non-parametric identfication of preferences in two-sided matching markets with non-transferable utility. It studies the special case in which preferences of each side of the market is vertical and data from a pairwise stable match, in a single large market is observed.