Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intuitionistic Fuzzy Cognitive Maps for Medical Decision Making

Medical decision making can be regarded as a process, combining both analytical cognition and intuition. It involves reasoning within complex causal models of multiple concepts, usually described by uncertain, imprecise, and/or incomplete information. Aiming to model medical decision making, we propose a novel approach based on cognitive maps and intuitionistic fuzzy logic. The new model, called intuitionistic fuzzy cognitive map (iFCM), extends the existing fuzzy cognitive map (FCM) by considering the expert's hesitancy in the determination of the causal relations between the concepts of a domain. Furthermore, a modification in the formulation of the new model makes it even less sensitive than the original model to missing input data. To validate its effectiveness, an iFCM with 34 concepts representing fuzzy, linguistically expressed patient-specific data, symptoms, and multimodal measurements was constructed for pneumonia severity assessment. The results obtained reveal its comparative advantage over the respective FCM model by providing decisions that match better with the ones made by the experts. The generality of the proposed approach suggests its suitability for a variety of medical decision-making tasks.
Determining spatial and temporal scales for management: lessons from whaling

Selection of the appropriate management unit is critical to the conservation of animal populations. Defining such units depends upon knowledge of population structure and upon the timescale being considered. Here, we examine the trajectory of eleven subpopulations of five species of baleen whales to investigate temporal and spatial scales in management. These subpopulations were all extirpated by commercial whaling, and no recovery or repopulation has occurred since. In these cases, time elapsed since commercial extinction ranges from four decades to almost four centuries. We propose that these subpopulations did not recover either because cultural memory of the habitat has been lost, because widespread whaling among adjacent stocks eliminated these as sources for repopulation, and/or because segregation following exploitation produced the abandonment of certain areas. Spatial scales associated with the extirpated subpopulations are frequently smaller than those typically employed in management. Overall, the evidence indicates that: (1) the time frame for management should be at most decadal in scope (i.e., <100 yr) and based on both genetic and nongenetic evidence of population substructure, and (2) at least some stocks should be defined on a smaller spatial scale than they currently are.
From Central to Marginal?

Historically, child care, in much of Africa, was a communal responsibility especially through the practice of kinship fosterage. However, as a result of recent socioeconomic changes, there is some evidence to suggest that a shift is taking place in community perceptions about the continuing benefit of kinship fosterage for children in particular. Instead, the roles of parents are being foregrounded in the socialization process. Despite this, there is evidence to suggest that large numbers of parents are retreating from their responsibilities. In this way, traditional safety nets that existed for children are being chipped away, leading many to look after themselves or explore alternative sources of support and care. Therefore, this article aims to explore the extent to which current perceptions of kinship fosterage are changing in Ghana.
Oral Administration of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG Ameliorates Salmonella Infantis-Induced Inflammation in a Pig Model via Activation of the IL-22BP/IL-22/STAT3 Pathway

The high rate of Salmonella enterica serovar Infantis (S. Infantis) infection poses significant risk for the development of non-typhoidal Salmonella gastroenteritis. However, efficient strategies to prevent or treat the infection remain elusive. Here, we explored the effect of the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) administration in preventing S. Infantis infection in a pig model. Probiotic LGG (1.0 × 1010 CFU/day) was orally administered to newly weaned piglets for 1 week before S. Infantis challenge. LGG pretreatment reduced the severity of diarrhea and alleviated intestinal inflammation caused by S. Infantis. Pre-administration of LGG excluded Salmonella from colonization of the jejunal mucosa but increased the abundance of Bifidobacterium in the feces. LGG promoted the expansion of CD4+ T-bet+ IFNγ+ T cells but attenuated S. Infantis-induced increases in the percentage of CD4+ IFNγ+ T cells and serum interleukin (IL)-22 levels in peripheral blood after S. Infantis challenge. In the small intestine, LGG pretreatment upregulated expression of the transcription factor T-bet but downregulated the S. Infantis-induced increase of CD4+ IFNγ+ T cells in Peyer's patches and IL-7Rα expression in the jejunum. Notably, LGG-treated pigs had enhanced expression of IL-22 and activated STAT3 in the ileum in response to S. Infantis infection. Pretreatment of pigs with LGG also elevated intestinal IL-22-binding protein production in response to S. Infantis challenge. In contrast, LGG consumption reduced the S. Infantis-induced increase in the number of CCL20-expressing cells in the jejunum. Our results suggest that the mechanism by which LGG ameliorates the intestinal inflammation caused by S. Infantis involves the upregulation of T-bet, activation of STAT3, and downregulation of CCL20.
The properties of the hot gas in galaxy groups and clusters from ID hydrodynamical simulations - I. Cosmological infall models

We report the results of 1-D hydrodynamical modelling of the evolution of gas in galaxy clusters. We have incorporated many of the effects missing from earlier 1-D treatments: improved modelling of the dark matter and galaxy distributions, cosmologically realistic evolution of the cluster potential, and the effects of a multiphase cooling flow. The model utilises a fairly standard 1-D Lagrangian hydrodynamical code to calculate the evolution of the intracluster gas. This is coupled to a theoretical model for the growth of dark matter density perturbations. The main advantages of this treatment over 3-D codes are (1) improved spatial resolution within the cooling flow region, (2) much faster execution time, allowing a fuller exploration of parameter space, and (3) the inclusion of additional physics. In the present paper, we explore the development of infall models -- in which gas relaxes into a deepening potential well -- covering a wide range of cluster mass scales. We find that such simple models reproduce many of the global properties of observed clusters. Very strong cooling flows develop in these 1-D cluster models. In practice, disruption by major mergers probably reduces the cooling rate in most clusters. The models overpredict the gas fraction in low mass systems, indicating the need for additional physical processes, such as preheating or galaxy winds, which become important on small mass scales.
Ethics and the Public Administrator

This article provides an overview and analysis of the practical problems of developing and implementing a code of ethics for public administrators. The article addresses three key issues: (1) What are public ethics and where do they come from? (2) What are the central ethical issues facing public administrators? and (3) Are there practical tools and guidelines to assist public servants to be both ethical and effective public managers? The article concludes with a plea for consideration of ethical issues, and it presents five general ethical principles for public administrators.
Cardiac Rehabilitation Outcomes in Women With Chronic Heart Failure: MOOD, FITNESS, AND EXERCISE SAFETY

INTRODUCTION: Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a leading cause of morbidity in the industrialized world; both men and women are affected in significant numbers. However, women are underrepresented in heart failure literature, and there is limited evidence of their cardiac rehabilitation outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of a cardiac rehabilitation program in female CHF patients. METHODS: In a prospective cohort study, 60 female CHF subjects (median age, 59 years; median ejection fraction, 30%) were compared with 172 male CHF subjects (median age, 60 years; median ejection fraction, 27%), who completed an outpatient cardiac rehabilitation program. Self-reported exercise levels and intensity, fitness (6-minute walk test [6MWT]), and depressed mood (Cardiac Depression Scale) were recorded and compared at admission and discharge. Questionnaires were also re-administered at patient review conducted 3 months postdischarge. RESULTS: Both female and male subjects made significant improvements in exercise levels (P < .05), exercise intensity (P < .001), fitness (P < .001), and mood (P < .001) during rehabilitation. Women showed significantly greater improvement in 6MWT results by discharge (P = .007) compared with men. At discharge, fewer women than men (78% vs 88%) reported exercising to adequate levels (≥150 minutes/week), but this had reversed at 3 months postdischarge. CONCLUSIONS: Women with heart failure demonstrate similar patterns of improvement during cardiac rehabilitation compared with men and, in fact, show greater improvements in fitness and longer term exercise levels. Low to moderate intensity cardiac rehabilitation is both safe and effective in this group.
Natural Products from Antarctic Colonial Ascidians of the Genera Aplidium and Synoicum: Variability and Defensive Role

Ascidians have developed multiple defensive strategies mostly related to physical, nutritional or chemical properties of the tunic. One of such is chemical defense based on secondary metabolites. We analyzed a series of colonial Antarctic ascidians from deep-water collections belonging to the genera Aplidium and Synoicum to evaluate the incidence of organic deterrents and their variability. The ether fractions from 15 samples including specimens of the species A. falklandicum, A. fuegiense, A. meridianum, A. millari and S. adareanum were subjected to feeding assays towards two relevant sympatric predators: the starfish Odontaster validus, and the amphipod Cheirimedon femoratus. All samples revealed repellency. Nonetheless, some colonies concentrated defensive chemicals in internal body-regions rather than in the tunic. Four ascidian-derived meroterpenoids, rossinones B and the three derivatives 2,3-epoxy-rossinone B, 3-epi-rossinone B, 5,6-epoxy-rossinone B, and the indole alkaloids meridianins A–G, along with other minoritary meridianin compounds were isolated from several samples. Some purified metabolites were tested in feeding assays exhibiting potent unpalatabilities, thus revealing their role in predation avoidance. Ascidian extracts and purified compound-fractions were further assessed in antibacterial tests against a marine Antarctic bacterium. Only the meridianins showed inhibition activity, demonstrating a multifunctional defensive role. According to their occurrence in nature and within our colonial specimens, the possible origin of both types of metabolites is discussed.
Review of Research: School Placement and Separation of Twins: A Review of Research

The preschool director smiled as she glanced at the 2-year-old tzuin sisters, Caroline and Grace. She looked at me, their mother, and said, "lt's our policy to separate twins, so they deuelop their own personalities. Caroline and Grace need to be separated before age 3. Caroline is more mature-and shewill beplaced zuith the 3to 4-year-old class, 71hik Grace iuill stay zuith the 2to 3-year-olds. " Breathe. Maintain composure. Try not to faint. Those were the only thoughts 1 could manage.
Blind nonlinear source separation using EKENS learning and MLP network

We propose an equivariant kernel nonlinear separation (EKENS) learning algorithm to extract independent sources from their nonlinear mixtures. Generally, unmixing signals from the nonlinear model in an unsupervised manner is very complicated, because both the nonlinear mapping and the sources distribution are not-known apriori, and should be learned from the observations. The observations are modelled based on nonlinear generative multilayer perceptrons analysis. The theory of the EKENS learning algorithm is discussed. In simulations with artificial data, the EKENS algorithm is able to find the underlying sources from the observation only, even though the data generating mapping is strongly nonlinear and flexible
Discovery of hidden profiles by decision-making groups: Solving a problem versus making a judgment.

An information-sampling model proposed by Stasser and Titus (1985,1987) and observations of discussion content (Stasser, Taylor, & Hanna, 1989) suggest that face-to-face discussions often fail to disseminate unshared information. However, groups may be less prone to overlooking unshared information if they believe that their task has a demonstrably correct answer (Laughlin, 1980). University students read a murder mystery and then met in groups to discuss the case. Groups believed they had either sufficient (solve set) or insufficient (judge set) evidence to determine the guilty suspect. When critical clues were unshared before discussion, 67% of solve, but only 35% of judge, groups identified the guilty suspect. Discussion content analyses showed that solve groups focused more on the critical clues. Stasser, Taylor, and Hanna (1989) found that decision-making groups were much more likely to discuss information that members shared before discussion than to discuss information that was held by members individually. This finding was anticipated by an information-sampling model of discussion that was proposed by Stasser and Titus (1985,1987). The central idea in the model is that the probability of discussing an item of information increases as the number of members who can recall and mention the item increases. This is a fairly simple idea, but it has some disconcerting implications. For example, it suggests that group discussion may be an ineffective way of disseminating information; information that is known to only one or a few members will often be omitted from discussion. Moreover, Stasser, Taylor, and Hanna (1989) found that groups were not only more likely to mention information if it was distributed to all before discussion, but they were also more likely to bring it up repeatedly throughout discussion. These findings suggest that group decisions will often reflect the common knowledge shared by members before discussion and not the diverse knowledge emanating from their unique perspectives and experiences. Of particular interest in this article is the possibility that the failure of groups to consider fully unshared information may be due in part to how members construe their decision-making task. Members may view the task as a "matter of judgment" and let their discussion be. guided by the goal of reaching a consensus. Conversely, members may view the task as a problem to be solved and presume that there is a critical set of information that would allow them not only to identify the correct answer
Biological Activities of Solanaceous Plants Against Vector Mosquitoes: A Review

Malaria, dengue, chickungunya, filariasis and Japanese encephalitis which are transmitted by mosquitoes cause thousands of deaths in India. Hence, effective mosquito control is required to enhance the health and quality of human life through the reduction of mosquito population. Therefore there is a growing need to use clean non-toxic, eco-friendly biopesticides. In this review we summarize, the current knowledge of the mosquito larvicidal activity by using different plant part extracts of Solanaceae family. Various aspects such as, instar specificity, solvents used during extraction, nature of active ingredient and promising advances made in biological control of mosquito larvae from Solanaceae plant derived secondary metabolites are also discussed . The results of the review reveal that the use of Solanaceous plant extracts have the potential to be utilized as a good, easily available, biodegradable, non-toxic and in having eco-friendly approach for the control of mosquito population.
A phantom study: Should 124I‐mIBG PET/CT replace 123I‐mIBG SPECT/CT?

Purpose The isotope 123I is commonly labeled with meta‐iodobenzylguanidine (mIBG) for imaging of neuroendocrine tumors, such as pheochromocytomas and neuroblastomas. 123I‐mIBG SPECT/CT imaging is performed for staging, follow‐up and selection of patients for treatment with 131I mIBG. As an alternative to 123I, 124I‐mIBG PET/CT may be used, potentially taking advantage of the superior PET image quality. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether 124I PET/CT improves image quality as compared with 123I SPECT/CT for equal patient effective radiation dose (in mSv). Methods Phantom measurements were performed using the NEMA‐2007 image quality phantom. SPECT and PET reconstruction settings were used with and without time‐of‐flight (TOF) and point‐spread‐function (PSF) modeling. As a measure of image quality, the contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR) was calculated. The ratio of the 123I to 124I activity concentration was determined at which the contrast‐to‐noise ratio was equal for both modalities. This metric was defined as the contrast equivalent activity ratio (CEAR). Results CEARs of 47.7, 25.6, 23.1, 14.6, 10.0, and 9.1 were obtained for a TOF and PSF modeled 124I reconstruction method and an attenuation and scatter‐corrected 123I reconstruction method for sphere sizes of 10 to 37 mm, respectively. As the effective radiation dose of 124I‐mIBG is higher than of 123I‐mIBG (in mSv/MBq), an equal effective dose corresponds to a CEAR of 5 to 10. Therefore, CEARs higher than 5 to 10 indicate that 124I PET/CT outperforms 123I SPECT/CT in the sense of image quality for equal patient effective radiation dose. Conclusion The CEAR is much larger than a factor of 5 to 10 (needed for equal patient effective radiation dose) for most of the reconstruction methods and sphere sizes. Therefore, 124I‐mIBG PET/CT is expected to improve image quality and/or may be used to reduce effective patient dose as compared with 123I‐mIBG SPECT/CT.
La représentation sociale de la mondialisation : contenu, structure et organisation

La presente recherche explore le contenu, la structure et l’organisation de la representation sociale de la mondialisation, selon differentes appartenances nationales et les positions a son egard. Une analyse des evocations hierarchisees (Verges, 1992 ; Abric, 2003) et de similitude (Flament, 1981), portant sur un ensemble de reponses associatives a une question d’evocation, a partir d’un terme inducteur designant la mondialisation, a ete realisee dans une perspective structurale des representations sociales (Abric, 1976 ; 1987). L’enquete a ete menee, en 2003, aupres de 503 etudiants de six villes de cinq pays differents.On observe, au niveau du contenu, dont le degre d’organisation est moyen, le renvoi de quelques elements de la representation a des cadres de reference qu’on peut interpreter a la lumiere de caracteristiques specifiques a certains pays ou villes, mais, surtout, aux differentes prises de position auxquelles semble correspondre une plus grande coherence de la signification des elements. Les resultats montrent, par ailleurs, l’existence de preoccupations transnationales qu’expriment des elements et des themes saillants dans l’organisation de la representation.
Safety in numbers: mathematics support centres and their derivatives as social learning spaces

This article reports on data gathered from second and third year mathematics undergraduates at two British universities which have developed Mathematics Support Centres, primarily with a view to supporting skills development for engineering students. However, an unforeseen consequence of the support centres was the mathematics students’ colonisation of the physical space, and the development of group learning strategies which involve a strong community identity. Drawing on a socio‐cultural theoretical framework, based primarily in the concept of a figured world, the article explores the students’ perceptions of mathematics learning and their experiences of university‐level teaching, focusing on the ways in which they collectively build images of themselves as participants in an undergraduate mathematics community, resourced by the physical safe spaces that they have created, and which they now regard as essential sites of their learning.
The Times They Were A-Changing

empire but rejected imperialism because "it is not a teaching government" (p. 81) and does not show the people why its policies are good. "Only a free government could confidently undertake bold measures, because it was an informed government" (p. 79). The concluding chapter is a meditation on the legacy of liberalism and what liberals might prescribe today. By accepting the nation-state as the proper vehicle for reconciling order and liberty, the three likely would have discouraged any attempt to shift loyalties to a global community "because it would be impossible to sustain the civic virtues in such a setting" (p. 107). Two of them, Tocqueville and Bagehot, also represent the two poles of a continuing foreign policy debate over whether liberalism is to be the active champion of liberty or the more passive example of liberty. Although the Cold War may have suppressed the influence of liberalism, the debate "over the proper course for the United States, the preeminent liberal power "(p. 120) has been subsequently renewed. The extrovert or interventionist strain of liberalism exhibits a "generous desire to reform the world;" its introvert or noninterventionist rival reflects an "open-minded reluctance to impose one's will on others" (p. 114). Here Lieber is permitted the last word. "A pre-liberal concept, honor, [Lieber] would say, can resolve the contest over the direction in which liberalism truly points the foreign policy of a great power" (p. 121). Honor is exemplified in such old-fashioned qualities as "dignity, self-respect, consideration for others, high-mindedness, candor coupled with courtesy. Lieber's advocacy of codes of conduct freely accepted by states solely for their inherent justice, and not due to any external coercion, follows from this conception" (p. 121). This engaging little book fills a gap in the scholarly treatment of nineteenthcentury liberal thought while demonstrating its value in illuminating the competing values that bedevil policy makers today. Tocqueville remains very much within the mainstream of academic discourse and Bagehot's The English Constitution is a recognized classic. But what about Lieber? When Tocqueville returned to France from his journey to America, he brought back with him the first seven volumes of Lieber's Encyclopaedia Americana. To what purpose, one might ask? This book makes a case for giving Lieber his due. The works of Tocqueville and Bagehot have been collected. Why not those of Francis Lieber?