Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Perceptions and practices of the Konso community ( South-west Ethiopia ) relating to malaria : implications for control Geme

Background. To get a deeper insight on how the Konso community in Ethiopia perceives malaria and manages the disease we assessed people’s knowledge on the causes of malaria, their treatment-seeking behaviour and use of preventive measures. Materials and Methods. The study was conducted during the period of high malaria transmission in 2009 and comprised a structured questionnaire administered to 609 family heads, focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with caretakers and traditional medical practitioners respectively. Results. From focus group discussions (FGD) emerged that malaria is perceived as a major health problem by the Konso community. The questionnaire outcome revealed that the majority (75%) of the interviewed household heads know that malaria is transmitted by mosquitoes, but most of them (85%) associate the disease also with particular environmental and climatic conditions. Half of the respondents resort to home treatment with herbal remedies as first source of cure, most commonly by using plant parts from Moringa stenopetala, Vernonia amygdalina and Withania somnifera. The use of mosquito nets, cleaning the house and burning herbs emerged as the most frequently cited perceived and practiced preventive measures. Conclusions. Since traditional methods to cure and prevent malaria are deeply rooted in the Konso community, there is an urgent need to validate efficacy and safety of the plant preparations that are employed. Community information campaigns need to pay attention to the still widely diffused misconceptions about the transmission of malaria that possibly may interfere with the proper use of insecticide treated mosquito nets.
Site Flatness Measurement System with Accuracy of Sub-nanometer Order for Silicon Wafer

A new system using a heterodyne interferometer has been developed to measure site flatness with an accuracy of sub-nanometer order for 300 and 450 mm wafers. This system is based on a spiral scan method, which enables the measurement of global flatness and site flatness. It is also possible to measure SFQR and ESFQR with 0.5 nm (σ) repeatability in an environment with as much as 5 Gal of floor vibration. This paper outlines the system and describes the experimental results for repeatability concerning global flatness and site flatness. Actual measurements turned out a GBIR of 0.68 nm (σ), SFQR of 0.33 nm (σ) and ESFQR of 0.39 nm (σ). Next, referring to the results of the measurement of actual wafers, it explains how this new system is effective in managing the process.
Causal Laws and Effective Strategies

There are at least two kinds of laws of nature: laws of association and causal laws.1 Laws of association are the faimilar laws with which philosophers usually deal. These laws tell how often two qualities or quantities are co-associated. They may be either deterministic-the association is universal-or probabilistic. The equations of physics are a good example: whenever the force on a classical particle of mass m is f the acceleration isf/m. Laws of association may be time indexed, as in the probabilistic laws of Mendelian genetics, but apart from the asymmetries imposed by time indexing, these laws are causally neutral. They tell how often two qualities co-occur; but they provide no account of what makes things happen. Causal laws, by contrast, have the word "cause"-or some causal surrogate, right in them. Smoking causes lung cancer; perspiration attracts wood ticks; or,-for an example from physics, force causes change in motion: to quote Einstein and Infeld ([5]: 9), "The action of an external force changes the velocity. such a force either increases or decreases the velocity according to whether it acts in the direction of motion or in the opposite direction. " Bertrand Russell [9] argued that laws of association are all the laws there are, and that causal principles cannot be derived from the causally symmetric laws of association. I shall here argue in support of Russell's second claim, but against the first. Causal principles cannot be reduced to laws of association; but they cannot be done away with. The argument in support of causal laws relies on some facts about strategies. They are illustrated in a letter which I recently received from TIAA-CREF, a company which provides insurance for college teachers. The letter begins:
Reverse reachability analysis: A new technique for deadlock detection on communicating finite state machines

The communicating finite state machines can exchange messages over bounded FIFO channels. In this paper, a new technique, called reverse reachability analysis, is proposed to detect deadlocks on the communication between the communicating finite state machines. The technique is based on finding reverse reachable paths starting from possible deadlock states. If a reverse reachable path can reach the initial global state, then deadlock occurs. Otherwise the communication is deadlock‐free. The effectiveness of the technique has been verified by some real protocols such as a specification of X.25 call establishment/clear protocol and Bartlet's alternating bit protocol.
User Modelling Validation over the Security Awareness of Digital Natives

Young generations make extensive use of mobile devices, such as smart-phones, tablets and laptops, for a variety of daily tasks with potentially critical impact, while the number of security breaches via portable devices increases exponentially. A plethora of security risks associated with these devices are induced by design shortcomings and vulnerabilities related to user behavior. Therefore, deploying suitable risk treatments requires the investigation of how security experts perceive the digital natives (young people, born in the digital era), when utilizing their user behavior models in the design and analysis of related systems. In this article, we present the results of a survey performed across a multinational sample of security professionals, in comparison to our earlier study over the security awareness of digital natives. Through this study, we seek to identify divergences between user behavior and the conceptual user-models that security experts utilise in their professional tasks. Our results indicate that the experts understanding over the user behaviour does not follow a solidified user-model, while influences from personal perceptions and randomness are also noticeable.
Zero-Shot Image Generation by Distilling Concepts from Multiple Captions

– We propose a generative model that will iteratively improve the quality of the generated image by making use of multiple captions about a single image. – This is achieved by ensuring Cross-Caption Cycle Consistency between the captions and the intermediate image representations. – Our experiments on Caltech-UCSD Birds dataset (CUB) and Oxford-102 Flowers dataset reveal that the proposed approach is able to generate plausible images even for classes with no training example.
Prediction of Sugarcane Yield using KNN and KNN Plus Clustering Algorithms

Traditionally, the crop analysis and agricultural production predictions were done based on statistical models. However, with the climate of the world changing to drastic degrees, these statistical models have become very ambiguous. Hence, it becomes prudent that we resort to other less vague methods. Through a traditional model, user interacts primarily with mathematical computations and its results and can help to solve well-defined and structured problems. Whereas, in a data driven model, user interacts primarily with the data and helps to solve mainly unstructured problems. At this point, enters the concept of Machine Learning. In this work we tried to find a new approach to reduce the input feature to reduce the processing power needed. In this work we have attempted at predicting the agricultural outputs of sugarcane production in Telangana Region area by implementing a KNN based machine learning model. Through this model, we tried to predict the approximate crop yield based on various parameters values analyzed for a particular season and area. Results from the simulated studies showed that the statistical models can roughly simulate pre harvest yield forecast of sugarcane under telangana region. This paper deals with study of KNN and clustered KNN algorithms which are suitable for the available predictors and predictions and to perform analysis, cleaning, pre processing and feature selection on the data and which will be very much useful to the researchers, policy and decision makers.
Entering and Exiting: Productivity Evolution of Energy Supply in China

The continuous entry of new firms and exit of old ones might have substantial effects on productivity of energy supply. Since China is the world’s largest energy producer, productivity of energy supply in China is a significant issue, which affects sustainability. As a technical application, this paper investigates the productivity and dynamic changes of Chinese coal mining firms. We find that the total factor productivity (TFP) growth of coal supply in China is largely lagging behind the growth rate of coal production. The entry and exit of non-state-owned enterprise (non-SOE) partially provide explanation for the dynamic change of aggregate TFP. Specifically, non-state owned entrants induced by the coal price boom after 2003, which had negative effects on TFP of energy supply, while the exit of non-SOEs had positive effects. Furthermore, there is regional heterogeneity concerning the effects of entry and exit on energy supply productivity. More entrants induced by coal price boom are concentrated in non-main production region (non-MPR), while more exits are located in MPR due to the government’s enforcement. This provides explanation for the phenomena that productivity of energy supply in MPR gradually surpasses that in non-MPR. We also anticipate our paper to enhance understanding on the energy supply-side, which might further help us make informed decisions on energy planning and environmental policies.
A survey of Hadamard difference sets

difference set, Hadamard A (u,k,A) difference set is a k-element subset D of a group G of order u for which the multiset {dldl2: dl,d2 E D, dl =t= d2} contains each nonidentity element of G exactly A times. A Hadamard difference set (HDS) has parameters of the form (u,k, A) = (4N2,2N2_N, N2·N). The Hadamard parameters provide the richest source of known examples of difference sets. The central question is: for each integer N, which groups of order 4N2 support a HDS? This question remains open, for abelian and nonabelian groups, despite an extensive literature. We survey the current state of knowledge of the subject.
Analog Mixed Signal Extensions for SystemC White paper and proposal for the foundation of an OSCI Working Group ( SystemC-AMS working group )

SystemC supports a wide range of Models of Computation (MoC) and is very well suited for the design and refinement of complex digital systems from functional downto register transfer level. However, for a broad range of applications, interactions of the digital part and algorithms on the one hand and analog parts and continuous-time environment on the other hand are very complex. Therefore, is it essential to consider the analog parts within the design process of Mixed-Signal System on Chip solutions. Because simulation performance is especially for the analog parts very crucial, different analog MoC must be introduced to allow the use of the most efficient solver for the considered level of abstraction. In this white paper we describe possible areas of application and requirements for mixed-signal extensions for SystemC, and propose the foundation of a “Mixed-Signal Working Group”.
High repetition rate fiber and integrated waveguide femtosecond lasers

Femtosecond lasers and the development of frequency combs have revolutionized multiple fields like metrology, spectroscopy, medical diagnostics and optical communications. However, to enable wider adoption of the technology and new applications like photonic sampling, optical arbitrary waveform generation or the calibration of astronomical spectrographs, multi-GHz repetition rate femtosecond lasers with robust performance metrics, low cost, and a compact footprint are highly desirable. In this thesis, different approaches to develop GHz mode-locked laser systems at telecommunication wavelengths are discussed and current achievements presented. Design aspects for constructing a long-term stable and compact fiber laser with 187 fs short pulses at a repetition rate of 1 GHz are covered. In order to scale the repetition rate into the multiGHz regime, coherent pulse interleaving in novel thermally tunable waveguide interleavers is demonstrated at 10 GHz. A femtosecond erbium-doped waveguide laser is developed at GHz repetition rates and important design guidelines are provided. As saturable Bragg reflectors are crucial in all of the described systems to enable mode-locking, saturable absorber optimization is discussed and their optical performance compared. Thus, this research paves the way for compact, affordable high repetition rate fiber lasers and monolithically integrated femtosecond laser sources which can be combined on-chip with additional functionalities to develop novel photonic systems with impact on spectroscopy, sensing, telecommunications and biomedical applications. Thesis Supervisor: Erich P. Ippen Title: Elihu Thomson Professor of Electrical Engineering, Professor of Physics Thesis Supervisor: Franz X. Kdrtner Title: Adjunct Professor, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Identification and functional analysis of novel phosphorylation sites in the RNA surveillance protein Upf 1

One third of inherited genetic diseases are caused by mRNAs harboring premature termination codons as a result of nonsense mutations. These aberrant mRNAs are degraded by the NonsenseMediated mRNA Decay (NMD) pathway. A central component of the NMD pathway is Upf1, an RNAdependent ATPase and helicase. Upf1 is a known phosphorylated protein, but only portions of this large protein have been examined for phosphorylation sites and the functional relevance of its phosphorylation has not been elucidated in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Using tandem mass spectrometry analyses, we report the identification of 11 putative phosphorylated sites in S. cerevisiae Upf1. Five of these phosphorylated residues are located within the ATPase and helicase domains and are conserved in higher eukaryotes, suggesting a biological significance for their phosphorylation. Indeed, functional analysis demonstrated that a small carboxy-terminal motif harboring at least three phosphorylated amino acids is important for three Upf1 functions: ATPase activity, NMD activity and the ability to promote translation termination efficiency. We provide evidence that two tyrosines within this phospho-motif (Y-738 and Y-742) act redundantly to promote ATP hydrolysis, NMD efficiency and translation termination fidelity.
Opioid Self-administration in the Nerve-injured Rat: Relevance of Antiallodynic Effects to Drug Consumption and Effects of Intrathecal Analgesics

Background:Neuropathic pain is associated with several sensory abnormalities, including allodynia as well as spontaneous pain. Opioid intake in neuropathic pain patients is motivated by alleviation of both pain and allodynia. However, laboratory animal studies rely almost exclusively on reflexive withdrawal measures of allodynia. The authors examined the pharmacology of self-regulated intake of opioids in rats with or without nerve injury and compared the rate of drug intake to reversal of allodynia. Methods:Rats were implanted with intravenous catheters, and the L5 and L6 spinal nerves were ligated in half of these animals. Rats were then trained to self-administer a commonly abused opioid (heroin) and commonly prescribed opioids (morphine, fentanyl, hydromorphone, and methadone). In addition, rats trained to self-administer heroin were given either clonidine or adenosine spinally before self-administration sessions to assess opioid-sparing effects. Results:Nerve injury significantly decreased the reinforcing effects of low doses of opioids, and only doses of each opioid that reduced mechanical hypersensitivity maintained self-administration after spinal nerve ligation. The rate of drug consumption was correlated with the duration of the antiallodynic effect for each dose of opioid. Intrathecal administration of clonidine or adenosine reversed mechanical hypersensitivity, but only clonidine reduced heroin self-administration in rats with spinal nerve ligation. Conclusion:Opioid self-administration is significantly altered by nerve injury, with rate of drug intake being correlated with reversal of allodynia. Intrathecal clonidine, but not adenosine, produces opioid-sparing effects in self-administering rats. The neurobiologic mechanisms that regulate opioid consumption in rats therefore seem to be altered after nerve injury.
Aluminum Nitride cross-sectional Lamé mode resonators with 260 MHz lithographic tuning capability and high kt2 > 4%

We experimentally demonstrate Aluminum Nitride (AlN) cross-sectional Lamé mode resonators (CLMRs) operating in the microwave frequency range and showing high Qkt2 products (FoM) in excess of 85. Such feature enables low motional resistance (Rm) values (37 Ω) in CLMRs characterized by low static capacitance (Co) approaching 66 fF. In addition, the ability of CLMRs to simultaneously achieve high kt2 (> 4%) and a lithographic frequency tunability (> 260 MHz around 900 MHz) is experimentally demonstrated, for the first time, in this work. Such important feature renders CLMRs promising candidates to replace off-chip Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) devices in lithographically defined filters for next-generation wireless communication platforms.
Anthracycline cardiotoxicity

The use of anthracyclines is limited by dose-dependent cardiotoxicity. Three forms of anthracycline cardiotoxicity are described; an immediate pericarditis–myocarditis syndrome, an early onset chronic progressive CHF developing during or shortly after therapy and late-onset cardiotoxicity presenting years following treatment. A number of risk factors have been reported, including; cumulative dose, administration schedule, mediastinal radiotherapy, old and young age, concurrent cardiovascular disease, combination therapy, gender, ethnicity and chromosomal abnormalities. Evaluation of left ventricular ejection fraction has been widely adopted as a means of monitoring and assessing anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity. Biochemical markers and other techniques, such as endomyocardial biopsy, metaiodobenzylguanidine and indium-111-antimyosin scintigraphy are not routinely used. Methods employed to prevent cardiotoxicity include cumulative dose limitation, alteration of administration schedule, anthracycline analogues, liposomal formulations and the cardioprotective agent, dexrazoxane. With the growing number of paediatric malignancy survivors and the increasing use of anthracyclines in the adjuvant treatment of breast cancer, the cardiotoxicity associated with these agents will remain a formidable issue for physicians. Further work is required to identify patients at increased risk of cardiotoxicity and to develop novel methods of protecting and treating this adverse effect.
Web Authentication Using a Secure Personal Device

The authentication of users in legacy websites via mobile devices is still a challenging problem. Users are required to provide passwords, introducing several vulnerabilities: since strong passwords are hard to memorize, users often use weak passwords that are easy to break, and passwords can be intercepted by malware and stolen. Some users tend to use password managers in order to restore credentials more easily, hence using password managers has its own vulnerabilities: master password is needed to authenticate into password managers, and users tend to use vulnerable password. Besides that most passwords managers use clipboard as a mechanism for transferring credentials that can be compromised by malicious application. In this work we propose a novel system, named BioALeg, to support secure biometric authentication on legacy websites. Our approach leverages the potential of a Secured Personal Device (SPD), a hardware addon for mobile phones that is being developed in the context of the PCAS European project (www.pcas-project.org). The device offers biometric authentication and secure storage services. BioALeg uses this infrastructure, and a companion web site plugin, to support biometric authentication in legacy web sites that currently use username/password authentication. Besides that BioALeg offers a secure copy/paste mechanisms for transferring credentials from SPD to legacy websites’ forms. When accessing a legacy web site the user is presented a regular login form. The BioALeg middleware verifies that the server is also running the middleware and asks him a OTP. This OTP is generated on the server and transferred to the browser using the SPD. This transfer is only executed if the owner of the SPD is correctly biometric authenticated. To increase the security of stored password (for sites not implementing BioALeg) we also developed and Password manager using the secure storage feature of the SPD. To access a password the user must be biometricaly authenticated. Besides that BioALeg system avoiding using clipboard by offering a secure copy/paste mechanisms, our approach takes advantage of SoftKeyboard architecture and paste the credentials through that. These solutions increase the security of authentication on mobile web sites, requiring only installation
Exploring Psychosocial Correlates of Breast Reconstruction Post-Mastectomy in a Sample of Spanish Women

Background: It is generally accepted that breast reconstruction (BR) provides psychological benefits for women who had undergone mastectomy for breast cancer by restoring bodily changes caused by surgery. Spanish research on these issues is still scant, and the published studies reveal conflicting results. This study aims to explore the psychosocial correlates of BR in a sample of Spanish women who have undergone mastectomy. Method: Body Image Scale, Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale, Beck Depression Inventory-I, Beck Anxiety Inventory, and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire were administered to 50 women who have undergone mastectomy, that were distributed into three groups: those who had undergone reconstruction, those who planned to do so in the short-term, or those who had decided against reconstruction. Results: Women who opted for no reconstruction tended to be older (p<.001) and less concerned about body image changes (p=.037) than those who had had reconstruction or those who planned to do so. Conclusions: This study shows that women who have undergone BR have greater concerns about body image than women who chose mastectomy without reconstruction. Patients who have undergone BR have similar outcomes with respect to anxiety, depression, and quality of life, than those obtained by women without reconstruction. Finally, women who are awaiting BR may be at risk of suffering psychological distress.