Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Willingness to Pay for Alternative Programs to Improve Water Quality in the Chesapeake Bay

Over the last century the Chesapeake Bay has been plagued by pollution, disease and overharvesting of its resources. As a result, the Bay has been the focus of substantial research and the beneficiary of numerous environmental programs. Previous work has suggested that people are willing to pay for improved water quality in the Chesapeake Bay. For policymakers, the key challenge is to determine how to allocate scarce funds across alternative regulatory and subsidy programs. This thesis investigates three new research questions that relate to the policymaker‟s problem. First, does WTP for a given water quality improvement depend on the process used to obtain that improvement? Second, does introducing a publicly funded program to improve water quality crowd out private donations to charitable organizations? Third, could oysters in the Chesapeake Bay be successfully marketed as a “green” good? The results from an attribute based choice experiment survey indicate that individuals value process and that they have a higher value for water quality improvement processes that include positive externalities such as increasing oyster populations and planting acres of tall grasses. The results also imply that the new water quality program will crowd out a small portion of private donations to charitable organizations. For example, a $1 tax increase for a new water quality program would crowd out approximately $0.02 of private donations to Chesapeake Bay organizations. Finally, results from a contingent valuation exercise suggest that oyster consumers are willing to pay a significant premium for ecolabeled oysters. Specifically, consumers are willing to pay a 58% premium for half-shell oysters.
Do VIP medical services damage efficiency? New evidence of medical institutions’ total factor productivity using Chinese panel data

This study examines the causal impact of very important person (VIP) medical services on hospital total factor productivity in Deyang, a prefectural-level city in western China, spanning the years 2015–2020. This aims to offer empirical evidence and policy recommendations for the implementation of VIP practices in the medical field. A secondary unbalanced panel dataset of 416 observations was collected from the annual reports of the Health Commission and 92 eligible medical institutions were included. This study utilized a two-stage strategy. First, the Global Malmquist index was used to calculate the total factor productivity and its decomposition terms for hospitals from 2015 to 2020. In the second stage, two-way fixed effects models and Tobit models were used to identify the relationship between VIP medical services and hospital efficiency; instrumental variables were used to solve potential endogeneity problems in the model. The results showed that VIP medical services had a significantly negative impact on medical institutions’ efficiency. The technological advances and pure technical efficiency related to VIP medical care may help explain these negative impacts, which were heterogeneous across groups divided by the nature of the hospital and the outside environment. It is imperative to prioritize the standardized provision of VIP medical services for medical institutions, optimize management and service process, enhance the training of clinical and scientific research capabilities of medical personnel, and scientifically allocate resources for both VIP and general medical services. This will help mitigate health inequality while improving the overall quality of medical services.
Pragmatic, feasibility randomized controlled trial of a recorded mental health recovery narrative intervention: narrative experiences online intervention for informal carers (NEON-C)

Introduction Informal carers of people with mental health problems often have unmet support needs. Mental health recovery narratives are increasingly accessible, but their relevance to and effect on informal carers have been minimally investigated. The Narrative Experiences Online (NEON) Intervention is a first-in-field intervention that provides informal carers with access to a diverse collection of recorded mental health recovery narratives. This trial aimed to examine the feasibility and acceptability of the NEON Intervention for informal carers. Methods This study involved a two-arm feasibility randomized controlled trial. Carers were randomly assigned to receiving versus not receiving the NEON Intervention. The feasibility aspects investigated included the acceptability of the intervention and of randomization, trial processes, engagement rates, recruitment procedures, attrition, sample size estimation, identification of candidate primary and secondary outcomes, and the feasibility of conducting a definitive trial. A qualitative process evaluation was conducted. Findings A total of 121 carers were eligible, of whom 54 were randomized (intervention: 27, control: 27). Twelve-month follow-up data were available for 36 carers. Carers accessed a mean of 25 narratives over a 12-month period, and the intervention group, compared with the control group, reported a small effect on hope and a moderate effect on the presence of meaning in life. Five modifications were recommended to improve the user experience, applicability, and trial processes. Discussion The NEON Intervention is feasible and acceptable. Significant refinement of the NEON Intervention and trial processes is required to personalize and ensure applicability to carers. Further feasibility testing is recommended prior to a definitive trial.
Ecological interpretation of short-term toxicity results: Development of a population model for Arbacia

The Arbacia punctulata fertilization and larval development tests are used extensively in regulatory and research programs to evaluate toxicity associated with contaminants in aqueous media. These short-term assays are inexpensive, easy to use, and provide information regarding the effects of environmental contaminants on critical life history stages of the sea urchin. Despite substantial consideration of the precision of assay methods, and a clear understanding of the statistical significance of treatment differences, an appreciation of the ecological significance of treatment effects is lacking. To address this problem, a stage classified population projection model was developed to relate short-term test endpoints to potential effects at the population level. The model was applied to evaluate population-level effects using short-term toxicity data obtained in an estuarine ecological risk assessment conducted for Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, Maine. The model also was used to examine which test endpoints provide useful information relative to population growth dynamics. Population modeling approaches can be extremely valuable in extrapolating single species toxicity information to higher level ecological endpoints and for identifying appropriate measurement endpoints during toxicity test development.
What distinguishes emotion-label words from emotion-laden words? The characterization of affective meaning from a multi-componential conception of emotions

Past research that distinguishes between affective and neutral words has predominantly relied on two-dimensional models of emotion focused on valence and arousal. However, these two dimensions cannot differentiate between emotion-label words (e.g., fear) and emotion-laden words (e.g., death). In the current study, we aimed to determine the unique affective characteristics that differentiate emotion-label, emotion-laden, and neutral words. Therefore, apart from valence and arousal, we considered different affective features of multi-componential models of emotion: action, assessment, expression, feeling, and interoception. The study materials included 800 Spanish words (104 emotion-label words, 340 emotion-laden words, and 356 neutral words). To examine the differences between each word type, we carried out a Principal Component Analysis and a Random Forest Classifier technique. Our results indicate that these words are characterized more precisely when the two-dimensional approach is combined with multi-componential models. Specifically, our analyses revealed that feeling, interoception and valence are key features in accurately differentiating between emotion-label, emotion-laden, and neutral words.
Arrhythmia classification for non-experts using infinite impulse response (IIR)-filter-based machine learning and deep learning models of the electrocardiogram

Arrhythmias are a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Portable electrocardiogram (ECG) monitors have been used for decades to monitor patients with arrhythmias. These monitors provide real-time data on cardiac activity to identify irregular heartbeats. However, rhythm monitoring and wave detection, especially in the 12-lead ECG, make it difficult to interpret the ECG analysis by correlating it with the condition of the patient. Moreover, even experienced practitioners find ECG analysis challenging. All of this is due to the noise in ECG readings and the frequencies at which the noise occurs. The primary objective of this research is to remove noise and extract features from ECG signals using the proposed infinite impulse response (IIR) filter to improve ECG quality, which can be better understood by non-experts. For this purpose, this study used ECG signal data from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Beth Israel Hospital (MIT-BIH) database. This allows the acquired data to be easily evaluated using machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) models and classified as rhythms. To achieve accurate results, we applied hyperparameter (HP)-tuning for ML classifiers and fine-tuning (FT) for DL models. This study also examined the categorization of arrhythmias using different filters and the changes in accuracy. As a result, when all models were evaluated, DenseNet-121 without FT achieved 99% accuracy, while FT showed better results with 99.97% accuracy.
Value delivery in green consumption: the effect of advertisement value proposition on consumer perception and purchase intention

Amid the expanding green consumer market, companies are increasingly emphasizing their eco-friendly contributions in advertising. This study delves into the value delivery process within green consumption, guided by the service-dominant logic (S-D logic). A survey-based experiment with 589 responses reveals that the information frame in advertising significantly impacts consumer value perceptions and purchase intentions. Notably, the temporal frame of advertising plays a pivotal role, influencing consumers' value perceptions. Future framing enhances emotional value perceptions, while past framing promotes environmental value perceptions. This research enhances our understanding of value delivery mechanisms in green consumption and holds valuable implications for marketers of sustainable products.
Data-Driven 3-D Tactile Cues With Intermediate Soft Interfaces Toward Training Needle Insertions

During the training of medical operators, forming muscle memory through repetitions is a routine path. Needle insertion is a fundamental skill for all medical staff. However, such training courses often require human resources at a relatively high cost. Therefore, a needle insertion simulator for large-scale deployment and practical training is expected. In this article, we design a passive, compliant force estimator that is low-cost, easily fabricated, and commonly demanded by needle insertion simulators. A triaxial decoupling force sensor design comprises commercial force-sensing resistors (FSRs), soft silicon materials, and a 3-D-printed connector for force decoupling. The total cost of the sensor and fabrication process is less than 5 USD. To achieve the prediction of a 3-D force profile when the corresponding medical tasks are performed, we propose and compare two data-driven estimators, including least-square (LS) regression and feedforward neural networks (FNNs). We demonstrate that FNN models outperformed the LS model regarding devised corresponding evaluation metrics. The predicted accuracy of the FNN is above 90%, while the LS has a lower average accuracy of 78.02%. Finally, we test the performance of a pretrained model on different angle gaps (15°, 30°). The force profiles of the 15° angle gap present relatively large fluctuations compared to reference with average accuracy at 84.36%. The test on the 30° angle gap has an error at 35.28%, which also shows randomness deviations from standard profiles. Therefore, the force information with a 15° or 30° angle gap can warn the trainer that an angle deviation exists from the standard setting.
Assessment of Sentinel-1A data for rice crop classification using random forests and support vector machines

Abstract This study developed an approach to map rice-cropping systems in An Giang and Dong Thap provinces, South Vietnam using multi-temporal Sentinel-1A (S1A) data. The data were processed through four steps: (1) data pre-processing, (2) constructing smooth time series VH backscatter data, (3) rice crop classification using random forests (RF) and support vector machines (SVM) and (4) accuracy assessment. The results indicated that the smooth VH backscatter profiles reflected the temporal characteristics of rice-cropping patterns in the study region. The comparisons between the classification results and the ground reference data indicated that the overall accuracy and Kappa coefficient achieved from RF were 86.1% and 0.72, respectively, which were slightly more accurate than SVM (overall accuracy of 83.4% and Kappa coefficient of 0.67). These results were reaffirmed by the government’s rice area statistics with the relative error in area (REA) values of 0.2 and 2.2% for RF and SVM, respectively.
SORTING SUBCONTRACTORS’ ACTIVITIES IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS WITH A NOVEL ADDITIVE-VETO SORTING APPROACH

Selection processes in civil engineering infrastructure projects might require more time and effort than the decisionmakers involved in these projects are normally prepared to devote to running them. A novel approach is proposed to sort these activities into classes that represent their impact on the project, namely additive-veto sorting model, which should be considered before any bidding procedure. Therefore, problems regarding the client’s satisfaction caused by subcontractors can be avoided, and the decision-makers involved in the selection problem can devote to each class an effort compatible with the impact that activity might have on the project. The novelty of this method is that it was built to reflect the quasi-compensatory rationality of decision-makers in the construction industry; it provides them with insights on subcontractors’ activities, and it is grounded on and inspired by a real case study. The new parameters proposed within this model introduce the idea of vetoing an activity being assigned to a class when this activity is incompatible with the decision-maker’s preferences. By using this novel method, the authors succeeded in finding results that avoided a complete compensation amongst the factors considered, taking into account ranges that would be of significant importance in the decision process.
Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom

I. Gender WILPF takes note of and welcomes the gender references included in paragraphs 9, 17, 34, 52, and 56. It’s very positive to see that the pre-draft reflects the wide support to improve women’s participation that has been called for by states and other stakeholders during OEWG sessions, including recognition that participation be “meaningful” such as through “decision-making” and “leadership” roles, which is reflected in the pre-draft. WILPF also welcomes the reference to differentiated impacts of cyber operations reflected in the summary of discussions on Threats.
Renoprotective Effect of Pitavastatin against TAA-Induced Renal Injury: Involvement of the miR-93/PTEN/AKT/mTOR Pathway

This research investigated if pitavastatin (Pita) might protect rats' kidneys against thioacetamide (TAA). By altering the PTEN/AKT/mTOR pathway, pitavastatin may boost kidney antioxidant capacity and minimize oxidative damage. Statins have several benefits, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics. The principal hypothesis of this study was that Pita can regulate the miR-93/PTEN/AKT/mTOR pathways, which is thought to be responsible for its renoprotective effects. The experiment divided male rats into four groups. Group 1 included untreated rats as the control. Group 2 included rats which received TAA (100 mg/kg intraperitoneally thrice a week for two weeks) to destroy their kidneys. Groups 3 and 4 included rats which received Pita orally at 0.4 and 0.8 mg/kg for 14 days after TAA injections. Renal injury increased BUN, creatinine, and MDA levels and decreased glutathione (GSH) levels. Pitavastatin prevented these alterations. TAA decreased PTEN and increased miR-93, Akt, p-Akt, mTOR, and Stat3 in the kidneys. Pitavastatin also regulated the associated culprit pathway, miR-93/PTEN/Akt/mTOR. In addition, TAA induced adverse effects on the kidney tissue, which were significantly ameliorated by pitavastatin treatment. The findings suggest that pitavastatin can attenuate renal injury, likely by regulating the miR-93/PTEN/Akt/mTOR pathway. This modulation of the pathway appears to contribute to the protective effects of pitavastatin against TAA-induced renal injury, adding to the growing evidence of the pleiotropic benefits of statins in renal health.
Analysis Scientific Knowledge of The Process Making Jenang Kudus and Its Potential for Empowering Logical Thinking Skills

The low knowledge of students' local wisdom, especially jenang kudus, has an impact on Indonesia's identity in the future. In addition, Indonesian students have low logical thinking skills, this also affects the fading of local wisdom in Indonesia, students have difficulty filtering foreign cultures carried by globalization. This study aims to: (1) analyze the scientific knowledge contained in the process of making jenang Kudus; (2) analyze the potential of scientific knowledge contained in the process of making jenang Kudus to empower junior high school students' logical thinking skills; (3) analyze the relationship of scientific knowledge contained in the process of making jenang Kudus to the material in science learning. This research is a descriptive qualitative research with an ernographic approach. The data sources include informants and articles. The sampling technique was done with snowball sampling technique. Data collection was collection using interview, observation, documentation and journal analysis. The data validity test technique was carried out using triangulation techniques. Data analysis techniques using interactive analysis techniques. The results of this study show that the process of making Jenang Kudus contains scientific knowledge of science from three aspects including biology, chemistry and physical. Scientific knowledge in the process of making jenang Kudus has the potential to empower logical thinking skills which include 5 indicators including ordering, comparing, contrasting, evaluating, selecting. Scientific knowledge in the process of making jenang Kudus is related to junior high school science materials including temperature and heat, mixtures, physical and chemical changes, additives, and food substances.
Mineral Intake and Cardiovascular Disease, Cancer, and All-Cause Mortality: Findings from the Golestan Cohort Study

Associations between mineral intake and mortality in non-Western countries have not been studied adequately. This study evaluated these associations in the Golestan Cohort Study, featuring a Middle Eastern population. The mineral intake was estimated from the baseline food frequency questionnaire, adjusted by using the nutrient density method, and divided into quintiles. We used Cox proportional hazards models to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the mortality. We analyzed 41,863 subjects with a mean age of 51.46 ± 8.73 years at the baseline. During 578,694 person-years of follow-up (median: 14.1 Years), 7217 deaths were recorded. Dietary calcium intake was inversely associated with the all-cause mortality (HRQ5 vs. Q1 = 0.91, 95%CI = 0.85–0.99). We observed significant associations between calcium (HRQ5 vs. Q1 = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.73–0.93), copper (HRQ5 vs. Q1 = 1.11, 95% CI = 0.99–1.26), and selenium intake (HRQ5 vs. Q1 = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.01–1.29) and CVD mortality. Dietary phosphorus (HRQ5 vs. Q1 = 0.81, 95%CI = 0.69–0.96) and copper intake (HRQ5 vs. Q1 = 0.84, 95%CI = 0.71–0.99) were inversely associated with cancer mortality. In this study within a Middle Eastern population, a higher dietary intake of calcium exhibited an inverse association with all-cause mortality. Furthermore, nuanced associations were observed in the cause-specific mortality, suggesting potential avenues for dietary interventions and emphasizing the importance of considering dietary factors in public health strategies.
Various MPPT Modes and Dynamic Performance of Coupled Inductor Bipolar Multi-Output Converter With no Right Half Plane Zero

This article proposes a coupled inductor bipolar multi-output converter (CI-BMC) and its four different operating modes for maximum power point tracking (MPPT) operations with improved dynamic performance during various transient and environmental conditions. The proposed CI-BMC is designed to supply bipolar dc and ac loads simultaneously from photovoltaic (PV) sources and effectively cater various dynamic conditions during MPPT operations in different modes. The proposed converter is designed using Cuk and SEPIC configuration, six mosfet switches, filter inductors and capacitors. The circuit is designed to eliminate right half plane zeros from it and therefore, can achieve wider bandwidth and better phase margin simultaneously which results in improved dynamic performance during MPPT operations. The challenges faced by the conventional multi-output converters for MPPT operation is also taken care in this article. Further, cross-regulation effect is reduced in case of CI-BMC which improves the converter dynamic stability substantially. Overall, CI-BMC provides a better interface for PV-based dynamic operations. Moreover, continuous input-output current and buck-boost capability also favor the MPPT operation. A laboratory prototype of 450 W is developed and implement using field programmable gate array based digital platform for dynamic performance and MPPT operations.