Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fan Chart – A Tool for NBP's Monetary Policy Making

In this note we describe, in substantial detail, the methodology behind the construction of NBP’s fan chart. This note is meant to help the readers interpret information contained in the mid-term projection, understand the differences in the predicted uncertainty between the projection rounds, and the usefulness of the projection for the monetary policy conduct. We describe the process which leads to the final projection, the methodology of estimation of the variance of the final forecast probability distribution, the method used for quantifying asymmetry of the fan chart and the role the two-piece normal distribution plays in it. Finally, we describe the analysis of the changes in the fan charts between the projection rounds and explain how the narrative associated with the projection is consistent with its assessment of risk.
Fast Multipole Method for Scattering from an Arbitrary PEC Target Above or Buried in a

The fast multipole method (FMM) was originally developed for perfect electric conductors (PECs) in free space, through exploitation of spectral properties of the free-space Green's function. In the work reported here, the FMM is mod- ified, for scattering from an arbitrary three-dimensional (3-D) PEC target above or buried in a lossy half space. The "near" terms in the FMM are handled via the original method-of-moments (MoM) analysis, wherein the half-space Green's function is evaluated efficiently and rigorously through application of the method of complex images. The "far" FMM interactions, which employ a clustering of expansion and testing functions, utilize an approximation to the Green's function dyadic via real image sources and far-field reflection dyadics. The half-space FMM algorithm is validated through comparison with results computed via a rigorous MoM analysis. Further, a detailed comparison is performed on the memory and computational requirements of the MoM and FMM algorithms for a target in the vicinity of a half-space interface.
The socio-pragmatic analysis of Amharic Euphemisms of women

Abstract This study investigated the socio-pragmatic analysis of Amharic euphemisms of women within the frameworks of politeness and relevance theories. The investigation was carried out using a descriptive-qualitative methodology. To accomplish the objective, data were gathered from Amharic native speakers using semi-structured interviews, focus group discussion, and introspection. Hence, using snowball and purposive sampling techniques, informants of elders and youths, males and females, educated and uneducated, urban and rural residences were chosen. The data were analyzed based on the research objectives. Results show that native Amharic speakers believed that it was improper to discuss women’s issues in public, including virginity, pregnancy, menstruation, delivery, abortion, menopause, wife, concubine, and prostitute, at the research areas’ churches, mosques, homes, schools, and hospital realms. Instead, they employed different euphemistic construction mechanisms. In addition, people in the study settings used various euphemistic construction techniques including metaphor, metonymy, idiom, borrowing, circumlocution, overstatement, and understatement. The results also show that research participants in the study locations used a variety of euphemistic formation strategies to avoid taboo utterances, to maintain face, and to demonstrate respect.
Stability, Queue Length and Delay, Part 11: Stochastic Queueing Networks

In this paper, we extend our results in Part I from deterministic networks to stochastic networks. Our objectives are (i) to provide a tool to compute simple bounds for the tail distributions of delays and queue lengths and (ii) to answer stability problems similar to those in deterministic queueing networks. We say a random variable X is bounded exponentially with respect to 8 (0 < 8 < cm) if the &norm of exp(X) is finite, or equivalently the moment generating function of X is finite with respect to 8. Parallel to the development in deterministic queueing networks, we consider envelope processes and derive input-output relations between arrival processes and departure processes. Based on these inputoutput relations, we show that the queue length can (resp. cannot) be bounded exponentially with respect to 8 if the minimum envelope rate is smaller (resp. larger) than the capacity. Similar results hold for the delays of customers if the scheduling policy is First Come First Served, and can be extended to acyclic networks with multiclasses of customers. Moreover, when restricting to two-state Markov modulated arrival processes, the minimum envelop rates are shown to be equivalent to the recently developed notion of effective bandwidths in communication networks. For a single class nonfeedforward network with i.i. d. Bernoulli routing, the queue length at each queue can be bounded exponentially with respect to 8 if a certain traffic condition is satisfied. Under a weaker traffic condition, we show that the total . number of customers in the system can be bounded exponentially with respect to 8/I, where I is the number of queues in the network. As an application, we propose a tentative solution to the access control problem of communication networks.
A Simple and Accurate Method for Approximate Conditional Inference Applied to Exponential Family Models

SUMMARY A simple method for approximate conditional inference is described. The methodology is applied to natural exponential family models where it is shown to provide accurate approximations to fully conditional estimates. The approximation technique can be applied much more generally than in this particular class of models. The technique depends only on the construction of certain 'projected scores' derived from higher order likelihood derivatives and their covariances and so can be used in many problems where it is relevant to control for the estimation of nuisance parameters.
Enhanced Integrity of White Matter Microstructure in Mind–Body Practitioners: A Whole-Brain Diffusion Tensor Imaging Study

Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) is an increasingly popular multimodal mind–body practice with potential cognitive benefits, yet the neurobiological mechanisms underlying these effects, particularly in relation to brain white matter (WM) microstructure, remain largely unknown. In this study, we used diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and the attention network test (ANT) to compare 22 TCC practitioners and 18 healthy controls. We found extensive differences in fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (AD), and radial diffusivity (RD) between the two groups. Specifically, TCC practitioners had significantly different diffusion metrics in the corticospinal tract (CST), fornix (FX)/stria terminalis (ST), and cerebral peduncle (CP). We also observed a significant correlation between increased FA values in the right CP and ANT performance in TCC practitioners. Our findings suggest that optimized regional WM microstructure may contribute to the complex information processing associated with TCC practice, providing insights for preventing cognitive decline and treating neurological disorders with cognitive impairment in clinical rehabilitation.
Patient Power and Empowerment: Mitigating Elements of Valuable Patient Participation in Healthcare Collaboratives

During the last decade, the public healthcare sector has had to deal with increased competition, a growing influence of patient associations, and a necessity to deliver health services more efficiently and effectively. Despite recognising the patient participant’s role as a critical stakeholder in value creation, there is a limited body of research on the influence and power of patient participants. This article focuses on regional health improvement collaboratives that aim to develop coordinated, multi-stakeholder solutions to their healthcare cost and quality problems. They meet regularly and include health professionals, health insurance providers, and patient participants. In this article, we explore the relationships between these stakeholders and patient participants’ interpersonal dimensions regarding empowerment and valuable collaboration. Data were collected through stakeholder observations during meetings of three regional health improvement collaboratives, as well as through semi-structured interviews with the patient participants involved in these cases. Results show that patient participants can be empowered on a personal level. However, this does not imply that patient participants are empowered within the group dynamics. Interpersonal relationships constitute a crucial hidden aspect of building trust. More dialogue and inquiry are needed to examine how patient engagement is enacted and positioned within healthcare collaboratives.
Comparison of Implant Surgery Methods of Cortical Tapping and Cortical Widening in Bone of Various Density: A Three-Dimensional Finite Element Study

Purpose: The primary stability of a dental implant is critical for successful osseointegration during immediate loading. The cortical bone should be prepared to achieve enough primary stability, but not overcompressed. In this study, we investigated the stress and strain distribution in the bone around the implant induced by the occlusal force applied during immediate loading at various bone densities by the FEA method to compare cortical tapping and widening surgical techniques. Materials and Methods: A three-dimensional geometrical model of a dental implant and bone system was created. Five types of bone density combination (D111, D144, D414, D441 and D444) were designed. Two surgical methods—cortical tapping and cortical widening—were simulated in the model of the implant and bone. An axial load of 100 N and an oblique load of 30 N were applied to the crown. The maximal principal stress and strain were measured for comparative analysis of the two surgical methods. Results: Cortical tapping showed lower maximal stress of bone and maximal strain of bone than cortical widening when dense bone was located around the platform, regardless of the direction of the applied load. Conclusions: Within the limitations of this FEA study, it can be concluded that cortical tapping is biomechanically more advantageous to the implants under occlusal force during immediate loading, especially when the bone density around the platform is high.
Salvianolic Acid A Improves Rat Kidney Injury by Regulating MAPKs and TGF-β1/Smads Signaling Pathways

Salvianolic acid A (SAA) is one of the major components in Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. , with various pharmacological activities, and is likely to be a promising agent for the treatment of kidney diseases. The purpose of this study was to explore the protective effect and mechanisms of SAA on kidney disease. In this study, the improvement effects of SAA (10, 20, 40 mg/kg, i.g.) on kidney injury rats were investigated by detecting the levels of KIM-1, NGAL in serum and UP in the urine of AKI model rats established with gentamicin, as well as the levels of SCr and UREA in serum and IL-6, IL-12, MDA and T-SOD in the kidneys of CKD model rats established with 5/6 nephrectomy. HE and Masson staining were used to observe the histopathological changes in the kidney. Network pharmacology and Western blotting were used to explore the mechanism of SAA in improving kidney injury. The results showed that SAA improved kidney function in kidney injury rats by reducing the kidney index and pathological injury by HE and Masson staining, reducing the levels of KIM-1, NGAL and UP in AKI rats and UREA, SCr and UP in CKD rats, as well as exerting anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative stress effects by inhibiting the release of IL-6 and IL-12, reducing MDA and increasing T-SOD. Western blotting results showed that SAA significantly reduced the phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2, p38, JNK and smad2/3, and the expression of TLR-4 and smad7. In conclusion, SAA plays a significant role in improving kidney injury in rats and the mechanism may be achieved by regulating the MAPKs and TGF-β1/smads signaling pathways.
Focused Schlieren and Deflectometry at AEDC Hypervelocity Wind Tunnel No. 9

Focused schlieren and deflectometry diagnostics were developed for use in the United States Air Force (USAF) Arnold Engineering Development Center’s Hypervelocity Wind Tunnel Number 9. These diagnostics were used to investigate the second-mode instability waves present in the boundary layer of a sharp-nosed cone in a Mach 10 flow. Because the techniques have a depth of sharp focus of approximately 1 cm, the resulting schlieren images did not contain undesirable flow information such as shock waves from other test articles or disturbances such as thermal gradients. Deflectometry was used to measure the frequencies of the density fluctuations associated with second-mode waves. The frequencies compared very well to those measured using pressure transducers.
Asfarviruses and Closely Related Giant Viruses

Acanthamoeba polyphaga mimivirus, so called because of its “mimicking microbe”, was discovered in 2003 and was the founding member of the first family of giant viruses isolated from amoeba. These giant viruses, present in various environments, have opened up a previously unexplored field of virology. Since 2003, many other giant viruses have been isolated, founding new families and taxonomical groups. These include a new giant virus which was isolated in 2015, the result of the first co-culture on Vermamoeba vermiformis. This new giant virus was named “Faustovirus”. Its closest known relative at that time was African Swine Fever Virus. Pacmanvirus and Kaumoebavirus were subsequently discovered, exhibiting phylogenetic clustering with the two previous viruses and forming a new group with a putative common ancestor. In this study, we aimed to summarise the main features of the members of this group of giant viruses, including Abalone Asfarvirus, African Swine Fever Virus, Faustovirus, Pacmanvirus, and Kaumoebavirus.
VOXEL-LEVEL ABSORBED DOSE CALCULATIONS WITH A DETERMINISTIC GRID-BASED BOLTZMANN SOLVER FOR NUCLEAR MEDICINE AND THE CLINICAL VALUE OF VOXEL-LEVEL CALCULATIONS

v List of Figures . xv List of Tables . xix Chapter 1: Introduction . 1 1.1 Purpose Statement . 1 1.2 Background . 2 1.2. 1 Therapeutic Nuclear Medicine . 2 1.2. 2 Voxel-level Absorbed Dose Calculations . 6 1.2. 3 Radioembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma and metatstatic colorectal cancers . 9 1.3 Significance and Rationale . 11 1.4 Hypothesis and Aims . 15 1.4. 1 Central Hypothesis . 15 1.4. 2 Specific Aim 1 . 15 1.4. 3 Specific Aim 2 . 16 1.4. 4 Specific Aim 3 . 16
BSTG-Trans: A Bayesian Spatial-Temporal Graph Transformer for Long-Term Pose Forecasting

Human pose forecasting that aims to predict the body poses happening in the future is an important task in computer vision. However, long-term pose forecasting is particularly challenging because modeling long-range dependencies across the spatial-temporal level is hard for joint-based representation. Another challenge is uncertainty prediction since the future prediction is not a deterministic process. In this article, we present a novel Bayesian Spatial-Temporal Graph Transformer (BSTG-Trans) for predicting accurate, diverse, and uncertain future poses. First, we apply a spatial-temporal graph transformer as an encoder and a temporal-spatial graph transformer as a decoder for modeling the long-range spatial-temporal dependencies across pose joints to generate the long-term future body poses. Furthermore, we propose a Bayesian sampling module for uncertainty quantization of diverse future poses. Finally, a novel uncertainty estimation metric, namely Uncertainty Absolute Error is introduced for measuring both the accuracy and uncertainty of each predicted future pose. We achieve state-of-the-art performance against other baselines on Human3.6 M and HumanEva-I in terms of accuracy, diversity, and uncertainty for long-term pose forecasting. Moreover, our comprehensive ablation studies demonstrate the effectiveness and generalization of each module proposed in our BSTG-Trans.
Pink Pigmented Facultative Methylotrophs (PPFMs): Potential Bioinoculants for Sustainable Crop Production

Bacteria belonging to the genus Methylobacterium, popularly known as pink pigmented facultative methylotrophic (PPFM) bacteria, are well known for their distinct ability to use single-carbon compounds like methanol, formate and formaldehyde, and also a variety of multi-carbon substrates lacking carbon-carbon bonds. These bacterial groups are ubiquitously distributed, especially in phyllosphere and rhizosphere, and their occurrence have been reported in more than 100 species of plants so far. PPFMs have profound influence on soil fertility, crop growth and yield. The ability for phosphate acquisition, nitrogen fixation, iron chelation and phytohormone production indicate the possibility of developing them as promising biofertilizer candidates. In addition, many of them possess biocontrol activity against several phytopathogens. PPFMs induce several physiological changes in plants, making the plants more resistant to biotic and abiotic stress. They can therefore be promising alternatives to conventional chemical inputs in sustainable agricultural systems.
Semantic Representations With Attention Networks for Boosting Image Captioning

Image captioning has shown encouraging outcomes with Transformer-based architectures that typically use attention-based methods to establish semantic associations between objects in an image for caption prediction. Nevertheless, when appearance features of objects in an image display low interdependence, attention-based methods have difficulty in capturing the semantic association between them. To tackle this problem, additional knowledge beyond the task-specific dataset is often required to create captions that are more precise and meaningful. In this article, a semantic attention network is proposed to incorporate general-purpose knowledge into a transformer attention block model. This design combines visual and semantic properties of internal image knowledge in one place for fusion, serving as a reference point to aid in the learning of alignments between vision and language and to improve visual attention and semantic association. The proposed framework is validated on the Microsoft COCO dataset, and experimental results demonstrate competitive performance against the current state of the art.
Do Tourists stand by the Tourism Industry? Examining Solidarity During and After a Pandemic

How does the suffering of a whole industry influence people’s attitudes toward that industry? This research is the first, across disciplines, to examine this question. The authors provide the first conceptual study and empirical test for the phenomenon called tourism solidarity. Based on seminal social psychology research, tourism solidarity is conceptualized and defined as an individual’s compassion with and support of an industry, resulting from an observation of suffering. The authors use a covariance-based structural equation model as well as a novel Bayesian estimation approach (i.e., non-parametric) to develop a reliable and easy-to-apply tourism solidarity scale and assess its role of solidarity in two consecutive empirical studies. By doing so, the authors are able to empirically demonstrate the importance of tourism solidarity for tourist behavior, and provide both tourism researchers and practitioners with a conceptual model and measurement tool to assess, quantify and actively manage solidarity toward the tourism industry.
Histone Demethylation Profiles in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Prognostic Values in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Bioinformatic Analysis

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease with multifactorial pathogenesis; histone demethylases (HDMs) are emerging as attractive targets. We identified HDM genes (including KDM5C, KDM6B, KDM8, KDM4A, and JMJD7) that were differentially expressed in NAFLD and normal samples by exploring gene expression profiling datasets. There was no significant difference in the expression of genes related to histone demethylation between mild and advanced NAFLD. In vitro and in vivo studies indicated that KDM6B and JMJD7 were upregulated at the mRNA level in NAFLD. We explored the expression levels and prognostic values of the identified HDM genes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). KDM5C and KDM4A were upregulated in HCC compared to normal tissue, while KDM8 showed downregulation. The abnormal expression levels of these HDMs could provide prognostic values. Furthermore, KDM5C and KDM4A were associated with immune cell infiltration in HCC. HDMs were associated with cellular and metabolic processes and may be involved in the regulation of gene expression. Differentially expressed HDM genes identified in NAFLD may provide value to understanding pathogenesis and in the development of epigenetic therapeutic targets. However, on the basis of the inconsistent results of in vitro studies, future in vivo experiments combined with transcriptomic analysis are needed for further validation.
Factors Influencing Customers’ Attention and Decision on Instagram of Education Agencies in Istanbul: A Qualitative In-Depth Interview Study

This study aimed to identify the factors that influence customers’ attention and decision-making on Instagram for education agencies in Istanbul. In these days, social media is one of the strongest approaches to promoting or selling services. People are browsing social media daily on public transportation and during their leisure time. This is a great opportunity for those agencies to reach the potential customers they are looking for through ads. The researchers gathered primary qualitative data using in-depth interviews. Ten students from Africa and the Middle East who currently live and study in Istanbul were the study’s target sample. The findings show that the interviewees open social media platforms from 1 to 2 times daily, and the average usage duration is between 2 and 3 hours. The main factors that encourage the interviewees to follow business pages on Instagram are content, the brand’s quality, word-of-mouth, price, and the most important one is the page’s content, including the content in Arabic. Also, including a contact number will increase the chances of the ad being opened. Other factors include the number of offered services, the year of establishment, the number of followers, website availability, contact information availability, the number of users or customers, content, price, face-to-face services, and achievements by these companies (success stories, content in English and Arabic, physical address, information about the company’s team, design, and creativity). Regarding the trust factor in terms of education agencies, word-of-mouth and the number of followers are considered the main keys. A possible improvement for education agencies from a customer perspective is increasing the number of ads targeting international students, including videos and pictures. Also, these agencies need to list their team members’ details to increase trust, and professional customer service is required to improve the performance of these agencies, including clarity and honesty.