Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Epidemiological survey of spousal abuse in Korea.

The findings of a nationwide epidemiological survey on spousal abuse in Korea are presented. Samples were selected by a three-stage stratified sampling which included 1316 individuals (707 women and 609 men) who were married for at least 2 years. The overall experience rate of being battered for the last year was 37.5% in women 23.2% in men. The rate of serious battering was 12.4% in women and 3.7% in men. Married persons who belong in the lower economic strata had higher experience rate of being battered. The results also showed that younger couples tend to be more violent than older couples. The high incidence of husband abuse revealed in this study needs further clarification. Among the reasons cited for the high incidence of spousal violence in Korea were patriarchal headship and male dominance public prejudice toward divorce toleration of spousal violence and lack of legal support and community networks.
Model reduction for uncertain stochastic systems

The problem of robust H∞ model reduction for uncertain stochastic systems with time-delay is considered in this paper. For a given stable system, we focus on the construction of reduced-order models which guarantee the corresponding error system to be asymptotically stable and have a prescribed H∞ performance. Sufficient conditions are obtained for the existence of solutions to time-delay dependent problems in terms of certain linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) and a coupling nonconvex rank constraint condition. In addition, the development of reduced-order model with special structures, such as zeroth-order model, delay-free model, no parameter uncertainties model, are also studied. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed model reduction method is illustrated by a numerical example.
Three-Dimensional Face Caricaturing by Anthropometric Distortions

Caricatures are models of persons or things in which certain striking characteristics are exaggerated in order to create a comic or grotesque effect. This paper is concerned with a strategy for automatically generating caricatures of threedimensional models based on anthropometric measures and geometric manipulations by influence zones. In the proposed strategy, measures from a reference model serve as means of comparison with the corresponding measures in the model to be caricatured. Deformations are applied to the features that differ most from the corresponding features in the reference model. This method is independent of mesh topology. Unlike other techniques, it is possible to generate variations of caricatures, adopting different sequences of deformations, application of asymmetry and expressions. Our method also does not need 3D model databases to be used as a base of combinations or comparisons of models.
Hoplites: A Market Framework for Complex Tight Coordination in Multi-Agent Teams

Abstract : In this paper we present a new class of tasks for multi-robot teams: those that require constant complex interaction between teammates. Much research has been done in the area of multi-robot coordination, but no existing framework meets the technical demands of such tasks. We have developed Hoplites in response to the need for a more capable framework. Hoplites is a market-based framework that couples planning with both passive and active coordination strategies. It enables robots to change coordination strategies as the needs of the task change. Further, it efficiently facilitates tight coordination between multiple robots. We compare the performances of Hoplites and existing coordination frameworks in a security sweep domain. Our results show that Hoplites significantly improves the quality of solutions found by the team, particularly in the most complex instances of the domain.
Performance Analysis of Two-Hop Cooperative MIMO Transmission with Best Relay Selection in Rayleigh Fading Channel

Wireless Relaying is a promising solution to overcome the channel impairments and provides high data rate coverage that appears for beyond 3G mobile communications. In this paper we present end to end BER performance of dual hop wireless communication systems equipped with multiple Decode and Forward relays over Rayleigh fading channel with the best relay selection. In this work, a static relaying protocol, called Decode or Quantize and Forward (DoQF), is introduced for half duplex single-relay networks, and its performance is studied in the context of communications over slow fading wireless channels. The proposed protocol is inspired by the so-called Compress-and-Forward (CF) but only needs statistical Channel State Information at the Transmitter (CSIT). First, we analyze the behavior of the outage probability Po of the proposed protocol as the SNR ρ tends to infinity. In this case, we prove that ρ 2 Po converges to a constant ξ. We refer to this constant as the outage probability gain and we derive its closed-form expression for a general class of wireless channels that includes Rayleigh and Rice. We furthermore prove that the DoQF protocol has the best achievable outage gain in the wide class of half-duplex static relaying protocols and we minimize ξ w.r. t the power allocation to the source and the relay and the durations of the slots. Next, we focus on Rayleigh channels to derive the DiversityMultiplexing Tradeoff (DMT) of the DoQF. Our results show that the DoQF achieves the 2 by 1 MISO DMT upper-bound for multiplexing gains r < 0.25
The blue to red supergiant ratio in young clusters at various metallicities

We present new determinations of the blue to red supergiant ratio (B=R) in young open clusters at various metallicities. For this purpose, we examine the HR diagrams of 45 clusters in the Galaxy and of 4 clusters in the Magellanic Clouds. The identication of supergiants is based on spectroscopic measurements (with photometric counts to check the results). The new counts conrm the increase of the B=R ratio when the metallicity increases with the following normalized relation: B=R (B=R) = 0:05 e
The Use of Contraceptives Among Ijesa Women of Southwestern Nigeria

The world’s population has been changing dramatically over the years. It has indeed undergone such rapid and profound transitions that modern population policies have sought to manage some of these demographic changes, principally, rapid population growth in high fertility countries. The issue of fertility has received much attention due to its central importance in demographic changes. Family planning or use of contraceptives is important in reducing the high fertility rate in most developing countries, including Nigeria. Contraceptive methods are classified as modern or traditional methods. This paper examines the prevalence of the use of contraceptives among ijesa women. The study also examines the type of contraceptive(s) that is widely used among ijesa women. A cross-sectional survey design using both quantitative and qualitative techniques was employed. A multistage sampling technique, which involved purposive selection of four Local Government Areas (LGAs) and a random selection of 17 enumeration areas and 1,594 ever- married women of childbearing age was carried out. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and qualitative data was contently analysed. The findings of the study revealed that the majority of the respondents have knowledge of different methods of contraceptives, with condom been the most known and used among the methods. It was also discovered that the percentages of those who have ever used a method are considerably lower than those who have ever heard of a method. Further, the current use of contraceptive is low in the study area. Many respondents were not using because of the disapproval of their husband, and because it is against the religious beliefs of some of the non-users. A little above half of the respondents planned to use contraceptive in the future. The study concluded that contraceptive use is low in the study area, and this is likely to lead to high fertility. It suggested the need for more awareness creation to develop positive attitude toward contraceptive use in the study area. Key words: Contraceptive, Fertility, Prevalence, Population growth, Ijesa women
Gender Differences and Relationship Between Internet Addiction and Perceived Social Self-Efficacy Among Adolescents

Numerous studies have been conducted on Internet Addiction and Self Efficacy. However, there is limited evidence on the relationship between Internet Addiction and Perceived Social Self Efficacy. Thus, in the present study, the focus is on gender differences and relationship between Internet Addiction and Perceived Social Self Efficacy among adolescents. For this purpose, Internet Addiction Test (IAT) by Young (1998) and scale of Perceived Social Self Efficacy by Smith and Betz (2000) were administered on a sample of 80 adolescents (40=males, 40=females) in the age range of 15-19 years, respectively . The data was analyzed using t-test and Pearson Product Moment Correlation method. The results showed significant gender differences on Internet Addiction and Perceived Social Self Efficacy. It was also found that Internet Addiction and Perceived Social Self Efficacy were negatively related. These results may help educational institutions for designing suitable internet addiction prevention programs geared towards the adolescents.
The Decision Reliability of MAP , Log-MAP , Max-Log-MAP and SOVA Algorithms for Turbo Codes

In this paper, we study the reliability of decisions of e Codes, Channel Reliability, e N comm llular, satellite and we also consider two improved versions, named Log-MAP two different or identical Recursi s, connected in p Fig. 1. The turbo encoder with rate 1/3. The first encoder operat ed b e u, i ond encoder p Lucian Andrei Perişoară, and Rodica Stoian th MAP, Log-MAP, Max-Log-MAP and SOVA decoding algorithms for turbo codes, in terms of the a priori information, a posteriori information, extrinsic information and channel reliability. We also analyze how important an accurate estimate of channel reliability factor is to the good performances of the iterative turbo decoder. The simulations are made for parallel concatenation of two recursive systematic convolutional codes with a block interleaver at the transmitter, AWGN channel and iterative decoding with mentioned algorithms at the receiver. Keywords—Convolutional Turbo D cision Reliability, Extrinsic Information, Iterative Decoding.
Coded caching for reducing CSIT-feedback in wireless communications

The work explores the role of caching content at receiving users for the purpose of reducing the need for feedback in wireless communications. In the K-user broadcast channel (BC), we show how caching, when combined with a rate-splitting broadcast approach, can not only improve performance, but can also reduce the need for channel state information at the transmitter (CSIT), in the sense that the identified cache-aided optimal degrees-of-freedom performance, can in fact be achieved with reduced-quality CSIT. These CSIT savings can be traced back to an inherent relationship between caching, performance, and CSIT; caching improves performance by leveraging multicasting of common information, which automatically reduces the need for CSIT, by virtue of the fact that common information is not a cause of interference. At the same time though, too much multicasting of common information can be detrimental, as it does not utilize existing CSIT. Our caching method builds on the Maddah-Ali and Niesen coded caching scheme, by properly balancing multicast and broadcast opportunities, and by combing caching with rate-splitting communication schemes that are specifically designed to operate under imperfect-quality CSIT. The observed achievable CSIT savings here, are more pronounced for smaller values of K users and N files.
Creutzfeldt-Jakob dementia

1. Instituto Estadual do Cerebro Paulo Niemeyer, Rio de Janeiro, RJ,Brazil. 2. Hospital Casa de Portugal / 3D Diagnostico por Imagem, Riode Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. 3. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ),Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. Mailing Address: Dr. Bruno Niemeyer deFreitas Ribeiro. Instituto Estadual do Cerebro Paulo Niemeyer – Ser-vico de Radiologia. Rua do Rezende, 156, Centro. Rio de Janeiro, RJ,Brazil, 20231-092. E-mail: bruno.niemeyer@hotmail.com.
A Simulation-optimization Approach to Air Warfare Planning

How can computer-aided planning systems deal with the complexities, uncertainties, and rapidly shifting information needed to support air warfare operational planning? This paper uses a hierarchical decomposition of decision-making, coupled to a predictive simulation model that estimates the probability distribution of the outcomes of candidate operational plans. The approach will generate, evaluate, and improve Blue plans while assuming that Red intelligently reallocates its forces, using stochastic optimization, to counter Blue's moves. Evaluation of each Blue plan is accomplished via a Stochastic Evaluator that draws multiple samples of potential outcomes and Red force levels for a given Blue force structure and combined target composition. The evaluation metric is the net discounted value from enemy targets hit. Linear programming heuristics and simulation generate Red's adaptively optimized responses, outcomes, and inferred relative marginal force values. The results of this two-player, multi-level simulation-optimization approach for operational planning and decision-making demonstrate that automated plan optimization and embedding of optimization algorithms into an operational planning cycle operating over a multi-period conflict can be made practical for current computers by hierarchical decomposition of planning and on-line decision and optimization problems into computationally practical tasks.
Accounting for Housing in a CPI

Statistical agencies in different nations usually use the rental equivalence approach to the treatment of housing in their CPIs but a few countries use the user cost approach. The paper argues that an opportunity cost approach is the correct theoretical framework for accounting for OOH in a CPI. This approach, first mentioned in a 2006 OECD paper by Diewert, is developed more fully here. We explore the relationship of this new approach to the usual rental equivalency and user cost approaches. The new approach leads to an Owner Occupied Housing Opportunity Cost (OOHOC) index that is a weighted average of the rental and the financial opportunity costs.
Using links to describe imprecise relationships in educational contents

Hypermedia links describe purposeful relationships between contents, and in consequence, their semantic intention can be modelled by the notion of link type. Ontologies can be used to extend that notion of link type, eventually resulting in shared conceptualisations useful in achieving consistent linking practices. In addition, the relationship embodied by the link is in many cases inherently imprecise, which has been overlooked in existing systems. In this work, we describe how ontologies of link types with support for expressing imprecision can be used to enhance educational web contents. The computational semantics of the ontology, combined with fuzziness to specify graded relations between pairs of link sources and targets for specific users or groups, enable the implementation of extended adaptive behaviours that may entail inferences and approximate reasoning. An implementation, based on an SCORM-compliant runtime environment, of such kind of extended links is also described, demonstrating their capabilities in the definition of learning-oriented adaptations.
Beauty in the eye of the beholder? Attractiveness in a virtual world

The current study examines whether traditional offline gender biases regarding physical attractiveness and status transfer to Second Life (SL), a virtual world where residents can easily manipulate the appearance and status of avatars (i.e., graphical representations of the self). Participants (N = 312, 60.58% female, M age = 29.77, SD = 10.53) reported on demographics, SL usage, and rated the attractiveness of female and male avatars manipulated along physical attractiveness (high vs. low) and status (high vs. low). Mixed measures ANCOVAs were modeled separately for the female avatars and male avatars with within-subjects factors (avatar characteristics: physical attractiveness and status) and between-subject factors (participant characteristics: sex, and intensity of SL usage), while controlling for participant age. Consistent with offline norms, female avatars high in physical attractiveness were rated as more attractive, regardless of status. Participants rated male avatars high in physical attractiveness as more attractive if they were high in status compared to those low in status. We also found opposite-sex preferences and moderations by participant age and SL usage on avatar attractiveness ratings. The results suggest the continuity of offline gender norms and effect of in-world experience on perceptions of avatar appearance.
Hypothalamic expression of NPY mRNA, vasopressin mRNA and CRF mRNA in response to food restriction and central administration of the orexigenic peptide GHRP-6

In this study, we examined the effects of restricted feeding and of central administration of an orexigenic ghrelin agonist GHRP-6 on peptide mRNA expression in the hypothalamus. We compared rats fed ad libitum with rats that were allowed food for only 2 h every day, and treated with a continuous chronic i.c. v. infusion of GHRP-6 or vehicle. Ad libitum fed rats exposed to GHRP-6 increased their food intake and body weight over 6 days, but, at the end of this period, neuropeptide Y mRNA expression in the arcuate nucleus was not different to that in control rats. By contrast, expression of neuropeptide Y mRNA in the arcuate nucleus was elevated in food-restricted rats, consistent with the interpretation that increased expression reflects increased hunger. However, neuropeptide Y mRNA expression was no greater in food-restricted rats infused with GHRP-6 than in food-restricted rats infused with vehicle; thus if the drive to eat was stronger in rats infused with GHRP-6, this was not reflected by higher levels of neuropeptide Y mRNA expression. Expression of vasopressin mRNA and corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF) mRNA in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) was not changed by food restriction. GHRP-6 infusion increased CRF mRNA expression in ad libitum rats only.
Search for OB stars running away from young star clusters - II. The NGC 6357 star-forming region

Dynamical few-body encounters in the dense cores of young massive star clusters are responsible for the loss of a significant fraction of their massive stellar content. Some of the escaping (runaway) stars move through the ambient medium supersonically and can be revealed via detection of their bow shocks (visible in the infrared, optical or radio). In this paper, which is the second of a series of papers devoted to the search for OB stars running away from young (several Myr) Galactic clusters and OB associations, we present the results of the search for bow shocks around the star-forming region NGC 6357. Using the archival data of the Midcourse Space Experiment (MSX) satellite and the Spitzer Space Telescope, and the preliminary data release of the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE), we discovered seven bow shocks, whose geometry is consistent with the possibility that they are generated by stars expelled from the young star clusters, Pismis 24 and AH03 J1725-34.4, associated with NGC 6357. Two of the seven bow shocks are driven by the already known O stars. Follow-up spectroscopy of three other bow shock-producing stars showed that they are O-type stars as well, while the 2MASS photometry of the remaining two stars suggests that they could be B0 V stars, provided that both are located at the same distance as NGC 6357. Detection of numerous massive stars ejected from the very young clusters is consistent with the theoretical expectation that star clusters can effectively lose massive stars at the very beginning of their dynamical evolution and lends strong support to the idea that probably all field OB stars have been dynamically ejected from their birth clusters. A by-product of our search for bow shocks around NGC 6357 is the detection of three circular shells typical of luminous blue variable and late WN-type Wolf-Rayet stars.
A collaborative action research project towards embedding ESD within the higher education curriculum

Purpose This paper aims to present a collaborative action research project conducted at the University of Southampton with the aim to promote curriculum and professional development in education for sustainable development (ESD) and learn from everyday practices of academics. Design/methodology/approach An action research approach guided by participatory and emancipatory approaches was used. An interdisciplinary group of five academic staff members from different subject areas (education; archaeology; electronics and computer sciences; biology; and health sciences) was created with the aim to support the group’s critical reflection and action towards embedding ESD in their teaching practice. Findings The main outcomes of delivery of sustainability teaching achieved through the project and evidences of the impact of the facilitator role are outlined. The facilitator role has enabled reflection and action, together with the identification of specific needs of academics and the factors influencing their engagement and action. Originality/value This research demonstrates the potential of using action research to rethink current practice in embedding ESD and to lead to new practices and actions of communities of practice. The facilitator role and second-order action research can contribute to better decision-making of sustainability as it questions practice, current assumptions and worldviews.
Construction and Production of Foxp3-Fc (IgG) DNA Vaccine/Fusion Protein

Background: It seems that the success of vaccination for cancer immunotherapy such as Dendritic Cell (DC) based cancer vaccine is hindered through a powerful network of immune system suppressive elements in which regulatory T cell is the common factor. Foxp3 transcription factor is the most specific marker of regulatory T cells. In different studies, targeting an immune response against regulatory cells expressing Foxp3 and their removal have been assessed. As these previous studies could not efficiently conquer the suppressive effect of regulatory cells by their partial elimination, an attempt was made to search for constructing more effective vaccines against regulatory T cells by which to improve the effect of combined means of immunotherapy in cancer. In this study, a DNA vaccine and its respective protein were constructed in which Foxp3 fused to Fc(IgG) can be efficiently captured and processed by DC via receptor mediated endocytosis and presented to MHCII and I (cross priming). Methods: DNA construct containing fragment C (Fc) portion of IgG fused to Foxp3 was designed. DNA construct was transfected into HEK cells to investigate its expression through fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry. Its specific expression was also assessed by western blot. For producing recombinant protein, FOXP3-Fc fusion construct was inserted into pET21a vector and consequently, Escherichia coli (E. coli) strain BL21 was selected as host cells. The expression of recombinant fusion protein was assayed by western blot analysis. Afterward, fusion protein was purified by SDS PAGE reverse staining. Results: The expression analysis of DNA construct by flow cytometry and fluorescent microscopy showed that this construct was successfully expressed in eukaryotic cells. Moreover, the Foxp3-Fc expression was confirmed by SDS-PAGE followed by western blot analysis. Additionally, the presence of fusion protein was shown by specific antibody after purification. Conclusion: Due to successful expression of Foxp3-Fc (IgG), it would be expected to develop vaccines in tumor therapies for removal of regulatory cells as a strategy for increasing the efficiency of other immunotherapy means.