Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis on the quality of age and sex data collected in the two population and housing censuses of Ethiopia

Demographic data are important for socio-economic planning, political, administrative, research and several other purposes in order to make informed decisions at all levels. The single most important source of such data for a country like Ethiopia is population and housing census. Ethiopia has so far conducted two censuses and preparations are underway for the third one. Given the importance and the immensity of this operation, obtaining quality data is of paramount importance. In this paper, an attempt is made to analyse the quality of data of the last two censuses on the two basic demographic characteristics of a population, age and sex, for the purpose of identifying areas for improvement in the coming third census. Using different demographic techniques, the quality of data from the previous censuses was evaluated and analysis was made on the level of improvement of quality from the first to the second census. The results showed that the quality of data (especially age data) had deteriorated in the second census contrary to expectations. Possible causes are discussed and recommendations made for improving data quality in the planned census.
Unraveling the Evolution of an Unusually Active Earthquake Sequence Near Sheldon, Nevada

One of most universal statistical properties of earthquakes is the tendency to cluster in space and time. Yet while clustering is pervasive, individual earthquake sequences can vary markedly in duration, spatial extent, and time evolution. In July 2014, a prolific earthquake sequence initiated within the Sheldon Wildlife Refuge in northwest Nevada, USA. The sequence produced 26 M4 earthquakes and several hundred M3s, with no clear mainshock or obvious driving force. Here we combine a suite of seismological analysis techniques to better characterize this unusual earthquake sequence. High-precision relocations reveal a clear, east dipping normal fault as the dominant structure that intersects with a secondary, subvertical cross fault. Seismicity occurs in burst of activity along these two structures before eventually transitioning to shallower structures to the east. Inversion of hundreds of moment tensors constrain the overall normal faulting stress regime. Source spectral analysis suggests that the stress drops and rupture properties of these events are typical for tectonic earthquakes in the western US. While regional station coverage is sparse in this remote study region, the timely installation of a temporary seismometer allows us to detect nearly 70,000 earthquakes over a 40-month time period when the seismic activity is highest. Such immense productivity is difficult to reconcile with current understanding of crustal deformation in the region and may be facilitated by local hydrothermal processes and earthquake triggering at the transitional intersection of subparallel fault systems.
The relationship between dual-tasking and processing speed in healthy aging.

Although studies report age-related declines on tests of executive function, not all executive tests show age differences, including the dual-task paradigm. As processing speed is known to decline with age, it is possible that changes in speed contribute to the variation in age-related decline found on different tests of executive function. In this study, the effects of age and processing speed on different executive tests in the same group of younger and older adults were investigated. Fifty-nine (n = 28 males & n = 31 females) younger adults ( M age = 21.49; SD = 2.54) and N = 52 (n = 22 males & n = 30 females) older adults ( M age = 72.04; SD = 4.99) were assessed on the following battery of measures: processing speed and the executive functions of dual-tasking, inhibition, set-shifting, and updating. Older adults performed significantly worse than younger adults on all executive function tests except dual-tasking. In addition, age, rather than processing speed, predicted executive function performance on executive tests of inhibition, set-shifting and updating tests. These findings confirm that dual-tasking does not decline with age and the age differences found on tests of inhibition, set-shifting and updating are not simply explained by processing speed.
Distribution of ecosystem service potential in marginal agroecosystems in a mosaic-type landscape under exploratory scenarios

ABSTRACT Land-use change in agriculturally marginal mosaic-type landscapes involves economic, environmental, and social aspects and can lead to social and economic problems in rural areas. This study focuses on the western part of Vidzeme Uplands, Latvia, which has been heavily impacted by rural depopulation and agricultural land abandonment. The research explores the value of low-intensity agroecosystems in agriculturally marginal landscapes using an ecosystem service approach. Three scenarios were developed: a ‘business as usual’ scenario, a ‘no subsidies’ scenario, and a ‘payments for ecosystem services’ scenario. The ‘business as usual’ scenario shows a pattern of subtle intensification, while the ‘no subsidies’ scenario predicts a significant loss of low-intensity agroecosystems and their services. The ‘payments for ecosystem services’ scenario estimates the safeguarding of essential regulatory ecosystem services, ensuring the potential supply of provisioning services, and maintaining the fragile structure of the marginal mosaic-type landscape.
Lifestyle and Quality of Life of Women with Diagnosed Hypothyroidism in the Context of Metabolic Disorders

The lifestyle causes of metabolic disorders in patients with hypothyroidism should be investigated. We aimed to assess the lifestyle and quality of life of women diagnosed with hypothyroidism and search for the presence of differences between the lifestyle and quality of life of women with and without diagnosed lipid metabolism disorders. This study included 311 women. To assess the differences between the groups with and without metabolic disorders, a non-parametric Mann–Whitney U test was performed. Of the products that were potentially beneficial for health, statistically significant differences in the average frequency of consumption were observed for legume seeds (p = 0.014), and of the products potentially unbeneficial for health, the frequencies of consumption of fried dishes (p = 0.016) and fast-food products (p = 0.001) were significant. Only 11.9% rated their free-time physical activity as high. The quality of life was significantly different between the groups. The lifestyle was moderately appropriate. Compared with women with lipid metabolism disorders, women without them exhibited a higher frequency of correct dietary behaviors regarding the consumption of products with a potentially beneficial effect and sleeping duration. Women without lipid metabolism disorders had a better quality of life. Women with hypothyroidism should be educated about the beneficial aspects of the regular consumption of vegetables, fruits, legumes, and fish and sleeping for the optimal amount of time.
Using infrared sensor technology for face recognition and human identification

Recent research has demonstrated distinct advantages using thermal infrared imaging for improving face recognition performance. While conventional video cameras sense reflected light, thermal infrared cameras primarily measure emitted radiation from objects at just above room temperature (e.g., faces). Visible and thermal infrared image data collections of frontal views of faces have been on-going at NIST for over two years producing the most comprehensive database known to involve thermal infrared imagery of human faces. Rigorous experimentation with this database has revealed consistently superior recognition performance of algorithms when applied to thermal infrared particularly under variable illumination conditions. An end-to-end face recognition system incorporating simultaneous coregistered thermal infrared and visible has been developed and tested both indoors and outdoors with good performance.
Hypometabolic patterns of focal cortical dysplasia in PET-MRI co-registration imaging: a retrospective evaluation in a series of 83 patients

Objective To characterize the PET-MRI co-registration of hypometabolic patterns in focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) types I and II and provide some suggestions in presurgical evaluation of epilepsy surgery. Methods We retrospectively analyzed PET-MRI co-registration imaging data from a cohort of 83 epilepsy patients with histologically confirmed FCD types I and II. Hypometabolic patterns were classified into 4 types: bottom of sulcus hypometabolism (BOSH), single island of sulcus hypometabolism (SIOS), single gyrus or sulcus hypometabolism (SGOS), and multiple gyri and sulci hypometabolism (MGOS). Results Most of cases that were overlooked by conventional MRI and PET evaluation but positive in PET-MRI co-registration were focalized lesions in dorsolateral frontal lobe (9/15) and FCD type IIa was the most prevalent pathological type (11/15). The FCD histological types (p = 0.027) and locations (p < 0.001) were independent predictors of PET-MRI co-registration hypometabolic patterns. Focalized hypometabolic patterns (BOSH, SIOS, SGOS) were primarily observed in the frontal lobe (33/39) and FCD type II (43/62) and extensive pattern (MGOS) in temporal lobe (18/20) and FCD type I (16/21; p < 0.005). Conclusion PET-MRI co-registration enhanced the detection of FCD type IIa compared with conventional MRI and PET reading. The hypometabolic patterns of FCD type I and temporal lobe FCD were more extensive than those of FCD type II and frontal lobe FCD, respectively. The predilection of focalized hypometabolic patterns in frontal lobe FCD suggested that subtle lesions should be checked carefully in patients with suspected frontal lobe epilepsy.
Tomography from 26 years of seismicity revealing that the spatial extent of the Yellowstone crustal magma reservoir extends well beyond the Yellowstone caldera

The Yellowstone volcanic field has experienced three of Earth's most explosive volcanic eruptions in the last 2.1 Ma. The most recent eruption occurred 0.64 Ma forming the 60 km long Yellowstone caldera. We have compiled earthquake data from the Yellowstone Seismic Network from 1984 to 2011 and tomographically imaged the three‐dimensional P wave velocity (Vp) structure of the Yellowstone volcanic system. The resulting model reveals a large, low Vp body, interpreted to be the crustal magma reservoir that has fueled Yellowstone's youthful volcanism. Our imaged magma body is 90 km long, 5–17 km deep, and 2.5 times larger than previously imaged. The magma body extends ~15 km NE of the caldera and correlates with the location of the largest negative gravity anomaly, a −80 mGal gravity low. This new seismic image provides important constraints on the dynamics of the Yellowstone magma system and its potential for future volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.
SPACE DEBRIS HAZARD EVALUATION

Abstract : The hazard to space vehicles from natural space debris was explored. A survey of the available information pertinent to this problem is presented. The conclusion reached is that a definite hazard exists but that it can only be poorly assessed on the basis of present information. The need for direct measurement of this hazard is obvious, and some of the problems involved in making these direct measurements have been explored. (Author)
Visual Attention and swarm cognition for off-road robots

This thesis addresses the problem of modelling visual attention in the context of autonomous off-road robots. The goal of using visual attention mechanisms is to allow robots to focus perception on the aspects of the environment that are more relevant to the task at hand. As this work will show, this capability is a promoter of robustness and computational parsimony in both obstacle and trail detection. These features are key enablers of fast and energetically efficient field robots. One of the major challenges in modelling visual attention emerges from the need to ensure that the model is able to manage the speed-accuracy trade-off in the face of context and task changes. This thesis shows that this trade-off is handled if the cognitive process of visual attention is modelled as a self-organising process, whose operation is modulated by the robot’s action selection process. By closing the loop from the action selection process to the perceptual one, the latter is able to perform on a by-need basis, anticipating actual robot moves. To endow visual attention with self-organising properties, this work gets inspiration from Nature. Concretely, the mechanisms underlying the ability that army ants have of foraging in a self-organising way are used as metaphor to solve the task of searching, also in a self-organising way, for obstacles and trails in the robot’s visual field. The solution proposed in this thesis is to have multiple covert foci of attention operating as a swarm via pheromone-based interactions. This work represents the first embodied realisation of swarm cognition, which is a new born field that aims to uncover the basic principles of cognition by inspecting the self-organising properties of the collective intelligence exhibited by social insects. Hence, this thesis contributes to robotics as an engineering discipline, and to robotics as a modelling discipline supporting the study of adaptive behaviour.
Efficacy of Different Encapsulation Techniques on the Viability and Stability of Diverse Phage under Simulated Gastric Conditions

Salmonella causes a range of diseases in humans and livestock of considerable public health and economic importance. Widespread antimicrobial use, particularly in intensively produced livestock (e.g., poultry and pigs) may contribute to the rise of multidrug-resistant Salmonella strains. Alternative treatments such as bacteriophages have shown promise when used to reduce the intestinal carriage of Salmonella in livestock. However, the digestive enzymes and low pH encountered in the monogastric GI tract can significantly reduce phage viability and impact therapeutic outcomes. This study deployed alginate–carrageenan microcapsules with and without CaCO3 to protect a genomically diverse set of five Salmonella bacteriophages from simulated gastrointestinal conditions. None of the unprotected phage could be recovered following exposure to pH < 3 for 10 min. Alginate–carrageenan encapsulation improved phage viability at pH 2–2.5 after exposure for 10 min, but not at pH 2 after 1 h. Including 1% (w/v) CaCO3 in the formulation further reduced phage loss to <0.5 log10 PFU/mL, even after 1 h at pH 2. In all cases, phage were efficiently released from the microcapsules following a shift to a neutral pH (7.5), simulating passage to the duodenum. In summary, alginate–carrageenan-CaCO3 encapsulation is a promising approach for targeted intestinal delivery of genomically diverse Salmonella bacteriophages.
Creating Markets for Ecosystem Services

Ecosystem services are the functions performed by ecosystems that lead to desirable environmental outcomes, such as air and water purification, drought and flood mitigation, and climate stabilisation. Markets rarely exist for them. This study examines how newly defined property rights have been used to create markets in Australia and the United States. The Commission found that creating these markets - such as tradeable credits for carbon sequestration - can be an effective way for governments to achieve their environmental goals.
Environmental assessment of the south coast of Sri Lanka, with special reference to the 2004 tsunami

Following the 2004 tsunami in Sumatra, Sri Lanka experienced >30,000 confirmed deaths and disruption of livelihood. Damage to coastal ecosystems was less than anticipated, especially in comparison with reported impacts from unsustainable development. This research examines tsunami related damage against a background of anthropogenic pressures. Fishery changes were determined through interview of three generations of fishers targeting frigate tuna. Significantly higher values for best day’s catch and largest specimen ever caught were obtained by older fishers than younger ones. Values were also significantly higher during early years, providing clear evidence of resource decline and the ‘shifting baseline syndrome’. Most fishers reported posttsunami decline in frigate tuna, but mainly from a larger new generation of fishers, rather than extra boats provided by aid money or (direct or indirect) biophysical impacts from the tsunami. The number of boats post-tsunami increased significantly in all research areas, which could result in further catch decline. The perceptions of 500 Sri Lankan fishers about the influence of risk factors on tsunami death toll and house damage are quantified). Mangroves, coral reefs and sand dunes afforded protection against tsunami damage (67–94% of fisher responses), as did housing and roads. Fishers believed rivers/estuaries, concave coastlines and hotels exacerbated impacts. For comparison, multi-variable models for death toll, housing damage, inundation area and distance are built, incorporating both natural and developmental risk factors. Bathymetry is the only factor significantly associated with all indicators of impact. Mangroves and marsh were not a significant factor in final multivariable models. However, in terms of inundation, sand dunes were identified as protective, while bodies of water exacerbated damage. The extent of agreement and variance between modelling results and the opinions of fisher questionnaires is critically examined. Research findings highlight the need for better coastal management. While the role mangroves in tsunami protection remains equivocal, their known role in providing many other ecosystem services suggests that mangroves warrant greater conservation attention in Sri Lanka, in the face of coastal development pressures. Coastal policy and conservation priorities should be influenced by scientific research (e.g. the tsunami model in this thesis) as well as traditional ecological knowledge and opinions from indigenous people. Factors shown to provide tsunami protection often cannot be altered by human intervention (e.g. topography and bathymetry). However, sand dunes could potentially be preserved to reduce future impacts. Tsunamis are rare events and further research should be carried out to determine which risk factors are important for more frequent events (e.g. monsoon). The needs of coastal communities should always remain paramount in considerations of future tsunami and environmental policies.
Life history traits and rearing protocol of Microvelia pulchella (Hemiptera: Veliidae): a potential biological control agent and model for behavioural and ecological studies

Microvelia pulchella, a semiaquatic predatory bug widely distributed in the Neotropics, holds great potential as a biocontrol agent against disease-vector mosquitoes and pests in paddy rice fields. Moreover, insects belonging to the genus Microvelia have served as valuable model organisms for ecological and behavioural research. Considering this, our study aimed to establish an enhanced laboratory rearing protocol for M. pulchella based on existing methodologies. The protocol encompasses a decision-making flowchart to optimize the rearing process, a standardized method for accurately determining egg and nymph ages, and photographs illustrating all life stages and sexes of the insect. Additionally, we sought to characterize key life history traits of this species. Our detailed rearing procedure involves utilizing different containers tailored to each insect stage and specific requirements. We observed an average development time of 20.6 days from egg to adult at a temperature of 25°C (room temperature). Interestingly, male adults reared in the laboratory exhibited smaller sizes compared to their field-collected counterparts, while females displayed similar sizes across conditions. Female M. pulchella demonstrated an average egg production of 211.77 eggs, with the highest fecundity occurring within the first five weeks. Fertility followed a similar pattern, peaking during this period. In terms of longevity, females exhibited an average survival time of 74 days, whereas males lived for approximately 91 days. M. pulchella proves to be a convenient model organism for conducting non-invasive experiments, given the multitude of informative traits that can be measured. Additionally, the rearing procedure is cost-effective, straightforward, and requires minimal space.
Harnessing Wearable Devices for Emotional Intelligence: Therapeutic Applications in Digital Health

Emotional intelligence strives to bridge the gap between human and machine interactions. The application of such systems varies and is becoming more prominent as healthcare services seek to provide more efficient care by utilizing smart digital health apps. One application in digital health is the incorporation of emotion recognition systems as a tool for therapeutic interventions. To this end, a system is designed to collect and analyze physiological signal data, such as electrodermal activity (EDA) and electrocardiogram (ECG), from smart wearable devices. The data are collected from different subjects of varying ages taking part in a study on emotion induction methods. The obtained signals are processed to identify stimulus trigger instances and classify the different reaction stages, as well as arousal strength, using signal processing and machine learning techniques. The reaction stages are identified using a support vector machine algorithm, while the arousal strength is classified using the ResNet50 network architecture. The findings indicate that the EDA signal effectively identifies the emotional trigger, registering a root mean squared error (RMSE) of 0.9871. The features collected from the ECG signal show efficient emotion detection with 94.19% accuracy. However, arousal strength classification is only able to reach 60.37% accuracy on the given dataset. The proposed system effectively detects emotional reactions and can categorize their arousal strength in response to specific stimuli. Such a system could be integrated into therapeutic settings to monitor patients’ emotional responses during therapy sessions. This real-time feedback can guide therapists in adjusting their strategies or interventions.
Reintroducing Fenfluramine as a Treatment for Seizures: Current Knowledge, Recommendations and Gaps in Understanding

Abstract Despite the introduction of new anti-seizure medications in recent years, approximately one-third of the epileptic population continues to experience seizures. Recently, the anti-obesity medication fenfluramine (FFA) has been successfully repurposed, and it has received approval from various regulatory agencies for the treatment of seizures associated with Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. The potential antiseizure effects of FFA were initially observed in patients with photosensitive epilepsy in the 1980s but it was not rigorously explored as a treatment option until 30 years later. This narrative review aims to provide an overview of the historical progression of FFA’s use, starting from initial clinical observations to preclinical studies and, ultimately, successful clinical trials in the field of epilepsy.
Colonies of Cliff Swallows on Highway Bridges: A Source of Escherichia coli in Surface Waters 1

Sejkora, Patrick, Mary Jo Kirisits, and Michael Barrett, 2011. Colonies of Cliff Swallows on Highway Bridges: A Source of Escherichia coli in Surface Waters. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 47(6):1275–1284. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752‐1688.2011. 00566.x