Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
REGIONAL PUBLIC GOODS PROVISION , DECENTRALIZATION AND SOCIAL HETEROGENEITY : A GLOBAL VIEW

This paper presents a new global dataset on the geocode location of public amenities, e.g., schools, hospitals or libraries, that is based on OpenStreetMap data. Volunteered geocoded information may be systematically incomplete; therefore, we develop a method that utilizes satellite settlement data to account for the likely degree of missing data within administrative regions of countries. Using this new method and data, we study the effect of decentralization and social heterogeneity on the subnational provision of public amenities associated with various public goods. We find strong evidence for the existence of collective action failure at a subnational level around the world. More autonomous regions with a high degree of social heterogeneity provide significantly fewer public amenities than others. JEL: F14, R12.
Bridging Research and Practice : Efficacy of a Research-Based Redesign of a Grade 7 Mathematics Curriculum

To test whether research can be effectively translated into practice, the 7 grade Connected Mathematics Project 2 curriculum was redesigned according to three research-based principles. The efficacy of the redesigned curriculum was tested against the original curriculum in a twoyear cluster-randomized trial. Schools (n = 114) were randomly assigned to use the redesigned curriculum (treatment) or the original curriculum (control). Treatment students scored higher than control students on six of eight unit post-tests. For two of these units, differences between treatment and control were large enough to be considered “substantively important” and one was statistically significant. In addition, moderator analyses suggested a global trend for the treatment to be more beneficial for traditionally underperforming students.
A comparative study on probability of detection analysis of manual and automated evaluation of thermography images by

We present a method to extract defects automatically by image segmentation. The images used for segmentation are the raw thermal images and the resulting images obtained by 5 commonly used data processing techniques in optical pulsed thermography. At the end of this article, probability of detection (PoD) analysis results after automated segmentation of raw/processed images are compared with the results obtained from manual evaluation. False alarm which is an important aspect of reliability evaluation of nondestructive technique is also studied.
Credit : 1 PDH Course Title : Energy Efficiency for 5 G Multi-Tier Cellular Networks

The heterogeneous cellular network (HCN) is most significant as a key technology for future fifth-generation (5G) wireless networks. The heterogeneous network consists of randomly macrocell base stations (MBSs) overlaid with femtocell base stations (FBSs). Stochastic geometry has been shown to be a very powerful tool to model, analyze, and design networks with random topologies such as wireless ad hoc, sensor networks, and multi-tier cellular networks. HCNs can be energy-efficiently designed by deploying various BSs belonging to different networks, which has drawn significant attention to one of the technologies for future 5G wireless networks. In this chapter, we propose switching off/on systems enabling the BSs in the cellular networks to efficiently consume the power by introducing active/sleep modes, which is able to reduce the interference and power consumption in the MBSs and FBSs on an individual basis as well as improve the energy efficiency of the cellular networks. We formulate the minimization of the power consumption for the MBSs and FBSs as well as an optimization problem to maximize the energy efficiency subject to throughput outage constraints, which can be solved by the Karush-Kuhn-Tucker (KKT) conditions according to the femto tier BS density. We also formulate and compare the coverage probability and the energy efficiency in HCN scenarios with and without coordinated multi-point (CoMP) to avoid coverage holes.
Trade Classification Algorithms : A Horse Race between the Bulk-based and the Tick-based Rules *

We compare bulk-volume classification (BVC) proposed by Easley, Lopez de Prado, and O’Hara (2012b) to the traditional tick rule (TR) for a sample of equity trades executed on NASDAQ’s INET platform. Applying BVC leads to substantial time savings when a researcher uses pre-compressed data like Bloomberg and to smaller time savings when a researcher uses TAQ. Notably, this efficiency comes at a significant loss of accuracy. Specifically, misclassification increases by 7.4 to 16.3 percentage points (or 46% to 291%) when switching from TR to BVC. Additionally, TR produces more accurate estimates of order imbalances and of order flow toxicity (VPIN).
THE IMPORTANCE OF SOUNDSCAPE RESEARCH FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF NOISE ANNOYANCE AT THE LEVEL OF THE COMMUNITY

Multi-sectoral environmental health impact assessment, the perspective on sustainable development, environmental zoning, citizen involvement, preservation of quiet areas, consideration of “sensitive areas” and the design of “supportive environments“ require new insights in the existing annoyance data new integrative research strategies. The soundscape approach can contribute to these requirements, because its main aim is the study and the improvement of the relationship between the "aural space" and the living environment the "soundscape" (Wrightson 2000). The sonic environment is seen here as mediator between humans, their activities and the environment. Depending on the "acoustic coloration" from the larger environment (geography, climate, wind, water, people, buildings, animals etc.) sound sources create "meanings" to the exposed and block or enable human activities, thoughts, feelings. Therefore, soundscape assessment is engaged in assessing acoustical but also other sensory, aesthetic, geographic, social, psychological and cultural modalities in the context of human activity across space, time, and society. Provided will be a short account of the variety of approaches, presented selected examples of current aspects of soundscape research, and intents to make the utility of the soundscape approach for the assessment of noise annoyance at the community level more visible.
THEORY AND PRACTICE IN ASSESSING VULNERABILITY TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND FACILITATING ADAPTATION

We discuss approaches to the assessment of vulnerability to climate variability and change and attempt to clarify the relationship between the concepts of vulnerability and adaptation. In search of a robust, policy-relevant framework, we define vulnerability in terms of the capacity of individuals and social groups to respond to, that is, to cope with, recover from or adapt to, any external stress placed on their livelihoods and well-being. The approach that we develop places the social and economic well-being of society at the centre of the analysis, focussing on the socio-economic and institutional constraints that limit the capacity to respond. From this perspective, the vulnerability or security of any group is determined by resource availability and by the entitlement of individuals and groups to call on these resources. We illustrate the application of this approach through the results of field research in coastal Vietnam, highlighting shifting patterns of vulnerability to tropical storm impacts at the householdand community-level in response to the current process of economic renovation and drawing conclusions concerning means of supporting the adaptive response to climate stress. Four priorities for action are identified that would improve the situation of the most exposed members of many communities: poverty reduction; risk-spreading through income diversification; respecting common property management rights; and promoting collective security. A sustainable response, we argue, must also address the underlying causes of social vulnerability, including the inequitable distribution of resources.
Gossypin Protects Against Renal Ischemia- Reperfusion Injury in Rats

Renal injury occurring as a result of renal ischemia-reperfusion may lead to renal failure or even death. The aim of this study is to investigate possible protective effects of Gossypin on tissue damage occurred due to ischemia-reperfusion in rat kidney tissue. A total of 48 male Wistar albino rats were used in the study. These rats were randomly divided into 6 groups equally (n = 8). The created groups were control (C), sham (S), ischemia-reperfusion (I/R), I/R + DMSO, I/R + 400 μg/kg gossypin and I/R + 4 mg/kg gossypin. In the rats of sham group, the right nephrectomy was performed. In the rats of other groups rather than sham, the left renal artery was clamped after performing the right nephrectomy. Gossypin was administered intraperitoneally before the reperfusion. 24 h reperfusion was applied to the left renal after 1 h of ischemia. TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 levels were measured with spectrophotometric methods in the kidney tissues after the procedures were completed. Apoptosis and inflammatory pathways were evaluated histopathologically using Caspase 3 and NF-κB antibodies. There was a statistically significant decrease in IL-1β and IL-6 levels of the gossypin groups compared to the I/R group (P<0.05). As the level of TNF-α was decreased in the gossypin administered groups compared to the I/R group although not statistically significant, the level of IL-10 was increased. In the present study, we aimed to show that gossypin in renal I/R model is effective on inflammatory process and apoptosis and that it can be used in routine treatment to decrease the damage in all reasons that may cause I/R. In addition, this study can shed light on the studies to be done in this field in the future.
The Productivity Impact of Foreign Direct Investment : New Evidence from Chinese Manufacturers

This paper analyzes the causal relationship between foreign ownership and firm-level performance in China. To do this, I adopt the two principal elements of the identification strategy applied by Arnold and Javorcik (2009) – using propensity score matching to mitigate the effects of selection into foreign-ownership, and using difference-in-difference to avoid the effects of unobserved confounding variables at transition point when firms receive foreign direct investment (FDI). The results show that Chinese-owned firms are catching up with their foreign-owned counterparts. Foreign-owned firms appear to have higher average productivities, but after controlling for endogenous selection into foreign ownership and unobserved confounding factors, they appear to lag their Chinese-owned counterparts. These results are explained with FDI spillovers, as well as other performance outcomes that appear to consistently predict higher performance, regardless of foreign-ownership. Section
A Note on the Application of Analysis of Variance in Medical Research

Some of the data related to bioscience are socioeconomic characteristics which are associated with different types of communicable or non-communicable diseases. For example, age, height, weight, gender, marital status, religion, education, occupation, income, food habit, working conditions, smoking habit, and utilization of time are associated with many noncommunicable diseases. This phenomenon was observed in many studies, home and abroad [ 1-20], especially these characteristics were found associated with level of obesity, prevalence of diabetes and prevalence of other non-communicable diseases. The level of obesity is measured by the ratio of body weight (in kg) to square of height (in m2). This measurement is known as body mass index (BMI) and it is a quantitative measurement. The study of association of this variable with any of the social characteristics is not possible if the variables are not classified into groups. For example, level of income and level of obesity are significantly associated [21]. Here level of obesity depends on level of income and this dependency can be studied if the values of both the variables are measured by numerical figures. In this type of analysis, the main objective is to verify whether the values of BMI vary with the variation of income and for which level(s) of income the BMI is significantly different. This type of information is not available from the study of association. This is possible if analysis of variance, one-way or multi-way, is applied. The analysis of variance helps to distinguish between the average values of BMI for any two or more levels of income. In this note one-way analysis of variance was presented to distinguish the level of BMI of children and adults of Bangladesh with respect to some social characters.
How Different Views of Communication Influence HCI Design: The Example of Shaping

In this paper, I argue that implicit views of communication can influence human-computer interaction design such that they may inspire radically different design approaches, with very different outcomes. Using the concept of shaping as an example, I show how the assumption of automatic processes in communication may lead to a restricted view of shaping by interactive alignment, whereas a collaborative view of communication allows a much broader range of strategies to be taken, which can enrich the designer’s possibilities to shape users’ behavior significantly.
SKIN SURFACE EXTRUSION/INTRUSION STRUCTURE AS AN INDICATOR OF AGING AIRCRAFT FATIGUE

A new method for fatigue damage detection is proposed. The new method extends earlier proposed and verified approach for fatigue damage assessment based on the quantitative analysis of surface deformation relief on aluminium and some of its alloys. It will be shown that the fundamental property of hidden persistent slip bands to be revealed after secondary cyclical loading can be used for the fatigue analysis of aging aircraft.
Synthesiology - English edition

2.1 Positioning of artifactology This subchapter surveys the disciplinary areas related to artifactology. In his book, “The Sciences of the Artificial,” Simon attempts to create an academic framework relating to artifacts made by humans, in contrast to the explanation given by the natural sciences. He argues for an academic curriculum that deals with artifacts, from the perspective of evaluating design, searching for alternative solutions, and extensions to design societies including bounded rationality. Ichikawa defines science that does not assume backward causality as artificial science, and states that its outcomes are evaluated by humans on their beauty and usefulness. Gibbons et al. pursue the changes in knowledge production modes in modern society. They term conventional knowledge produced by the internal mechanisms in each of the disciplines as mode 1 (to which general sciences correspond), and knowledge that is produced in transdisciplinary areas that are more open to society as mode 2. On the basis of their classification they consequently discuss the relation between modes 1 and 2. The “Comprehensive Synthetic Engineering” discipline is defined as “an engineering transdisciplinary research area not seen in traditional engineering that relates artifacts designed and manufactured by mobilizing all the engineering frameworks and knowledge. ” Because of the importance of this, the Science Council of Japan set up the Committee on Comprehensive Synthetic Engineering in
Mosquito Repellent activity of Syzygium aromaticum ( clove ) against Malaria Vector , Anopheles stephensi

Repellent potential of acetone, hexane and ethyl acetate extracts of Syzygium aromaticum (clove) was screened under laboratory conditions against malaria vector Anopheles stephensi Liston (Diptera: Culicidae) and compared with the DEET (N, N Diethyl 1-3 methyl Benzamide, formerly known as diethyl 1-m-toluamide). Results obtained from the laboratory experiments showed that the hexane extract of clove was more effective for repellency of malaria vector, Anopheles stephensi even at 2.5, 5 and 10% concentrations. Clear dose response relationships were established with the highest dose of 5% clove extract evoking 100% repellency. Percent protection obtained against An. stephensi was 100% repellency in 6 hours. DEET2.5% showed 100% repellency in 6 hours against the target organism. The extract can be applied as an effective personal protective measure against mosquito bites.
AVALIAÇÃO DO PADRÃO DE METILAÇÃO EM GENES RELACIONADOS À RESPOSTA IMUNE EM POLPA DENTAL HUMANA

Evaluation of Pattern of Mehylation in Genes Related to the Immune Response in Human Dental Pulp Pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs), such as Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR-2) and TLR4, participate in the activation of the immune system by microorganisms when dental pulp is inflamed. However, the expression levels of PRRs can be modulated by epigenetic factors, especially DNA methylation. In this study, the methylation statuses of the TLR-2 and CD14 (TLR4 co-receptor) genes in healthy and inflamed human dental pulp were examined. Additionally, we assessed whether the methylation pattern of cytokine gene interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), previously identified, is associated with an altered expression of this gene.
Discovering users` access patterns for web usage mining from web log files

Web Usage Mining (WUM) is the automatic discovering of hidden information of user access pattern from the web log data. Frequent pattern discovery is one of the main techniques in WUM that can be used to implement recommender systems, forecast users navigational behaviour, and personalize web sites. Many algorithms have been suggested on obtaining frequent user navigation patterns. This paper presents PD-FARM (Pattern Discovery based on Fuzzy Association Rule Mining) algorithm to extract the web usage patterns, based on Fuzzy Association Rule Mining (FARM). Fuzzy Frequent Pattern-Growth (FFP-Growth) algorithm is used to FARM. Finally, an illustrated example is given for a complete description of the proposed algorithm.
Risk factors for active tuberculosis in human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals

Context: Tuberculosis (TB) has become the most common opportunistic infection among individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection worldwide and continues to be a major killer resulting in 0.4 million deaths every year. While some of the risk factors for developing TB in HIV-infected individuals are known, identifying other risk factors will help in screening strategies to pick out those at higher risk for closer follow-up. Aims: The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors related to the development of active TB in HIV-infected individuals. Settings and Design: This case–control study among the HIV-infected individuals was carried out at a HIV clinic in a large tertiary care hospital in South India. Methods: HIV-infected individuals >18 years of age with confirmed TB were chosen as cases. For each case, two age- and sex-matched controls, diagnosed to have HIV infection without active TB or history of TB, were included. The potential risk factors for the development of active TB were evaluated using the odds ratios (ORs) and logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 150 patients, 50 cases (mean age: 39.3 ± 7.2 years) and 100 controls (mean age: 40.2 ± 7.1 years) were included. On univariate analysis, smoking (OR 8.14, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.13–21.21; P < 0.001), low body mass index (OR 6.31, 95% CI: 2.75–14.48; P < 0.001), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P = 0.013), ethanol consumption (OR 8.61, 95% CI: 3.57–20.81; P < 0.001), CD4 cell count < 200 cells/μL (OR 13.12, 95% CI: 5.64–30.50; P < 0.001), and not on antiretroviral treatment (ART) (13.34, 95% CI: 5.85–30.41; P < 0.001) were associated with active TB. The risk factors found to be independently associated were CD4 counts < 200 cells/μL (OR 5.75, 95% CI: 1.81–18.20; P = 0003), smoking (OR 7.40, 95% CI: 1.47–37.15; P = 0.015), and not being on ART (OR 13.94, 95% CI: 3.84–50.61; P < 0.001). Conclusion: Initiating ART as soon as possible and patient education on modifiable risk factors including counseling for smoking cessation for HIV-infected individuals are warranted.
Entwicklung einer Definition für Social Business Objects (SBO) zur Modellierung von Unternehmensinformationen

Der folgende Beitrag enthält Ergebnisse aus dem Langzeitforschungsprojekt SoNBO (Social Network of Business Objects), dessen Ziel es ist, ein generisches Konzept für die Integration von Geschäftsinformationen aus verschiedenen Anwendungssystemen zu entwickeln. Nachdem zwei prototypische SoNBO-Anwendungen in einem strukturierten Design-ScienceResearch-(DSR)-Prozess erstellt wurden, wurde in der Folge die Definition des für SoNBO zentralen Begriffs des „Social Business Objects“ entwickelt und nachvollziehbar dokumentiert. Quelle für die Entwicklung der Definition waren eine strukturierte Literaturanalyse, die Auswertung von Interviews mit Unternehmensvertretern und eine Analyse der zwei bereits existierenden Anwendungen. Den drei Quellen war gemein, dass unter Business Objects eine Klassifizierung bzw. Kategorisierung von Unternehmensinformationen für die Speicherung in Informationssystemen verstanden wird. Der SoNBO-Ansatz greift dieses Verständnis auf und macht die Struktur von Social Business Objects explizit für den User in Enterprise Social Software sichtbar (im Frontend). Die vorgenommene Schärfung der Terminologie ist ein wichtiger Meilenstein im SoNBO-Langzeitforschungsprojekt und dient als Input für den nächsten DSRZyklus.
Definitional Definitions and the Bare Minimum of Theory

Whereas there is a rich literature that discusses what is a good theory, in this article we focus on the muchneglected topic of how to develop the bare minimum of what can possibly be considered theory. Only by carefully studying and understanding the bare minimum can we really understand the essence of what makes a theory a theory. We draw from formal axiology to provide guidelines for developing precise, bare minimum definitions of things and then we apply these guidelines to develop a minimalist definition of a theory: an explanation of the relationship between two or more measurable concepts.
Is the Technostress Creators Inventory Still an Up-To-Date Measurement Instrument? Results of a Large-Scale Interview Study

Self-report measures are of great importance for technostress research and particularly the Technostress Creators Inventory has been amongst the most frequently applied measurement instruments since its inception in 2008. As the technological environment has progressed since then, we investigated whether this inventory still completely represents the phenomenon of technostress today. We conducted interviews with 75 individuals in four companies on their technostress experiences. We asked them about their personal experiences with eight stressor categories in the workplace, the original five dimensions of the Technostress Creators Inventory (technooverload, techno-invasion, techno-complexity, techno-insecurity, and technouncertainty) and additional three categories (techno-unreliability, IT-based monitoring, and cyberbullying). We found that techno-insecurity was the least prevalent stressor category throughout all companies, while technounreliability, one of our new categories, was the most prevalent stressor. Based on this evidence, we argue that a revised inventory is urgently needed to guarantee content validity of technostress measurement in future studies.