Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Preferred resting surfaces of dominant malaria vectors inside different house types in rural south-eastern Tanzania

Malaria control in Africa relies extensively on indoor residual spraying (IRS) and insecticidetreated nets (ITNs). Indoor residual spraying typically targets mosquitoes resting on walls, and in few cases, roofs and ceilings, using contact insecticides. Unfortunately, little attention is paid to where malaria vectors actually rest indoors, and how such knowledge could be used to improve IRS. This study investigated preferred resting surfaces of two major malaria vectors, Anopheles funestus and Anopheles arabiensis, inside four common house types in rural south-eastern Tanzania. The assessment was done inside 80 houses in south-eastern Tanzania across four villages. In each house, resting mosquitoes were captured using Prokopack aspirators from walls, undersides of roofs, floors, furniture, utensils, clothes and bed-nets. Overall, only 26% of An. funestus and 18% of An. arabiensis were found on walls. In grass-thatched houses, 33-55% of An. funestus and 43-50% of An. arabiensis rested under roofs, while in metal-roofed houses, only 1620% of An. funestus and 8-30% of An. arabiensis rested under roofs. Considering all data together, approximately 40% of mosquitoes rested on surfaces not typically targeted by IRS, i.e. floors, furniture, utensils, clothes and bed-nets. These proportions were particularly high in metal-roofed houses (47-53% of An. funestus; 60-66% of An. arabiensis). While IRS uses contact insecticides to target adult mosquitoes on walls, and occasionally roofs and ceilings, significant proportions of vectors rest on surfaces not usually sprayed. This gap exceeds one-third of malaria mosquitoes in grass-thatched houses, and can reach two-thirds in metal-roofed houses. Where field operations exclude roofs during IRS, the gaps can be much greater. In conclusion, there is need for locallyobtained data on mosquito resting behaviours and how these influence the overall impact and costs of IRS.
Identification of Functional Modules and Key Pathways Associated with Innervation in Graft Bone—CGRP Regulates the Differentiation of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells via p38 MAPK and Wnt6/β-Catenin

Bone resorption occurs after bone grafting, however, contemporaneous reconstruction of the innervation of the bone graft is a potential treatment to maintain the bone mass of the graft. The innervation of bone is an emerging research topic. To understand the potential molecular mechanisms of bone innervation after bone grafting, we collected normal iliac bone tissue as well as bone grafts with or without innervation from nine patients 1 year after surgery and performed RNA sequencing. We identified differentially expressed genes) from these samples and used the gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes databases for functional enrichment and signaling pathway analysis. In parallel, we established protein–protein interaction networks to screen functional modules. Based on bioinformatic results, we validated in vitro the osteogenic differentiation potential of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) after calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) stimulation and the expression of p38 MAPK and Wnt6/β-catenin pathways during osteogenesis. Our transcriptome analysis of bone grafts reveals functional modules and signaling pathways of innervation which play a vital role in the structural and functional integration of the bone graft. Simultaneously, we demonstrate that CGRP regulates the differentiation of BMMSCs through p38 MAPK and Wnt6/β-catenin.
MARINE RESERVES FOR FISHERIES MANAGEMENT: WHY NOT

Marine reserves have recently become a politically correct way of viewing the management of marine resources. Much of the reason for this is due to the depressed state of many of the populations that have been the mainstay of both commercial and recreational marine fisheries. The apparent failure of past management has led to a headlong rush for a paradigm shift. Marine reserves that occupy no more than about 5% of the productive habitat can provide sites for research, for monitoring natural variability, and for preserving habitat and diversity for heritage purposes. But the case for large marine reserves for fisheries management purposes has not yet been adequately made. The few available modeling studies suggest that for fisheries management purposes, marine reserves need to be on the order of 50% of the productive habitat. Analyses presented here suggest that, with reserves this large, current yields can be obtained only with a considerable increase in total fishing effort and a very large increase in the mortality rates in areas open to fishing. This implies a large increase in the trawling rate, and probably associated ecological damage, in the exploited area. Even if it were desirable to manage an individual species with large marine reserves, the concept breaks down when applied to the West Coast trawl fishery, which is based on many species, each with a different habitat. A marine reserve established for overexploited groundfish provides little real protection for migratory species such as Pacific hake, but may greatly increase the cost of fishing for these species.
Analysis of the reinforcement with jacketed concrete to protect the abutments to avoid scour

– The general objective of the present investigation is to analyze the proposal of the reinforcement with jacketed concrete to protect the abutments of the bridges subjected to scour by the action of water during the occurrence of maximum floods in steep rivers, with invaded riverbeds and subject to recurring weather phenomena. This proposal was compared with the alternatives of maintaining the current protection, riprap, and concrete bag revetment. The analysis showed that the maximum scours depth is markedly different in the two abutments because the bridge is located on a curve. Considering the estimated scour in each abutment for a return period of 500 years, the height of the reinforcement was considered, resulting in a height of 5.50 m for the right abutment and 10.50 m for the left abutment. Technical analysis showed that the current protection is inadequate. concrete bag revetment does not meet the requirements either because the geotextile used in the bags does not resist the acting shear stress. Reinforced concrete jacketing and riprap lining meet the requirements, but liner costs up to 50% less than riprap lining. In addition, for construction reasons, the riprap alternative is ruled out since the riprap toe interferes with part of the area below the pillar closest to the abutment. In addition, it has been shown that the reinforcement with jacketed of concrete has the advantage of not occupying as much ground as the riprap.
Whywe (do not) share data in German real estate – a reasoned action approach

Purpose German (corporate-) real estate management departments have been facing the challenge of poor data quality for years. This holds them back from generating efficiency potentials via the use of new methods from the field of digitalisation and from coping with the increasing requirements from the ESG context. The purpose of this paper is to explore why German (corporate-) real estate managements (do not) share data with their real estate service providers to address the data quality challenge and identify possible solutions. Design/methodology/approach To answer the research question, the reasoned action approach, an established theory from psychology for predicting human behaviour, is used. The relationships between the constructs are determined using linear regression. The study participants are almost exclusively from Germany. Findings The organisational milieu (perceived behavioural control) has a significant impact on the behaviour of sharing data with real estate service providers. Especially the change of contractual arrangements (data-driven contracts) seems to be crucial for the improvement of information logistics. Originality/value To the best of the author’s knowledge, for the first time, the reasoned action approach is used within the German real estate industry to predict organisational behaviour in the context of digitalisation.
Construct Validity of a Questionnaire on Eating and Physical Activity Habits for Adolescents in Mexico City

The assessment of eating and physical activity habits is an important step in promoting healthy behaviors among the adolescent population and is key in the prevention and management of chronic non-communicable diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. For this purpose, reliable and valid measuring instruments are essential. In this context, the aim of this article is to present the validation of a self-report questionnaire on eating and physical activity habits among adolescents in Mexico City. In order to validate the questionnaire, a cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 2710 adolescents between 11 and 12 years of age, the piloting of the questionnaire was carried out in September 2022 with a focus group, and the programming of the anthropometric measurements was established with the Federal Educational Authority of CDMX, as well as the application of the questionnaire to 33 schools, with these activities being scheduled from 7 November 2022 to 3 February 2023 and having an application duration of 15–25 min for each of the groups to which it was applied; the questionnaire that was applied consists of 31 questions that refer to the frequencies, quantity, or performance of behaviors related to the frequency and type of food, type of physical activity and behaviors related to the act of eating referring to the place where it is carried out (home or away from home) and with whom it is carried out (alone or in company), and about the individual’s lifestyle. Subsequently, the reliability of the instrument was evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, and an exploratory factor analysis was conducted to determine the structure of the questionnaire. The results obtained showed that the questionnaire was adequately reliable (α = 0.778) with an eight-factor structure: four questions on mealtime frequencies, four questions on physical activity and lifestyles, six questions on the consumption of high-calorie foods, four questions on company and food consumption, four questions on the consumption of vegetables and fruits, four questions on the place of food consumption, two questions on the consumption of alcoholic beverages, and three questions on the consumption of sugary drinks, plain water, and milk. In conclusion, the self-report questionnaire on eating and physical activity habits among adolescents in Mexico City is reliable, has adequate internal consistency, and can therefore be used as a useful tool for the evaluation of eating and physical activity habits in this population.
Area-Wide Analysis of Hardwood Defoliator Effects on Tree Conditions in the Allegheny Plateau

The effects of defoliation caused by three foliage feeding insects, the gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), the cherry scallopshell moth (Hydria prunivorata), and the elm spanworm (Ennomos subsignarius), on tree mortality and crown conditions were evaluated using data collected from 1984 to 1999 in the Allegheny National Forest located in northwestern Pennsylvania. While previous studies have focused on the effects of defoliation on trees in individual stands, this study differed in that it used exhaustive maps of defoliation and an areawide network of plots to assess these efects. A geographic information system was used to map the coincidence of USDA Forest Service Forest Inventory and Analysis and Forest Health Monitoring plot locations with defoliation polygons derived from aerial surveys to calculate cumulative years of defoliation for each pest. Over 85% of the Allegheny National Forest land area was defoliated at least once during the 16-year period from 1984 to 1999. Frequency of defoliation by specific defoliator species was closely associated with the dominance of their primary hosts in stands. Frequency of defoliation was often associated with crown dieback and mortality, but these relationships were not detectable in all species. These results suggest that when impacts are averaged over large areas (such as in this study) effects of defoliation are likely to be considerably less severe than when measured in selected stands (as is the approach taken in most previous impact studies).
Illu-Shoal Choice: An Exploration of Different Means for Enrichment of Captive Zebrafish

Simple Summary The well-being of captive fish is often undervalued, and additional studies and new tools for enrichment need to be produced. Using 2D shapes of zebrafish filled with three different visual illusions in place of natural striped coloration, we tried to create a realistic dummy conspecific that is able to trigger social response, focusing on perceptual features such as overall shape, depth cues, and dynamic perceptions. When compared with a control stimulus that did not resemble a social companion, zebrafish showed no spontaneous attraction towards the images, either caused by a lack of perception of the illusion or by the fact that the illusory movement did not match the biological movement of real zebrafish. In future studies, we hope that we will manage to achieve this result using various illusory patterns. Creating realistic dummies of zebrafish could improve their well-being by acting as a source of social contact while excluding possible aggressive and stressful interactions. Moreover, it could be used as a reinforcement tool in training procedures. Abstract Fish of any variety are nowadays being kept captive for several purposes, from recreational to alimentary to research. It is possible that we humans often underestimate or misunderstand the basic, natural needs of the species we use for our purposes. Sociality is likely to play an extensive and fundamental role in the quality of life of animals such as zebrafish. This study aimed to develop a dummy conspecific that included depth and motion illusions in order to assess whether these stimuli could represent a valid alternative to a conspecific in triggering shoaling behaviour in a well-known model in genetics and neuroscience, the zebrafish (Dario rerio). We thus replaced the natural livery of a zebrafish shape with three visual illusions: the Ouchi–Spillmann illusion, which generates an effect of local tilting motion; and another two which should create pictorial cues of tridimensionality. Via a binary shoal choice test, we assessed the time spent close to each of the three artificial dummies compared to neutral control stimuli such as grey ellipses. We found no preference for the illusory patterns, suggesting that the illusion was not perceived or, alternatively, that the perception of the illusion was not enough to elicit recognition of the dummy as conspecific and subsequent social behaviours.
Brain Age Prediction using Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Deep Learning

Recent papers have shown that age-related brain changes can be used to predict the age of individuals by training supervised regression methods on MR brain images. These predictions can be used to estimate biological brain age and find disease and genetic components associated with abnormal brain aging. In this thesis, we develop a few different types of methods to predict brain age, with the aim of predicting brain age with state-of-the-art accuracy. The primary method uses convolutional neural networks (CNN) to predict brain age from T1weighted magnetic resonance images (MRI), Jacobian maps, gray matter segmented and white matter segmented images. The method is based on a residual CNN architecture and uses covariates in a deep learning framework. We also look at other machine learning methods trained on surface-based morphometry (SBM) and volume-based morphometry (VBM) features. The methods were trained on an Icelandic MRI dataset and evaluated on two publicly available datasets, i.e., the UK Biobank and the IXI (Information eXtraction from Images) dataset. We demonstrated that the prediction accuracy can be improved on new sites by utilizing transfer learning. We developed a feature map visualization technique and a CNN feature importance method and used it to show that the putamen, thalamus, and pallidum are the most important brain regions for predicting brain age with the CNN. We found that subjects with schizophrenia had a significantly higher PAD (predicted age difference) compared to healthy controls. In addition, we looked at associations between the PAD and a large list of phenotypes. The most accurate brain age prediction method was an ensemble of the four convolutional neural networks that had a mean absolute error (MAE) of 3.388 years and 0.872 R on the test set.
The Adaptation Front Equation Explains Innovation-Driven Taxonomic Turnovers and Living Fossilization

Evolutionary taxonomic turnovers are often associated with innovations beneficial in various ecological niches. Such innovations can repeatedly occur in species occupying optimum niches for a focal species group, resulting in their repeated diversifications and species flows from optimum to suboptimum niches, at the expense of less innovated ones. By combining species packing theory and adaptive dynamics theory, we develop an equation that allows analytical prediction for such innovation-driven species flows over a niche space of arbitrary dimension under a unimodal carrying capacity distribution. The developed equation and simulated evolution show that central niches (with the highest carrying capacities) tend to attain the fastest innovation speeds to become biodiversity sources. Species that diverge from the central niches outcompete the indigenous species in peripheral niches. The outcompeted species become extinct or evolve directionally toward far more peripheral niches. Because of this globally acting process over niches, species occupying the most peripheral niches are the least innovated and have deep divergence times from their closest relatives, and thus they correspond to living fossils. The extension of this analysis for multiple geographic regions shows that living fossils are also expected in geographically peripheral regions for the focal species group.
Can RNA Affect Memory Modulation? Implications for PTSD Understanding and Treatment

Memories are a central aspect of our lives, but the mechanisms underlying their formation, consolidation, retrieval, and extinction remain poorly understood. In this review, we explore the molecular mechanisms of memory modulation and investigate the effects of RNA on these processes. Specifically, we examine the effects of time and location on gene expression alterations. We then discuss the potential for harnessing these alterations to modulate memories, particularly fear memories, to alleviate post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. The current state of research suggests that transcriptional changes play a major role in memory modulation and targeting them through microRNAs may hold promise as a novel approach for treating memory-related disorders such as PTSD.
Tale of Tails : An Empirical Analysis of Loss Distribution Models for Estimating Operational Risk Capital

Operational risk is being recognized as an important risk component for financial institutions as evinced by the large sums of capital that are allocated to mitigate this risk. Therefore, risk measurement is of paramount concern for the purposes of capital allocation, hedging, and new product development for risk mitigation. We perform a comprehensive evaluation of commonly used methods and introduce new techniques to measure this risk with respect to various criteria. We find that our newly introduced techniques perform consistently better than the other models we tested. The views expressed in this paper do not necessarily reflect the views of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston or the Federal Reserve System. We are extremely grateful to Ricki Sears and Christine Jaw for their research support. Without their valuable help, this work would not have been possible. We thank Patrick de Fontnouvelle and Eric Rosengren for their comments on earlier drafts of the paper; David Hoaglin for his advice on modeling the g‐and‐h distribution; and Valérie Chavez‐Demoulin, Paul Embrechts, and Johanna Nešlehová for their valuable help in our understanding of Extreme Value Theory. We would also like to thank 1 Executive Summary Institutions face many modeling choices as they attempt to measure operational risk exposure. One of the most significant choices is which technique to use for modeling the severity (dollar value) of operational losses. There are many techniques being used in practice, and for policy makers an important question is whether institutions using different severity modeling techniques can arrive at very different (and inconsistent) estimates of their exposure. Our results suggest that they can: We find that using different models for the same institution can result in materially different capital estimates. We also find that some of these models can be readily dismissed on either statistical or logical grounds. This leaves us with a more limited range of techniques that are potentially suitable for modeling operational loss severity. Most importantly, we find that there are some techniques that yield consistent and plausible results across the different institutions that we consider in spite of each institution having different data characteristics. This last finding is important for several reasons. First, it suggests that operational risk can be modeled and that there is indeed some regularity in loss data across institutions. Second, it lays out the hope that while preserving the AMA's flexibility, we can still develop a benchmark model for use by …
Quality of Life (QoL) among Pakistani Women with Breast Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy

Background: Breast Cancer is the most common cancer in women and the quality of life of women with breast cancer is a significant healthcare issue specifically in developing and underdeveloped countries. Globally quality of Life (QoL) has become an important indicator to measure the outcomes of medical and nursing interventions. The QoL studies have an imperative role in healthcare especially in chronic disease as the latest diagnostic and treatment modalities have increased the survival rates and duration of cancer patients. Similarly, breast cancer itself and its treatment with Chemotherapy, in particular, has many complications and negative impacts on the QoL of cancer women. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the QoL of Pakistani women with Breast Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and the relationship of QoL with socio-demographic variables. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional correlational study was conducted on 110 female breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. FACIT-B questionnaire was used to assess the quality of life of these patients. Statistical analysis was done by using SPSS version 20 using the Pearson correlation coefficient, Chi-square test, and Spearman’s rho correlation coefficient. Results: The mean age of participants was (mean ± SD) 42.98 ± 8.98. A significant negative correlation was observed with age and QoL, r = -0.218, p - value 0.022. No significant association was observed between QoL and marital status; education status; and socioeconomic status. Conclusion: The majority of breast cancer women 59(53.6%) had moderate QoL and Chemotherapy also showed moderate impacts on different domains: physical, functional emotional, social, and sexual well-being of the women.
Defending Against Adversarial Attacks via 1 Neural Dynamic System (Appendix) 2

x̃ ∈ Bδ2(x), lim t→+∞ ||s(x̃; t)− x|| = 0. We make δ = min{δ1, δ2}. Because the perturbed instance x̃ is produced by adding perturbation 15 smaller than δ on the clean instance, then for each contaminated instance x̂ ∈ {x̃ : x̃ ∈ X̃ , x̃ / ∈ X}, 16 there exists clean instance x ∈ X such that x̂ ∈ Bδ(x). Because the clean instance x is an 17 asymptotically stable equilibrium point of (1), we have 18