Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of Deforestation in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, Nigeria

There are ample facts that the whole world is facing an ecological crisis by reason of heavy deforestation. Thus, this study assesses the influence of deforestation in some selected villages in Borgu Local Government Area, Niger State. Data were collected from members of the community using a set of structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as percentages and frequency count. Findings revealed that the major occupation is trading (33.3%), followed by farming (30%). The causes of deforestation in the study area includes the following; fuelwood removal (31.7%), urbanization (25.0), logging (20.0%), subsistence farming (15.8%), population growth and overpopulation (3.3%), commercial farming (2.5%) and Inequitable distribution of wealth and power (1.7%). Global warming (31.7%) was the major effect of deforestation in the study area, followed by soil erosion (24.2%). Encouragement of agroforestry practices (30.8%) was seen as the major strategy for reducing deforestation by the respondents, others includes; afforestation (27.5%), public enlightenment (13.3%), enforcement of forest land and policy (12.5%), forest education (8.3%), forest conservation and preservation (7.5%).
The spectrum efficiency of a base station antenna array system for spatially selective transmission

The goal of this paper is to estimate the gain, in terms of system capacity at a given outage probability, which can be obtained by applying antenna arrays in the base stations of a mobile cellular network. For this purpose a propagation model which incorporates the angular distribution of the rays in the vicinity of the mobile is postulated. Also included in the model is the interference from co-channel cells. With the aid of the model, a weight selection algorithm is derived. The proposed system is simulated with different numbers of mobiles per channel in each cell and different numbers of antenna elements in the arrays. Also varied is the cluster size. This is done to determine the optimal trade-off between reduced cluster size and multiple mobiles per channel in each cell. The results show that it is possible to increase capacity between two and twelve times depending on the number of antennas in the arrays and the spread of the local scattering. <<ETX>>
AUTOMATIC LINE MATCHING AND 3D RECONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS FROM MULTIPLE VIEWS

This paper describes two developments in the automatic reconstruction of buildings from aerial images. The first is an algorithm for automatically matching line segments over multiple images. The algorithm employs geometric constraints based on the multi-view geometry together with photometric constraints derived from the line neighbourhood, and achieves a performance of better than 95% correct matches over three views. The second development is a method for automatically computing a piecewise planar reconstruction based on the matched lines. The novelty here is that a planar facet hypothesis can be generated from a single 3D line, using an inter-image homography applied to the line neighbourhood. The algorithm has successfully generated near complete roof reconstructions from multiple images. This work has been carried out as part of the EC IMPACT project. A summary of the project is included.
Thrombomodulin and the vascular endothelium: insights into functional, regulatory, and therapeutic aspects

Thrombomodulin (TM) is a 557-amino acid protein with a broad cell and tissue distribution consistent with its wide-ranging physiological roles. When expressed on the lumenal surface of vascular endothelial cells in both large vessels and capillaries, its primary function is to mediate endothelial thromboresistance. The complete integral membrane-bound protein form displays five distinct functional domains, although shorter soluble (functional) variants comprising the extracellular domains have also been reported in fluids such as serum and urine. TM-mediated binding of thrombin is known to enhance the specificity of the latter serine protease toward both protein C and thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI), increasing their proteolytic activation rate by almost three orders of magnitude with concomitant anticoagulant, antifibrinolytic, and anti-inflammatory benefits to the vascular wall. Recent years have seen an abundance of research into the cellular mechanisms governing endothelial TM production, processing, and regulation (including flow-mediated mechanoregulation)—from transcriptional and posttranscriptional (miRNA) regulation of TM gene expression, to posttranslational processing and release of the expressed protein—facilitating greater exploitation of its therapeutic potential. The goal of the present paper is to comprehensively review the endothelial/TM system from these regulatory perspectives and draw some fresh conclusions. This paper will conclude with a timely examination of the current status of TM's growing therapeutic appeal, from novel strategies to improve the clinical efficacy of recombinant TM analogs for resolution of vascular disorders such as disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), to an examination of the complex pleiotropic relationship between statin treatment and TM expression.
Prognostic Value of Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) in Human Solid Carcinomas: A Meta-Analysis

Background Recently, the number of reports on focal adhesion kinase (FAK) as a vital therapeutic target in solid carcinomas has increased; however, the prognostic role of FAK status remains poorly understood. This study aims to evaluate the prognostic effect of FAK by means of a meta-analysis. Methods We performed a systematic literature search in order to examine the correlation between expression of FAK and overall survival(OS). The hazard ratio (HR) of OS was used to measure survival. A random-effects model was used to pool study statistics. Sensitivity and publication bias analyses were also conducted. Results Thirty eligible studies involving 4702 patients were included. The median expression rate of FAK was 54%. Meta-analysis of the HRs demonstrated that high FAK expression was associated with worse OS (average HR = 2.073, 95%confidence interval[CI]:1.712–2.510, p = 0.000). Regarding cancer type, FAK was associated with worse OS in gastric cancer (HR = 2.646,95% CI:1.743–4.017, p = 0.000), hepatocellular carcinoma (HR = 1.788,95% CI:1.228–2.602, p = 0.002), ovarian cancer (HR = 1.815, 95% CI: 1.193–2.762, p = 0.005), endometrial cancer (HR = 4.149, 95% CI:2.832–6.079, p = 0.000), gliomas (HR = 2.650, 95% CI: 1.205–5.829, p = 0.015), and squamous cell carcinoma (HR = 1,696, 95% CI: 1.030–2.793, p = 0.038). No association was found between HR and disease staging according to our meta-regression analysis. Conclusions Our study shows that high expression of FAK is associated with a worse OS in patients with carcinomas, but the association between FAK and prognosis varies according to cancer type. The value of FAK status in clinical prognosis in cancer needs further research.
An MEG Study of Picture Naming

The purpose of this study was to relate a psycholinguistic processing model of picture naming to the dynamics of cortical activation during picture naming. The activation was recorded from eight Dutch subjects with a whole-head neuromagnetometer. The processing model, based on extensive naming latency studies, is a stage model. In preparing a picture's name, the speaker performs a chain of specific operations. They are, in this order, computing the visual percept, activating an appropriate lexical concept, selecting the target word from the mental lexicon, phonological encoding, phonetic encoding, and initiation of articulation. The time windows for each of these operations are reasonably well known and could be related to the peak activity of dipole sources in the individual magnetic response patterns. The analyses showed a clear progression over these time windows from early occipital activation, via parietal and temporal to frontal activation. The major specific findings were that (1) a region in the left posterior temporal lobe, agreeing with the location of Wernicke's area, showed prominent activation starting about 200 msec after picture onset and peaking at about 350 msec, (i.e., within the stage of phonological encoding), and (2) a consistent activation was found in the right parietal cortex, peaking at about 230 msec after picture onset, thus preceding and partly overlapping with the left temporal response. An interpretation in terms of the management of visual attention is proposed.
Adult intussusception: case reports and review of literature

Adult intussusception occurs infrequently and differs from childhood intussusception in its presentation, aetiology, and treatment. Diagnosis can be delayed because of its longstanding, intermittent, and non-specific symptoms and most cases are diagnosed at emergency laparotomy. With more frequent use of computed tomography in the evaluation of patients with abdominal pain, the condition can be diagnosed more reliably. Treatment entails simple bowel resection in most cases. Reduction of the intussusception before resection is controversial, but there is a shift against this, especially in colonic cases. Surgical treatment can be difficult in gastroduodenal and coloanal intussusceptions, sometimes requiring innovative techniques. This paper presents the diagnosis and management of four cases of adult intussusception, followed by review of the literature.
Exploring Energy-Efficient Cache Design in Emerging Mobile Platforms

Mobile devices are quickly becoming the most widely used processors in consumer devices. Since their major power supply is battery, energy-efficient computing is highly desired. In this article, we focus on energy-efficient cache design in emerging mobile platforms. We observe that more than 40% of L2 cache accesses are OS kernel accesses in interactive smartphone applications. Such frequent kernel accesses cause serious interferences between the user and kernel blocks in the L2 cache, leading to unnecessary block replacements and high L2 cache miss rate. We first propose to statically partition the L2 cache into two separate segments, which can be accessed only by the user code and kernel code, respectively. Meanwhile, the overall size of the two segments is shrunk, which reduces the energy consumption while still maintaining the similar cache miss rate. We then find completely different access behaviors between the two separated kernel and user segments and explore the multi-retention STT-RAM-based user and kernel segments to obtain higher energy savings in this static partition-based cache design. Finally, we propose to dynamically partition the L2 cache into the user and kernel segments to minimize overall cache size. We also integrate the short-retention STT-RAM into this dynamic partition-based cache design for maximal energy savings. The experimental results show that our static technique reduces cache energy consumption by 75% with 2% performance loss, and our dynamic technique further shows strong capability to reduce cache energy consumption by 85% with only 3% performance loss.
Voluntary attention changes the speed of perceptual neural processing

While previous studies in psychology demonstrated that humans can respond more quickly to the stimuli at attended than unattended locations, it remains unclear whether attention also accelerates the speed of perceptual neural activity in the human brain. One possible reason for this unclarity would be an insufficient spatial resolution of previous electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetoencephalography (MEG) techniques in which neural signals from multiple brain regions are merged with each other. Here, we addressed this issue by combining MEG with a novel stimulus‐presentation technique that can focus on neural signals from higher visual cortex where the magnitude of attentional modulation is prominent. Results revealed that the allocation of spatial attention induces both an increase in neural intensity (attentional enhancement) and a decrease in neural latency (attentional acceleration) to the attended compared to unattended visual stimuli (Experiment 1). Furthermore, an attention‐induced behavioural facilitation reported in previous psychological studies (Posner paradigm) was closely correlated with the neural ‘acceleration’ rather than ‘enhancement’ in the visual cortex (Experiment 2). In addition to bridging a gap between previous psychological and neurological findings, our results demonstrated a temporal dynamics of attentional modulation in the human brain.
Virtual environments for the transfer of navigation skills in the blind: a comparison of directed instruction vs. video game based learning approaches

For profoundly blind individuals, navigating in an unfamiliar building can represent a significant challenge. We investigated the use of an audio-based, virtual environment called Audio-based Environment Simulator (AbES) that can be explored for the purposes of learning the layout of an unfamiliar, complex indoor environment. Furthermore, we compared two modes of interaction with AbES. In one group, blind participants implicitly learned the layout of a target environment while playing an exploratory, goal-directed video game. By comparison, a second group was explicitly taught the same layout following a standard route and instructions provided by a sighted facilitator. As a control, a third group interacted with AbES while playing an exploratory, goal-directed video game however, the explored environment did not correspond to the target layout. Following interaction with AbES, a series of route navigation tasks were carried out in the virtual and physical building represented in the training environment to assess the transfer of acquired spatial information. We found that participants from both modes of interaction were able to transfer the spatial knowledge gained as indexed by their successful route navigation performance. This transfer was not apparent in the control participants. Most notably, the game-based learning strategy was also associated with enhanced performance when participants were required to find alternate routes and short cuts within the target building suggesting that a ludic-based training approach may provide for a more flexible mental representation of the environment. Furthermore, outcome comparisons between early and late blind individuals suggested that greater prior visual experience did not have a significant effect on overall navigation performance following training. Finally, performance did not appear to be associated with other factors of interest such as age, gender, and verbal memory recall. We conclude that the highly interactive and immersive exploration of the virtual environment greatly engages a blind user to develop skills akin to positive near transfer of learning. Learning through a game play strategy appears to confer certain behavioral advantages with respect to how spatial information is acquired and ultimately manipulated for navigation.
Separation of helper and suppressor T lymphocytes on a ficoll velocity sedimentation gradient

A 5-20% Ficoll velocity sedimentation gradient has been successfully applied to separate concanavalin A (Con A)-induced helper; and suppressor T cells. When titrated into a constant number of fresh normal spleen cells responding to sheep erythrocytes, cells from the top pool show stimulatory effects while those from the bottom pool show inhibitory activity. Both activities are found to be Con A dependent and anti-theta sensitive. We conclude that Con A-induced helper and suppressor T cells are distinct subpopulations and such separation will allow further characterization of these cell types.
A Robust Decision Tree Algorithm for Imbalanced Data Sets

We propose a new decision tree algorithm, Class Confidence Proportion Decision Tree (CCPDT), which is robust and insensitive to size of classes and generates rules which are statistically significant. In order to make decision trees robust, we begin by expressing Information Gain, the metric used in C4.5, in terms of confidence of a rule. This allows us to immediately explain why Information Gain, like confidence, results in rules which are biased towards the majority class. To overcome this bias, we introduce a new measure, Class Confidence Proportion (CCP), which forms the basis of CCPDT. To generate rules which are statistically significant we design a novel and efficient top-down and bottom-up approach which uses Fisher’s exact test to prune branches of the tree which are not statistically significant. Together these two changes yield a classifier that performs statistically better than not only traditional decision trees but also trees learned from data that has been balanced by well known sampling techniques. Our claims are confirmed through extensive experiments and comparisons against C4.5, CART, HDDT and SPARCCC.
Hydrothermal Venting at Hinepuia Submarine Volcano, Kermadec Arc: Understanding Magmatic‐Hydrothermal Fluid Chemistry

The Hinepuia volcanic center is made up of two distinct edifices aligned northwest to southeast, with an active cone complex in the SE. Hinepuia is one of several active volcanoes in the northern segment of the Kermadec arc. Regional magnetic data show no evidence for large‐scale hydrothermal alteration at Hinepuia, yet plume data confirm present‐day hydrothermal discharge, suggesting that the hydrothermal system may be too young to have altered the host rocks with respect to measurable changes in magnetic signal. Gravity data are consistent with crustal thinning and shallow mantle under the volcanic center. Following the discovery of hydrothermal plumes over Hinepuia, the submersible Shinkai 6500 was used to explore the SE cone and sample hydrothermal fluids. The chemistry of hydrothermal fluids from submarine arc and backarc volcanoes is typically dominated by water‐rock interactions and/or magmatic degassing. Chemical analyses of vent fluids show that Hinepuia does not quite fit either traditional model. Moreover, the Hinepuia samples fall between those typically ascribed to both end‐member fluid types when plotted on a K‐Mg‐SO4 ternary diagram. Due to evidence of strong degassing, abundant native sulfur deposition, and H2S presence, the vent sampled at Hinepuia is ultimately classified as a magmatic‐hydrothermal system with a water‐rock influence. This vent is releasing water vapor and magmatic volatiles with a notable lack of salinity due to subcritical boiling and phase separation. Magmatic‐hydrothermal fluid chemistry appears to be controlled by a combination of gas flux, phase separation processes, and volcano evolution and/or distance from the magma source.
Multimedia Diversification of the Asynchronous Learning Network Learning Environment

Text-based discussions in Asynchronous Learning Networks (ALN) may not be an optimal learning environment for all learners. This paper discusses the reasons why and explores the possibility of applying multimedia to ALN. The contribution of this paper is to provide ways of diversifying the ALN learning environment to accommodate the needs of diverse learners having different learning styles.
Enhancing Quality of Guidance and Counseling in Vocational Schools: Testing the Effectiveness of Evaluation Instruments Based on the CIPP Model

This study assesses the CIPP (Context, Input, Process, Product) model's effectiveness in evaluating guidance and counseling programs within the Merdeka curriculum of Vocational High Schools. Collaborating with three experts—guidance and counseling specialists, educational technology experts, and practitioner teachers—the research employs assessment tests and pre-test/post-test questionnaires for 10 Guidance and Counseling Teachers at Vocational High School 3 Banjarmasin. Evaluation results, covering general, specific, and material aspects, show a high level of agreement among the three evaluators. General evaluation exhibits high reliability (ICC = 0.750), and thorough and material evaluations demonstrate high reliability with ICC values of 0.794 each. The trial of 10 Guidance and Counseling Teachers reveals a significant improvement in their evaluation skills after implementing the CIPP model. Average post-test results are notably higher than pre-test, highlighting the positive impact of the CIPP evaluation model on enhancing these skills. The research concludes that the CIPP evaluation model is reliable and consistent in measuring guidance and counseling program effectiveness in the Merdeka curriculum of Vocational High Schools. Empirical and theoretical support establishes a strong foundation for considering future implementation of the CIPP model in educational program evaluations. This model's application is anticipated to elevate the quality and relevance of educational programs, particularly in the context of guidance and counseling in Vocational High Schools, with potential practical and managerial benefits.
Exposure–Response Analysis of Nivolumab in Patients With Previously Treated or Untreated Advanced Melanoma

Nivolumab is a fully human immunoglobulin-G4 monoclonal antibody that selectively binds to the programmed death-1 (PD-1) membrane receptor, blocking the interaction of PD-1 with its 2 known ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2.1 Blockade of PD-1 is believed to promote antitumor immune responses by preventing downregulation of T-cell activation and proliferation within the tumor microenvironment.1 Nivolumab has demonstrated clinical activity as monotherapy or in combination with ipilimumab (anti–cytotoxic Tlymphocyte antigen 4 [anti-CTLA-4]) in several tumor types, including melanoma,2,3 non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC),4–6 and renal cell carcinoma (RCC). 7,8 In addition, nivolumab monotherapy is shown to be well tolerated up to a dose of 10 mg/kg in patients with solid tumors.9 Nivolumab 240 mg every 2 weeks is approved for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma, previously treated metastatic NSCLC, advanced RCC, and urothelial cancer, and 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks is approved for classical Hodgkin lymphoma and recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.10 Nivolumab 1 mg/kg in combination with ipilimumab every 3 weeks for 4 doses followed by nivolumab 240 mg every 2 weeks is also approved for the treatment of unresectable or metastatic melanoma.10 Durable responses, overall survival benefit, and improved progression-free survival have been documented in patients with previously untreated melanoma who received nivolumab.2 The pharmacokinetics (PK) of nivolumab have been previously characterized and described by a linear 2-compartment model with time-varying clearance (CL). 11 The PK of nivolumab has been found to be linear in the range of 0.1 to 10 mg/kg, and both elimination and distribution of nivolumab appeared to be independent of dose in the dose range studied.12 The end of infusion and minimum serum concentration (Cmin) after the first dose were approximately doseproportional. Exposure-response (E-R) of efficacy and safety has been characterized in previously treated patients with advanced melanoma receiving nivolumab 3 mg/kg (studies CA209003 and CA209037). 13 The purpose of the current study was to extend the earlier characterization of nivolumab E-R of overall survival to patients with previously untreated advanced melanoma. In previous E-R analyses,13 nivolumab exposure (time averaged concentration after first dose [Cavg1]) was not a significant predictor of Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors v1.1 objective response or overall survival over the exposure range tested, and higher baseline tumor burden in melanoma was associated with a lower probability of response. The E-R safety analysis found that nivolumab exposure (Cavg1) was not a significant predictor of the risk of grade 3 drug-related adverse events and adverse events leading to drug discontinuation or death.