Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews Top-down Effects on Early Visual Processing in Humans: a Predictive Coding Framework

An increasing number of human electroencephalography (EEG) studies examining the earliest component of the visual evoked potential, the so-called C1, have cast doubts on the previously prevalent notion that this component is impermeable to top-down effects. This article reviews the original studies that (i) described the C1, (ii) linked it to primary visual cortex (V1) activity, and (iii) suggested that its electro-physiological characteristics are exclusively determined by low-level stimulus attributes, particularly the spatial position of the stimulus within the visual field. We then describe conflicting evidence from animal studies and human neuroimaging experiments and provide an overview of recent EEG and magnetoen-cephalography (MEG) work showing that initial V1 activity in humans may be strongly modulated by higher-level cognitive factors. Finally, we formulate a theoretical framework for understanding top-down effects on early visual processing in terms of predictive coding.
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews Mature Granule Cells of the Dentate Gyrus—passive Bystanders or Principal Performers in Hippocampal Function?

Keywords: Mature granule cells Dentate gyrus Memory Intrinsic plasticity LTP Excitability a b s t r a c t The dentate gyrus is the main entrance of highly processed information to the hippocampus which derives from associative cortices and it is one of the few privileged areas in the brain where adult neurogenesis occurs. This creates the unique situation that neurons of diverse maturation stages are part of one neu-ronal network at any given point in life. While recently adult-born cells have a low induction threshold for long-term potentiation several studies suggest that following maturation granule cells are poorly excitable and they exhibit reduced Hebbian synaptic plasticity to an extent that it was even suggested that they functionally retire. Here, we review the functional properties of mature granule cells and discuss how plasticity of intrinsic excitability and alterations in excitation-inhibition balance might impact on their role in hippocampal information processing.
Automatic Detection and Classification of Spread‐F From Ionosonde at Hainan With Image‐Based Deep Learning Method

An intelligent Spread‐F image detection and classification method is presented in this paper based on an ionogram image set using deep learning models. The ionogram images from the Hainan station, spanning from 2002 to 2015, have been manually labeled into five categories, resulting in a unique ionogram image set for supervised learning models. To balance the number of different types, simulated noises were added to these images. Based on 80,000 samples with Spread‐F and 20,000 samples without, numerous experiments have been conducted to train VGG, ResNet, EfficientNet, ViT, MobileNet, and other networks. The results on the test set indicate that these models except VGG have a good ability of exacting features of different types, leading to a high level of accuracy in detecting Spread‐F and a relatively accurate classification of it. The ionogram images in 2016 are then employed as another test set to further examine the performance of the trained models. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses have demonstrated the results obtained by deep learning models are highly consistent with manual identification.
International Journal of Current Science and Multidisciplinary Research

School discipline is a serious challenge facing schools globally. With banning of corporal punishment in 2001 in Kenya, Guidance and Counseling (G&C) has been promoted as an alternative approach to managing students’ discipline. However, growing evidence suggests that G&C services are faced with challenge and therefore, they are ineffective in addressing students’ discipline. The study investigated guidance and counseling as a predictor variable in managing students’ discipline in Kenya; focusing mainly on the role of peer counselors in public secondary schools Matungulu Subcounty of Machakos County. The study was guided by the following research objectives: Establish the extent to which Availability of Peer Counseling services influences management of discipline; Determine influence of Criteria used for selecting peer counselors on management of discipline and Determine the extent to which Training of peer counselors influences their role in managing discipline in public secondary schools. The study was guided by Client Centered Theory advanced by psychologist Carl Rogers (1940). The study employed descriptive survey design. It targeted all (35) public secondary schools in Matungulu Sub-county, all (35) school heads, all (35) heads of counseling units and all (2,864) form three students. Simple random sampling was used to sample 11(10.0%) schools and 286 (10.0%) form three students. All (11) the school heads and all (11) heads of counseling units of the participating schools were purposively sampled. In total, 308 respondents were sampled. Data was collected using questionnaires for school heads, heads of counseling units and students. Additionally, an observation checklist was used. The study found that peer counseling interventions face a number of challenges such as poor and unpopular selection criteria of students to be assigned peer counseling roles. The study further found that students selected to be peer counselors were not trained on counseling skills and that head teachers and G/C teachers did not supervise the peer counseling process to ensure the counselors observed the counseling rules and ethics. Supervision, the study concludes that G&C services in public secondary schools in Matungulu Sub-county are ineffective to address students’ discipline. The study International Journal of Current Science and Multidisciplinary Research (IJCSMR) 67 IJCSMR Published by || IJCSMR Journal recommends that the students’ body should be involved in selection of peer counselors to build trust. Those selected to be peer counselors should be trained and frequent follow up made by school administration.
International Journal of Current Science Research and Review

Kristal guava is one of the horticultural commodities that is in demand by the public at large amount and can grow well in Indonesia. The low production of Kristal guava in the off-season is one of the causes of not fulfilling the demand for the fruit. The research was conducted in Semanik Village, Badung, Bali, Indonesia from January to July 2023. This study aimed to increase the growth and production of Kristal guava in the off-season through fertilization with probiotic fertilizer and pruning. This experiment used a factorial Randomized Block Design consisting of 2 factors and 3 replications. The first factor was fertilization with probiotic fertilizer consisting of 4 concentration levels, i.e., control (C0), 10% (C1), 20% (C2) and 30% (C3). While the second factor was pruning, namely: Pt (no pruning) and Pl (pruning 2-3 segments of twig ends + dead twigs + twigs infested with pests). The results showed that the interaction between fertilization with probiotic fertilizer and pruning had no significant effect in offseason production of Kristal guava. The 30% probiotic fertilizer concentration (C3) was able to increase the growth as indicated by the variable number of new shoots per tree (2.17 shoots) and the number of leaves of new shoots per tree (2.67 leaves) and the offseason production of Kristal guava, reflected in the increase in the number of flowers formed per tree (103.50 flowers), the number of harvested fruits (3.50 fruits) and the weight per fruit (49.72 g) or an increase of 93.46%; 40% and 114.31%, respectively, compared to C0 which was 53.50 flowers; 2.50 fruits and 23.20 g. The Pl treatment increased the growth as indicated by the variables of leaf chlorophyll content (69.55 SPAD) and leaf relative water content (59.58%) and the off-season production of Kristal guava as reflected by the number of flowers formed per tree (91.25 flowers), the number of fruits formed per tree (8.83 fruits) and the weight of fruit per tree (163.22 g) or an increase of 39.85%; 103.93% and 123.28%, respectively, compared to P t which was 65.25 flowers; 4.33 fruits and 73.10 g.
Phoenix: Transformative Reconfigurability for Edge IoT Devices in Small-Scale IoT Systems

Transformative reconfigurability refers to the ability of changing the current software stack of a configurable device by fully replacing its existing one. In the context of IoT systems, such major device reconfigurations can be used to change the role, adapt new functionality, and keep reconfigurable IoT devices compatible with the IoT systems requirements as the ambient technology around them evolve, thus fostering a thriving and continuously-connected IoT environment. In this paper, we introduce Phoenix, an IoT device configuration management system that is designed to automate transformative reconfigurability for edge IoT devices at small scales. Edge IoT devices are typically computationally capable and configurable devices that have enough processing power to run user programs and control sensors and embedded devices in an IoT environment. Enabling transformative reconfigurability for such devices at small scales can increase IoT systems flexibility, efficiency, and adaptability in small IoT environments, for example, agri-farms, smart homes, micro grids, and the like. Phoenix manages the life cycle of edge IoT devices configuration and uses bare-metal provisioning to provide unattended installation of new software stacks that are defined by user intents that instruct the reconfiguration process. We implemented a Phoenix proof-of-concept system and deployed it on the SAVI testbed where we evaluated its performance in reconfiguring a variety of edge IoT devices under different network conditions. Our results indicate that Phoenix can meet the requirements of small-scale heterogeneous IoT systems in various application environments.
Processo de trabalho e acidentes de trabalho em coletores de lixo domiciliar na cidade do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil The labor process and work-related accidents among garbage collectors in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

This study describes the work performed by garbage collectors in the Rio de Janeiro City Street Cleaning Company (COMLURB) (Rio Comprido division) and its consequences for their health. Data were collected through interviews and on-site video documentation. A de- tailed description of the work process was performed. In addition, we analyzed the workers' re-
Climate Forcing by Changing Solar Radiation

Abstract By how much does changing radiation from the sun influence the earth’s climate, presently and in the recent past, compared with other natural and anthropogenic processes? Current knowledge of the amplitudes and timescales of solar radiative output variability needed to address this question is described from contemporary solar monitoring and historical reconstructions. The 17-yr observational database of space-based solar monitoring exhibits an 11-yr irradiance cycle with amplitude of about 0.1%. Larger amplitude solar total radiative output changes—of 0.24% relative to present levels—are estimated for the seventeenth-century Maunder Minimum by parameterizing the variability mechanisms identified for the 11-yr cycle, using proxies of solar and stellar variability. The 11- and 22-yr periods evident in solar activity proxies appear in many climate and paleoclimate records, and some solar and climate time series correlate strongly over multidecadal and centennial timescales. These statistical relati.
The origin of Crowley's Ridge, northeastern Arkansas: Erosional remnant or tectonic uplift?

The geomorphology of Crowley's Ridge, apparent Quaternary reactivation of the ridge-bounding faults, and orientation of the faults to the present stress field suggest that the faults bounding Crowley's Ridge and the western margin of the Reelfoot rift may be seismogenic. Fifteen high-resolution seismic reflection lines were acquired across and adjacent to the margins of Crowley's Ridge to test the hypothesis that Corwley's Ridge is fault bounded. Eleven of the reflection lines were 24-channel Mini-Sosie data with 1-sec record length and four lines were 24-channel shotgun-source data with 0.25-sec record length. Nine lines traversed the margins and adjacent areas of the northern segment of the ridge near Jonesboro, Arkansas, and the other six were located south of Jonesboro on the southern segment. The reflection data show that Paleozoic through Eocene Wilcox sections have been uplifted beneath Crowley's Ridge from 60 to 30 m across ridge-bounding faults. However, Eocene or Pliocene-Pleistocene near-surface strata appear to be displaced a maximum of 7.5 m. Based on reflection and geomorphologic data, we believe that reactivation of the bounding faults of Crowley's Ridge occurred concurrently with and strongly influenced Wisconsin denudation of the Mississippi valley.
Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography in a Healthy Population : A Preliminary Report

Purpose To prospectively evaluate the utility of whole-body cancer screening with multiple modalities including [F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) in a healthy population. This report summarizes the results of the first three annual screenings. Participants and Methods A total of 1,197 healthy volunteers 35 years old were enrolled between August 2003 and July 2004 and offered annual cancer screening for 5 years with subsequent long-term follow-up. Screening modalities included were whole-body FDG-PET, chest and abdominal computed tomography (CT), brain and pelvic magnetic resonance imaging, several tumor markers, and fecal occult blood testing. Results As of the end of 2006, 22 primary cancers were pathologically confirmed. Nineteen of 22 were detected by the screening; 18 in the initial, one in the second, and none in the third. Three were diagnosed after development of symptoms. Of the 18 detected in the initial screening (six thyroid, four lung, three prostate, three breast, one endometrial, and one thymic), 12 were at stage I and 11 were PET positive. PET-negative cancers were detected by CT or the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. Sensitivity and specificity were 50.0% (11 of 22) and 93.2% (1,095 of 1,175), respectively, for FDG-PET alone and 81.8% (18 of 22) and 82.0% (963 of 1,175), respectively, for the combination of imaging modalities and PSA. Conclusion While FDG-PET alone is insufficient, whole-body cancer screening with selected modalities including FDG-PET has initial performance supporting possible utility by detecting a wide variety of early-stage cancers with reasonable sensitivity. However, the detection of many indolent cancers and false positives necessitate continuing study for appropriate evaluation. J Clin Oncol 27:1767-1773. © 2009 by American Society of Clinical Oncology
Cadmium/calcium and carbon isotope reconstructions of the glacial northeast Atlantic Ocean

The δ13C and Cd measurements from benthic foraminifera from Biogeochemical Ocean Flux Study (BOFS) northeast Atlantic Ocean sediment cores are presented. The δ13C values in glacial foraminifera are consistent with those from elsewhere in the North Atlantic Ocean. For intermediate water (1000–2000 m water depth), δ13C values were higher at the last glacial maximum than in present North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW), whereas for deep water (>2000 m) they were lower during the glacial maximum. The Cd concentrations of glacial northeast Atlantic intermediate water were lower than those of present NADW. However, deepwater Cd concentrations increased to values between NADW and present Pacific Deep Water (PDW). The δ13C and Cd data are consistent and show that the northeast Atlantic Ocean was strongly stratified with 13C enriched, low Cd intermediate water overlying 13C depleted, high Cd deep water. The glacial water column comprised two different water masses: deep water, similar in character to present Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW), and intermediate water, different in character from both AABW and NADW, and any present intermediate-depth North Atlantic water. The characteristics of glacial intermediate water were, however, similar to present near-surface waters in the North Atlantic, which suggests rapid ventilation of the glacial ocean to depths of up to 2000 m by cold, nutrient-depleted young surface waters.
Mesquite Risk Mapping and Assessment in Tokar Delta-Eastern Sudan

Tokar Delta is a name given to a small delta of approximately 161,000 hectares situated in the southern area of the Red Sea in Eastern Sudan. Beginning of 1980, mesquite species (Prosopis chilensis & Prosopis juliflora) were introduced to Tokar area to be planted as a shelterbelt for the city Tokar, but after while; it spread out to the delta area and became an invasive plant to the agricultural lands and along Khor Barak banks. Nowadays mesquite covers more than half of the delta area, decreased the cultivable land in the delta and created risk to the environment and livelihood of the people in the area. Therefore, this research study was an attempt to map and assess mesquite risk in the Tokar Delta and further provide guidance for possible solutions, control and management. The tools and methods used for the study were different multi-temporal satellite imagery, ground field survey and risk assessment models. The results showed that mesquite has increased by more than 50% during the period 1989-2001, while the expansion was about 10% during 20012013. Moreover, the assessment indicated that mesquite risk has many aspects ranging from management to environment and socio-economic.
Clinical and Microbiological Characteristics of Deep Neck Abscesses in Pediatrics: Analysis of a Case Series from a 3rd Level Pediatric Hospital

As there is currently no consensus on managing deep neck infections in pediatric populations, we report a case series from a large pediatric hospital. Clinical data of patients discharged from Istituto Gaslini-Children’s Hospital from January 2014 to June 2020 with peritonsillar, parapharyngeal, or retropharyngeal abscess diagnoses were collected. A total of 59 patients were identified. Patients underwent surgical drainage in 47% of cases. Streptococcus mitis/oralis was the most isolated pathogen. Surgically treated patients did have larger abscesses compared to others, but there were no differences in the duration of hospitalization. Children who received NSAIDs at home had significant delays in diagnosis (median 4 vs. 1.5 days, p = 0.008). In our experience, clinical presentation of DNIs is often evocative, but evaluation should include imaging with CT/MRI. Surgery is effective in larger abscesses, allowing for etiological diagnosis with consequent antibiotic adjusting. From an anamnestic point of view, home medications such as NSAIDs could delay diagnosis.
Embeddedness of European Regions in EU Funded R&D Networks: A Spatial Econometric Perspective

This study focuses on the embeddedness of regions in R&D networks within the EU Framework Programmes (FPs). Embeddedness denotes a region’s position in terms of graph theoretic centrality measures. We use betweenness centrality as a proxy for the ability to control knowledge flows in networks, and eigenvector centrality to measure intensive participation and connectedness with central hubs. The centrality measures are calculated at the organisational level to reflect relevant network structures, and then aggregated to the region. The objective is to estimate how region-internal and region-external characteristics affect a region’s network embeddedness, using panel spatial Durbin error models (SDEM). The results reveal that R&D expenditures, the strength of the knowledge base and a region’s socio-economic potential enable high network embeddedness in general. More specifically, a region’s importance in the network weighted by its linkages to central hubs (eigenvector centrality) is notably determined by a region’s endowment with human capital, while a diversified technological and economic structure is conducive to accessing and controlling diverse knowledge flows (betweenness centrality) in the European network of R&D collaboration.
MobileViT-based classification of Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, and the detection and discovery of early AD is still difficult due to the insidious nature of its pathogenesis. With the rapid development of deep learning nowadays, Transformer has been commonly used in the field of computer vision and the results are very good. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a MobileViT style model BrMobile for AD diagnosis using 1.5T T1-weighted baseline magnetic resonance images (MRI). The model combines the features of the Transformer and Self-Attention mechanisms and was tested on the ADNI dataset, achieving excellent accuracy. The accuracy of the method was 96.7%, 91.8% and 90.9% for the classification of AD with NC, MCI with NC and AD with MCI, respectively. In addition to these dichotomous tasks we also tested multiclassification AD vs. NC vs. MCI with a classification accuracy of 88.8%. Compared to other state-of-the-art studies, this method provides an effective and accurate diagnosis in AD classification due to the light weight and efficiency of the model.
Effects of automobile battery wastes on physicochemical properties of soil in Benin City, Edo State

Difference in soil qualities has been noticeable in many soils due to anthropogenic sources, especially of automobile battery wastes. This study examines the effects of automobile battery wastes on the physicochemical properties of the soil. Soil samples for this study were collected in triplicates from three battery chargers’ workshops: Adolor, Edaiken and Uwelu in Benin City, Edo State at 0-15cm depth, in the months of August, September and October. The soil physicochemical parameters analyzed indicate variations of values in the contaminated soil over uncontaminated soil (control). Among the parameters examined, conductivity was significantly (P<0.01) higher in the contaminated soil (59.3- 184mho/cm) than in the uncontaminated soil. Notably, a more acidic pH value of 3.7-4.5 was also recorded beyond standard limits of 6.5~8.5. Meanwhile phosphorus was relatively high (1.95-3.35) and nitrogen (0.08-0.15) was low as against the control value of 2.71 and 0.18 respectively. Heavy metals such as Lead (Pb), Zinc (Zn), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr) and Copper (Cu) were present in different concentrations in contaminated soil sample which ranges from far above acceptable standard limit between (0.288-0.875, 0.757- 1.342, 0.108-0.279, 0.718-1.062 and 0.272-0.518 mg/kg) compared to their values in the control soil sample having 0.003, 0.125, 0, 0 and 0.063 mg/kg respectively. Battery wastes were found to be significant sources of Cadmium and Chromium, as none of both was detected in the control soil sample. The daily activities of auto-mechanic battery workshops have negative impacts on soil physicochemical properties. Note, the soil in mechanic battery workshops needs urgent cleanup to minimize contamination of ecological materials and public health implication. This work will prove valuable in providing baseline information for further soil quality monitoring studies in study area KEYWORDS : Physicochemical, Heavy metals, Battery wastes, Contaminated and uncontaminated soil.