Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Improving the accuracy of random forest‐based land‐use classification using fused images and digital surface models produced via different interpolation methods

Land‐use maps produced with high accuracy are extremely important as a basis for better use of the land as they are widely utilized in many areas such as agricultural policies, natural resources management, and environmental operations. This study aimed to produce a high accuracy land‐use map using digital surface models (DSMs) produced using different interpolation methods and a random forest (RF) classifier. High spatial resolution Triplesat‐2 images, Worldview‐2 (WV‐2) images, and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) images were used in this study. First, DSMs were produced from the point cloud using different interpolation methods. The image fusion process was applied and these fused images were classified using an RF classifier together with the DSMs. Overall results showed that the DSM obtained by the kriging method yielded better results than the other methods by increasing the classification accuracy by 7%–13%. In addition, the McNemar test was applied to the images resulting from the classification of fused images with and without using DSMs to investigate the statistical significance of the differences. McNemar test demonstrated that the χ2 values were greater than 3.84, which revealed that the DSM produced via kriging interpolation had significantly increased the classification accuracy at a 95% confidence interval.
Analysing the Impact of Pedestrian Network Centrality on Segment-Level Pedestrian Density

Studies have shown that street network centrality measures are capable of explaining a significant proportion of pedestrian activity. These studies typically employ street centreline networks that differ significantly from the networks that pedestrians use to traverse the built environment. Presently, centrality approaches are rarely applied to dedicated pedestrian network (DPNs). This creates uncertainty regarding their ability to explain pedestrian activity when derived from DPNs. This study addresses that gap by investigating the extent to which centrality metrics derived from DPNs can explain observed pedestrian densities, both alone and when controlling for other built environment variables in metro station environments in Asia. In total, four DPNs were created centred on metro stations in Bangkok, Manila, Osaka, and Taipei chosen to represent different urban typologies. Multivariate results show that centrality metrics alone explain a mere 6–24% of observed pedestrian densities when calculated on DPNs. When all factors are considered, the contribution of centrality remained consistent in most study sites but is somewhat reduced with land-use variables and proximity to rail transit revealed as the strongest predictors of pedestrian density. Pedestrian design factors were also frequently associated with pedestrian density. Finally, stronger associations between centrality and pedestrian densities were observed in the denser, more complex pedestrian environments. These findings provide insight into the performance of centrality measures applied to DPNs expanding pedestrian network research in this area.
Impact of Animal Fat Biodiesel, GTL, and HVO Fuels on Combustion, Performance, and Pollutant Emissions of a Light-Duty Diesel Vehicle Tested under the NEDC

AbstractThis paper presents the performance, combustion, and emissions characteristics of a light-duty vehicle equipped with a Euro 4 diesel engine, operating with animal fat biodiesel, gas to liquid (GTL), hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), and a commercial diesel fuel (with 5.8% of biodiesel) as reference. Tests were carried out in on a chassis dynamometer under controlled ambient conditions following the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC). One of the engine cylinders was instrumented with a Kistler Kibox device combined with an opened electronic control unit (ECU) and ETAS-INCA PC system for online thermodynamic combustion diagnosis. Regulated emissions and thermodynamic diagnosis parameters have been compared at different time windows along the NEDC. Tested fuels exhibited significant reduction of CO and small variations in total hydrocarbons (THC) and NOx in comparison with commercial diesel fuel. Both specific particulate number and particulate mass were below Euro 5b directive for all tested fuels du.
Adaptations of the Walking Corsi Test (WalCT) for 2- and 3-year-old preterm and term-born toddlers: A preliminary study

Introduction Topographical memory is crucial for navigation and environmental representation. The Walking Corsi Test (WalCT) has been used to evaluate topographical memory in children from 4 years upward. The present study aims to determine whether adapted versions of the WalCT- by simplifying instructions and increasing motivation- can be adopted to test topographical memory in 2- and 3-year-old toddlers born at term and preterm. Assessing this skill in such young children is important in light of recent studies that have shown how spatial cognition underlies the development of skills in other cognitive domains as well. Methods: For this purpose, 47 toddlers (27.39 ± 4.34 months, 38.3% females), 20 born at term and 27 preterm, performed two aimed-designed versions of WalCT. Results The results showed better performance of the term groups with increasing age and for both versions. On the other hand, performance was better in 2-year-old term toddlers vs. preterm. When rising motivation, 2-year-old preterm toddlers improve their performance but differences between both groups were still significant. The preterm group showed lower performance related to lower levels of attention. Discussion This study provides preliminary data on the suitability of the adapted versions of WalCT in early ages and prematurity conditions.
Computed Tomography (CBCT) Services by Product Quality, Customer Trust and Customer Loyalty: A Linear Regression

Introduction: In a hospital service, there must be a superior service that can be used as a weapon in capturing patients in carrying out treatment through doctor referrals, in this case the presence of CBCT services. Word of Mouth (WOM) occurs when customers talk to others about their opinion about a particular brand, product, service or company to others. There are several factors that are believed to increase the desire of a referring dentist to do word of mouth, including the quality of the CBCT product itself, loyalty and the level of trust of a dentist as a consumer. Objective: The study aimed to examine the relationship between product quality, customer trust, and customer loyalty with word of mouth on CBCT services. Method: The descriptive study was undergone with cross-sectional approach. A total of 134 dentists as were selected using the systematic random sampling. The linear regression was used to analyze the data to test between the dependent and independent variables. Results: The findings showed that there are significantly associated between the product quality, customer trust, and customer loyalty to word of mouth of customer for using the CBCT services. Recommendation: Further researchers need to develop path analysis or SEM methods to predict the word of mouth of customer for using the CBCT services
Assessment of Fatigue Life of Ni-Ti Samples Prepared by Different Techniques

Ni-Ti alloys have been given a lot of attention, mainly for their innovative use in practical medical applications. These motives led to understand deformation mechanisms, particularly behaviors under fatigue loading. In this research, fatigue life will be investigated for different composition Ni-Ti alloy samples. Three different compositions were investigated under different fatigue loading; Ni52.8Ti47. 2, Ni50Ti50 and Ni47.2Ti52. 8. These samples were prepared three different techniques, casting, powder-casting and powder-metallurgical techniques. Nondestructive methods have been used to assist revealing further detailed effects of loading on Ni-Ti alloy structure. Ni52.8Ti47. 2 has been found to have the best fatigue properties among other compositions.
Computer Modeling of Fixed Bed Underground Coal Gasification Using the Permeation Method

A two-dimensional computational model has been developed as a pilot study for the multidimensional simulation of fixed bed underground coal gasification (UCG). The analysis is based on the finite element method and incorporates a moving boundary algorithm to model the permeation linked vertical well in a forward gasification mode. In order to account for the motion of the combustion front with time, an immobilization transformation of coordinates technique is introduced in the finite element formulation. A numerical case study is included to illustrate the capability of the model. Predictions on temperatures, gas composition, pressure, and coal consumption in space and time are possible by using this model.
Functional Preservation and Oncologic Control following Robot-Assisted versus Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy for Intermediate- and High-Risk Localized Prostate Cancer: A Propensity Score Matched Analysis

Aim To evaluate the urinary continence (UC), erectile function, and cancer control obtained following robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) and laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) for intermediate- and high-risk localized prostate cancer (PCa). Materials and Methods 232 patients bearing intermediate- and high-risk localized PCa were enrolled in this study. Perioperative, functional, and oncological outcomes were analyzed after applying the propensity score matched method. Results Within the matched cohort, the RARP group was corrected with a significantly shorter mean operative time than the LRP group (p < 0.001). Patients in the RARP arm were also at a lower risk of ≤ Grade II complications than those in the LRP group (p = 0.036). Meanwhile, the proportions of transfusion and ≥ Grade II complications in the RARP group were similar to those in the LRP group (p = 0.192 and p = 1.000, respectively). No significant differences regarding the rates of pT3 disease and positive surgical margin existed between the two groups. RARP versus LRP tended to a significantly higher percentage of UC recovery within the follow-up period. Significant differences were also found between the RARP and LRP arms in terms of erectile function at postoperative 6 months and the last follow-up (p = 0.013 and p = 0.009, respectively). Statistical comparability in biochemical recurrence-free survival was observed between the two groups (p = 0.228). Conclusions For the surgical management of intermediate- and high-risk localized PCa, RARP tended to a lower risk of ≤ Grade II complications and superior functional preservation without cancer control being compromised than LRP.
Oat Plant Amyloids for Sustainable Functional Materials

Amyloid functional materials from amyloid fibril building blocks, produced in vitro from amyloidogenic natural proteins or synthetic peptides, show diverse functionalities ranging from environmental science and biomedicine, to nanotechnology and biomaterials. However, sustainable and affordable sources of amyloidogenic proteins remain the bottleneck for large‐scale applications, and to date, interest remains essentially limited to fundamental studies. Plant‐derived proteins would be an ideal source due to their natural abundance and low environmental impact. Hereby oat globulin, the primary protein of oat plant (Avena sativa), is utilized to yield high‐quality amyloid fibrils and functional materials based thereof. These fibrils show a rich multistranded ribbon‐like polymorphism and a fibrillization process with both irreversible and reversible pathways. The authors furthermore fabricate oat‐amyloid aerogels, films, and membranes for possible use in water purification, sensors, and patterned electrodes. The sustainability footprint of oat‐amyloids against other protein sources is demonstrated, anticipating an environmentally‐efficient platform for advanced materials and technologies.
Cytotoxic Effects of Bulk-Fill Composites on L929 Fibroblast Cells

Objective: Unlike traditional composite resins, bulk-fill composite resins could be polymerized as thicker layers. This study aims to contribute to the field by investigating the cytotoxic effects of various bulk-fill composite resins on L929 mouse fibroblast cells in vitro. Material and Methods: In our study, six bulk fill and one conventional composite resin were used. Composite resin samples (8×4 mm) were prepared in a sterile cabinet by using a glass mod and polymerizing with a led light device (DTE LUX E, Germany). Composite samples (n:3) of which surface area was calculated according to ISO 10993-12: 2012 standards (3 cm2/ml), were kept in media for 24 h and 72 h in 37 oC incubator, their extracts were filtered in 1:1 and 1:2 proportion and were added on L929 mouse fibroblast cells. Cell viability was examined by the MTT assay and cell death by the LDH test. Cell viability results were evaluated using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test (p<0.05). Results: When the 1:1 extracts from 4 mm thick bulk-fill composite samples were applied on L929 mouse fibroblast cells, cell viability rates showed significant differences compared to the control group at the end of 24 h and 72 h (except for Estelite Bulk Fill Flow). Although the extracts of the tested composite samples at 1:1 and 1:2 ratio at the end of 72 hours caused a decrease in L929 mouse fibroblast cell viability, the cell viability rate of only PRG-containing bulk fill composite and conventional composite remained below the cell viability ratio (70%) specified in ISO standards. Bulk fill composites did not produce toxic effects (except Beautifil Bulk Restorative) according to the LDH test. Conclusions: Despite decreasing in general the cell viability, bulk-fill composite resins used in 4 mm thick layers provided cell viability rates over the acceptability level, except PRG-containing bulk fill composite (Beautifil Bulk Restorative), which was cytotoxic to L929 mouse fibroblasts. Keywords Bulk fill composite; Cytotoxicity; L929 cells; LDH assay.
Modeling the Subsidence of Everglades Organic Soil

ABSTRACT A model related to the subsidence of histosols was introduced. The model was expanded by a power series approximation, and the coefficients of the series were obtained by using the multiple regression analysis technique. The results of the model when related to the water table with three different crop types showed that if the water tables were controlled at similar depths, the subsidence rate in sugarcane fields is about 30 percent less than in fields of pasture and truck crops. The model can be applied for crop period adjustment, annual subsidence rate prediction, and crop selection.
Demographic Pattern, Tumor Size and Stage of Breast Cancer in Africa: A Meta-analysis

Purpose: Understanding the epidemiology of breast cancer (BC) in Africa, as well as regional variation is essential for planning future intervention. Our objective was to describe summary estimates of socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of BC in Africa, thus providing researchers and policymakers baseline data for planning diagnostic and treatment programs to improve BC outcomes in the future.Method: We screened African publications on BC between 2010 and 2019 in PubMed, AJOL, Google, ScienceDirect, and ResearchGate to estimate the distribution of socio-demographic and clinical tumor characteristics. The meta-analysis used the random effect model. Result: Eighty articles were eligible, including 33,199 total patients. Overall, 58% of patients were <50 years old. In East Africa, 38% (95% CI 31-45) were diagnosed before 40 years. Conversely, in Southern Africa, 37% were diagnosed after 60 years, with Caucasian-like age distribution. The overall prevalence of male BC was high (3%), with East Africa having the highest prevalence (5% (95% CI 5.0-6.0)). Only 2% (95% CI 1-2) of patients were diagnosed with carcinoma-in-situ. Invasive tumors were 7% stage I, 26% stage II, 50% stage III, and 17% stage IV. Seventy per-cent (95% CI 60-80) had clinical nodal involvement. The smallest tumors were in North Africa. The largest and most advanced tumors were in West Africa. Trend analysis showed decreasing age, an increasing population of unmarried BC patients, a relatively high proportion of uneducated BC patients, and a stable proportion of late-stage disease in the last decade. Conclusion: Regional variation in the presentation of BC throughout Africa necessitates region/country-specific targets for improving BC control.
Industrial Noise Exposure and Its Effects on Blood Pressure in Adult Industry Workers

Noise pollution has always been a prevalent case in industrial environment, yet there has never been a cohesive assertion on the actual effect of these noise exposures on the blood pressure. Many occupational studies have allied exposure to noise in working environment to a number of physiological and psychological responses like secretion of adrenaline and cortisol needed to adjust the body function but in-return may result to an increase in blood pressure. On the contrary, some researchers have emphatically disagreed with the findings by pointing-out that different individuals are likely to exhibit different noise excitations. This research was to investigate whether there is noise pollution in sawmills and also to examine if there is any significant blood pressure changes as a result of the noise pollution. The research was carried out in phases. In the first phase of the study, a sound level meter was used to determine the ambient noise levels in the sawmills. These measured noise levels were used to calculate workers exposure dosage. In the subsequent phase of the study, a structured health and life style questionnaire was used as exclusion criteria for the selection of the eventual subjects that was tested with automatic sphygmomanometer for blood pressure difference. The research population comprises a population of male and female(n=101) in the sawmill environment, who had been exposed to high level of noise from one year and above and whose activities are within the measured noise level distance. The blood pressure and pulse pressure was measured at regular two-minute intervals before, and after prolonged period of exposure to high (fluctuating) noise level. Result was analyzed by SPSS-17 package using student t-test. The subjects selected for control group were six volunteer students (male), aged 25-32 years and were exposed to high level of (fluctuating) noise, and later exposed to experimental conditions, without production of noise. The result of the study have established that noise pollution was prevalent in these sawmills, and has a significant effects on the blood pressure. However, these effects as regards to increase or decrease depends on some other un-captured factors since individual noise appraisal and societal appreciation of the activities generating the noise have also a notable effect on whether the effect would be tending towards a decrease or increase. In conclusion, the noise exposure dosage of these sawmill workers exceeds the permissible exposure limit as prescribed by the occupational safety and health administration. In addition, prolonged exposure to high (fluctuating) noise levels may be a possible influence on the blood pressure changes. Key word: noise pollution, permissible exposure limit, blood pressure, Adult Workers.
Estimates on the Frequency of Volcanic Eruptions on Venus

Venus hosts many thousands of volcanic landforms, including individual edifices, volcanotectonic structures, and vast expanses of effusively emplaced plains lavas. Numerous lines of circumstantial evidence together suggest that the planet is volcanically active today. Although previous studies have calculated volcanic eruptive fluxes on the basis of the volumes of lava needed to bury craters of various diameters on Venus, no estimates of the frequency of volcanic eruptions on the planet yet exist. In this study, we analyzed records for eruptive events on Earth between 1 January 1980 and 21 January 2021 for which data on duration and eruption intensity were available, and classified those events by tectonic setting. We then extrapolated those results to Venus by a simple scaling factor. We estimate that as many as 120 discrete eruptions, from individual volcanic edifices and of any duration and intensity, may occur on Venus per Earth year. Further, within any given 60‐day window—a nominal timeframe over which an aerial platform capable of detecting volcanic activity might operate in the middle Venus atmosphere—we expect about four new eruptions to begin, with that number rising to almost eight when both new events and those ending within 100 days of the main eruption are included, or to as many as 20 when considering activity that lasts for 1,000 days. Several complementary techniques exist with which to search for volcanic eruptions at Venus, either from orbit, within the atmosphere, or on the surface, that can be used to test the estimates we make here.
Micro-Machined Electrochemical Seismic Sensors with Interdigital Electrodes

An electrochemical seismic sensor (ECSS), which consists of interdigital electrodes immersed in electrolyte solution, based on MEMS technology is studied theoretically and experimentally in the paper. The output current of the sensor is employed to measure the ground motion. The device has a small size, simple design and fabrication process with low cost. Preliminary test results show that the novel electrochemical seismic sensor has satisfactory characteristics.
Obesity and Bone: A Complex Relationship

There is a large literature on the relationship between obesity and bone. What we can conclude from this review is that the increase in body weight causes an increase in BMD, both for a mechanical effect and for the greater amount of estrogens present in the adipose tissue. Nevertheless, despite an apparent strengthening of the bone witnessed by the increased BMD, the risk of fracture is higher. The greater risk of fracture in the obese subject is due to various factors, which are carefully analyzed by the Authors. These factors can be divided into metabolic factors and increased risk of falls. Fractures have an atypical distribution in the obese, with a lower incidence of typical osteoporotic fractures, such as those of hip, spine and wrist, and an increase in fractures of the ankle, upper leg, and humerus. In children, the distribution is different, but it is not the same in obese and normal-weight children. Specifically, the fractures of the lower limb are much more frequent in obese children. Sarcopenic obesity plays an important role. The authors also review the available literature regarding the effects of high-fat diet, weight loss and bariatric surgery.
SAR imaging using a coherent ultrawideband random noise radar

A coherent ultrawideband random noise radar system operating in the 1 - 2 GHz frequency range has been developed at the University of Nebraska. A unique signal processing procedure based upon heterodyne correlation techniques preserves phase coherence within the system, thereby enabling it to be used for synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging. The amplitude and the phase response of the system are used to form the frequency-domain target scattering profile matrix, which is then transformed into a SAR image. The ultrawideband nature of the transmit waveform presents some unique challenges in signal processing. A technique has been developed that achieves the theoretical cross-range resolution, and this method has been validated by field measurements at 200 meters range to target. Controlled close-range SAR experiments at 8 - 10 meters range clearly demonstrate the ability of the system to provide high resolution images of targets located in a cluttered background and to extract the spatial geometry of the scattering center locations. The paper will present theoretical basis for random noise SAR imaging as well as experimental results and discussion.