Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Land use land cover (LULC) degradation intensity analysis of Guinea savannah and mosaic Forest savannah zones in Ghana

ABSTRACT Ghana is increasingly affected by climate change, increased soil aridity, demographic problems, and unfavourable environmental factors. In the context of conservation, protection and sustainable management, this study assessed the loss, gain and stable areas of vegetation cover in Ghana by considering four districts namely West Gonja and West Mamprusi; Sene and Afram Plains in two major ecological zones respectively (Guinea-savannah and Forest-savannah mosaic) to make a comparative study of their level and intensity of degradation. For this purpose, remote sensing (IMPACT toolbox), GIS and quantitative analysis (PontiusMatrix42) approaches were used and applied on Landsat ETM+, OLI TIRS and Sentinel 2B images (2001, 2011, 2021). The result shows that land uses land covers (LULCs) are changing with a high level of dynamism in both ecological zones, with particular mention over the last decade (2011–2021) in terms of degradation in the Guinean savannah zone. Losses in both zones are more considerable than gains and stability. Each zone is marked more by changes in quantity than exchanges and shifts in LULCs, thus giving us information on the rate of loss of forest resources. It is therefore essential to put in place adequate measures to fight this irreversible loss if no action is taken.
Exploring financial behaviors of military households

This study explores short-term and long-term financial behaviors of military and civilian house- holds in the United States. We investigate the role of financial knowledge and financial education on financial behaviors. Using the 2018 National Financial Capability Study (NFCS), results indicated military households had higher financial knowledge scores, greater receipt of financial education, and higher financial behaviors. Multivariate analyses show that objective and subjective financial knowledge were associated positively with short-term and long-term financial behaviors of military and civilian households. Experiencing financial education was positively associated with the long- term behaviors of military households. This study provides insights for policymakers and financial practitioners.
African Swine Fever in Wild Boar: German Hunters’ Perception of Surveillance and Control—A Questionnaire Study

Simple Summary Effective control of African swine fever in wild boar relies on cooperation with hunters, who are involved in the local implementation of surveillance and control measures. This study focused on understanding German hunters’ perceptions of different control measures and factors that influence compliance. Measures that hindered hunting were generally considered ineffective. Some measures were seen as controversial as they were seen as contrary to fair hunting practices. Effective communication and raising awareness are recommended to improve compliance with controversial measures. This study also highlighted the need to address hunters’ concerns and provide adequate compensation to maintain their motivation to participate in ASF control efforts. Among others, financial incentives and reduced bureaucracy were identified as motivating factors. Abstract Since the first occurrence of African swine fever (ASF) in wild boar in Germany in 2020, the disease has primarily affected the wild boar population in the eastern part of the country close to the border with Poland. Local hunters play a crucial role in implementing surveillance and control. To evaluate their perceptions of existing control measures and analyze regional differences between hunters from ASF-affected and non-affected regions, a questionnaire study was conducted among the German hunting community. Hunters from non-affected areas held a more optimistic view regarding the effectiveness of control measures compared to hunters from affected areas. However, control measures that hinder hunting were generally perceived as ineffective. Measures that collided with hunters’ understanding of fair hunting practices were regarded as controversial. Financial incentives and reducing bureaucracy were the most favored approaches to increase hunters’ participation. Moreover, the possibility of eating or selling the meat of hunted wild boar and the provision of infrastructure for implementing ASF control were considered motivating. Thus, this study highlights the importance of compensating hunters and addressing their concerns to maintain their engagement in ASF control. To enhance compliance with controversial measures, thoughtful communication and raising awareness are essential.
Understanding Physical Activity Behavior in Ghanaian Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: A Qualitative Descriptive Study

Despite a relatively low prevalence rate, sub-Saharan Africa bears a substantial diabetes burden. Physical activity (PA) plays a crucial role in managing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, PA levels among this population remain suboptimal. This study aimed to explore patients’ perspectives on the barriers and facilitators to PA participation among Ghanaian adults with T2DM. Thirteen adults with T2DM were recruited from Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana, for this qualitative descriptive study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and the data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Two overarching themes (personal factors and socio-structural factors) and 10 sub-themes relating to PA barriers and facilitators were identified. Participants had limited awareness of the recommended PA guidelines for T2DM management. Chronic illness-related factors hindered exercise participation. Difficulty differentiating between PA and exercise impeded the achievement of PA targets. Socio-structural barriers include concerns about social ridicule or embarrassment, safety during outdoor activities, a lack of culturally appropriate exercise facilities, and high social and work demands. Despite these barriers, participants were motivated by their understanding of the health benefits of PA. They emphasized integrating PA into daily routines through walking, work-related tasks, and household chores. Motivation and PA education from healthcare professionals are valued supports in achieving PA targets. Our findings showed that PA behaviour in Ghanaian adults with T2DM is influenced by both personal and external factors. Tailored PA interventions for this population should address identified barriers while leveraging facilitators to implement successful PA programs.
The effect of dysnatremia on prognosis and mortality in critically ill patients with COVID-19

is a good Objectives: Sodium disorders, the most common electrolyte disorders in hospitalized patients, are common in hospitalized patients with pneumonia. Numerous studies have shown that sodium abnormalities are independent risk factors for mortality, medical intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and prolonged hospital stay. The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of dysnatremia and the effect of dysnatremia on prognosis and mortality in critically ill COVID-19 patients. Methods: This retrospective study was performed between June 1, 2021, and July 30, 2021, in COVID-19 ICUs. 149 critically ill, laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU were included in the study. The collected data included demographic data, comorbidities, severity of illness, and laboratory tests (serum C-reactive protein, lymphocyte, ferritin, sodium, chloride, and potassium levels). The prognosis was evaluated in terms of mortality, need for mechanical ventilation, and length of ICU stay. Results: At ICU admission, hyponatremia was present in 33 (22.1%) patients, whereas hypernatremia was detected in 14 (9.5%) patients. 102 (68.4%) patients had normal sodium levels. The mortality rate for normonatremic, hypona-tremic, and hypernatremic patients was 50.0%, 57.7%, and 78.6%, respectively. These results indicated a statistically significantly higher mortality rate in patients with baseline hypernatremia (p=0.05). Conclusion: Among critically ill COVID-19 patients in the ICU, dysnatremia was common at admission and hyponatremia was more common than hypernatremia. Hypernatremia was related to mortality. Admission sodium levels can be a predictor of mortality in COVID-19 patients who are critically ill.
Near-field seismic displacement and tilt associated with the explosive activity of Stromboli

Broadband seismic recordings in the near-field of Strombolian explosions, at 500 m distance, show pronounced effects of tilt. The tilt signal is predominant in the horizontal components beyond about 50 s period while it is negligible in the vertical component. The waveform of the tilt signal at the seismometer output is a double time integral of the waveform due to ground displacement. Since the waveform of the displacement is known from the vertical component, the waveform of the tilt signal in the horizontal seismogram can be reconstructed and both contributions can be separated from each other with a linear regression. We have analyzed data recorded in the summit region of Stromboli in 1995 and 1996. The regional tilt can be determined from the differential vertical displacement between instruments a few tens of meters apart. Local tilts determined with individual instruments scatter around the regional value, most probably due to local strain-tilt-coupling. Mogi's (1958) formulae for a pressure source in a homogeneous halfspace are used to interpret the results. The source displaces a volume of several tens of cubic meters of the surrounding rock before the explosive discharge; typical volumes were 25 m3 in July 1995 and 60 m3 in September 1996.
Investigating Erasmus mobility exchange networks with gravity models

Abstract The Erasmus mobility exchange program is one of the most considerable cooperation and mobility networks in the world; however, the driving forces of the mobility exchange program are still questionable. Integrating various databases and including new indicators, such as crimes, collaboration, and culture, called the 3Cs in our model, offers us new insights into the driving forces of mobility. In contrast to most studies, this research is based on the entire Erasmus network, which is investigated at both institutional and regional (NUTS3 or county) levels. The advantage of investigating entire mobility networks is that it helps avoid sampling distortions. Nevertheless, the interpretation is more challenging than with other investigation scopes since most identified factors act as indicators rather than proxies of the driving forces of mobility exchanges. Despite this interpretation difficulty, conclusions about the entire network can only be drawn by examining the whole mobility exchange network. In this study, the network of Erasmus student exchange programs between 2008 and 2013 is investigated both overall and separated by subject area. The study identifies the individual, institutional, and county-wide driving forces of mobility. One of the main exciting findings that the applied gravity models suggest is that there are three principal driving forces, national culture, collaboration, and crime dimensions of the host countries, which have not yet been studied in terms of Erasmus exchange networks.
Chiefdoms and Other Archaeological Delusions

Chapter 1 Principles and Principals Chapter 2 A Crisis in Mississippian Archaeology Chapter 3 Breaking the Law of Cultural Dominance Chapter 4 Parsing Mississippian Chiefdoms Chapter 5 The X-Factor Chapter 6 Yoffee's Rule and Cahokia Chapter 7 What Constitutes Civilization? Community and Control in the Southwest, Mexico, and Mesopotamia Chapter 8 Truth, Justice, and the Archaeological Way
Late Cenozoic structure and evolution of the Great Basin-Sierra Nevada transition

Volume Focus: The transition between the Sierra Nevada and the Great Basin has received substantial attention over the last decade, due in part to the recognition that nearly 25% of the relative motion between the Pacific and North American plates is localized along this tectonic boundary. The boundary evolved during the Late Cenozoic as relative plate motion was broadly distributed from the California borderland into the Mojave Desert and Basin and Range Province. Displacement is concentrated in a relatively narrow belt of deformation that stretches from southern California northwesterly to southern Oregon. From the Mojave Desert, the displacement is carried north, east of the southern Sierra Nevada, in a narrow zone of deformation constituting the Eastern California Shear Zone, then from the latitude of the central Sierra Nevada broadens to include the Walker Lane and Central Nevada Seismic Belt in the northwestern Great Basin. The Sierra Nevada behaves as a coherent tectonic block with a northwest-directed motion of 10-14 mm/yr and forms the western boundary of the zone of distributed deformation in the Great Basin. Along the northwestern margin of the Great Basin the dimensions of the tectonic boundary become less clear at the transition from extensional faults to contractional structures of the Pacific Northwest. Community interest in this transition zone is great and GSA technical sessions focusing on the tectonic evolution of the Sierra Nevada – Basin and Range transition have been very well attended at National and Sectional meetings. As an outgrowth of the 2004 Cordilleran-Rocky Mountain Meeting in Boise, Idaho, we are proposing a GSA Special Paper to capture the presentations made at that meeting. In addition, we solicited contributions from the community at large to improve coverage both geographically and topically. Listed below are 15 titles proposed by tentative contributors to the volume. If this volume is accepted, we will continue our solicitation for contributions by expanding our contacts through the GSA Structure-Tectonics mailing list. We anticipate that final volume will contain between 15 and 25 manuscripts. We envision the following time line for completion of the volume. Submission of manuscripts for review by the end of August, 2005. Review of manuscripts and return to authors by December, 2005. Final revised manuscripts to the editors by March, 2006 and submission to GSA Book Editor by late April, 2006.
A Spatial Analysis Of Assault Patterns In Entertainment Areas Throughout the Waikato using Geographic Information Systems

Alcohol related violence has long been a matter of social concern. Recent studies investigating the association between assaults and alcohol have found that there are certain places and locations including bars, which are more commonly associated with assaults than other places. Using different spatial analysis techniques accommodated within a Geographic Information System (GIS) including point and choropleth density, Euclidean based distance measures, clustering analysis and geographically weighted regression, this study examines the association between bars and assaults in the Waikato region. It also seeks to explain the assault patterns around bars by various theories, namely the “Social Disorganisation Theory”, “Routine Activity Theory” and the “Crime Potential Theory”. The study determined that for the two year period (2008-2009) in the Waikato Police district there was clear evidence of higher assault levels being associated with areas of higher bar densities. In Hamilton’s CBD there was a particularly strong relationship between assaults and bars where around 25% of all assaults took place within 10 metres of a bar and approximately half of all assaults took place within 50 metres of a bar. Over the study period, one meshblock in Hamilton’s CBD recorded approximately 45 assaults per square kilometre per week. Elsewhere in the Waikato, the study showed a reasonably strong relationship between assaults and bars at the coastal resorts of Whitianga, Raglan and Coromandel township. In these townships, there was a discernable, but lesser relationship to that of the Hamilton CBD, with around 15-25% of assaults taking place within 10 metres of a bar. The assault density in the centre of these coastal townships, as well as other townships throughout the Waikato was generally lower, recording 3-4 assaults per square kilometre per week. Suburban areas in Hamilton City showed similar assault densities to that recorded in the centre of townships throughout the Waikato. The study findings were found to be generally consistent with the Routine Activity and Crime Potential theories by conclusively demonstrating that place, in
The Eureka mining district, Nevada

_________________________________________ _ Introduction ______________________________________ _ Geography ____________________________________ _ History _______________________________________ _ Fieldwork and acknowledgments _________________ _ Rock formations ___________________________________ _ Cambrian system ______________________________ _ Prospect Mountain quartzite ________________ _ Pioche shale _______________________________ _ Eldorado dolomite _________________________ _ Geddes limestone ___________ · _______________ _ Secret Canyon shale ___________________ · _____ _ Ham burg dolomite _________________________ _ Dunderberg shale __________________________ _ Windfall formation _________________________ _ Ordovician system _____________________________ _ Pogonip group _____________________________ _ Eureka quartzite ___________________________ _ Hanson Creek formation ____________________ _ Silurian and Devonian systems __________________ _ Devils Gate limestone ___ . : __________________ _ Carboniferous systems __________ . : _______________ _ Chainman shale ___________________________ _ Diamond Peak formation ___________________ _ Permian system _______________________________ _ Carbon Ridge formation ____________________ _ Cretaceous system _____________________________ _ Newark Canyon formation __________________ _ Igneous rocks of Cretaceous age _________________ _ Quartz diorite _____________________________ _ Quartz porphyry ___________________________ _ Igneous rocks of Cenozoic age ___________________ _ Hornblende andesite and related rocks ________ _ Rhyolite _______________________________ ---Rhyolite· tuff ______________________________ _ Andesite and basalt ________________________ _ Sedimentary rocks of Quaternary ·age _____________ _ Alluvium ______________________________ ---Geologic structure _________________________________ _ Prospect Ridge block ___________________________ _ Diamond tunnel thrust zone ________________ _ Ruby Hill thrust zone ______________________ _ Dugout tunnel thrust zone __________________ _ Silver Connor transverse fault_ ______________ _ Jackson-Lawton-Bowman normal-fault system __ Ruby Hill normal fault _____________________ _ Page
A Study on the Mineralization of the Woxi Au–Sb–W Deposit, Western Hunan, China

The Woxi Au–Sb–W deposit in the western Hunan Province, China, is of hydrothermal vein type characterized by a rare mineral assemblage of stibnite, scheelite and native gold, of which gold fineness ranges from 998.6 to 1000. The mineralization sequence observed in the deposit is, from early to late, coarse‐grained pyrite – scheelite – stibnite – Pb–Sb–S minerals – sphalerite (+ cubanite) – fine‐grained pyrite. Native gold may have precipitated with scheelte. Microthermometric and LA–ICP–MS analyses of fluid inclusions in scheelite, quartz associated with scheelite and stibnite and barren quartz clarified that there may be at least three types of hydrothermal fluids during the vein formation in the Woxi deposit. Scheelite and native gold precipitated from the fluid of high temperature and salinity with high concentrations of metal elements, followed by stibnite precipitation. The later fluid of the highest temperature and salinity with low concentrations of the elements yielded the sphalerite mineralization. The latest fluid of low temperature and salinity with low concentrations of the elements is observed mainly in barren quartz. The remarkably high Au/Ag concentration ratios determined in the fluid inclusions in scheelite might be the reason for the extremely high gold fineness of native gold.
Age-related asymmetry in left–right ears of sound lateralization with respect to four different rise times

An experimental investigation was conducted to elucidate the auditory characteristics of the older adult population. The study involved 24 older adult and 24 young participants, with the aim of exploring their horizontal lateralization ability. This was achieved by presenting 1-kHz pure tones to the participants’ right and left ears while introducing interaural time differences (ITDs). We examined the impact of four rise times (2, 5, 20, and 50 ms) on the onset of the test sound. The findings revealed that older adult participants exhibited lower levels of lateralization than young participants. Moreover, both older adult and young participants demonstrated diminished recognition of the onset portion as the rise time increased. Of particular significance was the conspicuous presence of a right ear advantage (REA) among young participants as the rise time was extended (statistically significant between the left and right ears at the 1% level, considering an ITD of 0.8 ms and a rise time of 50 ms). In contrast, older adult participants did not exhibit REA, even with a prolonged rise time (not significant at the 5% level at the same condition). These results indicate that the REA is not only present in language, as previously observed, but also extends to a pure tone in young participants. The older adult participants exhibited reduced performance in both left-and right-ear sound recognition. The influence of hearing threshold and preferred ear on sound lateralization performance was minimal. Therefore, it can be inferred that factors other than hearing threshold or preferred ear contribute to the presence of REA in young participants or its decline with age. The central and/or corpus callosum functions may also contribute to this phenomenon.
Results on Relative Mean Residual Life and Relative Cumulative Residual Entropy

Wei [21] has proposed the relative mean residual life function for comparing two lifetime distributions and studied its properties and relationship with other stochastic orders. In this paper, we obtain some new results on the relative mean residual life function and give a characterization result for a relative ordering based on this function. Motivated by this notion, we also introduce two notions of the dynamic relative cumulative residual entropy functions. Their properties and relationship with other relative orderings are investigated.