Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Collecting People’s Preferences in Immersive Virtual Reality: A Collecting People’s Preferences in Immersive Virtual Reality: A Case Study on Public Spaces in Singapore, Germany, and France Case Study on Public Spaces in Singapore, Germany, and France

: In the design of urban public spaces, the inclusion of diverse voices enhances the development of products and services by synchronising designer expertise with people’s preferences. Multiple participatory methods exist, each with their respective benefits and drawbacks in terms of the quality of results, time and cost needed for preparing and conducting studies, and knowledge required for participation. Providing more concrete representations of abstract or intangible design concepts would be beneficial for laypeople unfamiliar with design or the case study. We propose a Virtual Reality (VR) platform to discover subjective preferences on public waiting rooms through immersive design experiences. The VR platform was tested with 463 participants with variety in age and cultural background. Following a qualitative data analysis, we discuss the suitability of our VR platform for fostering inclusive participation and how it impacts the role of the designer, as well as propose design guidelines for future VR studies
Artiﬁcial Immune System for Solving Global Optimization Problems

In this paper, we present a novel model of an artiﬁcial immune system (AIS), based on the process that suffers the T-Cell. The proposed model is used for global optimization problems. The model operates on four populations: Virgins, Effectors (CD4 and CD8) and Memory. Each of them has a different role, representation and procedures. We validate our proposed approach with a set of test functions taken from the specialized literature, we also compare our results with the results obtained by different bio-inspired approaches and we statistically analyze the results gotten by our approach.
Next train to the polycentric city: The effect of railroads on subcenter formation

The Barcelona Institute of Economics (IEB) is a research centre at the University of Barcelona (UB) which specializes in the field of applied economics. The IEB is a foundation funded by the following institutions: Applus, Abertis, Ajuntament de Barcelona, Diputació de Barcelona, Gas Natural, La Caixa and Universitat de Barcelona. The IEB research program in Cities and Innovation aims at promoting research in the Economics of Cities and Regions. The main objective of this program is to contribute to a better understanding of agglomeration economies and 'knowledge spillovers'. The effects of agglomeration economies and 'knowledge spillovers' on the Location of economic Activities, Innovation, the Labor Market and the Role of Universities in the transfer of Knowledge and Human Capital are particularly relevant to the program. The effects of Public Policy on the Economics of Cities are also considered to be of interest. This program puts special emphasis on applied research and on work that sheds light on policy-design issues. Research that is particularly policy-relevant from a Spanish perspective is given special consideration. Disseminating research findings to a broader audience is also an aim of the program. The program enjoys the support from the IEB-Foundation.
Tumor-In ﬁ ltrating Lymphocyte Recognition in Primary Melanoma by Deep Learning Convolutional Neural Network

The presence of tumor-in ﬁ ltrating lymphocytes (TILs) has been associated with a favorable prognosis of primary melanoma (PM). The recent development of the arti ﬁ cial intelligence (AI)-based approach in digital pathology was proposed for the standardized assessment of TILs on hematoxylin and eosin Q7 e stained images [whole slide images (WSI)]. Here, we applied a new convolution neural network (CNN) analysis of PM WSI to automatically assess the in ﬁ ltration of TILs and extract a TIL score. A CNN was trained and validated in a retrospective cohort of 307 PMs including a training set (237 WSI, 57,758 patches) and an independent testing set (70 WSI, 29,533 patches). After the classi ﬁ cation of tumor patches by the presence or absence of TILs, we identi ﬁ ed an AI-based TIL density index (AI-TIL). The proposed CNN showed high performance in recognizing TILs in PM WSI, showing speci ﬁ city and sensitivity of 100% on the testing set. We showed that the AI-based TIL index correlated with conventional TIL evaluation and clinical outcome. The AI-TIL index was an independent prognostic marker associated directly with a favorable prognosis. A fully automated and standardized AI-TIL appears to be superior to conventional methods at differentiating the PM clinical outcome. Further studies are required to develop an easy-to-use tool to assist pathologists to assess TILs in the clinical evaluation of solid tumors. (Am J Pathol 2023, - : 1 e 12; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajpath.2023.08.013)
Periodic actin structures in neuronal axons are required to maintain microtubules 1 Short title : MT stabilising roles of axonal actin

Axons are the cable-like neuronal processes wiring the nervous system. They contain parallel 15 bundles of microtubules as structural backbones, surrounded by regularly-spaced actin rings 16 termed the periodic membrane skeleton (PMS). Despite being an evolutionarily-conserved, 17 ubiquitous, highly-ordered feature of axons, the function of PMS is unknown. Here we studied 18 PMS abundance, organisation and function, combining versatile Drosophila genetics with super19 resolution microscopy and various functional readouts. Analyses with 11 different actin 20 regulators and 3 actin-targeting drugs suggest PMS to contain short actin filaments which are 21 depolymerisation resistant and sensitive to spectrin, adducin and nucleator deficiency 22 consistent with microscopy-derived models proposing PMS as specialised cortical actin. Upon 23 actin removal we observed gaps in microtubule bundles, reduced microtubule polymerisation 24 and reduced axon numbers suggesting a role of PMS in microtubule organisation. These effects 25 become strongly enhanced when carried out in neurons lacking the microtubule-stabilising 26 protein Short stop (Shot). Combining the aforementioned actin manipulations with Shot 27 deficiency revealed a close correlation between PMS abundance and microtubule regulation, 28 consistent with a model in which PMS-dependent microtubule polymerisation contributes to their 29 maintenance in axons. We discuss potential implications of this novel PMS function along axon 30 shafts for axon maintenance and regeneration. 31
Differential effects of focused and unfocused recasts on EFL learners’ oral accuracy Efectos diferenciados

One of the limitations of meaning-focused instruction in the EFL context is that a communicative approach is not sufficient enough to ensure higher levels of oral accuracy. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the effects of two different focus-on-form techniques, unfocused and focused recasts, on EFL learners’ oral accuracy. Three pre-intermediate intact classes were randomly selected as the focused recast, unfocused recast
Job Enrichment And Employees’ Satisfaction In Nigeria: A Study of Nigerian Police Force And Nigerian Security Civil Defense

This study investigated the relationship between job enrichments and employees’ satisfaction of the Nigerian Police Force and Nigerian Security Civil Defense Corps in the zonal command headquarters in Delta, Edo and Bayelsa States. Primary data (questionnaire) was the major instrument of data collection which was administered on three hundred and eight (308) officers in the Nigerian Police Force and three hundred and eighty (380) officers in the Nigerian Security Civil Defense Corps thus amounting to six hundred and eighty-eight (688) respondents. Out of the 688 administered questionnaires, four hundred and ninety-five (495) were fully completed and retrieved. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics (simple percentages, frequency counts, mean, median, standard deviation, minimum and maximum values, skewness, kurtosis, Karl Pearson correlation), diagnostic statistics (variance inflation factor, Breusch-Pagan Cook Wiesberg, Ramsey regression specification-error and Cameron & Trivedi’s Decomposition tests) and inferential statistics (simple regression). The regression results revealed that while skills variety (F=0.48; Prob. F=0.4905>0.05) had insignificant effects on employees’ satisfaction, task identity (F=140.02; Prob. F=0.0000<0.05), task significance (F=185.65; Prob. F=0.0000<0.05), task autonomy (F=49.28; Prob. F=0.0000<0.05) and feedback from job (F=214.94; Prob. F=0.0000<0.05) had significant effects on employees’ satisfaction. Given the findings, it was recommended among others that Nigerian Police and Civil Defence Commissions should adopt these job enrichment strategies as it would accord personnel the opportunity to use the range of their abilities in promoting the Commissions’ goals and in turn, the their satisfaction levels. This study contributes to knowledge by using the enriched job characteristics model of Hackman and Oldham (1975) in describing the relationship between job enrichments (task identify, significance, autonomy, skill variety and job feedback) employees’ satisfaction in Nigeria.
A low power 10-bit (cid:13)ash analog-to-digital converter with divide and collate subranging conversion scheme

Sampling rate plays a key role in wireless applications in a very high-frequency range. Flash Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) outperforms slow converters in this regard, but is bulky at high resolutions. A state-of-the-art Divide and Collate (DnC) algorithm is proposed to design the (cid:13)ash ADC at subranging levels. The o(cid:11)set voltage is kept at a minimum through the comparators used for novel coarse and (cid:12)ne conversions, separately. The kick-back noise is also reduced using sample and hold switches at the input. The 10 bit ADC architecture is designed with 45 nm CMOS technology and analyzed in the SPECTRE environment. A minor variation in the transconductance with temperature is observed and, consequently, the o(cid:11)set drift with temperature is found to be 0.015 mV/ (cid:14) C. The design improves the Integrated Non-Linearity (INL) by 0.42 LSB and Di(cid:11)erential Non-Linearity (DNL) by 0.3 LSB. Signal-to-Noise-and-Distortion Ratio (SNDR) and Spurious-Free-Dynamic-Range (SFDR) are 51.8 dB and 62 dB, respectively, in the frequency range at the Nyquist rate with a supply voltage of 1 V and input frequency of 500 MHz. The subranging scheme minimizes the comparator requirements, which is re(cid:13)ected in the 44% reduction of the power dissipation.
Mixed, Augmented and Virtual Reality in STEM Education in The Context of Text Mining: A Bibliometric Map Analysis and Systematic Review

This paper conducted a systematic review and bibliometric map analysis to determine the current state of studies on mixed reality (MR), augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR) in STEM education. The study focused on 477 scientific studies for bibliometric map analysis and 25 articles for systematic review. The bibliometric analysis showed that the most common keywords were “VR,” “STEM education,” “education,” “STEM,” “AR,” and “MR.” The most common words in the abstracts were “student,” “technology,” “STEM,” “study,” and “education. ” Johnson -Glenberg was the most cited author, while Computer & Education was the most cited journal. The systematic review showed that most studies recruited secondary and high school students. Most studies adopted quantitative research designs and employed surveys, knowledge tests, and self-efficacy and attitude scales. Most studies analyzed their data using inferential analysis methods. Some studies reported that AR, VR, and MR contributed to STEM education, whereas others did not. Some studies made recommendations for future studies regarding contributions to learners, program development, learning outcomes, comparison, and duration.
Lake Waves, Coarse Clastic Beach Variability and Management Implications, Loch Lomond, Scotland, UK

Abstract The variability of two lake gravel beaches (Loch Lomond, Scotland) is described in the context of changing environmental conditions. Waves, water levels and wind orientation and velocity were recorded for 1 year. The wave climate comprises small amplitude, high frequency, short-period waves and periods of calm (mean frequency = 0.92 secs; mean significant wave height = 0.08 m). Incident wind-wave direction was an important influence on beach morphology. Water levels fluctuate and there is a general increase in level. Wave activity combined with high water levels affects the upper beach and backshore although here, the highest waves were recorded at low water levels which minimised wave damage. Cliff erosion rates were recorded. Beach morphological changes showed highly variable profile types which were closely related to beach elevation, exposure and sediment supply. Sections of beach represented by individual profile types showed re-occurring profile types and different sections of beach responded differently to similar conditions. Specific characteristics e.g. narrow beach form, steep foreshores, scarps, beach ridge formation and preservation were noted and a morphological classification for coarse clastic beach profile types was devised. Beach planform is complex and antecedent morphology can persist for some 10 years. Sediment movement is restricted to individual bays which behave as sediment cells. Recommendations for shore management plans which are closely linked to the geomorphological and sedimentological conditions at specific sites within the context of the whole shoreline are given. These have wider application for restricted-fetch coarse clastic beach sites.
6-1-2014 Carrot or Stick ? The Shift from Voluntary to Mandatory Disclosure of Risk Factors

This study investigates risk factor disclosures under the voluntary, incentive-based disclosure regime provided by the safe harbor provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act and the SEC’s subsequent disclosure mandate. Firms subject to greater litigation risk disclose more risk factors, update the language more from year-to-year, and use more readable language than firms with lower litigation risk. These differences in the quality of disclosure are pronounced in the voluntary disclosure regime, but converge following the SEC mandate. Consistent with these findings, the risk factor disclosures of high litigation risk firms are significantly more informative about systematic and idiosyncratic firm risk when disclosure is voluntary but not when disclosure is mandated. Overall, the results suggest that for some firms voluntary disclosure of risk factors is not a substitute for a regulatory mandate.
Apsidal motion in the massive binary HD 152218

Massive binary systems are important laboratories in which to probe the properties of massive stars and stellar physics in general. In this context, we analysed optical spectroscopy and photometry of the eccentric short-period early-type binary HD 152218 in the young open cluster NGC 6231. We reconstructed the spectra of the individual stars using a disentangling code. The individual spectra were then compared with synthetic spectra obtained with the CMFGEN model atmosphere code. We furthermore analysed the light curve of the binary and used it to constrain the orbital inclination and to derive absolute masses of (19.8 ± 1.5) and (15.0 ± 1.1) M ⊙ . Combining radial velocity measurements from over 60 yr, we show that the system displays apsidal motion at a rate of (2.04 + .23 -.24 )° yr -1 . Solving the Clairaut-Radau equation, we used stellar evolution models, obtained with the CLES code, to compute the internal structure constants and to evaluate the theoretically predicted rate of apsidal motion as a function of stellar age and primary mass. In this way, we determine an age of 5.8 ± 0.6 Myr for HD 152218, which is towards the higher end of, but compatible with, the range of ages of the massive star population of NGC 6231 as determined from isochrone fitting.
Apsidal motion in the massive binary HD 152248

Context. Apsidal motion in massive eccentric binaries offers precious information about the internal structure of the stars. This is especially true for twin binaries consisting of two nearly identical stars. Aims. We make use of the tidally induced apsidal motion in the twin binary HD 152248 to infer constraints on the internal structure of the O7.5 III-II stars composing this system. Methods. We build stellar evolution models with the code Clés assuming different prescriptions for the internal mixing occurring inside the stars. We identify the models that best reproduce the observationally determined present-day properties of the components of HD 152248, as well as their internal structure constants, and the apsidal motion rate of the system. We analyse the impact on the results of some poorly constrained input parameters in the models, including overshooting, turbulent diffusion, and metallicity. We further build “single” and “binary” GENEC models that account for stellar rotation to investigate the impacts of binarity and rotation. We discuss some effects that could bias our interpretation of the apsidal motion in terms of the internal structure constant. Results. The analysis of the Clés models reveals that reproducing the observed k2 value and rate of apsidal motion simultaneously with the other stellar parameters requires a significant amount of internal mixing (either turbulent diffusion, overshooting, or rotational mixing) or enhanced mass-loss. The results obtained with the GENEC models suggest that a single-star evolution model is sufficient to describe the physics inside this binary system. We suggest that, qualitatively, the high turbulent diffusion required to reproduce the observations could be partly attributed to stellar rotation. We show that higher-order terms in the apsidal motion are negligible. Only a very severe misalignment of the rotation axes with respect to the normal to the orbital plane could significantly impact the rate of apsidal motion, but such a high misalignment is highly unlikely in such a binary system. Conclusions. We infer an age estimate of 5.15 ± 0.13 Myr for the binary system and initial masses of 32.8 ± 0.6 M⊙ for both stars.
Analysis of a Mesoscale Gravity Wave Event Using Empirical Orthogonal Functions

Abstract A method is detailed that filters mesoscale gravity wave signals from synoptic-level observation data using empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs). Similar EOF analyses have been used to study many oceanographic and meteorological features by allowing the examination of the variance associated with the principal orthogonal components of a time series in both spatial and temporal formats. Generally, EOF components are tied only to the underlying physical phenomena driving the observations when they represent a significantly large portion of the cumulative EOF variance. This work demonstrates a case in which a physically significant gravity wave event is recovered from the synoptic signal using EOF components that represent a small percentage of the total signal variance. In this case this EOF filtering technique appears to offer several advantages over more traditional digital filtering methods; namely, it appears to capture more of the gravity wave amplitude, it requires less preconditioning of th.
Adipose tissue trans-fatty acids and changes in body weight and waist circumference

Previous studies have suggested that the intake of trans-fatty acids (TFA) plays a role in the development of obesity. The proportions of adipose tissue fatty acids not synthesised endogenously in humans, such as TFA, usually correlate well with the dietary intake. Hence, the use of these biomarkers may provide a more accurate measure of habitual TFA intake than that obtained with dietary questionnaires. The objective of the present study was to investigate the associations between the proportions of specific TFA in adipose tissue and subsequent changes in weight and waist circumference (WC). The relative content of fatty acids in adipose tissue biopsies from a random sample of 996 men and women aged 50–64 years drawn from a Danish cohort study was determined by GC. Baseline data on weight, WC and potential confounders were available together with information on weight and WC 5 years after enrolment. The exposure measures were total trans-octadecenoic acids (18 : 1t), 18 : 1 Δ6-10t, vaccenic acid (18 : 1 Δ11t) and rumenic acid (18 : 2 Δ9c, 11t). Data were analysed using multiple regression with cubic spline modelling. The median proportion of total adipose tissue 18 : 1t was 1·52 % (90 % central range 0·98, 2·19) in men and 1·47 % (1·01, 2·19) in women. No significant associations were observed between the proportions of total 18 : 1t, 18 : 1 Δ6-10t, vaccenic acid or rumenic acid and changes in weight or WC. The present study suggests that the proportions of specific TFA in adipose tissue are not associated with subsequent changes in weight or WC within the exposure range observed in this population.
Infrastructural Challenges to Effective TVE Curriculum Implementation in Tertiary Institutions in Edo State

he need for enhanced skills acquisition by students of technical and T vocational education (TVE) for success in employment on graduation necessitated this study to determine the infrastructural challenges to effective implementation of the curriculum in tertiary institutions in Edo State. One research question guided the study and three null hypotheseswere tested. The population consisted of all 92 TVE lecturers from all three tertiary institutions in the area. The entire population was studied without sampling because the size was not too large. Instrument used for data collection was a five-point rating scale questionnaire containing 15 items which was validated by three experts in TVE and educational measurement and evaluation. The instrument was pilot tested to determine its reliability using the internal consistency method with Cronbach alpha and a reliability coefficient value of 0.89 was obtained. The arithmetic mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research question and determine the homogeneity of the respondents' mean ratings while t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. Findings of the study revealed that inadequate infrastructural facilities was a challenge to effective implementation of TVE curriculum in tertiary institution in Edo State. Furthermore, it was found that the respondents did not differ significantly in their mean ratings as a result of educational qualification, teaching experience and ownership of their institutions. Based on the findings of the study, the researchers concluded that the federal and state governments do not fund the institutions adequately to facilitate the provision of relevant infrastructural facilities for effective implementation of the curriculum. It was, therefore, recommended that key stakeholders in TVE curriculum implementation should persuade the government to increase funding for the programme while management of the institutions should ensure that such funds are judiciously applied to facilitate adequate skills acquisition by students for success in employment on graduation.