Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A spherical analysis of Adam with Batch Normalization

Batch Normalization (BN) is a prominent deep learning technique. In spite of its apparent simplicity, its implications over optimization are yet to be fully understood. While previous studies mostly focus on the interaction between BN and stochastic gradient descent (SGD), we develop a geometric perspective which allows us to precisely characterize the relation between BN and Adam. More precisely, we leverage the radial invariance of groups of parameters, such as filters for convolutional neural networks, to translate the optimization steps on the $L_2$ unit hypersphere. This formulation and the associated geometric interpretation shed new light on the training dynamics. Firstly, we use it to derive the first effective learning rate expression of Adam. Then we show that, in the presence of BN layers, performing SGD alone is actually equivalent to a variant of Adam constrained to the unit hypersphere. Finally, our analysis outlines phenomena that previous variants of Adam act on and we experimentally validate their importance in the optimization process.
Attitude and education needs of emergency doctors in providing palliative and end-of-life care in Hong Kong: A prospective cross-sectional analysis based on self-reported surveys

Background: With the aging population in Hong Kong, the importance and need of palliative care and end-of-life (EOL) care are brought into the spotlight. The Accident and Emergency Department (AED) is often the first medical contact for the public. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the attitude of emergency doctors in providing palliative and EOL cares in Hong Kong, and to investigate the education needs for emergency doctors in these areas.Methods: A questionnaire study was conducted involving emergency doctors from 6 AEDs in Hong Kong. The questionnaires covered the attitudes of emergency doctors towards the palliative and EOL cares in terms of the role of palliative and EOL care in AED, the specific obstacles in providing such cares, their comfort level with the cares and further education needs The attitudes of emergency doctors from the AEDs with EOL care service were compared with those from the AEDs without such services. Results: One hundred and forty-five emergency doctors completed the questionnaires, in which 60 respondents from the AEDs with EOL care service. Significant proportions from both groups recognized that palliative and EOL cares were an important competence for them, but its role and priority in emergency care were uncertain. Lack of time and access to palliative care specialists/ teams were the major barriers. Participants from AEDs with EOL care service were more comfortable to provide the care and discuss it with patients and relatives. Further education needs identified including management of physical complaints, communication skills and EOL care ethics.Conclusions: The study identified obstacles in promoting palliative and EOL cares in the AEDs in Hong Kong. Education on the communication skills and ethical issues were necessary as well. With the combination of elements of routine AED practice and the basic palliative medicine skill set, it would promote the development of this emerging field in Emergency Medicine in the future.
Public perception, practices, and readiness for post Covid-19 lifestyle in Ikolaba community, Ibadan

Purpose: Besides medical researches that are focused on getting a vaccine, research on the social, economic and cultural implications of the COVID-19 virus are being done. No research has been done to assess the knowledge and practices of the people within a community of a known case of coronavirus in Ibadan metropolis, Nigeria. Therefore, this study assesses the public perception, practices of COVID-19 protocols and readiness for post lockdown. Research methodology: Research design was survey and the method used was interview. 22 respondents participated in the study. Results: The findings indicated that the public perceived the disease as a contagion and a killer. In addition, some did not observe the preventive measures while majority seem cautious. It is recommended that awareness and enlightenment should be intensified especially within the local communities by mobilizing heads of community to commence town halls campaigns. Limitation: Finance was a major limitation because residents wanted to be compensated before participation. Contribution: The implication of this study is that government efforts are impacting the public but more work is needed in the area of educating the public.
Using Landscape Characteristics to Predict Distribution of Temperate-Breeding Canada Geese

Abstract Accurate estimates of species' distributions are needed to ensure that conservation-planning efforts are directed at appropriate areas. Since the early 1980s, temperate-breeding populations of Branta canadensis (Canada Goose) have increased, yet reliable estimates of the species' distribution are lacking in many regions. Our objective was to identify the landcover features that best predicted Canada Goose distribution. In April 2015, we surveyed 300 one-km2 plots across North Carolina and observed 449 Canada Geese. We quantified percent coverage of 7 continuous landcover variables at 5 different spatial extents for each of the 300 plots. We fit logistic regression models using presence and absence at the 300 plots as the dependent variable and percent-cover covariates as independent variables. The best model for predicting Canada Goose presence included percent pasture within the 9 km2 surrounding the survey plot and percent open water within the 1-km2 survey plot. The probability of Canada Goose presence increased with increasing percent open water and percent pasture, albeit at different spatial extents, which provided important cover and food resources, respectively. Our approach using remote-sensing data to accurately predict Canada Goose presence across a large spatial extent can be employed to determine distributions for other easily surveyed, widely distributed species.
First record of the Indian Ocean twospot cardinalfish, Cheilodipterus novemstriatus (Actinopterygii:Perciformes:Apogonidae), from Turkish marine waters

Indian Ocean twospot cardinalﬁ sh, Cheilodipterus novemstriatus (Rüppell, 1838), is recorded for the ﬁ rst time from the Turkish marine waters. Two specimens of C. novemstriatus were sampled with a purse seiner on 1 December 2014, and also a school of C. novemstriatus was photographed during scuba diving at a depth of 13 m on a rocky surface on 8 December 2014 in the Cevlik coast, Iskenderun Bay, north-eastern Mediterranean of Turkey. With the present report, the number of alien cardinal ﬁ sh species reported in the Turkish coasts has reached ﬁ ve.
EFFECT OF IRRIGATION REGIMES ON YIELD AND WATER USE EFFICIENCY OF EXTRA-EARLY MAIZE VARIETY IN KANO RIVER IRRIGATION PROJECT

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of irrigation regimes on yield and water use efficiency of maize crop (Zea Mays L.; SAMMAZ 29) under different irrigation scheduling. Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was used and the experiment consisted of three levels of irrigation water application depth of 100%, 75% and 50% replacement of Total Available Water Capacity (TAWC) and three irrigation intervals of 7, 10 and 13 days replicated three times. Irrigation water was applied into each of 0.75 m × 90 m furrow using siphon tube of 7.5 cm diameter and 200 cm length. The results showed that the highest average irrigation water use efficiency was at I10D75% with 0.71 kg/m3 while the least was at I13D50% with 0.41 kg/m3. The highest average crop water use efficiency (CWUE) was at I10D75% with 0.79 kg/m3 while the least was at I13D75% with 0.56 kg/m3. The highest average maize yield was at I7D100% with 3580 kg/ha while the least was at I13D50% with 1200 kg/ha. The study established that irrigation after every 10 days interval with 75% replacement of TAWC using furrow irrigation of 90 m lengths produced the highest crop water use efficiency, thus saving about 48.3% of irrigation water (amounting to 329 mm) with reference to control (I7D100%) which causes a yield reduction of about 19% (amounting to 680 kg/ha). This efficient water usage saved cost and also helps to address the problem of high water table of the study area.
FAKTOR-FAKTOR YANG BERHUBUNGAN DENGAN PERILAKU MASYARAKAT DALAM MEMBUANG SAMPAH RUMAH TANGGA KE SUNGAI DI DESA PAMARANGAN KANAN KABUPATEN TABALONG TAHUN 2019

Sampah merupakan bahan buangan padat dari aktivitas manusia, sampah sudah jadi masalah nasional dan global bukan hanya lokal. Masalah sampah timbul dengan adanya peningkatan timbunan sampah sebesar 2-4% pertahun. Pencemaran air sungai diakibatkan dari adanya pembuangan sampah yang dapat membawa dampak negatif pada kesehatan, salah satunya seperti meningkatnya penyakit diare. Permasalahan yang dikaji dalam penelitian ini adalah faktor-faktor yang berhubungan dengan perilaku masyarakat dalam membuang sampah rumah tangga ke sungai. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui dan menganalisis hubungan antara pendidikan, pengetahuan, sikap dan ketersediaan sarana dengan perilaku membuang sampah rumah tangga ke sungai. Jenis penelitian ini adalah kuantitatif yang bersifat analitik dengan pendekatan cross sectional. Populasi pada penelitian ini semua ibu di Desa Pamarangan Kanan dengan jumlah 288 rumah tangga dan sampel sebanyak 74 responden, teknik pengampilan sampel dengan cara proportional random sampling. Instrumen penelitian yang digunakan adalah kuesioner dengan cara wawancara. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa perilaku membuang sampah rumah tangga di Desa Pamarangan Kanan sebagian besar kurang (60,8%). Ada hubungan pengetahuan dengan p-value 0,010, ada hubungan sikap dengan p-value 0,021, ada hubungan ketersediaan sarana dengan p-value 0,014, dan tidak ada hubungan pendidikan dengan p-value 0,634. Diharapkan kepada instansi yang terkait agar lebih aktif mengawasi dan memberikan pelayanan kebersihan lingkungan di desa-desa terpencil serta masyarakat agar selalu melakukan kegiatan pengelolaan sampah untuk kepentingan dan kenyamanan bersama.
The CSR Performance and Earning Management Practice on the Market Value of Conventional Banks in Indonesia

This study examined the effect of the components of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and earnings management on market value, measured using Tobin's Q. CSR is measured by using KLD Index, while earnings management used discretionary loan loss provision. The GMM-SYS (generalized method of moment system) dynamic panel data method is employed to examine the research framework on conventional banks listed in Indonesia Stock Exchange. Among six components in CSR disclosures, only corporate governance, environmental and product disclosures are favorable for bank's market value. Furthermore, earnings management had a positive impact on market value. Empirical result indicated that CSR functions as a part of bank strategic moves in order to survive the highly dynamical business environment. Since CSR inflicts additional costs for the company, they must perform CSR efficiently while maintaining a strong relationship with shareholders. This study contributes to CSR and financial management literature by finding the nature of CSR effects as future strategic investment.
Metric Learning Loss Functions to Reduce Domain Mismatch in the x-Vector Space for Language Recognition

State-of-the-art language recognition systems are based on dis-criminative embeddings called x-vectors. Channel and gender distortions produce mismatch in such x-vector space where em-beddings corresponding to the same language are not grouped in an unique cluster. To control this mismatch, we propose to train the x-vector DNN with metric learning objective functions. Combining a classification loss with the metric learning n-pair loss allows to improve the language recognition performance. Such a system achieves a robustness comparable to a system trained with a domain adaptation loss function but without using the domain information. We also analyze the mismatch due to channel and gender, in comparison to language proximity, in the x-vector space. This is achieved using the Maximum Mean Discrepancy divergence measure between groups of x-vectors. Our analysis shows that using the metric learning loss function reduces gender and channel mismatch in the x-vector space, even for languages only observed on one channel in the train set.
Intracranial radiotherapy with or without immune checkpoint inhibition for brain metastases: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background With the development of immunotherapy in recent years, the prognosis of patients is expected to improve due to immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) combined with radiotherapy (RT). However, studies on combination therapy (ICI + intracranial RT) have reported inconsistent results, and it is unclear whether the combination has increased toxicity. By analyzing the latest relevant literature, we performed a meta-analysis to further clarify the effectiveness and safety of intracranial RT combined with ICI in patients with brain metastases (BMs). Methods We searched PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library for published studies that compared the efficacy and safety of intracranial RT combined with ICI versus intracranial RT alone in the treatment of BMs. Overall survival (OS), local brain failure (LBF), distant brain failure (DBF), and radiation necrosis (RN) were pooled with the use of the hazard ratio (HR) or odds ratio (OR). Results A total of 26 retrospective observation cohort studies were included, and over 1,500 patients who received ICI and intracranial RT were evaluated. Compared with intracranial RT alone, RT combined with ICI significantly improved OS in patients with BMs [HR =0.55, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.48–0.64, P<0.001 when OS was defined from the date of diagnosis of BMs; HR =0.45, 95% CI: 0.39–0.52, P<0.001 when OS was defined from the date of RT], though the risk of RN was similar to that of RT alone (HR =1.27, 95% CI: 0.58–2.79, P=0.55). However, significant improvement in LBF and DBF was not obtained with RT combined with ICI (1-year LBF: OR =1.71, 95% CI: 0.38–7.67, P=0.48; LBF: HR =0.49, 95% CI: 0.28–0.87, P=0.01; 1-year DBF: OR =1.05, 95% CI: 0.47–2.33, P=0.90). Conclusions ICI combined with intracranial RT confers a significant OS benefit for patients with BMs without significantly increasing treatment-related toxicity, but further research regarding the specific details of combined treatment application is needed to improve the survival and quality of life of patients with BMs.
Effects of dietary oregano powder supplementation on the growth performance, antioxidant status and meat quality of broiler chicks

Abstract A 6-week experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary oregano powder (OP) supplementation on the growth performance, antioxidant status and meat quality of broiler chicks. A total of 180 one day-old Arbour Acres broilers were randomly divided into 3 treatments with 6 replicates and 10 chicks per replicate. The chicks were fed with basal diet without (CTR), or with 20 mg/kg of virginiamycin (ATB), or with 150 mg/kg of OP. At 21 and 42 days of age, two birds from each cage were selected for sampling. Compared to the CTR group, the OP supplementation increased average daily gain and average daily feed intake during the grower period (p = .047 and .03, respectively) and the whole period (p = .04 and .02, respectively). The supplementation of ATB and OP did not affect the immune organ index of chicks. In addition, dietary OP reduced malondialdehyde content and increased total antioxidant activity (T-AOC) in the serum of chicks at 21 (p < .01) and 42 (p < .01) days of age, and chicks fed OP had higher T-AOC than the ATB chicks at 21 days of age (p < .01). However, no dietary effect was observed on carcase yield, cooking loss, dripping loss, shear force, pH value and meat colour. The results of the present study indicate that dietary OP supplementation could positively improve the growth and systemic antioxidative defence property of broiler chicks, which had potential to act as a growth promoter comparable to antibiotic in broiler chicks.
Effect of 1-naphthaleneacetic acid and calcium chloride on preharvest drop and quality of ‘Red Delicious’ apples

Abstract: An investigation was carried out for two consecutive years to study the suitability of 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) alone or in combination with calcium chloride (CaCl2) to control preharvest fruit drop and their effect on fruit quality of ‘Red Delicious’ apple (Malus pumila Mill.). The following five treatments combinations were tested: (1) control, the trees sprayed with water only; (2) a single spray with NAA; (3) two sprays with NAA at an interval of 14 d; (4) a single spray with NAA + CaCl2; and (5) two sprays with NAA + CaCl2 in combination at an interval of 14 d. NAA was sprayed at the rate of 20 mg L-1 and CaCl2 was sprayed at 3 g L-1. NAA applications reduced fruit drop appreciably when sprayed one month before harvest. The spray was effective in retaining the fruit on the tree for ∼14 d and the second spray after the 14 d of the first spray retained the fruit for another ∼14 d; however, the keeping quality of the fruit was reduced. No significant effect of CaCl2 sprays could be observed on maintaining the keeping quality of apple.
Genetic diversity, population structure, and gene flow analysis of lowland bamboo [Oxytenanthera abyssinica (A. Rich.) Munro] in Ethiopia

Abstract Bamboo, a member of subfamily Bambusoideae in the grass family (Poaceae), is one of the most important nontimber forest resources and a potential alternative to wood and wood products. Ethiopian lowland bamboo (Oxytenanthera abyssinica) is an economically and ecologically important species which accounts about 85% of total bamboo coverage in the country. This species is experiencing population decline due to a number of anthropogenic factors. As a foundation step, genetic diversity, population structure, and gene flow analysis of various O. abyssinica populations found in Ethiopia are studied using inter‐simple sequence repeat markers. One hundred and thirty isolates of bamboo belonging to 13 geographically diverse populations were collected for DNA extraction and analysis. Heterozygosity, level of polymorphism, marker efficiency, Nei's gene diversity (H), and Shannon's information index (I) analysis, analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA), analysis for cluster, principal coordinates (PCoA), and admixture analyses were performed based on the markers banding pattern. The results indicated high genetic variation (84.48%) at species level. The H, I, observed and effective number of alleles at the species level were 0.2702, 0.4061, 1.8448, and 1.4744, respectively, suggesting a relatively high level of genetic diversity. However, genetic differentiation at the population level was relatively low. Using grouped populations, AMOVA revealed that most (61.05%) of the diversity was distributed within the populations with F ST = 0.38949, F SC = 0.10486, and F CT = 0.31797. Cluster analysis grouped the populations into markedly distinct clusters, suggesting confined propagation in distinct geographic regions. STRUCTURE analyses showed K = 2 for all populations and K = 11 excluding Gambella population. Using these markers, we found strong evidence that the genetic diversity of the lowland bamboo is associated with distinct geographic regions and that isolates of Gambella Region, with their unique genetic origin, are quite different from other bamboos found in the country.
Application of the Phase-Space Path Integral to Strong-Laser-Field-Assisted Electron-Ion Radiative Recombination: A Gauge-Covariant Formulation

We consider the problem of the choice of gauge in nonrelativistic strong-laser-field physics. For this purpose, we use the phase-space path-integral formalism to obtain the momentum-space matrix element of the exact time-evolution operator. With the assumption that the physical transition amplitude corresponds to transitions between eigenstates of the physical energy operator rather than the unperturbed Hamiltonian H0=(−i∂/∂r)2/2+V(r), we prove that the aforementioned momentum-space matrix elements obtained in velocity gauge and length gauge are equal. These results are applied to laser-assisted electron-ion radiative recombination (LAR). The transition amplitude comes out identical in length gauge and velocity gauge, and the expression agrees with the one conventionally obtained in length gauge. In addition to the strong-field approximation (SFA), which is the zeroth-order term of our expansion, we present explicit results for the first-order and the second-order terms, which correspond to LAR preceded by single and double scattering, respectively. Our general conclusion is that in applications to atomic processes in strong-field physics the length-gauge version of the SFA (and its higher-order corrections) should be used. Using the energy operator as the basis-defining Hamiltonian, we have shown that the resulting transition amplitude is gauge invariant and agrees with the form commonly derived in length gauge.
Comparative assessment of sodium selenite, selenised yeast and nanosized elemental selenium on performance response, immunity and antioxidative function of broiler chickens

Abstract Although selenium (Se) supplementation is a common practice in poultry, the best source and level has not been established yet. Thus, a 42-day experiment involving diets with three levels (0.1, 0.2 and 0.5 mg/kg) of supplemental Se from sodium selenite (SS), selenised yeast (SY) and nanoelemental Se (SN) was conducted to evaluate the possible differential responses of broiler chickens to inorganic, organic and nano Se sources relative to a control diet. Throughout the experiment, broilers receiving Se supplements had higher feed intake, body weight gain (BWG) and survival rate than the control. Broilers fed dietary SY or SN had improved BWG compared with those fed the SS-supplemented diets. Broilers treated with Se supplementation had increased serum glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) activities and produced higher antibody responses to avian influenza virus (AIV) and sheep red blood cell (SRBC) versus the control. These effects were enhanced with increasing Se addition, except for GPx that responded equally to all supplemental Se levels. Also, broilers receiving supplementary SY or SN exhibited higher anti-AIV and anti-SRBC titres along with more elevated serum Se, TrxR activity and total antioxidant capacity compared with those receiving SS. At the same time, SN had the most increasing effect on anti-SRBC titre. To conclude, diet supplementation with 0.5 mg/kg of Se in the form of SY or SN was capable of meeting the Se demands of broiler chickens for optimum growth and antioxidant capability, while SN seemed to be the most effective Se source in enhancing immunity. Highlights Diet supplementation with SN and SY, especially at 0.5 mg/kg diet, improved broiler performance and carcase quality of chickens compared with SS. SY and SN showed more favourable effects on oxidative status and immunocompetence. The best anti-SRBC titre was observed with SN.