Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Investigation on Mathematics Underachievement: A Case Study of Selected Secondary Schools in Kebbi State

Mathematics underachievement was investigated in some Selected Secondary Schools in Kebbi State and solutions to the problems identified were proffered. Three hundred secondary school students were sampled for the study using stratified random sampling and purposive techniques. Four hypotheses were postulated using Pearson Product Moment Correlation to empirically test the research questions. Questionnaires were used to collect data for analysis. The reliability of the instrument was determined through the use of test and re-test method. The correlation “r” average of 0.678 was obtained from the initial study undertaken. The study investigates the extent, on how combination of students’ attitude, family background, school physical environment and teachers’ factor had affected students’ achievement in mathematics. It was discovered that family background, students’ attitude and lack of sufficient qualified teachers contribute largely to students’ underachievement in mathematics.
Reduction of epistemic uncertainty of a crash box model – experimental and numerical investigations

The high prediction accuracy of FEM calculations is an important prerequisite for their growing use in the field of crash load cases for vehicle body design. Although the simulation accuracy of crash calculations for steel structures already is at a high standard, continuous improvements and a further development of the simulation models are crucial in the field of vehicle design. Existing studies on the simulation accuracy for steel structures under crash load focus on the deformation behaviour of idealized component-like structures. These studies do not allow for conclusions on the simulation accuracy of crash calculations based on vehiclerelated components with increased geometric complexity as well as with different material combinations, joining techniques and bead structures. This was the reason for conducting the experimental and numerical investigations on crash boxes outlined in this paper. The goal was to investigate whether the FE code is capable of increasing the accuracy of the simulation of the experimental results by considering the information obtained from technical measurements.
Non-Saccharomyces Yeasts as Mutually Dominant Species Involving in Alcohol Fermentation Process

Natural fruit fermentation for alcohol production comprises of various complex microbial activities. Assortments of yeasts and lactic acid bacterial species were sequentially detected during the fermentation process. In the fermentation broth, non-Saccharomyces species as well as lactic acid bacteria were firstly carried out for the early stages of the fermentation, although the fermentative Saccharomyces yeasts finally became most dominant species. In the study, non-Saccharomyces isolates constituted of 50 to 75 % of the total yeast counts were culturable and isolated at the early stages of the alcoholic fermentation commonly. All these non-Saccharomeces yeast isolates could affect fast and high alcohol production and outcompete other indigenous yeasts in the fermentation process. By comparison with the nucleotide sequences of the NCBI GenBank Database, these non-Saccharomyces isolates, NY3, NY43, and NY55, were genetically identified to be Kloeckera sp. , Metschnikowia sp. , and Hanseniaspora sp. with their identity of 99-100% homology. In the fermentation test of lychee juice supplemented with glucose, they were all sensitive to high alcohol, surviving not more than 15-18% (vol/ vol) but could survive mutually with Saccharomyces spp.
Pharmacokinetic Comparisons of Mangiferin and Mangiferin Monosodium Salt in Rat Plasma by UPLC-MS/MS

Mangiferin (MG) is an active component in natural medicines, and various studies have been reported on pharmacological effects, but the low solubility and bioavailability of MG limit its wide application. The aim of the present study was to investigate the pharmacokinetic profiles of mangiferin (MG) and mangiferin monosodium salt (MG-Na) in rat plasma by UPLC-MS/MS, which were then compared between the two groups. An appropriate high sensitivity and selectivity ultraperformance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method was applied to the comparison of plasma pharmacokinetics in MG and MG-Na using carbamazepine as internal standard (IS). These results showed that there were statistically significant differences in the pharmacokinetic parameters between MG and MG-Na after a single oral administration at 100 mg/kg. When compared with pharmacokinetic parameters of MG, the AUC(0-t), AUC(0–∞), Cmax,K10, and Ka of MG-Na were increased by 5.6-, 5.7-, 20.8-, 8-, and 83.6-fold, while the Tmax and CL/F were decreased by 4- and 5.7-fold (P<0.001), respectively. t1/2 value showed an increasing trend, but was statistically significant between the two groups. Moreover, the AUC value in the MG-Na group was significantly increased and the relative bioavailability was calculated to be 570% when compared with that of the MG group. These results suggested that the salification reaction of MG can effectively enhance gastrointestinal absorption and relative bioavailability by improving solubility and membrane permeability.
An Autonomous Sensor Tasking Approach for Large Scale Space Object Cataloging

The ﬁeld of Space Situational Awareness (SSA) has progressed over the last few decades with new sensors coming online, the development of new approaches for making observations, and new algorithms for processing them. Although there has been success in the development of new approaches, a missing piece is the translation of SSA goals to sensors and resource allocation; otherwise known as the Sensor Management Problem (SMP). This work solves the SMP using an artiﬁcial intelligence approach called Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL). Stable methods for training DRL approaches based on neural networks exist, but most of these approaches are not suitable for high dimensional systems. The Asynchronous Advantage Actor-Critic (A3C) method is a recently developed and eﬀective approach for high dimensional systems, and this work leverages these results and applies this approach to decision making in SSA. The decision space for the SSA problems can be high dimensional, even for tasking of a single telescope. Since the number of SOs in space is relatively high, each sensor will have a large number of possible actions at a given time. Therefore, eﬃcient DRL approaches are required when solving the SMP for SSA. This work develops a A3C based method for DRL applied to SSA sensor tasking. One of the key beneﬁts of DRL approaches is the ability to handle high dimensional data. For example DRL methods have been applied to image processing for the autonomous car application. For example, a 256x256 RGB image has 196608 parameters (256*256*3=196608) which is very high dimensional, and deep learning approaches routinely take images like this as inputs. Therefore, when applied to the whole catalog the DRL approach oﬀers the ability to solve this high dimensional problem. This work has the potential to, for the ﬁrst time, solve the non-myopic sensor tasking problem for the whole SO catalog (over 22,000 objects) providing a truly revolutionary result.
L EARNING VECTOR REPRESENTATION OF LOCAL CONTENT AND MATRIX REPRESENTATION OF LOCAL MOTION , WITH IMPLICATIONS FOR V 1

This paper proposes a representational model for image pair such as consecutive video frames that are related by local pixel displacements, in the hope that the model may shed light on motion perception in primary visual cortex (V1). The model couples the following two components. (1) The vector representations of local contents of images. (2) The matrix representations of local pixel displacements caused by the relative motions between the agent and the objects in the 3D scene. When the image frame undergoes changes due to local pixel displacements, the vectors are multiplied by the matrices that represent the local displacements. Our experiments show that our model can learn to infer local motions. Moreover, the model can learn Gabor-like filter pairs of quadrature phases.
Quarry Dust as a Partial Replacement of Coarse Aggregates in Concrete Production

This study is an attempt to investigate the suitability of quarry dust as a partial replacement of coarse aggregates in concrete making. Samples of concrete cubes were made with varying proportions of quarry dust replacing the coarse aggregate. It was foreseen that the utilization of quarry dusts as partial replacement of coarse aggregates in concrete will be more beneficial due to the relative ease of inclusion that will be achieved as opposed to batching them separately as fine aggregates. Since they are produced from the production of coarse aggregates, they could, therefore, be better included, transported, and batched as coarse aggregates.This promises to be a more sustainable option, preserving the global natural resource base as well as save construction costs significantly. A total of 150 cubes were cast. Some physical properties of the concrete constituent materials that are relevant to the experiments were determined. The mix design of 1:2:4 was adopted and two brands of Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) were used for comparative purposes. Particle size distribution analysis, slump test, and compressive strength test were carried out on the materials, the fresh concrete, and the cured concrete cubes respectively. The quarry dust sample was found to be well graded and the concrete mixes had true slumps with decreasing consistency as the quantity of quarry dust increased. The results disclosed that replacing 10% of the required amount of gravel with quarry dust and using the Ibeto brand of Portland cement yielded the highest amount of compressive strength of 32.3N/mm 2 . It was also observed that using the Ibeto brand of OPC, the concrete cubes made with inclusion of quarry dust up to 25% all performed better than the zero replacement level in terms of their compressive strengths. The strengths achieved with the Dangote brand of OPC were satisfactory up to 15% replacement level. This suggests that the quarry dust can be utilized as a partial replacement of the coarse aggregates in concrete within the satisfactory levels. The study further showed that variations in the properties of Portland cement brands can result in significant differences in the performances of concretes made with them.
Do recent advancements in model-based deep reinforcement learning really improve data efficiency?

Reinforcement learning (RL) has seen great advancements in the past few years. Nevertheless, the consensus among the RL community is that currently used model-free methods, despite all their benefits, suffer from extreme data inefficiency. To circumvent this problem, novel model-based approaches were introduced that often claim to be much more efficient than their model-free counterparts. In this paper, however, we demonstrate that the state-of-the-art model-free Rainbow DQN algorithm can be trained using a much smaller number of samples than it is commonly reported. By simply allowing the algorithm to execute network updates more frequently we manage to reach similar or better results than existing model-based techniques, at a fraction of complexity and computational costs. Furthermore, based on the outcomes of the study, we argue that the agent similar to the modified Rainbow DQN that is presented in this paper should be used as a baseline for any future work aimed at improving sample efficiency of deep reinforcement learning.
Characteristic Multidetector CT Findings of Mandibular Fractures: Comparison with Falls and Violence

The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristic multidetector CT (MDCT) findings, especially the prevalence of location, of mandibular fractures resulting from falls and violence. A prospective study was performed in 217 patients with mandibular fractures resulting from falls or violence underwent 64-MDCT. Mandibular fractures were classified into four types: median, paramedian, angle and condyle. Statistical analysis of the relationship between cause and mandibular fracture location was performed using χ test and logistic multivariate regression analysis. The results showed that the percentages of cases resulting from falls and violence were 55.8% and 44.2% of paramedian type (p=0.001), 46.4% and 53.6% of angle type (p=0.000) and 87.8% and 12.2% of condyle type (p=0.000), respectively. This study indicated a significant relationship between cause and condyle type (odds ratio (OR)=3.303, p=0.009), paramedian type (OR=0.339, p=0.017) and angle type (OR=0.313, p=0.019), respectively. In conclusion, the results of the presented study suggest the characteristic MDCT findings, especially the prevalence of location, of mandibular fractures resulting from falls and violence.
The association between subjective job insecurity and job performance across different employment groups

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to test the relationship between subjective job insecurity and self-rated job performance, and to assess how this association is different across different employment groups.Design/methodology/approachThe authors used a data set owned by TNO and Statistics Netherlands of more than 89,000 Dutch workers and self-employed that is a representative sample of the Dutch workforce. The authors included data from 2014 and 2016 assessing subjective job insecurity in terms of “a concern about the future of one’s job/business” and self-rated job performance.FindingsThe effect size of the association between subjective job insecurity and self-rated job performance is small. For temporary agency workers and on-call workers, the association between subjective job insecurity and job performance is weaker compared to permanent workers and fixed-term workers. However for self-employed workers with and without employees, however, the relation between subjective job insecurity and job performance is stronger compared to permanent workers.Research limitations/implicationsThe biggest limitation is the cross-sectional design of the study, which limits conclusions about causality.Practical implicationsThe finding that subjective job insecurity goes together with less work performance shows that job insecurity has no upside for the productivity of companies.Originality/valueThe study provides a deeper understanding of the relationship between subjective job insecurity and self-rated job performance on a national level.
On ignorance in organizational design: A generalized model of decentralized search

In this paper, we propose a formal model of decentralized search. In particular, we aim to understand how ignoring some pieces of information during technological search is rewarding for the development of radically new products. To do so, we propose an agent-based model of simulation including both product and organization structure. The NK model is used to represent a directed ? technology network? , producing a rugged fitness landscape. Organizations are represented by a directed ? social network? , where communication links are the counterpart of the technological interdependences. By simulating different density of the social network (from a perfectly mirroring organization to an organization made of fully autonomous agents), we find that a relative ignorance related to the effect of technological decision (on the dependent component technologies) can be rewarded by technological breakthroughs. This is particularly true when the complexity and the number of components of the products are high.
Calcium-induced calcium release in noradrenergic neurons of the locus coeruleus

The locus coeruleus (LC) is a nucleus within the brainstem that consists of norepinephrine-releasing neurons. It is involved in broad processes including autonomic regulation, and cognitive and emotional functions such as arousal, attention and anxiety. Understanding the mechanisms that control the excitability of LC neurons is important because they innervate widespread regions of the central nervous system. One of the key regulators is the cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca2+]c), the increases in which can be amplified by calcium-induced calcium release (CICR) from the intracellular calcium stores. Although the electrical activities of LC neurons are regulated by changes in [Ca2+]c, the extent of CICR involvement in this regulation has remained unclear. Here we show that CICR hyperpolarizes acutely dissociated LC neurons of the rat brain and demonstrate the pathway whereby it does this. When CICR was activated by extracellular application of 10 mM caffeine, LC neurons were hyperpolarized in the current-clamp mode of the patch-clamp recording, and the majority of neurons showed an outward current in the voltage-clamp mode. This outward current was accompanied by an increase in membrane conductance, and its reversal potential was close to the K+ equilibrium potential, indicating that it is mediated by the opening of K+ channels. The outward current was generated in the absence of extracellular calcium and was blocked when the calcium stores were inhibited by applying ryanodine. Pharmacological experiments indicated that the outward current was mediated by Ca2+-activated K+ channels of the non-small conductance type. Finally, the application of caffeine led to an increase in the [Ca2+]c in these neurons, as visualized by fluorescence microscopy. These findings delineate a mechanism whereby CICR suppresses the electrical activity of LC neurons, and indicate that it could play a dynamic role in modulating the LC-mediated noradrenergic tone in the brain.
Assessment of The Relationship Between Self-Efficacy, Achievement and Institution Type in Java Programming in South-Western Nigerian Universities

The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between students’ self-efficacy and achievement in Java programming among computer undergraduates in South-Western Nigeria. It was also aimed at testing the significance of institutional type differences in self-efficacy and achievement in Java programming. The Java programming self-efficacy scale (r = 0.96) and achievement test (r = 0.70) were completed by 254 students across both Federal and State owned public universities in South-Western Nigeria. By using Pearson correlation, the relationships between self-efficacy and achievement in Java programming was investigated and by using inferential statistics (t-test), significant difference of self-efficacy and achievement across institution type was tested. The analysis of the data indicated a significant relationship between self-efficacy and achievement in Java programming (r = 0.249, p < 0.05). It also showed a significant difference in self-efficacy scores of students across types of institutions (Federal and State universities) (t = 7.57, p> 0.05), but a non-significant difference in achievement (t = 45.92, p< 0.05). Based on the findings from the study, it was recommended among others that efforts be made to improve self-efficacy of students (especially those in the Federal government-owned universities) in Java programming as it relates positively and significantly with their achievement.
Does age affect medial prefrontal functions? A behavioral investigation.

The aging process has been shown to impair cognitive functions subsumed by the frontal lobes, but this region is heterogeneous and functions can be subdivided into different categories. Previous research focuses on aging within functions associated with dorsolateral and orbital prefrontal regions. This study investigates functions associated with another region – the medial prefrontal cortex. Tasks which tap abilities associated with dorsolateral and orbital prefrontal regions were administered to older and younger adults to replicate previous observations. Additionally, tasks which tap medial prefrontal abilities were administered, and age effects examined. Age-related differences were found on dorsolateral but not orbital prefrontal abilities. Significant age effects were also observed on both medial prefrontal tasks. These preliminary results support a region-specific theory of cognitive aging whereby dorsolateral and medial functions are most susceptible to decline, with orbital prefrontal functions remaining relatively preserved.
The Combined Role of Subsidy and Awareness in Uptake of Stigmatized Products

Can a combination of common policy interventions better stimulate the demand for health products that are widely available and well-known but whose demand may be curtailed by cultural norms? This paper studies the joint role of awareness and subsidy in increasing the demand for sanitary pads â€” a product that is ubiquitous but related to social taboo in many countries. We conduct a field experiment in Nepal in which a randomly selected group of women receive menstrual health-related awareness. In addition, both treatment and control groups face a randomly varied effective price for sanitary pads induced through allocation of discount coupons. We find that the awareness treatment shifts the demand curve to the right. Furthermore, the shift is not parallel â€” the impact is largest at the 50% discount level where the coupon redemption increases by 23 to 26 percentage points. We also find modest spillover effects of the awareness treatment. Our results suggest that combining subsidy with awareness could be a more cost-effective strategy to increase take-up of health technology whose demand is constrained by social stigma.
THE PALEOGEOGRAPHY OF GLACIAL LAKE SHANADITHIT, RED INDIAN LAKE BASIN, NEWFOUNDLAND: IMPLICATIONS FOR DRIFT PROSPECTING

Central Newfoundland has had ice-marginal lakes because of its topography and diachronous pattern of deglaciation. The spatial distribution and elevation of features such as deltas and shorelines, along with the presence of fine-grained sediment, enable the delineation of ice-marginal lakes, the largest of which was glacial Lake Shanadithit, which occupied over 116 km of the Red Indian Lake Basin at its greatest extent. The location of topographic lows, along with the pattern of glacial retreat, suggests that glacial Lake Shanadithit experienced four phases of ice-marginal lake development. These were: the Lloyds River Phase 1 at 310–330 m asl; the Star Lake Phase 2 at 310 m asl; the Hinds Lake Phase 3 at 302 m asl, and the Joe Glodes Pond Phase 4 at 195 m asl. De-levelled shoreline features and corresponding outlets indicate that the basin has undergone a minimum isostatic tilt of 0.22 m km. This indicates that the Newfoundland Ice Cap influenced the amount of glacio-isostasy on the Island, and was not overshadowed by crustal depression associated with the Laurentide Ice Sheet, as previously suggested. The development of ice-marginal lakes within the Red Indian Lake Basin suggests that drift-prospecting survey programs should pay close attention to the material being sampled, to ensure that it has not been deposited or washed in a glaciolacustrine environment. Similarly, the presence of mineralized boulders on till surfaces, found below the maximum elevation of the ice-marginal lake level, may be unrelated to ice flow, having been deposited by ice rafting.