Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Appraisal of capital budgeting techniques and performance of manufacturing firms in Nigeria

Capital budgeting decisions is one of the most tasking managerial decisions taken in manufacturing firms and has been a very topical issue in the sustenance of existing firms and emerging firms in the world. This study basically appraised how capital budgeting techniques have affected the performance of manufacturing firms in Nigeria. The study adopted the crosssectional design using a mixture of primary and secondary data. The research questions were collapsed into the questionnaire. On the whole, while a total of 76 questionnaires were administered, 72 were returned representing the entire population. The performance measures were analyzed for a seven year period (2011-2017). The study found that changes in the existing risk of a firm, utilizing good capital budgeting method and firm size will go a long way in positively affecting the specified performance measure. Also, capital intensity had a direct relationship with the specified performance measure of manufacturing industries in Nigeria. Following the findings, the study calls for the adoption from different quarters and suggests that they could affect performance positively.
LXRα Regulates ChREBPα Transactivity in a Target Gene-Specific Manner through an Agonist-Modulated LBD-LID Interaction

The cholesterol-sensing nuclear receptor liver X receptor (LXR) and the glucose-sensing transcription factor carbohydrate responsive element-binding protein (ChREBP) are central players in regulating glucose and lipid metabolism in liver. We have previously shown that LXR regulates ChREBP transcription and activity; however, the underlying mechanisms are unclear. In the current study, we demonstrate that LXRα and ChREBPα interact physically, and show a high co-occupancy at regulatory regions in the mouse genome. LXRα co-activates ChREBPα, and regulates ChREBP-specific target genes in vitro and in vivo. This co-activation is dependent on functional recognition elements for ChREBP, but not for LXR, indicating that ChREBPα recruits LXRα to chromatin in trans. The two factors interact via their key activation domains; ChREBPα’s low glucose inhibitory domain (LID) and the ligand-binding domain (LBD) of LXRα. While unliganded LXRα co-activates ChREBPα, ligand-bound LXRα surprisingly represses ChREBPα activity on ChREBP-specific target genes. Mechanistically, this is due to a destabilized LXRα:ChREBPα interaction, leading to reduced ChREBP-binding to chromatin and restricted activation of glycolytic and lipogenic target genes. This ligand-driven molecular switch highlights an unappreciated role of LXRα that was overlooked due to LXR lipogenesis-promoting function.
Columnar-jointed bentonite below a Doleritic Sill, Tideswell Dale, Derbyshire, UK: formation during prograde contact metamorphism

Abstract Columnar-jointed tuffs (bentonites) are located below the Lower Carboniferous Tideswell Dale Sill, Derbyshire, in an abandoned quarry. There are three zones of prismatic joints, columnar joints (∼60 cm thick and mean column width of 4.1 cm) and massive, conchoidally fractured rock sequentially from the dolerite contact downwards. The rocks are very fine-grained (1–10 µm) and consist mainly of sanidine, interlayered illite/smectite, and hematite, with minor quartz, apatite, montmorillonite, anatase and detrital minerals. High K2O and Fe2O3, low Na2O and low MgO are interpreted as due to alteration of felsic volcanic ash. The bentonite was contact-metamorphosed by the sill to temperatures of c. 300 °C. The progression of fracture geometries, thermal considerations and application of theories of column formation indicate that columns formed downwards away from the sill, due to prograde contact metamorphism of the originally clay-rich bentonite. The formation of columnar fracture networks by shrinkage due to igneous heating may have implications for the effectiveness of bentonite as a barrier for disposal of high-level radioactive waste. Regional dimensions include documenting widespread felsic explosive volcanism and inferring a Triassic oxidation event from palaeomagnetic data.
Exploring Innovation and Behavioral Flexibility in African lions (Panthera leo) and snow leopards (Panthera uncia)

Intelligence may have evolved to help animals problem-solve in their physical and/or social environments, which enables them to cope with changes in their environments. Humans can reduce wildlife conflict by understanding how species that face harsh environments assess a situation and alter their behavior. Tests for cognitive behavior aim to formulate clear behavioral criteria for inferring an animal’s mental processes. We designed a custom multi-access puzzle box (MAB) to present a simple and effective behavioral test for exploring innovation in two species, African lions (Panthera leo) and snow leopards (Panthera uncia). Despite being vastly underrepresented in cognitive studies, the order Carnivora, and felids in particular, make an excellent group for studying, species’ abilities to problem solve and innovate. We measured innovation, repeated innovation, persistence, success, contact latency, learning and the exploration diversity of individuals interacting with the MAB. Of the 6 African lions, 5 were able to solve at least one door to the box and of the 9 snow leopards, only 4 were able to solve at least one door. To date, this is the first examination of multi-task problem solving in African lions and the first experimental test of cognition in snow leopards. As expected, persistence significantly predicted success on trials in both species, but significant between subject effects were only found in snow leopards. Our results suggest that species and individuals vary in their problem-solving approaches. Carnivores are particularly susceptible to environmental challenges of human-wildlife conflict, and by understanding their abilities to problem-solve and innovate, we can understand and mitigate conservation issues.
Structural characteristics of different softwood lignins according to 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy

Abstract Along with cellulose, lignin is one of the most common polymers of plant origin. Numerous studies show that the complex and irregular structure of lignin is still unknown. First of all, the existing problems are connected with the peculiarities of lignins as a natural chemical compound. In this paper the general regularities of the chemical structure of dioxane lignins isolated from the softwood – larch (Lárix sibírica), pine (Pinus cembra) and juniper (Juníperus commúnis). The studies were carried out using a combination of 13C, 31P and 2D NMR spectroscopy. According to HSQC spectra it was established that the main structural fragments are the structures of β-aryl ether, followed by phenylcoumarans, with lower amounts of other substructures. Signals belonging to a methyl substituted phenylcoumaron were first identified on the NMR spectra of softwood dioxane lignins. Signals related to the structure of 3′-O-methylated dihydroquercetin were found in the composition of larch dioxane lignin.
Quality of life following brainstem cavernoma surgery in 71 patients

BACKGROUND: Symptomatic patients harboring a brainstem cavernoma are treated surgically with increasing frequency. Generally, the patient's benefit from this difficult surgical intervention is quantified by the assessment of neurological symptoms. OBJECTIVE: To document the beneficial effect of surgery in a larger patient population by assessing the postoperative quality of life (QoL). METHODS: In a series of 71 surgically treated patients, a detailed neurological status was assessed by Patzold Rating and Karnofsky Performance Status Scale (KPS). Patients rated their QoL with the SF-36 questionnaire. To document the effect of surgery on QoL, we devised a supplementary questionnaire. The last 24 patients completed SF-36 pre- and postoperatively. RESULTS: KPS improved in 44 of 71 surgical patients (62%), remained unchanged in 19 (27%) and deteriorated in 8 (11%) individuals. Patzold Rating showed a more detailed picture of the neurological symptoms. It correlated significantly with KPS, which underlines its usefulness for patients with brainstem lesions. In the SF-36 score the Mental Component Summary (MCS) improved with surgery (paired test, p = 0.015). In addition, 58 individuals (82%) declared a clear subjective benefit of surgery. CONCLUSION: The results of this large series support the notion that microsurgical removal of a brainstem cavernoma represents an effective therapy in experienced hands, and is generally associated with good clinical outcome, both neurologically and in terms of QoL.
Numerical Inspection of Heterogeneity in Materials using 2D Heat-Conduction and Hybrid GA-tuned Neural-Network

ABSTRACT Present work investigates the effect on heat conduction due to the intrusion in a homogeneous bulk and proposes models to detect its position from the temperature distribution on the surface. Finite volume-based, automated numerical simulations are performed for obtaining the temperature history along/across the bulk surface having different positions of the intrusion. Two approaches are developed to predict the intrusion-position from temperature data. In approach 1, a multi-layer feed-forward neural network (NN) with back-propagation (BP) algorithm is used, whereas the NN parameters are determined through a thorough sequential parametric study. In approach 2, again a NN with BP algorithm is used, but a global evolutionary optimizer, namely genetic algorithm (GA) is employed to optimize the NN parameters. NN with BP algorithm and GA are indigenously developed using ‘C’ programming language in ‘linux’ operating system. NN and GA are indigenously combined in a common monolithic platform using some specially designed system commands so that data transfer take place seamlessly in a fully automated way. The performances of the developed approaches are tested and validated in several ways. After comparison, approach 2 is found to have higher prediction capability.
Fast Track in Anesthesia for Pediatric Cardiac Surgery: Benefits and Risks

Anesthesia for pediatric cardiac surgery has special features and considerations regarding the patient, the pathophysiology and the surgical maneuver which will be done. When planning to do fast track anesthesia one should put this in mind from the start during induction of anesthesia. Good selection of the patient, proper management of anesthesia and co-operation with the surgeon together with follow up of the patient in the pediatric intensive care unit will ensure successful early extubation. Fast tracking has many advantages regarding safe recovery, less hospital stay, more free beds in the intensive care, early assessment of the results of the surgery and avoiding and diminishing the risks of prolonged mechanical ventilation. We recommend this technique as much as it is safe and beneficial to the patient.
ASSESSMENT OF CHANGES IN QUALITY OF PREHOSPITAL TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROME IN THE LAST FEW YEARS: LIS-1 VS LIS-3 REGISTRIES

Aim. To assess the changes in prehospital treatment of patients with acute coronary syndrome during the last years on the basis of the LIS-3 registry data. Material and methods . Data of acute coronary syndrome hospital registry LIS-3 (2013-2015, n=397) and acute myocardial infarction hospital registry LIS-1 (2005-2007, n=1133) were used. To assess quality of prehospital treatment the fact of taking specific pharmacological groups of medications for primary and secondary cardiovascular diseases prevention was taken into consideration. Results. Patients in the LIS-3 registry, in comparison with patients in the LIS-1 registry, more often took antiplatelet drugs (23.2% vs 15.7%, respectively; p 0.05). The quality of prehospital treatment did not differ significantly in survived and deceased patients of LIS-3 registry (p>0.05). Conclusion. Only slight improvement in the quality of prehospital therapy in patients with acute coronary syndrome was revealed, mainly due to more frequent use of antiplatelet drugs and statins. It may be explained by poor detection of early forms of ischemic heart disease and underestimation of the importance of risk factors correction, both on the part of patients and on the part of physicians.
Defend Against Adversarial Samples by Using Perceptual Hash

: Image classifiers that based on Deep Neural Networks (DNNs) have been proved to be easily fooled by well-designed perturbations. Previous defense methods have the limitations of requiring expensive computation or reducing the accuracy of the image classifiers. In this paper, we propose a novel defense method which based on perceptual hash. Our main goal is to destroy the process of perturbations generation by comparing the similarities of images thus achieve the purpose of defense. To verify our idea, we defended against two main attack methods (a white-box attack and a black-box attack) in different DNN-based image classifiers and show that, after using our defense method, the attack-success-rate for all DNN-based image classifiers decreases significantly. More specifically, for the white-box attack, the attack-success-rate is reduced by an average of 36.3%. For the black-box attack, the average attack-success-rate of targeted attack and non-targeted attack has been reduced by 72.8% and 76.7% respectively. The proposed method is a simple and effective defense method and provides a new way to defend against adversarial samples.
MODELING OF URBAN WATER SUPPLY AND WATER LOSS IN DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM OF ADWA TOWN USING WATER GEMS V8I SOFTWARE

Tsegay Brhane Beyene and Dr. Sisay Demeku Department of water supply and sanitary engineering Addis Ababa science and technology universityAddis Ababa, Ethiopia. Manuscript Info Abstract . Manuscript History Received: 10 October 2019 Final Accepted: 12 November 2019 Published: December 2019
Designing a context-based strategy for teaching and learning of mathematics word problems

teaching and learning of mathematical WP reveal that South African teachers still lack the necessary skills to teach mathematical WP adequately, due to the inadequate or undesirable knowledge they have assimilated from the different training institutions they have attended. In the same vein, some teachers in the neighbouring countries still use traditional ways of teaching, where they regard themselves as the sources of everything, while their learners are left in a state of being empty vessels or tabula rasa. 3.2. 4 Intricacies of creating learning spaces for Afromontane learners to learn mathematical WP It is evident that teachers do not give learning spaces to learners to learn mathematical WP in the classroom (Goos 2015:10; Liljedahl 2015:4). Various studies conducted
Wireless access network optimization for 5G

The goal of expected 5th Generation (5G) wireless networks is to bring ultra high data rates, network throughput and service quality to mobile users in near future. Regarding to these expectations, the present virtualized and softwarized network architecture such as Cloud-Radio Access Network (C-RAN) and Software Defined Networks (SDN) is responsible for performing multiple key tasks such as allocating radio resources efficiently, providing Network Function Virtualization (NFV) and intelligent inter-network control/coordination, and flexibly sharing network resources among different network tenants and etc. Although these mentioned techniques and approaches already achieved certain progresses but also face various challenges because of the realistic engineering constraints and complicated network scenarios. To this end, this thesis contributes a series of 5G wireless networks optimization frameworks and efficient algorithms tackling different network problems in both theoretical and practical ways. The specific works of the thesis include the following proposals: a deep research of control plane in future SDN architecture, which is capable to provide intelligent control functions. Furthermore, based on such SDN based architecture, a control plane signal optimization framework is defined and solved, which optimally reduces the potential handover signals and balances control load between multiple control planes in the SDN enabled networks. On the other hand, by introducing network virtualization technologies, this thesis further proposes an optimization framework to flexibly share radio resources between network operators by using both intra-tenant and inter-tenant management entity. In addition, downlink signal transmission power control is also introduced to the framework to engage further resource reuse among tenants and achieve certain degrees improvement in energy efficiency during network operations. Due to the high complexity of the proposed optimization problem, various algorithms are proposed to solve this inter-tenant resource sharing problem efficiently, and numerical results demonstrate a satisfying improvements in various network performance. Finally, a service rate aware resource sharing optimization framework is proposed to bring the previous inter-tenant sharing framework to a more realistic network architecturing level by considering fronthaul limitation and potential multi-cell coordinated resource transmission. Since the high complexity of this optimization problem, novel algorithm is also designed and numerical result demonstrates satisfying gains in a very complicated 5G networks environment.
Effect of Loanable Funds and Director’s Skills on Financial Performance of Non Deposit Taking SACCOS in Mombasa County

Kenya’s financial sector includes banking Institutions, non-banking financial institutions and Savings Credit Co-operative Societies (SACCO’s). The purpose of this study was to find out the effects of loanable funds and board of directors, on the financial performance of SACCO’s with references to non-deposit taking Sacco’s in Mombasa County. Descriptive research design was used and the target population of the study comprised of one hundred and eighty-five (185) non-deposit taking Sacco’s in Mombasa County. Stratified random sampling was used to select respondents for the study from the target population. Random samples were taken from each stratum to avoid biasness and to give every individual an equal opportunity to participate in the study. The data was analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative methods also Likert scale was used to further analyze quantitative data, SPSS and formulas were used. The coefficient of determination indicated a strong positive association between independent and dependent variable. Variance analysis (ANOVA) showed that loanable fund levels and board of directors’ skills influence the financial performance of non-deposit taking SACCOs. The study concluded that there was a positive and significant relationship between loanable fund and financial performance.
Six Weeks of Creatine-Electrolyte Supplement Effects on Muscle Fatigability

iv Acknowledgments . v List of Tables . ix List of Figures . x List of Appendices . xi Chapter 1: The problem and Its Scope Introduction . 1 Purpose of the Study . 2 Hypothesis . 3 Significance of the Study . 3 Limitations . 3 Definitions of Terms . 4 Chapter 2: Review of the Literature Introduction . 7 Creatine . 8 Creatine supplementation . 10
The influence of scientific creativity and critical worksheets (SCCW) on creative thinking skills and critical scientific as well as students’ cognitive abilities on project-based learning work and energy concepts

This study describes the influence of scientific creativity and critical worksheet (SCCW) to the creative thinking and scientific critical as well as students’ cognitive ability of Work and Energy concept. The aim of this study was to find out the improvement of cognitive ability, creative thinking skill and critically scientific students with applied model of project-based learning integrated with SCCW and conventional student worksheet (CSW). This study is based on one of the 21st Century Partnership Learning Framework which contains the skills that must be possessed by learners in the 21st century, which is focused on scientific creative thinking skills and critical scientific thinking skills. The research method used is pre-experimental research with randomized control group pretest-postest design. Implementation of SCCW on project-based learning can improve creative thinking skills and critical scientific and cognitive abilities of students with greater improvement than the application of SCW on project-based learning.
Underlying Risk Preferences and Analyst Risk‐Taking Behavior

We investigate the relationship between underlying risk preferences on analysts’ work‐related decisions. Specifically, we examine whether facial width‐to‐height ratio (fWHR), an innate personal characteristic that has been linked to financial risk tolerance, is associated with analysts’ stock coverage decisions and the boldness of their earnings forecasts and stock recommendations. We find that high‐fWHR analysts cover firms with lower earnings predictability, and issue bolder forecasts and recommendations. Our findings shed new light on the black box of analyst decision making, assisting investment practitioners in evaluating the information content produced by different types of analysts and understanding the observed dispersion in analyst forecasts.
MobileDA: Toward Edge-Domain Adaptation

Deep neural networks (DNNs) have made significant advances in computer vision and sensor-based smart sensing. DNNs achieve prominent results based on standard data sets and powerful servers, whereas, in real applications with domain-shift data and resource-constrained environments such as Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices in the edge computing, DNNs are likely to have degraded performance in terms of accuracy and efficiency. To this end, we develop the MobileDA framework that learns transferable features while keeping the simple structure of the deep model. Our method allows a novel teacher network trained in the server to distill the knowledge for a student network running in the edge device, which is achieved by a cross-domain distillation. Leveraging unlabeled data in the new environment, our student model amends the feature learning to be domain invariant, then being our objective model running in the edge device. Our approach is evaluated on a challenging IoT-based WiFi gesture recognition scenario, and three classic visual adaptation benchmarks. The empirical studies corroborate the effectiveness of distillation for domain transfer, and the overall results show that our model achieves state-of-the-art performance merely using a simple network.
Absolute instability of free-falling viscoelastic liquid jets with surfactants

The effect of surfactants on the absolute instability of a viscoelastic liquid jet falling under gravity is examined for axisymmetrical disturbances. In general, the inclusion of surfactants to the interface of a viscoelastic liquid jet allows for the possibility of further processing droplet sizes and breakup lengths. We use the upper-convected Maxwell model to provide a mathematical description of the dynamics of the jet. An asymptotic approach, based on the slenderness of the jet, is used to render the problem more tractable and obtain steady-state solutions and then perform a linear analysis of the convective and absolute instability on these base solutions. By considering travelling wave modes, we derive a dispersion relationship, which is then solved numerically using the Newton-Raphson method. We show the effect of changing a number of dimensionless parameters, including the initial surfactant concentration, on convective and absolute instability. In this work, we use a mapping technique known as the cusp map method to explore absolute instability. The convective/absolute instability boundary is identified for various parameter regimes.