Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Factors Influencing Students’ Career Choice in Accounting: The Case of Yobe State University

The study examined the factors that influence career choice in accounting among Nigerian university students. Authors in the field of education and behavioural science tend to attribute different factors that influence career choice among individuals. Parental influence, self – desire, better pay, prestige and future prospects were found to be the major influencial factors in career choices among Nigerian University students. The study used survey method with a population of 88 students from the Department of Accountancy, Yobe State Univesity. The finding of this study indicates that self – desire and future pospects have significant influene on the choice of accounting among the study group. The study further recommends that univerisity program be tailored towards the desire of the students and the society and students are acquinted with the need of the profession. Keywords : Accounting, Career Choice, University Students, Accounting education,
Coordinated Behaviour in Pigeon Flocks

We analysed pigeon flock flights using GPS trajectory data to reveal the most important kinematic aspects of flocking behaviour. We quantitatively investigated the internal motion of the flock based on pairwise statistics and found the following general relationships in all datasets: i) the temporal order of decisions characterised by the delay between directional changes is strictly related to the spatial order characterised by the longitudinal relative position within the flock; ii) during circling motion, pigeons use a mixture of two idealised and fundamentally different turning strategies, namely, parallel-path and equal-radius type turning. While pigeons tend to maintain their relative position within the flock on average, as in the parallel-path approximation, those who turn later also get behind as in the equal-radius case. Equal-radius type turning also tends to be expressed more during smaller radius turns.
Noun Homograph Disambiguation Using Local Context in Large Text Corpora

This paper describes an accurate, relatively inexpensive method for the disambiguation of noun homographs using large text corpora. The algorithm checks the context surrounding the target noun against that of previously observed instances and chooses the sense for which the most evidence is found, where evidence consists of a set of orthographic, syntactic, and lexical features. Because the sense distinctions made are coarse, the disambiguation can be accomplished without the expense of knowledge bases or inference mechanisms. An implementation of the algorithm is described which, starting with a small set of hand-labeled instances, improves its results automatically via unsupervised training. The approach is compared to other attempts at homograph disambiguation using both machine readable dictionaries and unrestricted text and the use of training instances is determined to be a crucial di erence.
Group shared protection (GSP): a scalable solution for spare capacity reconfiguration in mesh WDM networks

This paper proposes a novel framework of shared protection, namely group shared protection (GSP), in mesh wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) networks with dynamically arriving connection requests. Based on the (M:N)/sup n/ control architecture, GSP has n mutually independent protection groups, each of which contains N SRLG-disjoint working paths protected by M protection paths. Due to the SRLG-disjointedness of the working paths in each protection group, GSP not only allows the spare capacity to be totally sharable among the corresponding working paths, but also reduces the number of working paths affected due to a single link failure. Based on the framework, an integer linear program (ILP) formulation that can optimally reconfigure the spare capacity for a specific protection group whenever a working-protection path-pair joins is proposed. Two heuristics namely link-shared protection (LSP) and ring-shared protection (RSP) are introduced for further compromising the performance and the computational complexity. The proposed schemes are compared with a reported one, namely successive survivable routing (SSR). The experimental results show that LSP, RSP and SSR yield similar performance in terms of resource sharing, whereas ILP outperforms all of them by (6-16%). Due to the limited number of working paths in each protection group, ILP can handle a dynamically arriving connection request in a reasonable amount of time. Also, we find that the number of affected working paths in GSP is about half of that in SSR. We conclude that GSP provides a scalable and efficient solution for dynamic spare capacity reconfiguration following the (M:N)/sup n/ control architecture.
The effect of NOM characteristics and membrane type on microfiltration performance

Efforts to understand and predict the role of different organic fractions in the fouling of low-pressure membranes are presented. Preliminary experiments with an experimental apparatus that incorporates automatic backwashing and filtration over several days has shown that microfiltration of the hydrophilic fractions leads to rapid flux decline and the formation of a cake or gel layer, while the hydrophobic fractions show a steady flux decline and no obvious formation of a gel or cake layer. The addition of calcium to the weakly hydrophobic acid (WHA) fraction led to the formation of a gel layer from associations between components of the WHA. The dominant foulants were found to be the neutral and charged hydrophilic compounds, with hydrophobic and small pore size membranes being the most readily fouled. The findings suggest that surface analyses such as FTIR will preferentially identify hydrophilic compounds as the main foulants, as these components form a gel layer on the surface while the hydrophobic compounds adsorb within the membrane pores. Furthermore, coagulation pre-treatment is also likely to reduce fouling by reducing pore constriction rather than the formation of a gel layer, as coagulants remove the hydrophobic compounds to a large extent and very little of the hydrophilic neutral components.
Sociometry and sociogenesis of colonies of the harvester ant, Pogonomyrmex badius: distribution of workers, brood and seeds within the nest in relation to colony size and season

1. The vertical distribution in the nest of chambers, workers, callow workers, brood and seeds was studied in the harvester ant, Pogonomyrmex badius, in northern Florida. On each of four sample dates (May, July, October, January), six to seven colonies, chosen to represent the full range of sizes, were excavated. All chamber contents were collected and counted. Chambers were mapped and measured. In a preliminary study, two nests were excavated after preventing vertical migration by driving barriers into the wall of a pit next to the nest, severing the vertical tunnels. The vertical distribution of these barrier‐nests differed little from unrestrained nests, indicating that unrestrained excavation produced a reasonable picture of vertical distributions.
Online Selection , Adaptation , and Hybridization of Algorithms ( Thesis proposal )

We propose to develop black-box techniques for improving the performance of algorithms by adapting them to the sequence of problem instances on which they are run. In particular, we propose to develop effective strategies for solving the following four problems: 1. Combining multiple heuristics online. Givenk (randomized) algorithms, we seek to learn online a policy for interleaving and restarting them in order to solve a sequence of instances as quickly as possible. 2. Online reduction from optimization to decision. Given a sequence of instances of an optimization problem and an oracle for the corresponding decision problem, we seek to find a provably (approximately) optimal solution to each instance while minimizing the CPU time consumed by all oracle calls. 3. Online tuning of branch and bound algorithms. Given a branch and bound algorithm with a number of parameters (e.g., choices of relaxations, constraint propagators), we seek to determine near-optimal parameter settings online. 4. The maxk-armed bandit problem. In this variant of the classical k-armed bandit problem one seeks to maximize the highest payoff received on any single pull, rather than the total payoff. A strategy for solving the max k-armed bandit problem can be used to allocate trials among multi-start optimization heuristics. For each problem, we prove the existence of a no-regret strategy. We show experimentally that our strategy for combining multiple heuristics online has the potential to improve the performance of state-of-the-art SAT solvers and A.I. planners, and that our max k-armed bandit strategy effectively allocates trials among multi-start heuristics for the resource-constrained project scheduling problem. This proposal is based on part on joint work with Stephen Smith [36, 37] and Daniel Golovin.
A Comparison of the Biological Features of Prostate Cancer with (PSA+, PSMA+) Profile according to RKIP

Purpose. To investigate differences in the biological features of the most immunoexpressed prostate cancer (PC) profiles (PSA+, PSMA+) according to the RKIP. Methods. 19 PC with dominant Gleason grade ≥8 were studied. Expression of PSA, PSMA, RKIP, Raf-1, MEK-1, ERK-1, ERK-2, p-Akt (T308), p-Akt (S473), NF-κB p50, and NF-κBp65 were detected immunohistochemically. Results. Loss of RKIP in the most immunoexpressed PC (PSA+, PSMA+) profile was associated with increased levels of PSA and PSMA expression. Intensities of immunoreactions to PSA and PSMA were higher in cancer cells negative for RKIP (12.51 ± 1.6 and 34.95 ± 1.92) compared to those positive for RKIP (4.68 ± 1.11 and 28.56 ± 0.91). In parallel, missing RKIP expression in PC patients with PSA+, PSMA+ profile was connected with increased components of both Raf-1/MEK/ERK and NF-κB (p65/p50), whereas Akt is activated independently of RKIP. Conclusions. Although characterized by the same (PSA+, PSMA+) profile, PC phenotype missing the RKIP related to invasive potential and greater biological aggressiveness reflected in overexpression of components of Raf-1/MEK/ERK and NF-κB (p65/p50) in which Akt is activated independently of RKIP. Taking into account the PC phenotypes according to RKIP among PSA-PSMA profiles may improve distinguishing them from cancers that will become more aggressive and therefore adapt the therapeutic strategies in those patients.
Survey of studies examining mammalian cardiomyocyte DNA synthesis.

Increases in cardiac mass during fetal life arise predominantly as a consequence of cardiomyocyte proliferation. During neonatal life, there is a transition from hyperplastic to hypertrophic growth such that further increases in myocardial mass are typically not accompanied by cardiomyocyte proliferation. In the adult myocardium, it is generally believed that the vast majority of cardiomyocytes do not proliferate. This view is supported in part by clinical observations: functionally significant myocardial regeneration has not been documented in diseases and/or injuries that result in cardiomyocyte loss. Furthermore, primary myocardial tumors are rarely observed in adults. Although these findings suggest that the proliferative capacity of adult cardiomyocytes is quite low, they do not exclude the existence of a limited degree of hyperplastic growth in either the normal or diseased myocardium. Toward this end, a number of studies examining the proliferative capacity of cardiomyocytes in experimental animals have been reported. Because genome reduplication is a prerequisite for cell proliferation, the majority of these studies have used various methodologies to monitor cardiomyocyte DNA synthesis as a first approximation of cell division. In the present survey, issues that we consider pertinent for accurate assessment of cardiomyocyte DNA synthesis are discussed. The literature examining cardiomyocyte DNA synthesis during normal and pathological myocardial growth is then summarized. Accurate assessment of cardiomyocyte DNA synthesis in vivo is dependent on the selection of an appropriate marker for genome reduplication as well as the criteria used for cardiomyocyte identification. These issues are considered separately below. ### Markers for DNA Synthesis Genome reduplication is accompanied by a variety of cytological, biochemical, and molecular events, many of which can be used as either direct or indirect evidence for DNA synthesis and, by inference, proliferation. These include the presence of cytological landmarks indicative of karyokinesis, the presence of active DNA synthesis, and the expression of genes and/or protein activities …
The Meme Machine

Humans are extraordinary creatures, with the unique ability among animals to imitate and so copy from one another ideas, habits, skills, behaviours, inventions, songs, and stories. These are all memes, a term first coined by Richard Dawkins in 1976 in his book The Selfish Gene. Memes, like genes, are replicators, and this enthralling book is an investigation of whether this link between genes and memes can lead to important discoveries about the nature of the inner self. Confronting the deepest questions about our inner selves, with all our emotions, memories, beliefs, and decisions, Susan Blackmore makes a compelling case for the theory that the inner self is merely an illusion created by the memes for the sake of replication.
Evolutionary Multiobjective Optimization for Fuzzy Knowledge Extraction

A new trend in the design of fuzzy rule-based systems is the use of evolutionary multiobjective optimization (EMO) algorithms. This trend is observed in various areas in machine learning. EMO algorithms are often used to search for a number of Pareto-optimal non-linear systems with respect to their accuracy and complexity. In this paper, we first explain some basic concepts in multiobjective optimization and an outline of EMO algorithms. Next we explain the use of EMO algorithms to search for Pareto-optimal fuzzy rules. Then we explain their use to search for Pareto-optimal fuzzy systems. Finally we discuss future directions.
A Diversity-Multiplexing Tradeoff Optimal Low Complexity Zero Forcing Method Based on ZP-OFDM

Due to the computational complexity of maximum-likelihood signal decoding, the equalizers with less complexity are considered in the literature. Employing the zero forcing (ZF) equalizer, zero-padded orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (ZP-OFDM) is capable of benefiting the maximum available multipath diversity with the computational complexity of inverting a matrix of the size of data block length, which incurs an extra implementation cost relative to the fast Fourier transform-based OFDM decoder. In this paper, based on the ZP-OFDM encoding scheme, we propose a two-stage decoder that attains the maximum multipath diversity with lower computational complexity, as compared with the ZF ZP-OFDM and prove analytically that our proposed decoder is diversity-multiplexing tradeoff optimal. It has also been shown that by setting the decoder parameters, it can attain any arbitrary diversity gain smaller than the maximum multipath diversity. Moreover, the more the diversity gain is decreased the more the computational complexity is reduced.
The natural history of ultraviolet radiation-induced herpes simplex labialis and response to therapy with peroral and topical formulations of acyclovir.

The lips of 196 patients with a history of sun-induced herpes labialis were exposed to experimental ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and treated with acyclovir (ACV) or placebo at different times and by different routes. Of 98 placebo recipients, 39 (40%) developed 43 lesions inside or within 10 mm of the irradiated zone. The temporal distribution of lesions was bimodal. 11 (26%) occurring within 48 h (immediate) and 32 (72%) 2-7 days after UVR exposure (delayed). Prophylactic peroral ACV begun 7 days before or 5 min after UVR prevented the development of the delayed but not the immediate lesions (P less than .001). When peroral ACV was started 48 h after UVR, delayed lesions developed but were less severe (P = .01-.05). Prophylactic topical ACV begun 5 min after UVR did not reduce lesion frequency or severity. ACV therapy can be efficacious, but some rapidly developing lesions are unresponsive to treatment. This suggests that more than one process may contribute to the pathogenesis of herpes labialis.
The Mediating Effect of Gaming Motivation Between Psychiatric Symptoms and Problematic Online Gaming: An Online Survey

Background The rapid expansion of online video gaming as a leisure time activity has led to the appearance of problematic online gaming (POG). According to the literature, POG is associated with different psychiatric symptoms (eg, depression, anxiety) and with specific gaming motives (ie, escape, achievement). Based on studies of alcohol use that suggest a mediator role of drinking motives between distal influences (eg, trauma symptoms) and drinking problems, this study examined the assumption that there is an indirect link between psychiatric distress and POG via the mediation of gaming motives. Furthermore, it was also assumed that there was a moderator effect of gender and game type preference based on the important role gender plays in POG and the structural differences between different game types. Objective This study had two aims. The first aim was to test the mediating role of online gaming motives between psychiatric symptoms and problematic use of online games. The second aim was to test the moderator effect of gender and game type preference in this mediation model. Methods An online survey was conducted on a sample of online gamers (N=3186; age: mean 21.1, SD 5.9 years; male: 2859/3186, 89.74%). The Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), the Motives for Online Gaming Questionnaire (MOGQ), and the Problematic Online Gaming Questionnaire (POGQ) were administered to assess general psychiatric distress, online gaming motives, and problematic online game use, respectively. Structural regression analyses within structural equation modeling were used to test the proposed mediation models and multigroup analyses were used to test gender and game type differences to determine possible moderating effects. Results The mediation models fitted the data adequately. The Global Severity Index (GSI) of the BSI indicated that the level of psychiatric distress had a significant positive direct effect (standardized effect=.35, P<.001) and a significant indirect (mediating) effect on POG (standardized effect=.194, P<.001) via 2 gaming motives: escape (standardized effect=.139, P<.001) and competition (standardized effect=.046, P<.001). The comparison of the 2 main gamer types showed no significant differences in the model. However, when comparing male and female players it was found that women had (1) slightly higher escape scores (on a 5-point Likert scale: mean 2.28, SD 1.14) than men (mean 1.87, SD 0.97) and (2) a stronger association between the escape motive and problematic online gaming (standardized effect size=.64, P<.001) than men (standardized effect size=.20, P=.001). Conclusions The results suggest that psychiatric distress is both directly and indirectly (via escape and competition motives) negatively associated with POG. Therefore, the exploration of psychiatric symptoms and gaming motives of POG can be helpful in the preparation of prevention and treatment programs.
A Novel Multi-Layer Heuristic Model for Anti-Phishing

Phishing website detection1 is very important for e-banking and e-commerce users. Current detection methods for anti-phishing have proved to be well-performed in term of accuracy, recall rate and F-measure. However, increasingly complex phishing methods make it more necessary to optimize the detection scheme by timely recognizing new features and accurately choosing the optimal feature subset. To react changing phishing means and resolve feature updating issues, we propose a novel multi-layer heuristic anti-phishing model with feature selection algorithms and heuristic classification algorithms. Five feature selection algorithms are utilized to pre-process feature sets. Then four classification algorithms are applied to identify phishing websites and legitimate websites. Experimental results show that the proposed model utilizing information gain algorithm in procedure of feature subset selection and Random Tree algorithm in heuristic classification achieves 96% accuracy with less time cost.
Personality as a Predictor of Student Success in Programming Principles

Large numbers of college students continue to fail to successfully complete programming principles courses. However, little research has addressed potential reasons for student failure. Many educators simply assume that high failure rates are acceptable – that computer programming is difficult and some students simply “don’t get it. ” Some researchers (i.e., Bishop-Clark & Wheeler, 1994; Carland & Carland, 1990) have studied personality as a predictor of success in computer programming courses. However, with the exception of Woszczynski & Guthrie (2003), few studies have attempted to gather cognitive profiles (Krause, 2000) and match performance to profile type exhibited. Krause’s work shows that students with identified profiles can apply certain study skills to improve the probability of success in the classroom, and Woszczynski & Guthrie (2003) extended this research to the programming classroom, identifying underperforming cognitive profile groups. This study identified the primary cognitive profile of 236 students in a programming principles course at a southeastern university and matched profile to final average in programming principles I. Overall, intuitive thinkers (NT) tended to perform better in programming principles I than sensor feelers (SF). We found no other differences in performance between other paired profiles. We recommend a number of interventions to reach underperforming groups.
Classification of breast ultrasound images based on texture analysis

Ultrasonography (USG) is a popular imaging modality because of its flexibility, non-invasion, non-ionisation and low cost. A breast ultrasound used to detect and classify abnormalities of the breast mass. However, the diagnosis is very subjective because it depends on the ability of the radiologist. In order to eliminate operator dependency and to improve the diagnostic accuracy, a computerised system is necessary to do the feature extraction and the classification of the breast nodule. This research proposes a classification of breast USG images by using some texture features into two classes. The dataset consists of 57 USG images which grouped into 27 anechoic cases and 30 hypoechoic cases. An initial step of image pre-processing is conducted to enhance the detection capability. Afterwards, followed by some methods of morphological operation, region growing active contour and histogram equalization. The feature extraction method used texture analysis, which is histogram, gray level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) and fractal Brownian motion (FBM). Finally, Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) classification method is used to classify anechoic nodule from hypoechoic nodule. The result shows that the proposed method achieved the accuracy of 91.23%, sensitivity of 95.83%, specificity of 87.88%, Positive Predictive Value (PPV) of 85.19% and Negative Predictive Value (NPV) of 96.67%. This suggest that the proposed method is excellent in analyzing breast USG images.