Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of the Social-Ecological Causes of Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Ghana: Application of the DPSIR Framework

Globally, forests provide several functions and services to support humans’ well-being and the mitigation of greenhouse gases (GHGs). The services that forests provide enable the forest-dependent people and communities to meet their livelihood needs and well-being. Nevertheless, the world’s forests face a twin environmental problem of deforestation and forest degradation (D&FD), resulting in ubiquitous depletion of forest biodiversity and ecosystem services and eventual loss of forest cover. Ghana, like any tropical forest developing country, is not immune to these human-caused D&FD. This paper reviews Ghana’s D&FD driven by a plethora of pressures, despite many forest policies and interventions to ensure sustainable management and forest use. The review is important as Ghana is experiencing an annual D&FD rate of 2%, equivalent to 135,000 hectares loss of forest cover. Although some studies have focused on the causes of D&FD on Ghana’ forests, they failed to show the chain of causal links of drivers that cause D&FD. This review fills the knowledge and practice gap by adopting the Driver-Pressures-State-Impacts-Responses (DPSIR) analytical framework to analyse the literature-based sources of causes D&FD in Ghana. Specifically, the analysis identified agriculture expansion, cocoa farming expansion, illegal logging, illegal mining, population growth and policy failures and lapses as the key drivers of Ghana’s D&FD. The study uses the DPSIR analytical framework to show the chain of causal links that lead to the country’s D&FD and highlights the numerous interventions required to reverse and halt the ubiquitous perpetual trend of D&FD in Ghana. Similar tropical forest countries experiencing D&FD will find the review most useful to curtail the menace.
Dorsal Root Ganglion (DRG) and Chronic Pain

Context Chronic neuropathic pain is a common condition, and up to 11.9% of the population have been reported to suffer from uncontrolled neuropathic pain. Chronic pain leads to significant morbidity, lowered quality of life, and loss of workdays, and thus carries a significant price tag in healthcare costs and lost productivity. dorsal root ganglia (DRG) stimulation has been recently increasingly reported and shows promising results in the alleviation of chronic pain. This paper reviews the background of DRG stimulation, anatomical, and clinical consideration and reviews the clinical evidence to support its use. Evidence Acquisition The DRG span the length of the spinal cord and house the neurons responsible for sensation from the periphery. They may become irritated by direct compression or local inflammation. Glial cells in the DRG respond to nerve injury, producing inflammatory markers and contribute to the development of chronic pain, even after the resolution of the original insult. While the underlying mechanism is still being explored, recent studies explored the efficacy of DRG stimulation and neuromodulation for chronic pain treatment. Results Several reported cases and a small number of randomized trials were published in recent years, describing different methods of DRG stimulation and neuromodulation with promising results. Though evidence quality is mostly low, these results provide evidence to support the utilization of this technique. Conclusions Chronic neuropathic pain is a common condition and carries significant morbidity and impact on the quality of life. Recent evidence supports the use of DRG neuromodulation as an effective technique to control chronic pain. Though studies are still emerging, the evidence appears to support this technique. Further studies, including large randomized trials evaluating DRG modulation versus other interventional and non-interventional techniques, are needed to further elucidate the efficacy of this method. These studies are also likely to inform the patient selection and the course of treatment.
Do patron bans act as a deterrent to future anti-social offending? An analysis of banning and offending data from Victoria, Australia

ABSTRACT Police-imposed patron bans seek to reduce alcohol-related harm in and around licensed premises. This study examined the offending records of people who received bans and explored whether anti-social offences reduced after the imposition of a police-imposed ban. A de-identified dataset was obtained from Victoria Police, comprising persons who received police-imposed bans in one Australian city between 2010 and 2017. Analyses were conducted to examine charging histories and offence types before and after receipt of the ban. Of those who received bans, 70.7% had recorded offences before the ban. The median number of charges before and after receiving a ban were not significantly different with respect to both anti-social behaviours and other behaviours. However, when examining short term effects (two years prior and post receiving a ban), there was a significant increase in anti-social offending, specifically public order offences (d = 0.67), after receiving a ban compared to before. Most of the ban recipients had an established record of anti-social behaviours. As a short-term sanction which limits access to specific locations, Victoria’s police-imposed bans do not appear to deter recipients from repeat offending or change already established patterns of anti-social behaviours. Consideration should be given to extending the permissible length of bans and to ensuring more effective enforcement. In addition, alternative interventions or diversions for those with a record of anti-social offending, which could be initiated on-the-spot, may be more effective in reducing undesirable behaviours in and around licensed premises.
Variational Instance-Adaptive Graph for EEG Emotion Recognition

The individual differences and the dynamic uncertain relationships among different electroencephalogram (EEG) regions are essential factors that limit EEG emotion recognition. To address these issues, in this article, we propose a variational instance-adaptive graph method (V-IAG) that simultaneously captures the individual dependencies among different EEG electrodes and estimates the underlying uncertain information. Specifically, we employ two branches, i.e., instance-adaptive branch and variational branch, to construct the graph. Inspired by the attention mechanism, the instance-adaptive branch generates the graph based on the input so as to characterize the individual dependencies among EEG channels. The variational branch generates the probabilistic graph, which quantifies the uncertainties. We combine these two types of graphs to extract more discriminative features. To present more precise graph representation, we propose a new operation named the multi-level and multi-graph convolution operation, which aggregates the features of EEG channels from different frequencies with different graphs. Furthermore, we design the graph coarsening and employ the sparse constraint to obtain more robust features. We conduct extensive experiments on three widely-used EEG emotion recognition databases, i.e., SJTU emotion EEG dataset (SEED), multi-modal physiological emotion recognition dataset (MPED) and DREAMER. The results demonstrate that the proposed model achieves the-state-of-the-art performance.
Assessment of Compost Extract on Yield and Phytochemical Contents of Pak Choi (Brassica rapa cv. chinensis) Grown under Different Fertilizer Strategies

ABSTRACT An experiment was conducted to assess the effect of different extraction of compost extracts on pak choi (Brassica rapa cv. chinensis) under two fertilizer regimes. Aerated compost extract (ACE) and non-aerated compost extract (NCE) were prepared and all treatments (ACE + organic fertilizer, NCE + organic fertilizer, ACE + inorganic fertilizer, NCE + inorganic fertilizer) were conducted in randomized block design. Soil microbiological analysis after treatment was done. Plants grown with ACE + inorganic fertilizers yielded maximum in fresh, dry weight, and N mineral content compared to others. Plants receiving NCE + organic fertilizers produced a higher phenolic content, whereas antioxidant capacity was observed maximum at NCE + inorganic fertilizers. Soil microbiological analysis significantly increased in yeast and nitrogen fixing bacteria count at ACE + organic fertilizers. The co-application of inorganic fertilizers and compost extract had a significant effect on vegetative growth, quality of the pak choi, and soil fertility.
Functional diversity and trait filtering of insectivorous bats relate to forest biogeography and fragmentation in South Africa

Forest fragmentation is a major driver of biodiversity loss causing declines in species richness and functional diversity of biotic communities. Bats are essential components of ecosystems and are useful bio‐indicators of habitat disturbance, yet the response and vulnerability of bats to fragmentation have been poorly studied in Africa. We aim to assess the effects of forest biogeographical history and fragmentation on functional diversity of bats and their functional traits.
Hukou stratification, class structure, and earnings in transitional China

Abstract The massive economic transformation in China has triggered a vigorous scholarly debate on whether the persistent power of the state or the increasing market liberalization is the main driving force of inequality. In this article, we attempt to understand this debate through the lens of two coexisting stratification systems––the longstanding hukou (household registration) system and an emerging class structure. Using data from the Chinese General Social Survey from 2008 to 2015, we develop new typologies for hukou stratification and class structure and examine their relative contributions in determining workers’ earnings. We further investigate differences in their effects between the Inland and Coastal regions. We find that class ranks ahead of education and hukou as the strongest determinant of earnings in China as a whole. Regionally, hukou and class are strong determinants of earnings, but hukou has a relatively stronger effect in Inland China. The findings shed light on the changing stratification dynamics in transitional China and contribute to the literature on the market transition debate.
Hydrological Mapping in the Luquillo Experimental Forest: New Local Datum Improves Watershed Ecological Knowledge

Streams and rivers of the Luquillo Experimental Forest, Puerto Rico, have been the subject of extensive watershed and aquatic research since the 1980s. This research includes understanding stream export of nutrients and coarse particulate organic matter, physicochemical constituents, aquatic fauna populations and community structure. However, many of the streams and watersheds studied do not appear in standard scale maps. We document recent collaborative and multi-institutional work to improve hydrological network information and identify knowledge gaps. The methods used to delimit and densify stream networks include establishment and incorporation of an updated new vertical datum for Puerto Rico, LIDAR derived elevation, and a combination of visual-manual and automated digitalization processes. The outcomes of this collaborative effort have resulted in improved watershed delineation, densification of hydrologic networks to reflect the scale of on-going studies, and the identification of constraining factors such as unmapped roadways, culverts, and other features of the built environment that interrupt water flow and alter runoff pathways. This work contributes to enhanced knowledge for watershed management, including attributes of riparian areas, effects of road and channel intersections and ridge to reef initiatives with broad application to other watersheds.
Ultrasonographic Findings in Common Thyroid and Parathyroid Disorders—Advantages of Real Time Observation by the Endocrinologist with their Own Ultrasound Machine

In this review we discuss the significance of the main ultrasonographic features of common thyroid and parathyroid conditions, with a focus on the advantages of real time observation. The thyroid specialist, defined as an endocrinologist with a major interest in thyroid disorders and access to a portable ultrasound machine, can correlate what they see with the thyroid blood test results and clinical findings in a way that is not available to the general endocrinologist who relies on the interpretation by the consultant radiologist of ultrasound images prepared by a technician. We also discuss the significance of the small, very bright, intra nodular microcalcifications found in benign colloid nodules, which we call “colloid spots” and the difference between these and the 3–4 mm soft microcalcifications that are 90% specific for papillary thyroid cancer and provide a new system for staging the inflammatory changes in Hashimoto thyroiditis, as observed on ultrasonography.
Carbon cycling in mature and regrowth forests globally

Forests are major components of the global carbon (C) cycle and thereby strongly influence atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) and climate. However, efforts to incorporate forests into climate models and CO2 accounting frameworks have been constrained by a lack of accessible, global-scale synthesis on how C cycling varies across forest types and stand ages. Here, we draw from the Global Forest Carbon Database, ForC, to provide a macroscopic overview of C cycling in the world’s forests, giving special attention to stand age-related variation. Specifically, we use 11 923 ForC records for 34 C cycle variables from 865 geographic locations to characterize ensemble C budgets for four broad forest types—tropical broadleaf evergreen, temperate broadleaf, temperate conifer, and boreal. We calculate means and standard deviations for both mature and regrowth (age < 100 years) forests and quantify trends with stand age in regrowth forests for all variables with sufficient data. C cycling rates generally decreased from tropical to temperate to boreal in both mature and regrowth forests, whereas C stocks showed less directional variation. Mature forest net ecosystem production did not differ significantly among biomes. The majority of flux variables, together with most live biomass pools, increased significantly with the logarithm of stand age. As climate change accelerates, understanding and managing the carbon dynamics of forests is critical to forecasting, mitigation, and adaptation. This comprehensive and synthetic global overview of C stocks and fluxes across biomes and stand ages contributes to these efforts.
A comprehensive review on nutrients and organics removal from different wastewaters employing subsurface flow constructed wetlands

ABSTRACT This paper provides a comprehensive review on organics and nutrients (N and P) removals from industrial, municipal, domestic, secondary treated, and decentralized wastewaters employing subsurface flow wetlands. The review indicates that novel operational strategies, structural modification, and internal carbon generation enhanced nitrogen and organics removals across such reviewed systems. Phosphorus removals were critically dependent on specific P-adsorbing materials. The review further illustrates that subsurface flow wetlands could meet reuse standards in decentralized clusters. Reasons and remedies of major operational problems (media clogging and seasonal variations) have also been analyzed. Different operational strategies have been identified to achieve higher removal rates.
An Impact of COVID-19 On Dental and Oral Health Care Workers: An Online Survey in Nepal

Background COVID-19 (COrona VIrus Disease-19) outbreak is an alarming situation for all health care workers. Dental and oral health care workers (DOCHWs) are invariably at a higher risk of getting infected or transmitting disease due to the nature and duration of work. The objective is to determine the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on Nepalese dental and oral health care workers and their practices. Methods A cross-sectional observational, online survey was designed and conducted via Google form from 24 June 2020 to 13 July 2020 among DOHCWs of Nepal. The study tool developed after reviewing pertinent literature and international guidelines. Results A total of 51.9% were aged 20 to 29 years, 61.7% were male, 52.6% were single; 92.5% had no morbidity. Of the respondents, majority 60.2% of DOCHWs were working in routine duties on the COVID-19 crisis. They reduced their current practice to before the pandemic; 48.2 % of them working less than 20 hours per week, while only 10.5 % of them working more than 40 hours per week. Moreover, 73.7% performed only selective or lesser procedure; 18% closed dental practices / stayed home; only 1.5% worked more; 6.8% shifted practice to online (teledentistry). The majority of the respondents restricted their activity to an emergency (21%) and urgent procedures (22.7%). A considerable proportion of participants reported symptoms of depression (21.9%), anxiety (24.2%), and distress (8.4%). Bivariate analysis showed a statistically significant level of satisfaction with logistic support provided by the administrative agency in the different workplace (oral health service centre) with relation to the availability of masks other than N95, N99 (p = 0.04), availability of PPEs (p = 0.06) and facility of cleaning area (p = 0.01). Conclusion The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic among DOHCWs is widespread and adversely affect the personal, professional and academic lives of DOHCWs of Nepal. The participants reported experiencing psychological burden, precipitated by financial burden and worries about an uncertain future.
Evaluation of seasonality in the diagnosis of diffuse large B cell lymphoma in Turkey

Introduction: Within subtypes of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is most commonly diagnosed, with an incidence of 6/100.000 in Turkey. Aetiology of DLBCL is unknown: several factors such as immunosuppression, AIDS, transplantation, autoimmunity, UV radiation, pesticides, hair dyes and dietary intake are hypothesized to be related with increased risk. Here, we aimed to determine the relationship between the diagnosis time of DLBCL and seasons. Material and Method: A total of 369 DLBCL patients, diagnosed in our centre were included in the study. Data related to gender, age and time of diagnosis were analysed retrospectively. Results: Median age of patients with DLBCL included in the study was 61 (range 16–81). The number of female patients were 178 (48.2%) and 191 (51.8%) were male. There was no relationship between the season of diagnosis time and DLBCL incidence (p:0,805). Conclusion: According to our literature review, this is the first study that sort for a relationship between DLBCL diagnosis frequency and seasons in Turkey. We could not find a relationship between diagnosis time of DLBCL and seasons. This can be explained by the fact that the diagnosis of DLBCL displays a homogeneous distribution throughout the year due to a number of factors playing roles in the ethiopathogenesis of DLBCL.
Photo-Induced Thermo-Optical Refraction Switching by a Graphene-Assisted Silicon Microring Resonator

We demonstrate the in-plane photo-induced thermo-optical refraction switching using a silicon all-pass microring resonator (APMRR) assisted by graphene. The optimized design of low-doped graphene on an overcoupled APMRR realizes nearly critical coupling with an extinction ratio of 21 dB. For an input power of 250 <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mu W$</tex-math></inline-formula>, a high modulation of resonance with a tuning efficiency of 216 pm/mW and an extinction ratio contrast of 10 dB is realized relying on nearly critical coupling of APMRR and large electrical conductivity of graphene. Furthermore, the typical switching performance with a 0.2-<inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mu s$</tex-math></inline-formula> rise time and a 1.5-<inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mu s$</tex-math></inline-formula> fall time following the 10%–90% rule is obtained by direct pumping of light and large thermal conductivity of graphene. This proposed device with ease of fabrication and integration, low power consumption, and short response time shows great potential for totally planar photonic integrated circuits.
Stability Analysis of Sampled-Data Load Frequency Control Systems With Multiple Delays

The load frequency control (LFC) system equipped with communication networks includes both sampled-data and time-delay characteristics. How to consider both characteristics effectively in stability analysis is of great importance to obtain accurate results. In this brief, we investigate the delay-dependent stability of sampled-data systems with multiple delays by separately considering the effects of sampling and delays. We first build a discrete-time model for an LFC system with both conventional units and energy storage systems, where the effect of time-varying delays is modeled as matrix uncertainty. Based on this model, we propose a stability criterion for delay margin computation using the region-division technique. A heuristic algorithm is further developed to enhance the computational efficiency and accuracy of the proposed criterion. Case studies are carried out to show the effectiveness and advantages of the proposed method.
Polarimetric micro-doppler signature measurement of a small drone and its resonance phenomena

This study presents the micro-Doppler signature (MDS) of small drones based on resonance phenomena. The MDS analysis of a drone is conducted for various detection conditions. The Doppler frequencies due to the rotation of rotor blades, characterized by different materials and dimensions, are extracted at specific angular frequencies. It is confirmed that the resonance phenomenon caused by the copper-coated conducting rotor blade significantly affects the Doppler frequency. As the rotor blade dimension increases, the resonance effect moves to a lower frequency band. It is interesting to note that the resonance effect of horizontal to horizontal (HH) polarization occurs in a lower frequency band compared to vertical to vertical (VV) polarization. Additionally, it is performed in a monostatic and bistatic radar environment to analyze the resonance effect. The theoretical analysis based on full-wave simulation is confirmed via measurements with frequency-modulation continuous wave (FMCW) radar.
Aluminium doped zinc oxide films as a transparent conducting electrode for organic light emitting devices

Aluminium (Al) doped Zinc Oxide (ZnO) films were deposited by sol gel spin coating method. Zinc acetate, aluminium nitride, lactic acid and ethanol were used as starting precursors. The films of aluminium doped ZnO were deposited on microscopic glass substrate at various atomic percentage of aluminium to investigate its effect on electrical and optical properties. The sheet resistance was altered with change in aluminium concentration. The minimum sheet resistance of 0.82 Mohm was obtained at 1.41 at% of Al. From the transmittance spectra, it was noticed that the average transmittance was declined for higher values of Al at%. The optical band gap energy was ~3.2 eV for undoped ZnO and was found to be shifted to ~3.39 eV for the sample having the lowest sheet resistance.