Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modelling the development and decay of cryoconite holes in northwestern Greenland

Abstract. Cryoconite holes (CHs) are water-filled cylindrical holes with cryoconite (dark-coloured sediment) deposited at their bottoms, forming on ablating ice surfaces of glaciers and ice sheets worldwide. Because the collapse of CHs may disperse cryoconite on the ice surface, thereby decreasing the ice surface albedo, accurate simulation of the temporal changes in CH depth is essential for understanding ice surface melt. We established a novel model that simulates the temporal changes in CH depth using heat budgets calculated independently at the ice surface and CH bottom based on hole-shaped geometry. We evaluated the model with in situ observations of the CH depths on the Qaanaaq ice cap in northwestern Greenland during the 2012, 2014, and 2017 melt seasons. The model reproduced the observed depth changes and timing of CH collapse well. Although earlier models have shown that CH depth tends to be deeper when downward shortwave radiation is intense, our sensitivity tests suggest that deeper CH tends to form when the diffuse component of downward shortwave radiation is dominant, whereas CHs tend to be shallower when the direct component is dominant. In addition, the total heat flux to the CH bottom is dominated by shortwave radiation transmitted through ice rather than that directly from the CH mouths when the CH is deeper than 0.01 m. Because the shortwave radiation transmitted through ice can reach the CH bottom regardless of CH diameter, CH depth is unlikely to be correlated with CH diameter. The relationship is consistent with previous observational studies. Furthermore, the simulations highlighted that the difference in albedo between ice surface and CH bottom was a key factor for reproducing the timing of CH collapse. It implies that lower ice surface albedo could induce CH collapse and thus cause further lowering of the albedo. Heat component analysis suggests that CH depth is governed by the balance between the intensity of the diffuse component of downward shortwave radiation and the turbulent heat transfer. Therefore, these meteorological conditions may be important factors contributing to the recent surface darkening of the Greenland ice sheet and other glaciers via the redistribution of CHs.
Mixture Model-Based Approach for Accurate Finance Table Image Classiﬁcation

—Financial analysis reports contain a wealth of information, including details about a company’s assets and performance, as well as analyst assessments. For subsequent analysis and valuation, information regarding a company’s assets and performance is crucial. As a result, numerous securities ﬁrms seek to leverage artiﬁcial intelligence technology to proﬁt from this data. We intend to resolve the issue of extracting and classifying table data from ﬁnancial analysis reports by converting them to images. Financial report table images contain less information that can be extracted than typical images used in image classiﬁcation research, and their sizes vary, making classiﬁcation difﬁcult with simple models. As a result, we tested a variety of classiﬁcation models to determine which ones performed the best, and we propose a new model that combines their strengths. This new model achieved 94.5% accuracy and an F1-Score of 0.9414 on our self-collected ﬁnancial analysis table image dataset, demonstrating its effectiveness in classifying table images in ﬁnancial analysis reports.
The use of lexical retrieval strategies by creative second language learners: A computational analysis of clustering and switching

This study seeks to delve into the potential role of divergent thinking, a component of creativity, in second language learning. Specifically, we compare the use of lexical organization and production strategies of two groups of more and less creative EFL learners in year 12 through an automatic vectorial semantic analysis of their retrieval in three second language semantic fluency tasks. Consistent with previous research in the field of creativity, our findings indicate that the creative group retrieved more second language words than the less creative group. These words were less related to each other and to the stimulus categories than the words generated by the less creative group. While the creative participants’ retrieval was based on an extensive use of switching, a slight but non-significant trend was found in the production of longer clusters by the less creative participants. These results yield interesting insights into the potential role of creativity in second language learning.
The argument for near-term human disempowerment through AI

Many researchers and intellectuals warn about extreme risks from artificial intelligence. However, these warnings typically came without systematic arguments in support. This paper provides an argument that AI will lead to the permanent disempowerment of humanity, e.g. human extinction, by 2100. It rests on four substantive premises which it motivates and defends: First, the speed of advances in AI capability, as well as the capability level current systems have already reached, suggest that it is practically possible to build AI systems capable of disempowering humanity by 2100. Second, due to incentives and coordination problems, if it is possible to build such AI, it will be built. Third, since it appears to be a hard technical problem to build AI which is aligned with the goals of its designers, and many actors might build powerful AI, misaligned powerful AI will be built. Fourth, because disempowering humanity is useful for a large range of misaligned goals, such AI will try to disempower humanity. If AI is capable of disempowering humanity and tries to disempower humanity by 2100, then humanity will be disempowered by 2100. This conclusion has immense moral and prudential significance.
Acquisitions Driven by Stock Overvaluation: Are They Good Deals?*

Stock overvaluation might drive a firm to use its stock to acquire another firm whose stock is not overpriced to the same extent. Though hypothetically desirable, these acquisitions end up bringing little benefit, if any, to acquirer shareholders. Two factors, acquirers paying a large premium to the target and investors’ correction of acquirer stock overvaluation, move the stock prices of the acquirer and target in different directions during the acquisition process, resulting in little relative overvaluation between the two merging firms on the date of completion. Acquisitions driven by stock overvaluation often have negative economic synergies, which further doubts that the true motivation of these deals is for the benefit of acquirer shareholders. Acquirer CEOs obtain a large amount of new stock and option grants after acquisitions and realize a net gain in wealth. The findings support Jensen’s (2005) proposition that stock overvaluation increases agency costs. Acquisitions driven by stock overvaluation benefit managers more than shareholders. JEL classification: G34, G14
One Decade of ANTRIEP Activities: An Overview

The Asian Network of Training and Research Institutions in Educational Planning (ANTRIEP) has been organising international policy seminars, followed by annual meetings of the member institutions, as one of its major activities. The seventh ANTRIEP seminar on “Succeeding in a Globalizing World: Improving Access to High Quality Secondary Education” was held on 6-8, November, 2007 at Jakarta, Indonesia. The seminar focussed on critical thematic areas like Globalisation and Secondary Education, Developing High Quality and Relevant Secondary Education, Feasibility of Financing Secondary Education for All, and Capacity Development Constraints and Policies in building up the secondary education system. The theme of the seminar was very
Helmet, Number Plate Detection and Stolen vehicle recognition using Machine Learning

- - Traffic congestion is one of the major problem in major cities due to increase in number of vehicles. In current situation, we come across various problems in traffic regulations in India which can be solved with different ideas. Riding motorcycle without wearing helmet is a traffic violation which has resulted in increase in number of accidents and deaths in India. Existing system monitors the traffic violations primarily through CCTV recordings, where the traffic police have to look into the frame where the traffic violation is happening, zoom into the license plate in case rider is not wearing helmet Helmet detection method is a combination of classification and cluster. Helmet detection is an important, yet challenging vision task. It is a critical part in many applications such as traffic surveillance. Our proposed method work is as follows, Pre-processing, Feature Extraction and classification. In this paper the survey is done on many methods and technologies used to perform the objectives. Recent research has successfully done this work based on CNN, R-CNN, LBP, HoG, HaaR features, etc. In this research work, a Non-Helmet Rider detection system is built which attempts to satisfy the automation of detecting the traffic violation of not wearing helmet and extracting the vehicles’ license plate number. The main principle involved is Object Detection using Deep Learning at three levels. The objects detected are person with motorcycle at first level using YOLOv3, helmet at second level using YOLOv5, License plate at the last level using YOLOv3. Then the license plate registration number is extracted using OCR (Optical Character Recognition). All this techniques is useful to detect the stolen vehicle from the database and using this traffic police officer would know about the stolen vehicle. Using this system officer are able to track the stolen vehicle using location report.
Efficacy of first-line immunization combined with antiangiogenesis treatment and chemotherapy for the treatment of tongue cancer: A case report

Background: There is currently no uniform and effective treatment for patients with locally advanced oral cancer who cannot tolerate surgery or radiotherapy. The prognosis of oral cancer patients with lymph node metastasis is very poor, but the clinical treatment of such patients faces certain challenges. Patients and methods: Case 1 was a 59-year-old patient with tongue cancer (cT 3 N x M 0 G 2) who refused radiotherapy because of a history of leukoderma. After evaluation of disease condition, a 4-drug combination therapy of toripalimab + anlotinib + nabpaclitaxel + carboplatin was administered. Case 2 was a 55-year-old patient with tongue cancer (cT 3 N 2 M 0 G 1) who could not receive radiotherapy because of a medical history of cervicofacial burns. After disease evaluation, toripalimab + anlotinib + docetaxel + carboplatin combination therapy was administered. Case summary: Both patients did not experience any adverse reactions during treatment and achieved a complete response after 2 cycles of treatment. Their progression-free survival is currently 6 and 8 months, respectively, and they are in sustained remission. Conclusion: Currently, the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting programmed death-1 as a first-line treatment of inoperable and non-radiatable locally advanced oral cancer is unknown. Here, we describe 2 cases of locally advanced oral cancer treated with first-line immune checkpoint inhibitors in combination with targeted therapy and chemotherapy. This approach was successful in these patients, but a larger sample size is required to verify our findings.
CoolSiC™ MOSFET: a revolution for power conversion systems

Silicon carbide (SiC) transistors are increasingly used in power converters, placing high demands on the size, weight and/or efficiency. The outstanding material properties of SiC enable the design of fast-switching unipolar devices as opposed to bipolar IGBT devices. Thus, solutions which have been up to now possible in the low-voltage world only (< 600 V) are now possible at higher voltages as well. The results are highest efficiency, higher switching frequencies, less heat dissipation, and space savings – benefits that can, in turn, also lead to overall lower cost. MOSFETs have been meanwhile commonly accepted to be the concept of choice. Initially, JFET structures seemed to be the ultimate choice for merging performance and reliability in a SiC transistor. However, with the now established 150 mm wafer technology, trench-based SiC MOSFETs have also become feasible, and thus, the DMOS dilemma of having either performance or high reliability could now be solved.
The Millennium Development Goals Report

The report, launched today in Geneva by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, finds that, at current growth projections, overall poverty rates in the developing world will still fall in 2009, but at a much slower pace than before the onset of the economic crisis. For many countries, slower economic growth may mean the difference between reaching or not reaching the poverty reduction targets agreed by world leaders in the year 2000, as part of the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Only six years remain until the 2015 deadline.
Effects of remote ischemic preconditioning in severe traumatic brain injury: A single-center randomized controlled trial

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant contributor to global mortality and impairment. Experimental data has shown the advantages of remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) in treating brain injury, however, there is a lack of evidence-based medicine regarding its clinical effectiveness and safety. Materials and methods: In this study, we investigated whether RIPC could enhance outcomes in patients with severe TBI. Between January 2019 and December 2022, a comprehensive assessment was conducted on 392 individuals with severe TBI. Out of these, 304 patients were initially included and randomly assigned to receive either RIPC treatment (n = 153) or a control treatment (n = 151). The main measures of results included Glasgow Outcome Scale scores at 6 months, the occurrence of cerebral infarction during hospitalization, mortality rate within 30 days, levels of neuron-specific enolase and S-100β, any adverse effects, expenses incurred during hospitalization, and duration of hospital stay. Results: The 2 groups did not show any statistically significant differences in baseline clinical data. The Glasgow Outcome Scale scores at 6 months in the RIPC group showed significant improvement when compared with the control group. Additionally, the application of RIPC therapy can reduce the concentrations of neuron-specific enolase and S-100β. There was no notable distinction observed between the 2 groups regarding the adverse reactions of RIPC-induced objective indications of tissue or neurovascular harm. In the RIPC group, there was a significant reduction in both the duration of hospital stays and the expenses associated with hospitalization. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that RIPC has the potential to enhance clinical outcomes, mitigate nerve damage, and reduce both hospital expenses and length of stay in patients with severe TBI. The use of RIPC is a reliable and efficient method for managing severe TBI.
Pathology, microbiology, and molecular evaluation of tissues from equids serologically positive for Burkholderia mallei in Midwestern Brazil

ABSTRACT: Glanders is a disease caused by the bacterium Burkholderia mallei that primarily affects horses, mules and donkeys. The disease can cause lesions in the skin, lungs and several other organs. However, it often manifests as an asymptomatic disease. In Brazil, serological tests of high sensitivity and specificity are used to assist in the detection of antibodies against B. mallei and to contribute to the control of the disease. However, due to the mandatory euthanasia of seroreactive animals, equids with positive serology for B. mallei and asymptomatic generated great conflicts between breeders, veterinarians and diagnostic laboratories. This study clarifies the limitations of complementary diagnostic tests for detecting B. mallei. It describes the clinical, morphological and laboratory findings in 24 equines from different municipalities in the Mato Grosso State, Brazil, which reacted to the complement fixation test and were positive in the western blotting test for glanders. Data and tissue samples were collected from 24 horses for histological, microbiological and molecular analysis. In 23 horses, no clinical signs, morphological alterations, microbiological isolation, or molecular detection would characterize B. mallei infection. On the other hand, samples from an asymptomatic horse without lesional alterations showed sequence amplification compatible with B. mallei in the PCR. Considering that the infection by B. mallei is subject to the application of animal sanitary defense measures and that, by international requirement and national legislation, the serological results are tools that should support the sanitation procedures for the error of the bacteria in the Mato Grosso State, Brazil.
VRIOS HORIZONTES: INFRA-ESTRUTURA, HABITAAO E REGIONALIZAAO NA CAPITAL MINEIRA

Apparatus which can be used to calibrate, or provide measurement data on, a machine. The apparatus comprises two structures each with three spherical supports spaced in a triangular array thereon. The supports may be balls or sockets. The structures are interconnected by six members and each support has the ends of two members connected to it. The members are passive extensible measuring bars and the structures are respectively connected to fixed and movable parts of a machine so that movement of the machine parts causes relative movement between the structures and varies the lengths of the measuring bars. From measurements of the lengths of the measuring bars the actual movement of the machine part can be determined. Calibration of the spherical supports is carried out using a measuring bar which is pre-calibrated in a Zerodur jig.
cardioprotection against ischemia/reperfusion injury by QishenYiQi Pill ® via ameliorate of multiple mitochondrial dysfunctions

Aim: To investigate the potential cardioprotective effects of QiShenYiQi Pill ® (QSYQ) on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury through antioxidative stress and mitochondrial protection. Methods and results: Sprague Dawley rats were pretreated with QSYQ or saline for 7 days and subjected to ischemia (30 minutes occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery) and reperfusion (120 minutes). Cardiac functions were evaluated by echocardiogram and hemodynamics. Myocardial mitochondria were obtained to evaluate changes in mitochondrial structure and function, immediately after 120 minutes reperfusion. Pretreatment with QSYQ protected against I/R-induced myocardial structural injury and improved cardiac hemodynamics, as demonstrated by normalized serum creatine kinase and suppressed oxidative stress. Moreover, the impaired myocardial mitochondrial structure and function decreased level of ATP (accompanied by reduction of ATP5D and increase in the expression of cytochrome C). Myocardial fiber rupture, interstitial edema, and infiltrated leukocytes were all significantly ameliorated by pretreatment with QSYQ. Conclusion: Pretreatment of QSYQ in Sprague Dawley rats improves ventricular function and energy metabolism and reduces oxidative stress via ameliorating multiple mitochondrial dysfunctions during I/R injury.
What is sustainability

Sustainability as a policy concept has its origin in the Brundtland Report of 1987. That document was concerned with the tension between the aspirations of mankind towards a better life on the one hand and the limitations imposed by nature on the other hand. In the course of time, the concept has been re-interpreted as encompassing three dimensions, namely social, economic and environmental. The paper argues that this change in meaning (a) obscures the real contradiction between the aims of welfare for all and environmental conservation; (b) risks diminishing the importance of the environmental dimension; and (c) separates social from economic aspects, which in reality are one and the same. It is proposed instead to return to the original meaning, where sustainability is concerned with the well-being of future generations and in particular with irreplaceable natural resources—as opposed to the gratification of present needs which we call well-being. A balance needs to be found between those two, but not by pretending they are three sides of the same coin. Although we use up natural resources at the expense of future generations, we also generate capital (including knowledge) which raises future well-being. A major question is to what extent the one compensates for the other. This debate centres around the problem of substitutability, which has been cast into a distinction between ‘weak’ and ‘strong’ sustainability. It is argued that these two do not need to be in opposition but complement one another.
INNs granted with specific storage requirements in Bulgarian pharmacies. Part 2: Antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents

There are drugs that require special storage in Bulgarian pharmacies as well as extra caution during the dispensing process. This is due to serious adverse reactions that may be even fatal. These medicines are included in Appendix № 9 to Art. 17, para. 1 of Ordinance № 28/9.12. 2008, issued by the Minister of Health. The performed study of the anticancer drugs listed in the Appendix showed that a major part of these medicines that have a marketing authorization for use in Bulgaria are not included in the Appendix № 9. In addition, there are antitumor drugs that are listed in the appendix but are not authorized in Bulgaria to date. In conclusion, it is necessary to periodically update the drugs in Appendix № 9 as well as to develop clear and precise criteria for the inclusion of medicines in it.
Quantifying and Communicating Uncertain Climate Change Hazards in Participatory Climate Change Adaptation Processes

Participatory processes for identifying local climate change adaptation measures have to be performed all around the globe. It is therefore of utmost importance to investigate methods for the optimal design of such processes. A central aspect is how to address the epistemic uncertainties of future developments, in particular how to appropriately inform the stakeholders about the uncertain potential climate change hazards. In a participatory process on water-related adaptation in a biosphere 10 reserve in Germany, we used the freely available output of a multi-model ensemble to quantify the wide range of potential future changes in (ground)water resources. We analyzed groundwater recharge and runoff computed according to the ISIMIP2b protocol by eight global hydrological models, each of which was driven by the output of four global climate models. To support participatory climate change adaptation processes, we propose to present uncertain local climate change hazards with percentile boxes rather than with boxplots or with simple averages and a verbal description of model agreement on the 15 sign of change. This enables stakeholders to identify the future changes they wish to adapt to depending on the problem (e.g., resource scarcity vs. resource excess) and their risk aversion. Using or adapting our analysis and communication approach, flexible climate change risk management strategies can and should be developed worldwide in a participatory and transdisciplinary manner involving stakeholders and scientists.