Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Contracting and Behavioural Practices in State Owned Enterprises in Uganda

Public procurement regulations in Uganda were initiated among other objectives; to ensure accountability, transparency and value for money in all public procurement activities. Despite the presence and application of these regulations, State Owned Enterprises have continued to face challenges in contracting for works, goods and services. Evidence shows that most procurement contracts are never fulfilled because of mal practices and high transaction costs. This study sought to examine whether contracting impacted behavioural practices in procurement performance of Uganda’s State Owned Enterprises. The study mainly employed quantitative research methods, in the process of research instrument design, data collection, analysis and presentation. The study sample consisted of 160 employees picked from 20 State Owned Enterprises in Kampala and Entebbe districts of Uganda. Data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire, sorted and analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Results reveal a positive and significant relationship exists between contracting and behavioural practices (r =.353**, p<.01). Further, the regression model indicates that contracting significantly predicts Behavioural practices in State Owned Enterprises (Beta=.763, Sig. =.000). For improved performance, State Owned Enterprises should clearly set their contract objectives to guide all those involved in the contracting process. There should be key deliverables in those objectives, which should be communicated to the relevant stakeholders. Further, staff on the contracting team should be selected on merit. This is very important in order to avoid biased selection of contracting teams – even when some of these people do not have the required experience and expertise. This is very important because service providers can exploit such a team to their benefit once they realize that the team is weak and vulnerable.
Elevated CO2 Increases Root Mass and Leaf Nitrogen Resorption in Red Maple (Acer rubrum L.)

To understand whether the process of seasonal nitrogen resorption and biomass allocation are different in CO2-enriched plants, seedlings of red maple (Acer rubrum L.) were exposed to three CO2 concentrations (800 µL L−1 CO2 treatments—A800, 600 µL L−1 CO2 treatments—A600, and 400 µL L−1 CO2 treatments—A400) in nine continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) chambers. Leaf mass per area, leaf area, chlorophyll index, carbon (C), nitrogen (N) contents, nitrogen resorption efficiency (NRE), and biomass allocation response were investigated. The results indicated that: (1) Significant leaf N decline was found in senescent leaves of two CO2 treatments, which led to an increase of 43.4% and 39.7% of the C/N ratio in A800 and A600, respectively. (2) Elevated CO2 induced higher NRE, with A800 and A600 showing significant increments of 50.3% and 46.2%, respectively. (3) Root biomass increased 33.1% in A800 and thus the ratio of root to shoot ratio was increased by 25.8%. In conclusion, these results showed that to support greater nutrient and water uptake and the continued response of biomass under elevated CO2, Acer rubrum partitioned more biomass to root and increased leaf N resorption efficiency.
The effect of simvastatin in pancreas of diabetic rats

Growing evidences suggest that statins exert several cholesterol-independent pleiotropic effects in diabetes, but there is no consensus whether they are positive or negative. To shed more light on this issue, we examined the effect of simvastatin on β-cell regeneration in a diabetic state. Diabetes was induced in male Mill Hill rats with a single alloxan dose (120 mg/kg). Both non-diabetic and diabetic groups were additionally separated into two subgroups: treated with simvastatin (5 mg/kg/day, i.g., 12 days) and control. Treatment of diabetic animals started after diabetes induction (glucose level ≥ 12 mmol/L). Our findings revealed that there is no increase in the area of insulin-immunopositive cells neither normalization of serum insulin level after simvastatin treatment of diabetic animals, although simvastatin increased nuclear immunopositivity for pancreas duodenum homeobox-1 (PDX-1) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). The data from this study suggest that 12-day treatment with simvastatin did not improve diabetes-induced disturbances in β-cell mass/function.
Coronary revascularization in patients with ischemic left ventricular dysfunction

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) dominates in the contemporary world among the causes of left ventricular dysfunction (LVD). Prognosis of survival and the course of heart failure (HF) are worse in patients with CAD than in many kinds of non-ischemic cardiomyopathy. Development of cardiac surgery technologies and formation of the relevant evidence base have significantly expanded the role of revascularization in patients with CAD and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). The possibility and expediency of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for improving left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), clinical course of HF and survival are evidence-based. Stenting is less effective than coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) regarding the influence on primary endpoints but improves the quality of life of patients with CAD and ischemic LVD. Conclusions: In patients with ischemic LVD, surgical revascularization can ensure an improvement in the pumping function of the heart, provided there is a sufficient amount of viable myocardium. From the standpoint of evidence-based medicine, the effectiveness of CABG surgery in patients with multivessel lesion of the coronary bed and LVD has been proven for correction LVEF, improvement of the course of the disease and prediction of survival compared with the optimal drug therapy. Percutaneous intervention is inferior to surgical revascularization in terms of its effect on endpoints, but it can make an improvement in the quality of life of patients with ischemic LVD. Evaluation of myocardial viability may be of additional importance for the decision on the feasibility of CABG in the presence of multivessel coronary artery disease combined with a sharp decrease in LVEF.
Synergistic-antagonistic antibacterial potential of chitosan composites with Moringa oleifera leaf powder

Chitosan is very useful in everyday life in adsorption, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, flocculants, anticancer and antimicrobial.In this study, chitosan was synthesized from chitin extracted from crayfish. The methods such as deproteinization, demineralization, and deacetylation respectively were used in the synthesis of chitosan from crayfish. Antimicrobial activity was studied and it was found that chitosan and Moringa leaf powder were good in inhibiting the growth of microorganisms; confirmed by the results obtained from the experiments. In evaluating the antimicrobial activity, the serial dilution method was used towards Escherichia coli , Staphylococcus aureus , Salmonella typhi , Proteus bulgaris and Streptococcus pneumonia . The antibacterial activity of chitosan composite with the leaf powder of Moringa oleifera Lam. , was determined, using well diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration determination method. The composites show the synergistic effect at the higher chitosan to lower Moringa concentration and antagonistic effect at higher Moringa to lower chitosan concentrations in all the test organisms. The consequences of this research suggest that the chitosan, Moringa leaf powder, and their composites can be used to discover an antibacterial agent for developing new pharmaceuticals to control studied human pathogenic bacteria responsible for severe illness. Moringa oleiferais widely used in food and folk medicine; while chitosan is widely useful in food, detergents, textiles, leather, paper, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics industries. Synergism/antagonism of Moringa -chitosan composites was based on concentrations on the tested organisms. Keywords: Antimicrobial, Biopolymer, Health, Synergism/antagonism
Interpretation of soil erosion in a Polish loess area using OSL, 137Cs, 210Pbex, dendrochronology and micromorphology – case study: Biedrzykowice site (s Poland)

Abstract Loess areas used for agriculture are susceptible to soil erosion. The intensive process of soil erosion in Polish loess areas began with the onset of the Neolithic and has continued intermittently until today. This work presents the results of soil erosion from simultaneous use of the 137Cs and 210Pbex methods on an agricultural field located on loess slope. Moreover, to establish the age of accumulated sediment connected with water slope erosion, OSL dating, selected physicochemical and micromorphological analyses were applied. The reference values of the 137Cs and 210Pbex fallout for the studied site (Biedrzykowice, the Proszowice Plateau, Małopolska Upland) equal 2627 (45% connected with Chernobyl) and 4835 Bq·m–2, respectively. The results of the 137Cs and 210Pbex inventories measured for the agricultural field range from 730 to 7911 and from 1615 to 11136 Bq·m–2, respectively. The mean soil erosion is about 2.1 kg·m–2·a–1 (about 1.4 mm·a–1). The accumulation of the colluvial sediments started in the Neolithic and drastically increased in the Middle Ages. The examined gully catchment in Biedrzykowice has probably developed quite rapidly as a result of increased erosion. This resulted in the abandonment of this area as farmland and, consequently, in the minimization of water erosion on the slope due to the entrance of woody vegetation in this area. Erosion processes were highly intensified during the last 70 years as a result of deforestation after World War II and intensive agricultural reuse of this area after a break, as indicated by isotope measurements and dendrochronology.
Factors Affecting Millennials’ Attitudes toward Luxury Fashion Brands: A Cross-Cultural Study

The millennials are an important cohort in luxury market, because of their purchasing power and the power of social media interaction. However, little is known about factors underlying their attitudes toward luxury fashion brands and online purchase intentions. This study explores whether materialism, a need for uniqueness, susceptibility to informative influence, and social media usage affect millennials’ attitudes toward luxury fashion brands and online purchase intentions. In addition, this research examines cross-cultural differences between Russian and Korean millennials based on four cultural dimensions of Hofstede’s model. The results indicated that all factors significantly related to attitudes towards luxury brands, and this, in turn, positively effect on online purchase intentions. Moreover, the results indicated that millennials from Korea and Russia pursue a need for uniqueness, some differences were revealed regarding materialism, susceptibility to informative influence and social media usage. Theoretical and practical implications are further discussed.
Association of Melanoma-Associated Antigen-A and Program-death ligand 1 Expression and Clinical Outcomes in Urothelial Carcinoma

Background: The melanoma-associated antigen-A (MAGE-A) and program-death ligand 1 (PD-L1) are present in urothelial carcinoma (UC). We aim to assess survival outcomes in patients with MAGE-A and PD-L1 expression.Methods: Analysis of MAGE-A and PD-L1 expression on neoplastic cells was conducted using tissue microarrays from patients with UC. We compared differential expression between stage and grade. Co-expression of MAGE-A and PD-L1 were sub-categorized. Fisher’s exact test was done for categorical variables followed by analysis of univariable and multivariable assessment of recurrence and progression free survival (RFS, PFS). Results: Co-expression of MAGE+/PD-L1+ had a higher expression in advanced disease, however only MAGE+/PD-L1- group was associated with shorter RFS (HR 1.89, 95%CI 1.19-2.99; p=0.006). MAGE+/PD-L1+ was associated with the worst PFS (HR 17.1, 95%CI 5.96-49.4; p=<0.001). MAGE-A expression was more prevalent high-grade (p=0.015), and higher stage ≥pT2 (p=0.001). The 5-year RFS in MAGE+ was 44%vs.58% for MAGE- samples. On multivariable analysis MP was also associated with shorter recurrence (HR 1.55, 95%CI 1.05-2.30; p=0.03). Similarly, MAGE+ was associated with shorter PFS (HR 3.12, 95%CI 1.12-8.68; p=0.03). Conclusion: We report that the expression of MAGE-A and PD-L1 is increased in more advanced disease and associated with shorter PFS. Furthermore, expression of MAGE-A is significant in higher grade and stage, and was associated with shorter RFS and PFS. The finding of worse prognosis of MAGE-A/PD-L1 provides early evidence that a potential combinatorial treatment strategy of co-targeting MAGE/PD-L1 with respective agents might be feasible. Further studies are needed to validate these findings.
Modelling and simulation of ECAP and P-ECAP techniques of grain inducement in mild steel

Due to major obstacles associated with the powder consolidation methods of producing bulk nano materials such as high cost, contamination and porosity, severe plastic deformation (SPD) technology, specifically the equal channels angular pressing (ECAP) technique is used with modifications to numerically simulate the much needed grain refinement in steel. Attempts are made in this study to investigate influence of processing parameters such as deformation routes, temperature, load and number of processing passes on the degree of strain inducement in steel. This study however, aimed at developing fourth generation metals of exceptional strength, formability and toughness. The materials used in this work include conventional mild steel and ABAQUS commercial software. Simulation and modeling of the proposed deformation and ECAP techniques were done using finite element based-method (FEM). The results obtained indicate that the desired performance index of the metal is dependent on the state of the metal prior to ECAP and the degree of deformation.
The core inverses of linear combinations of two core invertible matrices

ABSTRACT We present the core inverses of linear combinations of two core invertible matrices. Similarly, the dual core inverses of linear combinations of two dual core invertible matrices are also given. Furthermore, sufficient conditions, which guarantee that the difference of two core invertible matrices is core invertible, are presented.
Achieving continued usage in online banking: a post-adoption study

Purpose Despite ample research on the adoption of online banking, the post-adoption phase remains largely neglected. The purpose of this paper is to develop a new conceptual model to investigate drivers, attitudes and behaviours in the post-adoption phase of the e-postbox, a co-creative online banking feature. Design/methodology/approach Research from bank marketing, services marketing, information systems and relationship management informs the proposed post-adoption model. Empirical tests rely on structural equation modelling and a sample of 750 current customers of the e-postbox of a large German bank. Findings The proposed model provides a multifaceted view of the post-adoption phase, including task-related, organisation-related and interpersonal communication-related drivers. This study reveals the importance of integrating dual interpersonal communication as a post-adoption driver and a post-adoption behaviour. It also extends the technology acceptance model by applying it to the post-adoption phase. Significant effects of age further suggest that younger customers express the most favourable attitudes towards and highest intentions to continue using the e-postbox; interestingly, older customers use it more and share more word-of-mouth. Research limitations/implications This paper develops a post-adoption model that highlights the importance of continued usage for successful co-creation between the bank and its customers. Practical implications Managers can encourage continued usage during the post-adoption phase of a co-creative, digitalised service, which determines the retention of current customers and opportunities to attain new customers. Originality/value This study defines and establishes constructs for the post-adoption phase and categorises them according to post-adoption drivers, attitudes and behaviours.
Investigating the effect of raising on the sound absorption behavior of polyester woven fabrics

This work presents the results of efforts focused on the development of sound absorptive woven fabrics by the raising process. Four woven fabrics with rib and basket weave patterns were produced for the raising process. Micro-fiber-based polyester weft yarns were used in one set of rib and basket weave fabrics, while weft yarns comprising regular polyester fibers were used in the other set. Fabrics were subjected to dyeing and heat setting prior to the raising process. Fabrics were then passed one to three times through the raising unit in order to obtain fabrics with different voluminous characteristics and different quantities of fiber ends on the fabric surface. The mass per unit area, thickness, air permeability, and sound absorption coefficient of the fabrics were measured and surface images of the fabrics were taken. The solid volume fraction and airflow resistivity of the fabrics decreased significantly after the first and second raising passes. Increasing the number of raising passes up to two passes resulted in higher sound absorption (average increment of 20% at 5 kHz) in the higher frequencies at the expense of that in the lower frequencies. Sound absorption change beyond two passes was insignificant, though. The results demonstrated that raised fabrics having a lower solid volume fraction and airflow resistivity had better acoustical properties in the higher frequency region.
Seasonal influenza: Modelling approaches to capture immunity propagation

Seasonal influenza poses serious problems for global public health, being a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality. In England, there has been a long-standing national vaccination programme, with vaccination of at-risk groups and children offering partial protection against infection. Transmission models have been a fundamental component of analysis, informing the efficient use of limited resources. However, these models generally treat each season and each strain circulating within that season in isolation. Here, we amalgamate multiple data sources to calibrate a susceptible-latent-infected-recovered type transmission model for seasonal influenza, incorporating the four main strains and mechanisms linking prior season epidemiological out-comes to immunity at the beginning of the following season. Data pertaining to nine influenza seasons, starting with the 2009/10 season, informed our estimates for epidemiological processes, virological sample positivity, vaccine uptake and efficacy attributes, and general practitioner influenza-like-illness consultations as reported by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) Research and Surveillance Centre (RSC). We performed parameter inference via approximate Bayesian computation to assess strain transmissibility, dependence of present season influenza immunity on prior protection, and variability in the influenza case ascertainment across seasons. This produced reasonable agreement between model and data on the annual strain composition. Parameter fits indicated that the propagation of immunity from one season to the next is weaker if vaccine derived, compared to natural immunity from infection. Projecting the dynamics forward in time suggests that while historic immunity plays an important role in determining annual strain composition, the variability in vaccine efficacy hampers our ability to make long-term predictions.
Evaluation of Ethofumesate for Annual Bluegrass (Poa annua) and Turfgrass Tolerance

Field and greenhouse studies were conducted to evaluate annual bluegrass (Poa annua L. # POAAN) control and phytotoxicity of ethofumesate [(±)-2-ethoxy-2,3-dihydro-3,3-dimethyl-5-benzofuranyl methanesulfonate] to selected warm- and cool-season turfgrass species. Annual bluegrass control in non-overseeded dormant hybrid bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. X C. tranvaalensis Burtt-Davy Tifgreen’ # CYNDA] was 75% or greater with at least two ethofumesate applications at monthly intervals starting in December. Tifgreen bermudagrass spring growth was delayed with more than two applications of ethofumesate at 1.1 kg ai/ha, or when the second application was made after January. Under greenhouse conditions the growth of both Tifgreen and Tifdwarf bermudagrass was less when treated with ethofumesate. Stand and shoot growth of 29 cultivars of ryegrass (Lolium spp.), bluegrass (Poa spp.), bentgrass (Agrostis spp.), and red fescue (Festuca rubra L. # FESRU) were reduced by ethofumesate at 1.1 kg/ha as a preemergence or split (0.5 kg/ha preemergence + 0.5 kg/ha postemergence) application. Postemergence applications were less phytotoxic to cool-season turfgrasses than preemergence applications. Perennial ryegrass stands were generally not reduced by postemergence application of ethofumesate at 1.1 kg/ha. However, shoot growth of perennial ryegrass was reduced.
Rapid methods of diagnosis of Clostridium in broilers in Sharkia governorate

A total 100 samples of liver and intestine from broilers (apparently diseased) from 13 poultry farms were analyzed to detect the incidence of C. perfringes. The samples were examined bacteriologically by cultivating on CMC and blood agar, typical colonies were identified and biochemically confirmed. The total number of positive samples was 46 (46%). C. perfringens showed very high sensitivity to enrofloxacin, high sensitivity to amoxicillin and cefoperazone, but resistant for mupirocin and azteronam. By making artificial infection for mice, the mice died after 24 hours and by examination histopathologicaly, it showed liver degeneration and desquamation of epithelial cells of intestine. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction method (PCR) was amplified for toxin genotyping by using primer for clostridium perfringes alpha toxin which amplified at 402 bp.
A Spatiotemporal Generative Adversarial Network to Generate Human Action Videos

We propose a method to generate high resolution human action videos, by extending a 2D generator network to the spatiotemporal domain. Our generative model consists of a fully convolutional 3D generator, combined with a domain specific video classifier. By using activation maximization in the spatiotemporal domain, we are able to generate action videos at a spatial resolution of 227×227px. Our model, evaluated on the UCF-101 dataset, achieves a state-of-the-art Inception Score of 23.44. Additionally, we improve the accuracy of a video classifier using our videos for data augmentation, which proves high quality and variance of our generated videos.