Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relationships among social support, psychological and physical states among elderly Japanese women with breast cancer

Background/Objective: Although some studies conducted in Western cultures have identified positive influences of social support on the psychological and physical states of elderly women with breast cancer, few studies have investigated the relationships between social support and its effects on health outcomes in elderly Japanese women with breast cancer. The purpose of this study was to describe and investigate the relationships among social support, social support network, and psychological and physical states among elderly Japanese women with breast cancer. Methods: Elderly Japanese women with breast cancer (n=65) participated in the study. Measures used in this study were the Japanese versions of instruments with established reliability and validity: (1) the Social Support Scale for Japanese Elderly (SSSJE); (2) the Visual Analogue Scale for Social Support (VASSS); (3) the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and (4) the Physical States Interview Form (PSIF). Data analysis included descriptive, t-tests, and Pearson’s correlations. Results : Descriptive statistics showed that the size of the social support network ranged from 2 to 34 (M=9.09; SD=6.57). Comparisons of psychological states showed a significant difference between the women who were over and under 70 years old. Psychological states significantly correlated with social support network and conflict among elderly Japanese women with breast cancer. Conclusions: The results reveal that there are significant relationships among social support, social support network, and psychological and physical states among elderly Japanese women with breast cancer. The results reveal that there are significant relationships among social support, social support network, and psychological and physical states among elderly Japanese women with breast cancer. Nurses should provide information on social support as an important factor to help elderly Japanese women with breast cancer.
Volatility measurement of atmospheric submicron aerosols in an urban atmosphere in southern China

Abstract. Aerosol pollution has been a very serious environmental problem in China for many years. The volatility of aerosols can affect the distribution of compounds in the gas and aerosol phases, the atmospheric fates of the corresponding components, and the measurement of the concentration of aerosols. Compared to the characterization of chemical composition, few studies have focused on the volatility of aerosols in China. In this study, a thermodenuder aerosol mass spectrometer (TD-AMS) system was deployed to study the volatility of non-refractory submicron particulate matter ( PM1 ) species during winter in Shenzhen. To our knowledge, this paper is the first report of the volatilities of aerosol chemical components based on a TD-AMS system in China. The average PM1 mass concentration during the experiment was 42.7±20.1 µg m−3 , with organic aerosol (OA) being the most abundant component (43.2 % of the total mass). The volatility of chemical species measured by the AMS varied, with nitrate showing the highest volatility, with a mass fraction remaining (MFR) of 0.57 at 50 ∘ C. Organics showed semi-volatile characteristics (the MFR was 0.88 at 50 ∘ C), and the volatility had a relatively linear correlation with the TD temperature (from the ambient temperature to 200 ∘ C), with an evaporation rate of 0.45 % ∘ C - 1 . Five subtypes of OA were resolved from total OA using positive matrix factorization (PMF) for data obtained under both ambient temperature and high temperatures through the TD, including a hydrocarbon-like OA (HOA, accounting for 13.5 %), a cooking OA (COA, 20.6 %), a biomass-burning OA (BBOA, 8.9 %), and two oxygenated OAs (OOAs): a less-oxidized OOA (LO-OOA, 39.1 %) and a more-oxidized OOA (MO-OOA, 17.9 %). Different OA factors presented different volatilities, and the volatility sequence of the OA factors at 50 ∘ C was HOA (MFR of 0.56) > LO-OOA (0.70) > COA (0.85) ≈ BBOA (0.87) > MO-OOA (0.99), which was not completely consistent with the sequence of their O ∕ C ratios. The high volatility of HOA implied that it had a high potential to be oxidized to secondary species in the gas phase. The aerosol volatility measurement results in this study provide useful parameters for the modeling work of aerosol evolution in China and are also helpful in understanding the formation mechanisms of secondary aerosols.
Indonesian Local Government's Accountability and Performance: the Isomorphism Institutional Perspective

This research aims to explore the accountability and performance of government agency in perspective of institutional theory. It analytically answer two research questions: Do institutional isomorphism exist in the implementation of performance measurement system and accountability in public sector organizations? (RQ 1 ) and Do government agencies actually use performance measurement information to aid decision-making and help plan for future performance improvement? (RQ 2 ). This study is a qualitative research to answer two research question proposed with use semi-stuctured and open interview from SKPD officers in the local government of Yogyakarta Province. The results of interview were analyzed use thematic content analysis. Our finding show that three form of institutional isomorphism (coersive, mimetic and normative) were existed in the implementation of performance measurement system and accountability in public sector organizations. This result also show an interesting finding in government agency that performance information who reported in LAKIP was only a formality. The information content in LAKIP is not used as feedback to aid decision-making and plan for future performance improvement.
Distribution of heparinoid-active sulphated polysaccharides in some Indian marine green algae

Sixteen species of Indian marine green algae belonging to the genus Caulerpa,. Cladophora, Bryopsis, Boodlea, Chaetomorpha, Ulva, Enteromorpha and Valoniopsis were screened for blood anticoagulant activity. Cold and hot water sulphated polysaccharides extracts were prepared, their chemical constituents i.e. sulphate, sugar, protein and uronic acids were estimated and molecular weight (MW) range was determined. Blood anticoagulant activity was evaluated by prothrombine time (PT) test. It was found that activity was associated with sugar and sulphate contents and MW. Extracts possessing comparatively high molecular weight (12-14 × 10 5 ) with higher sugar (≥ 20%) and sulphate (≈ 8%) and lower protein (≈ 12%) and low uronic acid (≈ 2%) contents showed maximum activity. Species of Caulerpa exhibited highest activity which is comparable to heparin i.e. they contained 93-151 heparin units/mg (IU/mg), species of Ulva and Enteromorpha showed feeble activity (≈6.0 IU/mg) and all other species had moderate activity with ≈60IU/mg. Thus, SPS isolated from different Chlorophycean algae had different chemical composition, MW range and blood anticoagulant activity which were comparable within species level, but those differed in degrees from one genus to another.
Utilization of crops residues as compost and biochar for improving soil physical properties and upland rice productivity

The abundance of crops waste in the agricultural field can be converted to organic fertilizer throughout the process of composting or pyrolysis to return back into the soil. The study aimed to elucidate the effect of compost and biochar application on the physical properties and productivity of upland rice at Village of Sukaraja Nuban, Batanghari Nuban Sub district, East Lampung Regency in 2015. The amendment treatments were A. control; B. 10 t rice husk biochar/ ha; C. 10 t maize cob biochar/ha; D. 10 t straw compost/ha; E. 10 t stover compost/ha, F. 10 t rice husk biochar/ha + 10 t straw compost/ha; F. 10 t maize cob biochar/ha + 10 t maize stover compost/ha. The treatments were arranged in randomized block design with four replicates. The plot size for each treatment was 10 x 20 m. After incubation for about one month, undisturbed soil samples were taken using copper ring at 10–20 cm depth for laboratory analyzes. Analyses of soil physical properties included bulk density, particle density, total porosity, drainage porosity, and soil water condition. Plant observations conducted at harvest were plant height, number of panicle, number of grain/panicle, and grain weight/plot. Results of the study showed that biochar and compost improved soil physical properties such as bulk density, total porosity, fast drainage pores, water content, and permeability of soil. The combination of rice husk biochar and straw compost gave better effect than single applications on rice production components (numbers of panicle and grains of rice), and gave the highest yield of 4.875 t/ha. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
Sedimentary evolution and ecosystem change in Ahémé lake, south-west Benin

Abstract. Tropical moist ecosystems, such as Aheme lake, south-west Benin, are increasingly marked by water degradation, linked with the activities of increasing riparian populations. The objective of this study is to analyze sedimentary dynamics and its influence on the changing ecosystem of Aheme lake from 1961–2010. Data used to carry out the study are records of precipitation, flows, turbidity, suspended sediment, mineral elements and bathymetry. Grain size data from the sieving of sediment samples were used to interpret suspended solids distribution in the lake. Linear correlation coefficients were used to assess the degree of dependence between rainfall and runoff inputs to the lake. Lake depth measurements in some areas of the lake serve to determine the rate of infilling. The sorting index was used to highlight the distribution and origin of sediments in the lake. The results show a degradation of the lake Aheme ecosystem characterized by infilling of its bed, a high correlation ( r=0.90 ) between rainfall and runoff, seasonal change in physicochemical parameters (total suspended sediment decrease by − 91 % ) and decrease in fish production by 135.8 t yr−1 . The highest mean suspended sediment concentrations in lake inputs occur during high water periods (123 mg L−1 ) compared to low water periods (11.2 mg L−1 ).
Study of Vessel Conditions in Different Categories of Weight for Early-Stage of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Diagnosis

In this paper, the clinical experiment study is presented to diagnose the Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). The diagnosis of DVT is commonly used by monitoring the blood velocity and the present of thrombus in vessel from B-mode ultrasound image associated with the application of Doppler ultrasound. However, the monitoring of those parameters will only be confirmed when someone had already suffered from DVT disease. Thus, this study is to diagnose the early stage of DVT. Since it is difficult to recognize the vessel condition at the early stage of DVT, the evaluation of vein mechanism based on different categories of weight at the early stage of DVT is proposed. The wall displacement and blood flow velocity is considered to be the important parameters to construct a clinical model of DVT risk factor, thereby constitutes an important contribution for predicting probability of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT).
Changes in climate indices for Serbia according to the SRES-A 1 B and SRES-A 2 scenarios

Changes in 7 climate indices related to temperature or precipitation in Serbia were estimated for the reference period 1961–1990 and for the future period 2071–2100, as derived from the results of the coupled regional climate model EBU-POM. In order to verify the appropriateness of the EBU-POM to simulate regional climate in the future, changes in the indices of intensive events were studied on the basis of the model data and daily series of temperature and precipitation observations from 17 meteorological stations in Serbia for the reference period. The results show an overall increase in the surface air temperature of about 2 and 4°C and a decrease in seasonal precipitation sums of about 13 and 6 mm for the A1B and A2 scenarios, respectively. It is likely that the number of days with absolute maximum temperature >30°C (tropical days) will increase, while the total number of days with absolute minimum temperature <0°C (frost days) will decrease in the future. A shorter duration of the frost period and a longer duration of dry and vegetation periods over the Serbian region is expected.
Intellectual Capital as an Antecedent to Employee Performance in Commercial Banks in Eldoret Town, Kenya.

The purpose of this study was to establish intellectual capital as an antecedent to employee performance among commercial banks in Eldoret town. The specific objectives of the study include: human capital, relational capital, knowledge capital and structural capital on employee performance. The study targeted a total of 315 staff from the commercial banks in Eldoret town, Kenya. The study used simple random sampling in which sample size calculation was utilized to calculate a sample size of 210 respondents. The research instrument used was a 5 point likert scale questionnaire and in data collection, questionnaires were used as instruments. To determine the reliability of the instruments the cronbach’s coefficient alpha was used to test the reliability. The study used descriptive and inferential analysis techniques to analyze data and a computer package Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17.0 was used. The study presented the findings in form of tables, multiple regression analysis and correlation. The findings showed that human capital had significantly positive effect on employee performance (? 1 = 0.317, p< 0.05). The study also indicated that knowledge capital had significant effect on employee performance (? 2 = 0.331, p<0.05). Similarly, rational intellectual capital (? 3 = 0.111, p<0.05) and structural intellectual capital (? 4 = 0.194, p<0.05) had significantly positive effect on employee performance. Therefore, employees should be encouraged to share ideas and learn from each other since this will enhance performance. Management support should be enhanced and resources should be allocated to knowledge management. Also, firms should disseminate and distribute knowledge through the firm levels and have systems which allow easy access to information and procedures that support innovation which lead to improvement in employee performance. Key Words: Intellectual Capital, Employee Performance, Human Capital, Knowledge Capital, Rational Capital and Structural Capital
Quality Labels and Firm Survival in the French Cheese Industry

EU regulation on quality food products (PDO labeling) is expected to sustain competitiveness within the agricultural sector. This paper examines the impact of this policy on the survival of cheese firms over the period 1990-2006 in France. We show that such a policy (Appellation d'Origine Controlee) reduces exiting risk for smaller firms. However, smaller firms still have a lower survival rate compared to larger ones that cannot be compensated by the quality label effect.
Have we succeeded in controlling anaemia in pregnancy - a prospective study at tertiary care center

Background: WHO has accepted up to 11 gm% as the normal haemoglobin level in pregnancy. Therefore any haemoglobin level below 11 gm% in pregnancy should be considered as anaemia. Objective of current study was to determine prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy and various associated sociodemographic factors. Method: A prospective study was carried out at GSVM Medical College, Kanpur during period Jan 2013 to August 2014. During this period all antenatal patients (4300) who came in outdoor and indoor were included in the study. Prevalence of anaemia among them and its associated sociodemographic factors were studied. Result: In the current study we found the prevalence of anaemia in pregnant females was 92% of which most were moderately anemic (70%) and belonged to age group 24-28 years of age, of higher parity, were of low socioeconomic status(80%), illiterate and from rural areas (54.4%). Anaemia was more prevalent in early age group because of early marriages & in late age group because of multiple births Conclusion: Despite of various National Nutritional Anaemia Prophylaxix programme in India, anaemia is still a significant challenge during pregnancy presenting mother and fetus at a greater risk of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity.
Relations between some anthropometric parameters of knee osteoarthritic patients and some indicators of the disease

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is related to the person’s gender, weight and age. However, associations between the body types and disease related values are not clear. All the subjects participated in the study of a new mud therapy course in Estonian medical spas and had knee OA. The mean age of the subjects was 61.7 years (62.0 years for women and 61.1 years for men). Based on the 5 SD heightweight classification, devised by the Centre for Physical Anthropology at the University of Tartu, the subjects were divided into five classes (1 – small height and weight; 2 – medium height and weight; 3 – big weight and height; 4 – big weight, small height; 5 – small weight, big height). The results showed that knee OA was more prevalent in women than men. 39.8% of the subjects were obese. Leptomorphic females and males prevailed among the subjects (28.5% and 26.8%, accordingly). Therefore, the height is also one factor which is associated with knee OA. Females had more problems with their knees than males. The group of small females had more problems with both knees, but pycnomorphic females complained more about knee pain in the last month before the study. Therefore, they used more analgesics. In both genders, the more problematic knee was the right knee. The class of medium males also had more problems with both knees. They had the highest values of the morning stiffness of the knee and knees crepitus in active motion.
The O and H stable isotope composition of freshwaters in the British Isles. 1. Rainfall

Abstract. An understanding of the hydrological cycle in stable isotopic terms requires the characterisation of rainfall. This paper reviews existing and new data for the British Isles. Rainfall at the Wallingford (Oxfordshire) collection station was collected daily from November 1979 to October 1980. Large variations in isotopic content were noted, sometimes from day to day. Winter rainfall was similar to summer in amount, and only slightly depleted isotopically. Amount and temperature correlations with δ18O were generally low, only the autumn and winter temperature relationships being significant. A 20-year monthly dataset from 1982 to 2001 for Wallingford gives the following regression: δ2H = 7. 0δ18O + 1.2, a slope somewhat below the world meteoric line but consistent with the those from other long-term stations in NW Europe. The data showed uncorrelated maxima and minima for each year, but rather more consistent amount-weighted averages. Although there is only a small difference in gradient between summer and winter rainfall values, when plotted against the month of the year there are clear changes in the values of both isotopes, and the δ2H-δ18O relationship as demonstrated by the d-excess parameter. The isotope-amount correlation is low but significant, with summer months appearing to be well-correlated when considered in terms of month of the year. On this same seasonal basis temperature has a strong correlation throughout the year, giving a positive δ18O-temperature relationship of 0.25 ‰ per °C change. The Wallingford monthly record is compared with data from Keyworth (Nottinghamshire) and the Valentia station of the GNIP (IAEA-WMO Global Network for Isotopes in Precipitation) in SW Ireland. While not large, differences between the stations are broadly attributable to the balance between maritime and continental influences. Over the period September 1981 to August 1982 the maximum number of monthly collection stations was operating across the British Isles. While a comparison of the sites serves mostly to illustrate the variability of British weather in space and time, there is clear isotopic evidence for the predominance of frontal rainfall in winter and convective rainfall in summer. The effect of altitude on isotopic content was measured within a high-relief stream catchment in Scotland. The best correlations occurred during winter, when an average relationship of approximately –0.30 ‰ δ18O per 100 m increase in altitude was observed. It is well established that rainfall isotopic composition changes in response to alterations in climate. However these changes are difficult to detect isotopically in the short term, even when the changes are indexed, e.g. in the form of the NAO (North Atlantic Oscillation). The brief duration of rainfall isotope records is a further hindrance; for the British Isles proxies such as tree-ring cellulose may have some value in extending the record back. Keywords: stable isotopes, rainfall,British Isles
Bulgaria: between Regionalisation and European Integration. How to articulate the bilateral and the multilateral level in the foreign trade?

The war in former Yugoslavia has focused international attention on the importance and problems of the Balkan region. It comprises ten States: Albania, Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Croatia, BosniaHerzegovina, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and Slovenia. A majority of these States is small transition countries but different cultures and religions exist there. Thus, the stability of this neighbouring region is a main interest for the European Union (EU). For that, EU encourages regional initiatives, thinking that the economic co-operation will be a durable source of peace. The participation of the countries in the local initiatives becomes a condition with European accession. However, this idea, imposed from « the top » seems constraining for the Balkan countries because they think that the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe is a solution of replacement to European integration. Moreover, is it necessary to provide efforts to build a Free Trade Area (FTA) in the Balkans whereas the principal trade partner is the EU? How countries can manage the bilateral level with the EU and the multilateral approach in the Stability Pact framework? This paper tries to answer this question through the example of Bulgaria with the study of its flows of trade with EU and its Balkan partners. The choice of Bulgaria is easy to explain: this country is near to the average in terms of GDP, population, and it is central in terms of geography. The results could make possible the examination of the efficiency of the FTA, the utility for Bulgaria of its real installation and the compatibility with the EU accession.