Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Willingness of the COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots in China Using the Health Belief Model: Web-Based Online Cross-Sectional Study

(1) Objective: To explore Chinese residents’ willingness to receive COVID-19 vaccine booster shots and identify predictors of the level of willingness based on the health belief model (HBM). (2) Methods: The snowball sampling method was used to distribute online questionnaires. A chi-square test was used to analyze the relationship between different variables. The causal relationship between HBM-related factors and booster vaccination intentions was explored by Structural equation modeling (SEM). (3) Results: A total of 898 complete responses were included; 64.3% had already received the booster injection. Most respondents intended to vaccinate themselves, while 16.1% were hesitant. Nearly half of the respondents chose to take the booster injection to support China’s vaccination policy. Using the SEM, perceived susceptibility and perceived barriers were found to have a negative effect on booster vaccination intentions, whereas perceived benefit and cues to action positively affected booster vaccination intentions in the HBM. (4) Conclusions: Factors included in this study have different effects on the willingness to take the COVID-19 booster injections. Sociodemographic characteristics and characteristics of participants’ COVID-19 vaccination have a significant effect on the willingness to receive vaccine booster shots. The HBM constructs can serve as good predictors of the acceptance of vaccine booster shots with the exception of perceived severity, which may benefit health officials in terms of conducting targeted strategies in vaccine programs.
Polyurethane-Supported Graphene Oxide Foam Functionalized with Carbon Dots and TiO2 Particles for Photocatalytic Degradation of Dyes

The design and optimal synthesis of functional nanomaterials can meet the requirements of energy and environmental science. As a typical photocatalyst, TiO2 can be used to degrade dyes into non-toxic substances. In this work, we demonstrated the in-situ hydrothermal synthesis of carbon quantum dots (CQDs)-modified TiO2 (CQDs/TiO2) particles, and the subsequent fabrication of three-dimensional (3D) graphene oxide (GO) foam doped with CQDs/TiO2 via a facile strategy. By making full use of the up-conversion characteristics of CQDs, the synthesized CQDs/TiO2 exhibited high catalytic activity under visible light. In order to recover the photocatalyst conveniently, CQDs/TiO2 and GO were mixed by ultrasound and loaded on 3D polyurethane foam (PUF) by the multiple impregnation method. It was found that GO, CQDs/TiO2, and PUF reveal synergistic effects on the dye adsorption and photocatalytic degradation processes. The fabricated 3D CQDs/TiO2/GO foam system with a stable structure can maintain a high photocatalytic degradation efficiency after using at least five times. It is expected that the fabricated 3D materials will have potential applications in the fields of oil water separation, the removal of oils, and the photothermal desalination of seawater.
Artificial Versus Modified Natural Cycles for Endometrial Preparation for Frozen-Thawed Embryo Transfer

Background : Improvements in IVF have led to an increased number of embryos not available for immediate transfer due to concern about multiple pregnancies. Cryopreservation of supernumerary embryos with subsequent frozen–thawed embryo transfer (FET) is an excellent solution to surplus embryos and has become a common practice in infertility centers. Objectives: The aim of the current work was to evaluate the success rate of hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) and modified natural cycle protocol in frozen–thawed embryo transfer (FET). Patients and methods : Randomized controlled trial study was done at department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zagazig University and in a private Center in the period from January 2021 to March 2022. Included 84 women who underwent Frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET). The women were divided into 2 groups; Natural cycle group included 42 women, 3 of them escaped from the study. Artificial cycle group included 42 women, 2 of them escaped from the study. Result : This study showed that there were no statistically significant differences in the number of embryo thawing, the number of embryo transfers, the degree of embryos, as well as the rate of biochemical and clinical and continuous pregnancy among the studied groups. Conclusion: It could be concluded that both modified natural and artificial cycle for endometrial preparation in frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles appears to be equally successful about pregnancy rates.
Structure/function analysis and hypoxic regulation of STREX variant BK channels

Large conductance voltage and calcium-activated potassium (BK) channels link electrical excitability with cellular signalling. A single gene (KCNMA1 or slo) encodes the a subunits that form the native BK channel pore. Alternative pre-mRNA splicing of the a subunits determines the channel phenotype, including its intrinsic voltage dependence and calcium sensitivity thereby providing a mechanism to generate functional diversity of BK channels. To date the identification and functional characterization of BK channel splice variants depends on the use of low throughput patch clamp electrophysiology. The STREX (STRess controlled EXon) splice variant contains a 59 amino acid insert that enhances BK channel calcium sensitivity and also confers high sensitivity to reduced oxygen tension (hypoxia). Hypoxia sensitivity of STREX has previously been shown to be dependent upon a cysteine motif (-CSC-) in the STREX insert that is also within a putative phosphorylation motif. This thesis thus had three main aims: 1) to develop a high throughput assay to allow discrimination of different BK channel splice variants and their modulation 2) to characterise the role of cysteine residues within the STREX exon that may determine hypoxia sensitivity of the channel , and finally 3) to examine the modulation of the hypoxia response by intracellular ATP. A high throughput screening assay for BK channels was successfully developed using the voltage-sensitive fluorescent membrane potential dye (FMP, Molecular Probes) and the automated fluid-handling fluorimeter FlexStation® II, utilising the calcium ionophore ionomycin to allow calcium influx to activate the channel. The assay allowed discrimination between
The Effect of Work Environment and Reward on Employee Engagement: Palmerah Urban Village, West Jakarta

Urban Village is part of the government service office, especially the West Jakarta government. The main task of the government apparatus is to serve the people. The good and bad services provided by the apparatus will reflect the individual performance which will determine the good and bad performance of the organization as a whole. In this study the authors conducted research to determine what factors influence employee engagement in Palmerah Village. The purpose of this study is (1) to analyze the effect of work environment on employee engagement (2) to analyze the effect of reward on employee engagement. This type of research is quantitative. The sample of this research is 93 employees who work in the village of Palmerah. Through the path analysis of PLS version 3.0, it can be concluded that (1) the work environment has a positive and significant effect on employee engagement (2) rewards have a positive and insignificant effect on employee engagement. The implication of the results of this study is that it is necessary to maintain employee engagement in the Palmerah village will increase.
Employee Well-Being During COVID-19 Pandemic: The Role of Adaptability, Work-Family Conflict, and Organizational Response

Well-being has always been a topic of interest for individuals, organizations, and policy-makers. COVID-19 pandemic made it tremendously relevant as employees were forced to work from home due to the successive lockdowns that governments have implemented to curb the spread of the virus. This crisis has raised concerns about employees’ well-being due to the implementation of these tight measures. In the present study, we examined the direct and indirect effects of employees’ adaptability, work-family conflict, and organizational response on employees’ well-being through the mediating role of perceived stress. Data have been collected from 184 employees working in various organizations in Malaysia and analyzed using Smart-PLS Structural Equation Modeling with the bootstrapping procedure. The results indicated that organizational response, work-family conflict, and adaptability directly affect perceived stress and well-being, except for organizational response, which has no direct effect on well-being. Furthermore, it was found that perceived stress mediates the relationship of organizational response and work-family conflict with well-being but not adaptability.
Hierarchical Analysis Process for Belief Management in Internet of Drones

Group awareness is playing a major role in the efficiency of mission planning and decision-making processes, particularly those involving spatially distributed collaborative entities. The performance of this concept has remarkably increased with the advent of the Internet of Things (IoT). Indeed, a myriad of innovative devices are being extensively deployed to collaboratively recognize and track events, objects, and activities of interest. A wide range of IoT-based approaches have focused on representing and managing shared information through formal operators for group awareness. However, despite their proven results, these approaches are still refrained by the inaccuracy of information being shared between the collaborating distributed entities. In order to address this issue, we propose in this paper a new belief-management-based model for a collaborative Internet of Drones (IoD). The proposed model allows drones to decide the most appropriate operators to apply in order to manage the uncertainty of perceived or received information in different situations. This model uses Hierarchical Analysis Process (AHP) with Subjective Logic (SL) to represent and combine opinions of different sources. We focus on purely collaborative drone networks where the group awareness will also be provided as service to collaborating entities.
Strengthening of reinforced concrete short columns using ferrocement under axial loading

-Reinforced concrete columns play an important role in distributing loads from slabs and beams to foundations. As a result of time, fatigue, or other factors, the reinforced columns are exposed to deterioration, and it is required to strengthen or repair these columns. Ferrocement jacketing can be considered as an easy and cheap method which has a significant effect on strengthening members. The main objective of this research is to study the effect of strengthening short columns using ferrocement jackets. Fourteen short square columns having the same dimensions were tested under axial loading. One column was designed as a control specimen and the other thirteen specimens were strengthened with ferrocement while changing the type and number of layers. It was found that using ferrocement as strengthening method increased the strength of columns in average from 11 to 40 %. Following that, a finite element analysis was conducted using the tested column specimens to further assess the usage of ferrocement jackets for strengthening concrete columns. A modified equation was proposed to calculate the capacity of short square columns strengthened using ferrocement jackets. Comparison with experimental data showed that the proposed equation gives good correlation compared to the experimental data.
STUDIES ON STRAWBERRY FRUIT ROT INCITED BY Botrytis ‎cinerea

: Strawberry (Fragaria sp.) is among the most favourite and delicious on which the demond has been increased all over the world during the last decades. Strawberry fruit rots cause much losses to fruits both in quantity and quality in field and market. Numerous pathogenic fungi cause rots of fruits such as, leather rot caused by Phytophthora cactorm. grey mold caused by Botrytis cinerea, rhizopus leak caused by Rhizopus nigricans and hard brown rot caused by Rhizoctonia (corticium) solani. The presence of grey mould is the most common reason for fruit rejection by growers, shippers and consumers, leading to significant economic losses. The traditional strategy of control of postharvest strawberry decay rely on the application of fungicides during the crop growing cycle. In this study Botrytis cinerea, Rhizopus nigricans and Rhizoctonia solani were isolated from the diseased srawberry fruits. Botrytis cinerea, was the most effective on inducing strawberry fruit rot. Pyrimethanil, Difenoconazole and Azoxystrobin fungicides were used to control strawberry fruit rot under field conditions. Azoxystrobin was the best one in decreasing the cinerea infection and disease severity. The residues of the three fungicides were determined after 0, 3 and 6 days of application. Strawberry cultivars were differ in their reaction of B. cinerea infection. Strawberry fruit contents i.e. TSS, total acidity and vitamin C B. cinerea infection. Strawberry ftuit contents i.e. TSS, total acidity and vitamin C content were affected due to B. cineerea infection. Conclusively, strawberry fruit rot disease caused great losses in fruits in field, market and exportation. The caused fungus Botrytis cinerea was isolated and pathogenicity test was studied. The susceptibility of Strawberry cultivars for Botrytis cinerea infection as well as the residues of some used fungicides were determined in order to know the safety period for human consumption. The effect of infection on Strawberry fruits components i.e total acidity, vitamin C, and TSS were determined.
A Total Hip Replacement Toolbox: From CT-Scan to Patient-Specific FE Analysis

The total hip arthroplasty is a surgical intervention that replaces the anatomical hip joint for a prosthetic joint. Even though it is considered to be among the most successful, safe and cost-effective surgical procedures, implant failures related to the prosthesis’ design and placement still occur in a considerable number. The absence of reliable landmarks defining the alignment of the femur and pelvis and restricted accessibility makes the placement of the hip implant even more difficult during surgery. Every year, around one million individuals around the world undergo a total hip replacement, therefore restoring its functionality. Due to an ageing population, the amount of primary THA interventions tends to increase in the near future. In addition, revision arthroplasties depend on the amount of bone tissue remaining and therefore the risks and cost of this intervention are increased. Hence, the development of a methodology that computationally recreates the patient-specific hip joint combined with a set of tools that enable the presurgical study and optimization of the different hip prosthesis sizing and positioning is the main focus of the work here presented. This way, a surgical planning based on the processing and computational modeling of medical images, usually CT-Scans, will provide the physician, at an early pre-surgical stage, quantitative information about the performance of the different implant designs and materials in a straightforward, time-effective way, and therefore enhance the surgery planning minimizing the influence of the surgeon’s expertise and clinical practice and ultimately reducing the incidence of related complications. In a way to create a set of tools directed for an inexperienced user without technical knowledge on the implemented algorithms, the methodologies here presented are mostly automatic and straightforward. The framework was implemented in pyFormex, which is an open source program under development at IBiTech-bioMMeda that provides a wide range of operations for generating, transforming and manipulating surface meshes. The medical images used in this study were acquired from a heterogeneous population of patients by computerized tomography and were made available to us by the medical clinic Quandrantes, in Lisbon, and by the Universitair Ziekenhuis, in Ghent. Both image groups differ in resolution: while the slice thickness in the Ghent images is 0.625 mm on average, the slice thickness of the Lisbon image group is between 5 and 7 mm, which is around 10 times higher. The presented methodology will have two different stages: the first is the automatic segmentation of the femur bone from CT-Scans with high and low resolution and the second is the anatomical landmark and axis extraction that will allow the guidance and positioning of the implant.
Intimate Partner Violence and HIV Prevention Among Sexual Minority Men: Protocol for a Prospective Mixed Methods Cohort Study

Background Sexual minority men experience intimate partner violence (IPV) at rates similar to those reported by heterosexual women in the United States. Previous studies linked both IPV victimization and perpetration to HIV risk and seroconversion; however, less is known about the impact of IPV on HIV testing, sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake, and the persistence of PrEP use among sexual minority men experiencing IPV. Although prior work suggests that IPV may influence HIV prevention behavior, experiences of IPV are so highly varied among sexual minority men (eg, forms, frequency, and severity; steady vs casual partnerships; perpetration vs receipt; and sexual vs physical vs psychological violence) that additional research is needed to better understand the impact that IPV has on HIV risk and protective behaviors to develop more effective interventions for sexual minority men. Objective This study aims to contribute to our understanding of the antecedents of IPV and the direct and indirect pathways between perpetration and receipt of IPV and HIV or STI risk behavior, STIs, and use of PrEP among sexual minority men experiencing IPV. Methods This mixed methods study has 2 phases: phase 1 involved formative qualitative interviews with 23 sexual minority men experiencing IPV and 10 key stakeholders or providers of services to sexual minority men experiencing IPV to inform the content of a subsequent web-based cohort study, and phase 2 involves the recruitment of a web-based cohort study of 500 currently partnered HIV-negative sexual minority men who reside in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention–identified Ending the HIV Epidemic priority jurisdictions across the United States. Participants will be followed for 24 months. They will be assessed through a full survey and asked to self-collect and return biospecimen kits assessing HIV, STIs, and PrEP use at 0, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. They will also be asked to complete abbreviated surveys to assess for self-reported changes in key study variables at 3, 9, 15, and 21 months. Results Phase 1 was launched in May 2021, and the phase 1 qualitative interviews began in December 2021 and were concluded in March 2022 after a diversity of experiences and perceptions were gathered and no new ideas emerged in the interviews. Rapid analysis of the qualitative interviews took place between March 2022 and June 2022. Phase 2 recruitment of the full cohort began in August 2022 and is planned to continue through February 2024. Conclusions This mixed methods study will contribute valuable insights into the association that IPV has with HIV risk and protective behaviors among sexual minority men. The findings from this study will be used to inform the development or adaptation of HIV and IPV prevention interventions for sexual minority men experiencing IPV. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/41453
Correlational Analysis of Servant Leadership and School Climate Correlational Analysis of Servant Leadership and School Climate

The purpose of this mixed-method research study was to determine the extent that servant leadership was correlated with perceptions of school climate to identify whether there was a relationship between principals’ and teachers’ perceived practice of servant leadership and of school climate. The study employed a mixed-method approach by ﬁ rst administering two validated quantitative instruments: Laub’s (1998) Organizational Leadership Assessment (OLA) measured the perceived servant leadership in the schools and Hoy, Tarter, & Kottkamp’s (1991) Organizational Climate Description Questionnaire-Revised (OCDQ-RE) measured the school’s climate. These instruments were adminis-tered to a randomly selected sample of 231 full-time teachers and 15 principals working in a Catholic school board in Ontario. Upon completion of the quantitative data analysis, focus group interviews were conducted with 10% of the sample. The data revealed a signi ﬁ cant positive correlation between servant leadership and school climate.
NRR_A_363871 147..157

Background: Malawi is a low-income country with a high maternal mortality rate, unmet need for family planning and high reports (41%) of unintended pregnancies. Women on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) continued to experience unintended pregnancies after using hormonal contraceptives provided by nurses in the family planning clinics. However, the unintended pregnancies could affect the sexual and reproductive health of women and decisions of nurses on contraceptive provision to women on ART. Objective: The purpose of the study was to explore challenges faced by nurses in the provision of hormonal contraceptives to women on ART in selected clinics in Lilongwe, Malawi. Methods: A qualitative approach using an explorative design was used in this study. Eight (8) participants were selected purposefully from five public family planning clinics in Lilongwe. They were interviewed individually using a semi-structured interview guide. Data were analyzed using a content analysis guide. Results: Three themes emerged from the data and these were as follows: limited knowledge of nurses; inadequate resources and inadequate support. Results revealed that nurses had limited knowledge of contraceptives to provide to women on ART due to lack of ART content in the contraceptive training which they had. They also lacked clinical and human resources and adequate time to teach clients which affected provision of the right hormonal contraceptives to women on ART. Furthermore, they needed support in the form of supervision, reference materials and integration of ART and contraceptive provision services. Conclusion: The challenges that nurses faced had an influence on the provision of contraceptives to women on ART. The study recommends that nurses should be trained on the provision of contraceptives to women on ART and be provided with the required resources and support for proper care to be achieved. Furthermore, there is a need for clear guidelines on hormonal contraceptives that women on ART could get and the integration of ART and family planning services.
Balanced Importance Sampling Estimation

In this paper we analyze a particular issue of estimation, namely the estimation of the expected value of an unknown function for a given distribution, with the samples drawn from other distributions. A motivation of this problem comes from machine learning. In reinforcement learning, an intelligent agent that learns to make decisions in an unknown environment encounters the problem of judging an arbitrary decision policy (the given distribution) on the basis of previous decisions and their outcomes suggested by previous policies (other distributions). The problem can be solved with the use of well established importance sampling estimators. To overcome a potential problem of excessive variance of such estimators, we introduce the family of balanced importance sampling estimators, prove their consistency and demonstrate empirically their superiority over the classical counterparts.