Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Electoral and Public Opinion Forecasts with Social Media Data: A Meta-Analysis

In recent years, many studies have used social media data to make estimates of electoral outcomes and public opinion. This paper reports the findings from a meta-analysis examining the predictive power of social media data by focusing on various sources of data and different methods of prediction; i.e., (1) sentiment analysis, and (2) analysis of structural features. Our results, based on the data from 74 published studies, show significant variance in the accuracy of predictions, which were on average behind the established benchmarks in traditional survey research. In terms of the approaches used, the study shows that machine learning-based estimates are generally superior to those derived from pre-existing lexica, and that a combination of structural features and sentiment analyses provides the most accurate predictions. Furthermore, our study shows some differences in the predictive power of social media data across different levels of political democracy and different electoral systems. We also note that since the accuracy of election and public opinion forecasts varies depending on which statistical estimates are used, the scientific community should aim to adopt a more standardized approach to analyzing and reporting social media data-derived predictions in the future.
Laser additive manufacturing of Mg-based composite with improved degradation behaviour

ABSTRACT Magnesium (Mg) alloy shows great potential as bone implant owing to its favourable biocompatibility and degradability. In the present work, bioglass-reinforced Mg-based composite was manufactured via laser additive manufacturing. The results showed that too low a volumetric energy density (Ev ) resulted in the appearance of open pores on the surface, which significantly deteriorated the densification behaviour. In contrast, too high an Ev caused the occurrence of the‘balling phenomenon’ with discontinuous surface, because of the excessive liquid formation and extended pool lifetime. Under a proper Ev of 185.19 J/mm3, favourable part with high densification rate was obtained. Meanwhile, the refined grains together with orderly dispersed reinforcing particles contributed to the enhanced mechanical properties. Significantly, the incorporated bioglass promoted the apatite deposition on Mg matrix, which served as an effective protection layer and reduced the degradation rate. Furthermore, it also improved the cell growth and differentiation, showing great potential in clinical bone repair.
Studying Self-Narrative Activity: The Self-Report and Verbal Expression

Abstract The relationship between internal and verbal self-narrative activity is rarely studied directly. The general aim of this correlational study was to verify the links within and between the self-reported aspects of self-narrative activity (in terms of self-narrative inclination and internal dialogical activity) and the selected characteristics of verbal expressions obtained in response to a stimulus encouraging self-narration. The sample consisted of 73 participants (68.5% women, Mean age = 34.36), who completed online version of self-report measures (Internal Dialogical Activity Scale, The Questionnaire of Self-Narrative Inclination – Brief Version, relationship status declaration) and a narrative task involving written self-narration about an important relationship. Selected features of verbal expression (productivity, dynamics of narration, emotional tone) were assessed. Results showed for example, the greater intensification of ruminative dialogs, the higher dynamics of narration and more negative emotional tone. Multivariate linear regression analysis has shown that supportive dialogs, ruminative dialogs and identity dialogs, together with the status of the relationship, explain 35% of the variation in emotional tone of the self-narration. We conclude that: (1) internal self-narrative activity, as a phenomenon experienced by a person, is connected with performing a verbal task only in certain aspects, so equalization of these two aspects of self-narrative activity is not justified; and (2) people, for personal (biographical) and situational reasons, can tell stories with different properties on a prompted topic, thus we recommend controlling these factors in narrative studies.
Effect of Pyrozosulfuron-ethylon Weeds and Productivity of Transplanted Rice during Rainy Season

Uncontrolled weeds caused 31% reduction in grain yield of rice. Pyrozosulfuron-ethyl at 20, 25 or 30 g ha−1 was as effective as butachlor at 1250 g ha−1 but superior to hand weeding and rotary paddy weeder in reducing weed growth and increasing grain yield of rice. The yield obtained from hand weeding was comparable to rotary weeder.
Taxonomy, Evolution, and Biogeography of the Rhodniini Tribe (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)

The Triatominae subfamily includes 151 extant and three fossil species. Several species can transmit the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, significantly impacting public health in Latin American countries. The Triatominae can be classified into five tribes, of which the Rhodniini is very important because of its large vector capacity and wide geographical distribution. The Rhodniini tribe comprises 23 (without R. taquarussuensis) species and although several studies have addressed their taxonomy using morphological, morphometric, cytogenetic, and molecular techniques, their evolutionary relationships remain unclear, resulting in inconsistencies at the classification level. Conflicting hypotheses have been proposed regarding the origin, diversification, and identification of these species in Latin America, muddying our understanding of their dispersion and current geographic distribution. Clarifying these factors can help for the design of vector control strategies. The aim of this review is to depict the different approaches used for taxonomy of the Rhodniini and to shed light on their evolution and biogeography.
Detection of Gastrointestinal Parasites of Lizards (Agama agama) trapped in and around Commercial Poultry Pens in Gombe State, Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Agama agama lizards are the most populous species of lizard in developing countries of African including Nigeria. These lizards are insectivores; they feed on insects and other arthropods, which may predispose them to different gastrointestinal parasitic infections, some of which are of zoonotic importance. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the gastrointestinal parasites in Agama agama lizards trapped in and around commercial poultry houses in Gombe State, Nigeria. METHODS: The study was carried out between the months of February and December, 2017. Fresh fecal samples were collected from 200 humanly euthanized Agama agama lizards from six Local Government Areas of Gombe State. Samples were examined microscopically for the presence of gastrointestinal parasites eggs or adult worms. RESULTS: Gastrointestinal parasites were detected in 154 (77.0%) Agama agama lizards examined, comprising of 58% gastrointestinal helminthes ova and 19% coccidian oocytes. Six species of helminthes were encountered viz: Strongyluris species (25.5%), Trichuris species (13.5%), Oxyuris species (8.0%), Ascaris species (5.5%), Heterakis species (4.0%) and Capillaria species (1.5%) all belonging to the class Nematoda. Two coccidian species comprised of Eimeria (1.5%) and Isospora species (1.5%) were also encountered. The prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthes was found to be significantly (p 0.05) in the male (19.4%) compared to the female (18.5%) infected lizards. Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was found to be significantly (p < 0.0001) higher in the rainy season compared to the dry season of the study period. CONCLUSIONS: This study discovered helminthosis and coccidiosis in Agama agama lizards roaming in and around poultry pens in Gombe State. The occurrence of six helminthes and two coccidian species were recovered from infected Agama agama lizards, and prevalence rates of both parasites were significantly higher during the rainy season. Similar genus of gastrointestinal parasites detected in this study have been previously documented in man and domesticated birds. This suggests the association of Agama agama lizards in gastrointestinal parasites transmissions between susceptible hosts. Therefore, it is recommended that further studies involving molecular characterization and comparative studies of these gastrointestinal parasites in Agama agama lizards and domesticated birds should be carried out. It is also recommended that strict biosecurity should be maintained in and around commercial poultry houses to curb disease transmission by lizards or wild reptiles to birds.
Heavy Metal Concentration Level in Fluted Pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) Grown Around Obio/Akpor, Rivers State, Nigeria: Its Health Implications

This research work assessed the heavy metal concentration of fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) grown around Obio/Akpor, Rivers state, Southern Nigeria. Vegetable and soil samples were collected from ten different locations and analyzed for Pb, Cr, Cd, Zn, Cu and Fe using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer(AAS), Model: Agilent 55B . Heavy metal concentration was in the order: Fe>Zn>Pb>Cu>Cr>Cd. Mean heavy metals concentration in the vegetables ranged as follows: Zn (7.56-36.77mg/kg), Fe(261.42-416.06mg/kg), Pb(1.00-2.01mg/kg), Cd(0.35-0.55mg/kg), Cu(4.62mg/kg) and Cr(1.49 mg/kg). The concentrations of all metals were generally within permissible limits set by WHO/FAO for vegetables except Pb, Cd and Cr in some locations. Trace pollution index (TPI) was highest in Iriebe followed by Oginigba and Rumuodara. The target hazard quotient (THQ), daily intake of metals (DIM), health risk index (HRI) and hazard index (HI) were computed and was found to be within acceptable limits. However, metal uptake by edible vegetables calls for steady monitoring to avoid concentrations exceeding permissible limits.
Effect of electronic word of mouth on repurchase intention mediated by brand attitude

This research aims to consider the effect of electronic word of mouth on repurchase intention mediated by the brand in the context of purchasing local clothing brand in the City of Denpasar. The unit of analysis of the study is the costumer of local clothing brands as respondents. This study is a survey of 121 respondents, by using PLS to connect constructs electronic word of mouth, repurchase intention and brand attitude. The results showed that there are significant relationships of electronic word of mouth on repurchase intention, electronic word of mouth on brand attitude, as well as brand attitude on repurchase intention. This study also found the mediating effect of brand attitude on the relationship between electronic word of mouth and repurchase intention of the local clothing brand. The implications of these findings indicate that local clothing brand management plans in terms of the use of electronic word of mouth must be made explicit and shared among all costumer. Moreover, the management must positively gain the knowledge of digital advertising especially on the use of online reviews of a product and willingness to implement electronic advertising to achieve business goals.
Measuring Granger Causality in Quantiles

ABSTRACT We consider measures of Granger causality in quantiles, which detect and quantify both linear and nonlinear causal effects between random variables. The measures are based on nonparametric quantile regressions and defined as logarithmic functions of restricted and unrestricted expectations of quantile check loss functions. They can consistently be estimated by replacing the unknown expectations of check loss functions by their nonparametric kernel estimates. We derive a Bahadur-type representation for the nonparametric estimator of the measures. We establish the asymptotic distribution of this estimator, which can be used to build tests for the statistical significance of the measures. Thereafter, we show the validity of a smoothed local bootstrap that can be used in finite-sample settings to perform statistical tests. A Monte Carlo simulation study reveals that the bootstrap-based test has a good finite-sample size and power properties for a variety of data-generating processes and different sample sizes. Finally, we provide an empirical application to illustrate the usefulness of measuring Granger causality in quantiles. We quantify the degree of predictability of the quantiles of equity risk premium using the variance risk premium, unemployment rate, inflation, and the effective federal funds rate. The empirical results show that the variance risk premium and effective federal funds rate have a strong predictive power for predicting the risk premium when compared to that of the predictive power of the other two macro variables. In particular, the variance risk premium is able to predict the center, lower, and upper quantiles of the distribution of the risk premium; however, the effective federal funds rate predicts only the lower and upper quantiles. Nevertheless, unemployment and inflation rates have no effect on the risk premium.
The dynamics of skill mismatches in the Dutch labour market

We use two waves of a Dutch longitudinal survey to analyze the dynamics of overeducation. It is found that the dynamics in overeducation are high. Only a small fraction of workers are long-term overeducated. Job to job mobility seems to act as a way out of overeducation, internal mobility within the firm does not. We also find evidence to suggest that overeducation compensates for lack of experience and tenure. Overeducated workers are more likely to search for other work. However, overeducation does not improve the chance of finding other work.
Content of chloroplast pigments and anthocyanins in the leaves of Ocimum basilicum L. depending on nitrogen doses

The effect of fertilization with different nitrogen doses (0, 1.35 and 1.80 g N per plant) and different harvest times (beginning of bl ooming and in full bloom) on the content of chlorophyll a and b, carotenoids and ant hocyanins in the leaves of sweet basil ‘Wala’ and ‘Dark Opal’ were investigated. It has been found that the level of nitrogen fertilization as well as the harvest time and the cultivar have a significant effect on the content of chloroplast pigments, but they exert no influence on the synthesis of anthocyanins. The highest leaf yield w as obtained in the case of later harvest and with the use of 1.35 g N per plant (0.9 + 0.45).
Shell morphology, growth pattern and population dynamics of the land snail Xerolenta obvia (Menke, 1828) in two areas of different climatic conditions within a temperate climate region

To determine the relative role of climatic variables (temperature and precipitation) on land snail Xerolenta obvia populations, field surveys were conducted in Poland at two sites (SW and NE) with striking differences in climatic regime during two growing seasons. In a temperate climate of Central Europe X. obvia is an annual species with the majority of snails hatching in autumn. They overwinter as juveniles, continue their growth in spring and summer, and reproduce in the following autumn. Due to the comparatively milder climate, the SW population is more plastic, some individuals can live and reproduce longer. The two variants of the growth model are presented. We found that the length of growing season and temperature were additional factors determining differences in snails’ growth and population dynamics between the sites. The growth rate of X. obvia is negatively correlated with the initial size of their shells and varies among sites. These two geographically distant populations differ in terms of their shell size and morphology. The SW population is characterised by larger, dark banded shells compared to the NE one, which is dominated by snails with smaller, white shells. A pattern of decreasing body size in areas with shorter growing season may explain differences in the shell size of X. obvia. Larger shells in regions with warmer and drier environment perhaps constitute responses to selection by environmental factors.
Genome Sequence of Thermofilum pendens Reveals an Exceptional Loss of Biosynthetic Pathways without Genome Reduction

ABSTRACT We report the complete genome of Thermofilum pendens, a deeply branching, hyperthermophilic member of the order Thermoproteales in the archaeal kingdom Crenarchaeota. T. pendens is a sulfur-dependent, anaerobic heterotroph isolated from a solfatara in Iceland. It is an extracellular commensal, requiring an extract of Thermoproteus tenax for growth, and the genome sequence reveals that biosynthetic pathways for purines, most amino acids, and most cofactors are absent. In fact, T. pendens has fewer biosynthetic enzymes than obligate intracellular parasites, although it does not display other features that are common among obligate parasites and thus does not appear to be in the process of becoming a parasite. It appears that T. pendens has adapted to life in an environment rich in nutrients. T. pendens was known previously to utilize peptides as an energy source, but the genome revealed a substantial ability to grow on carbohydrates. T. pendens is the first crenarchaeote and only the second archaeon found to have a transporter of the phosphotransferase system. In addition to fermentation, T. pendens may obtain energy from sulfur reduction with hydrogen and formate as electron donors. It may also be capable of sulfur-independent growth on formate with formate hydrogen lyase. Additional novel features are the presence of a monomethylamine:corrinoid methyltransferase, the first time that this enzyme has been found outside the Methanosarcinales, and the presence of a presenilin-related protein. The predicted highly expressed proteins do not include proteins encoded by housekeeping genes and instead include ABC transporters for carbohydrates and peptides and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat-associated proteins.
Evaluating Students’ attitudes and usage e of mobile in educational activities at Paramedical Sciences School

Introduction: Mobile learning is a new way of modern teaching method and a subset of e-learning that refers to a change in thinking about the design and planning of learning goals and environments. The purpose of this study was to investigate the attitude of students of the Medical Sciences School toward the mobile phone in educational activities and its usage. Methods: 150 students of Mashhad School of Paramedical Sciences were investigated in this cross-sectional study in 2019-20, using a researcher-made questionnaire including three sections on student demographic information, mobile applications in education, and student attitude toward mobile phone use in educational activities. The questionnaire`s validity was obtained according to 7 experts' opinions in the field of education, and its reliability was calculated using Cronbach's alpha of 0.794. Data were analyzed by descriptive and analytical statistics using SPSS 16 software. Result: From the investigation of 150 students of Mashhad Paramedical Sciences opinions in six educational groups indicated that students of health information technology, laboratory science, physiotherapy, ophthalmology, radiology, speech therapy, medical records, mostly used mobile phones for their educational activities respectively. The most common use of students' mobile phones at university was the use of the Internet and social networks, taking photos and videos, and the most common use in teaching activities was reading files, viewing scores, recording audio and selecting units. From the students' perspective, using mobile phones in educational activities leads to getting higher scores, doing activities faster, make better communication between teacher and student, and speeded up the learning feedback. Conclusion: According to the results, we suggest encouraging teachers to use mobile phones in academic activities and running workshops to increase the awareness of mobile capabilities. Also educational planners, and mobile based learning programs should design educational software to promote the correct culture of mobile use in educational activities.
The effects of media reputation on third-party funding of Swiss universities

This study analyzed the effects of the visibility and evaluation of universities in news media coverage on the development of their private and public third-party funds. ,The paper uses the concept of media reputation to investigate the effects of news media coverage on the outcome of funding decisions by firm managers and scientific experts. Extensive news media data from 2011 to 2017, collected with manual content analysis, were combined with economic data on Swiss universities. ,The results show that a more positive evaluation in the news media leads to the positive development of private, but not public, third-party funding. Surprisingly, visibility in the news media has a negative effect on private third-party funding. ,The effects of media reputation are dependent on the stakeholders under review. However, this study's design does not yield evidence on direct causal effects. Further studies could, therefore, use surveys to analyze the decision-making processes of individuals regarding their relative dependency on news media consumption. ,This study demonstrates that positive evaluation in the news media represents an asset for universities when striving for more private third-party funding. Public relations (PR) activities aimed at the news media, therefore, can help universities attract additional funding. ,The paper shows that in a digitized media environment, the news media still represent an important source for information about scientific organizations. ,The study was the first to analyze the effects of media reputation on the third-party funding of universities.
Helicoidal particles and swimmers in a flow at low Reynolds number

In this paper, we consider the dynamics of a helicoidal object, which can be either a passive particle or an active swimmer, with an arbitrary shape in a linear background flow at low Reynolds number, and derive a generalized version of the Jeffery equations for the angular dynamics of the object, including a new constant from the chirality of the object as well as the Bretherton constant. The new constant appears from the inhomogeneous chirality distribution along the axis of the helicoidal symmetry, whereas the overall chirality of the object contributes to the drift velocity. Further investigations are made for an object in a simple shear flow, and it is found that the chirality effects generate non-closed trajectories of the director vector which will be stably directed parallel or anti-parallel to the background vorticity vector depending on the sign of the chirality. A bacterial swimmer is considered as an example of a helicoidal object, and we calculate the values of the constants in the generalized Jeffery equations for a typical morphology of Escherichia coli. Our results provide useful expressions for the studies of microparticles and biological fluids, and emphasize the significance of the symmetry of an object on its motion at low Reynolds number.
Breaking bad: how crisis communication, dissemination channel and prevalence influence the public perception of doping cases

Abstract The publication of doping cases evokes media interest and forces athletes to apply crisis communication to compensate for a potential loss of trust or to protect their reputation in the public eye. Based on case vignettes and experimental designs, this three studies paper shows that justification can be regarded as an efficient crisis communication strategy, whereas the dissemination of a statement via journalistic sources or social media as well as the doping prevalence of the type of sports is not decisive for the general public perception. The paper evokes the question of whether recipients are willing to be confronted with the dark side of high-performance sports.