Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Minimally Invasive Radical Nephroureterectomy: 5-Year Update of Techniques and Outcomes

Simple Summary Minimally invasive radical nephroureterectomy is gaining momentum among upper tract urothelial carcinoma management by offering oncological radicality and less surgical morbidity. Long-term oncological outcomes suggest that it is a safe and effective treatment option for upper tract urothelial cancer. Abstract The gold standard treatment for non-metastatic upper tract urothelial cancer (UTUC) is represented by radical nephroureterectomy (RNU). The choice of surgical technique in performing UTUC surgery continues to depend on several factors, including the location and extent of the tumor, the patient’s overall health, and very importantly, the surgeon’s skill, experience, and preference. Although open and laparoscopic approaches are well-established treatments, evidence regarding robot-assisted radical nephroureterectomy (RANU) is growing. Aim of our study was to perform a critical review on the evidence of the last 5 years regarding surgical techniques and outcomes of minimally invasive RNU, mostly focusing on RANU. Reported oncological and function outcomes suggest that minimally invasive RNU is safe and effective, showing similar survival rates compared to the open approach.
Suspended sediment and bed material studies on the Lower Mississippi River

Abstract : The ultimate purpose of sediment studies is to develop a workable knowledge of the basic principles controlling the transport of sediment in the Lower Mississippi River and to apply this knowledge toward effective and economical stabilization works for flood control and navigation. The more immediate purpose of this report, however, is to present the data that have been collected and analyzed to date (1929-1974) and to show what trends exist in the quantities and sizes of suspended and bed sediments for the Vicksburg District.
Whole-Body Vibration Prevents Neuronal, Neurochemical, and Behavioral Effects of Morphine Withdrawal in a Rat Model

Peripheral mechanoreceptor-based treatments such as acupuncture and chiropractic manipulation have shown success in modulating the mesolimbic dopamine (DA) system originating in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) of the midbrain and projecting to the nucleus accumbens (NAc) of the striatum. We have previously shown that mechanoreceptor activation via whole-body vibration (WBV) ameliorates neuronal and behavioral effects of chronic ethanol exposure. In this study, we employ a similar paradigm to assess the efficacy of WBV as a preventative measure of neuronal and behavioral effects of morphine withdrawal in a Wistar rat model. We demonstrate that concurrent administration of WBV at 80 Hz with morphine over a 5-day period significantly reduced adaptations in VTA GABA neuronal activity and NAc DA release and modulated expression of δ-opioid receptors (DORs) on NAc cholinergic interneurons (CINs) during withdrawal. We also observed a reduction in behavior typically associated with opioid withdrawal. WBV represents a promising adjunct to current intervention for opioid use disorder (OUD) and should be examined translationally in humans.
The Technology Readiness and Acceptance Model as a Predictor of Pilots’ Willingness to Operate in UAM Integrated Airspace

ABSTRACT Objective This research study aimed to identify the factors influencing manned aircraft pilots’ willingness to operate in AAM/UAM integrated airspace using a hypothesized model grounded in the Technology Readiness Index (TRI) and Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Background Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) is the concept of using novel aircraft to transport cargo and passengers in and around regional and urban areas. Urban Air Mobility (UAM) is a subset of AAM. Currently, there is a lack of empirical research on manned aircraft pilots’ willingness to operate in the vicinity of autonomous AAM/UAM aircraft. Method The study used a quantitative correlational design and a survey instrument to collect data from 254 participants. Results The findings from the study indicated support for five of the ten hypotheses, and the model explained 63% of the variance in willingness to pilot an aircraft (WTPA) in UAM/AAM integrated airspace. Conclusions Perceived ease of use and trust had a positive influence on willingness to pilot, while risk had a negative influence.
COVID-19 and the Airline Business: A New Decision-Making Process for Employee Loyalty and Job Insecurity

ABSTRACT Objective This study is designed to present a decision-making process forming airline crews’ loyalty intention to their company, comparing this process before and after the COVID-19 outbreak. Background Under the threat of COVID-19, the airline industry experienced unprecedented challenging times. Specifically, job security among airline employees was increasingly uncertain. Method Using survey methods, we developed the theoretical framework based on the theory of planned behavior and tested it using structural equation modeling and multigroup analysis. Results The results successfully embraced the process of volitional and non-volitional behaviors from its constituents. In addition, airline crew loyalty intention was influenced by company image and subjective well-being through attitude and job satisfaction. Lastly, perceived job insecurity moderated the relationships between variables, and the impact of employee attitude on job satisfaction and loyalty intention differed before and after COVID-19. Conclusion The developed theoretical framework sufficiently accounted for airline employees’ loyalty intentions. As a result, the findings of this research help researchers and practitioners find efficient ways of boosting airline crews’ positive attitude and loyalty in the post-COVID-19 era.
Abandoned Mine, Potential Home for the People: A Case Study of Jos Plateau Tin-Mining Region

This paper seeks to examine the JPTMR (Jos Plateau Tin-Mining Region) as an abandoned mine that provides land for housing by examining the impact of the tin-mining activities due to the presence of heavy metals and radioactive substances and analyzing the level and availability of these substances and their effects on human health and the built environment within JPTMR. Utilizing secondary data, which map out 10 different locations in the region, the paper highlights the level of radioactive substances (X-ray, beta-ray and gamma-ray) and presence of heavy metals in the environment. The results show that there are traces of X-ray, beta-ray and gamma-ray as well as the heavy metals such as Pb, As, Cu, Cr and Ni which exceeded the international standards. This is particularly significant as people use the contaminated soils as building materials for their homes as well as for farming and food production. The inhabitants of the area are often without any knowledge about the perils of the contaminated soils, water as well as air which is serious long-term human catastrophe. Drawing from international experience, the paper argues that it is possible to develop housing in former tin-mining areas but requires careful remediation and engagement by the public and private sector.
Bureaucratic control and organizational support in the public sector: effects mediated by psychological empowerment on engagement

Abstract The study investigates how bureaucratic control and organizational support affect the civil servant’s work engagement and the mediating role of psychological empowerment. The research adopted a quantitative approach using data collected from 159 public servants of Brazilian courts of accounts, with subsequent application of exploratory factor analysis, parceling techniques, confirmatory factor analysis, and ordinary least squares regression (OLS). The results show a negative mediation of psychological empowerment in the relationship between bureaucratic control and work engagement and a partial and positive mediation between organizational support and work engagement. Thus, psychological empowerment constitutes an important mechanism through which civil servants react to characteristics of the work context, being weakened in situations of exacerbated bureaucratic control or lack of organizational support, with consequences for the level of enthusiasm and dedication. The findings are discussed in light of their theoretical and practical implications for management in the public sector.
Potential Effects of Digoxin on Renal Functions in Patients With Congestive Heart Failure

Introduction: Renal dysfunction is a common complication among patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) and can significantly impact their management, especially when medications like digoxin are involved. The clearance of digoxin is closely tied to the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which suggests that the safety and efficacy of digoxin may vary with renal function. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the potential effects of digoxin on renal function in patients diagnosed with CHF at a tertiary hospital in the Asir region of Saudi Arabia. Methods: A retrospective study examined the records of 30 CHF patients treated with digoxin. Renal function markers like estimated GFR (eGFR), creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), albumin, and urine levels were compared before and after digoxin treatment. Liver enzymes and other relevant parameters were also examined. A statistical analysis using t-tests was conducted to evaluate the changes in renal function indicators before and after digoxin treatment. Results: The mean eGFR decreased significantly from 65.4 ± 8.9 mL/min/1.73m2 before digoxin to 57.7 ± 7.8 mL/min/1.73m2 after (p = 0.001). Creatinine, BUN, albumin, and urine levels showed no significant changes. Digoxin significantly increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST) from 34.5 ± 11.6 U/L to 53.8 ± 14.6 U/L (p = 0.002), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) from 38.5 ± 12.6 U/L to 55.3 ± 17.6 U/L (p = 0.013), and creatine kinase from 117.7 ± 22.5 U/L to 133.9 ± 15.8 U/L (p = 0.012). Hemoglobin decreased significantly from 12.8 ± 1.4 g/dL to 12.1 ± 1.4 g/dL (p = 0.034). No significant changes occurred in myoglobin, troponin, bilirubin, platelets, potassium, calcium, or chloride levels. Effects on kidney function did not differ significantly by gender or age, except blood urea nitrogen was higher in patients over 50 years (8.3 ± 2.3 vs. 5.6 ± 2.7 mg/dL, p = 0.015). Conclusion: This study suggests digoxin may adversely affect renal function in CHF patients, as evidenced by reduced eGFR. However, the small retrospective design limits definitive conclusions. Further prospective research with larger samples is warranted to elucidate digoxin's renal effects in CHF patients.
The Effect of Gain and Strong Dissipative Structures on Nonlinear Schrödinger Equations in Optical Fiber

<jats:p>We consider the initial value problem for the nonlinear Schrödinger equation satisfying the strong dissipative condition <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3. org/1998/Math/MathML" id="M1"><mml:mi mathvariant="fraktur">I</mml:mi><mml:mi>λ</mml:mi><mml:mo><</mml:mo><mml:mn mathvariant="normal">0</mml:mn></mml:math> and <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3. org/1998/Math/MathML" id="M2"><mml:mfenced open="|" close="|" separators="|"><mml:mrow><mml:mi mathvariant="fraktur">I</mml:mi><mml:mi>λ</mml:mi></mml:mrow></mml:mfenced><mml:mo>></mml:mo><mml:mfenced separators="|"><mml:mrow><mml:mrow><mml:mrow><mml:mfenced separators="|"><mml:mrow><mml:mi>p</mml:mi><mml:mo>-</mml:mo><mml:mn mathvariant="normal">1</mml:mn></mml:mrow></mml:mfenced></mml:mrow><mml:mo>/</mml:mo><mml:mrow><mml:mn mathvariant="normal">2</mml:mn><mml:msqrt><mml:mi>p</mml:mi></mml:msqrt></mml:mrow></mml:mrow></mml:mrow></mml:mfenced><mml:mfenced open="|" close="|" separators="|"><mml:mrow><mml:mi mathvariant="fraktur">R</mml:mi><mml:mi>λ</mml:mi></mml:mrow></mml:mfenced></mml:math> in one space dimension. Our purpose in this paper is to study how the gain coefficient <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3. org/1998/Math/MathML" id="M3"><mml:mi>μ</mml:mi><mml:mo stretchy="false">(</mml:mo><mml:mi>t</mml:mi><mml:mo stretchy="false">)</mml:mo></mml:math> and strong dissipative nonlinearity <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3. org/1998/Math/MathML" id="M4"><mml:mi>λ</mml:mi><mml:msup><mml:mrow><mml:mfenced open="|" close="|" separators="|"><mml:mrow><mml:mi>v</mml:mi></mml:mrow></mml:mfenced></mml:mrow><mml:mrow><mml:mi>p</mml:mi><mml:mo>-</mml:mo><mml:mn mathvariant="normal">1</mml:mn></mml:mrow></mml:msup><mml:mi>v</mml:mi></mml:math> affect solutions to the nonlinear Schrödinger equation for large initial data. We prove global existence of solutions and present some time decay estimates of solutions for large initial data. </jats:p>
Exurban and Suburban Households: A Departure from Traditional Location Theory?

Modern social, cultural, economic, and technological forces permit households to settle farther from the urban core than they did in the past. Suburbanization abets the “overflow” from central cities, but is “exurbanization” simply an overflow from suburbs? If it is not, exurbanization may represent a marked departure from previously accepted urban growth theory. We test the proposition that exurbanites are different from suburbanites in household characteristics, occupation of household heads, accessibility to employment, residence characteristics, and geographic clustering based on those factors. Using a variety of nonparametric and cluster analysis techniques, we find that exurbanites and suburbanites may be more similar than previously thought. The rise of polycentric urban areas seems to have pushed the suburban fringe farther out. Rethinking of conventional urban form theory is needed only insofar as it considers the effect of polycentric landscapes but not the underlying motivations of households maximizing their space and location utility.
GROUP CHAIN SAMPLING PLANS BASED ON TRUNCATED LIFE TEST FOR EXPONENTIAL DISTRIBUTION

This paper develops group chain sampling plans (GChSP) for Exponential distribution when the life test is truncated at a pre-assumed time. The performances of the GChSP such as the number of minimum groups, g and probability of lot acceptance, L(p) are calculated by satisfying the consumers risk, β at a certain specified design parameter. Quality parameter is defined in terms of mean with assumptions that the test termination time, t0, the specified constant, a, the number of allowable preceding lots, i and the number of products, r are pre-fixed. An example is provided for illustrative purpose for the GChSP. The article continues with performances comparison between the GChSP and the group sampling plan (GASP). The article concludes that the GChSP has better performances compared to the GASP in terms of the number of minimum groups, g, the probability of lot acceptance, L(p), the cost and the inspection time. Received: November 3, 2017 Revised: July 16, 2018 Published: July 17, 2018 c © 2018 Academic Publications, Ltd. url: www.acadpubl. eu Correspondence author 492 M.A.P. Teh, N. Aziz, Z. Zain AMS Subject Classification: 62D05, 62D99
Imprinting but not cytonuclear interactions affects parent-of-origin effect on seed size in Arabidopsis hybrids

The parent-of-origin effect on seed size can result from imprinting or a combinational effect between cytoplasmic and nuclear genomes, but their relative contributions remain unknown. To discern these confounding effects, we generated cytoplasmic-nuclear substitution (CNS) lines using recurrent backcrossing in the Arabidopsis thaliana ecotypes Col-0 and C24. These CNS lines differ only in the nuclear genome (imprinting) or in the cytoplasm. The CNS reciprocal hybrids with the same cytoplasm display a ∼20% seed size difference as observed in the conventional hybrids. However, seed size is similar between the reciprocal cybrids with fixed imprinting. Transcriptome analyses in the endosperm of CNS hybrids using laser-capture microdissection have identified 104 maternally expressed genes (MEGs) and 90 paternally-expressed genes (PEGs). These imprinted genes are involved in pectin catabolism and cell wall modification in the endosperm. HDG9, an epiallele and one of 11 cross-specific imprinted genes, controls seed size. In the embryo, a handful of imprinted genes is found in the CNS hybrids but only one is expressed higher in the embryo than endosperm. AT4G13495 encodes a long-noncoding RNA (lncRNA), but no obvious seed phenotype is observed in the lncRNA knockout lines. NRPD1, encoding the largest subunit of RNA Pol IV, is involved in the biogenesis of small interfering RNAs. Seed size and embryo is larger in the cross using nrpd1 as the maternal parent than in the reciprocal cross. In spite of limited ecotypes tested, these results suggest potential roles of imprinting and NRPD1-mediated small RNA pathway in seed size variation in hybrids.
Hailing in the Rain: Temporal and Weather-Related Variations in Taxi Ridership and Taxi Demand-Supply Equilibrium

The current study investigates temporal and weather-related variation in taxi ridership patterns in New York City (NYC) from the perspective of demand-supply equilibrium. For this purpose, the study conducted a computationally heavy analysis of a taxi global positioning system (GPS) data set with more than 147 million records covering 10 months of activity. It found that there were significant variations in ridership and trip distances for different day of week-time of day (DOW-TOD) weather condition periods. Drivers, as the actors who determine taxi supply, respond to this variation in a way that maintains their incomes above approximately $20 per hour. The impact of weather is also investigated. Snow conditions do not affect the hourly revenues but when there is rainfall, drivers make more frequent and slightly shorter trips that increase their income. After reaching their income target, drivers may end their shift early, a finding that may explain the perceived taxi shortage during prolonged rain conditions. It was also shown that within existing trip frequency and trip distance patterns, the impact of a proposed taxi fare increase in NYC on hourly revenues would vary among different TOD periods. This suggests that a fare increase has the potential to alter the temporal taxi supply as well as the taxi lease rents (which vary by shift) for certain periods. Based on these findings, the paper provides insights into the temporal and weather-related variation in taxi demand-supply equilibrium. Its findings can assist policymakers who regulate the taxi industry.
Formation of waves, vortices and ligaments in 2D stratified flows around obstacles

Wave and vortex fine structure of unsteady stratified flows were studied numerically based on the system of fundamental equations for non-homogeneous incompressible fluid with no-slip and no-flux boundary conditions, and experimentally using high-resolution Schlieren visualization techniques. Different flow regimes, including creeping, wave and vortex ones, which are widespread in the ocean and atmosphere, were investigated in the single problem formulation, starting from the slowest diffusion-induced flows up to the fastest and unsteady ones. A classification of flow components is proposed, which contains waves, vortices, and ligaments, which manifest themselves in the form of extended interfaces with their transverse scales being determined by the dissipative properties of a fluid and the flow dynamics. Due to interrupting the molecular flux of a stratifying agent on a motionless obstacle, fine structural diffusion-induced flows are formed around the obstacle in the form of a multilevel set of vortex cells which are transformed near the edges into horizontally extended streaky structures. A moving body in a stratified fluid produces upstream disturbances, groups of attached internal waves, leading-edge vortices, and a vortex street in the wake, which coexist in the stratified flow as an organic whole and are separated with ligaments. In the unsteady vortex flow regime, the shape of the bluff body essentially affects the flow structure, determining whether it will consist of a quasi-steady chain of vortices with a quite regular vortex shedding structure, or leading-edge vortices and vortex street would evolve into a much more complex and multi-scale vortex evolution. The numerical and experimental visualizations of diffusion-induced flows, internal waves, vortex streets, and fine structural ligaments, are in a qualitative agreement with each other.
If Not Private Property, then What? Legalizing Extra-Legal Rural Land Tenure Via a Third Road

All over the world rural smallholders hold their land in ways that are not formally recognized and protected by state law. But under the mounting pressure of encroachments on such rural land by big investors, elite interests, colonists and others, new official land law regimes have been introduced in many countries. The thesis that only western style property rights can provide sufficient tenure security to promote development has been criticized of late. But if not private property, then what? The new land law regimes show a bewildering variety of approaches. It is urgent to draw practical lessons from these approaches stressing real tenure security. Particularly interesting are those regimes in which extra legal (“customary”) community-based land tenure arrangements are built upon. In this article the need to introduce locally adapted land law is explained and cases are analysed from Mozambique, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Indonesia (Sumatra).
Improving financial performance through corporate governance management: empirical evidence from listed service firms in Nigeria

This study focused on corporate governance and financial performance of parastatals in Nigeria. Five (5) banks were selected which are First Bank Plc, United Bank of Africa Plc, Guarantee Trust Bank Plc, Zenith Bank Plc and Fidelity Bank Plc. The data obtained to test and validate the hypotheses were from secondary sources concerning the variables of interest. However, the data generated are as follows; 2015 – 2022 (8 years) financial statements of five sampled banks which provided information about the variables tested and discussed. The data analysis revealed that measures of financial performance (ROA, BOD & BS), recorded means and standard deviations of 0.021966, 13.8, 13.8 and 0.0136177, 2.988868, 2.988868 respectively. The low standard deviation recorded by each of the measures of financial performance suggests that the return on asset of the respective sampled banks, members of their board of directors and board size have proximity with their respective average values. The respective minimum values recorded for ROA, BOD and BS are 0.0025847, 2 and 2; whereas the maximum values were 0.0561668, 19 and 19 respectively. This implies that the minimum of all the measures is not below 0.0561668 and the maximum did not exceed 19. It is concluded that Board composition which entails Board of Directors and Board Size has no significant effect of the financial performance of firms. The study recommended that efforts to improve corporate governance should focus on the value of the stock ownership of board members, since it is positively related to both future operating performance and to the probability of disciplinary management turnover in poorly performing banks.