Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Patient’s perceptions of presbycusis and associated tinnitus counselling practices within the KwaZulu-Natal province

Background Counselling manages the psychosocial effects of presbycusis and associated tinnitus, which is best conducted through patient-centred care (PCC). However, there is a paucity of research on implementing PCC within audiology and on patients’ perceptions of counselling practice, making the focus on patient benefit and satisfaction crucial. Furthermore, PCC has been documented to be suitable in addressing the psychosocial effects of hearing loss and associated tinnitus, as it focuses on the adult patient playing an integral part of the management processes, providing improved patient outcomes. Objectives This study aimed to explore patients’ perceptions of presbycusis and associated tinnitus counselling practices by audiologists within KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). Method Qualitative phenomenological semi-structured telephonic interviews were conducted through purposive sampling, consisting of seven patients with presbycusis and associated tinnitus who were recruited from private and public facilities in KZN. Data were analysed through hybrid thematic analysis following Braun and Clark’s steps. Results Six categories were identified: perceptions on counselling methods, efficacy and tools, audiological rehabilitative training, multicultural sensitivity, patient satisfaction and recommendations on improving counselling practices as PCC adaptation. Themes were then extracted from these categories. The overall outcome of the study found that patients had positive perceptions of methods and tools, and audiologists were viewed as adequately trained. Furthermore, they were satisfied and benefitted from counselling practices and found clinicians to be culturally sensitive in their practice. However, recommendations were made towards linguistic sensitivity and satisfaction evaluations. Conclusion Therefore, implementing PCC into counselling practice may achieve positive patient perceptions, thus highlighting the need to identify barriers and improve the implementation of PCC into practice, especially in resource-constrained contexts.
Exponential stabilisation analysis of a class of delayed inertial memristive neural networks

This paper focuses on the exponential stabilisation problem of inertial memristive neural networks (IMNNs) with unbounded discrete time-varying delays. The considered IMNNs are modelled by second-order derivatives equations by introducing the inertial terms. By using nonsmooth analysis, Lyapunov stability theory, inequality techniques and integral-differential of Lyapunov functional method, a feedback controller is designed to guarantee pth moment exponential stabilisation of the addressed IMNNs under the framework of Filippov solutions. It is worth noticing that the considered time delays of IMNNs can be unbounded. Finally, a numerical example is presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the main theoretical result.
The Core Jet and Relic Radiation in the Radio Source 1343–601

Abstract A high-resolution image of the strong extragalactic source 1343–601 has been made with the Molonglo Observatory Synthesis Telescope (MOST) at 843 MHz. The source is identified with a 10 mag galaxy (M v = −24) which is heavily obscured through our Galaxy. A recent redshift (z = 0.01215) gives a distance of 73 Mpc and a corresponding radio luminosity of log P 843 = 24.9. The MOST image shows a core linked by a double jet to asymmetric lobes which are surrounded by a confined balloon (400 × 200 kpc2) of low-brightness plasma. This has a complex network of ridges or flows which lead out into the wider cluster medium. If similar balloons exist around other double sources, they could provide the depolarising medium required by the Laing-Garrington effect. Separate observations show the core is compact with strong X-ray emission.
A modified Mediterranean diet against gestational diabetes mellitus

Healthy lifestyle is reported to reduce the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The association between Mediterranean diet (MD) and GDM incidence remains unclear in China. Therefore, we aim to establish a Chinese-habit-based MD recipe and explore its effects on GDM. This study recruited gestational age women who were planning a pregnancy in the near future with at least one risk factor for GDM. The participants were randomly allocated into the control and MD groups. They were required to follow diet interventions at least 6 months prior to pregnancy until delivery. Average dietary intake, glucose and insulin metabolism in 26–28-week of gestation, and maternal and neonatal outcomes were analyzed to assess the effects of MD. The clinical outcomes of 580 participants, with 294 in the MD group and 286 in the control group, were analyzed. It was revealed that the MD group had a high intake of protein, vitamins, and dietary fibers, whereas low intake of fat, resulting in improved insulin and glucose metabolism. Meanwhile, women and their newborns in the MD group showed a reduced proportion of complications. The modified MD intervention started before pregnancy shows a preventive effect against GDM and also benefits the mother and their newborns in other outcomes.
The Effect of Infrastructure and Labor in Agricultural Sector on Agricultural Economic Growth in Aceh Province

This study focusses on the effect of agricultural infrastructure and agricultural labor on agricultural economic growth rate in Aceh Province. The method used in this study is panel data regression based on districts/cities panel data period 2015-2019. Results of estimation shows that both factors which are agricultural infrastructure and agricultural labor have significant effect toward agricultural economic growth. Agricultural infrastructure found to have a negative effect while agricultural labor has a positive effect on agricultural economic growth. Furthermore, the panel data regression model that has been formed is found to be fit which means that agricultural infrastructure and agricultural labor are considered capable of representing the factors that influence the economic growth rate of agricultural sector in Aceh Province. Based on these findings it is hoped the government will able to formulate a strategic policy that can accelerate the rate of economic growth rate of the agricultural sector in Aceh Province.
Variability in the Global Ocean Carbon Sink From 1959 to 2020 by Correcting Models With Observations

The ocean reduces human impact on the climate by absorbing and sequestering CO2. From 1950s to the 1980s, observations of pCO2 and related ocean carbon variables were sparse and uncertain. Thus, global ocean biogeochemical models (GOBMs) have been the basis for quantifying the ocean carbon sink. The LDEO‐Hybrid Physics Data product (LDEO‐HPD) interpolates sparse surface ocean pCO2 data to global coverage by using GOBMs as priors, and applying machine learning to estimate full‐coverage corrections. The largest component of the GOBM corrections are climatological. This is consistent with recent findings of large seasonal discrepancies in GOBMs, but contrasts the long‐held view that interannual variability is a major source of GOBM error. This supports extension of the LDEO‐HPD pCO2 product back to 1959, using a climatology of model‐observation misfits prior to 1982. Consistent with previous studies for 1980 onward, air‐sea CO2 fluxes for 1959–2020 demonstrate response to atmospheric pCO2 growth and volcanic eruptions.
Dopant concentration influence on the optical properties of NiO thin films doped by Al and Nb deposited by DC and RF magnetron sputtering

Optical characteristics of nickel oxide (NiO) can be fine‐tuned to match specific application prerequisites. Doping NiO with Al or Nb influences the structure of its thin films, as they have d‐orbital ionic radii of 142.2 and 181.9 pm, far from the ionic radius of Ni2+ of 33.8 pm. Al‐ and Nb‐doped NiO thin films were deposited on silicon and quartz substrates using RF (Radio Frequency) and DC (Direct Current) reactive magnetron sputtering. The deposition powers on the dopant targets varied between 30 and 60 W in steps of 10 W. The XRD (X‐Ray Diffraction) analysis revealed no phase changes in the NiO structure. However, a shift toward a smaller angle was observed. The bandgap decreased to 3.30 eV. The metal‐doped NiO grains retained an average size of a few nanometers. The minimum resistivity of the Al‐doped NiO reached 0.0130 Ω. m, while it decreased to 0.0058 Ω. m for the Nb‐doped NiO. Using ellipsometry and effective medium approximation (EMA), it was possible to determine the refractive indices of the composites and dopants. The amount of dopants determined using this method was consistent with the deposition power. The influence of the dopant percentage on the optical properties of the doped NiO met the expectations. The optical and electrical properties of Al‐ and Nb‐doped NiO make them to be good candidates for electrochromic and optical sensor applications.
Estimating On-Road Vehicle Fuel Economy in Africa: A Case Study Based on an Urban Transport Survey in Nairobi, Kenya

In African cities like Nairobi, policies to improve vehicle fuel economy help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality, but lack of data is a major challenge. We present a methodology for estimating fuel economy in such cities. Vehicle characteristics and activity data, for both the formal fleet (private cars, motorcycles, light and heavy trucks) and informal fleet—minibuses (matatus), three-wheelers (tuktuks), goods vehicles (AskforTransport) and two-wheelers (bodabodas)—were collected and used to estimate fuel economy. Using two empirical models, general linear modelling (GLM) and artificial neural network (ANN), the relationships between vehicle characteristics for this fleet and fuel economy were analyzed for the first time. Fuel economy for bodabodas (4.6 ± 0.4 L/100 km), tuktuks (8.7 ± 4.6 L/100 km), passenger cars (22.8 ± 3.0 L/100 km), and matatus (33.1 ± 2.5 L/100 km) was found to be 2–3 times worse than in the countries these vehicles are imported from. The GLM provided the better estimate of predicted fuel economy based on vehicle characteristics. The analysis of survey data covering a large informal urban fleet helps meet the challenge of a lack of availability of vehicle data for emissions inventories. This may be useful to policy makers as emissions inventories underpin policy development to reduce emissions.
Dietary Inclusion of Dried Chicory Root Affects Cecal Mucosa Proteome of Nursery Pigs

Simple Summary A well-balanced diet seems to play a key role in disease prevention and health promotion in young animals. Therefore, many attempts have been made to supplement feeds with novel nutritional components, with potential prebiotic capacity. It seems that chicory root fulfils those criteria as it contains high amounts of inulin-type fructans. Hence, the aim of the study was to determine the effect of dietary supplementation with 4% dried chicory root on the cecal mucosa proteome of piglets. It is shown that this feed additive may affect cellular metabolism in the cecal epithelium and may be beneficial for gut health. Abstract Prebiotics are known to have many beneficial effects on intestinal health by modulating the gut microbiota composition, thereby affecting epithelial cell proliferation and metabolism. This study had two aims: (1) to identify the protein constituents in the cecal mucosa of 50-day-old healthy (PIC × Penarlan P76) barrows, and (2) to assess the effects of 4% inclusion of dried chicory root in a cereal-based diet on the cecal mucosa proteome changes. Pigs (eight per group) were randomly allotted to the groups and were fed a control diet from the tenth day of life (C) or a diet supplemented with 4% of died chicory root (CR), for 40 days. At the age of 50 days, animals were sacrificed and cecal tissue samples were collected. It was found that feeding a CR diet significantly decreased the expression of 16 cecal mucosa proteins. Among them, fifteen proteins were down-regulated, while only one (KRT20) was shown to be up-regulated when compared to the C group. Dietary supplementation with CR caused down-expression of metabolism-associated proteins including enzymes involved in the process of glycolysis (G6PD, TPI1, ALDH9A1, CKMT1 and AKR1A1) as well as those engaged in transcriptional and translational activity (PRPF19, EEF1G) and several structural proteins (ACTR3, KRT77, CAP1 and actin). From our findings, it is possible to conclude that dietary chicory root at 4% had beneficial effects on the gut health of pigs as indicated by a changed abundance of certain cecal proteins such as KRT20, SERPINB1, HSP27, ANAXA2 and ANAXA4.
More on Rank Equalities Related to Outer Inverses of Matrices with Applications

A matrix is called an outer inverse for a matrix if = . In this paper, we present some new rank equalities related to outer inverses of matrices, and apply them to characterize various equalities for Moore-Penrose inverses, Drazin inverses and weighted Moore-Penrose inverses of matrices. In addition, we also show some rank equalities for factorizations of block matrices and their Moore-Penrose inverses.
Effects of different iron treatments on wine grape berry quality and peel flavonoid contents

Abstract In this study, eight‐year‐old wine grape plants (Cabernet Sauvignon) were subjected to five different iron treatments: ferrous sulfate, ferric ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA‐Fe), ferric citrate, ferric gluconate, and ferric sugar alcohol, and conventional fertilization. Foliar spraying with clear water was used as the control treatment. The effects of different iron treatments on berry quality and flavonoid accumulation in grape peels were explored. All five iron treatments affected the sugar, acid, and peel flavonoid contents of grape berries, but the contents varied greatly among the different iron treatments. Foliar spraying with iron increased berry sugar content and reduced acid content. In addition, foliar spraying with ferrous sulfate, EDTA‐Fe, ferric gluconate, and ferric sugar alcohol reduced the total anthocyanin, flavanol, and flavonol contents in the peel. The unique flavonoid monomer content of the peel was significantly higher under ferric citrate treatment than under the control and other iron treatments. Moreover, the results showed that foliar spraying with ferric citrate balanced the berry sugar–acid ratio and also increased the anthocyanin, flavanol, and flavonol contents of the grape peel, thereby improving the overall nutritional status of the berries and the final wine quality. The results obtained in this study demonstrate that different iron treatments could improve grape berry quality and clarify the effects of different exogenous iron treatments.
Knowledge and Compliance of Standard Precautions Among The Undergraduate Nursing Students

Background: Lack of knowledge and understanding of standard precautions, and insufficient compliance with the established guidelines in nursing students will increase the risk of exposure to healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). This study aims to determine knowledge and compliance of standard precautions among the undergraduate nursing students and to identify the associated factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the undergraduate nursing students from a Malaysian public university in Pahang. A convenience sampling was used to select the participants. The participants were asked to complete an online survey consisting of questionnaire of knowledge and compliance of standard precautions. Results: A total of 178 undergraduate nursing students completed the questionnaires (response rate = 95%). Their mean age was 22.7 years old (SD = 1.1). The score of standard precautions knowledge was 90.9% (mean score = 16.4/18, SD = 1.5) and the score of compliance was 91.8% (mean score = 73.4/80, SD = 10.7). There were significant associations between age (p = 0.002), year of study (p = 0.032) and clinical posting experience (p = 0.010) with knowledge of standard precautions. Whilst only age (p = 0.011) was significantly associated with compliance of standard precautions. There was a significant positive association between knowledge and compliance of standard precautions (rs = 0.187, p = 0.012). Conclusion: Knowledge and compliance of standard precaution among the undergraduate nursing students were high and achieved the expected requirement for clinical posting. A continuous effort to improve adherence to standard precautions in nursing students is necessary to protect and prevent them from getting infected particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Why Do Students Still Plagiarize? Perceptions of EFL and Non-EFL Students on Plagiarism

This paper is an investigation on the perception of Kurdish EFL and non-EFL students on plagiarism, as well as the causes that make students resort to it. A group of students participated in the research paper who were enrolled in different departments at one of the universities in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. The data was collected through a questionnaire followed by interviews to get a better understanding of the phenomenon in question. The findings of the current study show that there is a misconception about the idea of plagiarism and students mostly consider copying and pasting material as plagiarism. This led to the understanding that paraphrasing does not really constitute plagiarism, and that shows that the issue is limited to the stealing of words not ideas in most cases. The results also show that there are a number of other factors that lead students to resort to plagiarism, including lack of time, lack of understanding of the concept, language skills, high school education background, workload and lack of critical thinking skills.
A Small Sample Correction for Factor Score Regression

Factor score regression (FSR) is widely used as a convenient alternative to traditional structural equation modeling (SEM) for assessing structural relations between latent variables. But when latent variables are simply replaced by factor scores, biases in the structural parameter estimates often have to be corrected, due to the measurement error in the factor scores. The method of Croon (MOC) is a well-known bias correction technique. However, its standard implementation can render poor quality estimates in small samples (e.g. less than 100). This article aims to develop a small sample correction (SSC) that integrates two different modifications to the standard MOC. We conducted a simulation study to compare the empirical performance of (a) standard SEM, (b) the standard MOC, (c) naive FSR, and (d) the MOC with the proposed SSC. In addition, we assessed the robustness of the performance of the SSC in various models with a different number of predictors and indicators. The results showed that the MOC with the proposed SSC yielded smaller mean squared errors than SEM and the standard MOC in small samples and performed similarly to naive FSR. However, naive FSR yielded more biased estimates than the proposed MOC with SSC, by failing to account for measurement error in the factor scores.
Plasma Observations During the 7 June 2021 Ganymede Flyby From the Jovian Auroral Distributions Experiment (JADE) on Juno

We report on plasma observations from Juno/Jovian Auroral Distributions Experiment during the Ganymede flyby on 7 June 2021. Juno approached Ganymede from southern latitudes, passed through the wake region, then through its magnetosphere to closest approach (1,046 km from the surface) on the night side, and then back into Jupiter's plasma disk. We describe general plasma properties in the regions explored along the trajectory. We infer that Juno traversed a region of open field lines where one end intercepts Ganymede and the other Jupiter. The observations do not support Juno crossing into the closed field line region. The ion composition near Ganymede is very different than that of the nearby plasma environment. H2+ and H3+ ions were detected near Ganymede and in the wake region. Low energy (∼0.1–1 keV) electrons are enhanced just outside the magnetopause, in the wake (inbound trajectory) and in the magnetopause boundary layer (outbound trajectory).
Calcification of the Atlanto-Occipital Ligament (Ponticulus Posticus) in Orthodontic Patients: A Retrospective Study

Background: Ponticlus Posticus (PP) is a rare anomaly of the first cervical vertebra easily identifiable in lateral cephalometric radiograph and typically required for orthodontic diagnosis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the PP prevalence in lateral Cephalograms in a cohort of orthodontic patients treated at the Dental School of the University of Bari ‘Aldo Moro’, Italy, and to find possible connection between PP and other dental anomalies, as well as the patient’s cephalometric characteristics. Methods: A total of 150 panoramic radiographs and 150 lateral Cephalograms, obtained for orthodontic use only, were evaluated. No patients were referred to for congenital syndromes or disease, or a history of previously occurred maxillofacial trauma. A detailed cephalometric study was performed for each patient, and the whole cohort was divided according to the common three dental malocclusion classes. The values obtained were analyzed using the Chi-Square Test. Results: PP prevalence was 8% (12 of 150 cases), where the complete and partial forms observed 4.7% and 3.3%, respectively. Although females were more affected (9.6%), no statistically significant sex-related difference was found. Furthermore, no statistically significant relationship regarding age or dental anomalies (dental agenesis/palatal impacted canines) among the groups was observed either. Cephalometric analyses revealed that half of the subjects with PP were sagittal skeletal class I and had vertical hyper-divergence. Conclusions: PP is a frequent anatomical variation of the cervical vertebra, apparently unrelated to the skeletal malocclusion type or dental anomalies. The current study needs to further confirm the congenital hypothesis of PP’s origin already reported in literature.
An Overview on the Recent Advances in Alternative Solvents as Stabilizers of Proteins and Enzymes

Currently, the use of alternative solvents is increasing, namely ionic liquids (ILs) and deep eutectic solvents (DESs) in diverse fields of knowledge, such as biochemistry, chemistry, chemical engineering, biotechnology and biomedicine. Particularly, when compared to traditional solvents, these alternative solvents have great importance for biomolecules due to the enhanced solubility, structure stability and the biological activity of biomolecules, such as protein and enzymes. Thus, in this review article, the recent developments and efforts on the technological developments carried out with ILs and DESs for the stabilization and activation of proteins and enzymes are provided. The most studied IL- and DES-based formulations for proteins and enzymes are discussed and the molecular mechanisms and interactions related to the increased stability promoted by these alternative solvents are disclosed, while emphasizing their main advantages.