Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
How Rare Is Rare? How Common Is Common? Empirical Issues Associated With Binary Dependent Variables With Rare Or Common Event Rates

The use of logit and probit models when examining binary dependent variables including those in the form 0/1 (i.e., dummy variables), yes/no, and true/false (hereafter binary DVs) is commonplace. Yet, the appropriateness and effectiveness of such models are challenged when the event rate of a binary DV is rare or common. To better understand the impact on the field of strategy, we undertook a literature review and assessed recently published research in the Strategic Management Journal. We then utilized Monte Carlo simulations with results showing that as event rates become rarer or more common, issues including biased coefficients, standard error inflation, low statistical power to detect significant effects, and model convergence failure increasingly arise. In addition, small sample sizes amplified these empirical issues. Using a strategy example study, we also show how various analytic tools can lead to different findings when empirical models face an extreme event rate with small sample sizes. Based on our findings, we provide step-by-step guidance for strategy researchers going forward.
Ovipositional preference of Trichogramma dendrolimi and Trichogramma ostriniae strains from Myanmar on different host egg ages of Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

ABSTRACT Trichogramma (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) wasps are the most successfully biological control agents against the Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée). To progress with biological control of this pest in Myanmar, we investigated the performances of three strains of T. ostriniae and two strains of T. dendrolimi on O. furnacalis eggs of different ages (6–12-, 12–24-, 24–36- and 36–48-hr) under choice and no-choice conditions. The ovipositional preference was significantly different among these tested strains. Two T. dendrolimi strains from Southern Shan State of Myanmar and China exhibited a strong preference on the younger, 6–12-hr-old host eggs. The two indigenous T. ostriniae strains showed no difference in ovipositional preference for the first three ages (6–12-, 12–24- and 24–36-hr), however, the preference of T. ostriniae from China was significantly higher on the 12–24-hr-old eggs. None of the strains tested strongly preferred the 36–48-hr-old eggs. Under no-choice conditions, all tested ages were accepted by all Trichogramma strains, however, the T. dendrolimi strains parasitised significantly fewer eggs with increasing host age. Wasp emergence rate was also higher (94%) from the 12–24-hr-old eggs while immature developmental time was significantly prolonged on the 6–12-hr-old eggs. Two T. ostriniae strains from Southern Shan State had a broader host age preference with higher parasitism, being 32 eggs/female, and produced a greater number of progeny (∼43). These two T. ostriniae strains were identified as the most effective Trichogramma strains of O. furnacalis. The present study provides valuable information for a potential biological control programme of this maize key pest in Myanmar.
On Performance of SWIPT Enabled PPP Distributed Cooperative NOMA Networks Using Stochastic Geometry

Non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) is considered as a multiple access technique for supporting massive number of devices with high spectral efficiency. Simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT) is an efficient solution for fully autonomous and sustainable communication networks. In this paper, application of SWIPT in networks employing cooperative NOMA (CNOMA) is investigated with imperfect channel state information (CSI). Performance of the CNOMA network with SWIPT is investigated in a multi-tier downlink scenario with macro-base stations (MBSs) and femto-base stations (FBSs). The distribution of MBSs and FBSs follow Poisson point process model. Unlike solution in the existing literature, instead of using only the superimposed signal for energy harvesting (EH), in this work, the cooperating node/user employs EH using interference from the adjacent base stations. Expressions for outage probability and throughput are derived at the user pair (comprising a cell-center user and a cell-edge user) served using NOMA. Comparison of the proposed EH system with the existing solutions is highlighted. Monte Carlo simulations are carried out to validate the analytical results.
Estimation of wood volume, carbon stock and rotation age in subtropical pine forests of Malakand, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

This study was conducted in subtropical pine forests of Malakand, situated at an elevation of 762 to 1165 m asl (34˚34 ́ North-latitude & 71º54 ́ East-longitudes) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The study was aimed at estimating wood volume and carbon stock in the target area and determining a proper rotation age for Sub-tropical pine ( Pinus roxburghii ) forests. Using a simple random sampling technique, a total of 20 sample plots (with plot size of 50m×50m) were laid out in the forest area. Data was recorded for tree Diameter at breast Height (DBH), tree height, radial increment in the last 10 years, tree density and tree age for each age class. The results indicated that the tree DBH and height shows a logistic type of relation with stand age, i.e., first increase slowly then at faster rate and later-on the tree growths decline or level-off at higher ages. The average stand basal area and stand volume were 11.8 m 2 /ha and 85.04 m 3 /ha respectively. Tree density was 117 trees/ha, above and below ground tree biomass were 54.05 and 14.05 t/ha respectively. The aboveground carbon and belowground carbon were estimated as 27.02 and 7.03 t/ha respectively and the total tree carbon stock was determined as 34.05 t/ha. The proper economic rotation age for Subtropical pine forests was suggested as 90 years to get relatively maximum wood production. The study concluded that Subtropical pine forests have high potential for wood production and carbon sequestration if managed
Genetic characterization, antibiogram pattern, and pathogenicity of Clostridium perfringens isolated from broiler chickens with necrotic enteritis

The aims of this investigation were characterization, demonstration of the antibiogram pattern and detection of the pathogenicity of Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) strains isolated from broiler chickens in Damietta governorate, Egypt. A total of 357 samples representing 202 intestinal contents and 155 liver samples from freshly dead broiler chickens were collected from 18 broiler farms. Isolates of C. perfringens were identified morphologically, microscopically, and biochemically. Forty-seven C. perfringens isolates were recovered, which represented 20.3% of the intestinal contents and 3.8% of the liver samples. The toxins and virulence genes of C. perfringens were investigated using polymerase chain reaction. All of the toxigenic C. perfringens strains were type A and carried netB, tpeL, cpe, and plc genes. The in vitro antibiogram of C. perfringens strains revealed 100% sensitivity to gentamycin and levofloxacin and 100% resistance to nalidixic acid and ceftriaxone. The isolated C. perfringens strains were highly pathogenic and induced signs and lesions of necrotic enteritis as well as 43.3% mortalities in 20-day-old chicks. In conclusion, C. perfringens is an important pathogen that affects broiler chickens due to the presence of virulence genes and the pathogenicity in the inoculated birds.
Maslinic Acid Protects against Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Retinopathy by Activating Nrf2 and Suppressing NF-κB

This study tested the protective effect of maslinic acid (MA) against diabetic retinopathy (DR) in rats with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and investigated possible mechanisms of action. DM was introduced by streptozotocin (STZ) (65 mg/kg, i.p.). Control and STZ (T1DM) were divided into 2 subgroups, which received either the vehicle or MA (80 mg/kg). Serum, pancreases, and retinas were collected for further use. MA significantly reduced fasting glucose levels in the control and T1DM rats but enhanced fasting insulin levels and partially increased the size of the islets of Langerhans and the number of β-cells in T1DM rats. In addition, MA significantly improved the retina structure by preventing the reduction in the area between the inner and outer limiting membranes (ILM and OLM, respectively) and increasing the number of cells forming the ganglion cell layer (GCL), inner nuclear layer (INL), and outer nuclear layer (ONL). Associated with these effects, MA significantly reduced the total levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), as well as the nuclear levels of NF-κB p65, mRNA levels of Bax, and protein levels of cleaved caspase-3 in the retinas of T1DM rats. However, MA significantly lowered levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) but significantly increased the nuclear levels of Nrf2, protein levels of Bcl2, and total levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione (GSH) in the retinas of the control and T1DM rats. In conclusion, MA prevents DR by antioxidant potential mediated by the activation of Nrf2.
Predictive value of serum sodium level in determining perforated appendicitis

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to investigate the predictive value of hyponatremia as a new biochemical marker for the early and accurate preoperative diagnosis of complicated appendicitis in the adult population. METHODS: 732 patients who were operated for acute appendicitis (AA) and diagnosed as perforation intraoperatively were evaluated retrospectively. Serum sodium, C-reactive protein (CRP), and leukocyte levels of patients with perforated and nonperforated appendicitis were compared. RESULTS: Perforated appendicitis patients had statistically lower serum Na values (p<0.001). Similarly, patients without perforated appendicitis had higher serum CRP values (p<0.001). In patients diagnosed with perforated AA, the sensitivity of plasma sodium concentration was 63%, and the specificity was 66%. The threshold value of plasma sodium concentration ≤137.5 mEq/L had the best possible sensitivity and specificity. CONCLUSION: Hyponatremia is a new marker of perforated appendicitis and therefore, serum sodium level measurement should be considered in patients with a clinical presentation consistent with appendicitis if complications are suspected.
Compressive Behaviour of 3D-Printed PETG Composites

It is known that 3D-printed PETG composites reinforced with carbon or Kevlar fibres are materials that can be suitable for specific applications in the aeronautical and/or automotive sector. However, for this purpose, it is necessary to understand their mechanical behaviour, which is not yet fully understood in terms of compression. Therefore, this study intends to increase the knowledge in this domain, especially in terms of static behaviour, as well as with regard to creep and stress relaxation due to the inherent viscoelasticity of the matrix. In this context, static, stress relaxation and creep tests were carried out, in compressive mode, using neat PETG and PETG composites reinforced with carbon and Kevlar fibres. From the static tests, it was found that the yield compressive strength decreased in both composites compared to the neat polymer. Values around 9.9% and 68.7% lower were found, respectively, when carbon and Kevlar fibres were added to the PETG. Similar behaviour was observed for compressive displacement, where a reduction of 20.4% and 46.3% was found, respectively. On the other hand, the compressive modulus increased by 12.4% when carbon fibres were added to the PETG matrix and decreased by 39.6% for Kevlar fibres. Finally, the stress relaxation behaviour revealed a decrease in compressive stresses over time for neat PETG, while the creep response promoted greater compressive displacement. In both situations, the response was very dependent on the displacement/stress level used at the beginning of the test. However, when the fibres were added to the polymer, higher stress relaxations and compressive displacements were observed.
Association of TNF-Alpha, MBL2, NOS2, and G6PD with Malaria Outcomes in People in Southern Ghana

Background One major issue that has set back the gains of the numerous malaria control interventions that national malaria control programs have implemented is asymptomatic malaria. Certain host genetic factors are known to influence symptomatic malaria; however, not much is known about how host genetics influences the acquisition of asymptomatic malaria. Methods Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood collected from 60 symptomatic and 149 nonfebrile (asymptomatic, N = 109, and uninfected, N = 40) volunteers aged between 2 and 69 years from a high (Obom) and a low (Asutsuare) malaria transmission setting in Southern Ghana. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) was used to determine polymorphisms at the MBL2 54, TNF-α 308, NOS2 954, and G6PD 202/376 gene loci. Results Polymorphisms at the MBL2 54 and TNF-α 308 loci were significantly different amongst the three categories of volunteers in both Asutsuare (p = 0.006) and Obom (p=0.05). In Asutsuare, a low malaria transmission area, the allele G has significantly higher odds (3.15) of supporting asymptomatic malaria as against symptomatic malaria. There were significantly higher odds of TNF-α genotype GA being associated with symptomatic malaria as against asymptomatic malaria in both sites, Obom (p=0.027) and Asutsuare (p=0.027). The allele B of the G6PD gene was more prevalent in symptomatic rather than asymptomatic parasite-infected individuals in both Obom (p=0.001) and Asutsuare (p=0.003). Conclusion Individuals in Southern Ghana carrying the TNF-α 308 GA genotype are more likely to exhibit symptoms of malaria when infected with the malaria parasite as opposed to harboring an asymptomatic infection. Also, the B allele of the G6PD gene is likely to prevent a P. falciparum-infected person from exhibiting symptoms and thereby promote asymptomatic parasite carriage.
Barriers to Achieving Reproductive Justice for an Indigenous Gulf Coast Tribe

Reproductive justice is increasingly being utilized as a framework for exploring women’s reproductive health experiences. However, this topic has not yet been explored among Indigenous state-recognized tribes who do not utilize the Indian Health Service, and little research explores what other factors impact women's ability to reach their reproductive goals. A qualitative descriptive research methodology was used to explore experiences of reproductive justice among members of an Indigenous state-recognized tribe in the Gulf Coast. Data were collected through qualitative semi-structured life-history interviews with female tribal members. Several key themes emerged illustrating barriers related to women achieving their reproductive desires. These included: (a) High Prevalence of Hysterectomy or Sterilization; (b) Experiences with Infertility Common; and (c) High Frequency of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or Endometriosis. Findings of this study reveal that Indigenous women face multiple barriers to achieving reproductive justice. This study is unique in exploring the family planning desires and goals, and the barriers experienced in achieving these reproductive desires, for women in a Gulf Coast, non-federally recognized Indigenous tribe. These results contextualize national trends and suggest that Indigenous women in this study experience reproductive injustices that harm their ability to achieve their reproductive desires.
The operating room as a clinical learning environment in the views of nursing students: A qualitative research

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to discover what nursing students experience during their first impressions regarding the operating room and describe the feelings and thoughts they feel. Qualitative research study design. It included 32 students who were having their first internships at the operating room. The in-depth interviews conducted with the participants lasted for about 30–45 minutes. Five themes explaining the phenomenon of being a student at the operating room were determined. By in vivo coding, the expression of “waiting like a robot” by a male student was determined as a theme label and it received 73 references. The other four themes were as follows: “Interpersonal and environmental factors: supportive (f = 282), preventive (f = 275)”, “live observation (f = 97)” “permanent learning involving knowledge, skill, behavior and value (f = 155)” and “recommendations for a prepared process (f = 109)”. The results reflected the factors affecting learning at the operating room and clues regarding a contextual structure in terms of providing a clinically feasible environment. Internship experience in the operating room offers to develop students’ critical practice skills. Knowledge, skills and values can be better understood through live testimony in the operating room.
Exploring Telehealth Readiness in a Resource Limited Setting: Digital and Health Literacy among Older People in Rural India (DAHLIA)

An ageing population, disproportionally affecting developing countries, increases demand on healthcare systems. Digital health offers access to healthcare for older people, particularly those residing in rural areas, as is the case for 71% of older adults in India. This research examined technology uptake and digital and health literacy (eHEALS) among a sample of 150 older adults in rural Mysore and Suttur, India. The study utilised mixed-method, with descriptive analysis of quantitative data and thematic analysis of qualitative data. Low rates of digital (11%) and health literacy (3–27% across domains) were identified. Mobile phone ownership was 50%, but very few owned or used a smartphone and less than 10% used the Internet to contact health professionals. Qualitative analysis found low technology usage, driven by limited exposure and confidence in using digital devices. Barriers to usage included poor traditional literacy and physical aspects of ageing like poor vision. Social support from neighbours, family and local primary healthcare staff may enable adoption of digital health. Access to healthcare through digital means among Indian rural older adults needs to consider low rates of both digital and health literacy and leverage the value of support from family and primary healthcare providers.
Flexible Sub-bands F-OFDM Configured for Spectrum Efficiency Enhancement in 5G System

The new product of wireless communication systems, the Fifth generation (5G), promises higher data rates and Spectrum Efficiency (SE) enhancements to support the communication of heterogeneous services. The Filtered-OFDM (F-OFDM) technique was proposed as the strongest candidate waveform for the physical layer in 5G to fulfill these requirements. In F-OFDM, the whole band is split into narrow sub-bands, each filtered by a digital Finite Impulse Response (FIR) filter with different specifications to increase the spectrum utilization and allow for asynchronous transmission. This paper proposes a novel F-OFDM design waveform for the first time with four sub-bands in equal and unequal sub-band sizes of seven kinds of window sinc filters and a variety of numerology designs to observe SE enhancement using Matlab-Simulink Software. Simulation results show that F-OFDM can reduce Out-Of-Band Emission (OOBE) and achieve SE of about (5%-6%) higher than conventional OFDM for equal and unequal sized sub-bands, respectively, by optimizing the guard band between the designed sub-bands, which achieves 5G guard band requirements.
Impact of fiscal and monetary policy on inflation in Vietnam

High and sustainable growth of gross domestic product with stable inflation is one of the objectives of the most macroeconomic policies both in the world and in Vietnam. Therefore, price stability plays a vital role in assuring GDP growth. In order to stabilize prices, fiscal and monetary policies need to be appropriately managed. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of the monetary and fiscal policies on inflation in Vietnam during the period from 1997 to 2020. This study has applied the vector autoregression (VAR) model along with data gathered from the World Bank and General Statistics Office of Vietnam. The research results indicate that Vietnam’s inflation is positively influenced by a fiscal deficit (2.943), money supply (2.672), government expenditure (8.347), and interest rate (3.187). Among the factors, government expenditure has the biggest influence on inflation. Besides, trade openness (–0.311) also influences inflation, but the effect is negative and negligible. Finally, the policy implications are focused on coordinating fiscal and monetary policies maintaining a moderate level of inflation for economic growth. AcknowledgmentThis article is funded from the funding source of the research: “Solutions to deal with the risk of financial instability from support packages to fight economic recession caused by the covid-19 pandemic” with code B2022-MHN-02 by Vietnam Misnistry of Education and Training.
Hematological Parameters in Broiler Chicken Consumed Lauric Acid and Feed Fiber

Livestock productivity cannot be separated from their physiological status. Hematological tests are not only used to diagnose diseases in livestock but can be used to monitor health. Besides that, hematological parameters can also be used to assess stress levels by nutritional factors and become important information for the immune status of this livestock. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of lauric acid and dietary fiber in the ration on hematological parameters. This research was conducted on 360 unsex broiler chickens which were divided into 36 experimental units. The study design followed a completely randomized design with a factorial pattern. Lauric acid (LA) was applied with different levels consisting of 1.30% (A1); 1.95% (A2), and 2.6% (A3). While, crude fiber in the ration was also applied with different level consisting of 5% (B1), 6% (B2), 7% (B3), and 8% (B4). Each experimental unit was repeated 3 times. Blood samples were taken at the age of 35 days for the measurement of erythrocytes, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, leukocytes, and indices erythrocytes. General linear model on Minitab (version 19) was used to analysis of diversity on the data obtained. Tukey simultaneous test (HSD) was tested a difference between treatments means, and the significance was evaluated at the level of P<0.01 and P<0.05. The results showed that different levels of lauric acid and crude fiber on ration had no effect (P>0.05) on hemoglobin concentration (Hb). Meanwhile, and packed cell volume (PCV). erythrocytes, leukocytes, and indices of erythrocytes showed significant differences. Although there were differences between treatments, they were still within the normal range for chickens. The results of this study indicate that the use of lauric acid and fiber in the ration did not affect the health of the chickens.