Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Do-it-yourself surveillance: The practices and effects of WhatsApp Neighbourhood Crime Prevention groups

WhatsApp Neighbourhood Crime Prevention (WNCP) groups are popular in the Netherlands. As a basic assumption, this kind of digital neighbourhood watch could prevent crime, but what is the evidence? Drawing on a mixture of qualitative research and a review of additional publications, we conclude that WNCP groups stimulate social cohesion rather than prevent crime. We reach our conclusion by applying the evaluation EMMIE framework – an acronym for Effect, Mechanisms, Moderators, Implementation and Economics – to the available data. A point for further discussion is the limited scope of the economic dimension. Moral costs must be calculated, too, as WNCP groups tend to deepen divisions between groups of citizens and fuel exclusionary practices in the name of community safety.
Understanding Student Choice from an Innovative Knowledge-based Student Profiling Perspective: An Application of Branding Theory

ABSTRACT Understanding student choice in hospitality and tourism higher education from the perspective of students’ knowledge-based profiles remains largely unexplored in the literature. This study fills this research gap with contextual evidence of a unique sports tourism-related subject in Hong Kong as an example. A qualitative approach on the discussion forums with 45 undergraduate students was applied. Applying branding theory, student profiles consisting of their sports interests, sports brand attitudes, and awareness of athletes, along with sports tourism destinations and sports incidents were effectively reported. The common features and unique student profiles were discussed. A conceptual knowledge-based student profile model was developed for the benefit of quality assurance in higher education.
Risk Assessment of Reinforced Concrete Buildings with Rubber Isolation Systems Designed by the Italian Seismic Code

ABSTRACT This paper presents an insight on the seismic response and seismic risk of base-isolated structures performed within the RINTC project, considering different configurations of rubber-based isolation systems. This represents an in-depth revision of past works due to the adoption of more robust and accurate isolator model. Four archetype 6-storeys RC frame buildings are examined, representing both new designed isolated buildings and existing buildings retrofitted with seismic isolation, differing in age of construction and location (the cities of L’Aquila (central Italy) and Naples (southern Italy)). All the isolation systems are designed in accordance with the current Italian Seismic Code. Seismic performance assessment is performed by multi-stripe nonlinear time history analysis. The annual failure rates for two different performance levels, namely Global Collapse and Usability Preventing Damage, are computed. The results point out that all isolation systems work effectively in limiting damage while they show a quite low margin with respect to collapse, regardless of the dominant failure mode, which is governed by the more fragile component among isolation system and superstructure. The annual failure rates derived for base-isolated buildings are critically reviewed and then compared with those obtained for similar new designed fixed-base RC buildings.
Interactive Effects of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Inoculation with Nano Boron, Zinc, and Molybdenum Fertilization on Stevioside Contents of Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana, L.) Plants

Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana, L.) is receiving increasing global interest as a diabetes-focused herb associated with zero-calorie stevioside sweetener glycoside production. This study was conducted to determine whether the arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM), as a biofertilizer integrated with nano boron (B), zinc (Zn), and molybdenum (Mo), would improve stevia growth and stevioside content. A factorial experiment with four replicates was conducted to evaluate the effect of AM at 0, 150, and 300 spore/g soil and three nano microelements B at 100 mg/L, Zn at 100 mg/L, and Mo at 40 mg/L on growth performance, stevioside, mineral contents, and biochemical contents of stevia. Results indicated that the combination of AM at 150 and B at 100 mg/L significantly increased plant height, number of leaves, fresh and dry-stem, and herbal g/plant during the 2019 and 2020 growing seasons. Chlorophyll content was increased by the combination between AM at 150 spore/g soil and B at 100 mg/L during both seasons. Stevioside content in leaves was increased by AM at 150 spore/g soil and B at 100 mg/L during the second season. In addition, N, P, K, Zn, and B in the leaf were increased by applying the combination of AM and nano microelements. Leaf bio constituent contents were increased with AM at 150 spore/g soil and B at 100 mg/L during both seasons. The application of AM and nano B can be exploited for high growth, mineral, and stevioside contents as a low-calorie sweetener product in stevia.
Perception and Extramission in De quantitate animae

Augustine is commonly interpreted as endorsing an extramission theory of perception in De quantitate animae. A close examination of the text shows, instead, that he is committed to its rejection. The discussion ends with some remarks about what it takes for an account of perception to be an extramission theory and with a review of the strength of evidence for attributing the extramission theory to Augustine on the basis of his other works.
A T-Cell Epitope-Based Multi-Epitope Vaccine Designed Using Human HLA Specific T Cell Epitopes Induces Sterile Immunity against Experimental Visceral Leishmaniasis in Hamsters

Visceral Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease affecting 12 million people annually. Even in the second decade of the 21st century, it has remained without an effective vaccine for human use. In the current study, we have designed three multiepitope vaccine candidates by the selection of multiple IFN-γ inducing MHC-I and MHC-II binder T-cell specific epitopes from 3 previously identified antigen genes of Leishmania donovani from our lab, by immune-informatic approach using IFNepiotpe, NET-MHC-1 and NET MHC-2 webservers. We have tested the protective potential of these three multiepitope proteins as vaccine in a hamster model of visceral leishmaniasis. The immunization data revealed that the vaccine candidates induced a very high level of Th-1 biased protective immune response in-vivo in a hamster model of experimental visceral Leishmaniasis, with one of the candidates inducing a sterile immunity. The vaccinated animals displayed highly activated monocyte macrophages with the capability of clearing intracellular parasites due to increased respiratory burst. Additionally, these proteins induced activation of polyfunctional T cells secreting INF-γ, TNF-α, and IL-2 in ex-vivo stimulation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, further supporting the protective nature of designed candidates.
Maternal Levels of Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) during Early Pregnancy in Relation to Preeclampsia Subtypes and Biomarkers of Preeclampsia Risk

Background: Prenatal exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has been previously associated with preeclampsia, although findings are mixed with respect to the direction and magnitude of effect. To our knowledge, no studies have examined associations between PFAS and preeclampsia subtypes, which may have distinct etiologies. Objective: We examined associations between PFAS, any preeclampsia diagnosis, and early- and late-onset preeclampsia. In addition, we estimated associations between PFAS and the angiogenic biomarkers soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFLT-1) and placental growth factor (PlGF), which provide an estimate of pro- and anti-angiogenic activity within the placenta. Methods: This case–control study (n=75 cases, n=75 controls) was sampled from the LIFECODES birth cohort. Nine legacy PFAS were quantified in maternal plasma from early pregnancy (median= 10 wk) and angiogenic biomarkers were quantified in maternal plasma from four study visits (median= 10, 18, 26, and 35 wk). Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of the association between an interquartile range (IQR)-increase in PFAS and preeclampsia outcomes. Linear regression was used to estimate associations between an IQR-increase in PFAS and concentrations of angiogenic biomarkers. Results: Both perfluorodecanoic acid (OR= 1.64, 95% CI: 1.08, 2.47) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (OR= 1.60, 95% CI: 1.06, 2.43) were associated with higher odds of late-onset preeclampsia. Associations tended to be below the null for early-onset preeclampsia, although findings were imprecise. Few associations were noted between PFAS and angiogenic biomarkers. Discussion: Maternal PFAS concentrations were associated with higher odds of late-onset preeclampsia. Heterogeneity of preeclampsia should be considered in future studies because populations may have different distributions of disease subtypes. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP9091
Parental Knowledge, beliefs and first-aid practices regarding febrile convulsion: a descriptive cross-sectional study in Tamale Teaching Hospital, Ghana

INTRODUCTION: Febrile convulsion is one of the most common form of convulsion among children and one of the most common causes of hospital admissions in children under five years of age. There is paucity of data on the study of febrile convulsion in Ghana and especially, the northern part of Ghana. Aim: the study assessed parental knowledge, beliefs, and first-aid practice regarding febrile convulsion at a tertiary health facility in the northern region of Ghana. METHODS: this was a cross-sectional descriptive hospital-based study involving 100 parents whose children were admitted with previous history of febrile convulsion. They were sampled purposively. A questionnaire was used to collect data from the parents at the children´s emergency and paediatric wards of the Tamale Teaching Hospital from 1st October 2018 to 31st December 2018. The Data was then analyzed using SPSS version 23.0. RESULTS: majority (95%) of the parents had heard about febrile convulsion and especially from family members. Overall good knowledge score was 59.0%. About (71.0%) identified the presentation of febrile convulsion as twitching of the face and stiffening of the neck. Furthermore, 87% belief that febrile convulsion is caused by high body temperature. Majority (69%) of the parents bathed their children with cold water as a first aid measure of febrile convulsion. Multivariate analysis showed that the belief witchcraft could cause convulsion, type of first aid intervention given and intervention given after first aid were all associated with parental knowledge of febrile convulsion (χ2=4.05, p=0.044), (χ2=9.52, p=0.021) and (χ2=6.45, p=0.040) respectively. CONCLUSION: the study revealed that parents had substantial idea about febrile convulsions. That notwithstanding, most of their first aid management yielded no positive outcome. Again, it is worth mentioning that some parents resorted to cultural practices in treating convulsions at home, such as smearing ground garlic on the bodies of their children during a convulsive episode in order to abort it. Others attributed the cause of it to supernatural powers and witchcraft.
EDUCATION AS A KEY IN CAREER BUILDING

Human resources in companies are gaining increasingly more strategic meaning by its ability to influence reaching company goals. The task of a manager is to understand the fact that every employee is different, has different needs, goals, and ambitions, is motivated by something else in every stage of career ladder. The aim of the paper is to define the influence of education in building the employee’s career. The presumption if the level of education has influence on the career motivation factors is verified on the sample of 3,720 respondents. The results of the research have confirmed that the employee’s career is influenced by the level of education significantly. Motivation factors education and personal growth, applying own skills, self-fulfillment, and autonomous decision-making are perceived differently in terms of importance and gender. Therefore, it is recommended the company managers to include into leading of employee’s career also the level of education in the context of gender that influences employee’s needs and interests.
Magnetic Constraints on Off‐Axis Seamount Volcanism in the Easternmost Segment of the Australian‐Antarctic Ridge

The Australian‐Antarctic Ridge (AAR) is an intermediate‐spreading rate system located between the Southeast Indian Ridge and Macquarie Triple Junction of the Australian‐Antarctic‐Pacific plates. KR1 is the easternmost and longest AAR segment and exhibits unique axial morphology and various volcanic structures. We identified three asymmetric seamount chains positioned parallel to the seafloor spreading direction, which were indicative of prevalent off‐axis volcanism in the vicinity of segment KR1. Two‐dimensional magnetic modeling was used to predict the magnetization polarity of the seamounts, as well as to constrain their formation time and duration. The magnetic modeling revealed that the majority of the examined seamounts were formed over a period of less than ∼600 kyrs. The seamount formation primarily occurred during two distinct volcanic pulses from 0.16–1.14 to 1.58–2.69 Ma. A temporal gap of 200–650 kyrs between the formation time of the seamounts and seafloor was estimated for certain seamounts that were formed much later than their underlying seafloor and at a distance of 10–20 km from the KR1 axis. Typically, such off‐axis seamount activity is related to axial mantle convection caused by excessive magma supply near the ridge crest. Considering the scale of off‐axis volcanism and thickening lithosphere ∼20 km away from the axis with intermediate‐spreading rates, small‐scale upwelling made feasible by the fertile mantle heterogeneity is proposed as the mechanism for the seamount formations at off‐axis distances, and the geochemically enriched compositions of the seamounts support this alternative explanation.
Financing of The Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises Sector By Sharia Banking: Positive Effects on Economic Growth and Negative Effects on Income Inequality

This study aims to find empirical evidence that the financing provided by Islamic banking in Indonesia has a positive effect on economic growth and reduces income inequality. The method used in this study is an analysis of Structural Equation Model PLS using WarpPLS. The analysis shows the empirical evidence that Islamic banking financing of the MSMEs sector has a significant positive effect on economic growth and a significant negative effect on income inequality. Economic growth has also been shown to have a negative effect on inequality. However, the analysis results show that the economic growth is unable to mediate the relationship between financing of the MSMEs sector toward income inequality. This study concludes that financing the MSMEs sector by Islamic banking can increase economic growth in Indonesia and impact reducing people's income. The contribution of this research is that the financing of the MSMEs sector by Islamic banking must be increased because it can increase economic growth and reduce income.
Value- based Islamic banking and reporting in Bahrain

Purpose This paper aims to analyse whether the practices of Islamic banks in Bahrain are in line with value-based Islamic banking (VBIB) and reporting disclosure in the annual reports towards achieving their fundamental objectives of human-centred economic development and social justice. Design/methodology/approach Based on Islamic finance, Islamic economic principles and perception of Maqasid al-Shari’ah, this paper examines and assesses the current practices of Islamic financial institutions (IFIs) in Bahrain through content analysis of financial and annual reports of Islamic banks in Bahrain and interviews of Islamic banking experts. Findings The findings reveal that value-based banking (VBB) has not been translated fully into practice by the Islamic banks in Bahrain. Research limitations/implications The data analysis was restricted to Islamic banks in Bahrain. Practical implications This paper identifies the need for reporting standard development to improve the VBB practice in Bahrain in the future. Looking at the objectives of the IFIs, this paper introduces the concept of VBB in Bahrain, which includes ethical banking, responsible banking and social responsibility. The study adds value not only to the current Islamic finance literature but also helps many stakeholders, including prospective academics, who may conduct comparative studies in different jurisdictions throughout the world. Originality/value The specific contribution of this paper is the identification of the VBB practices and related disclosure in the Islamic banking industry in Bahrain. The study is useful to harmonise and standardise the practices of VBIB by the contemporary Islamic banks in Bahrain.
Thermochemical effects on hypersonic shock waves interacting with weak turbulence

The interaction between a weakly turbulent free stream and a hypersonic shock wave is investigated theoretically by using linear interaction analysis (LIA). The formulation is developed in the limit in which the thickness of the thermochemical nonequilibrium region downstream of the shock, where relaxation toward vibrational and chemical equilibrium occurs, is assumed to be much smaller than the characteristic size of the shock wrinkles caused by turbulence. Modified Rankine–Hugoniot jump conditions that account for dissociation and vibrational excitation are derived and employed in a Fourier analysis of a shock interacting with three-dimensional isotropic vortical disturbances. This provides the modal structure of the post-shock gas arising from the interaction, along with integral formulas for the amplification of enstrophy, concentration variance, turbulent kinetic energy (TKE), and turbulence intensity across the shock. In addition to confirming known endothermic effects of dissociation and vibrational excitation in decreasing the mean post-shock temperature and velocity, these LIA results indicate that the enstrophy, anisotropy, intensity, and TKE of the fluctuations are much more amplified through the shock than in the thermochemically frozen case. In addition, the turbulent Reynolds number is amplified across the shock at hypersonic Mach numbers in the presence of dissociation and vibrational excitation, as opposed to the attenuation observed in the thermochemically frozen case. These results suggest that turbulence may persist and get augmented across hypersonic shock waves despite the high post-shock temperatures.
Bio-inspired multifunctional zinc oxide nanoparticles by leaf extract of Andrographis serpilifolia and their enhanced antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antidiabetic activity—a 3-in-1 system

Abstract In this research article, we present a simple and rapid method for synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) using zinc acetate dehydrate, sodium hydroxide and leaf extract of an important anti-diabetic plant Andrographis serpelifolia (As). The results reveal that UV-visible absorption spectrum indicates peaks at 325 nm which confirms the biosynthesis of ZnONPs. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) results indicate the characteristic peak at 511.93 cm−1 for ZnO nanoparticles. EDX analysis revealed the purity of As-ZnONPs and the particle size was between 70 nm and 80 ± 10 nm by both dynamic light scattering analysis (DLS) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. The As-ZnONPs were moderately stable with negative zeta potential value −11.1 mV. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis also revealed the same results as TEM and DLS. The x-ray diffraction (XRD) data revealed that the particles are facets of face-centered cubic crystal structure of ZnO. The As-ZnONPs have exhibited potential antioxidant activity and effective antibacterial activity against gram-positive bacteria. The As-ZnONPs have also potential anti-diabetic activity in vivo (rat model). The antidiabetic activity of As-ZnONPs comparable to that of the standard drug glibenclamide was evidenced by various biochemical parameters like HbA1C, serum lipid profiles, liver and renal functional markers.
Detection of “Rapid” Aseismic Slip at the Izu‐Bonin Trench

No great earthquakes have been historically documented at the Izu‐Bonin Trench, where subduction is believed to occur largely by aseismic slip, although the details are poorly understood. We deployed an array of ocean bottom pressure gauges here for a year from May 2015. The array recorded the coseismic seafloor uplift/subsidence and tsunamis generated by the nearby Mw6.0 thrust earthquake. In association with this event, we detected two much larger aseismic slip events with rise times around 1 h. The total moment of these two aseismic events was 17 times larger than that of the mainshock. Such aseismic, yet still rapid, slip can be interpreted as one amid the transitional regime. This regime is expected to host slow slip events near its boundary with the stable sliding regime and, possibly, tsunami earthquakes and very low frequency earthquakes near the boundary with the unstable seismic slip regime. Slip in the transitional regime may be a prevalent mode of subduction in the Izu‐Bonin trench, where effective normal force on the frictional plate interface is tectonically reduced.
Estimation of scleral mechanical properties from air-puff optical coherence tomography.

We introduce a method to estimate the biomechanical properties of the porcine sclera in intact eye globes ex vivo, using optical coherence tomography that is coupled with an air-puff excitation source, and inverse optimization techniques based on finite element modeling. Air-puff induced tissue deformation was determined at seven different locations on the ocular globe, and the maximum apex deformation, the deformation velocity, and the arc-length during deformation were quantified. In the sclera, the experimental maximum deformation amplitude and the corresponding arc length were dependent on the location of air-puff excitation. The normalized temporal deformation profile of the sclera was distinct from that in the cornea, but similar in all tested scleral locations, suggesting that this profile is independent of variations in scleral thickness. Inverse optimization techniques showed that the estimated scleral elastic modulus ranged from 1.84 ± 0.30 MPa (equatorial inferior) to 6.04 ± 2.11 MPa (equatorial temporal). The use of scleral air-puff imaging holds promise for non-invasively investigating the structural changes in the sclera associated with myopia and glaucoma, and for monitoring potential modulation of scleral stiffness in disease or treatment.
Risks of Obesity in Adolescence: The Role of Physical Activity in Executive Functions

The aim of this study was to analyze the efficiency of a physical activity program on executive performance in obese adolescents. Fifteen adolescents (5 males and 10 females), with a mean age of 14.73 years and an IMC mean of 36.74 participated in the study. None of the participants presented a compulsive eating disorder when screened by the Binge Eating Scale. A pretest and posttest assessment, twelve months later, was conducted by using a neuropsychological battery that evaluated the cognitive flexibility (Comprehensive Trail Making Test), inhibition control (Stroop Neuropsychological Screening Test and by the Frontal Assessment Battery), and planning (Tower of London). ANOVA of repeated measures was performed. The within-subjects tests demonstrated significant statistical differences between the two moments of evaluation at the level of inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility tasks, with higher performances in the second evaluation. These results suggest that the inclusion of obese adolescents in such programs may promote their executive capacities.