Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with West Nile infection in human in Madagascar: a cross-sectional serological survey

Background: West Nile virus (WNV) is a vector-borne virus maintained through an arthropod-borne transmission cycle involving bird hosts and Culex mosquito species. The disease affects humans in North America, Europe, Africa and Indian Ocean islands including Madagascar. In Madagascar, despite the surveillance of WNV, unreported WNV encephalitis (WNE) are suspected. In order to improve WNE surveillance efficiency and optimize the available resources we aimed to estimate WNV human seroprevalence in different areas of the island, and to identify the environmental factors and areas favorable to WNV transmission in human.Methods: Between 2011 and 2013, during a national cross-sectional serological survey 1,680 individuals were sampled. Sera were tested for IgG directed against WNV using ELISA and Hemagglutination Inhibition assays. Then, we analyzed human serological results using Generalized Linear Mixed Models, with the individual serological status as the response, and environmental variables and human related factors as explanatory variables. Results : The overall human WNV seropositivity rate was 12.7% (95% CI [11.2-14.4]). Human seroprevalence was positively associated with humid environment (p<0.005) whereas cold and highlands environment had a significant negative effect on seroprevalence (p<0.001). Outdoor work had also a significant positive effect on seroprevalence (p<0.01, OR = 1.99). Conclusions: Our results indicate a heterogeneous circulation of WNV in human and highlights that humid environment of the northwestern part of the island is at-risk for WNV circulation whereas cold environment of the highlands is not favorable for WNV transmission in human. The identification of at-risk environments for WNV circulation in humans should help to improve the surveillance of the disease in Madagascar and is a first step to target future studies on acute encephalitis.Trial registration: The protocol was approved by the Malagasy competent authorities, the Malagasy Ethic National Committee (authorization N°066/MSAMP/CE, 26th July 2011).
Socio-Economic Drivers of Fish Species Consumption Preferences in Kenya’s Urban Informal Food System

In an effort to contribute to resilient food and nutritional security in urban slums, a food system approach was applied to understand the key socio-economic factors driving fish species consumption in Kibera, the largest informal settlement in Africa located in Nairobi, Kenya. Data were collected from 385 randomly selected households using a structured questionnaire. A multivariate probit model was applied to estimate the relationship between the variables in order to determine the socio-economic drivers of preferences for different fish species. The results indicated that Lake Victoria sardine (Rastrineobola argentea) had the highest preference (73%) among the respondents, followed by Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) (70%) and Nile perch (Lates niloticus) (23%), respectively, with other fish species at 12%, including African catfish, marbled lungfish, common carp, fulu and tuna (Clarias gariepinus, Protopterus aethiopicus, Cyprinus carpio, Haplochromine cichlids and Thunnus sp., respectively). Large household size showed an increase in preference for the Lake Victoria sardine, while higher income influenced preference for Nile tilapia and Nile perch positively, implying that when more income is available, Nile tilapia is the preferred fish over other fish species. Increased fish prices positively influenced preference for Nile tilapia, which is explained by the willingness to pay extra for quality and origin, for instance, to avoid the cheaply cultivated Chinese fish. In the case of the Lake Victoria sardine, lower prices positively affected the preferences. Religious and cultural practices and beliefs influenced preference for species and consumption of fish. Residents who migrated from western Kenya had a higher preference for the Lake Victoria sardine, while residents born and raised in Kibera had a higher preference for Nile tilapia. Neighbourhood effects reduced the preference for consuming Nile perch. These findings provide insights into future market opportunities for specific target groups. For instance, given that small-sized fish like the Lake Victoria sardine is highly demanded, in order to increase resiliency in food and nutrition security, small-sized cheap Nile tilapia will have a large potential in the future, with ever higher demand specifically from the residents born and raised in Kibera.
An indigenous Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast strain isolated from Paarl regional Shiraz grapes to enhance Shiraz wine typicity

Wine yeast starter cultures differ in their ability to release aroma-enhancing metabolites associated with typical varietal wines. Therefore, this study investigated an indigenous Saccharomyces cerevisiae isolated from Paarl regional Shiraz grapes for the release of, amongst others, volatile thiols (aroma compounds traditionally associated with white cultivars, especially Sauvignon blanc) during the 2016 and 2017 vintages using Shiraz grape must. Chemical analyses of final wines showed that the indigenous strain i.e., NI6 produced Shiraz wines lower volatile acidity (VA) and acetic acid concentrations than wines produced with reference strains i.e., WE372 and MERIT, respectively. This was further supported by descriptive sensory evaluations of wines, as NI6 wines had typical Shiraz varietal aromas and flavours, i.e.,“berry”, “jammy”, “smoky” and “spicy and peppery”. This yeast strain also produced wines with more 3-mercapto-1-hexanol (3MH), a volatile thiol that imparts black currant aromas in red wines, than both red wine reference strains in 2016. Both red wine reference strains, however, produced red wines with higher ester compounds (imparts “fruity” aroma) concentrations than strain NI6. Nonetheless, the ability of NI6 to consistently release volatile thiols during both vintages is advantageous for Shiraz wine typicity. Overall, this study showed that wines with a positive correlation with black and/or fruits aromas and flavours also had volatile thiol levels above its sensory detection thresholds, which indicates that ester compounds are not solely responsible for Shiraz wine fruity aromas and flavours as was traditionally reported.
Paclitaxel Mortality in Peripheral Artery Disease

Peripheral artery disease is a matter of global concern that affects 200 million people and is associated with decreased arterial perfusion in the extremities. The most plausible pathomechanism involves the formation of atheromas which subsequently cause occlusive atherosclerosis that impinge blood supply. Atheroma formation involves endothelial dysfunction with an accumulation of LDL (Low-density lipoprotein) that subsequently become oxidized and consumed by macrophages to form foam cells. The foam cells will release factors such as MMPs (Matrix metalloproteinases) and PDGF (platelet derived growth factor) that induce the proliferation and migration of smooth muscle cells, forming atheroma. Furthermore, endothelial cell damage can cause a loss of protective mechanisms, such as a reduction in the release of protective vasodilatory prostaglandins and Nitric Oxide. Atherosclerosis formation also decreases oxygen diffusion to the arterial media, resulting in atrophy in the vessel wall and ischemia. Additionally, chronic transmural inflammation cyclically releases increased MMPs and elastases that expand the arterial wall while degrading the protective collagen.
The Role of Akhlak Intelligence: Mediation Between Self-Efficacy and Entrepreneurial Orientation

This study attempts to fill the gap in the literature between self-efficacy and entrepreneurial orientation (EO). The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of self-efficacy and EO mediated by moral intelligence. Data collection was carried out from a population of 17,603 Muslim entrepreneurs in the city of Semarang who are engaged in the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector. The data collected from the online survey was applied to structural equation modeling (SEM). From this study, it was found that self-efficacy has a significant effect on EO and moral intelligence, while moral intelligence affects EO. This study contributes to the literature on the role of self-efficacy and moral intelligence in increasing EO. The originality of this study is to offer the concept of moral intelligence which plays a central role in the relationship between self-efficacy and EO. Thus, no studies have investigated this causality.
Hidden Markov Model of Lane-Changing-Based Car-Following Behavior on Freeways using Naturalistic Driving Data

This paper develops a methodology for simultaneously modeling lane-changing and car-following behavior of automated vehicles on freeways. Naturalistic driving data from the Safety Pilot Model Deployment (SPMD) program are used. First, a framework to process the SPMD data is proposed using various data analytics techniques including data fusion, data mining, and machine learning. Second, pairs of automated host vehicle and their corresponding front vehicle are identified along with their lane-change and car-following relationship data. Using these data, a lane-changing-based car-following (LCCF) model, which explicitly considers lane-change and car-following behavior simultaneously, is developed. The LCCF model is based on Gaussian-mixture-based hidden Markov model theory and is disaggregated into two processes: LCCF association and LCCF dissociation. These categories are based on the result of the lane change. The overall goal is to predict a driver’s lane-change intention using the LCCF model. Results show that the model can predict the lane-change event in the order of 0.6 to 1.3 s before the moment of the vehicle body across the lane boundary. In addition, the execution times of lane-change maneuvers average between 0.55 and 0.86 s. The LCCF model allows the intention time and execution time of driver’s lane-change behavior to be forecast, which will help to develop better advanced driver assistance systems for vehicle controls with respect to lane-change and car-following warning functions.
Modeling the Dynamics of Dense Pyroclastic Flows on Venus: Insights Into Pyroclastic Eruptions

On Venus, relatively young deposits near volcanic and coronal summits with unique radar characteristics have been proposed to be emplaced by pyroclastic density currents (PDCs). The proposed units are laterally extensive, long‐runout deposits showing moderate to high radar backscatter and circular polarization ratio in 12.6 cm wavelength synthetic aperture radar data. Previous studies have hypothesized that a recent resumption of volcanic activity in the form of PDC‐forming eruptions could have emplaced these deposits. We model the dynamics of dense PDCs using a 2D, depth‐averaged framework focusing on regions where stereo‐derived topography coverage is available; this includes the flanks of Irnini Mons, Anala Mons, Didilia Corona, and Pavlova Corona. Two different mechanisms of initiation which includes impulsive collapse of an eruption column and sustained pyroclastic fountaining are considered. The results emphasize the importance of pyroclastic flow fluidization via high pore pressure in emplacing long‐runout deposits along gently sloping (<2°) volcanic flanks. We also show that collapse of columns >1.2–1.4 km tall as well as pyroclastic fountains lasting >400 s with fountain heights of 50 m are capable of generating pyroclastic flows that could emplace some of the smaller deposits studied. For the large deposits at Irnini Mons, more energetic flows resulting from taller column heights would be necessary; the dynamics of such flows under Venus's conditions are not well understood. Distinguishing between the two initiation styles, that is, column collapse and sustained fountaining is not feasible with currently available datasets and would require higher resolution imagery and topography data.
Revisiting Investability of Heritage Properties through Indexation and Portfolio Frontier Analysis

In recent years, the soaring prices of heritage properties in Georgetown, Penang have gained the attention of practitioners and investors. The practitioners claim that the prices of heritage properties within the core and buffer zones in Georgetown have increased more than 300% since the city was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2008. Such heritage properties containing historical or art elements that lead to forming a diversified portfolio could exert a low correlation of returns with conventional assets. In addition, rehabilitation of heritage properties requires high restoration costs and conversion fees. Despite the above claims, there is an absence of empirical studies relating to heritage investability, particularly to prove whether the heritage properties are truly worth investing in. Thus, this study incorporates a self-developed heritage properties Index (PIHPI_HR) into the conventional investment portfolio for assessing diversification effects. This study has collected 853 units of transacted properties for constructing a 10-year price index (PIHPI_HR). Subsequently, its diversification effect was examined through the Efficient Frontier (EF), derived from the Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT). The findings have proven the optimization of the conventional portfolio by enabling investments in heritage properties where the return is higher than other investment assets at the same risk level. This study also unveiled the price movement of heritage properties together with their investment value, which is deemed to be useful for institutional investors and the public to formulate sustainable investment strategies in the future.
An Evaluation of Feedback-Based Interventions on Promoting Use of Personal Protective Equipment in a School

ABSTRACT Employees working in human services are more likely to receive injuries on the job than in many other industries. Human service organizations that serve individuals who engage in dangerous behavior often require employees to adhere to safety guidelines, including utilizing protective equipment to minimize the risk of injuries. Despite protective equipment being prescribed in students’ treatment plans at a private day school, employees were often observed working with students without the prescribed protective equipment. Results from a Performance Diagnostic Checklist-Safety assessment varied across three classrooms. Therefore, individualized treatment packages were implemented in each classroom. Results indicated increased use of prescribed protective equipment across all three classrooms and an overall decrease in staff injuries sustained by student contact.
Continuous Intention to Use E-Wallet in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Integrating the Health Belief Model (HBM) and Technology Continuous Theory (TCT)

Personal safety has had a renewed focus throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to behavioral change. The adoption of E-wallets facilitates social distancing and thereby helps prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. This paper aims to investigate the potential for consumers’ continued usage of an E-wallet service through an integrated framework based on two established models: the Health Belief Model (HBM) and Technology Continuous Theory (TCT). An electronic survey was distributed to a sample of 1080 individuals from academic society in three different Hungarian universities who had used an electronic wallet during the pandemic COVID-19. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was applied in the study and explained the 55.9% variance in consumers’ continuous intention towards E-wallet usage. This study found that while the COVID-19 pandemic strongly influenced the current use of e-wallets; the pivotal factor affecting their continued use is based on consumer self-efficacy. The study has both short and long-term implications; in the short-term, decisionmakers should utilize health threat constructs (as an element of the protective behaviors taken during the COVID-19 pandemic) to motivate consumers to use E-wallets; in the longer-term, banks should develop further strategies that encourage consumer loyalty regarding E-wallets by reassuring customers that these financial services achieve the value and benefits that they expect, resulting in self-efficacy.
Religion and Desire for Additional Children in a Son-preference and Low Fertility Society: Evidence From Vietnam

Background: The association between religion and desire for additional children has remained controversial and varies depending on the social context of the study. This study empirically investigates the relationship between religion and desire for additional children in Vietnam, a society characterized by son preference and low fertility. Methods: Using nationally representative data from the 2014 Vietnam Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, the study employs Probit regression analysis to investigate the relationship between religion and desire for additional children among women of reproductive age (15-49). The sample consists of 5,585 women across all six economic regions. Results: Religion has a strong impact on the desire to have an additional child, and the relationship differs across economic regions. In three out of six regions, Christians have higher fertility desire compared to non-religious people. Fertility desire of Buddhists differs from fertility desire of non-religious people in two out of six regions, namely Northern Midlands and Mekong River. Fertility desire of those belonging to other religions is different from that of non-religious people only in Mekong River. Conclusions: Identifying the impact of religion on desire for additional children can help promote appropriate family planning policies. The study also demonstrates that son preference exists in all regions of Vietnam, with the level increasing from the South, towards the Central and peaks in the North, especially in the regions bordering China.
Depressive symptom trajectories and their gender differences in adolescents from multicultural families in South Korea: an ecological perspective

ABSTRACT This study examines the depressive symptom trajectories in middle-school adolescents from multicultural families in South Korea and explores their predictors from the ecological systems perspective. Using the latent growth model, we analysed a sample from the Multicultural Adolescents Panel Survey (2014–2016). Our findings revealed that depressive symptoms increased persistently with age. Girls presented a systematically higher risk of depressive symptoms than boys. Family support, two-parent families, parental monitoring, learning, friendships, positive perceptions about the residential area, and good health reduced depressive symptoms. Parental neglect, bullying, parental involvement in children’s grade, and acculturative stress increased depressive symptoms.
Principal Component Analysis and Stability of Genotypes in French Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Background: Principal component analysis and Finlay-Wilkinson stability analysis were carried out at research farm of ICAR-Indian Institute of Vegetable Research, Varanasi to identify diverse french bean genotypes for green pod yield and suitable genotypes for stable yield and yield related parameters.Methods: All the 24 genotypes were laid out in randomized block design with two replications during winter, 2017 and 2018. Principal component analysis and stability analysis was done to identify the diverse and stable genotypes.Result: Eight principal components were observed and the maximum variability was concentrated in the first three principal components PC1, PC2 and PC3 which contributed to 68.61% variance. Cluster analysis from principal component scores formed three clusters with a maximum of seventeen genotypes in cluster I followed by six genotypes in cluster II and one genotype in cluster III. High heritability was observed for 10 pod weight, number of pods per cluster and number of seeds per pod and moderate heritability was observed for yield per plant. Finlay-Wilkinson stability analysis identified the stable genotypes viz., FMGCV 1378, FMGCV 0958, Arka Suvidha, Valentino, Banoa and VRFBB-14-2 for green pod yield per plant, Cartagenta for pod length (cm) and Paulista, Slender Pack, Arka Suvidha, Valentino, FMGCV 0958, Banoa, FORC 6V 1136, VRFBB-14-1, VRFBB-14-2 for number of pods per plant.
Changes in Agricultural Performance of Common Buckwheat Induced by Seed Treatment with Cold Plasma and Electromagnetic Field

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of pre-sowing seed treatment with cold plasma (CP) and an electromagnetic field (EMF) on the agricultural performance of two cultivars of common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench)—‘VB Vokiai’ and ‘VB Nojai’. For this, the effects of CP and EMF on seed germination, plant growth in the field, photosynthetic efficiency, biomass production, seed yield, and the amount of secondary metabolites and minerals in the harvested seeds were estimated. Although the percentage of seedlings that emerged under field conditions decreased by 11–20%, seed treatments strongly improved buckwheat growth and yield. Irrespective of differences in the dynamics of changes in the growth and photosynthetic activity between the two cultivars, the weight of seeds collected per plant for both cultivars was significantly higher (up to 70–97%) compared to the control. The biochemical composition of the harvested seeds (Fe, Zn, quercetin content) was also altered by seed treatments. Thus, pre-sowing treatment of buckwheat seeds with CP and EMF substantially stimulated plant growth in the field, increased biomass production, seed yield and nutritional quality. The results obtained strongly support the idea that plant seed treatment with physical stressors has great potential for use in agriculture.
Green patenting and corporate social responsibility: Does family involvement in business matter?

Correspondence Francesco Aiello, Department of Economics, Statistics and Finance “Giovanni Anania”, University of Calabria, I-87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza, Italy. Email: francesco.aiello@unical.it Abstract This paper explores whether family and non-family firms differ in terms of their capability to introduce green patenting. By considering the environmental performance as a corporate social responsibility related concern, the analysis is based on a large data set of patenting activities carried out by Italian manufacturing firms over the period 2009–2017. Results show that family firms are less likely than non-family firms to implement innovations in green technologies. This holds true whatever the level of accumulation in green and non-green knowledge.