Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
How Facebook Adoption Impacts SMEs Performance

The rise in social media usage has revolutionized information dynamics, transforming traditional communication into a multidirectional, interactive process. This study explores the impact of Facebook adoption on Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) performance, addressing a notable gap in the Ugandan context. A quantitative survey involving 120 SMEs employed a comprehensive questionnaire validated for content and reliability. Existing literature suggests that Facebook positively influences SME performance, more so in areas like cost-effective marketing and customer engagement. Results highlight a moderate to high levels of Facebook adoption among SMEs. Correlation analysis reveals positive associations between Facebook adoption and SME performance. Regression analysis further signifies Facebook's significant impact ( =0.142, P<0.0003), particularly through customer engagement (B=0.263, p<0.029). The study points out the unique relationship between Facebook adoption and SME performance and thus recommend businesses to strategically engage with customers on this platform. While the model explains a part of SME performance, areas for future research to explore additional influencing factors are recommended.
ViEWS: A political violence early-warning system

This article presents ViEWS – a political violence early-warning system that seeks to be maximally transparent, publicly available, and have uniform coverage, and sketches the methodological innovations required to achieve these objectives. ViEWS produces monthly forecasts at the country and subnational level for 36 months into the future and all three UCDP types of organized violence: state-based conflict, non-state conflict, and one-sided violence in Africa. The article presents the methodology and data behind these forecasts, evaluates their predictive performance, provides selected forecasts for October 2018 through October 2021, and indicates future extensions. ViEWS is built as an ensemble of constituent models designed to optimize its predictions. Each of these represents a theme that the conflict research literature suggests is relevant, or implements a specific statistical/machine-learning approach. Current forecasts indicate a persistence of conflict in regions in Africa with a recent history of political violence but also alert to new conflicts such as in Southern Cameroon and Northern Mozambique. The subsequent evaluation additionally shows that ViEWS is able to accurately capture the long-term behavior of established political violence, as well as diffusion processes such as the spread of violence in Cameroon. The performance demonstrated here indicates that ViEWS can be a useful complement to non-public conflict-warning systems, and also serves as a reference against which future improvements can be evaluated.
The Collective Influence of Intolerance of Uncertainty, Cognitive Test Anxiety, and Academic Self-Handicapping on Learner Outcomes: Evidence for a Process Model

Research on achievement emotions and behaviors has routinely demonstrated connections to student performance. This study approaches the work from a perspective of greater integration of multiple variables and examines potential nonlinear relationships among intolerance of uncertainty, cognitive test anxiety, academic self-handicapping, and student performance. Using structured equations modeling and generalized additive modeling, our results confirm better predictions of student performance when using both multivariate and curvilinear analyses. Optimal prediction of GPA was achieved when considering all three variables in conjunction through a serial mediation model. Specifically, the analyses demonstrated that intolerance of uncertainty tended to activate learners’ cognitive test anxiety, which increased the potential of engaging in academic self-handicapping, resulting in lower levels of GPA. The results are consistent with process models of test anxiety that identify the critical role of learners’ appraisals of evaluative stressors as well as the coping strategies employed when stressors are activated. Finally, curvilinear analyses confirmed that student GPA was related to academic self-handicapping and cognitive test anxiety in complex ways but largely demonstrated that as the levels of self-handicapping and/or cognitive test anxiety increased, performance declined. However, the degree of severity in reduced GPA was most severe for learners with elevations in both.
THE INFLUENCE OF COMMUNITY-BASED CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR) ON TISKA BEACH TOURISM VISITS IN LAMPUNG PROVINCE

This research delves into an exploration of the intricate interplay between social responsibility, community-based initiatives, and sustainable tourism practices within the picturesque landscape of Lampung province. The focal point of this study revolves around Tiska Beach, a captivating destination that beckons travelers seeking a harmonious blend of nature and recreation. The overarching objective is to unravel the nuanced influence of these factors on visitor loyalty, thereby contributing to the sustainable development of Tiska Beach and its surrounding communities. The research population comprises the diverse array of visitors gracing the shores of Tiska Beach in Lampung, with a meticulously chosen sample size of 100 individuals. Employing the robust analytical tool of multiple linear regression analysis, the study seeks to dissect the multifaceted dynamics at play within the realm of social responsibility, community-based tourism, and the sustainable practices that underpin Tiska Beach's allure. One pivotal facet of this investigation lies in the acknowledgment of corporate social responsibility (CSR) as a driving force shaping the visitor experience. The essence of CSR resonates with the fundamental notion that organizations, particularly businesses, bear a profound responsibility not only towards their patrons but also to the broader environment encompassing all facets of their operations
TLR2 and TLR9 Blockade Using Specific Intrabodies Inhibits Inflammation-Mediated Pancreatic Cancer Cell Growth

Pancreatic cancer (pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, PDAC) remains a deadly cancer worldwide with a need for new therapeutic approaches. A dysregulation in the equilibrium between pro- and anti-inflammatory responses with a predominant immunosuppressive inflammatory reaction in advanced stage tumors seem to contribute to tumor growth and metastasis. The current therapies do not include strategies against pro-tumorigenic inflammation in cancer patients. We have shown that the upregulated cell surface expression of Toll-like Receptor (TLR) 2 and of TLR9 inside PDAC cells maintain chronic inflammatory responses, support chemotherapeutic resistance, and mediate tumor progression in human pancreatic cancer. We further demonstrated intracellular TLR2 and TLR9 targeting using specific intrabodies, which resulted in downregulated inflammatory signaling. In this study, we tested, for the first time, an intrabody-mediated TLR blockade in human TLR2- and TLR9-expressing pancreatic cancer cells for its effects on inflammatory signaling-mediated tumor growth. Newly designed anti-TLR2- and anti-TLR9-specific intrabodies inhibited PDAC growth. Co-expression analysis of the intrabodies and corresponding human TLRs showed efficient retention and accumulation of both intrabodies within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), while co-immunoprecipitation studies indicated both intrabodies interacting with their cognate TLR antigen within the pancreatic cancer cells. Cancer cells with attenuated proliferation expressing accumulated TLR2 and TRL9 intrabodies demonstrated reduced STAT3 phosphorylation signaling, while apoptotic markers Caspases 3 and 8 were upregulated. To conclude, our results demonstrate the TLR2 and TLR9-specific intrabody-mediated signaling pathway inhibition of autoregulatory inflammation inside cancer cells and their proliferation, resulting in the suppression of pancreatic tumor cell growth. These findings underscore the potential of specific intrabody-mediated TLR inhibition in the ER relevant for tumor growth inhibition and open up a new therapeutic intervention strategy for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
The Terroir of Pinot Noir Wine in the Willamette Valley, Oregon: A Broad Analysis of Vineyard Soils, Grape Juice and Wine Chemistry

i Dedication . iv Acknowledgements . v List of Tables . xii List of Figures . xxii Chapter One – Introduction . 1 Objective of This Study . 5 Study Area . 7 Limitations . 10 Chapter Two – Background . 12 Implications of Research. 12 Terroir . 14 Terroir and Soils . 18 Willamette Valley Geology . 20 Soils and Geology. 23 Climate . 27 Oregon’s American Viticulture Areas . 29 Chemistry . 32 Chapter Three – Methods. 39 Selection of Sites. 39 Soil Physical Characteristics . 41 Soil Chemistry . 46 Grape Juice and Wine Chemistry . 49 Clay Mineralogy . 50 Data Analysis . 51 Chapter Four – Elk Cove Vineyards Results . 52 Volcanic Parent Material – Clay Court Vineyard, Block E . 52 Physical Characteristics . 52 Soil Chemistry . 56 Grape Juice Chemistry . 58 Wine Chemistry . 58 Clay Mineralogy . 60 Marine Sediment Parent Material – Roosevelt Estate Vineyard . 61 Physical Characteristics . 61 Soil Chemistry . 63 Grape Juice Chemistry . 68 Wine Chemistry . 69
Coming to grips with model imperfection: morphodynamic models as exploratory tools for understanding braided river dynamics

Numerical models that predict channel evolution through time are an essential tool for investigating processes that occur over timescales which render ﬁeld observation intractable. However, available morphodynamic models generally take one of two approaches to the complex problem of computing morphodynamics, resulting in drastic oversimpliﬁcation of the relevant physics (e.g. cellular models) or faithful, yet computationally intensive, representations of the hydraulic and sediment transport processes at play. The practical implication of these approaches is that river scientists must often choose between unrealistic results, in the case of the former, or computational demands that render modeling realistic spatiotemporal scales of channel evolution impossible, in the case of the latter. Here we present a new modeling framework that operates at the timescale of individual competent ﬂows (e.g. ﬂoods), and uses a highly-simpliﬁed sediment transport routine that moves volumes of material according to morphologically-derived characteristic transport distances, or path lengths. Using this framework, we have constructed an open-source morphodynamic model, termed MoRPHED, which is here applied, and its validity investigated, at timescales ranging from a single event to a decade on two braided rivers in the UK and New Zealand. We do not purport that MoRPHED is the best, nor a perfect, tool for modeling braided river dynamics at this range of timescales. Rather, our goal in this research is to explore the utility, feasibility, and sensitivity of an event-scale, path-length-based modeling framework for predicting braided river dynamics. To that end, we further explore (a) which processes are naturally emergent and which must be explicitly parameterized in the model, (b) the sensitivity of the model to the choice of particle travel distance, and (c) whether an event-scale model timestep is adequate for producing braided channel dynamics. The results of this research may inform techniques for future morphodynamic modeling that seeks to maximize computational resources while modeling ﬂuvial dynamics at the timescales of channel change.
The Influence of Electronic Service Quality, Transaction Costs and Experience Value on Online Satisfaction and Loyalty of Halodoc Application Users

Telemedicine applications are very necessary in efforts to increase the effectiveness of health services to the community. The telemedicine industry has a great opportunity to create market share by properly understanding the important aspects of customer satisfaction. This research aims to identify the factors that most influence customer loyalty which is mediated by customer satisfaction with the halodoc application as a telemedicine application. This type of research is quantitative research using a questionnaire via Google Form as a primary data collection instrument. Secondary data is used in this research as material for developing hypotheses. 200 questionnaire data were analyzed with partial least structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) using Smart_PLS to validate the model and test hypotheses. The research results show that e-service quality is one of the most influential factors in creating loyalty among halodoc application users, both directly and indirectly, mediated through customer satisfaction. The experience value and transaction cost variables have a positive influence in creating customer satisfaction and loyalty when using the halodoc application. Although this research has several limitations, it is hoped that the research can provide some practical implications for halodoc as a telemedicine company to design application services that produce higher user satisfaction and loyalty.
Predicting channel type from catchment and hydrological variables

We used field measurements to classify 36 river sites in the upper Murrumbidgee catchment (30 000 km 2 ), Australia, into 11 channel types. We then used pre- and post-catchment disturbance coarse sediment supply, coarse sediment transport capacity and maximum shear stress values (based on digital elevation models and hydrological regionalizations) to develop statistical models of channel type groupings, median bed surface grain size, and the occurrence of sand slugs. We applied the models to the upper Murrumbidgee catchment to predict the pre- and post-catchment disturbance spatial distribution of channel types. The predictions indicate the expected pre-disturbance attributes of degraded reaches and identify those degraded reaches that have a high potential for physical habitat restoration.
Biotic interactions between benthic infauna and aerobic methanotrophs mediate methane fluxes from coastal sediments

Abstract Coastal ecosystems dominate oceanic methane (CH4) emissions. However, there is limited knowledge about how biotic interactions between infauna and aerobic methanotrophs (i.e. CH4 oxidizing bacteria) drive the spatial–temporal dynamics of these emissions. Here, we investigated the role of meio- and macrofauna in mediating CH4 sediment–water fluxes and aerobic methanotrophic activity that can oxidize significant portions of CH4. We show that macrofauna increases CH4 fluxes by enhancing vertical solute transport through bioturbation, but this effect is somewhat offset by high meiofauna abundance. The increase in CH4 flux reduces CH4 pore-water availability, resulting in lower abundance and activity of aerobic methanotrophs, an effect that counterbalances the potential stimulation of these bacteria by higher oxygen flux to the sediment via bioturbation. These findings indicate that a larger than previously thought portion of CH4 emissions from coastal ecosystems is due to faunal activity and multiple complex interactions with methanotrophs.
Performance of a Novel Blood-Based Early Colorectal Cancer Screening Assay in Remaining Serum after the Blood Biochemical Test

Background Combination of multiple biomarkers was an effective strategy to improve sensitivity in cancer diagnosis and screening. However, the performance of the combination of methylated SEPT9 and SDC2 for detection of colorectal cancer (CRC) has yet to be reported. Methods A new qPCR-based assay combining the detection of methylated SEPT9 and SDC2 was used. Methylation statuses of SEPT9 and SDC2 were examined in 19 sets of cancer tissues and paired adjacent tissues and further evaluated with 225 serum samples, including 111 CRC patients and 114 no evidence of disease individuals. Results SEPT9 and SDC2 methylation levels were higher in 94.7% and 100.0% of cancer tissues than in their paired adjacent tissues. The sensitivities for detecting CRC by SEPT9 methylation alone and SDC2 methylation alone were 73.0% (95% CI: 63.6–80.8%) and 71.2% (95% CI: 61.8–79.2%), respectively, with the same specificity of 95.6% (95% CI: 89.6–98.4%). However, when SEPT9 methylation was combined with SDC2 methylation to detect CRC, the sensitivity was improved to 86.5% (95% CI: 78.4–92.0%) with a specificity of 92.1% (95% CI: 85.1–96.1%). Conclusion The combination of methylated SEPT9 and SDC2 detection in serum has the potential to be a noninvasive strategy for CRC screening.
Dual Antiplatelet Therapy for the Acute Management and Long-term Secondary Prevention of Ischemic Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack, An Updated Review

To improve the efficacy over antiplatelet monotherapy, dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) has been increasingly adopted in the management of non-cardioembolic stroke. For minor ischemic stroke and high-risk transient ischemic attack, the aspirin–clopidogrel combination is now recommended for acute short-term treatment, whereas aspirin–ticagrelor combination may be considered in selected patients, especially those with resistance to clopidogrel. For long-term stroke prevention, aspirin–dipyridamole combination has been used as an alternative to antiplatelet monotherapy, and aspirin or clopidogrel combined with cilostazole may be prescribed for added protection in high-risk patients. In this paper, we review the development of DAPT from a historical perspective and describe the findings from major clinical trials published up until the end of 2023. Using the 2021 American Heart Association guideline for secondary stroke prevention as a basis for our recommendations, we further discuss areas of controversy and more recent developments to provide an updated review for clinicians to consider in their daily practice.
Study on sea sand as a partial replacement for fine aggregate

Sand researches around the world are in continuous search for the alternatives of sand. Fine aggregate is an important constituent of concrete and is required in large quantities. Generally, river sand is used as fine aggregate. Due to the increase in the utilization of concrete in construction sector, the need for river sand has been increased enormously. Hence, the abundant sea sand can be used as an alternative of river sand partially.The sea sand samples before (samples A and C) and after mineral extraction were utilized to replace for fine aggregate. The mineral extracted chiefly includes ilmenite, zircon, rutile, sillimanite and super garnet was confirmed by an analytical technique Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA). Physical properties of these sands were recorded. Results reveal that the angle of internal friction (O) was high and low in sample A and C, but an opposite trend was observed for specific gravity. Except sample D, remaining samples belong to grade II size. Concrete cubes were laid for M35 grade concrete with the combinations of the above samples. The fine aggregate proportion from the design mix was replaced partially by 20% of sea sand. Compressive strength test and pull out test and the behaviour of concrete were conducted on the various soil specimens and the results were tabulated. The strength tests were conducted at 7, 14 and 28 days of water curing. Compressed strength, band strength as well the weight kg-1of the concrete did not affected by replacement of either sample A (10%) or sample B (20%). Proposed replacement is economically cheaper. Considering laboratory studied, we recommended to utilized sea sand for partial replacement for fine aggregate.
Timing, Displacement and Growth Pattern of the Altyn Tagh Fault: A Review

The Altyn Tagh Fault (ATF) is the longest, lithospheric scale and strike‐slip fault in East Asia. In the last three decades, multidisciplinary studies focusing on the timing, displacement of strike‐slip and growth mechanics of the ATF have made great progresses. Most studies revealed that the ATF is a sinistral strike‐slip and thrust fault, which underwent multiple episodes of activation. The fault is oriented NEE with a length of 1600 km, but the direction, timing of activity and magnitude of its extension eastward are still unclear. The AFT was predominately active during the Mesozoic and Cenozoic, in relation to the Mesozoic collision of the Cimmerian continent (Qiangtang and Lhasa block) and Cenozoic collision of India with Asia. The AFT strike‐slipped with a left‐lateral displacement of ca. 400 km during the Cenozoic and the displacement were bigger in the western segment and stronger in the early stage of fault activation. The slip‐rates in the Quaternary were bigger in the middle segment than in the western and eastern segment. We roughly estimated the Mesozoic displacement as ca. 150–300 km. The latest paleomagnetic data showed that the clockwise vertical‐axis rotation did not take place in the huge basins (the Tarim and Qaidam) at both side of ATF during the Cenozoic, but the rotation happened in the small basins along the ATF. This rotation may play an important role on accommodating the tectonic deformation and displacement of the ATF. Even if we have achieved consensus for many issues related to the ATF, some issues still need to be study deeply; such as: (a) the temporal and spatial coupling relationship between the collision of Cimmerian continent with Asia and the history of AFT in the Mesozoic and (b) the tectonic deformation history which records by the sediments of the basins within and at both side of AFT and was constrained by a high‐resolution and accurate chronology such as magnetostratigraphy and paleomagnetic data.
Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy Could Not Improve Cumulative Live Birth Rate Among 705 Couples with Unexplained Recurrent Implantation Failure

Objective We evaluate whether next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) improves the cumulative pregnancy outcomes of patients with unexplained recurrent implantation failure (uRIF) as compared to conventional in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI). Patients and Methods This was a retrospective cohort study (2015–2022). A total of 705 couples diagnosed with uRIF were included in the study. 229 women transferred blastocysts based on morphological grading (IVF/ICSI) and 476 couples opted for PGT-A to screen blastocysts by NGS. Women were further stratified according to age at retrieval (<38 years and ≥38 years). The primary outcome was the cumulative live-birth rate after all the embryos were transferred in a single oocyte retrieval or until achieving a live birth. Confounders were adjusted using binary logistic regression models. Results Cumulative live-birth rate was similar between the IVF/ICSI group and the PGT-A group after stratified by age: IVF/ICSI vs PGT-A in the <38 years subgroup (49.7% vs 57.7%, adjusted OR (95% CI) = 1.25 (0.84–1.84), P = 0.270) and in the ≥38 years subgroup (14.0% vs 19.5%, adjusted OR (95% CI) = 1.09 (0.41–2.92), P = 0.866), respectively. Nonetheless, the PGT group had a lower first-time biochemical pregnancy loss rate (17.0% vs 8.7%, P = 0.034) and a higher cumulative good birth outcome rate (35.2% vs 46.4%, P = 0.014) than the IVF/ICSI group in the <38 years subgroup. Other pregnancy outcomes after the initial embryo transfer and multiple transfers following a single oocyte retrieval were all similar between groups. Conclusion Our results showed no evidence of favorable effects of PGT-A treatment on improving the cumulative live birth rate in uRIF couples regardless of maternal age. Use of PGT-A in the <38 years uRIF patients would help to decrease the first-time biochemical pregnancy loss and increase the cumulative good birth outcome.