Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Specific gene delivery mediated by poly(ethylene glycol)-grafted polyamidoamine dendrimer modified with a novel HER2-targeting nanobody

As compared to other nanobiopolymers used in gene delivery applications, polyamidoamine dendrimers possess significantly improved physical and chemical properties such as monodispersity, well-defined size and shape, and biocompatibility, which make them ideal vectors for biomedical purposes. The aim of this study was fine-tuning of an anti–human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) nanobody–polyethylene glycol (PEG)–G5 polyamidoamine gene delivery vector for potential in vivo applications. Polyethylene glycol was conjugated to polyamidoamine dendrimers at three different molar ratios of 10, 20, and 30 (polyethylene glycol:polyamidoamine). Anti-HER2 nanobody was chosen as our targeting agents and attached to polyethylene glycol–polyamidoamine conjugates. Cytotoxicity assays and transfection studies were carried out to find the most efficient conjugate in terms of both low cytotoxicity and high transfection rate. Our data indicated that PEGylation decreased the cytotoxicity of dendrimers alone and when complexed with DNA (dendriplexes). Among all of the polyethylene glycol–polyamidoamine dendrimers, polyethylene glycol(10)–polyamidoamine resulted in the most efficient gene transfection vector in both BT-474 and MCF-10A cell lines. Incorporation of anti-HER2 nanobodies could further increase their cellular uptake up to 1.7-fold compared to native dendrimers in HER2-overexpressing BT-474 cells but not in HER2-negative MCF-10A cells. It can be concluded from our results that nanobody–polyethylene glycol–polyamidoamine conjugates might be a promising new bioconjugate for the targeted gene delivery to HER2-positive tumor cells in vivo.
Job-Embedded Learning (JEL) and Monitoring and Evaluation Levelling (MEL): An Educator’s Aftermaths to Learning and Development Intervention (LDI)

Teachers play a crucial role in improving the quality of the teaching and learning process. Hence, enhancing teacher quality ranks foremost in the many educational reform efforts toward quality education. (PPST, 2017). This study aims to improve the teaching-learning process as well as to increase the Mean Percentage Score (MPS) in all learning areas through Job-Embedded Learning (JEL) and Monitoring and Evaluation Levelling (MEL). Mixed-Method Research Design was used to continually ensure the conduct of open-ended techniques, which contributed to the successful implementation of Learning and Development Intervention (LDI). Data was collected and interpreted using graphical representations and Pareto Analysis. The contributing factors that help LDI successful were: Participants were given the opportunity to reinvent usual classroom routines suited to the current situation, and appropriate strategies were utilized according to the learners’ needs along with the available materials and equipment in the school. This structured JEL process requires that professionals should (a) plan to continue learning while on the job; (b) integrate their new learning with normal work activities; (c) constantly reflect upon and evaluate their work practice; (d) generate new insights and learning based on their reflections; and (e) share experiences and develop new insights with others. Improvement of work performance based on the result of the entire learning process.
Tissue Lead and Cadmium Levels and Associated Haematological Changes in Goats Slaughtered at The Bodija Abattoir, Ibadan

Heavy metal environmental contamination consequent of anthropogenic factors has become a global concern with cadmium and lead constituting a major public health, livestock and ecological threat. This study, therefore, uses goats (as sentinel animals) raised in 2 different regions based on their mining history (previous and existing) to evaluate exposure to cadmium and lead and their consequent toxicities and pathological changes. A total of 130 goats (composed of 88 goats which constitute the suspected exposure (SE) group and 44 goats, the suspected unexposed (SU) group) were sampled. Blood and tissue samples (liver, kidney and muscles) were analysed for lead and cadmium levels using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer along with the complete blood count analysis. The mean blood lead levels (BLLs) and cadmium levels (BCLs) in the goats from the SE groups were 14.59 and 3.12 µg/dl respectively, which were significantly higher than the SU groups (9.23 and 0.46 µg/dl respectively) A significantly higher frequency of goats in the SE (93.18%) also had an elevated BLLs compared to the SU group (78.57%). The levels of tissue lead and cadmium in both the SE and SU groups were found significant and higher than the FAO/WHO maximum limits. The packed cell volume, red blood cell count, and haemoglobin concentration were found significantly lower, and the platelet count and some leucocyte parameters (total white blood cell, neutrophil, eosinophil, and monocyte count) were found significantly higher in the SE group. The elevated cadmium and lead level in both groups further highlight the ubiquitous spread of cadmium and lead environmental contamination in both study regions and the direct risk of exposure to human and animals in Nigeria. The relative differences in the observed pathological changes in the two study groups also suggest the influence of the environmental heavy metal pollution and exposure levels on health.
Experiences of children with special educational needs and disabilities and their families in the United Kingdom during the coronavirus pandemic

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to outline the experiences of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their families during the coronavirus pandemic Design/methodology/approach: This paper draws on research gathered and collated by three different organisations working with families of children and young people with SEND Findings: There were a number of common findings across all three surveys In particular: the rapid collapse of external support for children and families;the reduction/withdrawal of support exacerbated the stress and exhaustion already experienced by many families;it proved very difficult to establish home learning and get adequate support from schools;there was little government recognition of families’ vulnerability and need for support;and, paradoxically, a significant minority of children and families reported increased well-being Originality/value: Findings carry clear implications both for the provision of child and family support during any further lockdowns and, more generally, in respect of government policy and funding of family support © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited
The Spatial Variability of Soil Physical Properties of Different Sized-gap in a Subtropical Forest, China

Gap areas create heterogeneity in the spatial environment, which is important to plant regeneration and diversity. Soil physical properties (SPP) are factors that affect plant growth. This study aims to assess the spatial variability of SPP in different gap sizes and to determine the effect of gap size on SPP. We used geostatistical analysis to illustrate the spatial patterns of SPP variability within 9 gaps, classified into three sizes (small, medium, and large) and under the canopy at the Castanopsis kawakamii natural reserve forest, the soil samples were collected entire gap area at 20 cm depth with the grid system (resolution: 3 m × 3 m). The following SPPs were determined using soil cores: soil bulk density (SBD), soil water mass content (SWMC), soil volumetric moisture content (SVMC), maximum moisture capacity (MMC), capillary water capacity (CWC), minimum water-holding capacity (MWHC), soil capillary porosity (SCP), and soil total porosity (STP). We found that every SPP, except SCP and STP, significantly differed with gap size. Gap sizes generally improved the SPPs, especially in the small and large gaps, indicating that the soil there was more suitable for plant growth than the soil under the canopy. The highest spatial variability of SPPs was observed in the large gaps. Gap size affected SPP and its spatial variability. The results from this study will be useful for work on forest gap regeneration and conservation, especially around the study site.
How Do College Students Use Their Free Time? A Latent Profile Analysis of Leisure Activities and Substance Use

Abstract College is a critical period of transition to independence and the substantial amount of time that students have to participate in leisure activities may be conducive to substance use. However, little is known about the associations between leisure activities and substance use over time, or whether these associations differ by residential status (i.e. living with parents vs. on their own). Using latent profile analysis, this study found six distinct profiles of leisure activity participation in a racially/ethnically diverse sample of college students (N = 1207). Overall, profiles with medium levels of leisure activity participation were associated with more alcohol use, heavy drinking, and marijuana use one year later; whereas profiles with the lowest levels of leisure activity participation were associated with more cigarette use 1 year later. Identifying mechanisms through which leisure activities influence substance use can help inform prevention efforts to either reduce risks associated with participation or support protective effects.
Directed motivational currents: An agenda for future research

Directed motivational currents (DMCs) encapsulate a unique motivational phenomenon. DMCs are highly positive, potent motivational experiences which can carry individuals or groups forwards to achieving valued goals at both a remarkable rate, and with a perceived feeling of seemingly ‘effortless effort’. Although research into DMCs began under a decade ago (Dörnyei, Ibrahim & Muir, 2015; Dörnyei, Muir & Ibrahim, 2014; Henry, Davydenko & Dörnyei, 2015; Muir & Dörnyei, 2013), the motivational experience DMCs encapsulate is, in and of itself, certainly not novel. DMCs appear to be widely recognizable in diverse contexts, and may even be relatively widely experienced (Muir, 2020). The theoretical underpinning of DMC theory draws together findings from a broad range of well-established motivational disciplines in related areas of psychology (including cognitive and educational psychology), alongside motivation research rooted more fully in the context of language learning (LLing) and teaching. We begin by overviewing the DMC construct itself, outlining key cornerstones and primary theoretical principles that underpin our understanding of each. We go on to lay out a broad agenda for further study, continuing the discussion in the final chapter of Muir (2020), by foregrounding six avenues for future research. Viewed together, they are demonstrative of the scope of future research potential surrounding DMC theory, incorporating both theoretical and applied (pedagogic) directions for inquiry. For each future avenue that we propose, we foreground several more specific directions in which research effort might begin.
A three‐dimensional X‐ray redetermination of the crystal structure of ammonium perchlorate

The crystal structure of ammonium perchlorate has been redetermined by X-ray three-dimensional analysis of 800 reflexions collected with Mo Kc¢ monochromatized radiation on an automatic fourcircle diffractometer. The cell parameters, redetermined with the same apparatus are: a=9.227, b= 7.454, c=5.819 A (24°C), Z=4, space group Pna21 (C9,,) from systematic absences and by successful refinement. The previous space group, Puma, used for the two-dimensional analysis, did not allow a three-dimensional refinement. The positional and anisotropic thermal parameters of the non-hydrogen atoms were refined by the least-squares method. An almost spherical distribution of the hydrogen atoms around the nitrogen atom was introduced into the calculation. Final R = 0-050. Residual electron density maxima were observed from difference Fourier syntheses around the nitrogen atom at distances of 0"8-0.9 A. They make tetrahedral angles to nitrogen and have short H . O distances (2.15-2.50 .~) from eight neighbouring oxygen atoms, indicating that the ammonium ion does not have a completely free rotation.
Analysis of Rice Productivity among Beneficiaries of Anchor Borrowers Programme in Adamawa State, Nigeria: Data Envelopment Analysis Approach

Rice production in Nigeria has always been dominated by small scale farmers using traditional crude methods which are inefficient, resulting in low yield. Various measures have been taken by the government to improve rice production with the view of achieving self-sufficiency in rice production for consumption as well as export. Despite these measures, rice has not been sufficiently produced to meet the demand of the growing population in Adamawa State. So many problems might have contributed to this, which could be due to lack of adaptable rice varieties and low level of productivity of resources used by the rice farmers among others. Recently, the federal government introduced the anchor borrowers programme (ABP) with the goal of helping rice farmers to achieve desired output using improved production resources. This paper examined rice productivity and factors affecting rice farmers’ productivity among beneficiaries of anchor borrowers programme in Adamawa State, Nigeria. A multistage random sampling procedure was used in selecting the respondents. A structured questionnaire is administered to 139 farmers spread across 3 Local Government Areas to obtain information on farmer’s socio-economic variables, inputs used and output obtained in rice production. The objectives were analyzed using descriptive statistics, data Original Research Article Bitrus et al.; AJAEES, 38(11): 34-44, 2020; Article no.AJAEES. 62676 35 envelopment analysis and OLS regression. The DEA result for level of productivity revealed that the average technical efficiency of 0.71, a minimum of 0.02 and a maximum of 1.0, indicating that the inefficient farmers could decrease their levels of input usage by 29% to produce the same levels of outputs to be at the same level with the frontier farmers. The results showed that the double log functional form gave the best line of fit. R 2 value was about 86% and statistically significant at 1% level. Seed (0.882), family labour (0.712), hired labour (0.109), herbicide (0.548), fertilizer (0.200) and land (0.211) were positively and significantly related to productivity at different probability levels. Based on the findings, the study concluded that the mean technical efficiency (productivity) score was 0.71 indicating a high level of productivity. The study also found that all the production factors used by rice farmers among anchor borrower’s beneficiaries had a positive influence on the productivity levels of the rice farmers. Hence, productivity among rice farmers depends largely on their production factors.
Competitive Pressure and Business Performance in East Java Batik Industry

This study aims to assess the impact of competitive pressure and innovation capability on business performance in smalland mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) in the batik industry in East Java, Indonesia. Furthermore, this study explores the impact of competitive pressure on business performance through innovation capability as a mediating variable. This research was quantitative using primary data with questionnaire as a method of sampling collection. The measurement of the variables was captured using Likert scale. The respondents were smalland medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the batik industry in East Java Province, Indonesia. The sample totaled 254 subjects. The data analysis was done using SEM-PLS. The results of the study show that: 1) there was a positive direct impact of competitive pressure on business performance; 2) competition pressure positively influences innovation capability; 3) innovation capability positively influences business performance; and 4) innovation capability has a partial mediating role in the effect of competitive pressures on business performance. The findings of this study suggest that managers in SME’s batik industry should increase their effort to cope with the high competitive pressure to increase the innovation capability, so that they can have an advantage to face successfully competitors, leading to higher business performance.
Iron Silicide Formation by Precipitation in a Silicon Bicrystal

Segregation and precipitation of iron in a Σ = 25 silicon bicrystal have been carefully investigated by means of high resolution electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analyses, in combination with capacitance and electron beam induced current measurements. After intentional incorporation of iron in the bicrystal by a simple heating procedure, it was shown that a non-equilibrium segregation of iron has occurred after rapid cooling whereas iron precipitates have been produced upon slow cooling. The silicides are formed mainly at the grain boundary area and they were found to belong to the e-FeSi cubic or α-FeSi2 tetragonal phases. Each precipitate is simply oriented with respect to one of the two grains without any preference between them. The orientation relationships were found in perfect agreement with those observed for the corresponding iron silicides that are epitaxially grown on oriented silicon substrates. Barrier and recombinative effects on the contaminated (1200 °C) and slowly cooled samples have been detected. These effects have been associated with the formation of iron silicides at the grain boundary. La segregation ainsi que la precipitation de siliciures de fer au joint de grains Σ = 25 de silicium ont ete etudiees en utilisant la dispersion d'energie des electrons, la microscopie electronique en transmission haute resolution ainsi que des mesures electriques capacitives et des mesures de courants induits par faisceau d'electrons. A la suite d'une contamination volontaire par diffusion thermique du fer au sein du bicristal, nous avons montre qu'une segregation hors-equilibre d'atomes de fer est obtenue apres un refroidissement rapide alors qu'un refroidissement lent a pour consequence la formation de siliciures de fer. Ces petits cristaux de siliciures croissent de preference au niveau du joint de grains et ils ont pour phase, la phase cubique e-FeSi ou la phase quadratique α-FeSi2. Chaque precipite est oriente simplement par rapport a l'un ou a l'autre des deux grains et leurs relations d'orientation coincident avec celles observees pour ces memes siliciures epitaxies sur des surfaces de silicium. Les echantillons contamines (1200 °C) et refroidis lentement presentent des barrieres de potentiel et des effets recombinants. Ces activites electriques ont ete associees a la presence de siliciures au niveau du joint.
Modeling dynamic distribution of dilemma zone at signalized intersections for developing world traffic

Abstract Drivers approaching a signalized intersection during the onset of yellow are often in a dilemma whether to stop or go. It has been reported in past studies that drivers in India are aggressive and often run a red light, creating dangerous situations. In this study, the distribution of the dilemma zone is analyzed for selected signalized intersections characterized by mixed traffic conditions. A total of 893 vehicle trajectories and the drivers’ responses during the yellow phase were recorded at three high-speed signalized intersections. The drivers’ behavior intending to stop or go during the yellow phase was modeled as a binary decision. The length and location of the dilemma zone were found to be influenced by the vehicle speed during the yellow phase, distance from stop line, vehicle type, and lane occupied, indicating the dynamic nature of the dilemma zone. The findings of the effect of vehicle type revealed that the car has the longest length of the dilemma zone, whereas the truck has the shortest length. The analysis of approach speeds showed that 85th percentile speed at the onset of yellow was higher than the posted speed limit, indicating the aggressive and incompliance nature of the drivers.
Desistance, persistence, resilience and resistance: A qualitative exploration of how Black fathers with criminal records navigate employer discrimination

While research suggests a growing proclivity amongst contemporary fathers towards emotional involvement and child caregiving, studies indicate that most men still experience unrelenting pressure to provide financially for their family. For some fathers, the ability to spend time with their children is contingent on financial provision. Fathering, therefore, can be dependent on employment. The intersection of Blackness, maleness, and a criminal record, however, often results in employer discrimination, which hinders reentering Black men’s ability to secure legitimate revenue streams and achieve fathering expectations. In response to these barriers, many men agentically create opportunities for themselves in order to provide for their families. Framed using Sites of Resilience and Posttraumatic Growth, the current study draws from qualitative data and adds to the literature by focusing on the act of hurdling rather than the hurdles faced upon reentry. Findings demonstrate how hustling upon reentry is not a display of persistent criminal character but, rather, reflects a resilient response to systemic racism and blocked opportunities. The discussion on policy implications is led by participant suggestions on how to deter criminal activity while providing opportunities for men with criminal records to support their families.
Determinants of Liquidity in Manufacturing Firms

This study examines the factors that affect firm’s liquidity in manufacturing companies listed in Vietnam. Factors studied include the board size, the board independence, the firm size, the firm age, and its return. We use different metrics to measure firm’s solvency status, including the cash ratio, the quick ratio, and the cash conversion cycle. Accordingly, three econometric models are built to test hypotheses proposed by researchers in order to explain the relationship between the five factors above and liquidity’s measures. The study used the data set of manufacturing companies listed on the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange in the period from 2015 to 2019. The final sample group comprises 139 firms with 633 observations. The results show that in manufacturing firms, while the cash ratio and the quick ratio are positively associated to the board size, the board independence, and the firm’s profitability, the net operating cycle is negatively correlated to the board size, the firm size, the board independence, and the profitability. Therefore, larger firms with larger board size and more independent members can help to improve capital management efficiency.There is no evidence for the relationship between the firm age and solvency measurements, between cash conversion cycle and firm’s profitability.