Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Classification of Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease using a support vector machine and probabilistic outputs

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) are both prominent central nervous system diseases that are frequently diagnosed and studied using brain single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Owing to divergent clinical features, AD and PD are often considered distinct diseases; however, it is difficult to distinguish AD from PD on SPECT. Tools for objectively analyzing differences between AD and PD on SPECT images are not currently available. To construct a model for discriminating AD from PD in Japanese patients, we used a support vector machine (SVM) and SPECT images acquired at two different time points after radiotracer injection to extract the determinant regions for classification. We assessed SPECT images from 68 Japanese patients with AD or PD. After pre-processing noise voxels, a non-linear SVM classification with Gaussian kernels was adopted to construct the predictive model. The best SVM model was highly accurate for distinguishing AD from PD. The accuracy of this model was 98.1% for leave-one-out cross-validation and 78.6% for the test set. Our data showed that the temporal, sub-lobar, parietal, limbic, and frontal areas exhibited decreased regional cerebral blood flow in AD; whereas the frontal, anterior, parietal, and occipital areas exhibited decreased regional cerebral blood flow in PD. Here, we present a useful SVM model for classifying AD versus PD using SPECT images and show the utility of two-time-point SPECT imaging for AD/PD discrimination.
Do Spitzenkandidaten debates matter? Effects on voters’ cognitions and evaluations of candidates and issues

The Lisbon Treaty introduced key institutional changes to increase the relevance of elections to the European Parliament (EP). Among these was the ‘Spitzenkandidaten process’, which was introduced with the aim to increase the visibility of the EP elections and mobilise more citizens to turnout to vote. This article investigates the effect that the debates among the Lead Candidates had on voters’ perceptions about candidates and policy issues. To do this, we administered a two-wave panel online survey to a sample of students from different European universities prior to the Spitzenkandidaten debates and directly after them, following the logic of a quasi-experimental research design. Following a difference-in-differences approach, we gauge the extent to which those respondents who were exposed to the debates increased their degree of information about the candidates and changed their perceptions about the candidates and their policy positions. The findings reveal that respondents who followed the debate felt significantly more informed to make up their minds about the candidates as well as to make their vote decisions, and show that the debate slightly improved their perceptions of the policy positions of those candidates who they had intended to vote for.
The Osteogenic Function of Danggui Buxue Tang, a Herbal Decoction Containing Astragali Radix and Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Is Optimized by Boiling the Two Herbs Together: Signaling Analyses Revealed by Systems Biology

The therapeutic efficacy of a herbal mixture, being multi-target, multi-function and multi-pathway, is the niche of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Systems biology can dissect the network of signaling mechanisms in a complex biological system. In preparing TCM decoctions, the boiling of herbs together in water is a common practice; however, the rationale of this specific preparation has not been fully revealed. An approach of mass-spectrometry-based multi-omics was employed to examine the profiles of the cellular pathways, so as to understand the pharmacological efficacy of Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT), a Chinese herbal mixture containing Astragali Radix and Angelicae Sinensis Radix, in cultured rat osteoblasts and mesenchymal stem cells. The results, generated from omics analyses, were compared from DBT-treated osteoblasts to those of treating the herbal extract by simple mixing of extracts from Astragali Radix and Angelicae Sinensis Radix, i.e., herbal mixture without boiling together. The signaling pathways responsible for energy metabolism and amino acid metabolism showed distinct activation, as triggered by DBT, in contrast to simple mixing of two herbal extracts. The result supports that boiling the herbs together is designed to maximize the osteoblastic function of DBT, such as in energy and lipid metabolism. This harmony of TCM formulation, by having interactive functions of two herbs during preparation, is being illustrated. The systems biology approach provides new and essential insights into the synergy of herbal preparation. Well-defined multiple targets and multiple pathways in different levels of omics are the key to modernizing TCM.
Effect of Government Infrastructure Expenditure on Poverty in the East African
Community

The East African Community (EAC) level of economic integration is among the most advanced Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in Africa. With advancement in integration, efforts are being made by the member countries to have collective decision making on fiscal policies with the view of addressing poverty situation among other economic factors. However, while economic theory indicates that increased government expenditure leads to reduced poverty, empirical literature pits conflicting results. The difference in opinions poses lack of predictability of public finance decision making as to whether a perceptible relationship exists between public expenditure on infrastructure and poverty. This study thus, assessed the effect of government expenditure on infrastructure and poverty in EAC. Poverty was measured by private consumption per capita. The study was anchored on the Ferroni and Kaburi resource allocation framework. Correlational research design was adopted in the study. The analysis span between 2007 and 2018. The study used data drawn from five countries, namely, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. Panel data analysis was employed to interrogate the study topic. The Random Effects Model was used to estimate the relationship after converting the log transformed data to stationary series. The results indicated that Government expenditure on infrastructure was significant in lowering poverty (β2=0.1577; p=0.0000). Thus, the need to enhance allocation and expenditure on infrastructure to arrest poverty. The findings may be beneficial to policymakers, strategists, government and advocacy groups.
Culture Optimization for Mass Production of Rhizobium Using Bioreactor Made of Readily Available Materials and Agitated by Air Flow

Large quantities of Rhizobium leguminosarum by conventional technique are a time-consuming and labor-intensive method of production. The selection of different types of nutrient media for the production of large amounts of rhizobium at low cost, determination of environmental regulators of culture medium and the effect of different levels of air flow into nutrition media have been investigated. Rhizobium cultured in modified air lift bioreactor as improved conventional system using Yeast Extract Mannitol Broth by assessing aeration and agitation in their submerged growth. For selection of suitable nutrient media for Rhizobium before mass production, YMA (Yeast Mannitol Agar), YSA (Yeast Sucrose Agar), YMA + bromthymol blue (BTB), YMA + Congo red (CR) medium was tested. To optimize the growing conditions of different temperatures, pH levels and salt strengths were investigated. Three air flow speeds at the rate of 0.01, 0.05 and 0.1 VVM for oxygen supply were ensured. A thick off-white bacterial colony was observed on the YMA plate among different culture media. Room temperature (25˚C - 30˚C), neutral pH (7.0), low salinity (1%) was observed to be suitable among the environmental conditions for Rhizobium mass production. The maximum density of Rhizobium was observed using air supply of 0.1 VVM level in bioreactor system. The result seemed that the air supply and agitation was an important growth factor in submerged cultivation. This study provides useful information on large scale production of Rhizobium of interest employing low cost effective modified air lift bioreactor within less time.
Epidemiological approach to an outbreak of gastroenteritis in Ondo State, South West, Nigeria

Background: Acute gastroenteritis, a very common disease in humans affecting both children and adults, remains a major public health concern worldwide. Several groups of viruses have been reported as the causative agents of acute gastroenteritis. An outbreak of acute gastroenteritis with a high fatality rate was reported in Ondo State, Southwest, Nigeria, in September 2020. Methods: To provide a descriptive epidemiology of the outbreak, a field investigation was carried out in affected communities in September 2020. Results: Four Local Government Areas (LGA) were affected, with Odigbo LGA having the highest attack rate of 14.9 per 100,000 population. The epidemic curve was propagated in nature. 50 cases were reported with 21 deaths (42%). The outbreak primarily affected 15-year-olds (94%, n=47) and more males (58%, n=29). Conclusion: Poor sanitation, food, and water hygiene conditions in communities of the LGA visited were observed. The spread of the outbreak was probably facilitated by water sellers.
Robust historical evapotranspiration trends across climate regimes

Abstract. Evapotranspiration (ET) links the hydrological, energy and carbon cycles on the land surface. Quantifying ET and its spatio-temporal changes is also key to understanding climate extremes such as droughts, heatwaves and flooding. Regional ET estimates require reliable observation-based gridded ET datasets, and while many have been developed using physically based, empirically based and hybrid techniques, their efficacy, and particularly the efficacy of their uncertainty estimates, is difficult to verify. In this work, we extend the methodology used in Hobeichi et al. (2018) to derive two new versions of the Derived Optimal Linear Combination Evapotranspiration (DOLCE) product, with observationally constrained spatio-temporally varying uncertainty estimates, higher spatial resolution, more constituent products and extended temporal coverage (1980–2018). After demonstrating the efficacy of these uncertainty estimates with out-of-sample testing, we derive novel ET climatology clusters for the land surface, based on the magnitude and variability of ET at each location on land. The new clusters include three wet and three dry regimes and provide an approximation of Köppen–Geiger climate classes. The verified uncertainty estimates and extended time period then allow us to examine the robustness of historical trends spatially and in each of these six ET climatology clusters. We find that despite robust decreasing ET trends in some regions these do not correlate with behavioural ET clusters. Each cluster, and the majority of the Earth's surface, shows clear robust increases in ET over the recent historical period. The new datasets DOLCE V2.1 and DOLCE V3 can be used for benchmarking global ET estimates and for examining ET trends respectively.
Choice Experiment Method for Sustainable Tourism in Theme Parks

Previous relevant studies on theme parks lack an exploration of various tourism attributes, e.g., recreational facilities, themes, wait times, fast pass drawings, and pricing, etc., all of which inspired the research motivation of this study. First, the Choice Experiment (CE) method explores tourists’ preferences for theme park attributes. Second, the Conditional Logit (CL) and Random Parameter Logit (RPL) models explore the differences in tourists’ willingness to pay (WTP) for various attributes from the perspective of their socioeconomic background. We used purposive sampling to survey questionnaire answers face-to-face in Taiwan, and a total of 680 questionnaires were issued, of which, 549 copies are valid, with an effective recovery rate of 80.7%. The research findings suggest the following: (1) The most valued theme park attributes for consumers are the recreational facilities, followed by theme characteristics, and fast pass drawing. (2) Regarding the respondents’ WTP for various attributes, they are willing to pay the highest price for thrilling recreational facilities, then for unlimited fast pass services, and cartoon character themes. (3) Respondents believe that if thrilling recreational facilities and fast pass drawing are available at the same time, then the overall effectiveness will be improved. (4) Respondents relatively have no purchase intention for fast pass drawing. It is hoped that the research findings can provide theme park operators reference basis for making plans and decisions.
Predicting m-shopping in the two largest m-commerce markets: The United States and China

This research examines the factors affecting consumers’ mobile shopping (m-shopping) intentions in China and the United States. Drawing on the hedonic-motivation system adoption model (HMSAM), it is proposed that perceived ease of use affects m-shopping intentions; furthermore, this relationship is mediated by perceived usefulness, perceived enjoyment, and control. A survey-based cross-sectional analysis involving a total of 720 respondents constitutes the methodology of this study. In the United States, 409 responses from American citizens or residents were obtained from surveys administered online by MTurk. In China, 311 responses from Chinese consumers were obtained from surveys administered online by Sojump. Perceived usefulness, an extrinsic motive, directly affects behavioral intentions, especially for Chinese consumers, and this effect is also much stronger and complemented by an indirect effect for the Chinese (relative to American) consumers. In contrast, intrinsic motives of joy and control, which are strongly affected by perceived ease of use, do not influence intentions in either market. However, joy exerts an indirect influence on m-shopping intentions, but only for Chinese consumers. These results pertain to the specific context of m-shopping and establish further the importance of distinguishing between utilitarian and hedonic factors, especially across different markets.
Gender Differences in Implementing Organizational Change in Romania’s Central Public Administration

The present study analyses the gender differences in implementing organizational change in Romania’s central public administration, from a subordinates’ perspective, in order to establish whether female leaders are more likely to adopt change in comparison to their male counterparts. The research methodology consists of an opinion survey conducted in the central public administration of Romania based on a questionnaire. The study reveals that female leaders are perceived in a positive, yet not in a better manner than men. They are considered transformational leaders capable of involvement in the process of organizational change of public institutions. There are no significant differences between the perceptions of men and women as leaders, although almost all the differences are in favour of men. The study shows a strong correlation between transformational leadership and leaders’ capacity of implementing the management of change, the relationship being stronger in the case of female leaders who should continue to strengthen transformational behaviours.
Solving the boundary artifact for the enhanced deconvolution algorithm SUPPOSe applied to fluorescence microscopy

The SUPPOSe enhanced deconvolution algorithm relies in assuming that the image source can be described by an incoherent superposition of virtual point sources of equal intensity and finding the number and position of such virtual sources. In this work we describe the recent advances in the implementation of the method to gain resolution and remove artifacts due to the presence of fluorescent molecules close enough to the image frame boundary. The method was modified removing the invariant used before given by the product of the flux of the virtual sources times the number of virtual sources, and replacing it by a new invariant given by the total flux within the frame, thus allowing the location of virtual sources outside the frame but contributing to the signal inside the frame.
Client Satisfaction in the Quality of Post Abortion Care Among Women Attending in Public Health Facility of Gambella, Ethiopia

Background: The quality of post-abortion care services is essential to improve the health of women who experience complications from abortion. Abortion and its complication is the most common cause of maternal death in Africa, particularly in Ethiopia. Despite this fact, little attention is given to the quality of post-abortion care. This study was aimed to assess client satisfaction in the quality of post-abortion care among women in the public health facility of Gambella, Ethiopia. Methods: A facility-based crossectional study was done among 194 participants. A consecutive sampling technique was used to select the study participants. A structured, pretested, and interviewer-administered questioner was used to collecting the data. Binary and multivariable logistic regression analysis was done to identify associated factors. An adjusted odds ratio with 95% CI was used to estimate the direction and strength of the association. Variable with a p-value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: About 169 (87.1%, 95% CI: (82, 91.8)) participants were satisfied in the quality of post abortion care (PAC) services. Unwanted pregnancy [AOR=1.8, 95% CI: (1.17, 10.9)], history of abortion [2.1, 95% CI: (1.6, 13.8)], assisted by physician [AOR=3.9 95% CI: (1.6, 8.6)], treated politely and respectfully [AOR=6.3, 95% CI: (1.82, 22.2)], the provider adress all questions raised by the client [AOR=5.1, 95% CI: (1.9, 14.5)] were significantly associated factors. Conclusion: The majority of the study participants were satisfied with the quality of post-abortion care services. Enhancing patient care in the facility, strengthening awareness of family planning services, and addressing the questions of the clients in a respected manner are important measures that increase client satisfaction.
Nitrite Cycle Indicated by Dual Isotopes in the Northern South China Sea

As the world's largest marginal sea, biogeochemical cycling of nitrite (NO2−) in the South China Sea (SCS) is still unclear. NO2− concentration generally shows a peak at or near the base of the sunlit euphotic zone, which is called primary NO2− maximum (PNM). The PNM appears widely in the SCS, but its formation mechanism has not yet been realized. In this study, the dual isotopes of NO2− are used for the first time to explore the NO2− cycle and PNM formation in the northern SCS (NSCS). We propose that the formation of the PNM in the NSCS is mainly driven by ammonia (NH3) oxidation. A steady‐state model is used to estimate the biogeochemical cycling rates of NO2− in the NSCS. Our results show that both the oxidation rate of NH3 and the assimilation rate of NO2− are significantly reduced from the shelf to the basin. Notably, the role of NO2− oxidation in the basin is not negligible, although the assimilation of NO2− mainly represents the fate of NO2− in the NSCS. The residence time of NO2− implies that the cycle of NO2− is dynamic and the PNM is an active signal in the NSCS. Our results further demonstrate the importance of NH3 oxidation in the formation of PNM in the marginal sea, which can be applied in global marginal seas to gain a deeper understanding of marine nitrogen (N) cycle.
Intervention for Social Anxiety among University Students with a Solution-Focused Group Counseling Program

The aim of the research is to investigate the effect of a solution-focused group counseling program on reducing social anxiety of university students. The study group consists of 30 (16 female, 14 male) students who volunteered among 224 students who continue their education at Afyon Kocatepe University in the 2019-2020 academic year. The research had a 2x3 mixed pattern with experiment and control groups and pretest, posttest and follow-up measures. The Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) was used as data collection tool. University students in the experimental group attended a 6-session solution-focused group counseling program about reducing social anxiety, while the control group did not participate in any study. After completing experimental processes, both groups underwent posttest and then follow-up measures at the end of 3 months. Data were analyzed with the two-way analysis of variance technique for mixed patterns. Results revealed that the solution-focused group counseling program was effective in reducing the social anxiety of university students and the efficacy continued during follow-up at the end of three months.
THE EFFECT OF TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP ON WORK ENGAGEMENTS MEDIATED BY MEANINGFUL WORK AND PERSONAL RESOURCES: A STUDY ON EMPLOYEES OF AIRNAV INDONESIA DENPASAR BRANCH

This study aims to explain the role of meaningful work and personal resources in mediating the relationship between transformational leadership and work engagement. The study was conducted at AirNav Indonesia Denpasar Branch with a sample of 117 employees. The sample was determined using the proportionate random sampling method. Data collection methods used are interviews and questionnaires. Data were analyzed using SEM (Structural Equation Modeling) with the PLS (Partial Least Square) approach. The results of this study indicate that transformational leadership, meaningful work, and personal resources have a positive and significant effect on work engagement; transformational leadership has a positive and significant effect on meaningful work and personal resources; meaningful work and personal resources act as partial mediators on the effect of transformational leadership on work engagement. This can have practical implications for leaders to implement and improve transformational leadership in order to increase meaningful work and personal resources for employees so as to increase work engagement in the company.
“Visible” at Last? Some Notes on English as a Target Language and Translated Books in the US

In the international system of translations, English has been described as playing a “hypercentral” role. At the same time, translation is seen as playing a marginal role in the Anglo-American cultural and publishing scenarios. The present paper is aimed at revisiting this idea. After an overview of recent studies that have examined the role and significance of translated titles in the publishing markets of English-speaking countries, the paper reports on an exploratory analysis of records available in a database that collects information on books in translation published or distributed in the US starting from 2008. The analysis indicates that translation is enjoying a renewed attention in the US market, in terms of both the number of translated titles and the distribution of translations across different genres.
Pengembangan Program Resitasi Berbantuan Komputer pada Materi Fluida Statis

This research was conducted to develop a computer-assisted recitation program on statics fluid topics The type of research used is R & D (Research and Development) by adapting the Four-D model (Define, Design, Develop, and Disseminate) developed by Thiagarajan, but the research carried out is limited to the develop stage. The product has been validated by 2 media experts in the field of physics education. The feasibility test was carried out on 97 students who took Basic Physics I courses. Based on the results of validation by experts, the average value was 3.74 for content validation and 3.56 for product validation with valid criteria. The feasibility test obtained a proportion of 92.58% in the eligible criteria.