Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Overconfidence and audit fees: does the fiscal council influence this relationship?

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the role of fiscal council as a mechanism capable of changing the manager's ability to influence audit fees. Methodology: 231 observations of publicly-held companies that traded their shares on [B]³ in 2017 were analyzed. To investigate the relationship object of this study, an analysis was performed using multiple linear regression with the OLS estimator. Results: In the analyzed sample, it was identified that managers' overconfidence increases audit costs, which is consistent with the argument that managers' overconfidence can increase the risk of material error. However, possibly due to characteristics of the emerging environment or different levels of efficiency of the fiscal council, it was not possible to confirm the hypothesis that the fiscal council exerts a significant influence on the relationship between manager overconfidence and audit fees. Study Contributions: In the empirical field, this research provides subsidies for investors and regulators regarding the role of governance mechanisms - more specifically the fiscal council - in the relationship between the auditor and the client. From a theoretical perspective, the accounting literature is added to fill in the existing gap about the consequences of behavioral biases of managers on the audit fees under the moderation of the supervisory board.
Performance of Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool and Patient-Generated Global Subjective Assessment in screening for cancer-related malnutrition in Nairobi, Kenya

Background: Malnutrition is a common feature among oncology patients. It is responsible for poor response and tolerance to anticancer therapy, increased morbidity, and mortality. More than half of malnourished cancer patients remain undetected owing to lack of effective screening. Body mass index is the main indicator for assessing malnutrition in Kenyan public hospitals. However, it underestimates weight loss in patients with chronic illnesses. The Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool and Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment have been widely used in research and clinical practice and have both reported good validity and reliability. However, their diagnostic evaluation has not been performed in Kenya. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 138 and 76 cancer outpatients from Kenyatta National Hospital and Texas cancer treatment centres, respectively. Participants had a confirmed disease, stage 1-4 cancer, and aged 18 years and above. They were screened for malnutrition using both Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool and Patient Generated-Subjective Global Assessment. A separate study questionnaire was utilized to gather participant’s socio-demographic and clinical characteristics. A Bayesian latent class modelling framework was employed to infer the tests’ estimates based on participants ‘cumulative scores from the two tests. Results: The cut-off value of ≥ 1 and ≥ 4 gave the best combination of sensitivity and specificity of Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool and Patient Generated-Subjective Global Assessment. Both tests yielded statistically similar sensitivities and specificities. Predictive values were comparable between the tests and across the two populations. The posterior median true prevalences of malnutrition were high (˃ 54%) and numerically similar between the studied populations. Conclusions: The performance of both tests among patients with cancer is similar. Healthcare workers are therefore at liberty to use either of them to inform treatment. Given the high true prevalence of cancer-related malnutrition, routine screening is critical and should be included as part of cancer care.
Polyphenols: Bioavailability, Microbiome Interactions and Cellular Effects on Health in Humans and Animals

Polyphenolic compounds have a variety of functions in plants including protecting them from a range of abiotic and biotic stresses such as pathogenic infections, ionising radiation and as signalling molecules. They are common constituents of human and animal diets, undergoing extensive metabolism by gut microbiota in many cases prior to entering circulation. They are linked to a range of positive health effects, including anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibiotic and disease-specific activities but the relationships between polyphenol bio-transformation products and their interactions in vivo are less well understood. Here we review the state of knowledge in this area, specifically what happens to dietary polyphenols after ingestion and how this is linked to health effects in humans and animals; paying particular attention to farm animals and pigs. We focus on the chemical transformation of polyphenols after ingestion, through microbial transformation, conjugation, absorption, entry into circulation and uptake by cells and tissues, focusing on recent findings in relation to bone. We review what is known about how these processes affect polyphenol bioactivity, highlighting gaps in knowledge. The implications of extending the use of polyphenols to treat specific pathogenic infections and other illnesses is explored.
Population structure, regeneration potential and leaf morphological traits of Rhododendron campanulatum D.Don along an altitudinal gradient in Western Himalaya

Abstract The vegetation of the alpine treeline ecotone is among the most vulnerable and sensitive to global climate change. Treeline species respond to global warming through changes in their population structure, regeneration, plant functional traits and shift in their habitat. This study was carried out on Rhododendron campanulatum D.Don, a typical plant species of the Himalayan treeline ecotone, to understand the variation in population structure, regeneration potential and leaf morphological traits along the altitudinal gradient (3100–3550 m.a.s.l.) in Tungnath, Western Himalaya. We reported the higher seedling (3480 stem ha−1) and juvenile (2210 stem ha−1) density of the species above the treeline at 3400 m.a.s.l. This clearly shows a good regeneration status and indicates the upward shift of the species. Leaf morphological traits such as length, width, and the specific leaf area decreased with an increase in elevation but leaf thickness increased with an increase in elevation. SLA was higher (71.14 cm2/g; p < 0.001) at 3100 m.a.s.l. located below the treeline than 3550 m.a.s.l. (60.08 cm2/g; p < 0.001)) located above the treeline. The results indicate that the species has large flexibility in the morphological performance and its high level of plasticity in morphological traits may explain its wider niche and ability to survive in harsh alpine conditions.
Rare Carbon-Bridged Citrinin Dimers from the Starfish-Derived Symbiotic Fungus Penicillium sp. GGF16-1-2

Four novel, rare carbon-bridged citrinin dimers, namely dicitrinones G–J (1–4), and five known analogs (5–9) were isolated from the starfish-derived fungus Penicillium sp. GGF 16-1-2. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis and quantum chemical calculations. Compounds 1–9 exhibited strong antifungal activities against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides with LD50 values from 0.61 μg/mL to 16.14 μg/mL. Meanwhile, all compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against human pancreatic cancer BXPC-3 and PANC-1 cell lines; as a result, compound 1 showed more significant cytotoxicities than the positive control against both cell lines. In addition, based on the analyses of the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and Western blot, 1 could induce apoptosis by activating caspase 3 proteins (CASP3).
Reasons Faculty Teach, or Do Not Teach, Service-Learning Courses in a Pandemic: The Role of Faculty Investment and Clues for the Future of Service-Learning

Objectives: Current issues impact the number and type of service-learning courses (SLCs) offered across universities. Our research aims to address the barriers and offer solutions to implementing SLCs. Methods: Instructors (n = 117) in the California State University system, the largest in the United States, who taught SLCs in fall 2019 and spring 2020 were contacted to understand why they chose to continue, or discontinue, teaching SLCs in Fall 2020. Results: The majority of participants continued to teach an SLC. Those who had more experience teaching SLCs were more likely to continue. Additionally, female participants trended toward being more likely to consider the use of service-learning as a high-impact practice as more important in their decision to continue teaching an SLC compared to male participants. Additional results and further implications are addressed. Conclusions: While there are significant barriers to teaching SLCs in a remote environment, there are viable solutions.
Establishing Minimal Conditions Sufficient for the Development of Titan-like Cells in Cryptococcus neoformans/gattii Species Complex

Opportunistic pathogens of the anamorphic genus Cryptococcus are unique considering their virulence factors that in the context of pathogenesis allowed them to achieve evolutionary success. Morphological transformation into giant (Titan) cells is one of the factors contributing to cryptococcosis. Recently established in vitro protocols demonstrate that 5 or 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) combined with 5% CO2, 37 °C, and sufficiently low cell density, triggers cellular enlargement (Serum protocols). However, the FBS components that promote this morphological transition remain incompletely characterized. In search of minimal conditions necessary for stimulating the formation of Titan cells, we performed a study where we eliminated serum from the protocol (Serum-free protocol) and instead systematically adjusted the amount of glucose, source of nitrogen (ammonium sulfate), and the pH. We found that exposing cells to PBS with adjusted pH to 7.3, and supplemented with 0.05% glucose, 0.025% ammonium sulfate, 0.004% K2HPO4, 0.0035% MgSO4, in the presence of 5% CO2 at 37 °C triggers Titan-like cell formation to the same degree as the previously established protocol that utilized 10% FBS as the sole nutrient source. Titan-like cells obtained according to this Serum-free protocol were characterized by cell body size over ten microns, a single enlarged vacuole, thick cell wall, extensive polysaccharide capsule, and changes in the level of cell ploidy, all currently known hallmarks of Titan cells found in vivo. Strikingly, we found that in both, Serum and Serum-free protocols, an optimal pH for Titan-like cell development is ~7.3 whereas relatively acidic pH (5.5) prevents this morphological transition and promotes robust proliferation, while alkaline pH (~8.0) has a profound growth inhibitory effect. Our study demonstrates a critical role of pH response to the formation of Titan cells and indicates that conditions that allow restricted proliferation in the presence of 5% CO2 are sufficient for this morphological transition to form enlarged cells in Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii species complex.
Pathologic Complete Response Prediction to Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy Combined with Chemotherapy in Resectable Locally Advanced Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Real-World Evidence from Integrative Inflammatory and Nutritional Scores

Purpose Neoadjuvant immunotherapy and chemotherapy (nICT) is an emerging hotspot that has been shown to be safe and feasible for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (LA-ESCC). This real-world study aimed to develop and validate a novel predictive model [integrative inflammatory and nutritional score (IINS)] in LA-ESCC patients receiving nICT to predict the pathologic complete response (pCR). Patients and Methods Patients with LA-ESCC who received nICT followed by surgery from Jun 2019 to Dec 2021 were enrolled and randomly divided into two sets (7:3). Using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) logistic regression analysis, the IINS was constructed in LA-ESCC patients received nICT to predict pCR. A nomogram based on IINS for pCR prediction was generated in the training cohort and verified in the validation cohort. Results Of the 285 enrolled LA-ESCC patients received nICT followed by radical resection, 84 (29.5%) patients achieved pCR. A predictive index of IINS based on 8 inflammatory and nutritional indicators was constructed using the LASSO model. According to the cutoff finder, patients were then stratified into two groups (high and low). The pCR rates were significantly higher in high-IINS group than in low-IINS group in both the training cohort (44.7% vs 17.4%, P < 0.001) and validation cohort (50.0% vs 13.3%, P < 0.001). The IINS [odds ratio (OR) = 0.237, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.117–0.480, P < 0.001] was an independent significant predictor for pCR in multivariate logistic analyses. The IINS-based nomogram showed an excellent discrimination for pCR prediction (C-indexes = 0.759 and 0.812 for training and validation cohorts, respectively). Conclusion Pretreatment IINS is an independent predictor for pCR in LA-ESCC patients who are treated with nICT. To our knowledge, the IINS-based nomogram is the first model for pCR prediction and may serve as a simple and potential risk stratification model in LA-ESCC who are treated with nICT.
Creating space for translingual sensemaking: a critical discourse analysis of teacher translanguaging during small-group reading

ABSTRACT There is an urgent need for more ethical and equitable approaches to reading instruction for young emergent bilingual children in English medium classrooms. Translanguaging pedagogies are one approach that may address this issue as they encourage emergent bilinguals to use all of their linguistic and semiotic resources during reading. This study draws on translanguaging literacies theory to inquire: How does teacher translanguaging talk influence student engagement with translanguaging pedagogies, and hence contribute to or constrain a translingual sensemaking ecology? For this study, I employed critical discourse analysis to analyse 21 classroom lesson videos and corresponding transcripts of translanguaging pedagogies implemented in small group reading lessons. Findings showed that Ms. Hassan (classroom teacher) and I engaged in most of the translingual discourse during lessons. Specifically, we often used direct translations and limited questioning in our translanguaging with students during small group reading lessons, which seemingly did not expand opportunities for students make sense of texts in dialogic ways. Implications from this study demonstrate a need to explore more dialogic and child-centred translanguaging pedagogies, especially for younger emergent bilinguals, further moving away from teachers as authoritative, linguistic experts.
Critical Success Factors of Medical Waste Management Implementation in Healthcare Facilities in Nigeria: A Case Study

Medical waste management (MWM) in developing countries such as Nigeria continue to lag in the development and implementation of successful MWM programs. The concentration of research on management practices, waste generation and characterization, disposal practices implies very little attention has been given to understanding the factors that are critical to implementing successful MWM programs. The aim of this study is therefore to identify critical factors of MWM success in developing countries, and assess the recognition and implementation of these factors toward achieving MWM goals in healthcare facilities (HCFs) in Benue State, Nigeria. This study adopted a case study approach. Factors critical to MWM success were identified from literature and validated through key informant interviews conducted across four (4) case study HCFs. The study found that, training, sensitization and awareness was considered the most critical factor, followed by environmental legislation in compliance with international environmental rules/regulations; and specific and elaborate regulations with regard to medical waste. The third most critical factors were financing and investment; infrastructure; and adequate and efficient workforce. It was found that implementation of the critical factors at the HCFs was poor. Issues contributing to poor implementation include lack of awareness on existing medical waste management guidelines; lack of enforceable national policy or regulation on medical waste management; inadequate finance among others. This stresses the need for increased participation at both internal (HCF), and external (ministry) levels in creating awareness on the risk potential of medical wastes and existing guidelines to encourage acceptable practices, and enactment of specific legislation dealing with MWM.
Single DD-DXCCII based quadrature oscillator with simultaneous current and voltage outputs

In this paper, a versatile quadrature oscillator using single Differential Difference Second Generation Dual-X Current Conveyor (DD-DXCCII) as an active element, two grounded capacitors and three grounded resistors is presented. The proposed oscillator provides two current outputs and three voltage outputs in quadrature relationship simultaneously so named as versatile quadrature oscillator. The proposed versatile quadrature oscillator exhibits the feature of orthogonal control over the frequency of oscillation and condition of oscillation. Effects of non-idealities along with sensitivity analysis are also analyzed. The proposed circuit has low active and passive sensitivities. Parasitic study is further explored. The simulation results with 0. 18μm CMOS process parameters using PSPICE are also given. Possible realization of proposed oscillator using AD-844 and LM13600 along with some simulation results are also given for completeness sake.
Ambulatory Blood Pressure (BP) and Heart Rate (HR), Gender Differences in Cordoba, Argentina

BP is changing in the course of age, in both sexes, Systolic BP increases continuously and instead Diastolic BP only rises until age 50-60 years and then stabilizes or drops [1]. The % of hypertensive patients in Argentina is somewhat higher in men than in women at 60 years or so, and after that age, coinciding with menopause, begins to dominate the female, due to hormonal changes and weight gain [2,3].
Deep Gaussian processes and infinite neural networks for the analysis of EEG signals in Alzheimer’s diseases

Deep neural network models (DGPs) can be represented hierarchically by a sequential composition of layers. When the prior distribution over the weights and biases are independently identically distributed, there is an equivalence with Gaussian processes (GP) in the limit of an infinite net[1]work width. DGPs are non-parametric statistical models used to character[1]ize patterns of complex non-linear systems due to their flexibility, greater generalization capacity, and a natural way of making inferences about the parameters and states of the system. This article proposes a hierarchi[1]cal Bayesian structure to model the weights and biases of a deep neural network. We deduce a general formula to calculate the integrals of Gaussian processes with non-linear transfer densities and obtain a kernel to estimate the covariance functions. In the methodology, we conduct an empirical study analyzing an electroencephalogram (EEG) database for diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, the DGPs models are esti[1]mated and compared with the NN models for 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1000 neurons in the hidden layer, considering two transfer functions: Recti[1]fied Linear Unit (ReLU) and hyperbolic Tangent (Tanh). The results show good performance in the classification of the signals. Finally, we use the mean square error as a goodness of fit measure to validate the proposed models, obtaining low estimation errors.
In Vitro Techniques for Shipping of Micropropagated Plant Materials

Shipping of in vitro micro-cuttings in tubes or jars is a frequently used method as the plants are more likely to quickly reproduce and comply with quarantine regulations in plant germplasm distribution. However, these containers are fragile during transportation. To diminish the risk associated with the long-distance shipping of in vitro plants, a safe and widely applicable packing and conservation technique based on microplate and slow growth was developed in this study. Potato cultivar ZHB and ginger cultivar G-2 were used to optimize the system with microplates (96 wells), vacuum-sealed packaging, and slow-growth techniques. Under regular culture conditions, packing in vacuum-sealed microplates reduced the survival of ZHB and G-2 micro-cuttings to 85.8% and 20.0%, respectively, and regeneration to 61.8% and 0%, respectively. Reducing the temperature to 10 °C maintained the survival of ZHB and G-2 micro-cuttings in the range of 83.3–100% after 60 days. Exposure to darkness decreased the survival of G-2 and inhibited regrowth. Thus, conservation in darkness at 10 °C is suggested. The effects of iron concentration and plant growth retardants were further assessed. The addition of 1/4 MS medium combined with 100 mg/L chlormequat chloride (CCC) resulted in full survival and growth inhibition of plantlets, without malformation identified. Finally, incubation with 1/4 MS medium supplemented with 100 mg/L CCC in vacuum-sealed microplates at 10 °C in the dark resulted in high survival and suppressed germination. Sweet potato HXS was incubated as well to test the broad-spectrum applications of the technique; 100% survival and 6.7% germination was gained. Morphological indices of released cuttings recovered to control levels after two cycles of subculture in MS medium. A 0.1–0.2% genetic variation was detected by SSR and ISSR, suggesting genetic stability of the conserved samples. Finally, micro-cuttings were safely transported to cities located thousands of kilometers away without package and sample damage. Our results enable easy distribution of in vitro plant germplasms.
Translating a Thin-Film Rehydration Method to Microfluidics for the Preparation of a SARS-CoV-2 DNA Vaccine: When Manufacturing Method Matters

Previous investigations conducted on a liposomal formulation for a SARS-CoV-2 DNA vaccine manufactured using the thin-film layer rehydration method showed promising immunogenicity results in mice. The adaptation of the liposomal formulation to a scalable and reproducible method of manufacture is necessary to continue the investigation of this vaccine candidate. Microfluidics manufacture shows high potential in method translation. The physicochemical characterization of the blank liposomes produced by thin-film layer rehydration or microfluidics were shown to be comparable. However, a difference in lipid nanostructure in the bilayer resulted in a significant difference in the hydration of the thin-film liposomes, ultimately altering their complexation behavior. A study on the complexation of liposomes with the DNA vaccine at various N/P ratios showed different sizes and Zeta-potential values between the two formulations. This difference in the complexation behavior resulted in distinct immunogenicity profiles in mice. The thin-film layer rehydration-manufactured liposomes induced a significantly higher response compared to the microfluidics-manufactured samples. The nanostructural analysis of the two samples revealed the critical importance of understanding the differences between the two formulations that resulted in the different immunogenicity in mice.