Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Do aggregate domestic consumption spending & technological innovation affect industrialization in South Africa? An application of linear & non-linear ARDL models

ABSTRACT The current paper has attempted to measure the effect of the positive and negative shocks of aggregate domestic consumption spending (ADCS) and technological innovation (TINN) on industrialisation in South Africa using the time-series data from 1980 to 2014. The ARDL estimations indicated that the ADCS and TINN determine industrialisation in both the short term and long term, while the NARDL estimations suggested that the positive shocks in ADCS and TINN have a positive effect on industrialisation in both the short run and long run. Our results validated an asymmetrical association between TINN and industrialisation, and between ADCS and industrialisation.
A Comparative Study between HLS and HDL on SoC for Image Processing Applications

The increasing complexity in today's systems and the limited market times demand new development tools for FPGA. Currently, in addition to traditional hardware description languages (HDLs), there are high-level synthesis (HLS) tools that increase the abstraction level in system development. Despite the greater simplicity of design and testing, HLS has some drawbacks in describing harware. This paper presents a comparative study between HLS and HDL for FPGA, using a Sobel filter as a case study in the image processing field. The results show that the HDL implementation is slightly better than the HLS version considering resource usage and response time. However, the programming effort required in the HDL solution is significantly larger than in the HLS counterpart.
An investigation into recognition of prior learning within the National Certificate: Emergency Care Programme in the Western Cape

Purpose Emergency care education and training in South Africa is experiencing an important transformation period, involving migration from short course based training to a newly proposed, formalised, three-tier qualification system, aligned with the Higher Education Sub-framework. Many existing and experienced holders of short course emergency care certificates face the challenge of gaining access to formal emergency care programmes without meeting the minimum entry requirements. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) will therefore become one of the key strategies for planned migration of short course graduates into professional learning programmes. However, the research reports on RPL practice in the field of emergency care are scarce. Hence, valuable lessons about RPL in emergency care programmes are missed. The purpose of this study is to explore the efficacy of RPL practice within the National Certificate: Emergency Care (NCEC) Programme in the Western Cape, through the experience of ambulance emergency assistants, who applied for RPL on the Programme and the paramedic educators involved in the facilitation and RPL assessment on the NCEC Programme. Methodology The design of this descriptive exploratory study was qualitative, and was set in the interpretative paradigm using a case study mode of inquiry. The qualitative data was collected through semi-structured focus groups, individual interviews, and document analysis. The participants were from Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), Department of Emergency Medical Sciences, and the Western Cape Government College of Emergency Care (WCCEC). Collected data was interpreted by means of thematic analysis, set against the context of the study objectives and the theoretical framework. Finding The study revealed three main themes related to RPL efficacy in the NCEC Programme. These included the need for RPL training for educators involved in RPL, lack of support and guidance for RPL assessors and participants, and the need for careful selection of RPL assessment methods. The document analysis highlighted the gap between a comprehensive and sound RPL policy document and the practical implementation of these policies. Conclusion and Recommendations The emergency care field requires greater awareness and information on RPL processes, principles, assessments, and requirements. The higher education institutions, as the sole providers of the newly proposed formal emergency care programmes need to consider building capacity for RPL by means of training and dedicating academic staff to RPL, and developing comprehensive RPL policies, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders in the field. RPL assessment methods need to be more diverse and tailored to the individual RPL claimants. Further research on RPL will ensure a fair, social inclusive and redressing process during the planned migration of emergency care education and training.
Assessment of Systemically Important Banks - A Review

Systemically important bank is an important part of systemically important financial institutions, for the implementation of macro-prudential supervision is based on the effective assessment and recognition of systemically important banks. Assessment over will increase regulatory costs; inadequate assessment will weaken the effectiveness of macro regulation. This paper firstly describes the necessity of systemically important banks assessment; secondly clears connotation and characteristics of systemically important banks; thirdly discusses the importance of systemically important banks assessment from the indicator-based assessment method and model-based assessment method; finally summarizes the systemically important banks assessment.
The influence of deep jets on Jupiter's weather layer in a 1.5‐layer shallow‐water model

The depth of the jet streams seen in Jupiter's outer weather layer has long been debated, with alternative suggestions of confinement to the weather layer and extensions deep into the planet being considered. Interpretation of measurements from NASA's Juno probe have suggested that weather‐layer jets do extend deep into the planet, down to depths of 𝒪 (3,000 km). However, this relies on the assumption that the jet profile does not change its spatial structure with depth, which may not be the case. In this work, we consider a simple 1.5‐layer shallow‐water model of Jupiter‐like jet streams, with prescribed deep jets in the lower layer, and look at the parameters affecting the strength of the coupling between the layers. We find the value of the Rossby deformation scale, L D, to be particularly important, not just in setting the magnitude of variations in layer depth, but also in dictating the effectiveness of radiative damping. We also find the radiative damping timescales, the energy injection rate, and the spacing of deep jets to be important. We combine these findings into our best‐guess simulations of the real Jupiter and find that low latitudes are relatively uncoupled between the layers, with high latitudes being more tightly coupled. These effects can be tied to the smallness of Jupiter's L D and the effectiveness of radiative damping as a coupling mechanism. These simulations do, however, produce equatorial subrotation and eddy‐momentum fluxes unlike those on the real planet. It may be, therefore, that spatially varying forcing and very long radiative damping timescales are required for this model to be more Jupiter‐like.
EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF ADALIMUMAB VERSUS INFLIXIMAB IN PATIENTS SUFFERED FROM MODERATE TO SEVERE ACTIVE ULCERATIVE COLITIS

ABSTRACT Objective: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an idiopathic, chronic inflammatory disease of the large intestine, usually involving the rectum. During the last decade, clinical trials have shown adalimumab (ADA) and infliximab (IFX) to be efficacious in inducing and maintaining remission for moderate to severe UC refractory to the conventional therapies. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of ADA and IFX for induction remission in Iraqi patients with moderately to severely active UC. Methods: A total of 50 patients with moderate to severe UC, who were refractory to concurrent treatment with oral corticosteroids and/or immune suppressants, were randomly assigned in 1:1 ratio to receive either ADA (160/80 mg, subcutaneous) or IFX (5 mg/kg, intravenous) during the induction phase (8 weeks). Primary efficacy endpoint was clinical remission at week 8. Secondary efficacy endpoints were the clinical response, mucosal healing, subscores indicative of mild disease (rectal bleeding subscore [RBS], physician’s global assessment [PGA] subscore, and stool frequency subscore [SFS]). Partial Mayo score was also evaluated in addition to the inflammatory bowel disease questionnaire (IBDQ). Additional subgroup analysis was based on the Mayo score, extensive colitis, concomitant medications, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) level, and patient weight at baseline. The safety profile was assessed in all enrolled patients. Results: At week 8, 24% of patients receiving ADA were in clinical remission, compared with 28% on IFX (p>0.05). Clinical response was achieved in 48% of patients receiving ADA and 52% of patients on IFX (p>0.05). Mucosal healing was achieved in 40% of patients receiving either ADA or IFX (p>0.05). For the subscores indicative of mild disease (≤1), the patients % of RBS and PGA was significantly higher within IFX group (p 0.05). The patients with higher Mayo score (≥10), higher hs-CRP (≥10 mg/L), and higher weight (≥70 kg) at baseline were associated with reduced remission rates. ADA and IFX treatment were generally well-tolerated and the overall safety profile matched. Conclusion: ADA and IFX were comparable in their effectiveness for inducing clinical remission and response in patients with moderate to severe UC. Both of the biologic agents were well tolerated with an approach safety profile. Keywords: Ulcerative colitis, Adalimumab, Infliximab, Clinical remission, Safety profile.
A study to assess serum levels of superoxide dismutase and catalase in senile cataract patients with and without diabetes mellitus at tertiary care hospital

Background: The objective was to assess the possible relationship of serum levels of superoxide Dismutase and catalase and development of senile cataract in patients with and without diabetes mellitus. Methods: The study was done in the Department of Ophthalmology with support of Department of Biochemistry at Geetanjali Medical College and Hospital, Geetanjali University, Udaipur, Rajasthan. The study has been conducted during the time period of October 2014 and October 2015. Blood samples of 120 senile cataract patients, i.e. 60 with diabetes and 60 without diabetes were taken and levels of superoxide dismutase and catalase were studied. Results: Statistically significant difference in age wise occurrence of cataract was found between diabetic and non-diabetic patients i.e. cataract was found at a later age in senile non diabetic patients as compared with senile diabetic patients (p<0.001). Senile diabetic patients had significantly lower serum level of SOD as compared to senile non diabetic patients (p<0.001 for both). Similarly, senile diabetic patients had significantly lower serum levels of catalase as compared to senile non diabetic patients (p<0.001 for both). Conclusions: Increase in oxidative stress and decrease in anti-oxidant enzyme activities have a role in the early development of cataract in senile patients with diabetes. Thus, diabetic cataract seems to be associated with decrease in serum levels of SOD and catalase.
ATTITUDE TOWARD LEISURE AMONG THE COMMUNITY-DWELLING ELDERLY: AN INTERFACE FOR HEALTH PROMOTION

A cross-sectional study with quantitative approach carried out with 387 community-dwelling elderly to identify their attitudes toward leisure activities in the cognitive, affective and behavioral dimensions. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Fisher's association test and Spearman's correlation. Most participants were female, aged up to 80 years, married and had up to four years of schooling. The elderly had a predominantly positive attitude toward leisure in the three subscales, with a lower mean for the behavioral subscales, which indicated that some elders had a negative attitude. This was significantly associated with age, educational attainment, smoking status and functional capacity. In conclusion, a positive attitude and greater involvement in leisure activities allows health professionals to raise a critical reflection in the elderly, especially in their behavioral attitude to rethink the planning, opportunities and resources for leisure.
Sustainable Improvement of Zeolitic Pyroclastic Soils for the Preservation of Historical Sites

Climate changes are inducing a modification of environmental loads on historical sites, requiring new actions towards their conservation. In the paper, the results of an experimental work on sustainable improvement of a pyroclastic soil belonging to the Orvieto cliff (Central Italy) have been investigated in the perspective of its preservation from degradation. The slightly coherent facies of Orvieto Ignimbrite (pozzolana) was treated with hydrated lime and the subsequent chemo-physical evolution was investigated by means of a multi-scale analysis. The beneficial effects obtained from the improvement in terms of mechanical behaviour were interpreted and correlated to the chemo-physical evolution of the system. Microstructural analyses, X-ray diffractometry, thermo-gravimetric analyses (DTG), SEM observations, mercury intrusion porosimetry performed on raw and treated samples, showed that the pozzolanic reactions develop since the very beginning in the system and that the observed mechanical improvement of the treated soil is mainly due to the formation of calcium silicate hydrates (CSH) and calcium aluminate hydrates (CAH). In the paper, the mechanical improvement is put in evidence by comparing the results of oedometer tests performed on both raw and treated samples.
Center of Volume Mass: Does Options Trading Predict Stock Returns?

We examine whether the distribution of trades along the set of strike prices of option contracts on the same stock contains information about underlying price discovery. We show that option traders' demand for delta exposure drives the volume-weighted average strike-spot price ratio (VWKS). In turn, we find that VWKS predicts underlying returns and anticipates the flow of fundamental information about the stock. The return predictability is greater but not limited to stocks with higher information asymmetries and arbitrage costs, and becomes stronger ahead of value relevant news. Overall, options trading appears to play an important informational role for underlying markets.
Study to evaluate the effectiveness of coagulation factor concentrate prophylaxis in children with severe hemophilia

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of prophylaxis with coagulation factor concentrates VIII/IX (FVII/IX) in children with severe hemophilia A/B, respectively. Materials and Methods: Retrospective observational study was done on children enrolled in our hemophilia clinic, who initially received “on demand” therapy and were on prophylaxis with factor VIII/IX concentrate at the time of the study. The study group consisted of 8 children. Annual hemarthrosis rate (AHR) over a period of 1-year during on demand therapy was compared with AHR during a period of 1-year on prophylaxis with FVIII/IX. Results: There was reduction in AHR by 87% in hemophilia A and 85% in hemophilia B during prophylaxis compared to on demand therapy. There was a significant reduction in hemarthrosis/patient/year from 2.5 to 0.3 on prophylaxis with factor concentrate compared to on demand therapy. There was also reduction in other bleeding manifestation like psoas muscle bleed, oral bleeds, epistaxis, and number of target joints involved. Conclusion: Prophylaxis with coagulation factor concentrate significantly reduces the AHR, and hence, decreases the disability associated with it compared to “on demand” therapy.
Pricing and Return Strategy: Whether to Adopt a Cross-Channel Return Option?

Dual-channel retailers are increasingly adopting a typical cross-channel return option (CC) to allow online consumers to return their unsatisfied items at physical stores. It is important for retailers to determine whether to introduce this option in addition to the same-channel return option (SC) that requires online purchases to be returned online. To address such challenging issue, we consider a dual-channel retailer and develop theoretical models to derive the optimal return strategy and pricing decisions. To this end, two scenarios, i.e., the SC and CC scenarios, are considered. In the latter scenario, the SC is also allowed. We show that the retailer cannot always benefit from adopting the CC. Specifically, given that consumer online purchase hassle cost is sufficiently low, when the cross-selling profit is sufficiently high, the retailer is better off adopting this option, and vice versa. Adopting this option cannot always help increase the demand, but always increases the return quantity. We also find that the retailer is not always better off adopting a uniform or differential pricing scheme. Interestingly, the retailer benefits from offering a relatively low return service charge, especially when adopting the CC. Our numerical results further show that, the retailer benefits from adopting the CC when the return rate is relatively low or moderate, and vice versa.
Vat Compliance, Trade, and Institutions

We develop a simple structural model of value added tax (VAT) compliance, and estimate it using widely available national accounts data to learn about compliance in countries where little is currently known. International border controls improve VAT compliance, generating a correlation between imports and aggregate VAT revenues that is informative about domestic non-compliance. Estimates suggest that revenue lost due to domestic non-compliance is large, particularly in countries with low perceived institutional quality. Border controls keep overall VAT revenues high especially in countries open to international trade.
Development of Interactive Infographic Learning Multimedia on Study Methodology Study Course of Economic Education Program of Mulawarman University

: This study aims to develop an interactive multimedia infographic learning based on HTML5, as well as test its feasibility and quality. The method used in this research is research and development (R&D) with the DDDE development method (Decide, Design, Development, Evaluation). This research was conducted at the Economic Education Study Program FKIP Mulawarman University. The results of this study indicate that: (1) Multimedia interactive infographic learning developed based on HTML5 is suitable for offline use. (2) Multimedia interactive interactive infographic learning in research methodology courses have been declared feasible by experts of research methods teaching materials with an average value of 4.10, multimedia learning experts with an average value of 4.15, and multimedia practitioners of learning with an average value of 4.66. (3) Multimedia interactive infographic learning in research methodology courses has been tested to have good quality in individual trials with an average value of 3.83, in small group trials with an average value of 4.23, and in field trials with an average value of 4.22.
Advertising Attitude, Green Purchase Intention and Environmental Concern: Promoting Functional Versus Emotional Appeals

The inadequacy of information related to green purchase intention makes it essential for marketers to understand consumer behaviour towards green advertising especially in Indonesia, where the trend is still new. Acknowledging this research gap, this study aimed to investigate the influence of different green ads by testing on whether the ads generate green purchase intention by shaping advertising attitudes. In addition, the moderating role of high or low levels of the participants’ environmental concern is also taken into account. This research compares the effects of four types of advertisements: a functional green ad promoting the environmental benefits of a product, an emotional green ad employing a visual representation of pleasant natural scenery, a combined-type green ad that unites both functional and emotional attributes, and a control ad. Data collection through online questionnaires was obtained from 143 Indonesian youth and this was done by way of convenience sampling approach. Using separate univariate regression analysis, the findings of the experimental study suggest that functional, emotional and combined-type green ads all significantly enhance green purchase intention by shaping ad attitudes, where the functional ad displays itself as the most effective appeal out of the rest. These effects do depend on the participants’ level of environmental concern, shown by the significant moderating role of high environmental concern towards functional ads and the significant moderating role of low environmental concern towards emotional ads. The reason behind this research outcome is proposed to be due to the participants’ avoidance of greenwashing which the future scope can explore more about; especially for the Indonesian sample as research on green marketing in Indonesia is relatively scant compared to other Asian and Western works.
Yield and Quality of Faba Bean (Vicia faba L. var. major) Genotypes as a Vegetable for Fresh Consumption: A Comparison between Italian Landraces and Commercial Varieties

Legumes crops play significant roles both in human diets and agriculture, and contribute to sustainable farming. In this study, we evaluated both some quality traits and yield of four landraces (Cegliese, Iambola, San Francesco, and FV5) of faba bean (Vicia faba L. var. major Harz) for fresh consumption in order to assess and distinguish the landraces also in comparison with two commercial varieties (Aguadulce supersimonia and Extra-early purple) by using a crop system without irrigation. Independently of the genotype, we obtained the same pods yield (1794 g m−2) without affecting the seed size. All genotypes can be considered a good source of vitamin C, although Extra-early purple and San Francesco reveal the highest content (703 and 646 mg 100 g−1 fresh weight—FW, respectively). Cegliese showed the highest L-dopa content (10.14 mg 100 g−1 FW), suggesting its use as a natural rich source of L-dopa (dopamine precursor used for Parkinson’s disease treatment) instead of using synthesized L-dopa. In conclusion, this study highlight interesting quality traits of faba bean when consumed as fresh vegetables, suggesting its positive role on human health and the possibility of its production by using local horticultural systems that are skilled in optimizing resource utilization.
The Impact of Online Third-party Product Reviews on Consumer Adoption of a New Product

Absract ： Research has discovered that the third-party product review (TPPR) can influence consumer adoption of a new product. However, the specific influence mechanism needs further deep explorations. In this study, effects of different types of TPPR on consumer adoption of different new products were tested from the perspective of consumer knowledge. Based on two experimental designs, it is reported that the TPPR in the recommendation format and comparison format influence the intentions of new consumers to use really new products mostly. The TPPR in the description format and independent format influence the intentions of expert consumers to incremental new products. Moreover, the source of TPPR is vital. Consumers trust the TPPR in professional product evaluation websites more compared with public media. In other words, TPPR in professional product evaluation websites can facilitate consumer adoption of new products. The research conclusions here further enrich researches concerning TPPR and adoption of new productions.