Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Reflection on the Nexus between South African Land Reform Struggles and the Unresolved National Question

Abstract The post-apartheid South African government continues to struggle with its transformation posture, including the quest to redress the racially based land inequalities that have plagued the country since its colonial past. The Covid-19 pandemic, the 2015 #RhodesMustFall and #FeesMustFall movements, and the July 2021 #FreeZuma violence have highlighted both the fragility and the resilience of South African political institutions. Since the formation of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), a left-leaning and militant political party, in 2013, the South African land question has become more vociferously contested within government purview and in the public domain. Unresolved land issues have exposed the failure of the state to resolve one of its most sensitive national questions. We interrogate the land conflict and locate it within the broader national questions that have continued to haunt post-apartheid South Africa. Indeed, the South African land question must be understood holistically, and not solely as an agrarian question. Although the ANC-led government has implemented a land reform scheme under four pillars—land restitution, land redistribution, tenure security, and land development—there are still compelling cases of land hunger and conflict, as well as widespread confusion about the proposed land expropriation without compensation. Despite the rhetoric by government officials, we hold that the land debacle is a manifestation of a failing national question, state fragility, and an incomplete decolonisation process wherein the so-called “political power” held by the majority has not transformed into economic power and the effective redistribution of land to meet the targets of successive administrations.
Students' Misconceptions in Interpreting Center and Variability of Data Represented via Histograms and Stem-and-Leaf Plots

This paper identifies and discusses misconceptions that students have in making judgments of center and variability when data are presented graphically. An assessment addressing interpreting center and variability in histograms and stem-and-leaf plots was administered to, and follow-up interviews were conducted with, undergraduates enrolled in introductory statistics courses. Assessment items focused upon comparing the variability of two data sets of common range represented by bell-shaped histograms on a common scale, computing measures of center from data extracted from graphs, and in comparing the relative location of the mean and median on a histogram from skewed data. Students' misconceptions often stemmed from their difficulty in maintaining understanding of the data that are being represented graphically.
Examining the effect of airport environment on perceived image, memorable experiences and passenger relational behaviours

This study aims to explore air passengers’ relational behaviours in terms of advocacy and openness by considering the overall airport environment, perceived image, and memorable experience in the context of international airports. The data was gathered from 879 respondents who are experienced airport users. This study employs partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) to verify the validity and accuracy of the research model. The overall airport environment was established with the second-order formative construct of six dimensions, namely, information and layout, terminal ambience, security, passenger facilities, gate area, and leisure and entertainment. Findings enhance knowledge of the formation process of airport image and memorable travel experience and provide insights into tourism and airport literature, particularly from the perspectives of air passengers. This study also discusses practical implications.
Exceptional Properties of Lepidium sativum L. Extract and Its Impact on Cell Viability, Ros Production, Steroidogenesis, and Intracellular Communication in Mice Leydig Cells In Vitro

The prevalence of reproductive dysfunction in males has risen in the last few years, and alternative therapies are gradually gaining in popularity. Our in vitro study aimed to evaluate the potential impact of Lepidium sativum L. on mice TM3 Leydig cells, concerning basal parameters such as cell viability, cell membrane integrity, and lysosomal activity, after 24 h and 48 h exposure. Moreover, reactive oxygens species generation, sex-steroid hormone secretion, and intercellular communication were quantified. In the present study, the microgreen extract from Lepidium was rich in ferulic acid, 4-OH benzoic acid, and resveratrol, with a significant antioxidant activity. The results showed that lower experimental doses (62.5–250 µg/mL) could positively affect the observed parameters, with significant differences at 250 µg/mL after 24 h and 48 h, respectively. Potential risks could be associated with higher concentrations, starting at 500 µg/mL, 1000 µg/mL, and 2000 µg/mL of Lepidium. Nevertheless, biochemical quantification indicated a significant antioxidant potential and a rich content of biologically active molecules at the applied doses, and time determined the intracellular response of the cultured model.
Numerical Studies on Hybrid Resonators for COIL

A negative branch and a positive branch hybrid resonator, suitable for a laser with large optical cross section and small output coupling are explored numerically. The basis of the theory is the Fresnel-Kirchhoff integral equation, the calculations describe a passive resonator. The fabrication of cylindrical mirrors is difficult and deviations in mirror radius of curvature are possible. While a large concave radius of curvature of the mirror is allowed in the stable direction, a convex curvature is not tolerable. Near the ideal mirror parameters, the resonator in unstable direction is insensitive to mirror curvature variations, if the resonator length is appropriately adapted to the actual mirror curvatures. With respect to mirror tilt, the calculations show that in unstable direction the off-axis negative branch confocal unstable resonator is less sensitive than the off-axis positive branch confocal unstable resonator. In stable direction, the sensitivity to mirror misalignment is larger and dependent on the mirror curvature but independent of the unstable resonator part.
Development of Eggshell-Based Orange Peel Activated Carbon Film for Synergetic Adsorption of Cadmium (II) Ion

Heavy metal contamination has spread around the world, particularly in emerging countries. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of starch/eggshell/orange peel-activated carbon-based composite films in removing cadmium (II) ions from water samples. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy were used to characterize the composite films. The effect of Cd2+ was studied using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer and atomic absorption spectroscopy. The morphology of the composite film reveals a highly porous and rough surface with more open channels and a non-uniform honeycomb, indicating that the film has a high potential to adsorb Cd2+. The diffraction peaks for this film were found to be at 13.74°, 17.45°, 18.4°, and 23.6°, indicating a typical crystalline A-type packing arrangement within the starch granules. The results indicate that crystalline structure was unaffected by the addition of eggshell powder and orange peel-activated carbon. In 0.5 mg L−1 and 1.0 mg L−1 Cd2+ ions, the composite film removed 100% and 99.7% of the Cd2+, respectively, while the maximum removal efficiency for methylene blue was 93.75%. Thus, the current study shows that starch/eggshell/orange peel activated carbon film has a high potential for commercial activated carbon as a low-cost adsorbent.
Novel Homozygous TTI2 Variant Causing Autosomal Recessive Syndromic Intellectual Disability and Primary Microcephaly from Pakistan: A Case Report (Exome Report)

We describe a male patient with a novel TTI2 variant, which has not been previously associated with a human phenotype. His features include intellectual disability, primary microcephaly, delayed psychomotor development, speech delay, short stature, dysmorphic facial features, esotropia, kyphoscoliosis, and behavior abnormalities (Figure). Next generation sequencing revealed autosomal recessive TTI2 variant with uncertain significance, denoted as c. 21_22insAAGCGCTCTG (p.Glu8Lysfs × 12). TTI2 encodes a regulator of DNA damage response and helps maintain steady levels of the PIKK family of protein kinases. No disease-causing variants in other genes potentially linked to his clinical presentation were identified. We report a novel loss-of-function homozygous variant in TTI2 that leads to syndromic intellectual disability and primary microcephaly.
Bridging Normative and Market Power Europe: The EU’s Diffusion of Market-related Norms and Policies in ASEAN

ABSTRACT The past two decades have witnessed a tremendous increase in the scholarly attention paid to the European Union (EU)’s external relations as well as the nature of the union’s role in world politics. With an aim to contribute to the EU-as-a-power debate, this research explores how EU economic and market-related norms and policies have been promoted and received by taking the EU’s relations with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as an empirical case study. Drawing on transnational diffusion literature, this paper seeks to bridge existing scholarly discussions on Normative Power Europe and Market or Regulatory Power Europe, offering a more nuanced understanding of subjects of the EU’s externalization, as well as the processes and effectiveness of the EU’s diffusion of market-related norms and regulatory approaches.
Connectness Indicators and the Prediction of Problem Solving Success

Abstract In this study, it was hypothesized that problem solving success is dependent upon two related but district types of mathematical knowledge, content indicators and connectedness indicators. Results did indeed display that the problem solving success of 188 undergraduate students was related to these two indicators. The correlations of content indicators and connectedness indicators to problem solving were 0.62 and 0.73 respectively. These two independent variables were also highly correlated to each other, and also were shown to be two distinct factors. The squared multiple correlations for structural equations for problem solving is 0.58. The study also found that the direct effect of connectedness indicators were 0.56, which is more important than content indicators as of 0.27. Therefore, the connectedness indicators are unique predictors of problem solving success.
Identifying plant species in kettle holes using UAV images and deep learning techniques

The use of uncrewed aerial vehicle to map the environment increased significantly in the last decade enabling a finer assessment of the land cover. However, creating accurate maps of the environment is still a complex and costly task. Deep learning (DL) is a new generation of artificial neural network research that, combined with remote sensing techniques, allows a refined understanding of our environment and can help to solve challenging land cover mapping issues. This research focuses on the vegetation segmentation of kettle holes. Kettle holes are small, pond‐like, depressional wetlands. Quantifying the vegetation present in this environment is essential to assess the biodiversity and the health of the ecosystem. A machine learning workflow has been developed, integrating a superpixel segmentation algorithm to build a robust dataset, which is followed by a set of DL architectures to classify 10 plant classes present in kettle holes. The best architecture for this task was Xception, which achieved an average F1‐score of 85% in the segmentation of the species. The application of solely 318 samples per class enabled a successful mapping in the complex wetland environment, indicating an important direction for future health assessments in such landscapes.
ANXA2, SP17, SERPINA5, PRDX2 genes, and sperm DNA fragmentation differentially represented in male partners of infertile couples with normal and abnormal sperm parameters

This study aims to evaluate the expression of genes associated with the fertilisation potential and embryo development, sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF), and acrosome reaction in male partners of infertile couples with different sperm parameters compared to fertile men. First, male partners of infertile couples with abnormal (N = 25) and normal sperm parameters (N = 25), and fertile men (N = 10) were included in experimental groups I, II, and controls respectively. The mRNA levels of the Annexin A2 (ANXA2), Sperm protein 17 (SP17), Plasma serine protease inhibitor (SERPINA5), and Peroxiredoxin‐2 (PRDX2) genes and SDF were evaluated. To evaluate the maturity of the sperm and oxidative stress, the acrosome reaction, the lipid peroxidation, and total antioxidant were measured. As result, SP17 showed a significantly lower expression in both experimental groups. SERPINA5 was significantly down‐regulated in experimental group I that was aligned with the low rate of acrosome reaction. Significant overexpression of PRDX2 was found between experimental group II and controls. Significant higher rates of SDF were seen in both experimental groups compared to the controls. Finally, our data suggest that differentially gene expression of SP17 is a potential diagnostic biomarker in infertile men either with normal or abnormal sperm parameters. SDF is one of the causes of male infertility, independent of the sperm parameters.
THE ANALISYS OF TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT ON POVERTY IN INDONESIA

This study aims to analyze the effect of Termination of Employment on Poverty in Indonesia. The data were analyzed using the method of Multiple Linear Regression (Ordinary Least Squares) and the analysis tool using the help of Eviews 10 software. Simultaneously, the variables of layoffs and unemployment affect poverty in Indonesia.
Haematology and serum biochemistry of dogs naturally infected with canine parvovirus-2

Canine parvovirus is a deadly virus affecting the Canid family, causing virus-induced destruction of rapidly dividing haemopoietic precursor cells such as crypts of intestinal epithelial cells, thymus, lymph nodes, bone marrow precursor cells, blood cells and cardiac cells leading to multi-organ dysfunctions. The aim of this study was to determine the haematological, serum biochemical and electrolytic changes associated with canine parvovirus (CPV) -2 infection. An immunochromatographic test was used to differentiate the virus-positive and negative dogs using faecal samples. One hundred and sixty whole blood and serum samples were collected from apparently healthy and CPV-2-positive dogs in Plateau State, Nigeria. Haematological, serum biochemical and electrolytic analyses were done using standard methods. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a student t-test. Significance was accepted at probability values of p < 0.05. The haematological effect of CPV-2 showed a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in mean Packed Cell Volume (PCV), total red blood cell count, haemoglobin concentration, total white blood cell count, neutrophils, lymphocytes and platelet count. In addition, the CPV-2 significantly (P < 0.05) increased the mean aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, urea, creatinine, triglyceride and malondialdehyde, while the mean total protein, sodium, potassium, chloride and cholesterol significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in the infected dogs. From the findings, CPV infection variably and significantly affected some haematological and serum biochemical parameters of infected dogs. Therefore, clinicians should endeavour to incorporate haematinics, haptatonics and immune-modulators during the management of canine parvoviral infection as supportive drugs with fluid therapy to improve the survivability of infected animals.
A photovoice study on youth’s experience of social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT Objectives The coronavirus disease pandemic and social distancing measures have threatened young people living in an underdeveloped region of Indonesia. Very little is currently known about how youth experience social distancing during the pandemic. This study aimed to explore the lived experience of this group within a large-scale social distancing context. Design Data were collected using a photovoice and participatory video approach with 15 young people in West Timor, Indonesia. Results The results of the study explain motives for maintaining social distancing protocol, self-improvement activities during the quarantine, and changes that occurred in social dynamics. Conclusion Implications of the results are discussed with consideration of risk factors hindering the youth’s well-being. KEY POINTS What is already known about this topic: (1) Unemployment threatens young people during the pandemic. (2) Young people experience poor mental health due to social isolation. (3) Distance learning execution is not adequate for youth in developing areas. What this topic adds: (1) Photovoice helps young people’s voices in developing areas to be heard. (2) Policymakers in under-developed areas need to facilitate youth with various online skill-improving activities that are accessible, since not every youth has access to good internet reception. (3) Providing family-based intervention to social distancing issues faced by youth in developing areas might provide better results.
Comparing Drosophila suzukii flight behavior using free‐flight and tethered flight assays

Tethered flight mills and free‐flight studies are two common approaches for examining insect flight behavior in the laboratory. Flight behavior studies are significant because they provide information with understanding dispersal and range expansion. Each approach has advantages and drawbacks and can influence the flight behavior of the study organism. However, tethered and untethered flight studies are rarely performed simultaneously to determine whether one technique is better suited for a particular species. Here, we conducted a tethered and untethered flight study to determine the limitations, benefits, and effects the two methods could have on assessing an insect's flight capacity. We focused the study on the global invasive pest, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae). Propensity of flight and flight duration, distance, and velocity were examined for (1) females and males, and (2) summer and winter morphs, as the two morphs differ significantly in body and wing size. The study showed that summer morphs were more likely to fly when untethered than when tethered to a flight mill. Additionally, when comparing the length of time of flight for first take‐off, D. suzukii flew longer when untethered. Outcomes from this study provide information on D. suzukii flight behavior, which could assist with future research on this economically important fruit pest that is rapidly expanding its range. The results also suggest that the flight apparatus can affect D. suzukii flight behaviors, such that future laboratory flight research should be considerate of the flight technique utilized.
Kinder and gentler ministers in consensus democracies? Personality and the selection of government members

This study examines the personality traits of candidates for the Swiss government and how they are related to the candidates’ electoral chances. Switzerland as a paradigmatic consensual democracy is an ideal test case to examine the connection between the specific pattern of a democracy and the government personalities that fit it. We argue that the cultural and institutional setting of the Swiss Government increases the electoral chances of kinder and gentler personalities. To test this, we estimate regression models on a new data set of candidates covering all vacancies in the Swiss government between 1982 and 2020. Our results reveal that candidates with a higher level of agreeableness do enjoy an advantage in the electoral process for Swiss consensus government.
Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Post-COVID Pain in Hospitalized COVID-19 Survivors Depending on Infection with the Historical, Alpha or Delta SARS-CoV-2 Variant

We compared the prevalence of musculoskeletal post-COVID pain between previously hospitalized COVID-19 survivors infected with the historical, Alpha or Delta SARS-CoV-2 variant. Data about musculoskeletal post-COVID pain were systematically collected through a telephone interview involving 201 patients who had survived the historical variant, 211 who had survived the Alpha variant and 202 who had survived the Delta variant six months after hospital discharge. Participants were recruited from non-vaccinated individuals hospitalized due to SARS-CoV-2 infection in one hospital of Madrid (Spain) during three different waves of the pandemic (historical, Alpha or Delta variant). Hospitalization and clinical data were collected from hospital medical records. In addition, anxiety/depressive levels and sleep quality were also assessed. The prevalence of musculoskeletal post-COVID pain was higher (p = 0.003) in patients infected with the historical variant (47.7%) than in those infected with the Alpha (38.3%) or Delta (41%) variants. A significantly (p = 0.002) higher proportion of individuals infected with the historical variant reported generalized pain (20.5%) when compared with those infected with the other variants. The prevalence of new-onset post-COVID musculoskeletal pain reached 80.1%, 75.2% and 79.5% of patients infected with the historical, Alpha or Delta variants, respectively. No specific risk factors for developing post-COVID pain were identified depending on the SARS-CoV-2 variant. In conclusion, this study found that musculoskeletal post-COVID pain is highly prevalent in COVID-19 survivors six months after hospital discharge, with the highest prevalence and most generalized pain symptoms in individuals infected with the historical variant. Approximately 50% developed “de novo” post-COVID musculoskeletal pain symptoms.
Correlation of COPD and Metabolic syndrome and role of serum CRP level as a marker of systemic inflammation

Introduction: -Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has effects that seems to be related with systemic inflammation. The objective of the current study was to find the relationship of metabolic syndrome and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, as a marker of systemic inflammation in stable COPD patients with different severity levels and in age and sex matched control group . Materials and Methods:-100 stable COPD patients and 50 control subjects were included in the study. The severity level in patients with COPD were determined according to GOLD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease) criteria. ATP III (The National Cholesterol Education Program’s Adult Treatment Panel III) was used in diagnosis of metabolic syndrome. Hs-CRP levels were measured in venous samples of patients and control subjects. Results: - The frequency of metabolic syndrome was found higher in-patient group than control subjects, especially in GOLD stages I, II (p= 0.004). Abdominal obesity, hypertension, hyperglycaemia components of metabolic syndrome were significantly more prevalent in-patient group (p< 0.0001). Increased CRP levels were higher in control and patient groups in all GOLD stages, with metabolic syndrome than without metabolic syndrome (p= 0.046, p= 0.216, p< 0.001, p= 0.05, p= 0.466).