Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Factors Influencing the Reputation of Assistive Technology Resources Center: An Example from Yunlin County, Taiwan

By the end of 2020, a total of 34 multifunctional Assistive Technology Resources Centers (ATR centers) were set up in 22 counties and cities in Taiwan. This study examines the perceptions of the users and their caregivers of the government-established ATR centers in Taiwan and examines the impact on the reputation of the public institution. The research framework and hypotheses were developed by examining the factors of “service convenience”, “center-related factors”, “justice”, and “perceived value” and using “perceived value” as a mediating variable. The data were collected through a questionnaire survey, and the structural equation model was used to test the model and verify the hypotheses. Research data was collected in various townships in Yunlin County A total of 320 questionnaires were collected. Of these respondents, 22% were aged 51–60. All the research hypotheses were positively and significantly verified. Of these, justice was the most important factor affecting the value of the ATR center’s services compared to convenience and center-related factors. Of convenience, service value and justice, service value was the most important factor affecting the perceived reputation of the public institution. According to the findings of this study, it is beyond expectation that the convenience of ATR is not the main factor influencing the service value, but rather the perceived justice is the most important factor. Therefore, ATR should be prioritized from the perspective of the service recipient, especially the perceived justice of the service, in order to best enhance the value of the service and improve the reputation of the public institution.
Body Image Esteem and Photo Manipulation Among Social Media Users

When interacting with each other virtually on social media sites, users may potentially encounter their own “self-presence”. To improve their physical self-presence on social media, users might resolve to curate themselves to match their ideal perceptions of themselves and others. This study examines the intention to alter one’s factual self in real life whilst contemplating the on-line self on social media. Data were derived from a social survey of Vietnamese adults. The results indicate the remarkable mediating relationship from the level of editing self-images to three choices of intention to change the body image in real life. Nevertheless, this paper does not provide enough evidence to confirm any link connecting distal intentions (D-intentions), proximal intentions (P-intentions) and motor intentions (M-intentions) with private self-consciousness, with the latter as the moderator variable. This study, therefore, might provide an exclusive idea of how online behaviour can be related to one’s offline behaviour in terms of body image. With an understanding of this aspect, many implications can be found in regard to applications/programmes in research, development and marketing.
Phylogenetic placement and description of an extinct genus and species of kitefin shark based on tooth fossils (Squaliformes: Dalatiidae)

In this study we describe a new kitefin shark (Dalatiidae) genus and species Dracipinna bracheri gen. et sp. nov. based on upper Oligocene and lower Miocene tooth fossils. The teeth were excavated at three different sites which all lie in transgression phases. The fossil shark teeth are diverse and, depending on the excavation site, indicate pelagic to mesopelagic habitats. As these fossils were not found in older or younger sediments, we suggest a patchy distribution of the species. The fossils show several dental morphological characteristics of extant Dalatiidae. Phylogenetic analyses of combined morphological and DNA sequence-based data set suggest a weakly supported sister-group relationship of D. bracheri to extant Dalatiidae. Based on the dental morphological characters, we assign the dentition to a tearing type, which is rare among squaliform sharks and only known from a single extant species with a pelagic lifestyle. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:D4E3C807-8BEE-47EA-8DCA-6C8720ACAD0F
The Generalized First- and Second-Price Auctions: Overbidding, Underbidding, and Optimal Reserve Price

The paper generalizes the models of the standard first- and second-price auctions (FPA and SPA) by using the Cobb-Douglas function to evaluate bidders’ two conflicting bidding preferences for the probability of winning the item (Cpwin) and the profit conditional on winning (Cprofit). Compared with the popular expected profit function, this function has the advantage of allowing the bidders to equally or differently value Cpwin and Cprofit from the point of view of multiple criteria decision making, and then can capture bidders’ bidding behavior in reality. Introduction of the Cobb-Douglas function into the FPA allows us to provide new interpretations for overbidding (underbidding) behavior and the dependence of the optimal reserve price on the number of bidders. Our new interpretations are all attributed to the bidders’ different preferences for Cpwin and Cprofit. In contrast, this introduction into the SPA does not matter. Our findings suggest that the seller should prefer the FPA (SPA) over the SPA (FPA) and set a lower (higher) optimal reserve price if he conjectures that the bidders have a stronger desire to win an auction (to obtain a profit). The above results help the seller to select between the two auctions and set a reserve price in practice.
Particle Engineering of Innovative Nanoemulsion Designs to Modify the Accumulation in Female Sex Organs by Particle Size and Surface Charge

Particle engineering of nanosized drug delivery systems (DDS) can be used as a strategic tool to influence their pharmacokinetics after intravenous (i.v.) application by the targeted adaptation of their particle properties according to the needs at their site of action. This study aimed to investigate particle properties depending on patterns in the biodistribution profile to modify the accumulation in the female sex organs using tailor-made nanoemulsion designs and thereby to either increase therapeutic efficiency for ovarian dysfunctions and diseases or to decrease the side effects caused by unintended accumulation. Through the incorporation of the anionic phospholipid phosphatidylglycerol (PG) into the stabilizing macrogol 15 hydroxystearate (MHS) layer of the nanoemulsions droplets, it was possible to produce tailor-made nanoparticles with tunable particle size between 25 to 150 nm in diameter as well as tunable surface charges between −2 to nearly −30 mV zeta potential using a phase inversion-based process. Three chosen negatively surface-charged nanoemulsions of 50, 100, and 150 nm in diameter showed very low cellular toxicities on 3T3 and NHDF fibroblasts and merely interacted with the blood cells, but instead stayed inert in the plasma. In vivo and ex vivo fluorescence imaging of adult female mice i.v. injected with the negatively surface-charged nanoemulsions revealed a high accumulation depending on their particle size in the reticuloendothelial system (RES), being found in the liver and spleen with a mean portion of the average radiant efficiency (PARE) between 42–52%, or 8–10%, respectively. With increasing particle size, an accumulation in the heart was detected with a mean PARE up to 8%. These three negatively surface-charged nanoemulsions overcame the particle size-dependent accumulation in the female sex organs and accumulated equally with a small mean PARE of 5%, suitable to reduce the side effects caused by unintended accumulation while maintaining different biodistribution profiles. In contrast, previously investigated neutral surface-charged nanoemulsions accumulated with a mean PARE up to 10%, strongly dependent on their particle sizes, which is useful to improve the therapeutic efficacy for ovarian dysfunctions and diseases.
Marketing Strategies and Export Performance of Fresh Produce Firms in Kenya

The study objective was to examine the role of marketing strategies on export performance of fresh produce fi rms in Kenya. A major stream of research has considered marketing strategy and performance within the context of a domestic economy. A census survey was carried out among all the 100 fresh produce fi rms that were ordinary members of the Fresh Produce Export Association of Kenya (FPEAK) as at 31st June 2019. The study utilized a positivist approach. Primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was adopted. The results of regression analysis revealed that the relationship between marketing strategies and export performance was positive and statistically signifi cant. To policy makers, the study recommends regional and bilateral trade agreements that seek to increase the market share for fresh produce fi rms. To management practice, the study provides guidelines on how to design and implement sustainable but competitive marketing strategies for the export market. For future research direction, the study recommends additional moderating/mediating variables that may infl uence export performance.
Comparative Evaluation of the Influence of Single Preoperative Antibiotic Dose of Amoxicillin (1gm) and Postoperative Antibiotic Dose of Amoxicillin Drug (500mg) Regimen on Postoperative Outcome and Implant Stability in Single Tooth Dental Implant Surgery: Randomized Controlled Trial

Aims: A single blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted to test the efficiency of two antibiotic regimens on post operative outcome and implant stability in single tooth dental implant to overcome the increasing drug resistance due to over prescription of medicines and side effects of the same. Methodology: 20 participants needing single tooth dental implant were enrolled based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The participants were randomly assigned into groups. 10 participants in group 1 received only a single preoperative dosage of amoxicillin 1gm which was followed by paracetamol. In group 2, 500mg amoxicillin was given postoperatively followed by a three times a day for 3 days regimen. The postoperative outcome was evaluated based on swelling, post-operative bruising, suppuration and wound dehiscence noticed on 2nd and 7th day postoperatively. ISQ (implant stability quotient) was checked 3 months post implant placement as osseointergration is the main goal of implant placement. Results: Post-operative bruising, suppuration and wound dehiscence were not noticed in the entire study due to sterile environment during implant placement. When swelling was compared between group 1 and 2 it was statistically insignificant on day 2 (Mann Whitney u=40.00, p=0.383) and day 7 (Mann Whitney u=50.00, p=01.00). ISQ (IMPLANT STABILITY QUOTIENT) score in group 1&2 also showed statistically insignificant results (t=0.00, p=1.00) Which states that there was no significant difference in the stability of implants when single preoperative antibiotic dose of amoxicillin(1gm) and postoperative antibiotic dose of amoxicillin drug(500mg) regimen 3 times a day for 3 days was given. Conclusion: this study shows that in healthy individual, when single implant is placed in proper sterile environment with routine dental hygiene such as brushing and chlorhexidine mouthwash use by patient, single preoperative dose of amoxicillin 1gm is sufficient for the success of implant. However, considering the limitations of the study, further work is necessary to validate reliability. No adverse effects were observed in the study Funding: NIL Reg no:DYPDCH/EC/648/12/2021
QTL Mapping of Resistance to Bacterial Wilt in Pepper Plants (Capsicum annuum) Using Genotyping-by-Sequencing (GBS)

Bacterial wilt (BW) disease, which is caused by Ralstonia solanacearum, is one globally prevalent plant disease leading to significant losses of crop production and yield with the involvement of a diverse variety of monocot and dicot host plants. In particular, the BW of the soil-borne disease seriously influences solanaceous crops, including peppers (sweet and chili peppers), paprika, tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplants. Recent studies have explored genetic regions that are associated with BW resistance for pepper crops. However, owing to the complexity of BW resistance, the identification of the genomic regions controlling BW resistance is poorly understood and still remains to be unraveled in the pepper cultivars. In this study, we performed the quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis to identify genomic loci and alleles, which play a critical role in the resistance to BW in pepper plants. The disease symptoms and resistance levels for BW were assessed by inoculation with R. solanacearum. Genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) was utilized in 94 F2 segregating populations originated from a cross between a resistant line, KC352, and a susceptible line, 14F6002-14. A total of 628,437 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was obtained, and a pepper genetic linkage map was constructed with putative 1550 SNP markers via the filtering criteria. The linkage map exhibited 16 linkage groups (LG) with a total linkage distance of 828.449 cM. Notably, QTL analysis with CIM (composite interval mapping) method uncovered pBWR-1 QTL underlying on chromosome 01 and explained 20.13 to 25.16% by R2 (proportion of explained phenotyphic variance by the QTL) values. These results will be valuable for developing SNP markers associated with BW-resistant QTLs as well as for developing elite BW-resistant cultivars in pepper breeding programs.
Scaling Law for Boundary Layer Inner Eyewall Pumping in Concentric Eyewalls

This study explains why observed storms with long concentric eyewall (CE) duration often have a large moat size. A series of slab boundary layer model experiments are conducted with the free atmosphere forcing from different CE structures. The experimental results indicate that the inner eyewall pumping (IEP), the maximum vertical motion at the inner eyewall region, increases with the increase in moat size d and vortex maximum wind vm, the decrease in the inner eyewall radius rm, and increase in inner eyewall vorticity. A scaling law is derived from hundreds of SBL experiments with four variables: IEP win, vortex inner radius rm, vortex maximum wind vm, and moat size d. The dimensionless scaling law is w∗∼d∗, ${w}^{\ast }\sim \sqrt{{d}^{\ast }},$ where w∗ = win/vm, d∗ = ζd/c, ζ is the vorticity 2vm/rm, and c is a constant gravity wave speed. The moat size divided by the Rossby length c/ζ, the dimensionless moat size d∗, combines the effect of the moat size and the vortex pressure gradient force to accelerate the inflow and to enlarge the IEP for inner eyewall convection maintenance. A phase diagram of IEP with vortex structure dimensionless moat ζd/c and vortex intensity vm is constructed based on the scaling law for the aircraft and satellite observations. The eyewall replacement cycle may be viewed as the process to reduce the IEP from the decrease of the vortex intensity and the vortex size of the dimensionless moat. This leads to the ultimate disappearance of the inner eyewall.
Layer-by-Layer Cell Encapsulation for Drug Delivery: The History, Technique Basis, and Applications

The encapsulation of cells with various polyelectrolytes through layer-by-layer (LbL) has become a popular strategy in cellular function engineering. The technique sprang up in 1990s and obtained tremendous advances in multi-functionalized encapsulation of cells in recent years. This review comprehensively summarized the basis and applications in drug delivery by means of LbL cell encapsulation. To begin with, the concept and brief history of LbL and LbL cell encapsulation were introduced. Next, diverse types of materials, including naturally extracted and chemically synthesized, were exhibited, followed by a complicated basis of LbL assembly, such as interactions within multilayers, charge distribution, and films morphology. Furthermore, the review focused on the protective effects against adverse factors, and bioactive payloads incorporation could be realized via LbL cell encapsulation. Additionally, the payload delivery from cell encapsulation system could be adjusted by environment, redox, biological processes, and functional linkers to release payloads in controlled manners. In short, drug delivery via LbL cell encapsulation, which takes advantage of both cell grafts and drug activities, will be of great importance in basic research of cell science and biotherapy for various diseases.
Association of Insulin Regimen and Estimated Body Fat Over Time among Youths and Young Adults with Type 1 Diabetes: The SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth Study

Aims To explore how changes in insulin regimen are associated with estimated adiposity over time among youths and young adults with type 1 diabetes and whether any associations differ according to sex. Materials and Methods Longitudinal data were analyzed from youths and young adults with type 1 diabetes in the SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth study. Participants were classified according to insulin regimen categorized as exclusive pump (“pump only”), exclusive injections (“injections only”), injection-pump transition (“injections-pump”), or pump-injection transition (“pump-injections”) for each follow-up visit completed. Estimated body fat percentage (eBFP) was calculated using validated equations. Sex-specific, linear mixed effects models examined the relationship between the insulin regimen group and change in eBFP during follow-up, adjusted for baseline eBFP, baseline insulin regimen, time-varying insulin dose, sociodemographic factors, and baseline HbA1c (≥9.0% vs. <9.0%). Results The final sample included 284 females and 304 males, of whom 80% were non-Hispanic white with mean diagnosis age of 12.7 ± 2.4 years. In fully adjusted models for females, exclusive pump use over the study duration was associated with significantly greater increases in eBFP compared to exclusive use of injections (difference in rate of change = 0.023% increase per month, 95%CI = 0.01, 0.04). Injection-to-pump transitions and pump-to-injection transitions were also associated with greater increases in eBFP compared to exclusive use of injections (difference in rate of change = 0.02%, 95%CI = 0.004, 0.03, and 0.02%; 95%CI = 0.0001, 0.04, respectively). There was no relationship between the insulin regimen and eBFP among males. Conclusions Among females with type 1 diabetes, exclusive and partial pump use may have the unintended consequence of increasing adiposity over time compared to exclusive use of injections, independent of insulin dose.
Association of bullying on happiness at school: evidence from Thailand’s national school-based survey

ABSTRACT This study aims to investigate the association of bullying victimization of primary school students with their happiness in urban and rural areas of Thailand. A nationally representative survey from Thailand Healthy School Data 2017 was employed. A total of 7,825 students (age 6 to 12 years) from 160 schools in 9 regions were included in the analysis. Multistage probability random sampling was applied to select students enrolled and collected data through face-to-face interviews. About 49.7% of students had been bullied. Bullying victimization was higher among males (52.0%) and younger students. Bullying was also associated with urban/rural (x2 = 5.3, p = 0.021). Students who had been bullied were 28.0% less likely to be happy (p 0.000; CI 0.647–0.810). Bullying victimization has a significant negative effect on students’ happiness. The findings suggest that specific action should be taken by entities which directly contribute to the implementation of the education system in Thailand.
Local non‐intrusive reduced order modeling based on soft clustering and classification algorithm

The use of non‐intrusive reduced order modeling (NIROM) to approximate high‐fidelity computer models has been steadily increased over the past decade. Recently, local NIROM has been proposed to improve the model accuracy in highly nonlinear problems in which distinct characteristic regimes coexist. The core concept of local NIROM is the decomposition of the parameter domains into a subregime to create multiple models. However, the existing local NIROM not only partitions the individual models in a mutually exclusive manner, but also uses a single model for prediction. This results in the extrapolation of surrogate models and the generation of artificial discontinuities. To mitigate these problems, a local NIROM that allows flexible overlapping of individual NIROMs is developed. This method softly partitions and combines individual NIROMs using machine learning techniques, such as fuzzy c‐means and multinomial logistic regression. Furthermore, a variance‐based adaptive sampling technique that can consider both local exploitation and global exploration is applied to improve model accuracy. The proposed method is validated against the transonic flow and in‐flight icing problem, and demonstrates superior performance relative to its local counterpart by up to 16.5% and 33.9% in terms of normalized root‐mean‐square error and exclusive OR error, respectively.
Floristic diversity and structural characteristics of woody savanna vegetation: a case study from Patako Forest (Senegal)

Due to the presence of tree species of high socio-economic importance, many protected areas in the sudanian zone are facing anthropogenic pressure that threatens their stability and resources integrity. This study aimed at providing a better understanding of woody plant composition and structure in Patako Forest in Senegal. Data collection was conducted by stratified random sampling in a total of 251 plots in different vegetation types. The results indicated that Combretum glutinosum, Terminalia macroptera, Cordyla pinnata, Elaeis guineensis, Acacia macrostachya and Khaya senegalensis were the most representative species. The Importance Value Indices (IVI) of these species varied significantly among vegetation types. Species diversity and structural characteristics were higher in gallery forest. The most important Shannon diversity indices was recorded in gallery forest (2.81) while it was medium in both woodland (2.12), tree savanna (1.55) and shrub savanna (1.24). Tree density was dominated by multi-stemmed species. Stem density was significantly higher in gallery forest (536 ± 13 per ha) and woodland (526 ± 12 per ha) than in tree savanna (364 ± 15 per ha) and shrub savanna (309 ± 14 per ha). Forest management should focus on gallery forest to enhance biodiversity conservation and increase the potential of carbon sequestration.