Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dynamics of Naturally Acquired Antibody Against Haemophilus Influenzae Serotype 'A' and the Impact of Vaccination

Haemophilus (H.) influenzae is a human-restricted bacterial pathogen that can cause severe invasive disease. During the past two decades, the incidence of infections caused by H. influenzae serotype ‘a’ (Hia) has increased in several parts of the world, particularly in Aboriginal populations of North America. Currently, there is no vaccine available to prevent Hia infection. While efforts continue to develop an anti-Hia vaccine candidate, a number of key questions must be addressed to ensure that vaccination is effective in curtailing and possibly eliminating Hia from affected populations. In this thesis, we develop mathematical models of Hia transmission and control dynamics and analyze them to address important practical questions. By simulating an in-host antibody boosting model, we predict the timelines and frequency of natural boosting of immunity in order to prevent invasive Hia disease. Using laboratory data collected in a Canadian population, this model indicates that frequent boosting of natural immunity is required to maintain anti-Hia antibodies at levels required to prevent Hia invasive disease. We also develop a stochastic in-host model of immune dynamics to evaluate the immune responses to a bivalent glycoconjugate vaccine against the two serotypes ‘a’ and ‘b’ of H. influenzae. In particular, we investigate the effect of such a vaccine on the generation of antiHia immune response in the presence of pre-existing immunity to one serotype elicited by prior vaccination or natural infection. Our results suggest that the protection conferred by ii a bivalent combined vaccine may be affected by the use of carrier protein previously used in H. influenzae serotype ‘b’ conjugate vaccines. At the population level, we develop the first stochastic model of Hia transmission dynamics to evaluate vaccination strategies and the effect of booster doses. Our results highlight the importance of primary vaccination and timely booster doses of the individual immunity not only for infants, but also for a sizeable portion of susceptible individuals to maintain a high level of herd immunity in the population. Since age plays an important role in transmission of Hia, we also develop an age-structured model to evaluate vaccination strategies and determine the effect of age-specific vaccination coverages. We discuss the implications of our findings for population health.
Hygrothermoelastic response in the bending analysis of elliptic plate due to hygrothermal loading

Abstract This study investigates the theoretical outline to couple both classical Fourier’s and Fick’s laws to frame a new model of two-temperature hygrothermoelastic diffusion theory for a non-simple rigid material. Based on hygrothermoelasticity method, a system of linearly coupled partial differential equations for the thermal and moisture diffusion for the case of a non-simple medium is established. The transient response using the decoupled technique of a multilayered elliptic plate perpendicular to the axial axis, subjected to hygrothermal loading is considered, to derive closed-form expressions for temperature, moisture, deflection, bending moments, and hygrothermal stresses. The solutions to the governing coupled equations and its boundary conditions are solved by employing a new integral transform technique. The small deflection equation is found and utilized to preserve the intensities of bending moments and stresses, involving the Mathieu functions and its derivatives. Moreover, the elliptical region can be degenerated into a circular part by applying limitations. Numerical results of the transient response of hygrothermoelastic fields are established graphically for the better understanding the underlying elliptic structure, improved understanding of its relationship to circular profile, and better estimates of the effect of the associated hygrothermoelastic responses.
The Effect of SMS-Based Education on Sleep Knowledge of Mothers of Primary School Students: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Sleep-deprivation in children decreases the quality of life and endangers health. Increasing mother’s level of awareness can help improve the children’s sleep schedule and avoid many associated problems. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of SMS-based education on the level of sleep knowledge in mothers with 7 12
Rauringa Raupa: Recruitment and retention of Māori in the health and disability workforce

Taupua Waiora Centre National Institute for Public Health and Mental Health Research Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences AUT University Private Bag 92006 Auckland 1142 A report prepared for the Ministry of Health and the Health Research Council of New Zealand by Taupua Waiora Centre, National Institute for Public Health and Mental Health Research, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, AUT University
Australian Milk Fat - Seasonal and Regional Composition of Fatty Acids

Regional and seasonal differences in milk fat composition affect the human nutritional properties of milk. Milk from 19 bulk production sites across Australia were collected on a monthly basis for 2-years in 1994-1995 and analysed for Fatty Acid (FA) composition. Considerable site and seasonal differences were encountered with the analysis revealing clear seasonal variation in the abundance of short chain saturated FAs, the minor unsaturated FAs, C16:0, and the long chain unsaturated FAs. The magnitude of difference varied with geography, with generally less variation observed in the Queensland, New South Wales and South Australian regions. Positive correlations were measured between the short chain FAs from C4 to C14, diminishing with the increased difference in chain length. Correlations between saturated and mono-unsaturated FAs of the same chain length were mostly positive for C16 and C18 however generally not for C10 and C14, indicating fundamental differences in desaturase activities for different carbon chain lengths and between regions. These results provide useful information that can be used by the Australian domestic and export dairy industry to understand and pre-dict the effect of season and geographical location within Australia on the abundance of FAs of nutritional importance.
The relationship of contrasting project governance approaches with achieving ERP project success

This dissertation assesses contrasting approaches to project governance and their correlation with ERP project success. The opposing perceptions of agency theory and stewardship theory are applied in the research to deconstruct and describe the different forms and functions of project governance. Accordingly, every project governance approach is either more oriented towards the interests of the shareholders or the stakeholders, and is either controlled through strict processes and procedures or through a focus on project outcomes. Questionnaires were sent via email to a target population comprising of ERP professionals, ERP project managers, and others with ERP project experience. 166 usable responses were obtained. Regression and correlation analysis revealed that ERP project success has a significant relationship with a project governance methodology that increases the degree to which it is stakeholder oriented. Whilst ERP project success is not correlated with the type of control approach implemented within the project governance structures. These findings offer additional evidence on the notion that governance approaches in which stewardship principles are adopted are meaningful in the context of achieving ERP project objectives.
COSIPY v1.2 – An open-source coupled snowpack and ice surface energy and mass balance model

Abstract. Glacial changes play a key role both from a socio-economical and political, and scientific point of view. The identification and the understanding of the nature of these changes still poses fundamental challenges for climate, glacier and water research. Many studies aim to identify the climatic drivers behind the observed glacial changes using distributed surface mass and energy balance models. Distributed surface mass balance models, which translate the meteorological conditions on glaciers into local melting rates, thus offer the possibility to attribute and detect glacier mass and volume responses to changes in the climatic forcings. A well calibrated model is a suitable test-bed for sensitivity, detection and attribution analyses for many scientific applications and often serves as a tool for quantifying the inherent uncertainties. Here we present the open-source coupled snowpack and ice surface energy and mass balance model in Python COSIPY, which provides a lean, flexible and user-friendly framework for modelling distributed snow and glacier mass changes. The model has a modular structure so that the exchange of routines or parameterizations of physical processes is possible with little effort for the user. The model has a modular structure so that the exchange of routines or parameterizations of physical processes is possible with little effort for the user. The framework consists of a computational kernel, which forms the runtime environment and takes care of the initialization, the input-output routines, the parallelization as well as the grid and data structures. This structure offers maximum flexibility without having to worry about the internal numerical flow. The adaptive sub-surface scheme allows an efficient and fast calculation of the otherwise computationally demanding fundamental equations. The surface energy-balance scheme uses established standard parameterizations for radiation as well as for the energy exchange between atmosphere and surface. The schemes are coupled by solving both surface energy balance and subsurface fluxes iteratively in such that consistent surface skin temperature is returned at the interface. COSIPY uses a one-dimensional approach limited to the vertical fluxes of energy and matter but neglects any lateral processes. Accordingly, the model can be easily set up in parallel computational environments for calculating both energy balance and climatic surface mass balance of glacier surfaces based on flexible horizontal grids and with varying temporal resolution. The model is made available on a freely accessible site and can be used for non-profit purposes. Scientists are encouraged to actively participate in the extension and improvement of the model code.
Web-Based Investor Fear Gauge and Stock Market Volatility: An Emerging Market Perspective

This article considers web-based global investors’ crash fears as a gauge of global investors’ fears, and examines its effect on stock market volatility in a sample of emerging stock markets. We show that an increase in global investors’ crash fears significantly affects the volatility of stock index returns in emerging markets. The results are robust to the inclusion of the conventional investor sentiment/fear gauge measure, VIX. Thus broadening the set of measures of global investors’ fears is important when explaining emerging market volatilities. JEL Classification: F30, G11, G15
English learning lived experiences of Chinese student newcomers in a Canadian postsecondary EAP programme: The role of gender

Gender roles are still strictly defined in some countries while in others they are becoming increasingly fluid (McKeen & Bu, 2005). This article examines Chinese student newcomers’ English learning lived experiences in a postsecondary English for Academic Purposes (EAP) programme and how different gender roles help or hinder the integration trajectories of those students into Canadian multicultural society. In this study, women language learners who seem to follow a more traditional feminine position experience more intercultural transformations of their identities than their male counterparts with worldviews perceived as more masculine. The study shows that gender roles serve as an impacting factor on second language learning processes for Chinese women and men. We conclude that gender equality pedagogy and gender-sensitive awareness should be promoted in language teaching and learning in order to foster a more inclusive educational environment for students from diverse backgrounds who might still have traditional behaviours towards gender roles.
Comparison of Direct vs. Indirect Blood Pressure Measurements on Treadmill and Bicycle in Hypertensive Responders

Objectives: This study tested whether the systolic and diastolic blood pressures measured simultaneously by direct and indirect methods provide similar readings for blood pressure response during symptom-limited exercise on a treadmill and bicycle, and if it can be used to monitor blood pressure in hypertensive patients treated with β- blockers. Method: Comparisons were made with simultaneously determined intra-arterial catheter and auscultation measurements on a treadmill and bicycle. Eight hypertensive patients (41.9 ± 2.0 years) active participants in supervised aerobic programs (12.1 ± 1.2 METs work capacity) for at least 12 months were recruited to the study. Results: At rest, indirect systolic pressure was highly correlated with the direct method (r=0.85), with mean of 139 ± 7 and 134 ± 6 mmHg, respectively, at peak treadmill exercise (r=0.90), with mean of 198 ± 11 and 189 ± 9 and bicycle (r=0.92) with mean of 204 ± 10 196±9 mmHg respectively. Indirect diastolic blood pressure correlates well with intra-arterial at rest (r=0.82), with mean of 96 ± 11 and 88 ± 9 mmHg, respectively. However, at peak treadmill exercise, the correlation coefficient between the direct and the indirect methods was low (r=0.40), with mean of 105 ± 9 and 112 ± 12 mmHg, respectively. At peak bicycle exercise correlation was (r=0.58) with mean of 107 ± 9 and 112 ± 12 mmHg. Conclusions: These results suggest that at peak treadmill exercise and bicycle, the indirect method tends to bias low compared with direct therefore it is not valid for the assessment of diastolic pressure in hypertensive patients. Intensity should be considered when using cardiovascular variables as outcome measures.
Fluid Migration Characterization of Cemented Sections Retrieved from a North Sea Production Well

The annulus cement sheath between casings is an important well barrier element for ensuring zonal isolation and preventing cross-flow of formation fluids. Understanding the migration path geometry and how hydrocarbons and treatment materials flow in such paths are important for diagnosing and treating leaking annulus cement. We study the seepage properties of gas and liquid through two cemented annulus sandwich sections recovered from the upper vertical part of a North Sea production well during a permanent abandonment operation. Studying physical and mechanical properties of these sections can provide unique insights about the sealing properties of annulus cement that has been exposed to downhole conditions and more than thirty years of operation. The sandwich sections are each nearly a joint length long and comprised of a 9 5/8-in casing inside a 13 3/8-in casing that was originally cemented by bullheading cement slurry down the annulus. One of the sections contains the top-of-cement while the other is from approximately 140 meter below top-of-cement. A series of seepage experiments have been performed to better understand variations in sealing potential along the assembly, including settled solids above the top of cement. Visual inspection of the annulus cement at the bottom and top ends of the section reveal full cement coverage around the eccentric inner casing. Minor local imperfections in the form of pockets of fluid trapped in the hardened cement are also observed, presumably originating from the original cementing operation. The settled solids above the top-of-cement were found to act as an effective barrier against fluid migration initially but yielded irreversibly once exposed to higher test pressures. Seepage rates through the cemented section are consistent with previous measurements in full-scale annulus test assemblies. The gas and liquid seepage experiments performed on the retrieved section improve our understanding of well cement quality close to the top of cement, including possible sealing potential of the material above the top of cement. Comparing the cement log from the well to seepage measurements helps correlate log response and annulus cement seepage potential which can benefit both remediation design and future abandonment operations.
Perspectives of junior doctor intercultural clinical communication: Lessons for medical education

Introduction: Increasingly, junior doctors are culturally diverse due to globalisation of the tertiary education system and health workforce shortages. These graduates deliver healthcare where a proportion of the population may not have the English language skills to communicate effectively. The aim of this study was to examine perspectives of junior doctor–patient communication in a culturally diverse setting. Methods: We adopted a qualitative design with focus group discussions with junior doctors and semi-structured interviews with senior hospital staff at one regional hospital in Australia. We asked participants to discuss challenges and enabling strategies. There were five focus groups with 20 junior doctors and interviews with 10 senior doctors and 4 senior professional staff. Data were analysed thematically. Results: The two major themes to emerge in the discussion with the junior doctors were their own and the patient’s language as a barrier, and cultural influences on healthcare communication. The subthemes for language as a barrier were fluency, impact and mediated communication. The subthemes for cultural influences were uncertainty and cultural comfort. The results of the semi-structured interviews with senior clinical and hospital staff identified similar themes, yet the focus was on the junior doctors’ language ability, their ability to understand and engage with the needs of “country” people and their ability to explain complexity. Discussion: The findings suggest that intercultural communication is multi-faceted and intrinsically challenging, confirming the need for intercultural communication in medical curricula, particularly teaching that makes reference to culturally and linguistically diverse patients as well as cultural diversity in the medical workforce.
The Occurrence and Characterization of Alternaria alternata Causing Leaf Spots Disease of Spinach in Nandi and Uasin Gishu Counties, Kenya

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is an important vegetable crop in Kenya cultivated by small-scale farmers for domestic use and commercial production. Alternaria leaf spot caused by Alternaria alternata is among the economically significant diseases of spinach causing low yield and poor-quality crop. There is little information available on occurrence and the nature of Alternaria leaf spot disease of spinach in Kenya. The aim of the present study was to establish the occurrence and characterize the causal pathogen in the laboratory and in farmers’ fields. An extensive survey was conducted in seven selected Sub-counties namely; Mosop, Chesumei, Aldai, Nandi Hills, Emgwen of Nandi County and Kapseret, Moiben of Uasin Gishu county. In each farm the disease incidence was determined and diseased samples collected for isolation, identification and characterization in the laboratory. The study revealed that the disease occurred in all the Sub-counties surveyed. Out of the 40 farms surveyed 23 (57.5%) had leaf spot disease with a mean incidence of 21.37 %. The highest disease incidence was observed in Mosop Sub-county (41.31%). Similarly, when isolates were studied in the laboratory, their morphological characteristics varied from fairly compact to luxuriant mycelial growth, texture varied from feathery to cottony. The growth rate was between 2.98 and 4.05 mm/day, and the spore count after 12 days was between 4.68×10 4 and 7.4×10 4 conidia/ml. This is the first report on the occurrence and incidence of Alternaria leaf spot caused by Alternaria alternata of spinach in Kenya. This therefore necessitates the development of management practices to reduce crop loss due to the pathogen.
Oracally efficient estimation and testing for an ARCH model with trend

Abstract This article investigates an ARCH model with trend and proposes a two-step estimation method and develops an ARCH effect test. The trend is estimated by the linear B-spline method, and then the least squares estimation (LSE) and a Lagrange multiplier (LM) test based on the residuals are presented. Under mild conditions, it is shown that the proposed LSE and the test statistic enjoy the oracle properties; namely, they perform as well as if the true trend function were known and then removed to obtain the ARCH errors. Simulation studies assess the finite-sample performance of the LSE and the test statistic. An empirical example on the US gross private saving series is analyzed to illustrate the usefulness of our procedure.
Which Way to High Performance? Comparing Performance Effects of High-Performance Work System Components in Small- to Medium-Sized Establishments

The authors examine variation in firm choices to invest in HR practices. They identify three approaches: investments in high-involvement programs (such as employee participation and teams); in high-commitment practices (such as internal promotions and job security); and in ability-enhancing selection and training programs. The authors test the performance effect of these choices in a sample of 165 small- and medium-sized hotel establishments (SMEs). They also consider how job-level differences in skill requirements and customer contact affect the relative effectiveness of these three groups of high-performance work practices. Consistent with the authors’ predictions, findings show that, on average, the group of high-commitment practices has the strongest relationship with SME performance. However, the performance effect of high-involvement practices is significantly stronger for front desk jobs compared to housekeeping jobs.
Small Business Constraints: The Influence of Time

The objective of this article was to determine whether the number of years in business influences the constraints experienced by small businesses in the City of Tshwane. A total of 270 questionnaires were distributed and 249 were returned. Data were collected and analyzed using the mean and standard deviation for the descriptive statistics and Cronbach’s alpha was used to test the reliability of the questions. The findings showed that a lack of financial support is the highest-rated constraint faced by small businesses, followed by high transport costs, high input costs, a lack of business information sources, and intensive competition. Furthermore, there is an inverse relationship between the number of years in business and operational costs; and on the contrary, a positive correlation exists between the number of years and operational costs.
Closure of a hyperextended system in an orogenic lithospheric pop‐up, Western Pyrenees: The role of mantle buttressing and rift structural inheritance

The Early Cretaceous hyperextended Mauléon rift is localized in the north‐western Pyrenean orogen. We infer the Tertiary evolution of the Mauléon basin through the restoration of a 153‐km‐long crustal‐scale balanced cross‐section of the Pyrenean belt, which documents at least 67 km (31%) of orogenic shortening in the Western Pyrenees. Initial shortening, accommodated through inversion of inherited crustal structures, led to formation of a pop‐up structure, in which the opposite edges underwent similar shortening with different tectonic reactivation styles, localized versus. distributed. Underthrusting of the Iberian margin accommodated further convergence, forming the Axial Zone antiformal stack of crustal nappes within a lithospheric pop‐up. Thin‐skinned and thick‐skinned structures propagated outward from the heart of this pop‐up, a block of strong mantle acting as a buttress inhibiting complete inversion of the Mauléon rift basin.