Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Measuring the Satisfaction Levels of Customers of Fresh Vegetables towards the Marketing Mix in Traditional Markets in Sukoharjo Regency, Indonesia

Vegetables are horticultural crops that have a high market absorption. Modern market that is considered to have many advantages does not necessarily reduce consumers’ shopping interest at traditional markets. Traditional markets appear to have different characteristics and visitor segments from modern markets. This study aims to determine the level of consumers’ satisfaction of vegetables towards the marketing mix in the traditional markets in Sukoharjo. Data were processed using the Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) method. The study was conducted from January to March 2019 with 80 consumers of vegetables as the respondents taken using quota sampling technique. CSI analysis was used to measure the level of customers’ satisfaction by calculating the rates of indicator performance attached to the items/services given by the consumers. Based on the CSI values, the result of the study conclude that consumers were satisfied with the services provided in traditional markets, which put priority on using family system to create convenient atmosphere of transactions.
Health Effects of Overweight and Obesity in 195 Countries over 25 Years.

Background Although the rising pandemic of obesity has received major attention in many countries, the effects of this attention on trends and the disease burden of obesity remain uncertain. Methods We analyzed data from 68.5 million persons to assess the trends in the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adults between 1980 and 2015. Using the Global Burden of Disease study data and methods, we also quantified the burden of disease related to high body‐mass index (BMI), according to age, sex, cause, and BMI in 195 countries between 1990 and 2015. Results In 2015, a total of 107.7 million children and 603.7 million adults were obese. Since 1980, the prevalence of obesity has doubled in more than 70 countries and has continuously increased in most other countries. Although the prevalence of obesity among children has been lower than that among adults, the rate of increase in childhood obesity in many countries has been greater than the rate of increase in adult obesity. High BMI accounted for 4.0 million deaths globally, nearly 40% of which occurred in persons who were not obese. More than two thirds of deaths related to high BMI were due to cardiovascular disease. The disease burden related to high BMI has increased since 1990; however, the rate of this increase has been attenuated owing to decreases in underlying rates of death from cardiovascular disease. Conclusions The rapid increase in the prevalence and disease burden of elevated BMI highlights the need for continued focus on surveillance of BMI and identification, implementation, and evaluation of evidence‐based interventions to address this problem. (Funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.)
Surface Ocean Warming Around Australia Driven by Interannual Variability and Long‐Term Trends in Southern Hemisphere Westerlies

The ocean surface temperature and sea level response around Australia to both interannual variability as well as observed and projected changes in surface winds is presented. A hindcast ocean experiment shows interannual southward shifts in the Southern Hemisphere westerly winds drive ocean surface warming events in the South Australian Basin. Twenty‐first century climate and ocean projections in an ensemble of the fifth Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) models show that wind trends could play a role comparable in magnitude to that of radiative warming in driving surface ocean temperature change in this region. To evaluate the wind's role in these projected changes, we use an ocean experiment perturbed by the projected end of 21st century wind anomalies to show that the wind trends alone can generate approximately half of the ocean surface warming and sea level rise predicted by the CMIP5 models in the Tasman Sea.
Correlation of Past Smoking Behaviors and Duration of Smoking Cessation with High-sensitivity C-reactive Protein Among Past Smokers in Korean Male Adults : Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Background: C-reactive protein (CRP) can be used to assess the risk of cardiovascular disease. Previous studies have demonstrated the relationship between cigarette smoking and high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) elevation. However, the effects of smoking cessation on hs-CRP have not been evaluated in Korean male adults. Methods: Based on the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey of 2015-2016, self-reported former smokers were selected. Participants with laboratory test results suggesting acute inflammation or any history of conditions that could elevate CRP levels were excluded. The frequency of hs-CRP elevation was compared between groups with various past smoking behaviors and duration of smoking cessation. Results: The total number of selected participants was 1,243. Participants with larger cumulative smoking amount (P=0.026) or shorter duration of smoking cessation (P=0.024) tended to have significantly higher frequency of hs-CRP elevation. By logistic regression analysis, larger cumulative smoking amount have shown higher probability of hs-CRP elevation than smaller amount, but with no statistical significance. Long-term (>10 years) and mid-term (5-10 years) cessation have shown lower probability of hs-CRP elevation than short-term (<5 years), with statistical significance only between short-term and long-term cessation (odds ratio 0.64; 95% confidence interval 0.41-0.98, P=0.038). Conclusion: Among past smokers in Korean male adults, the frequency of hs-CRP level elevation tended to be higher with larger cumulative smoking amount or shorter duration of smoking cessation. The risk of hs-CRP elevation was significantly lower with long-term smoking cessation than short-term cessation.
The Hyperpolarization-Activated HCN4 Channel is Important for Proper Maintenance of Oscillatory Activity in the Thalamocortical System

Abstract Hyperpolarization-activated cation channels are involved, among other functions, in learning and memory, control of synaptic transmission and epileptogenesis. The importance of the HCN1 and HCN2 isoforms for brain function has been demonstrated, while the role of HCN4, the third major neuronal HCN subunit, is not known. Here we show that HCN4 is essential for oscillatory activity in the thalamocortical (TC) network. HCN4 is selectively expressed in various thalamic nuclei, excluding the thalamic reticular nucleus. HCN4-deficient TC neurons revealed a massive reduction of Ih and strongly reduced intrinsic burst firing, whereas the current was normal in cortical pyramidal neurons. In addition, evoked bursting in a thalamic slice preparation was strongly reduced in the mutant mice probes. HCN4-deficiency also significantly slowed down thalamic and cortical oscillations during active wakefulness. Taken together, these results establish that thalamic HCN4 channels are essential for the production of rhythmic intrathalamic oscillations and determine regular TC oscillatory activity during alert states.
Frequently burned loblolly–shortleaf pine forest in the southeastern United States lacks the stability of longleaf pine forest

In recent decades, conservation objectives have driven changes to the management of some pine forests in the southeastern United States. Forest thinning and frequent burning of old- ﬁ eld and planta-tion pine forests have resulted in an open loblolly – shortleaf pine forest community which resembles the original longleaf pine forest. It is, however, unclear how the structure, composition, and function of the loblolly – shortleaf forest compare to natural longleaf pine forest, and whether it represents an alternative stable state, or simply a transitional state. Understanding the stability of open loblolly – shortleaf pine forest is critical, particularly because several threatened and endangered species are now reliant on it for habitat. The structure and composition of loblolly – shortleaf forest and natural longleaf pine forest were compared using data from permanent forest plots at Fort Benning, Georgia, USA. To assess the stability of the loblolly – shortleaf pine forest and determine whether it is an alternative stable or transitional state, the LANDIS-II forest landscape simulation model was used to simulate changes in forest type cover under no disturbance, and a frequent- ﬁ re regime at Fort Benning. Under both management scenarios, nearly all loblolly – shortleaf pine forest converted to mixed hardwood forest over the course of the simulation, with most conversion occurring within 60 yr. In contrast, longleaf pine forest cover increased under frequent ﬁ re. Several important structural and compositional differences may have contributed to the instability of loblolly – shortleaf pine forest compared to longleaf pine forest. These include, among other factors, higher densities of resprouting hardwood trees and shrubs in loblolly – shortleaf pine forest, including sweetgum, a resilient broadleaf species capable of transforming ecosystem structure. These results highlight the instability of the open loblolly – shortleaf pine forest community and con ﬁ rm that is a transitional state, destined for mixed hardwood forest in the coming decades under either no disturbance or frequent ﬁ re alone. Future forest planning should consider an active transition from the loblolly – shortleaf pine forest in the coming decades if open pine forest is to be conserved for wildlife and conservation objectives.
Carcass tissue distribution and characteristics of Small East African and Galla goats, and their F1 crosses to Toggenburg and Anglo-Nubian

Pre-slaughter live weights (LW) and carcass characteristics (hot and cold dressed weights (CDW), total lean (TL), total bone (TB), total fat (TF), and fat components such as intestinal fat, subcutaneous fat, empty gut (EG) and other offal weights were determined in 60 females, male and castrated goats of SEA and Galla and their respective F, crosses with Toggenburg and Anglo-Nubian of approximately 3 years of age. Breed group, sex and their first order interactions were tested for relative influence on some of the carcass characteristics. Sex of the animal did not significantly affect the carcass chilling shrinkage (%). However, sex significantly (P<0.001) influenced the weights of offal such as head, skin and empty gut as proportions of the live weight. The shrinkage (%) ranged between 2.87 and 2.66 with male carcasses shrinking most followed by castrates and females. Estimates of proportions of skin and EG to LW were: 5.45. 5.51. 6.32 and 8.07, 5.57 and 7.48 for castrates, females, respectively, and for skin and EG in that order. Shrinkage (%) was higher among Toggenburg crosses (3.3%; 2.9%) and lowest among the SEA (2.3%), while Galla and Anglo-Nubian crosses registered intermediate values (2.62 and 2.66%).
Changes of bone metabolism markers following additional isokinetic and isotonic training and its subsequent cessation in advanced level adolescent weightlifters

Background: Physically active people present overall accelerated bone turnover. However, less is known about the effects of different types of resistance training on bone metabolism markers among adolescent weightlifters. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of isokinetic training versus isotonic training of rotator cuff muscles and one month of cessation of training on blood bone metabolism markers among adolescent advanced level weightlifters. Methods: Sixteen adolescent male weightlifters (age 14.88 ± 1.31 years) who represented their state in Malaysia were weight-matched and randomly assigned into two training groups: isokinetic training (FIT, n = 7) and isotonic training (TON, n = 9) groups. The experiment was conducted during the preparatory phase of the training cycle for a total of 24 sessions with three sessions per week for eight weeks using dynamometer or dumbbells. Blood samples were collected before the commencement of training, after training and one month following the cessation of training and analyzed for determining blood metabolism markers of serum osteocalcin, serum C-telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTX-1), and serum total calcium. Results: Total calcium concentrations were not different between groups at any time, as indicated by a non-significant main effect of time (F = 1.89, p = .166) and no condition Ă time interaction effect (F = 0.64, p = .533). Serum osteocalcin concentrations were not different between groups at any time, as indicated by a non-significant main effect of time (F = 2.10, p = .162) and no condition Ă time interaction effect (F = 0.024, p = .912). Serum CTX-1 concentrations were not different between groups at any time, as indicated by a non-significant main effect of time (F = 3.12, p = .059) and no condition Ă time interaction effect (F = 1.59, p = .221). Conclusions: No significant changes were observed in serum total calcium, osteocalcin and CTX-1 following either eight weeks of isokinetic or isotonic additional training among advanced level of adolescent weightlifters.
Epidemiology of bacterial meningitis in children admitted to Gondar University Hospital in the post pneumococcal vaccine era

Introduction Community acquired bacterial meningitis (CABM) is responsible for high mortality and disabling sequelae. Introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV-10) and haemophilus influenzeatype b (Hib) has changed the epidemiological and clinical features of patients presenting with CABM as it is shown in different literatures over the last decade. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical and epidemiologic features and outcomes of CABM after the introduction of PCV-10 in Gondar University Hospital (GUH). Methods This is a retrospective study among children between 2 months and 14 years of age discharged from Gondar University Hospital. All patient records discharged with a diagnosis of meningitis at GUH were reviewed from September 2011 - September 2013. The data was collected using a structured questionnaire from the patient record charts and analysis was done using SPSS-20. Results 80 cases (1.6%) of CABM out of 4996 admissions were identified. There were 60 (75%) cases of CABM using WHO criteria of cerebrospinal fluid leukocytosis (CSF) > 100cells/mm3, or 10-100cells/mm3 with either hypoglycorrhea or increased protein; and 20 (25%) with culture confirmation. S. Pneumoniae was the most frequent pathogen identified in 14 (70%) children. The most common age group were infants 2-12 month old (n = 32, 40%). Children with adverse outcomes had shown a higher frequency of being older children (p = 0.045), loss of consciousness (p = 0.046), seizure at admission (p < 0.01), and a positive CSF culture (p = 0.03). Conclusion Introduction of PCV-10 has shown a decreased admission rate, mortality, and neurologic sequelae due to CABM.
Anthocyanins from Black Chokeberry Delayed Ageing-related Degenerative Changes in the Heart

Aim: Aging is the greatest risk factor for most neurodegenerative diseases. Cardiovascular circulatory system is an important part of maintaining normal human life activities. The core of the aging process is DNA damage, a food additive called Anthocyanin which has shown high efficacy in preventing aging, We examine whether anthocyanins could keep young mice from accelerated ageing of the heart. Materials and Methods: In order to accelerate ageing, Mice of Kunming were injected with D-galactose and they were given anthocyanins of 20 and 40 mg/kg as an intervention. Results: The whole function and structure of heart were evaluated after eight weeks and the expression levels of genes involved in the DNA damage signalling pathway were evaluated through Western blot analysis. Reduction of the heart index and the heart tissue damage was delayed by Anthocyanins. it maintained the stability of the redox system in serum such as GSH-PX, T-SOD and MDA and heart tissue. In the DNA damage signalling pathway, the expression levels of sensors such as ATM and ATR and effectors such as Chk1 and Chk2 were reduced. Conclusion: Anthocyanins can be diffusely used to slow ageing-related deterioration of heart structure and function by inhibiting DNA damage in the field of health products.
Prescriptions stored in the Swedish national prescription repository - presence of prescription duplicates, prescriptions for changed treatments and double medications.

Background: Misuse and medication errors are common causes of patient morbidity. Patient adherence to prescribed treatment for chronic conditions has been estimated to be on average about 50% (1), drug related problems may cause as much as 30% of acute admittances to hospital care (2) and the costs have been estimated to be of the same magnitude as the direct costs for pharmaceutical drugs. Discrepancies between medical records and patients stated current medication are common (3-5).
Integrated Health Interventions for Improved Livelihoods: A Case Study in Ethiopia

Smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) face multifaceted and co-existing risks, such as human and animal diseases and pests. Even though smallholder farmers often experience these challenges simultaneously, interventions to address these challenges are often implemented in a piecemeal fashion. However, managing agricultural production constraints without alleviating human and livestock health burdens might not generate significant and sustained benefits to achieve the desired development outcome (e.g., reducing hunger, malnutrition, and poverty). As such, building farmers’ resilience and adaptive capacity to co-existing production constraints and health burdens may require an integrated and holistic approach. Understanding the potential benefits of an integrated approach would provide critical information, for example, for revisiting the extension systems and for designing pro-poor holistically integrated interventions to tackle interrelated challenges facing smallholder farmers. In this paper, we examined the economic benefits of integrated human–plant–animal health interventions aimed at controlling malaria, stemborer infestations of crops, and trypanosomiasis, along with beekeeping as a livelihood diversification option in rural Ethiopia. We developed a whole-farm multiperiod mathematical linear programming model to examine the economic consequences of the interventions. Our results suggest that relaxing livelihoods and the human–plant–animal health constraints that farmers face has the potential to at least double income. The results further show that exploiting the potential synergies among interventions can generate higher economic benefits. The annual income from the combined interventions is 35% higher than the sum of the income gains from each intervention alone. Our results support an integrated approach to achieve holistic outcomes in areas where these development constraints co-exist.
An Exploratory Analysis of the Environmental Sustainability Performance Signaling Communications among North American Sport Organizations

Sport organizations across North America promote and claim deep commitments to environmental issues through sustainability performance signaling. These signals are conveyed through external associations or memberships (e.g., Green Sports Alliance) or internally (e.g., environmental reports and communications). However, researchers have not explored this communication strategy as it relates to environmental initiatives in sport nor compared environmental communications of sport organizations from the major professional sport leagues in North America. We analyzed the websites of 147 North American sport organizations and their associated venue websites for environmental performance signaling communications. We found that only one sport organization featured an environmental report on its website, and 42 sport organizations highlighted environmental initiatives through dedicated webpages on the respective team or venue’s website. Predominately, these communications focused on fan engagement initiatives (i.e., awareness, participation) but lacked goal setting, measurement metrics, or performance summaries. We discuss these themes, the implications, and recommendations for how sustainability performance signaling can be better leveraged in the North American sport sector.
Lung X-ray Segmentation using Deep Convolutional Neural Networks on Contrast-Enhanced Binarized Images

Automatically locating the lung regions effectively and efficiently in digital chest X-ray (CXR) images is important in computer-aided diagnosis. In this paper, we propose an adaptive pre-processing approach for segmenting the lung regions from CXR images using convolutional neural networks-based (CNN-based) architectures. It is comprised of three steps. First, a contrast enhancement method specifically designed for CXR images is adopted. Second, adaptive image binarization is applied to CXR images to separate the image foreground and background. Third, CNN-based architectures are trained on the binarized images for image segmentation. The experimental results show that the proposed pre-processing approach is applicable and effective to various CNN-based architectures and can achieve comparable segmentation accuracy to that of state-of-the-art methods while greatly expediting the model training by up to 20.74 % and reducing storage space for CRX image datasets by down to 94.6 % on average.
Firm Characteristics and Dividend Policy of Quoted Manufacturing Firms in Sub-Sahara Africa

The study examined the effect of firm characteristics on dividend policy in quoted manufacturing firms in Sub-Sahara Africa. Panel data were obtained from twenty (20) quoted manufacturing firms from the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Ghana Stock Exchange, Lusaka Stock Exchange, Johannesburg Stock Exchange and Nairobi Stock Exchange over a period of ten (10) years (20082017). The data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Dividend payout ratio was used as a proxy for dividend policy, while liquidity, ownership structure, firm size and leverage were used as proxies for firm characteristics. The study found liquidity to have a positive insignificant impact on dividend payout ratio; a positive insignificant impact of ownership structure on dividend payout ratio; a positive insignificant impact of firm size on dividend payout ratio; a positive significant impact of leverage on dividend payout ratio and jointly, a positive significant impact. It was therefore recommended that manufacturing firms should practice optimum working capital management in order to increase its liquidity level and diminish any likelihood of financial distress. An efficient use of its resources in order to improve performance, profitability as well as its ability to pay dividends. Investors should look out for trends in dividend payments before making investments. Original Research Article Ayodeji and Kysburn; AJEBA, 14(3): 50-57, 2020; Article no.AJEBA. 55596 51