Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of stent compression on in-stent restenosis and clinical outcomes in iliac vein compression syndrome.

Background To evaluate the effect of stent compression on in-stent restenosis (ISR) and clinical outcomes in patients with iliac vein compression syndrome (IVCS) after iliac vein stenting. Methods Fifty patients with IVCS treated with iliac vein stenting (Smart Control, Cordis, USA) between March 2017 and October 2018 were consecutively enrolled in this study. Computed tomography venography (CTV) was performed to assess stent compression and ISR. Based on the degree of stent compression, patients were allocated to a significant stent compression (SSC) group and an insignificant stent compression (ISC) group. The incidence of ISR was analyzed between the SSC and ISC groups. Patients' venous clinical severity scores (VCSSs) and responses to the chronic venous insufficiency questionnaire (CIVIQ) one year after stenting were compared between the two groups to evaluate the clinical improvement of venous insufficiency. Results In total, 34% of patients had SSC. There were significant differences in the incidence of ISR (52.9% vs. 21.2%, P=0.023), and in each group, there was one case of stent occlusion (5.88% vs. 3.03%, P=0.999). Patients in the SSC group had a higher VCSS score (8.41±5.92 vs. 3.15±2.87, P=0.04) and a lower CIVIQ score (83.35±8.86 vs. 92.21±4.32, P=0.001). Conclusions SSC has a significant effect on the incidence of ISR and the clinical outcomes of venous insufficiency. Thus, a dedicated iliac venous stent with sufficient radial resistive force, crush resistance, and outward radial force is needed to prevent the occurrence of stent compression.
IMPACT OF PRODUCTION SHARING CONTRACT PRICE SLIDING ROYALTY: THE CASE OF NIGERIA’S DEEPWATER OPERATION

Petroleum fiscal regime has been a controversial issue in Nigerian economy. The basic issue is which regime will lead to the greatest benefit to the government without negatively affecting the performance of the international oil companies. Nigeria has in the past used different regime and had adopted the current price sliding royalty regime in 1996. The aim of this study is to examine how the new price sliding royalty affects the stake of government and contractors. This study adopts ex-post research design approach using data from various sources between 1980 and 2019. The autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) regression approach was adopted for the data analysis. The unit root results reveal that the time series data consists of a mix of I(1) and I(0) variables. The ARDL bound cointegration test shows that all the variables specified in the models have long run relationship. Estimates from the models indicate that the royalty regime in the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contract has positive and significant impact on the stake of government in the long and short runs, but negative impact on the stake of contractors. Furthermore, the royalty regime has negative impact on contractors’ performance in the long run. However, the impact on the three fiscal indicators (oil revenue, government expenditure, and deficit-GDP ratio) is positive. The study therefore recommends the repeal of the Nigerian petroleum fiscal policy with the new price sliding royalty to encourage investment and development of the petroleum sector.
iRGD-liposomes enhance tumor delivery and therapeutic efficacy of antisense oligonucleotide drugs against primary prostate cancer and bone metastasis

Nucleotide-based drugs, such as antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), have unique advantages in treating human diseases as they provide virtually unlimited ability to target any gene. However, their clinical translation faces many challenges, one of which is poor delivery to the target tissue in vivo. This problem is particularly evident in solid tumors. Here, we functionalized liposomes with a tumor-homing and -penetrating peptide, iRGD, as a carrier of an ASO against androgen receptor (AR) for prostate cancer treatment. The iRGD-liposomes exhibited a high loading efficiency of AR-ASO, and an efficient knockdown of AR gene products was achieved in vitro, including AR splice variants. In vivo, iRGD-liposomes significantly increased AR-ASO accumulation in the tumor tissue and decreased AR expression relative to free ASOs in prostate tumors established as subcutaneous xenografts. Similar results were obtained with intra-tibial xenografts modeling metastasis to bones, the predominant site of metastasis for prostate cancer. In treatment studies, iRGD-liposomes markedly improved the AR-ASO efficacy in suppressing the growth of both subcutaneous xenografts and intra-tibial xenografts. The inhibitory effect on tumor growth was also significantly prolonged by the delivery of the AR-ASO in the iRGD-liposomes. Meanwhile, iRGD-liposomes did not increase ASO accumulation or toxicity in healthy organs. Overall, we provide here a delivery system that can significantly increase ASO accumulation and efficacy in solid tumors. These benefits are achieved without significant side effects, providing a way to increase the antitumor efficacy of ASOs.
The contribution of Information and Communication Technologies to the improvement of the adaptive skills and the social inclusion of students with intellectual disability

The contribution of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to the improvement of daily living skills of students with intellectual disability is a topic that has been of great concern to scientists in recent years. In the present systematic review, there has been an attempt to explore the potential of new technologies for the education, the improvement of the adaptive skills and the academic and social inclusion of students with intellectual disability, since they comprise a large part of the population with special educational needs. The review includes research of the last seventeen years on daily living skills, literacy, learning geometric concepts and shapes, focused attention, gross and fine motor skills, and visual-motor coordination. We consider that learning is facilitated with the use of ICTs, as students with intellectual disability are enabled to have equal access to innovative programs, curricula and classroom participation. Moreover, the training and education programs provided through ICTs seem to have a substantial and permanent impact on the quality of their lives, finally aiming at their social and vocational inclusion.
Effect of Nano and Regular Iron Spraying and Bio-fertilization on Growth of Local Lemon Transplants Citrus limon L. Budded on Sour Orange

This study was conducted on Local lemon (Citrus limon L.) transplants budded on sour orang, one year old, by using Completely Randomized Block Design (RCBD) with two factors and three replications and four transplants for each experimental unit, First factor was foliar spray with nano iron in three concentrations (0, 15 and 30 mg.L−1), and chelated iron at a concentration of 30 mg. L−1, the transplants were sprayed with iron twice during the season, first was in the mid-March and the second spray was applied after one month of first spray, while the transplant of control treatment were sprayed with distilled water, the second factor was inoculation with Bacillus subtilis and Trichoderma harzianum separately, in addition to control treatment (without inoculation), as the inoculation with the bacterial and fungus suspension was carried out twice a season and according to the treatments, by adding 10 ml.transplant−1 in each addition, first was in the mid-March and the second was after three months of first treatment. Results indicated that foliar application of nano iron espacialy at a concentration of 30 mg.L−1significantly increased all studied parameters (increase in sction length, sction diameter, number of branches, number of leaves, chlorophyll content, leaf area and shoot dry matter) as compared with other treatments, the inoculation with T. harzianum gave the highest values of increase in sction length, sction diameter and leaf area, while the inoculation with B. subtilis gave the highest values of other parameters which included number of leaves, chlorophyll content and shoot dry matter. The interaction between iron and bi-fertilizers significantly effected on all studied characteristics, the interaction between nano iron at a concentration of 30 mg.L−1 with B. subtilis gave the highest values of increase in sction length and number of leaves, and with T. harzianum. gave the highest means of sction diameter, chlorophyll content, number of branches, leaf area and shoot dry matter.
The Asymmetric Effects of Crude Oil Prices and Exchange Rates on Diesel Prices for 27 European Countries

Many studies have examined the asymmetric effect of US dollar-denominated crude oil prices on petroleum product prices. The ‘rockets and feathers’ argument suggests that a crude price increase raises petroleum product prices more than a corresponding decrease in crude prices lowers product prices. However, for the countries that do not use the US dollar as a medium of exchange, petroleum product prices are also affected by the exchange rates. This paper analysed the asymmetric effects of both US dollar-denominated crude oil prices and exchange rates on local currency-denominated diesel prices for 27 European countries in the short run as well as long run. The overall empirical evidence suggests that, in the short run, diesel prices react more to crude oil price increases than to a decrease, parallel to the ‘rockets and feathers’ argument. However, contrary to that argument, the long-run adjustment is the opposite. As for exchange rate shocks, again the ‘rockets and feathers’ argument holds and diesel prices respond more to exchange rate depreciation than appreciation in the short and long run.
Moving to new generational beats: Lived experiences of capitalism, student-led (re)makings of knowledge, and the evolution of critical research agendas

Via a reflection on the evolution of a module on comparing capitalisms that I have been teaching for more than a decade, this article discusses the collective influence of new generations of students on how knowledge is (re)made. I deploy a conjunctural understanding of the term ‘generations’ in order to make sense of how students’ interpretations of the topics covered by the module have, across the 2010s, led me to increasingly question the field that was, in an earlier conjuncture, essential for my intellectual foundation and development. Their lived experiences of capitalism are more likely to be dominated by themes such as political, economic and social crises and conflicts, inequality, personal indebtedness and precarity, and in some cases activism. This has had profound and long-lasting effects on my teaching and research, discomfiting me in an ultimately beneficial way; most notably, through the recognition that future critical work on comparing capitalisms ought to move away from previous attempts to engage immanently with dominant, mainstream approaches and towards the articulation of a more confident, autonomous position. Hence, a key aspect of the development and evolution of critical research agendas occurs in and through educational exchanges in the seminar room.
LEARNING FROM LOCKDOWN: EXAMINING SCOTTISH PRIMARY TEACHERS’ EXPERIENCES OF EMERGENCY REMOTE TEACHING

ABSTRACT More than 1.5 billion students experienced disruption to education as a result of COVID-19, representing the most substantial interruption to global education in modern history. Many educational institutions transitioned to emergency remote teaching (ERT) overnight, which has presented an array of distinct challenges for educators. Using virtual interviews and an experiential approach to thematic analysis, the study examined Scottish primary teachers’ (n = 10) lived experiences of adapting to ERT practice. Findings demonstrated three main themes; ‘Meeting Learners’ Needs,’ ‘Influencing Engagement’, and ‘The Impact of ERT on Teachers’. Key findings suggested that differentiating learning, engaging, and communicating with learners is more difficult during ERT than face-to-face teaching. Parental engagement is vital, however, is influenced by several mitigating factors. Finally, ERT is likely to have substantial effects on the wellbeing of those involved. Implications of these findings are considered and discussed.
Lattice water removal from nickel–cobalt Prussian blue analogues by polyaniline coating for flexible sodium ion supercapacitor devices

A new method to improve the performance of Prussian blue sodium ion supercapacitors by polyaniline coating is presented. The conducting mechanism of polyaniline film facilitates small water molecules transforming between benzene structure and quinone structure of polyaniline, which minimizes lattice water content of NiCo–Prussian blue analogues materials. The polyaniline‐coated NiCo–Prussian blue analogues are loaded on carbon sponge material to assemble flexible supercapacitors. The specific capacity of 118.2 F g−1, energy density of 32 Wh kg−1, and power density of 6.23 kW kg−1 are obtained on NiCoPBA@PANI‐1@CS//AC device, which are much greater than those of NiCoPBA@CS//AC without polyaniline coating.
How low can we go? Declining survey response rates to new zealand electoral roll mail surveys over three decades

ABSTRACT Quality survey research relies on the willingness of the public to participate, but survey response rates are decreasing over time. This research note explores response rate data from several national probability sample mail surveys drawn from a consistent sampling frame (the New Zealand electoral roll) over the past 30 years. The aim of this work is to document the scale of the response rate decline problem in mail survey studies, predict future response rates, and track nonresponse bias through comparing self-reported voter turnout in surveys to official turnout. We use data from the New Zealand Election Study, the International Social Survey Programme, the New Zealand edition of the World Values Survey, and the New Zealand Attitudes and Values Study. Our findings demonstrate that there has been a consistent downward trend in response rates and an increase in nonresponse bias for self-reported voter turnout. Response rates in the early 1990s were as high as 72%, before dropping to the 60% range around the year 2000, with response rates effectively halving from their early 1990s rates by 2015. We comment on the implications for future surveys, voter enrolment, local government turnout, and political polling. Ultimately, these results leave us with the question of how long traditional mail survey research will be able to continue.
UPLC determination of ginsenoside Rh_1 and Rh_2 in secondary ginsenoside H dripping pill

Objective:To develop an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography(UPLC) method for the determination of ginsenoside Rh1 and Rh2 in secondary ginsenoside H dripping pill.Methods:The separation was performed at 35 ℃ on a Waters Acquity UPLC HSS T3 column(100 mm × 2.1 mm,1.8 μm) eluted with acetonitrile and water in a gradient mode.The flow rate was 0.46 mL·min- 1,and the UV detection wavelength was203 nm.The external standard method was used for quantification.Results:The equations of linear regression were y =2.500 × 106x + 3.080 × 102,r =1 for Rh1,and y=2.400×106x+2.042×103,r =0.999 9 for Rh2,respectively.Rh1 and Rh2 showed good linear relationship in 1.982 ~ 198.2 and 6.501 ~ 650.1 μg·mL- 1;the average recoveries of the method were 99.66%(RSD 0.34%,n = 9) and 99.38(RSD 0.35%,n = 9),respectively.Conclusion:The method is simple,accurate,repeatable and quick,which is very suitable to the quality control of secondary ginsenoside H dripping pill.
The Virtual Online Supermarket: An Open-Source Research Platform for Experimental Consumer Research

It is controversially discussed if and which interventions policymakers should implement to promote healthier, more sustainable, and more ethical food choices. Often, policy measures suffer from a lack of data. This is especially true for the growing field of online grocery shopping. Yet, it not always feasible to test the impact of each possible policy intervention in the field. Here, computer-simulated shopping experiments offer a complementary approach. Recent evidence suggests that they heighten the realism of consumer experiments and collect valid data at a relatively low cost. In this paper, we introduce an open-source toolset that offers multiple avenues to develop and run experiments in the context of online grocery shopping. Hence, it supports researchers and policy makers in evaluating instore-intervention aiming to support more sustainable food choices.
Flexible behaviour in a mesopelagic fish (Maurolicus muelleri)

Variability of mesopelagic scattering layers is often attributed to environmental conditions or multi-species layer composition. Yet, little is known about variation in behaviour among the individuals forming scattering layers. Based on a 10 months high-resolution dataset from stationary echosounders in a Norwegian fjord, we here assess short-term and long-term behaviour of a single mesopelagic fish species, the pearlside Maurolicus muelleri. The daytime vertical extension of the monospecific pearlside scattering layers spanned four orders of magnitude ambient light in the autumn and winter and less than one order of magnitude in summer. While the main layers tracked relatively stable light levels over daytime, some individuals actively crossed light gradients of up to 1.5 orders of magnitude. This included individuals that moved between scattering layers, and apparently bold individuals that made regular upward excursions beyond the main population distribution. During the daytime, M. muelleri mitigated the risk of predation by forming tight groups in the upper scattering layer and, at light levels >10−6 µmol m−2 s−1, by instantly diving into deeper waters upon encounters with predators. Our observations suggest that individual, and probably state-dependent, decisions may extend the pearlsides’ vertical distribution, with implications for predator–prey interactions.
Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Survey of Medication Safety among Community Pharmacists in Aden-Yemen

Introduction: All health professionals' participation is essential for ensuring quality and successful national post-marketing surveillance programs. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among Yemeni community pharmacists (CPs) regarding medication safety in a poor-resource setting. Methods: A survey was conducted among CPs in Aden governorate. The tool comprised of demographic profile, knowledge, attitude, and practice aspects of medication safety. The survey also studied the opinion about the future and benefits of Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) reporting in Yemen. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, and means (SD). Results: A total of 450 CPs were enrolled in the study. Most of the participants were males (75%) with a bachelor's degree (91.9%) and between 3-6 years of experience (28%). The majority of CPs had good knowledge regarding the perception and objectives of Pharmacovigilance (PV) and ADRs. Approximately 41% of participants knew the purpose of PV as an essential system for public health and safety concerning drug use. Additionally, the Yemeni pharmacists had a positive attitude towards the reporting system. Approximately 84% of responders admitted that PV is the responsibility of the pharmacists. The majority of the participants (80%) declared no reporting form available at their workplace. According to CPs, 59% said that relevant authorities do not widely promote ADR reporting in Yemen, and 57% replied that the patient's lack of information is an obstacle in the reporting system. Approximately 89% of the CPs believed that reporting ADRs would improve patient safety. Conclusions: The CPs have a positive attitude towards PV and an acceptable degree of knowledge. However, the practice level should be upraised.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Conakry, Republic of Guinea: Analysis and Relationship with Meteorological Factors

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), dates back to December 29, 2019, in Wuhan, China. It quickly spreads like wildfire to all continents in the following months. In Guinea, the first case of COVID-19 and death were all reported respectively on March 12 and April 16, 2020. Since then, several studies have found a relationship between certain environmental conditions such as the meteorological factors to have the potential of contributing to the spread of the virus. Thus, this study aims at examining the extent to which observed meteorological factors might have contributed to the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in Conakry, from March 1 to May 31, 2020. Meteorological factors such as temperature (Tmin, Tmean and Tmax) and relative humidity (RHmin, RHmean and RHmax) were analyzed together with the data on the COVID-19. The dynamic of the COVID-19 in Guinea was analyzed along with that of some west African countries. The analysis on the dynamic of the COVID-19 pandemic in West Africa indicated Guinea as one of the most affected countries by the pandemic after Nigeria and Ghana. The study found that in general an increase in the temperature is linked to a decline in the COVID-19 number of cases and deaths, while an increase in the humidity is positively correlated to the number of cases and deaths. Nevertheless, from this study it was also observed that low temperature, mild diurnal temperature and high humidity are likely to favor its transmission. The study therefore, recommends that habitations and hospital rooms should be kept in relatively low humidity and relatively higher temperature to minimize the spread of the (SARS-CoV-2).
Island ferry travel during COVID-19: charting the recovery of local tourism in Hong Kong

ABSTRACT With stringent immigration controls implemented by governments around the world, the year 2020 has seen global aviation and tourism industries grind to a complete halt. However, COVID-19 seems to have been the catalyst for the rise of local tourism around the globe. While the literature has long focused on the demand and supply of international tourism, the significance of local tourism should not be overlooked. This paper uses a novel and comprehensive mixed methods approach that considers 1) internet keyword search trends for tourist destinations, 2) news announcements on social media platforms, 3) ridership data provided by ferry companies and 4) participant observations in the field to examine the growth of local tourism in Hong Kong during the city's first and second waves of COVID-19, shedding light on the growth of rural, island destinations in the city. By investigating the trends and patterns of local tourism in Hong Kong, this article offers recommendations for policymakers and tourism stakeholders not only in Hong Kong but also around the world to facilitate the development of local tourism. The paper concludes by asking readers to consider the myriad possibilities of repositioning tourist destinations to offer alternative tourism forms that are more sustainable and can be resilient to negative events such as COVID-19.