Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Role of Ambidexterity, Strategic Orientation and Supply Chain Integration on Firm Performance: Case Study of SMEs in Traditional Market

The existence of traditional markets as social institutions has a strategic role in the development process of a nation. But with the entry of modern civilization and dynamic market conditions the existence of traditional markets is threatened with extinction. Efforts to develop traditional markets become a particular concern of the government and an interesting issue to be studied. Some studies have discussed the weaknesses of traditional markets but few have discussed their development strategies. This study aims to analyze the strategies for developing traditional market performance in this disruptive and dynamic era by increasing ambidexterity and strategic orientation. In addition, this study also aims to analyze supply chain integration in traditional markets as a moderation of the relationship between ambidexterity and strategic orientation towards the performance of traditional markets. Empirical results are obtained through the distribution of questionnaires to 126 traditional market managers in Sleman, Yogyakarta. The study conducted structural equation modeling to test the proposed relationships. The result show that ambidexterity and supply chain integration have a significant influence on firm performance but ambidexterity does not have a significant effect on supply chain integration, while strategic orientation has a significant effect on supply chain integration but does not significantly influence firm performance. This study is the first empirical test to examine the impact of ambidexterity and strategic orientation toward traditional market performance. The study results may help managers of traditional market to implement ambidexterity, strategic orientation and supply chain integration to develop traditional market’s performance.
Cardioprotective Effect of Monoammonium Glycyrrhizinate Injection Against Myocardial Ischemic Injury in vivo and in vitro: Involvement of Inhibiting Oxidative Stress and Regulating Ca2+ Homeostasis by L-Type Calcium Channels

Purpose Monoammonium glycyrrhizinate (MAG) is an aglycone of glycyrrhizin that is found in licorice and is often used clinically as an injection to treat liver diseases. However, the effect of MAG injection on cardiac function and its possible cellular mechanisms remain unclear. We explored the protective effects of MAG against myocardial ischemic injury (MII) induced by isoproterenol (ISO), as well as the cellular mechanisms via molecular biology techniques and patch-clamp recording. Methods A rat model of myocardial ischemia injury was induced by administering ISO (85 mg/kg) subcutaneously for 2 consecutive days. ECG, cardiac functional parameters, CK and LDH levels, SOD and GSH activities, MDA concentration, histological myocardium inspection, mitochondria ultrastructure changes, intracellular calcium concentrations were observed. Inﬂuences of MAG on ICa-L and contraction in isolated rat myocytes were observed by the patch-clamp technique. Results MAG reduced damage, improved cardiac morphology, inhibited oxidative stress, decreased the generation of reactive oxygen species, and decreased intracellular Ca2+ concentration. Exposure of the rats’ ventricular myocytes to MAG resulted in a concentration-dependent reduction in L-type calcium currents (ICa-L). MAG reduced ICa-L in a consistent and time-dependent fashion with a semi-maximal prohibitive concentration of MAG of 14 μM. MAG also shifted the I-V curve of ICa-L upwards and moved the activation and inactivation curves of ICa-L to the left. Conclusion The findings indicate that MAG injection exerts a protective influence on ISO-induced MII by inhibiting oxidative stress and regulating Ca2+ homeostasis by ICa-L.
KNDC1 Is a Predictive Marker of Malignant Transformation in Borderline Ovarian Tumors

Background Few screening markers for malignant transformation in borderline ovarian tumors (BOT) have been clearly established. The kinase noncatalytic C-lobe domain containing 1 (KNDC1), a brain-specific Ras guanine nucleotide exchange factor, negatively regulates dendrite growth. However, the biological role and underlying mechanism of KNDC1 in human cancers, including ovarian cancer (OC), remain unknown. Methods Gene chip screening was used to detect the expression of KNDC1 mRNA in normal ovarian tissues, BOT tissues, and OC tissues. And results were further validated by RT-qPCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. KNDC1 overexpression and knockdown ovarian cancer cells were established to study the possible pathways that KNDC1 was involved. The effects of KNDC1 on the malignant behaviors of ovarian tumors were also investigated both in vitro and in vivo. Results We observed that the expression of KNDC1 mRNA and KNDC1 protein in OC was significantly downregulated compared with BOT. Subsequent investigation revealed that knockdown of KNDC1 enhanced the proliferation of ovarian cancer cells in vitro via induction of ERK1/2 phosphorylation, whereas reinforcing the expression of KNDC1 attenuated the ERK1/2 activity. Similarly, knockdown of KNDC1 also promoted cell proliferation in vivo. Survival analysis showed that lower KNDC1 predicted a poor progression-free survival (PFS) for patients. Conclusion Collectively, we conclude that KNDC1 might function as a tumor suppressor in ovarian tumors, inhibiting the proliferation of ovarian cells by suppressing ERK1/2 activity and hindering the malignant transformation of BOT.
Mechanism for Promoting Collaborative Behaviour among Organizational Participants: Evidence from Ae-Fetha 1, Ebonyi State Nigeria

This study examined mechanism for promoting collaborative behaviour among organizational participants with Evidence of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (AE-FETHA 1). The purpose was to; determine the outcomes of collaborative behaviours of employees on the attainment of corporate goals, explore how collaborative behaviours of employees influence the settlement of conflict in the workplace and assess how collaborative behaviour of employees in the work place can foster participation of employees in organization decision processes. The study adopted descriptive survey research design with an interpretivist philosophy, 64 questionnaires were distributed while 50 were retrieved from the respondents sampled population. Data were presented using simple percentage method and hypotheses were tested using Pearson Product correlation analysis. The findings revealed that there is a relationship between collaborative behaviours of employees and the attainment of corporate goals. It was also revealed that there is a relationship between collaborative behaviours of employees and the settlement of conflict in organizations. It was equally showed that there is no relationship between collaborative behaviour of employees and the participation of employees on organization decision processes. Based on this, it was recommended that management of organization should encourage team work practice among employees. Also, management of organization should always communicate the goals of the organization to employees and ensure practice participative management.
Factors Affecting Organization’s Performance & Productivity in Public Service: A Study That Focus on Kano Municipal Council in Nigeria

This study is about factors affecting organization’s performance & productivity in public service with focus on Kano municipal in Nigeria. The performance of employees has become important due to the increasing concern of human resources and personnel experts about the level of output obtained from employees in recent years. Furthermore, there is issue of motivation among the public service employees in Nigeria particularly in Kano. The main objective of this research is to analyze the effect of employee or staff motivation on organizational productivity. Various theories were used in order to develop a conceptual framework to test the stated relationships. For this study, the sample was selected based on a stratified random sampling. The instrument used in this research was a questionnaire and the validity of instrument used by researcher was obtained through pilot study. A revised survey was employed for the original study. Partial Least Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) using SmartPLS v 3 Ringle, Christian M. , Wende, Sven, and Becker (2016) was the major statistical package used for estimating and testing all correlations, although SPSS was also utilized to analyse the demographic profiles of the respondents. The findings of the study showed that both training and reward have a significant relationship with organizational performance. Additionally, the results also show that organizational culture does not have a significant relationship with performance/productivity in Kano Municipal in
Arterial Stiffness Increases Over Time in Relation to Lung Diffusion Capacity: A Longitudinal Observation Study in COPD

Background Cardiovascular events are, after cancer, the most common cause of death in COPD patients. Arterial stiffness is an independent predictor of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events. Several cross-sectional studies have confirmed increased arterial stiffness in patients with COPD. Various mechanisms in the development of arterial stiffness in COPD such as reduced lung function or systemic inflammation have been proposed. However, clinical predictors of arterial stiffness that had been reported in cross-sectional studies have not yet been confirmed in a longitudinal setting. We have assessed the course of augmentation index (AIx) - a measure of systemic arterial stiffness - and possible predictors in a cohort of COPD patients over a period of up to 7 years. Methods COPD patients underwent annual AIx measurement by applanation tonometry for a maximum duration of 7 years. Additionally, we performed annual assessments of lung function, blood gases, systemic inflammation, serum lipids and blood pressure. Associations between the course of AIx and potential predictors were investigated through a mixed effect model. Results Seventy-six patients (mean (SD) age 62.4 (7.1), male 67%) were included. The AIx showed a significant annual increase of 0.91% (95% CI 0.21/1.60) adjusted for baseline. The change in diffusion capacity (DLco), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-sensitivity c-reactive protein (hsCRP) was independently associated with the increasing evolution of AIx (Coef. - 0.10, p<0.001, Coef. 1.37, p=0.003, and Coef. 0.07, p=0.033, respectively). Conclusion This study demonstrated a meaningful increase in arterial stiffness in COPD over time. A greater annual increase in arterial stiffness was associated with the severity of emphysema (measured by DLco), systemic inflammation, and dyslipidaemia. Clinical Trial Registration www.ClinicalTrials. gov, NCT01527773.
The Role of Attachment Styles and Communication Skills in Predicting Nursing and Medical Students’ Perception of Elder Abuse

Background The knowledge and abilities of nurses and physicians in perceiving and dealing with abuse are necessary for the improvement of older people’s health. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the role of attachment styles and communication skills in predicting nursing and medical students’ perception of elder abuse in Yazd, Iran. Methods The present study was a descriptive cross-sectional design that was conducted in the form of multistage sampling on 397 nursing and medical students at Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences in Yazd, Iran. The Elderly Caregiving Questionnaire (ECQ), Adults’ Attachment Styles Inventory (AAI), and the revised version of the Communication Skills Questionnaire were used for data collection. Data were analyzed using the SPSS version 22 software. Results The findings revealed that the participants had an appropriate understanding of elder abuse. The highest level of perception of elder abuse was in the dimension of psychological abuse (24.5± 5.22) and the lowest level was related to the dimension of physical abuse (21.7± 4.74). Additionally, a positive significant relationship was found between the score of students’ perception of abuse, and secure and avoidant attachment styles as well as students’ communication skills (p<0.01). According to regression analysis, these predictors explained 8.6% of the observed variance in the students’ perception of elder abuse. Conclusion These findings indicate that attachment styles influenced the individual’s perception of elder abuse. Therefore, in future planning and research, this should be given more attention.
DEAD WOOD, FOREST FRAGMENTATION AND ELEVATION INFLUENCES MACROFUNGAL DIVERSITY ON DOWNED COARSE WOODY DEBRIS IN BEECH AND OAK OLD FOREST ECOSYSTEMS FROM NORTHEASTERN ROMANIA

Coarse woody debris is often highlighted as the most important microhabitat for numerous saproxylic species, including macrofungi. Providing valuable nutrients, stable microclimatic conditions and development space, logs and large branches are considered of great ecological value for macrofungal diversity conservation. Old forests are especially rich in downed coarse dead wood both at quantity and quality level. Unfortunately, these forests are also affected by human interventions, through wood extraction and forest fragmentation. The main objective of this study was to find the factors that best explain the macrofungal diversity on downed coarse woody debris (DCWD). For this, we sampled 21 plots in forests dominated by beech or oak from Northeastern Romania, where we collected data about fungi, forest structure, and dead wood. We completed the variables set with forest fragmentation and topographic indices. In order to find the best models and predictors, we used generalized linear models (GLM). We found 163 taxa, polypores and agarics being the most frequent. The two most important predictors had a positive effect, increasing macrofungal diversity: 2'nd and 3'rd decay stages DCWD volume and elevation while the third one had a hump-shape effect on diversity. In old forests, downed dead wood quality and quantity is a vital component for numerous species of fungi to survive and develop. Elevation is a known proxy of macroclimatic conditions, furthermore creating new richresources niches because increasing humidity and taxonomic diversification by conifers occurrence. Patch shape can have divergent effects on fungi, as increasing perimeter is associated from one point on, with human deforestation and accessibility. Overall, we believe that Northeastern Romania's old forests hosts a great lignicolous macrofungal richness, which will be protected through silvicultural practices such as keeping valuable dead wood on site.
Coloring Activities for Anxiety Reduction and Mood Improvement in Taiwanese Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Study

To investigate the effect of mandala coloring, plaid pattern coloring, and free-form drawing activities on anxiety and mood in older Taiwanese adults. A total of 120 older adults aged 55 years to 75 years were recruited from 18 community-based learning centers for older adults in southern Taiwan. They were randomly assigned to engage in one of the following four activities for 20 minutes: (1) mandala coloring group, (2) plaid pattern coloring group, (3) free-form drawing group, and (4) reading group (control). Information on sociodemographic, lifestyle, and perceived health status was collected at the baseline. In addition, anxiety levels, measured using the 20-item State-Trait Anxiety Inventory–State Anxiety Scale (STAI-S), were ascertained at the baseline (T1), after a brief anxiety induction (T2), and at the end of the assigned activity (T3). The mean anxiety levels among the four groups at T3 were analyzed using analysis of covariance, followed by Šidák multiple comparison test, as appropriate. The mean age of the 120 study participants was 65.1 years and 73.3% were females. A significantly lower anxiety level was observed only in the mandala coloring group (least square mean = 28.2; 95% confidence interval = 24.7–31.7) compared with the control group (least square mean = 36.0; 95% confidence interval = 32.9–39.2) (P=0.004, partial eta-squared = 0.113). Furthermore, when the STAI-S was analyzed at the item level, the mandala coloring group was significantly different from the control group in the following six feelings: calmed down, safe, at ease, rested, satisfied, and I feel good. In conclusion, short-term mandala coloring activity could significantly alleviate self-induced anxiety in community-dwelling older adults. Further studies on the long-term effects of mandala coloring activity in improving the emotional well-being of older adults are warranted.
Antioxidant and Pro-Oxidant Properties of Carthamus Tinctorius, Hydroxy Safflor Yellow A, and Safflor Yellow A

(1) Carthamus Tinctorius L. (safflower) is extensively used in traditional herbal medicine. (2) The aim of this study was to investigate the bioactive properties of polyphenol extracts from flowers of Carthamus Tinctorius (CT) cultivated in Italy. We also evaluated the properties of two bioactive water-soluble flavonoid compounds, hydroxy safflor yellow A (HSYA) and safflor yellow A (SYA), contained in Carthamus Tinctorius petals. (3) The total polyphenol content was 3.5 ± 0.2 g gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/100 g, flavonoids content was 330 ± 23 mg catechin equivalent (CE)/100 g in the flowers. The extract showed a high antioxidant activity evaluated by oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging assays. In addition, flower extract, SYA, and HSYA were able to reduce the susceptibility of low-density lipoprotein to copper-induced lipid peroxidation. In order to investigate the bioactive properties of flower extract, SYA, and HSYA we also studied their modulatory effect of oxidative stress on human dermal fibroblasts (HuDe) oxidized by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BOOH). The CT extract at concentrations ranging from 0.01–20 μg GAE/mL of polyphenols, exerted a protective effect against t-BOOH triggered oxidative stress. At higher concentration the extract exerted a pro-oxidant effect. Similar results have been obtained using HSYA and SYA. (4) These results demonstrate a biphasic effect exerted by HSYA, SYA, and flower extracts on oxidative stress.
Effect of Corporate Top Management Support on Project Performance in Selected State Corporations in Kenya

Government policies and programmes in Kenya are implemented by the state corporations who aid in social development. The reasons of establishing the corporations are flexibility, operational autonomy, results oriented, greater accountability and value for money and transparency in the mainstream bureaucratic government. Since their establishment in 1980s, these corporations have undergone several scrutinies due to their poor performances in terms of projects initiated. Projects undertaken by these state corporations have been faced with numerous challenges like project cost overruns, substandard projects, incomplete, stalled or abandoned all together. The main aim of study was to determine the effect of corporate top management support in performance of projects in state corporations in Kenya. Relevant literature to the research topic was reviewed and main areas covered were theoretical review, empirical review, literature summary, research gaps and conceptual framework. In theoretical review, one theory resource-based theory. In empirical review, literature in regard to research questions were reviewed which led to identification of research gaps. Conceptual framework was demonstrated followed by operationalization and measurement of variables. Two research questions were developed: To determine the degree to which the support of corporate top management affects project performance in state corporations in Kenya. In this case a descriptive research design was used. Target population for the study was 55 state corporations in Kenya. The sample size was 48 employees in those state corporation. Questionnaires were used for data collection. With the help of SPSS version 20, data was analysed. Pearson’s’ correlation coefficient, r was used to determine the relationship between independent variables and dependent variable. Multiple regression model was fitted to determine factors with high predictive power on performance of projects in state corporations in Kenya. The findings of this study, showed that the predictor variable: corporate top management support has a contribution to the performance of projects in state corporations in Kenya. The researcher suggests topics for further study; Influence of leadership styles on the performance of projects in state corporations in Kenya and effects of funding on project performance in state corporations in Kenya.
Transcriptome Analysis of Rice Roots in Response to Root-Knot Nematode Infection

Meloidogyne incognita and Meloidogyne graminicola are root-knot nematodes (RKNs) infecting rice (Oryza sativa L.) roots and severely decreasing yield, whose mechanisms of action remain unclear. We investigated RKN invasion and development in rice roots through RNA-seq transcriptome analysis. The results showed that 952 and 647 genes were differently expressed after 6 (invasion stage) and 18 (development stage) days post inoculation, respectively. Gene annotation showed that the differentially expressed genes were classified into diverse metabolic and stress response categories. Furthermore, phytohormone, transcription factor, redox signaling, and defense response pathways were enriched upon RKN infection. RNA-seq validation using qRT-PCR confirmed that CBL-interacting protein kinase (CIPK) genes (CIPK5, 8, 9, 11, 14, 23, 24, and 31) as well as brassinosteroid (BR)-related genes (OsBAK1, OsBRI1, D2, and D11) were altered by RKN infection. Analysis of the CIPK9 mutant and overexpressor indicated that the RKN populations were smaller in cipk9 and larger in CIPK9 OX, while more galls were produced in CIPK9 OX plant roots than the in wild-type roots. Significantly fewer numbers of second-stage infective juveniles (J2s) were observed in the plants expressing the BR biosynthesis gene D2 mutant and the BR receptor BRI1 activation-tagged mutant (bri1-D), and fewer galls were observed in bri1-D roots than in wild-type roots. The roots of plants expressing the regulator of ethylene signaling ERS1 (ethylene response sensor 1) mutant contained higher numbers of J2s and developed more galls compared with wild-type roots, suggesting that these signals function in RKN invasion or development. Our findings broaden our understanding of rice responses to RKN invasion and provide useful information for further research on RKN defense mechanisms.
USING AGENT-BASED MODELLING FOR PRELIMINARY EER EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

In this paper, we explore the use of agentbased modelling for preliminary engineering education research design. The motivation for this work is to help researchers understand the behaviour of the system being studied (e.g., classroom, program, etc.) before embarking on the, often, long process of an engineering education research study. We provide an example model of the effect of homework difficulty on homework completion and study group formation to demonstrate this approach. The results indicate this approach holds considerable promise as a preliminary modelling tool that can help focus longer-term engineering education research studies.