Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adolescent participation in new sports: Extended theory of planned behavior

While there have been emerging efforts to develop new or non-traditional sports, relatively little attention has been devoted to understanding what influences sport participants’ behavioral intention and overt participation behavior toward new sports. Since many new sports have struggled to boost their popularity and increase the number of participants, the purpose of this study is to analyze adolescents’ participation behavior in new sports through the extended theory of planned behavior (TPB), including prior knowledge. Specifically, it was hypothesized that attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control positively influence participation intention. Furthermore, it was expected that participation behavior is influenced by participation intention and perceived behavioral condition and prior knowledge would positively influence attitude and participation intention. Especially, in order for a new sport to be sustainable, it is deemed more important to understand younger participants’ behavioral intention and behavior. Using a survey questionnaire, data were collected from a total of 238 junior high school students who were participating in any type of new sports. The data were primarily analyzed using structural equation modeling. The results found that the three components of the TPB, namely attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control, had a positive influence on subjects’ participation intention, which further leads to participation behavior. Of the three TPB main variables, attitude was the strongest predictor for the intention to partake in a new sport, followed by perceived behavioral control and subjective norm. However, perceived behavioral control did not have a direct influence on adolescents’ participation behavior. In addition, the participants’ prior knowledge had a positive influence on adolescents’ attitudes and participation intention. Results indicated that new sport organizations should develop marketing and educational strategies to improve attitudes of potential and current participants toward new sports as well as to teach the rules and benefits of new sports.
High-output cardiac failure secondary to arteriovenous fistula: a wide-based literature review

Performing arteriovenous fistula (AVF) has become common among patients requiring hemodialysis. Apart from complications like bleeding, stenosis, infection, and thrombosis, even high-output cardiac failure has been a matter of concern for these patients. Sever risk factors like upper arm AVF with brachial artery anastomosis, male sex, and volume expansion has been identified. The pathophysiology contributing to this disease process is the shunting of blood from the high-resistance arterial system into the lower resistance venous system, increasing the venous return and eventually cardiac failure. It is also believed cardiac failure in AVF is also a reflection of the underlying cardiovascular disease. This is diagnosed using an echocardiogram and cardiac biomarkers (brain natriuretic peptide & atrial natriuretic peptide). AVF ligation has been shown to improve symptoms of cardiac failure at the expense of losing vascular access. Current guidance recommends schematic predialysis planning process with the aim of optimizing the route of dialysis for an individual patient’s unique psychological, medical and wider social implications.
CLAYS AND HUMAN HEALTH

Since prehistoric times man used clay for therapeutic purposes. There are indications that homo erectus and homo neanderthalensis used ochres mixed with water and different types of mud to cure wounds, to soothe irritations, as a method of skin cleaning, etc. This might be due to their mimicking animals, many of which instinctively use minerals for such kind of purposes. The clay plates of Nippur, Mesopotamia, which date back to about 2500 BC, contain a reference to the use of clay for therapeutic purposes, including the treatment of wounds and the inhibition of haemorrhages. In ancient Egypt, Pharaoh’s doctors used Nubian earth as an antiinflammatory agent, and yellow ochre (a mixture of clay and iron oxy/hydroxides) as a cure for skin wounds and internal maladies and as a preservative in mummification. Likewise, Cleopatra (44–30 BC), Queen of Egypt, used muds from the Dead Sea for cosmetic purposes (Bech, 1987; Newton, 1991; Robertson, 1996; Veniale, 1997; Reinbacher, 1999). In the Ancient Greek period, mud materials were used as antiseptic cataplasms to cure skin afflictions, as cicatrices, or as a cure for snakebites. Bolus Armenus, a red clay found in the mountain caves of Cappadocia, old Armenia, present-day Turkey, was famous as a medicinal clay, as were the so-called terras of the Greek islands Lemnos, Chios, Samos, Isola, Milos, and Kimolos. These terras were prepared and
A Double-Edged Sword: The Anti-Cancer Effects of Emodin by Inhibiting the Redox-Protective Protein MTH1 and Augmenting ROS in NSCLC

Background: Reactive oxygen species (ROS), playing a two-fold role in tumorigenesis, are responsible for tumor formation and progression through the induction of genome instability and pro-oncogenic signaling. The same ROS is toxic to cancer cells at higher levels, oxidizing free nucleotide precursors (dNTPs) as well as damaging DNA leading to cell senescence. Research has highlighted the tumor cell-specific expression of a redox-protective phosphatase, MutT homolog 1 (MTH1), that performs the enzymatic conversion of oxidized nucleotides (like 8-oxo-dGTP) to their corresponding monophosphates, up-regulated in numerous cancers, circumventing their misincorporation into the genomic DNA and preventing damage and cell death. Methods: To identify novel natural small molecular inhibitors of MTH1 to be used as cancer therapeutic agents, molecular screening for MTH1 active site binders was performed from natural small molecular libraries. Emodin was identified as a lead compound for MTH1 active site functional inhibition and its action on MTH1 inhibition was validated on non-small cell lung cancer cellular models (NSCLC). Results: Our study provides strong evidence that emodin mediated MTH1 inhibition impaired NSCLC cell growth, inducing senescence. Emodin treatment enhanced the cellular ROS burdens, on one hand, damaged dNTP pools and inhibited MTH1 function on the other. Our work on emodin indicates that ROS is the key driver of cancer cell-specific increased DNA damage and apoptosis upon MTH1 inhibition. Consequently, we observed a time-dependent increase in NSCL cancer cell susceptibility to oxidative stress with emodin treatment. Conclusions: Based on our data, the anti-cancer effects of emodin as an MTH1 inhibitor have clinical potential as a single agent capable of functioning as a ROS inducer and simultaneous blocker of dNTP pool sanitation in the treatment of NSCL cancers. Collectively, our results have identified for the first time that the potential molecular mechanism of emodin function, increasing DNA damage and apoptosis in cancer cells, is via MTH1 inhibition.
Modeling of Surface Drainage during the Service Life of Asphalt Pavements Showing Long-Term Rutting: A Modular Hydromechanical Approach

This paper presents a modular hydromechanical approach to assess the short- and long-term surface drainage behavior of arbitrarily deformable asphalt pavements. The modular approach consists of three steps. In the first step, the experimental characterization of the thermomechanical asphalt material behavior is performed. In the second step, information about the long-term material behavior of the asphalt mixtures is integrated on the structural scale via a finite element (FE) tire-pavement model for steady-state rolling conditions and time homogenization in order to achieve a computationally efficient long-term prediction of inelastic deformations of the pavement surface (rut formation). In the third step, information regarding the current pavement geometry (deformed pavement surface) is used to carry out a surface drainage analysis to predict, e.g., the thickness of the water film or the water depth in the pavement ruts as a function of several influencing quantities. For chosen numerical examples, the influence of road geometry (cross and longitudinal slope), road surface (mean texture depth and state of rut deformation), and rainfall properties (rain intensity and duration) on the pavement surface drainage capacity is assessed. These parameters are strongly interrelated, and general statements are not easy to find. Certain trends, however, have been identified and are discussed.
Assessing the Implications of IFRS 9 on Financial Stability using Bank Stress Tests

IFRS 9 substantially affected the financial sector by profoundly changing the impairment methodology for credit losses. This paper analyzes the implications of the change from IAS 39 to IFRS 9 in the context of financial stability. In doing so, we shed light on two effects. First, the “cliff-effect”, which refers to sudden increases in impairments. It occurred under IAS 39, as credit losses were only recognized once they occurred. As a result, impairments often came late and abruptly. IFRS 9 was designed to mitigate this issue by applying a staging approach, which gradually recognizes losses over the lifetime of the loan. This benefit, however, comes at the cost of “front-loading” impairments, which is the second effect we investigate. The earlier recognition of losses may adversely impact bank resilience by lowering capital levels. It remains to be seen, whether the conjunction of both effects constitutes a net benefit for the financial sector. We empirically investigate this question using the European bank stress test from 2014 to 2018. It is a natural experiment, in which all banks are subject to the same regulations and exogenous shocks. This characteristic allows us to control for otherwise immeasurable effects and to reveal the true implications of the ECL model in light of the “cliffeffect” as well as the “front-loading” effect. Furthermore, the calculation of a baseline and an adverse scenario allows us to investigate the vigorousness of procyclicality under IFRS 9 compared to IAS 39. JEL Classification: E58, G21, G28
Playing a Virtual Piano with Dynamics

This project sought to create an intuitive piano playing experience through VR that allows users a cheaper and mobile alternative to that of real pianos. We used Leap Motion controls for accurate ﬁnger tracking and the Unity engine for creating the piano playing scene. We were able to successfully implement ﬁnger tracking to press the keys of the piano. User feedback depended on how advanced their piano skills. Novice users actions were easily recreated whereas advanced users could not get the feedback they wanted. The demo currently works better as a prop as opposed to a real piano, though future improvements could lead to a more authentic playing experience
Habitat Edges Have Weak Effects on Duck Nest Survival at Local Spatial Scales

Edge effects on nesting success have been documented in breeding birds in a variety of contexts, but there is still uncertainty in how edge type and spatial scale determine the magnitude and detectability of edge effects. Habitat edges are often viewed as predator corridors that surround or penetrate core habitat and increase the risk of predation for nearby nests. We studied the effects of three different types of potential predator corridors (main perimeter roads, field boundaries, and ATV trails within fields) on waterfowl nest survival in California. We measured the distance from duck nests to the nearest edge of each type, and used distance as a covariate in a logistic exposure analysis of nest survival. We found only weak evidence for edge effects due to predation. The best supported model of nest survival included all three distance categories, and while all coefficient estimates were positive (indicating that survival increased with distance from edge), 85% coefficient confidence intervals approached or bounded zero indicating an overall weak effect of habitat edges on nest success. We suggest that given the configuration of edges at our site, there may be few areas far enough from hard edges to be considered ‘core’ habitat, making edge effects on nest survival particularly difficult to detect.
A revision of the shovel-nosed lobsters of the genus Thenus (Crustacea: Decapoda: Scyllaridae), with descriptions of three new species

The shovel-nosed lobster genus Thenus Leach, 1815, long considered to contain only Thenus orientalis (Lund, 1793), is revised and five species recognised. Thenus indicus Leach, 1815, which had been relegated to the synonymy of T. orientalis, is reinstated and a lectotype designated. Three new species T. australiensis , T. unimaculatus and T. parindicus are diagnosed. Specimens of Thenus were collected from various locations throughout the Indo-West Pacific Oceans. Samples were analysed using a concordance approach involving three techniques: morphometrics/morphology, starch gel isozyme electrophoresis, and mitochondrial DNA sequencing of 16S and COI genes. All three investigations supported the recognition of five species. Despite significant genetic divergence, several sympatric species are morphologically similar and identification can be difficult; a key using a combination of live colour patterns and morphometric ratios is presented as an aid to species discrimination.
Job Satisfaction amongst Nurses in the Arabian Gulf Region- A Systematic Review of the Literature

Article History Received: 23.08. 2018 Accepted: 04.09. 2018 Published: 30.09. 2018 Abstract: The Arabian Gulf countries have witnessed a progressive improvement in the healthcare sector. The infrastructural improvement and the increase in budgetary allocation have led to increase flow of expatriate nurses to the region, but there is no any case study based on the job satisfaction for nurses from the region as whole. The purpose of this study is to assess the job satisfaction level for nurses working in the Arabian Gulf countries. This was a systematic review of literature using articles searcher form PubMed, Science Direct and Google Scholar databases. The articles selected had to be published in English between years 2010 to 2018. Data was extracted and analysed thematically then presented in form of charts, tables, and narrative. The search resulted in 197 articles (PubMed: n = 59, Science Direct: n = 66, and Google Scholar: n = 72) of which eight articles all published in English and after 2012 were approved for systematic review. Major findings indicated the job satisfaction among nurses in Arabian Gulf was moderate with expatriate being slight satisfied than the locals. The factors influencing job satisfaction can be categorised into personal factors, organisational related factors, and work environment related factors. Nurses in the Arabian Gulf region are not fully satisfied with their jobs. It is imperative that the Government and other healthcare sector stakeholders discuss a manner for motivating both the local nurses and the level of job satisfaction.
Modelling melting in low latitude Andean glaciers according to global, regional and local climate variations

Introduction: Tropical glaciers shrinkage is generalised and has been accelerating since the end of the 1970s, especially during warm phases of El Nino events. Several authors have shown the links between Andean climate, glaciers retreat and global climate variations. Locally, ice loss processes (melting and sublimation) are complex and dependent on several variables like temperature, humidity, wind, cloud cover, incident and reflected radiations on the glacier surface (thus of albedo), while its maintenance depends upon precipitation influence. But direct measurements upon glaciers are scarce and we are replacing them by data from meteorological station located in similar climatic situation. Objectives: • Set up statistical models that show the links and the respective influence of climatic parameters upon glaciers variations. • Calibrate, validate and use of these models to reproduce past glacier and climate variations. In order to try to predict future glaciers and water resources evolution, according to IPCC climate scenarios. Methods Establish links and models between local (data collected close to the glacier), regional (data collected in Ecuador by the meteorological network or by remote sensing) and global (i.e. ENSO index) climatic information at daily and monthly time scale. Select the most appropriate models considering data availability to realise the long term calibration and simulation Results Using twelve years of mass balance, meteorology, precipitation and runoff data on two glaciers located on the Antizana volcano (Ecuador) very close to the equator, we studied the relations of daily and monthly melting of the glaciers with 50 variables chosen to represent the global, regional and local climate. Various models were produced. One of them explains 57% of the melt variance. This model takes into account El Niño3+4 index as well as precipitation anomalies at the foot of the Antizana ice cap. Excess (lack) of precipitation during the 9 previous months will incite a decrease (increase) of melting. A warm (cool) anomaly of the ENSO oscillation will incite an increase (decrease) 4 months later. A second model explains 62% of the melt variance using regional pluvio-meteorological information of several Ecuadorian stations We simplified this model to get the last model that explains 53% of the melt variance using only temperature data from the oldest Ecuadorian meteorological station ("Quito
Influence of Nitrogen Cycle Bacteria on Nitrogen Mineralisation, Water Quality and Productivity of Freshwater Fish Pond: A Review

Nitrogen is one of the prime influential macronutrients which directly stimulate the productivity of pond ecosystems. The steps involving chemical transformations of nitrogen bound in complex organic matters are dominated by a variety of nitrogen cycle bacteria responsible for mineralisation of organic nitrogen into inorganic forms. Application of excess nitrogen in the form of fertiliser may cause deterioration of water quality by accumulation of toxic nitrogenous compounds such as ammonia and nitrite. Over-stimulation of nitrogen beyond a pond’s assimilatory capacity may be detrimental to the aquatic organisms and needs special attention to keep water quality conducive for fish growth. Seasonal variations of physicochemical parameters of water and sediments directly influence the nitrogen cycle through population dynamics of nitrogen cycle bacteria. Potentials of surplus nitrogen deportation by denitrifiers create opportunities for management of nitrogen cycle in ponds. The magnitude of loss of ammonia is proportional to the abundance of the nitrifiers, which is positively correlated with phytoplankton productivity, thereby enhancing fish growth. Organic fish farming is the best way for enumeration of nitrogen cycle bacteria for sustaining the quality of aquatic ecosystems. The present review focused on nitrogen biogeochemistry of aquaculture ponds with issues on use of nitrifiers as bioaugmentors for management of aquatic resources and use of essential micronutrients to a certain limit to enhance the efficacy of nitrifiers for increasing productivity. Further investigations are required to establish region-specific cost-effective methods to monitor the nitrogen cycle, thereby intensify the abundance of nitrifiers for increasing aquaculture production in a sustainable manner.
Analogous Hawking Effect in Dielectric Media and Solitonic Solutions

We review some aspects of our longstanding research concerning the analogous Hawking effect in dispersive dielectric media. We introduce nonlinear contributions in the polarization field in the relativistically covariant version of the Hopfield model and then, in order to provide a simplified description aimed at avoiding some subtleties in the quantization of the original model, we discuss the so-called ϕψ-model. We show that the nonlinearity allows for introducing in a self-consistent way the otherwise phenomenological dependence of the susceptibility and of the resonance frequency ω0 on the spacetime variables, and this is a consequence of the linearization of the model around solitonic solutions representing propagating perturbations of the refractive index, to be then associated with the Hawking effect.
High Performance Work System and Human Resource Professionals’ Effectiveness: A Lesson from Techno-based Firms of Pakistan

Muhammad Fareeda*, Aqeel Ahmadb, Oussama Saoulac, Sri Sarah Maznah Mohd Sallehd, Noor Hafiza Zakariyae, a,c,eSchool of Business Management, Universiti Utara Malaysia, bUCP Business School, University of Central Punjab, Pakistan, dSchool of Business Innovation and Technopreneurship, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Email: a*m.fareed@uum.edu. my, baqeel.a@ucp.edu. pk, cosaoula@uum.edu. my, dsrisarah@unimap.edu. my, enoorhafiza@uum.edu. my
Study of the overturning length scales at the Spanish 1 planetary boundary layer 2 3

11 The focus of this paper is to analyze the behaviour of the maximum Thorpe displacement 12 (dT)max and the Thorpe scale LT at the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL), extending previous 13 research with new data and improving our studies related to the novel use of the Thorpe 14 method applied to ABL. The maximum Thorpe displacements varyes between -900 m and 15 950 m for the different field campaigns. The Thorpe scale LT ranges between 0.2 m and 680 m 16 for the different data sets which cover different stratified mixing conditions (turbulence sher17 driven and convective regions). We analyze the relation between (dT)max and the Thorpe scale 18 LT and we deduce that they verify a power law. We also deduce that there is a difference in 19 exponents of the power laws for convective conditions and shear-driven conditions. This 20 different power laws could identify overturns created under different mechanisms. 21
A Novel Multi-Threshold CMOS Based 64-Bit Adder Design in 45nm CMOS Technology for Low Power Application

-- A new 64-bit low power MTCMOS XOR/XNOR based adder has been proposed in this paper. The adder circuits have been designed in 45 nm Multi-threshold CMOS (MTCMOS) Technology. Due to the high-V T sleep transistor added, the leakage power of the circuit is minimized significantly (75%) at room temperature. The leakage power of the circuit is also evaluated at higher temperatures. The proposed adder effectively suppresses the leakage power even at elevated temperatures. Simulation results verify that the circuits operate with high speed due to the low-threshold voltage transistors used in the evaluation block. The proposed adder also shows a significant reduction in Silicon area due to low transistor count. The ground bouncing noise of the MTCMOS adder is also evaluated. It is shown that the ground bouncing noise of the circuit reduces with increase in sleep signal rise delay.
Multi-Drug Resistance Pattern of Lactose Non-Fermenting Escherichia coli as Causative Agent of Urine Tract Infections in Luanda, Angola

This prospective study was carried out to assess the sensitivity and resistance pattern of lactose non-fermenting Escherichia coli from July 2018 to December 2018 in the Laboratory of Microbiology at Luanda Medical Center, Angola. Out of 1170 patient, a total of 120 urine specimens infected with Escherichia coli (>105 CFU/ml) were collected according to the routine protocol of urinalysis. Among these 120 isolates, 25 (21%) isolates were determined as “atypical”, lactose non-fermenting E. colis trains. The twenty-five lactose non-fermenting Escherichia coli strains isolated from urine samples in Luanda Medical Center were declared as Multiple Drugs-Resistant strains with high resistance to Cefalexine (100%), Cefuroxime (100%), Ceftriaxone (92%), Gentamycin (92%), Ciprofloxacin (72%) and Amoxiciclin/Clavulanic (80%). The alarming resistance level to the first-choice drugs for the treatment of urinary tract infections caused by non-fermentative lactose E. coli was observed.