Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characteristics, Threats and Challenges of Shrimp Production among Small-Holder and Commercial P. Vannamei Shrimp Farmers in Davao Region

Shrimp industry in the Philippines play a vital role in the economy since its recovery from disease outbreak in mid-1990s to the present. It is now one of the major contributors to the total production in the fisheries sector (60,000 tons’ production, 7,000 tons exported) with a market in countries such as South Korea, Japan, USA and others. This study aimed to describe the various cultural and operational characteristics of a shrimp farm (P. vannamei) in Davao region; evaluated and assessed the current risk and challenges experienced by shrimp farmers in the time of pandemic. This study made use of semi-structured questionnaire and respondents and focused on shrimp farmers, operators in the provinces of Davao Oriental, Davao del Sur and Davao de Oro with N=41 farmers. Results showed that n=39 respondents were engaged in small scale shrimp farming which has an average yield of 10 tons/ha per cropping; the highly intensive farms yielded 24 tons/ha per cropping. Most operators used generator machines as source of electricity to facilitate aeration accompanied with paddle wheel and blower in some farms; about 2/3 of the commercial shrimp farms used electricity from electric line. In terms of their expenditures, feeds got the highest cost among mentioned inputs. This was followed by fry, fuel, labor, and others that composed of fertilizers, water treatment substances and supplements. The average profit per ha of commercial farms is visibly larger than those of small holder farms. Most of the farmers mentioned that their shrimps experienced diseases such as white spot syndrome (60%), black gills (35%) and red tail (5%). They perceived that the occurrence of these diseases were caused by contamination from (3) water source or (2) agent/vector (31%); others have mentioned it was caused by poor water quality management (44%); and some have mentioned due to a changing climate condition (25%). They have also experienced threats of declining price in the market; source of fry, water disposal, overstocking, challenges brought by the pandemic, and water quality. It is advised that farmers should follow good shrimp aquaculture practices most importantly water quality management and biosecurity implementation.
Evaluation of Water Quality of Nearby Village During Process of Composting at Industrial Scale

The Lahore Compost Private Limited operates a composting plant. This company utilizes tons of organic waste to make a conditioner and organic fertilizer. The organic waste is transported to the Mehmood booti , landfill site ring road Lahore. This study was conducted to evaluate the parameters that effect the water quality of nearby village due to process of composting takes place in composting plant. The results from this study concluded that composting plant do not affect the water quality and all physical, chemical parameters are according to the WHO standards.
Need Fulfillment in Intercollegiate Student- Athletes’ Dual Roles: A Mixed-Methods, Person-Oriented Investigation

Individuals competing in intercollegiate sport are tasked with managing the dual roles of athletes and students. The purpose of the current study was to simultaneously explore student-athletes’ perceived satisfaction of autonomy, competence and relatedness in sport and academics. A mixed-methods, person-oriented design was utilized. Quantitative data was collected with a sample of N = 238 student-athletes from various intercollegiate sports. For sport, four clusters were revealed: “Low Need Satisfaction,” “Moderately Low Need Satisfaction,” “Moderate Relatedness,” and “High Need Satisfaction. ” For academics, four clusters were revealed: “Low Need Satisfaction,” “Moderate Relatedness,” “Moderate Autonomy and Competence,” and “High Need Satisfaction. ” Reflexive thematic analysis of semistructured interviews with a sub-sample of n = 12 student-athletes representing all clusters revealed four themes: (a) global factors sensitized for the experience of basic psychological needs, (b) contextual factors determined fluctuations in need fulfillment, (c) perceived interaction effects in the satisfaction of the three basic psychological needs within the same domain, and (d) sport participation had a cross-contextual influence on need fulfillment in academics. Findings provide an understanding of student-athletes’ perceived basic psychological needs across the achievement domains of academics and sport.
Optimization of response to selection using genomic selection in indigenous chicken breeding programmes

This study tested the hypothesis that the use of pooled genetic and phenotypic parameters and genomic selection would optimize selection response in indigenous chicken breeding programmes. This premise was tested with deterministic simulation in three breeding schemes based on the sources of information used to estimate breeding values. These schemes used a conventional breeding scheme with non-pooled parameters (CSN), pooled parameters (CSP), and genomic information in a genomic selection scheme (GSS). A one-tier closed nucleus breeding programme was considered with a mating ratio of 1 to 5 for males to females, Four traits were used in the breeding goal, namely live weight at twelve weeks (LW), egg number for twelve weeks (EN), age at first egg (AFE), and antibody response (Ab). The genetic gain for CSN was 1.5 times higher than that of CSP. The rate of inbreeding for CSN was 19% lower than in CSP. The accuracy of selection followed the same trend with CSN producing 9% higher accuracy of selection than CSP. The GSS scheme resulted in an additional 59.3% genetic gain and 30% accuracy compared with CSP. The GSS scheme also had a reduced rate of inbreeding by 46% compared with CSP. When compared with CSN, GSS produced 38.7% greater genetic gain, a 27% lower rate of inbreeding and 21.0% higher accuracy of selection. Use of pooled parameter estimates and genomic information optimized response to selection, whereas non-pooled inputs overestimated and underestimated rates of genetic gain and inbreeding.
Forthcoming in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics Are Knowledgeable Voters Better Voters?

It is widely believed that democracies require knowledgeable citizens to function well. But the most politically knowledgeable individuals tend to be the most partisan, and the strength of partisan identity tends to corrupt political thinking. This creates a conundrum. On the one hand, an informed citizenry is allegedly necessary for a democracy to flourish. On the other hand, the most knowledgeable and passionate voters are also the most likely to think in corrupted, biased ways. What to do? This paper examines this tension and draws out several lessons. First, it is not obvious that more knowledgeable voters will make better political decisions. Second, attempts to remedy voter ignorance are problematic because partisans tend to become more polarized when they acquire more information. Third, solutions to citizen incompetence must focus on the intellectual virtue of objectivity. Fourth, some forms of epistocracy are troubling, in part, because they would increase the political power of the most dogmatic and biased individuals. Fifth, a highly restrictive form of epistocracy may escape the problem of political dogmatism, but epistocrats may face a steeper tradeoff between inclusivity and epistemic virtue than many would like.
An investigation of the Innovation-decision Process of Faculty Members with Respect to Web-based Instruction

Since Web-based Instruction (WBI) is growing faster than any other instructional technology, universities have provided faculty with accessible hardware, training, and discipline-specific media. Consequently, more and more university faculty members are using WBI as an integral part of instructional activities. In spite of this proliferation, WBI appeals to some, but not to all faculty members. A qualitative research study was conducted to investigate factors that affect innovation-decision process among faculty members based on their use of WBI. Diffusion of innovation: Innovation-decision process model was used as the theoretical framework. The research findings will bring an understanding of how to encourage more faculty members to adopt WB
Distinct gene expression in demyelinated white and grey matter areas of patients with multiple sclerosis

Abstract Demyelination of the central nervous system is a prominent pathological hallmark of multiple sclerosis and affects both white and grey matter. However, demyelinated white and grey matter exhibit clear pathological differences, most notably the presence or absence of inflammation and activated glial cells in white and grey matter, respectively. In order to gain more insight into the differential pathology of demyelinated white and grey matter areas, we micro-dissected neighbouring white and grey matter demyelinated areas as well as normal-appearing matter from leucocortical lesions of human post-mortem material and used these samples for RNA sequencing. Our data show that even neighbouring demyelinated white and grey matter of the same leucocortical have a distinct gene expression profile and cellular composition. We propose that, based on their distinct expression profile, pathological processes in neighbouring white and grey matter are likely different which could have implications for the efficacy of treating grey matter lesions with current anti-inflammatory-based multiple sclerosis drugs.
Spatial variation and determinant of home delivery in Ethiopia: Spatial and mixed effect multilevel analysis based on the Ethiopian mini demographic and health survey 2019

Background Health facility delivery is vital in reducing maternal mortality however, the percentage of deliveries taking place in health facilities were remained below 50%. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess spatial variation and determinant factors of home delivery in Ethiopia. Methods We used cross-sectional survey data from Ethiopian Mini Demographics and health 2019. A total of 5,527 reproductive-age women were included in this study. ArcGIS 10.7 was applied to explore the spatial distribution of home delivery and Sat scan 9.6. 1 version software was used for spatial cluster analysis. A mixed effect multilevel binary logistic regression model was fitted for determinant factors due to the hierarchical nature of the data. Finally, an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence level was used to declare significant determinants of home delivery. Result According to EMDHS 2019, the spatial variation of home delivery was non-random across the country. Somali, Afar, SNNPR, and part of Amhara were hot spot areas, where some parts of Benishangul, central Oromia, Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa, and Harari were identified as cold spot areas. The odds of women who had primary, secondary and higher education was decreased by 50% (AOR = 0.50; 95% CI: 0.42–0.61), 72% (AOR = 0.28; 95% CI: 0.19–0.40) and 90% (AOR = 0.10; 95% CI: 0.05–0.19) as compared to women no-education respectively. Mothers who had ANC visits were 70% (AOR = 0.30; 95% CI: 0.26–0.36) less likely to have a home birth as compared to women who had no ANC visit. The odds of having home birth among rural residents were 5.2 times (AOR = 5.2; 95% CI: 3.11–8.55) more likely higher compared to the counterpart. Conclusion The prevalence of home delivery in Ethiopia was still more than half percent. The spatial distribution was varied across the region. Maternal age, religion, wealth status, had ANC visit, birth order, region, and residence were significant factors with home delivery. Therefore, improving maternal educational status, interventional design in hotspot region, and inspire the mother to take antenatal care is essential to reduce the prevalence of home delivery.
Community perceptions and acceptability of mass drug administration for the control of neglected tropical diseases in Asia-Pacific countries: A systematic scoping review of qualitative research

Background Preventative chemotherapy and mass drug administration have been identified as effective strategies for the prevention, treatment, control and elimination of several NTDs in the Asia-Pacific region. Qualitative research can provide in-depth insight into the social dynamics and processes underlying effective implementation of and adherence to mass drug administration programs. This scoping review examines published qualitative literature to examine factors influencing community perceptions and acceptability of mass drug administration approaches to control NTDs in the Asia-Pacific region. Methodology Twenty-four peer reviewed published papers reporting qualitative data from community members and stakeholders engaged in the implementation of mass drug administration programs were identified as eligible for inclusion. Findings This systematic scoping review presents available data from studies focussing on lymphatic filariasis, soil-transmitted helminths and scabies in eight national settings (India, Indonesia, Philippines, Bangladesh, Laos, American Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Fiji). The review highlights the profoundly social nature of individual, interpersonal and institutional influences on community perceptions of willingness to participate in mass drug administration programs for control of neglected tropical diseases (NTD). Future NTD research and control efforts would benefit from a stronger qualitative social science lens to mass drug administration implementation, a commitment to understanding and addressing the social and structural determinants of NTDs and NTD control in complex settings, and efforts to engage local communities as equal partners and experts in the co-design of mass drug administration and other efforts to prevent, treat, control and eliminate NTDs. Conclusion For many countries in the Asia-Pacific region, the “low hanging fruit has been picked” in terms of where mass drug administration has worked and transmission has been stopped. The settings that remain–such as remote areas of Fiji and Papua New Guinea, or large, highly populated, multi-cultural urban settings in India and Indonesia–present huge challenges going forward.
Critical success factors in project management globally and how they may be applied to aid projects

This paper reports upon progress towards a doctoral study on the antecedents of project success in aid/emergency relief projects. We argue that there are useful project management (PM) approaches that may be universally applied to most, if not all, projects to contribute to successful PM delivery. However, when reflecting upon field-experience, some of these PM approaches appear to simply not function in the environment typified by project aid and emergency relief projects. This raises some interesting questions. What does the literature on PM success factors take as its underlying assumptions that may not apply to aid projects? What are some of the more problematic issues that aid project deliverers face which are significantly different from delivering, for example, commercial projects in difficult or distressing circumstances? How can we best approach studying such projects and to summarise in a simple but effective universal framework, the contextual project success constants and methods for application in any environment, particularly the PM Framework and application undertaking Aid / Relief Projects. This paper also has the benefit of a PMI research grant.
Assessment of mitochondrial respiratory capacity using minimally invasive and noninvasive techniques in persons with spinal cord injury

Purpose Muscle biopsies are the gold standard to assess mitochondrial respiration; however, biopsies are not always a feasible approach in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) may alternatively be predictive of mitochondrial respiration. The purpose of the study was to evaluate whether mitochondrial respiration of PBMCs and NIRS are predictive of respiration of permeabilized muscle fibers after SCI. Methods Twenty-two individuals with chronic complete and incomplete motor SCI between 18–65 years old were recruited to participate in the current trial. Using high-resolution respirometry, mitochondrial respiratory capacity was measured for PBMCs and muscle fibers of the vastus lateralis oxidizing complex I, II, and IV substrates. NIRS was used to assess mitochondrial capacity of the vastus lateralis with serial cuff occlusions and electrical stimulation. Results Positive relationships were observed between PBMC and permeabilized muscle fibers for mitochondrial complex IV (r = 0.86, P < 0.0001). Bland-Altman displayed agreement for complex IV (MD = 0.18, LOA = -0.86 to 1.21), between PBMCs and permeabilized muscles fibers. No significant relationships were observed between NIRS mitochondrial capacity and respiration in permeabilized muscle fibers. Conclusions This is the first study to explore and support the agreement of less invasive clinical techniques for assessing mitochondrial respiratory capacity in individuals with SCI. The findings will assist in the application of PBMCs as a viable alternative for assessing mitochondrial health in persons with SCI in future clinical studies.
Poor glycemic control and associated factors in diabetic people attending a reference outpatient clinic in Mato Grosso, Brazil

Abstract Objective: To identify the proportion of poor of glycemic control and associated factors among people with type 2 diabetes attending a regional reference outpatient clinic in Mato Grosso (Brazil). Methods: This is a cross-sectional quantitative study based on data from medical records of 338 people with type 2 diabetes who attend a state reference outpatient clinic in Mato Grosso (Brazil). Information on glycemic control, sociodemographic factors, lifestyle and clinical conditions was collected. Results: The prevalence of elevated glycated hemoglobin was 47.34%. In the Poisson multiple regression model analysis with robust variance, poor glycemic control was significantly associated (p<0.05) with the following factors: insulin use (Prevalence Ratio -PR = 2.03), fasting glucose ≤70 and ≥100 mg/dL (PR = 2.0), postprandial glucose ≥180 mg/dL (PR = 1.76), no physical activity (PR = 1.62), the interaction between age group ≤59 years and the time of disease diagnosis >10 years (PR = 1.58), and presence of arterial hypertension (PR = 0.79). Conclusion: Most users of the reference outpatient clinic with type 2 diabetes had poor glycemic control associated with risk factors that alter glycated hemoglobin and negatively affect the achievement of established glycemic levels.
The evolution of the human healthcare system and implications for understanding our responses to COVID-19

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed an urgent need for a comprehensive, multidisciplinary understanding of how healthcare systems respond successfully to infectious pathogens—and how they fail. This study contributes a novel perspective that focuses on the selective pressures that shape healthcare systems over evolutionary time. We use a comparative approach to trace the evolution of care-giving and disease control behaviours across species and then map their integration into the contemporary human healthcare system. Self-care and pro-health environmental modification are ubiquitous across animals, while derived behaviours like care for kin, for strangers, and group-level organizational responses have evolved via different selection pressures. We then apply this framework to our behavioural responses to COVID-19 and demonstrate that three types of conflicts are occurring: (1) conflicting selection pressures on individuals, (2) evolutionary mismatches between the context in which our healthcare behaviours evolved and our globalized world of today and (3) evolutionary displacements in which older forms of care are currently dispensed through more derived forms. We discuss the significance of understanding how healthcare systems evolve and change for thinking about the role of healthcare systems in society during and after the time of COVID-19—and for us as a species as we continue to face selection from infectious diseases.
Experience in different modes of delivery in twin pregnancy

Background/purpose Vaginal delivery, compared with Cesarean delivery, remains a less chosen mode of delivery for twin pregnancy. We studied the maternal and perinatal outcomes of twin pregnancy with different modes of delivery. Methods A retrospective study with data collected from a regional hospital, including vital twin pregnancies delivered at gestational age of 32 weeks and above. Medical charts were reviewed for prenatal conditions and postpartum outcomes. Results Ninety-eight pairs of twins were included and 44.9% were delivered via vaginal delivery. Women in the vaginal delivery group were significantly younger (32.5 ±4.3 years versus 34.8 ±4.6 years, p < 0.01), multiparous (34.1% versus 18.5%) and with more twins in vertex-vertex presentation (70.5% versus 33.3%) compared with women in the Cesarean delivery group. There were no differences between maternal postpartum complications and neonatal outcomes in both groups. The outcomes showed longer inter-twin delivery time interval (5.7 ± 5.6 versus 1.5 ± 0.9 min, p < 0.01), less estimated blood loss (198.7 ± 144.1 versus 763.2 ± 332.3 mL, p < 0.01), and shorter maternal hospital stay (3.0 ± 0.5 versus 5.7 ± 0.5 days, p< 0.01) in the vaginal delivery group. Twenty newborns had Apgar score below seven at birth. Logistic regression analysis revealed that low Apgar score was independently related to younger maternal age, maternal obstetric diseases and fetal non-vertex presentation. Gestational weeks and mode of delivery were not related to low Apgar score. Conclusion With careful case selection, vaginal delivery could be safely performed in twin pregnancies with less estimated blood loss and better recovery than Cesarean delivery.
Sublexical cues affect degraded speech processing: insights from fMRI

Abstract In natural listening situations, speech perception is often impaired by degraded speech sounds arriving at the ear. Contextual speech information can improve the perception of degraded speech and modify neuronal responses elicited by degraded speech. However, most studies on context effects on neural responses to degraded speech confounded lexico-semantic and sublexical cues. Here, we used fMRI to investigate how prior sublexical speech (e.g. pseudowords cues) affects neural responses to degraded sublexical speech and hence its processing and recognition. Each trial consisted of three consecutively presented pseudowords, of which the first and third were identical and degraded. The second pseudoword was always presented in clear form and either matched or did not match the degraded pseudowords. Improved speech processing through sublexical processing was associated with BOLD activation increases in frontal, temporal, and parietal regions, including the primary auditory cortex (PAC), posterior superior temporal cortex, angular gyrus, supramarginal gyrus, middle temporal cortex, and somato-motor cortex. These brain regions are part of a speech processing network and are involved in lexico-semantic processing. To further investigate the adaptive changes in PAC, we conducted a bilateral region of interest analysis on PAC subregions. PAC ROIs showed bilaterally increased activation in the match condition compared with the mismatch condition. Our results show that the perception of unintelligible degraded speech is improved and the neuronal population response is enhanced after exposure to intact sublexical cues. Furthermore, our findings indicate that the processing of clear meaningless sublexical speech preceding degraded speech could enhance the activity in the brain regions that belong to the cortical speech processing network previously reported in studies investigating lexico-semantic speech.