Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Integrative Approach for Determining Consumers Mobile Advertising Related Attitudes and Intentions

The purpose of this paper is to propose and test an integrated model of mobile advertising taking into consideration the exclusive characteristics of Malaysian consumers. The survey research method has been used to collect data among young mobile users in Malaysia. A partial least squares structural equation model (PLS-SEM) technique is employed to analyse the data. The results show that perceived usefulness, perceived ease of ease, irritation, entertainment, and credibility emerge as significant belief factors positively influencing attitude in of Malaysian consumers. Irritation, on the other hand, negatively predicts attitude. Attitude toward mobile advertising and subjective norm emerge as the strong predictors of the consumers’ intention to purchase products and services as advertised in mobile advertising. The findings are particularly relevant to international marketing managers. To effectively reach Asian consumers through mobile, increasing credibility, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, subjective norm and entertainment values are the keys. Based on the established advertising theories, this study proposes an integrated model to examine how users’ attitude and social factor affect mobile advertising effectiveness among Malaysian consumers. This research provides insights into the effectiveness and of the novel mobile medium as compared to orthodox mediums. Also, this study excavates the understanding of advertising hierarchy effects in an international setting by examining the importance of each variable in an emerging Asia-Pacific country like Malaysia. The study answers such a call.
Factors associated with Assisted Partner Notification Services in Seme and Kisumu west sub counties, Kenya.

Background: Assisted partner notification service (aPNS) is a public health strategy which entails a health worker interviewing persons identified with an STI (index cases) about their sexual partner(s) and/or contacts and then providing the index case with some level of assistance notifying their partner(s) and assuring their testing. Assisted partner notification services was implemented, as a public health intervention to identify individuals' new HIV infections and facilitate linkage to care. Methods: Participants aged 18 years and above were selected and enrolled in the study through simple random sampling. Participants provided written informed consent to participate in the study. Logistic regression (bivariate and multivariate) analysis was performed on data to determine factors associated with participation in aPNS. Backward stepwise elimination was used to select variables to be included in the multivariate level to estimate the odds ratios (OR). Results: We enrolled 423 participants of which 62.5 % were aged 18-25 and women (n=228, 54.5%) and men (n=190, 45.5%). Overall participation in aPNS was 69.1%. The predictors of participation in aPNS were occupation and residence. The odds of participating in aPNS was higher for those who practiced peasantry (aOR=2.04; 95% CI, 1.08-3.85, p=0.029). However, those in the urban were less likely to participate in aPNS compared to those in the rural setting notification (aOR=0.57; 95% CI, 0.33-0.98, p=0.042) and those employed were less likely to participate in aPNS compared to those unemployed (aOR=0.56; 95% CI, 0.33-0.95, p=0.032). Conclusion: There is need to target interventions targeting assisted partner notification in the urban settings and among those in the workforce.
Integrated pest management for resource-limited farmers: challenges for achieving ecological, social and economic sustainability

Abstract Hailed as the single most important paper published on crop protection in the 20th century, Stern et al. in 1959 formed the conceptual basis for modern integrated pest management (IPM) worldwide. The ecological foundation for IPM envisioned by its authors is as valid today as in 1959. However, adoption by developing country farmers has been low and its advances short-lived. The present paper examines the concept of integration in IPM and criteria for determining whether its control tactics have been integrated harmoniously. The effects of local and regional landscape patterns on pests and on the design of IPM are reviewed, arguing that the agroecosystem must be understood and managed as a living system with the goal of enhancing and conserving agrobiodiversity and keeping ecosystem services intact. Key to IPM adoption is convincing farmers to integrate non-chemical alternatives (e.g. biological control, plant diversification) as primary management components and to apply pesticides judiciously and only after non-chemical components fail to manage pests effectively. Research, extension and policy changes are identified to increase the efficiency, adoption and sustainability of IPM on resource-limited farms. The over-arching challenge is devising communication and support systems that allow resource-limited farmers to try, adopt and sustain IPM that enhances yields and profits in light of the many uncertainties and challenges. Use of information technology, media development, crowdsourcing and rural sociology is advocated to connect farmers to the technical sources required to enhance yields and profits and reduce risks to them, the farming community and the environment.
DEFCON 5: The Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital orthopaedic department's COVID-19 proactive action plan

Background: On 11 March 2020 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a worldwide pandemic and a threat to global public health. In this paper we aim to describe the measures implemented to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (CHBAH), Soweto, Johannesburg, the largest hospital in Africa with approximately 3 200 beds and about 6 760 staff members. At the time of writing this report, we have transitioned from level 5 to level 3 lockdown. Methods: We performed a literature review and drew on the experiences of previous pandemic response plans worldwide. A working group comprising all relevant disciplines was created to develop standard operating procedures in line with governmental policy. Results: We found that by developing a multi-phase plan, we were able to maintain service delivery to all emergent patients while protecting medical staff and patients alike. This plan also allowed coordination with other disciplines and made provision for staff from within the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery to be made available to work within other departments as and when required. The implementation of this plan had to evolve constantly, adjusting to the changes in the national lockdown level and the demands of the developing situation. Conclusion: We hope that by sharing our plan with our colleagues domestically and abroad, we can promote discussion and improve our ability to better prepare and deal with this unprecedented healthcare scenario. In order for us to win as individuals, we must fight as a team. Level of evidence: Level 5
Molecular characterization of extended spectrum beta-lactamase among clinical multidrug resistant Escherichia Coli in two hospitals of Niamey, Niger

Objective : The aim of this study was to identify the multiple ESBL genes in Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Escherichia coli isolated in various biological samples in two hospitals of Niamey. Methodology : A total of 195 multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli were included in the study. These isolates were tested using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detection of the presence of bla CTX-M, bla TEM, bla SHV and bla OXA-1 beta-lactamase genes. Results : A total of 27.7% of Escherichia coli isolates were ESBL producing strains. Globaly, the bla TEM gene was the most prevalent (70.3%) followed by bla CTX-M (43.1%), bla OXA-1 (31.8%) and bla SHV (4.1%) genes. The four genes type of ESBL were founded simultaneously only in stool samples. Furthermore, none bla SHV gene was found in other samples type. Conclusion : This study showed the presence of various ESBL genes among clinical MDR Escherichia coli . That is why a rational use of antibiotic and appropriate methods of screening ESBL genes in routine laboratories in Niger is needed to control the ESBL genes dissemination. Keywords : MDR , Escherichia coli , ESBL, bla genes, PCR, Niamey, Niger. Caracterisation moleculaire des betalactamases a spectre etendu chez les souches de Escherichia coli multi resistantes dans deux hopitaux de Niamey, au Niger Objectifs: Le but de cette etude etait d'identifier les multiples genes de BLSE chez les souches de Escherichia coli multi resistantes isolees de differents types d’echantillons biologiques dans deux hopitaux de Niamey. Methodologie : Un total de 195 Escherichia coli multi resistants a ete inclus dans l'etude. Ces isolats ont ete testes par la reaction de polymerase en chaine (PCR) pour detecter la presence des genes bla CTX-M, bla TEM, bla SHV et bla OXA-1. Resultats : Au total, 27,7% des isolats de Escherichia coli multi-resistants etaient des souches productrices de BLSE. Globalement le gene bla TEM (70,3%) etait le plus detecte suivi des autres genes bla CTX-M (43,1%), bla OXA-1 (31,8%) et bla SHV (4,1%). Notons que seul dans les echantillons de selles quatre types de genes de BLSE ont ete trouves simultanement. Par ailleurs notons qu’aucun gene de type bla SHV n'a ete trouve dans les autres types d'echantillons. Conclusion : Cette etude avait montre la presence de divers genes de BLSE chez les souches cliniques de Escherichia coli . C'est pourquoi une utilisation rationnelle des antibiotiques et des methodes appropriees de depistage des genes de BLSE dans les laboratoires sont necessaires afin de controler la diffusion des genes de BLSE. Mots cles : Escherichia coli multi resistantes, BLSE, genes bla , PCR, Niamey, Niger
Antiparasitary potential and cytotoxic effect of Spondias tuberosa Arruda (Anacardiaceae)

The objective of this work was to evaluate the antiparasitic potential and cytotoxic effect of extracts by the leaves and roots of S. tuberosa. The results show that the extracts of S. tuberosa have low antipromastigote activity against strains of L. braziliensis, since there was no action at concentrations ≤ 500 µg/mL. While for L. infantum there was a significant action of the hydroalcoholic extract of the roots against promastigote forms, since there was 29.33 ± 1.94% of mortality for the treatment of 1000 µg/mL. The same extract showed antiepimastigote action against T. cruzi at a concentration ≥ 1000 µg/mL. Despite the low antiparasitic activities, it is possible to observe that the extracts of S. tuberosa have no cytotoxic action, except the hydroalcoholic extract of the roots. In this extract there was a total of 27.85 ± 2.41% of cytotoxicity against fibroblastic cells, in the highest concentration evaluated (1000 µg/mL).
Chia (Salvia hispanica): Nutraceutical Properties and Therapeutic Applications

Chia seeds (Salvia hispanica L.) have high amounts of nutraceutical compounds and a great commercial potential. The aim of this work was to identify proximate composition, fatty acids profile, total phenolics and antioxidant capacity of chia, as well the protein fractions and determine their antihypertensive potential. The seeds exhibited high content of protein, fiber, and lipids, mainly polyunsaturated fatty acids. Important amounts of phenols and a high antioxidant activity (DPPH and ABTS) were found. Globulins fraction showed the most abundant concentration followed by albumins. Peptides from albumins and globulins exhibited the strongest potential against the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity. In brief, this study demonstrates that chia can be considered a seed with high nutritional content, antioxidant activity and as a novel antihypertensive agent; important factors for the frequent incorporation of chia in the human diet.
Global Analyses of Alternative Splicing in Evolution and Nervous System Development

Technological advancements have sparked discovery in biology, enabling important questions to be addressed experimentally at unprecedented depth and scale. One such advance, the development of large-scale approaches to study gene expression, has transformed the way we view the transcriptome. In recent years, these approaches have been applied to studies of alternative RNA splicing, a process where multiple distinct messenger RNAs can be generated from precursor transcripts to produce extensive transcriptomic diversity from a limited repertoire of genes. Global analyses have not only reinforced models initially based on single gene studies, they have also led to numerous insights into general principles governing the regulation and evolution of alternative splicing. In this thesis, I describe how I have combined both large-scale and focused approaches to study alternative splicing regulation during development and in an evolutionary context. Using microarray profiling and comparative genomics approaches, I describe the first large-scale comparative analysis of alternative splicing patterns between humans and chimpanzees. Next, I describe the discovery of a novel neuralspecific RS domain splicing factor and the network of alternative exons it regulates to
Critical SFL praxis in teacher education: insights from Australian SFL scholars

Abstract To acknowledge the lasting and increasing influence of Halliday’s theory of systemic functional linguistics (SFL) on teacher education, this article outlines Critical SFL Praxis (CSFLP) in teacher education as an activist effort in research and practice. Informed by systemic functional linguistics, the critical approach seeks to push back against minoritization of multilingual youth in schools and communities. Profiling the socio-historical background of SFL-based pedagogy in teacher education in Australia, the authors of this article conducted interviews with four SFL scholars and teacher educators from Australia who were greatly influenced by Michael Halliday and his theory of social semiotics. After a brief definition of CSFLP, we present the findings of our qualitative analysis of the interview with the four Australian SFL scholars. These findings illustrate the historical tensions, challenges, and opportunities in enacting CSFLP and point toward key affordances of the theory for teachers and teacher education.
Differences in political orientation and foreign aid utilization in Africa

ABSTRACT This study examines the differences in political orientation and foreign aid effectiveness in Africa. The findings confirm our hypothesis that political parties extend their differences in orientation in utilizing foreign aid in Africa. Precisely, our results show that leftists are more likely to use aid efficaciously on pro-poor growth. On the contrary, rightists are good managers of aid on private sector growth projects. Our results provide a convergence path on foreign aid effectiveness, which has been dominated with contrasting results in the existing literature. The results also give a grasp of how foreign aid can better be allocated to Africa.
Technical Efficiency of State-Owned Sugarcane Production in East Java

This study aims to (1) identify the factors that influence the production of plant cane and ratoon cane, (2) determine the level of production efficiency of plant cane, ratoon cane, and poll, and (3) identify the factors that influence the inefficiency of plant cane and ratoon cane production. The sugarcane estate for this study is owned by a state company in East Java. The total number of estate is 1,404 estate divided into 531 plant cane estate and 873 ratoon cane estate. The data used is secondary data sourced from the production data for the 2017-2018 planting season with some inputs: land area, fertilizers, herbicides, labor, age of plants harvested and data of land types. From the analysis, it was revealed that (1) factors that influence the increase of plant cane production are land area, ZA fertilizer, harvest labor, and types of fields, while dummy varieties affect decreasing on it. Meanwhile for ratoon cane are land area, SP36 fertilizer, ametryn herbicide, harvest labor, type of fields, and HGU land type while estate labor, mechanization, and dummy varieties affect decreasing on it, (2) sugarcane farming is technically efficient with the value of efficiency for the plant cane is 0.9621, ratoon cane is 0.9456 and poll of both is 0.9518, (3) factors affecting the inefficiency for plant cane are formal education and rank levels of plant officer. However the coefficient of the formal education variable is negative and the rank level coefficient is positive. A higher level of education will increase production, but a higher rank level of plant officer will decrease it. Improving education levels can be provided by giving mentoring or the provision of courses. Another thing that can be done is by allowing plant officer to benchmark to other similar companies. In ratoon cane, there is no effect of technical inefficiency. So an increase in ratoon cane production can be done by increasing the use of production input or by ratoon maintain techniques.
Human Resource Management for Ghanaian Nurses: Job Satisfaction Versus Turnover Intentions

The study has the aim of exploring the determinants of turnover intentions and job satisfaction of nurses. A survey of 163 nurses from two public and two private hospitals in the capital of Ghana, Accra, who completed a questionnaire in English, was conducted. The study uses SEM analysis to evaluate the goodness-of-fit of the model and to test hypotheses. Regarding the findings, pay rise, pay structure/administration and job satisfaction were significantly and negatively related to turnover intentions. However, the effect of benefits on turnover intentions was nonsignificant and was negatively associated with turnover intentions. The antecedents of nurses’ job satisfaction, all the constructs, i.e., pay level, pay rise, benefits, and pay structure/administration, had positive and statistically significant impacts. The influence of pay level, pay structure/administration and pay rise had the most important effect on nurses’ job satisfaction. In addition, the age status as a control variable had negative and significant effects on turnover intentions. However, gender status as a control effect had a nonsignificant impact on turnover intentions. It is recommended that the government of Ghana, the Ministry of Health, and the Ghana Health Service must institute measures such as the provision of competitive salaries and a quality work environment to entice nurses to stay in order to reduce the exodus of nurses outside the shores of Ghana. One limitation of this study is that there are other factors that could cause employees to quit their jobs, such as employee commitment, engagement, and leadership behaviours but these variables were not tested. Therefore, future studies must control these variables in studies regarding pay satisfaction and turnover intentions.
A Maximum Power Point Tracking Method Based on a Modified Grasshopper Algorithm Combined with Incremental Conductance

The partial shading of photovoltaic (PV) modules due to clouds or blocking objects, such as buildings or tree leaves, is a common problem for photovoltaic systems. To address this, maximum power point tracking (MPPT) is implemented to find the global maximum power point (GMPP). In this paper, a new hybrid MPPT is proposed that combines a modified grasshopper optimization algorithm (GOA) with incremental conductance (IC). In the first stage, the proposed modified GOA is implemented to find a suitable tracking area where the GMPP is located. Then the system moves to the second stage by implementing IC to get the correct GMPP. IC is a fast-performing and reliable algorithm. By combining GOA and IC, the proposed method can find the GMPP accurately with a short tracking time. Various experimental results show that the proposed method yields the highest tracking efficiency and lowest tracking time compared to some of the state-of-the-art MPPT algorithms, such as particle swarm and modified firefly optimizations.
Relationship between Morphology and Trophic Ecology in an Assemblage of Passerine Birds in Riparian Forests of the Paraná River (Argentina)

We describe the ecomorphology of an assemblage of bird species found in riparian forests of the Middle Paraná River, Argentina. We sought to determine (1) the more important morphological characteristics that separate coexisting species, (2) whether such separation was related to the trophic ecology of each species and (3) whether a priori guilds showed morphological similarity. We tested the hypotheses that (a) a species’ morphology is related to the trophic ecology of that species and (b) that species of a priori guilds are morphometrically more similar to each other than to species of different a priori guilds. For this, we considered an assemblage of 29 species of birds from riparian forest that were sampled with mist nets during the 2011 and 2014 breeding seasons. We obtained morphometric measurements of captured individuals and supplemented those data with measurements from museum specimens. Trophic characterisation (diet and trophic microhabitat) was based on a literature review. Results showed a separation of bird species as a function of variables related to trophic ecology (diets and trophic microhabitats) and morphology. After controlling for phylogenetic constraint, species’ morphology partially reflected the trophic ecology of the species, supporting the central hypothesis of the ecomorphological discipline and showing that the use of trophic and morphometric data provides complementary data to improve the guild organisation of riparian bird assemblages.
Dispersal capacity shapes responses of river island invertebrate assemblages to vegetation structure, island area, and flooding

Riparian invertebrate communities occupy a dynamic ecotone where hydrogeomorphological (e.g. river flows) and ecological (e.g. succession) processes may govern assemblage structure by filtering species according to their traits (e.g. dispersal capacity, niche). We surveyed terrestrial invertebrate assemblages (millipedes, carabid beetles, spiders) in 28 river islands across four river catchments over 2 years. We predicted that distinct ecological niches would produce taxon‐specific responses of abundance and species richness to: (i) disturbance from episodic floods, (ii) island area, (iii) island vegetation structure, and (iv) landscape structure. We also predicted that responses would differ according to species’ dispersal ability (aerial vs. terrestrial only), indicating migration was sustaining community structure. Invertebrate abundance and richness was affected by different combinations of vegetation structure, island area, and flood disturbance according to species’ dispersal capacity. Carabid abundance related negatively to episodic floods, particularly for flightless species, but the other taxa were insensitive to this disturbance. Larger islands supported greater abundance of carabids and all invertebrates able to disperse aerially. Vegetation structure, particularly tree canopy density and plant richness, related positively to invertebrate abundance across all taxa and aerial dispersers, whereas terrestrial disperser richness related positively to tree cover. Landscape structure did not influence richness or abundance. Multiple ecological processes govern riparian invertebrate assemblages. Overall insensitivity to flood disturbance and responses contingent on dispersal mode imply that spatial dynamics subsidise the communities through immigration. Particular habitat features (e.g. trees, speciose vegetation) may provide refuges from disturbance and concentration of niches and food resources.