Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Application of Stochastic Frontier to Agriculture in Ethiopia

ABSTRACT Farming is more than just a job of Ethiopia’s smallholder farmers, who live in a low productivity environment. This study employed stochastic frontier approach agricultural efficiency in Ethiopia. Furthermore, Tobit model results show that loss due to wild animals had a negative impact on technical efficiency, while slope of the land and off-farm income had a positive impact. Regarding to the determinants of allocative efficiency, uses of mobile have positive impacts and the off-/non-farm income have negative impacts. In terms of economic efficiency determinants, land slope has a positive influence, while loss due to wild animals and off-farm income have a negative influence. According to the study findings, farmers in the study area kill wild animals, such as monkeys, pigs, and apes, because the loss of wild animals has a high impact on agricultural production during the pre-harvest season. Thus to increase efficiency of farmers and boosting agricultural output, Ethiopian governments policies and strategies should be directed toward providing tourism, construction of soil bunds, tree planting, planting grass, fencing and use of natural fertilizer to maintain the fertility of steep slopes, and supporting farmers by providing network facilities for mobile users that boost farmers’ maize productive efficiency.
Administrative Level May Be the Key Factor to Improve Protection Effectiveness of Nature Reserves in China

Nature reserves (NRs) have been the backbone of biodiversity conservation and the construction of China’s ‘ecological-civilization’ since the 1950s. With over 11,800 protected areas (PAs) covering 18% of the country’s land area, Chinese NRs have made a great contribution to global biodiversity conservation. At this point, better protection effectiveness can be achieved by optimizing the management organization rather than expanding the area. We analyzed the management structure of Chinese NRs by looking at their ranks, the hierarchy of administrative organs, number of grass-root stations, manpower, and financial resources, among other variables. We found that the average number of staff employed and yearly financial input per km2 of Chinese NRs were both higher than the world and US averages. However, the range was extremely high, revealing great unbalance among different regions and ranks of NRs. In particular, the western part of China, which is less developed and features the least disturbed ecosystems, received less funding and staff resources than the developed east. A further analysis of the highest-ranked nature reserves, i.e., the national nature reserves (NNRs), showed that administrative organs of different hierarchical statuses (the lowest being Deputy family, the highest being Division level) could be in charge of them. Unexpectedly, we found that the amount of human and financial resources injected into NNRs was correlated with the level of their administration but dissociated from other important factors such as the reserve’s size or ecological value. Furthermore, the management organization was inadequate, with many NRs lacking key departments as defined by Chinese nature reserve regulations. We suggest that the administrative levels of management organization in NRs should be unified, and through the existing ecological transfer payments policy, strengthen the financial and staffing input in the western NRs of China. Moreover, the internal structure of NRs management should include all relevant departments with specific tasks and the creation of grass-root stations should be promoted without neglecting the capacity building to improve staff’s knowledge.
Institutional Arrangements and Inflation Bias: A Dynamic Heterogeneous Panel Approach

The paper investigates whether the institutional arrangements that determine the conduct of monetary policy and prudential regulation and supervision of the banking system inﬂuence policymakers’ actions in pursuing their designated mandates. Employing recently developed dynamic heterogeneous panel methods and using data for 25 industrialised countries from 1960 to 2018, we empirically assess whether central banks’ main objective of inﬂation stability is compromised when assigned with both policy mandates manifested as inﬂation bias. Our results show that, once we appropriately control for relevant policy and institutional factors, the separation of prudential policy and monetary policy does not have a signiﬁcant eﬀect on inﬂation outcomes.
Facilitated virtual learning for advanced geriatric education among nursing students during the COVID pandemic in Taiwan

PurposeThis study explored the students' perception of their adoption and acceptance of virtual learning (VL), the factors affecting the adoption of educational technologies and the correlation between their intention, perceived behavioral control and care competence in caring for older adults.Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional survey was conducted. Surveys were administered to evaluate the participants who were involved in VL on geriatric care during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. A total of 315 nursing students participated in the survey, and 287 valid questionnaires were collected (response rate: 91.11%). FindingsA total of 287 participants (mean age 21.09, SD 1.44 years; 242/287, 84.3% female) were included in the study. The variables of intention to use technologies were positively correlated with care competence (r = 0.59, p < 0.001). The results revealed that the major predictors were perceived ease-of-use (PEOU) (β = 0.28, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.16–0.40) and perceived usefulness (PU) (β = 0.22, CI 0.09–0.35) which were significantly positive predictors of competence in geriatric care.Research limitations/implicationsNursing students lack in clinical knowledge and situational experience in geriatric care; therefore, their perceptiveness, expressions and reflection on the process of providing care to hospitalized older patients should be increased. These results indicated that students improved in geriatric healthcare after/during the VL program during COVID-19 pandemic.Originality/valueIt is hoped that the present study would make an invaluable contribution to existing research on education in general and on the quality of care in geriatric nursing as limited studies have been published so far.
Insulin for topical use in wound healing: opportunities and limitations

Aims: The role of insulin in the regulation of energy metabolism, protein synthesis, proliferation, migration, secretion by keratinocytes, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts suggests that its presence is essential for wound healing (WH). The present study aims to explore the opportunities and limitations of topical insulin (TI) formulations. Methods: To obtain a complete picture of the challenges of the local insulin formulation a chronological review of previous publications in electronic databases was performed, applying data collection and selection criteria. Results: The opportunity of topically applied insulin has shown active interest over time. According to studies, regular insulin and isophane are suitable for local use, but currently there is no consensus on the appropriate concentration. Insulin can be incorporated into cutaneous liquid, semisolid, and solid dosage forms, either by itself, or by prior nano-or microencapsulation methods. The most important limiting factors to be evaluated are the stability of the peptide and the sterility of the obtained products. Conclusion: Examination of the balance of opportunities and limitations of TI formulations, it can be concluded that the range of applicable technological methods is wide. A high-quality, safe, and efficacious form of TI would have great value from a socio-economic point of view.
Examination of the Impact of CYP3A4/5 on Drug–Drug Interaction between Schizandrol A/Schizandrol B and Tacrolimus (FK-506): A Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Modeling Approach

Schizandrol A (SZA) and schizandrol B (SZB) are two active ingredients of Wuzhi capsule (WZC), a Chinese proprietary medicine commonly prescribed to alleviate tacrolimus (FK-506)-induced hepatoxicity in China. Due to their inhibitory effects on cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A enzymes, SZA/SZB may display drug–drug interaction (DDI) with tacrolimus. To identify the extent of this DDI, the enzymes’ inhibitory profiles, including a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) shift, reversible inhibition (RI) and time-dependent inhibition (TDI) were examined with pooled human-liver microsomes (HLMs) and CYP3A5-genotyped HLMs. Subsequently, the acquired parameters were integrated into a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model to quantify the interactions between the SZA/SZB and the tacrolimus. The metabolic studies indicated that the SZB displayed both RI and TDI on CYP3A4 and CYP3A5, while the SZA only exhibited TDI on CYP3A4 to a limited extent. Moreover, our PBPK model predicted that multiple doses of SZB would increase tacrolimus exposure by 26% and 57% in CYP3A5 expressers and non-expressers, respectively. Clearly, PBPK modeling has emerged as a powerful approach to examine herb-involved DDI, and special attention should be paid to the combined use of WZC and tacrolimus in clinical practice.
SARS-CoV-2 Gamma and Delta Variants of Concern Might Undermine Neutralizing Activity Generated in Response to BNT162b2 mRNA Vaccination

The Delta variant raised concern regarding its ability to evade SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. We evaluated a serum neutralizing response of 172 Italian healthcare workers, three months after complete Comirnaty (BNT162b2 mRNA, BioNTech-Pfizer) vaccination, testing their sera against viral isolates of Alpha, Gamma and Delta variants, including 36 subjects with a previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. We assessed whether IgG anti-spike TRIM levels and serum neutralizing activity by seroneutralization assay were associated. Concerning Gamma variant, a two-fold reduction in neutralizing titres compared to the Alpha variant was observed, while a four-fold reduction of Delta virus compared to Alpha was found. A gender difference was observed in neutralizing titres only for the Gamma variant. The serum samples of 36 previously infected SARS-CoV-2 individuals neutralized Alpha, Gamma and Delta variants, demonstrating respectively a nearly three-fold and a five-fold reduction in neutralizing titres compared to Alpha variant. IgG anti-spike TRIM levels were positively correlated with serum neutralizing titres against the three variants. The Comirnaty vaccine provides sustained neutralizing antibody activity towards the Alpha variant, but it is less effective against Gamma and even less against Delta variants.
Factors and Strategies for Environmental Justice in Organized Urban Green Space Development

Increased demand for land for economic and residential purposes has engendered tensions among different land users in Indian cities. Consequently, the development and management of environmentally just and organized green spaces involve major challenges. In this article, using the context of three Indian cities (Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Kolkata), the factors that contribute to environmentally unjust development and management of organized green spaces were examined and various strategies that would lead to environmental justice were evaluated. A survey research method was used to collect data, followed by factor analysis and ordinal regression modelling. Findings suggest that factors under five principal components contributed to environmental injustice, including: community features and infrastructure related to organized green space; the economics of development and management of organized green space; linking green space to environment and health; spatial development, land use, and accessibility; and land availability and governance of the supply of green space. Strategies such as community-led, green space development and management; fair and equitable distribution of green spaces; improvement of accessibility; connecting green spaces to benefits of health; and mandatory linkage of built infrastructure with the provision of green spaces would ensure environmental justice.
Examining the Role of Family in the Development of Pre-college STEM Aspirations among Students with Disabilities

In this qualitative cross-case study, we examine the role of familial habitus in providing early access to navigational capital and opportunities predictive of STEM success. Interviews with 18 students with non-apparent disabilities at a large, four-year research university in New England showed that parents and family played a key role in multiple dimensions of student experiences with disability. We organized the findings around three themes about family: (a) family’s framing of disability and academic ability; (b) family support of STEM interests; and (c) family as STEM role models. We extend these findings to highlight the importance of family more broadly, supporting research that indicates the critical role that parental involvement plays in the development of STEM aspirations and success.
Development of Extended-Release Mini-Tablets Containing Metoprolol Supported by Design of Experiments and Physiologically Based Biopharmaceutics Modeling

The development of extended-release dosage forms with adequate drug release is a challenge for pharmaceutical companies, mainly when the drug presents high solubility, as in Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) class I. This study aimed to develop extended-release mini-tablets containing metoprolol succinate (MS), while integrating design of experiments (DOE) and physiologically based biopharmaceutics modeling (PBBM), to predict its absorption and to run virtual bioequivalence (VBE) studies in both fasted and fed states. Core mini-tablet formulations (F1, F2, and F3) were prepared by direct compression and coated using nine coating formulations planned using DOE, while varying the percentages of the controlled-release and the pore-forming polymers. The coated mini-tablets were submitted to a dissolution test; additional formulations were prepared that were optimized by simulating the dissolution profiles, and the best one was submitted to VBE studies using GastroPlus® software. An optimized formulation (FO) containing a mixture of immediate and extended-release mini-tablets showed to be bioequivalent to the reference drug product containing MS when running VBE studies in both fasted and fed states. The integration of DOE and PBBM showed to be an interesting approach in the development of extended-release mini-tablet formulation containing MS, and can be used to rationalize the development of dosage forms.
ASSESSMENT OF BLOOD CULTURE AND BLOOD PARAMETERS IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS DIAGNOSED WITH PNEUMONIA

OBJECTIVE: It is recommended to take a blood culture test in pediatric patients diagnosed with pneumonia. However, the rate of pathogenic microorganisms produced in blood culture tests is quite low. In this study, the results of blood culture tests and some blood test parameters in pediatric patients hospitalized with pneumonia diagnosis were evaluated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 643 patients who were hospitalized and diagnosed with pneumonia in accordance with ICD10 coding and whose blood culture test was taken between 2016 and 2018 were included in the study. The results of blood culture tests and blood test parameters ((WBC (White Blood Count), ANC (Absolute Neutrophil Count), AMC (Absolute Monosite Count), MPV (Mean Platelet Volume), PDW (Platelet Distribution Wide), PCT (Plateletcrit)) and CRP (C-Reaktif Protein)) were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 27.1±38.2 months and 41.8% of the patients were female. Blood culture results were positive in 4.0% of the patients (n=26). The platelet count of the patients with positive blood culture (307.3/ml) was lower than those with negative blood culture (360.2/ml) (p=0.035) but no differences were found in the CRP levels (p = 0.095), total white blood cell count (p = 0.069) and MPV (p= 0.846) values. PDW level was found higher (p <0.001) in patients with positive blood culture (12.7±2.6%) than those with negative blood culture (10.4±1.7%). The most frequently isolated pathogen was Staphylococcus Hominis (n=8, 36.4%). CONCLUSIONS: The rate of detection of pathogenic microorganisms in the blood culture test in pediatric patients hospitalized with the diagnosis of pneumonia is at a very low level. In these patients, the demonstration of pathogen bacteria in the blood culture test is valuable for the treatment of the disease and choice of empirical antibiotherapy. It is necessary to condu-ct studies on the use of other blood parameters in the diagnosis, treatment and clinical follow-up of pneumonia in children.
Urban Green Parks for Long-Term Subjective Well-Being: Empirical Relationships between Personal Characteristics, Park Characteristics, Park Use, Sense of Place, and Satisfaction with Life in The Netherlands

As our living environment is becoming increasingly urbanized, this puts the livability, health, and quality of life in cities under pressure. Due to the urbanization process, urban green spaces are under threat of becoming scarce, while it is recognized that these green spaces can positively contribute to the subjective well-being of citizens. It is thus important to maximize the use and benefits derived from green spaces by designing them as positively experienced places. The aim of this research is to gain more empirical insights on the relationships between personal and park characteristics, park use behavior, sense of place, and park visitors’ long-term subjective well-being (i.e., life satisfaction). An online questionnaire was administered to participants in two medium-sized cities in The Netherlands, namely Eindhoven and ‘s-Hertogenbosch. Data were analyzed using a structural equation model. The results of this study show that the appreciation of facilities and the absence of disturbances positively influence the use and sense of place of a park. Furthermore, the findings show that sense of place has a positive influence on life satisfaction. The findings can be used by designers and policy-makers as guidelines to improve existing parks or to design new parks that support the subjective well-being of individuals in The Netherlands.
Estimation the relationship between IL-17 and some biochemical parameters in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Little information is available on the relationship between IL-17 with VD, ESR, MDA and GSH levels for patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis. This study aimed to determine the levels of IL-17, VD, ESR, MDA and GSH, also to determine the relationship between IL -17 with VD, ESR, MDA and GSH. The sample of this study consists of 30 patients and 30 apparently healthy individuals. The results showed that the levels of IL-17, MDA and ESR marked increase in patients group in compare with controls group (P≤0.05). While levels of VD and GSH shows marked decrease in patients group in comparison with the controls group (P≤0.05). It was found positive relationship between IL-17 and levels of MDA and ESR. Also it was found negative correlation between IL-17 and levels of the VD and GSH.
Evaluation of Immunoreactivity and Protection Efficacy of Seneca Valley Virus Inactivated Vaccine in Finishing Pigs Based on Screening of Inactivated Agents and Adjuvants

Seneca Valley virus (SVV), also known as Senecavirus A (SVA), is a non-enveloped and single-strand positive-sense RNA virus, which belongs to the genus of Senecavirus within the family Picornaviridae. Porcine idiopathic vesicular disease (PIVD) caused by SVV has frequently been prevalent in America and Southeast Asia (especially in China) since the end of 2014, and has caused continuing issues. In this study, an SVV strain isolated in China, named SVV LNSY01-2017 (MH064435), was used as the stock virus for the preparation of an SVV-inactivated vaccine. The SVV culture was directly inactivated using binary ethyleneimine (BEI) and β-propiolactone (BPL). BPL showed a better effect as an SVV inactivator, according to the results of pH variation, inactivation kinetics, and the detection of VP1 content during inactivation. Then, SVV inactivated by BPL was subsequently emulsified using different adjuvants, including MONTANIDETM ISA 201 VG (ISA 201) and MONTANIDETM IMG 1313 VG N (IMS 1313). The immunoreactivity and protection efficacy of the inactivated vaccines were then evaluated in finishing pigs. SVV-BPL-1313 showed a better humoral response post-immunization and further challenge tests post-immunization showed that both the SVV-BPL-201 and SVV-BPL-1313 combinations could resist challenge from a virulent SVV strain. The SVV LNSY01-2017-inactivated vaccine candidate developed here represents a promising alternative to prevent and control SVV infection in swine.
Are female hospitality managers still unpopular in China? Evidence from implicit and explicit attitude investigation

Abstract Given inconsistent results of past studies on attitudes toward female managers in China, this study explored the topic using both implicit and explicit measures with a sample of 150 tourism and hospitality students from Macao and Greater China. Implicit and explicit attitudes were found to be positive regardless of place of origin. A close parallel relationship between implicit and explicit results points to low sensitivity of the topic, and the positive or neutral implicit scores indicate positive attitudes toward female managers in Macao in the sample employed. Moreover, although neutral implicit attitudes of males showed positive bias, they suggest a continued adherence to traditional social gender roles despite social progress when compared with female positive implicit attitudes. Overall, the results are encouraging for future employers in Macao as the egalitarianism of the upcoming professionals should reduce conflict and contribute to a harmonious work environment. The results suggest that the Implicit Association Test (IAT) alone can be used as an evaluation tool for bias detection.
Bidirectional Symmetrical 100 Gb/s/λ Coherent PON Using a Simplified ONU Transceiver

In this letter, a bidirectional symmetric 100 Gb/s/<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\lambda $ </tex-math></inline-formula> coherent passive optical network (PON) scheme with a simplified optical network unit (ONU) transceiver is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. In the proposed scheme, the downstream signal is generated in a dual-polarization coherent transmitter with Alamouti-coding at the optical line terminal (OLT) side and then received by a single-polarization heterodyne receiver at the ONU side. The upstream signal is generated in a low-cost C-band electro-absorption modulated laser (EML) at the ONU side and then received by a standard dual-polarization integrated coherent receiver at the OLT side. The experimental results show that more than 30 dB power budget is achieved after 25 km standard single mode fibre transmission for both downstream and upstream signal at 100 Gb/s/<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\lambda $ </tex-math></inline-formula>. The cost at the ONU side is maintained low as the required bandwidth of the optoelectrical device is >25 GHz and the local oscillator power at the ONU side can be as low as 4 dBm.