Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Minimising mortalities in capturing wildlife: refinement of helicopter darting of chital deer (Axis axis) in Australia

Abstract Context. Helicopter darting has been used to capture wild deer, but this method has never been used for chital deer (Axis axis). Aim. The aims of this study were to develop, assess and refine a helicopter darting technique for wild chital deer in northern Australia by quantifying: (1) reliable pharmacological doses for immobilisation; (2) the efficacy of the technique (including the duration of procedures); and (3) the frequency of adverse animal welfare events. Methods. The study was conducted in three stages: an initial protocol (n = 25 deer captured) in July−August 2018; a refined second protocol implemented in June 2019 (n = 12 deer captured); and a further refined third protocol implemented in June 2019 (n = 12 deer captured). Parameters to estimate the duration of procedures were measured and the frequency of several adverse animal welfare events during capture were quantified: mortality (at the time of capture and within 14 days of capture), hyperthermia, hypoxaemia, dart inaccuracy and manual restraint. Finally, GPS location collars with a mortality-sensing function were used to monitor post-release mortality. Results. Mortality within 14 days of capture was 40% for the first stage, 25% for the second stage and 17% for the third stage. Considerable refinement of procedures occurred between stages in consultation with an Animal Ethics Committee. One-third of all 15 mortalities occurred at the time of capture and were attributed to ballistic trauma from dart impact and acute capture myopathy. The majority (n = 10) of mortalities, however, occurred post-release and were only detected by mortality-sensing GPS location collars. These post-release mortalities were attributed to capture myopathy. Conclusions. Helicopter darting of wild chital deer poses animal welfare risks, but these can be minimised through the selection of the most appropriate pharmacological agents and attempts at preventing factors such as hyperthermia and hypoxaemia that contribute to the development of capture myopathy. Further research into capture protocols is needed for helicopter-based immobilisation of chital deer. Fitting animals with GPS location collars enabled post-release mortality, which was significant, to be evaluated.
Audit Fees and Financial Performance of Deposit Taking Saccos in North RIFT, Kenya

The collapse of Deposit-Taking SACCOS and financial institutions in Kenya has caught the attention of the public and supervisory agencies to query the quality of audit. SACCO Societies Regulatory Authority on its inspection report indicated that SACCOs have been implicated in maladministration, scams and fraudulent dealings that led to their eventual collapse. SASRA also revoked licenses and rejected audited financial statements of some Deposit Taking SACCOs between 2013 to 2017.These financial scandals have been traced to poor audit quality. The study aimed to test the impact of audit quality on financial performance of Deposit-Taking SACCOs in North Rift Region, Kenya. The study sought to establish the influence of audit fees on financial performance; determine the influence of audit firm tenure on financial performance; establish the influence of auditor independence on financial performance and to determine the influence of audit firm experience on financial performance of Deposit-Taking SACCOs in North Rift Region, Kenya. This study was based on Agency theory, Role theory and the Concept of audit expectation gap, and Stakeholders’ theory. This research adopted descriptive cross-sectional research design. The target population for the study was 266 staff of all the 16 registered Deposit-Taking SACCOs in North Rift Region, Kenya. The sample size was 48 respondents comprising of chief executive officers, finance officers and internal auditors of the Deposit-Taking SACCOs selected using purposive sampling method. Primary and secondary data was used. Questionnaires collected primary data while audited annual financial statements of SACCOs provided secondary data. Inferential and descriptive statistics was used in analyzing data through SPSS version 25. It emerged that audit fees, audit firm tenure and audit firm experience have a significant positive influence on financial performance of Deposit-Taking SACCOs in North Rift Region, Kenya. Auditor independence had an insignificant positive influence on financial performance of Deposit-Taking SACCOs in North Rift Region, Kenya. The study concluded that audit quality has a positive noteworthy impact on financial performance of Deposit-Taking SACCOs in Kenya. The study recommends that regulatory authorities should formulate strict rules on audit fee charges and oversee the implementation of the same. Also, SASRA should ensure DT-SACCOs implement auditor rotation in compliance with auditing regulations and standards. DT-SACCOs to consider auditor’s professional competence and experience before initiating any audit engagement. Finally, DT-SACCOs and auditors should reinforce the professional code of ethics in regard to auditor independence in terms of familiarity between auditor and the client that may lead audit work into jeopardy.
The reciprocal loop of MALAT1 and HIF-1α facilitates gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic cancer by enhancing glycolysis

Background: Profound chemoresistance is a prominent and intractable problem in pancreatic cancer. Gemcitabine, a first-line chemotherapeutic drug for pancreatic cancer, has provided only minimal benefits for patients; however, the underlying mechanisms remain to be investigated. Enhanced aerobic glycolysis has been suggested to be correlated with the phenotype of drug resistance, while MALAT1 has been indicated to be associated with poor gemcitabine response. However, the implicated regulatory mechanisms still need to be further explored.Methods: The mRNA level of MALAT1, HIF-1α, and glycolytic enzymes were analyzed by qRT-PCR. The protein level of HIF-1α and glycolytic enzymes were detected by western blot analysis. The glucose uptake and lactate level were measured by glucose uptake and lactate production assay, respectively. The cell apoptosis was evaluated by apoptosis analysis using Annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) staining. The sensitivity to gemcitabine was measured by MTT assay. The binding of HIF-1α to the promoter of MALAT1 was tested by ChIP assay. The xenograft model of pancreatic cancer was established to examine the combined effect of MALAT1 knockdown and gemcitabine chemotherapy in vivo. Results: In this study, we showed that low concentrations of gemcitabine promoted the expression of key glycolytic enzymes, such as GLUT1, HK2, and LDHA, as well as glucose uptake and lactate production in pancreatic cancer cells, while inhibition of glycolysis suppressed gemcitabine chemoresistance. In addition, we found that MALAT1 expression was induced by gemcitabine and mediated enhanced glycolysis and chemoresistance. Silencing MALAT1 inhibited the level of gemcitabine-induced HIF-1α expression and reinforced gemcitabine-induced apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, HIF-1α could bind the promoter of MALAT1 transcriptionally and mediate the glycolysis induced by gemcitabine. Conclusions: Our data suggest a critical role of glycolytic metabolism in acquired gemcitabine resistance through the positive feedback loop of MALAT1 and the HIF-1α signaling pathway. Our results will provide a basis for developing potential therapeutic targets to reverse gemcitabine resistance.
Impact of the Degree Days of the Heating Period on Economically and Ecologically Optimal Thermal Insulation Thickness

The article proposes methods for determining the optimal thermal insulation thickness for economic and ecological reasons, depending on the number of degree days of the heating period. Life cycle assessment was used for the ecological analysis. Analyses were performed for selected variants typical of Polish conditions. The optimal thermal insulation thickness as well as the amount of economic and ecological benefits depends very much on the condition of the building without thermal insulation, but also on the heat source used and the thermal insulation material to be used. For each variant, the optimal thermal insulation thickness for ecological reasons is much greater than the optimal for economic reasons. Taking into consideration the climatic zone and the associated number of degree days of the heating period, the colder the zone, the greater the optimal insulation thickness, as well as economic and ecological benefits.
Decrease of peripheral blood lymphocyte count predicts response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer patients

Purpose Pathologic complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) holds promise as a significant prognostic factor to predict NAC response in breast cancer patients. The absolute peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) count has been suggested as an independent predictor of response to NAC. The current study evaluated the relationship between pCR and the change of PBL count in patients treated with NAC. Methods A total of 61 patients with histologically confirmed breast cancer treated with NAC followed by mastectomy between January 2010 and December 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. Correlational analyses confirmed a statistically significant relationship between PBL count and pCR. Following conformational correlational analyses, patients were divided into two groups according to cutoff values using the receiver operating characteristics curve and a logistic regression was conducted to determine the optimal conditions for achieving pCR. Results A total of 14 patients (22.9%) achieved pCR. Most PBL counts decreased after NAC relevant to pCR. Logistic regression analysis revealed that a small decrease of PBL was associated with pCR (P=0.028). The cutoff value of PBL decrease was 755×106/L, which was used to divide patients into high and low reduction groups. The pCR rate was 11.43% and 38.46% for the high and low reduction group, respectively (area under the curve, 0.707; 95% confidence interval, 0.556–0.858; P=0.020). The high reduction group was found to have more difficulty achieving pCR. Conclusion The decrease of PBL is significantly associated with pCR. Our data support that the decrease of PBL after NAC may be useful factors in predicting the response to NAC in breast cancer patients.
PENGEMBANGAN PERANGKAT PEMBELAJARAN BERBASIS PROJECT BASED LEARNING MATERI SEPAK BOLA KELAS TINGGI SEKOLAH DASAR DI KABUPATEN PASURUAN

Tujuan penelitian pengembangan ini adalah mengembangkan dan menguji kelayakan produk perangkat pembelajaran berbasis model pembelajaran Project Based Learning dalam pembelajaran pendidikan jasmani, kesehatan dan rekreasi materi sepakbola di Sekolah Dasar Kabupaten Pasuruan. Dalam penelitian ini menggunakan metode Research and Development (R&D). Pengumpulan data menggunakan instrumen angket/kuesioner. Subjek uji coba kelompok kecil berjumlah 6 guru PJOK dan uji coba kelompok besar berjumlah 8 guru PJOK. Berdasarkan hasil analisis data menunujukkan uji coba kelompok kecil dengan tingkat kelayakan 84%, uji coba kelompok besar dengan tingkat kelayakan 88%. Hasil dari penelitian dapat disimpulankan bahwa produk pengembangan perangkat pembelajaran layak digunakan. Abstract____________________________________________________________ The purpose of this development research is to develop and test the feasibility of learning products based on the Project Based Learning learning model in physical education, sports and health learning soccer motion material in Pasuruan Regency Elementary School. In this study using the method of Research and Development (R&D). Data collection using a questionnaire / questionnaire. Small group trial subjects were 6 PJOK teachers and large group trials were 8 PJOK teachers. Based on the results of data analysis, it shows a small group trial with a feasibility level of 84%, a large group trial with a feasibility level of 88%. The results of the study can be concluded that the product development of learning devices is feasible to use.
Factors Associated with Nursing Students’ Intention to Report Needlestick Injuries: Applying the Theory of Planned Behavior

Background: Nursing students, like other healthcare workers, are prone to needlestick injuries. Over the years, studies have been conducted regarding needlestick injuries. However, its prevalence among Filipino nursing students’ is still not known. Also, nursing students’ intention to report needlestick injuries in the Philippines has not been explored.Purpose: The purpose of this research was to determine the factors associated with the intention to report needlestick injuries among nursing students applying the Theory of Planned Behavior.Methods: This cross-sectional study used the Needlestick Injuries Reporting Intention Scale (NIRIS) and was distributed among 233 senior nursing students in Iloilo City, Philippines. Descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation were utilized to analyze the data.Results: The results of the study revealed that 15% of nursing students had experienced a needlestick injury. However, only less than half (45.71%) of those who sustained needlestick injury reported the incident. Nursing students exhibited a positive attitude (M=5.41; SD=0.63) toward reporting needlestick injuries. They perceived a high social pressure (M=4.65; SD=0.46), high behavioral control (M=4.19; SD=0.45), and high intention (M=8.99; SD=1.15) in reporting needlestick injuries. Attitude (p=0.000), subjective norm (p=0.000), and perceived behavioral control (p=0.000) were significantly correlated with the intention to report needlestick injuries.Conclusion: This study supports the Theory of Planned Behavior in identifying factors influencing nursing students’ intention to report needlestick injuries.
Loan Growth and Bank Performance: A Panel ARDL Approach

Jhabindra Pokharel * Abstract This paper analyzed the effect of loan growth in three performance aspects, profitability, stock return and credit risk of Nepalese commercial banks applying the panel autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) approach. To avoid the effect of the merger on loan growth 8 banks which have not merged with or acquired other institutions are taken as sample and 8-year data from each sample bank from 20122019 has been sued in the study. The result showed that none of the three performance indicators is affected by the loan growth in the long-run. It is also found that the credit risk of banks does not change with the change in loan growth in the short-run as well. This indicates that banks are not aggressive in their lending. However, profitability and stock return are affected positively by the loan growth in the short-run. The findings from this study suggest to the investors in the stock market to choose the stock of bank with higher loan growth.
Establishment of Multi-Dimensional Detection Series (MDS) For the Assessments of Gastric Motility Alterations in Patients With Functional Dyspepsia

Background: Functional dyspepsia (FD) is sub-categorized into postprandial distress syndrome (FD-PDS) and epigastric pain syndrome (FD-EPS). It is a necessary to determine a series of safe, feasible, non-invasive, and economical assessment methods, which may detect more pathophysiological alterations to guide corresponding treatment. Aim: To establish a multi-dimensional detection series (MDS) comprehensively evaluating the gastric motility of FD patients and verify the clinical value of MDS. Methods: FD-PDS patients (meeting Rome IV criteria) were recruited, among which 35 patients were enrolled in FD group. 30 healthy volunteers were recruited into the Control group (C group). After the assessment of psychology and symptom scales, the following tests (measuring gastric motility from different latitude) were conducted in both groups. Then, the differential indexes between the two groups were determined and a multi-dimensional detection series for FD was combined according to the statistical principle. Finally, the MDS was used to test another group for verifying its validity and feasibility. Results: The differential indexes could be detected (P<0.05), including Maximum gastric tolerance, 10 min, 20min and 30 min Sufficiency score, Postprandial slow wave ratio, Post-meal/pre-meal power ratio, 20 min and 30 min Gastric emptying rate, and Low frequency/High frequency of HRV. A formula was constructed it was proved that MDS could give evidences of normal or abnormal gastric motility. Conclusions: MDS may help clinicians to discover more pathophysiological alterations of gastric motility in FD patient, and potentially provide a basis for corresponding treatments.
An Interpretation of Weights in Linear Opinion Pooling

This paper explores the fact that linear opinion pooling can be represented as a Bayesian update on the opinions of others. It uses this fact to propose a new interpretation of the pooling weights. Relative to certain modelling assumptions the weights can be equated with the so-called truth-conduciveness known from the context of Condorcet's jury theorem. This suggests a novel way to elicit the weights.
Optical quality tetragonal phase single-crystal fiber of potassium di-hydrogen phosphate with efficient second-harmonic generation

Optical quality tetragonal phase quasi one-dimensional single-crystalline fibers of potassium di-hydrogen phosphate with a large length-to-diameter ratio and high flexibility have been grown. Efficient guided-wave optical second harmonic generation is achieved along the growth axis. The single-crystal fibers open great potential of potassium di-hydrogen phosphate crystals in micro-photonic applications.
‘She shouldn't cross the line’: experiential effectivity of social guidance trajectories for socially isolated older adults with complex problems

Abstract Social isolation of older adults is difficult to break through, and interventions that focus on network development or enhanced social participation are hardly effective, especially when the older adults have been isolated for a long time and have problems in multiple life domains. This study aimed to investigate the needs and subjective experiences of this less-researched group and obtain a deeper understanding of their goals and priorities. The study involved a qualitative study with 25 socially isolated persons who receive assistance from a social worker in an individual guidance trajectory. Data were collected via repeated in-depth interviews with the older adults. By directing the focus towards their subjective experiences, the study gives insight into the ‘experiential effectivity’ of the intervention. It shows what their experienced problems were, and to what degree they benefited from the intervention in this respect. The experience of personal attention and involvement of the social workers represents the most relevant results for them. The participants have no need for network development or engagement in local communities. Yet, the help offered by the social workers produces other results for them, such as solved practical problems, emotional support, more self-sufficiency, a point of contact or a safety net that was not there before. This knowledge can help to improve the quality of intervention for this target group.
Femtosecond transient absorption to reveal spectroscopically dark dynamic processes

A femtosecond transient absorption spectrometer has been constructed and was used to investigate the carrier dynamics in CuInS2/ZnS quantum dots and the excited state dynamics of pyrrole, 2-ethylpyrrole and pyrrole-2-carboxaldehyde in a wide excitation range. The time evolution of absorbing population was probed between 320 nm to 1070 nm. N-H bond fission was observed in pyrrole and its derivatives upon accessing the 11πσ∗ state. The onset for N-H bond fission in pyrrole-2-carboxaldehyde was determined to be at 222 nm for both the solution phase (ethanol) and experiments conducted in the gas phase with H (Rydberg) atom photofragment translational spectroscopy (PTS). Excitation below the 11πσ∗ onset in pyrrole-2-carboxaldehyde resulted in triplet state formation with time constants of 2 ps and 4 ps. The observed onset for N-H fission in pyrrole and 2-ethylpyrrole in ethanol solution coincided with the N-H bond fission observed in gas phase studies [23, 48]. Contrary to the H atom PTS data [23, 48], but in agreement with recent dynamics calculations [69, 98], the molecular radical cofragments (pyrrolyl, 2-ethylpyrrolyl) indicate the formation of electronically excited radical fragments in the D1(B1) state. Spectral signatures were assigned to the radical co-fragments and a decay time constant of 1.2 ps (pyrrolyl) and 2.5 ps (2-ethylpyrrolyl) was determined that correspond to the population flow out of the excited radical state into the radical ground state D0(A2) state via a conical intersection. Femtosecond transient absorption and pump-dump-probe spectroscopy was used to follow the carrier dynamics in CuInS2/ZnS quantum dots (suspended in n-hexane). Evidence is provided that the long-lived photoluminescence is originating from a highlying intraband donor state. Three time constants were extracted: a 0.5 ps component marking the filling time of the emitting sub-bandgap state, a 1.8 ps time constant associated to the de-excitation via surface sites and a longer 27 ps decay component assigned to Auger recombination.
ESTIMATES OF TECHNO-ECONOMIC LOSS FROM CONVERTING SAWNWOOD TO FURNITURE PARTS IN A DESIGNATED WOOD PROCESSING OUTFIT

Q Quantification and reduction of residues generated through wood conversion are important in wood resources management. This study was carried out, to contribute to this, by using air-dried sawnwood from three tropical hardwood ( Afzelia africana, Milicia excelsa and Tectona grandis ) with mean dimension 117x305x1830mm to produce furniture parts of dimensions 25(+3)mm x 600(+20) mm/900(+20) mm/120(+20) mm/150(+20) mm/180(+20) mm/2100(+20)mm with the generated wood residues categorised and quantified. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, least significant difference for separating means and regression analysis having technical and economical residues as dependent variables for the three species. Mean total input volume ranged from 23.11±2.98m 3 to 24.63±0.55m 3 for A . africana and T . grandis respectively while that for gross and net output volume ranged from 12.01±1.78m 3 to 16.44±0.38m 3 and 9.52±1.42m 3 to 14.44±0.38m 3 for A. africana and T. grandis respectively. Economical residues ranged from 2.00±0.10m 3 to 2.49±0.40m 3 and economical residues as percentage of gross output volume ranged from 12.23±0.64m 3 to 20.73±2.59m 3 for T. grandis and A. africana respectively while the range was from 10.19±0.25m 3 to 13.59±1.83m 3 for T. grandis and A. africana respectively for total volume of residues. Additionally, mean percentage gross and net recovered volume ranged from 50.27±2.42% to 67.22±0.34% and 41.21±2.32% to 58.58±0.62% for A. africana and T. grandis respectively. Total percentage volume of residues was least for T . grandis (41.42±0.62%) and highest for A . africana (58.79±2.32%). Based on these outcomes, it was recommended that increased effort is needed to improve capacities and facilities for lesser generation of residues during mechanical wood processing.