Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Profiling Volatilomes: A Novel Forensic Method for Identification of Confiscated Illegal Wildlife Items

Globally, the rapid decline in wildlife species has many causes. The illegal trafficking of fauna and flora is a major contributor to species decline and continues to grow at an alarming rate. To enable the prosecution of those involved in the trafficking of illegal wildlife, accurate and reliable identification is paramount. Traditionally, morphology and DNA amplification are used. This paper investigates a novel application of volatilome profiling using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with time of flight mass spectrometry for wildlife sample detection. Known samples of elephant-derived ivory, other dentine samples, and bone (a common ivory substitute) were used as reference samples for volatilome profiling. Subsequently, specimens that were suspected ivory from border control seizures were obtained and analysed. Confirmatory DNA analyses were conducted on seized samples to establish the reliability parameters of volatilome profiling. The volatilome method correctly identified six of the eight seized samples as elephant ivory, which was confirmed through DNA analysis. There was also clear distinction of African elephant ivory parts from the bone and dentine samples from other species, as shown through PCA and discriminant analyses. These preliminary results establish volatilome profiling through GC×GC-TOFMS as a novel screening method used for the identification of unknown wildlife contraband.
Evaluating Technostress to Improve Teaching Performance

The main objective is to evaluate the techno stress perception in the Chilean higher education system professors, a system with a strong market orientation regarding the career's free choice and professional orientation, which is mainly offered in face-to-face mode. In the techno-stress levels identification, it is important to distinguish if these are such that they can affect the teaching performance. For this, techno-tensors and factors are used that determine the technology impact levels in academic stress, in the components: skepticism, fatigue, anxiety and inefficacy. A quantitative approach methodology and non-random design is used, with a snowball sampling obtaining the 190 academics' opinions from Chilean universities. Detecting in general low techno-stress levels with the fatigue slightly higher in comparison to the other three components.
De globale en lokale betrouwbaarheid van de screeningstoets van de Bareka Profieltoets Rekenen bij kinderen in groep 3

Vlot en accuraat oplossen van kale sommen (oftewel technisch rekenen) ligt aan de basis van succes in rekenen en wiskunde. Om kinderen adequaat te kunnen helpen bij eventuele achterstanden in het rekenen, is het van belang om het niveau van leerlingen goed in kaart te brengen. De Bareka Profieltoetsen zijn ontwikkeld om zowel het vlot als accuraat oplossen van kale sommen in kaart te brengen middels respectievelijk de automatiseringstoets en screeningstoets. In deze studie is de betrouwbaarheid van de screeningstoets voor leerlingen in groep 3 onderzocht, voor de plus- en minsommen onder de 10, tussen de 10 en 20 zonder doorbreking van het tiental, en tot 20 met doorbreking van het tiental. De resultaten ondersteunen de opbouw van de drempels. De globale betrouwbaarheid van de screeningstoets bleek goed voor groep 3. De lokale betrouwbaarheid laat zien dat de screeningstoets vooral goed discrimineert bij kinderen die benedengemiddeld scoren. Dit is passend bij het doel van de toets, namelijk inzicht geven in welke leerlingen hulp nodig hebben op welk niveau. De toets is dus geschikt om te indiceren welke leerlingen hulp nodig hebben bij welk type sommen, om zo een optimale ontwikkeling te kunnen ondersteunen op het gebied van rekenen en wiskunde.
Survey on Software Tools that Implement Deep Learning Algorithms on Intel/x86 and IBM/Power8/Power9 Platforms

Neural networks are becoming more and more popular in scientific field and in the industry. It is mostly because new solutions using neural networks show state-of-the-art results in the domains previously occupied by traditional methods, eg. computer vision, speech recognition etc. But to get these results neural networks become progressively more complex, thus needing a lot more training. The training of neural networks today can take weeks. This problems can be solved by parallelization of the neural networks training and using modern clusters and supercomputers, which can significantly reduce the learning time. Today, a faster training for data scientist is essential, because it allows to get the results faster to make the next decision. In this paper we provide an overview of distributed learning provided by the popular modern deep learning frameworks, both in terms of provided functionality and performance. We consider multiple hardware choices: training on multiple GPUs and multiple computing nodes.
Evaluation of admission serum magnesium levels in patients with septic shock and its correlation with outcome

Background: Admission hypomagnesemia has been linked with an increased risk of septic shock. The purpose of this study was to evaluate admission serum magnesium levels in patients with septic shock and to determine its correlation with the outcomes. Methods: It was a prospective observational study. Total 50 patients fitting the Sepsis-3 definition between time period of June 2017 to November 2018 were included in the study. Patients with suspected infection were identified at the bedside with qSOFA. Admission serum magnesium levels was measured for all patients included. APACHE II scores were calculated at the end of 24 hours after admission. Routine standard of care treatment was provided to all patients. The patients were monitored for organ dysfunctions based on daily SOFA scores, ventilator free days, vasopressors free days, dialysis free days, length of intensive care unit stay, length of hospital stay. The data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences for MS Windows. Results: In this study hypomagnesemia was prevalent in 18%, normomagnesemia in 62% and hypermagnesemia in 20% of total included patients. The mean vasopressor free days in Hypomagnesemia group (7.11±12.79 days) were higher than those in normomagnesemic patients (5.06±5.51 days) and hypermagnesemia patients (1.70±3.09 days). Out of total 50 patients 18 died and 32 recovered. 11 patients out of 32 who recovered had abnormal admission serum magnesium levels whereas 8 pts out of 18 who died had abnormal admission serum magnesium levels. SOFA score in hypomagnesemic patients admitted with septic shock compared with those of normomagnesemic and hypermagnesemic patients was statistically significant. Conclusions: Author did not find any statistically significant correlation between admission magnesium levels in septic shock patients and outcomes although SOFA score was higher in hypomagnesemic patients admitted with septic shock compared with those of normomagnesemic and hypermagnesemic patients. Serum magnesium may not truly reflect body’s magnesium status. RBC magnesium may need to be studied to see whether it is a more reliable biomarker.
Schooling and poverty: re-thinking impact, research and social justice

ABSTRACT The purpose of this paper is to introduce the special issue on poverty, schooling and research and to tease out and discuss some of the concepts that this kind of writing and research work provokes. We frame the issue, briefly introduce each paper and then discuss “keywords” in four sections: living/knowledge, justice/connection, weakness/education, and affect/anxiety.
Angiogenesis in resected colorectal liver metastases

Angiogenesis in resected colorectal liver metastases Mr CD Sutton MBBCh FRCS Aims To assess the prognostic significance of angiogenesis using micro vessel density (MVD) and angiogenesis-modulating cytokines, in a consecutive series of patients undergoing liver resection for colorectal metastases. Methods 5 pm sections from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue blocks were immunohistochemically stained for microvessels, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), thymidine phosphorylase (TP) and p53. MVD was measured using a computerised image analysis system. At the edge of the tumour, areas of highest vessel counts or hotspots, and the mean of contiguous x200 high power fields were counted. Within the tumour, hotspots and the random cumulative mean of vessel counts were analysed. The percentage expression of VEGF, TSP-1, TP and p53 was recorded. MVD and the cytokines were correlated using the % test. The Kaplan-Meier method, the log rank test, and the Cox proportional hazard model were used to correlate MVD, the cytokines and clinicopathological variables with patient survival. Results 182 patients, age range 25-81 (mean 61) were included. On univariate analysis, bilobar disease (p=0.003), tumour edge hotspot (p= 0.005), lymphocytic TP (p=0.02), stromal TSP-1 (p=0.01) and perivascular TSP-1 (p=0.03) significantly correlated with poor prognosis. High expression of TP correlated with high MVD (p=0.04 for hotspots, p=0.001 for contiguous vessels). On multivariate analysis tumour edge hotspot, and bilobar disease were independent prognostic factors (p= 0.038, and p= 0.04 respectively). Conclusion Thymidine phosphorylase is an important cytokine associated with high tumour edge microvessel density. Tumour edge hotspot and bilobar disease are independent prognostic markers of poor survival in patients who have undergone liver resection for colorectal liver metastases.
Brain-computer-interface technology with multisensory feedback for controlled ideomotor training in the rehabilitation of stroke patients

Motor recovery of the upper limb is a priority in the neurorehabilitation of stroke patients. Advances in the brain-computer interface (BCI) technology have significantly improved the quality of rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to explore the factors affecting the recovery of the upper limb in stroke patients undergoing BCI-based rehabilitation with the robotic hand. The study recruited 24 patients (14 men and 10 women) aged 51 to 62 years with a solitary supratentorial stroke lesion. The lesion was left-hemispheric in 11 (45.6%) patients and right-hemispheric in 13 (54.4%) patients. Time elapsed from stroke was 4.0 months (3.0; 12.0). The median MoCa score was 25.0 (23.0; 27.0). The rehabilitation course consisted of 9.5 sessions (8.0; 10.0). We established a significant moderate correlation between motor imagery performance (the MIQ-RS score) and the efficacy of patient-BCI interaction. Patients with high MIQ-RS scores (47.5 (32.0; 54.0) achieved a better control of the BCI-driven hand exoskeleton (63.0 (54.0; 67.0), R = 0.67; p < 0.05). Recovery dynamics were more pronounced in patients with high MIQ-RS scores: the median score on the Fugl-Meyer Assessment scale was 14 (8.0; 16.0) points vs 10 (6.0; 13.0) points in patients with low MIQ-RS scores. However, the difference was not significant. Thus, we established a correlation between a patient’s ability for motor imagery (MIQ-RS) and the efficacy of patient-BCI interaction. A larger patient sample might be necessary to assess the effect of these factors on motor recovery dynamics.
A Phenomenological Study of College Faculty Experiences Derived from Teaching in aComputer-Mediated Environment When There is an Absence of Physical Presence

This phenomenological study investigated the meaning of the online teaching experiences of college faculty when there was an absence of physical presence. Findings suggest that teaching online is work intensive because of the length of engagement before and during instruction and the depth of engagement during the delivery of a course; however, it is also rewarding when the instructor experiences satisfaction throughout the process of design and delivery of instruction.
Hydration knowledge and practices of long distance runners in the South African National Defence Force

Background: Hydration during endurance exercise plays an important role in optimal performance. Improving hydration knowledge of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) athletes can assist in developing strategies to improve practices in order to optimize physical performance. Objectives: To describe the demographic background, anthropometric status and hydration knowledge of long distance runners in the SANDF. Methods: A descriptive study amongst SANDF athletes, 18 years and older, participating in the Cango Marathon during 2014 were conducted. Weight and height were measured using standard techniques. Demographic information and knowledge regarding hydration practices were collected with a self-reporting questionnaire. Results: The majority of the 144 participants were Black (40.5%), from the Western Cape (47.7%), with ages ranging between 19 and 60. According to body mass index (BMI) 36.0% was overweight/obese. Ninety five (66.0%) participants obtained hydration knowledge from books/magazines and 94 (65.3%) read labels on sports drinks. Although the majority (73.8%) of participants knew that fluid influences performance, 20 (13.9%) were not able to indicate why weight loss occurs during marathon participation and 38.9% were uncertain whether urine colour influences physical performance. Although 53.5% of participants knew that loss of fluid causes weight loss during exercise, 11.1% were not able to report symptoms of dehydration. Conclusion: The majority of athletes had a normal BMI, but more than a third were overweight/ obese. Most athletes knew that fluid plays an important role in performance, but a few were unacquainted with symptoms of dehydration. Athletes should be able to identify dehydration early, understand the implications, and be equipped to restore hydration status in order to optimize performance.
The construction and shaping of protesters’ perceptions of police legitimacy: a thematic approach to police information and intelligence gathering

ABSTRACT This paper aims to examine antecedents and contingents associated with the construction and shaping of protesters’ perceptions of police legitimacy and provides a thematic approach to information and intelligence gathering in protest policing. It uses data obtained by qualitative interviews (N = 79) and non-participant observations at 13 protest events across London, between 2010 and 2015. Three inter-related themes are identified: 1) protester constructions of policing; 2) power and identity, and 3) levels of protester engagement and distancing. These suggest that protesters carry antecedent beliefs and are influenced by contingents during events, potentially leading to tensions that policing based on procedural fairness and respectful treatment alone, appear unlikely to ameliorate. The findings add to a growing recognition of the significance of context to perceptions of police legitimacy and provide police leaders and practitioners with a thematic approach that can be applied to the facilitation and management of protest.
Actions of Secreted Phosphoprotein 1 in the Bovine Corpus Luteum and the Role of Resident T Lymphocytes during Luteolysis

Secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1) is a multifunctional extracellular matrix protein. It is hypothesized that bovine luteal cells synthesize SPP1, which acts as a paracrine regulator of immune and other cells of the parenchyma during luteal regression. Corpora lutea (CL) were removed on day 4, 5, 10–12, and 18 of the estrous cycle, and at 0.5, 1, 4, 8 and 12 hours after a luteolytic injection of prostaglandin (PG) F2to evaluate the role of SPP1 in the CL. The amount of SPP1 mRNA was significantly greater in fully functional (day 10) and late (day 18) CL compared to developing (day 4) CL. Secreted phosphoprotein 1 mRNA was greater by 4 hours following PGF injection and continued to increase 2 fold by 8 hours compared to 0 hour. SPP1 receptors,  integrin (ITGB3) and CD44 mRNA were increased in the fully functional compared to developing CL (day 5). However, ITGB3mRNA decreased significantly by 4 hours following PGF2. Both IL10 and IL12 mRNA increased between developing and fully functional CL. Bovine luteal cells cultured with luteinizing hormone (LH) or progesterone (P4), and in combination with aminoglutethemide (AG), did not change SPP1 mRNA 59 compared to untreated controls. Prostaglandin F2, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alone or in combination upregulated SPP1 mRNA in cultured luteal cells. Western blot analyses displayed multiple cleavage products of SPP1 in cultured luteal cells and luteal tissue collected throughout the estrous cycle and post PGF2. A 25 kDa band was observed in developing and late cycle CL, but not at midcycle. Temporal changes in SPP1 and its receptors demonstrate that SPP1 may have a functional role in tissue remodeling or degradation in the early and late CL. Lastly, these data support a possible action of SPP1 through ITGB3and CD44 that might influence the responsiveness of the CL to the luteolytic effects
The Value of Discretion in Africa: Evidence from Acquired Intangible Assets Under IFRS 3

This paper examines the value of managerial discretion in financial reporting by exploring the value relevance of intangible assets acquired in business combinations (AIA) before and after the 2008 International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) 3 amendment. The 2008 IFRS 3 amendment gave managers the discretion to recognize previously unrecognized intangibles in the target firm, hence, we posit that if managerial discretion improves the quality of financial reporting, we should observe an increase in the value relevance of AIA after the amendment. Our empirical analysis is based on a dataset of 603 mergers announced between 2004 and 2016, across seven African countries. Consistent with our main hypothesis, we find that the value relevance of AIA, predominantly acquired goodwill (AGW), increased after the amendment, suggesting that managerial discretion improves the quality of financial information. Our results further show that the value of discretion is moderated by the underlying institutional quality, with the value relevance of AIA being greater in high-quality institutional contexts. Our findings are robust to alternative measures of AIA, alternative models for testing value relevance, and various controls for endogeneity. Overall, our findings have important implications for accounting standard-setters, governments, investors, and practitioners.
AN EXPLORATORY RESEARCH IN PRODUCT INNOVATION IN AUTOMOBILE SECTOR

The purpose of this research is to analyze the determinants of product innovation. This study focused on the statistical technique using the factor analysis on constructing the new factors that lead to product innovation in Automobile Sector. The researcher used quota sampling dividing into the Delhi/ NCR amongst four automobile companies i.e. the four of them are market leaders as per their market share and in each of these areas purposive sampling is used for the purpose of survey. It is a sampling techniques in which the sample is obtained by selecting convenient population units. For the purpose of the study, primary data was collected with the help of a well-drafted Questionnaire given to Top and middle executives in the automobile organizations (N=423). Cronbach Alpha was used to evaluate the internal consistency of the scale items. The methodologies used were descriptive statistics, factor analysis and non-parametric technique using the Kruskal-Wallis test. The results showed seven new factors were successfully constructed using factor analysis and assigned as the factors affecting the learning styles; which are 1) Intelligence Generation, 2) Intelligence Dissemination 3) Quality 4) Flexibility, 5) Dependability/ Delivery,6) Marketing support of the product 7) Technology Selection
Blockchain Corda-based IoT-Oriented Information-Sharing System for Agricultural Worker Physical Movement Data with Multiple Sensor Unit

In this study, we attempted to develop and implement a blockchain Corda-based record sharing system for traditional agricultural (agri-) researchers, workers, and their managers. Corda differs from other domain and practical blockchain techniques (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum) with respect to its main aims and structural features. Corda-based network systems can transmit and share basic data concerning ledgers at banks or other financial societies and can be handled on common web browsers (e.g., Google Chrome or Microsoft Internet Explorer). This study consists of three phases: (1) designing and confirming the validity of the entire system, (2) constructing and tuning various minor system settings (e.g., programs or networking specifications), and (3) conducting experiments in indoor settings using hoe acceleration data obtained from previous research projects. The integrated system performed with an acceptable level of accuracy. However, it was extremely difficult to quantitatively present the accuracy data. We were unable to concretely show the success and error rates for the data transmitting and receiving, nor the examination operation time. We thus present the specific error content. Overall, the main error trends were (1) errors concerning the rather small transaction time-delay, (2) mistakes concerning the transaction data in the system, and (3) broken transaction data in the system. In particular, we could determine the transaction time delay according to the JavaScript operations and features by observing. We present experimental ranges for these time delays and other error types. Noting concerns concerning previous trials, we suggest practical applications of the proposed system. In short, we believe that our results are novel achievements in the fusion of agricultural informatics, statistics, and human dynamics. We believe that combining this data and other kinds of timeline data with blockchain-based technology and multiple sensors will improve not only agri-business and management, but also agri-skill and security.
Psychological Distress among Patients Attending Physiotherapy: A Survey-Based Investigation of Irish Physiotherapists' Current Practice and Opinions.

Purpose: The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the current practice and opinions of members of the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists (ISCP) with respect to the care of patients in psychological distress. Method: This was a cross-sectional, survey-based investigation of Irish physiotherapists. An electronic survey was sent by email to the ISCP membership. It consisted of closed- and open-ended questions, as well as opinion questions with Likert scale responses. Results: More than 80% of the respondents reported that they encountered patients with psychological distress at least once a week. A lack of education in the area of mental health emerged as a predominant theme. Reflecting on current practice, many discussed the importance of addressing underlying psychological issues before or in tandem with physical issues. Respondents who had engaged in further education in mental health, psychology, or both rated their confidence in recognizing the signs and symptoms of psychological distress higher (p < 0.001). Moreover, a greater proportion of these respondents routinely assessed for psychological distress in their clinical practice (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Physiotherapists regularly encounter patients whom they perceive to have high levels of psychological distress. Irish physiotherapists displayed positive attitudes toward patients' psychological well-being. However, additional education in mental health was a recognized need in the profession.