Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Management practices and contribution of village chickens to livelihoods of communal farmers: The case of Centane and Mount Frere in Eastern Cape, South Africa

Gunya B, Muchenje V, Gxasheka M, Tyasi LT, Masika PJ. 2020. Management practices and contribution of village chickens to livelihoods of communal farmers: The case of Centane and Mount Frere in Eastern Cape, South Africa. Biodiversitas 21: 1345-1351. This study was conducted to determine village chickens production practices and their contribution to the livelihoods of farmers in rural households of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Data were gathered using a questionnaire survey of 150 households, which were identified by the use of snowball sampling. Village chickens were the most livestock species kept by farmers, mostly owned by women (79.61% in Centane and 81.06% in Mount Frere) and were kept for household food needs. Some farmers (21.92% and 25.31%) also occasionally sold their chickens at an average of R80 ($7.22) per bird. Most (93.13% and 76.44%) chickens flocks were provided with supplementary feed. The majority of farmers (80.31% and 88.33%) provided shelter for their chickens. The causes of chicken losses were reported to be diseases, predators, parasites and theft. The most cited disease problem was Newcastle (50.32% and 66.02%) while major predators were eagles (84.91% and 81.82%). The most common internal parasites were roundworms and tapeworm whilst the most reported external parasites were poultry lice and mites. The majority of farmers (94.51% and 92.21%) reported using chicken manure to improve the fertility of soils in their gardens. Chickens had a varied social role in the two areas, i.e., donation (61.63% and 68.82%) to neighbors and relatives. The majority of farmers (84.90%) in Centane didn't use chickens for cultural purposes whilst the majority (55.85%) in Mount Frere used chickens for cultural purposes. The present study showed that village chickens have a contribution to the livelihoods of rural households.
Saga of the Rheumatoid Arthritis Activity Criteria

The analysis of ideas about the rheumatoid arthritis activity criteria demonstrated not only the evolution of the its severity assessment, but also the advantages of domestic criteria, facilitating their use in routine clinical practice on the one hand, and the possible reasons making it difficult to use them on the other hand. The foreign colleagues have developed the complex indices that are inferior to the domestic criteria for diagnosing the rheumatoid arthritis activity in the number of objective indicators and ease of determination for a targeted assessment of the inflammatory process activity. In addition, a comparative study of the activity, widely determined by DAS28 and domestic criteria, showed a high level of statistical correlation, which allows us to discuss not only the appropriateness of using the latter in clinical practice, but to recommend it in the clinical studies as well.
Foraging behaviors mediated by the lateral line in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Author(s): Carrillo, Andres | Advisor(s): McHenry, Matthew J | Abstract: Successful foraging is crucial to the energetic demands of fishes, but the role of lateral-line system during feeding remains unclear. In this dissertation I investigated how the lateral line mediates foraging throughout ontogeny of zebrafish. The results demonstrate the fish need the lateral-line system to successfully feed in the dark, and the types of lateral-line receptors play an important role during foraging. My first chapter developed a series of lateral-line manipulations to test how flow receptors influences foraging success. I also examined the morphology of the receptors to determine if morphological changes in the receptors during early growth may improve flow sensitivity. The results suggest that the lateral line is not important when foraging in light, but in the dark, that lateral line is necessary. In addition, the receptors do not increase in size or numbers during early growth to explain improved sensitivity during growth, however, experiences to flows throughout development suggests that fish learn to forage on prey in 15-day old larvae. In my second chapter, I investigated how zebrafish respond to various frequencies of oscillating flow in the dark created by an artificial stimulus resembling prey. I compared the bite attempts of fish with different lateral line profiles, presence or absence of receptors, to determine if growth enhances the ability of fish to detect flows in the dark. This improvement was greater at high oscillating-frequencies (above 50 Hz), compared to those below 50 Hz, suggesting that canal neuromasts, which develop in adults, improve foraging in the dark. I modeled the sensitivity of the lateral-line receptors exposed to flows generated by the artificial stimulus in chapter three. A biophysical model predicting neuromast sensitivity was evaluated with the parameters of flows and zebrafish used in chapter 2. The flows generated by stimuli were measured using a novel digital partial image-velocimetry technique to determine which flows fish responded to in the dark. The biophysical model and flows suggest that fish respond best with the canal neuromasts, and the lateral line receptors exist as a network allowing fish to detect flows at great distances.
Comparison of ICRU and GEC-ESTRO Organ at Risk Doses in Intracavitary Brachytherapy for Carcinoma Cervix

Background: In Intracavitary Brachytherapy (ICBT) for cervical cancer doses to bladder and rectum were traditionally estimated using the International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements (ICRU) reference points and in recent years, volumetric assessment of Organ At Risk (OAR) doses is being done. This study aim to know any concordance between ICRU and GEC-ESTRO recommended OAR doses. Materials and methods: This was a retrospective study. ICBT done in Carcinoma Cervix patients with a dosage schedule 7 Gy for 3 fractions during the period January 2017 to December 2017 were analysed. CT based ICBT plan was analysed from Treatment Planning System. From the DVH parameters OAR doses like D 0.1 cc, D1 cc and D2 cc was noted. ICRU rectal point and bladder point doses were noted from corresponding CT images. Point A doses on right and left side and EQD2 doses to point A and OAR were calculated. Results: 165 ICBT details were analysed. Mean ICRU rectal and bladder point doses were 4.43 Gy and 3.83 Gy respectively. D2 cc dose to Rectum, Bladder and Sigmoid was 3.51 Gy, 5.23 Gy and 4.72 Gy respectively. Mean Point A dose on right and left side were 6.87 Gy and 6.91 Gy respectively and EQD2 dose to point A on right and left side were 78.5 Gy and 78.8 Gy respectively. Mean OAR doses combining EBRT and ICBT with ICRU point doses for Rectum and Bladder was 68.1 Gy and 64.1 Gy respectively and OAR doses combining EBRT and ICBT with GEC ESTRO D2 cc doses for Rectum, Bladder and Sigmoid were 62.1 Gy, 74.2 Gy and 70.2 Gy respectively. Conclusion: Study showed no concordance between ICRU rectal and bladder point doses to GEC-ESTRO recommended OAR doses. We recommend a CT based ICBT planning with documentation of GEC-ESTRO recommended OAR doses for proper documentation of OAR doses.
Detection of Coronary Artery Disease With Myocardial Contrast Echocardiography

Background The purpose of this study was to determine whether myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) can be used to detect coronary artery disease (CAD) during rest and pharmacological stress in humans through the use of venous injections of contrast. Methods and Results Thirty patients with known or suspected CAD underwent MCE and 99mTc-sestamibi single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) at baseline and after dipyridamole (0.56 mg · kg−1) infusion. Ten myocardial segments (5 each in the apical two- and four-chamber views) from the two sets of images using both methods were scored for myocardial perfusion as follows: 1=normal, 0.5=mildly reduced, and 0=severely reduced. The information from baseline and postdipyridamole images was then used to determine whether an abnormal segment was irreversible (similar abnormal perfusion at baseline and after dipyridamole) or reversible (perfusion better at baseline compared with after dipyridamole). Concordance between segmental scores was 92% (κ=.99) fo.
Customer segmentation using bisecting k-means algorithm based on recency, frequency, and monetary (RFM) model

Information on customer loyalty characteristics in a company is needed to improve service to customers. A customer segmentation model based on transaction data can provide this information. This study used parameters from the recency, frequency, and monetary (RFM) model in determining customer segmentation and bisecting k-means algorithm to determine the number of clusters. The dataset used 588 sales transactions for PT Dinar Energi Utama in 2017. The clusters formed by the bisecting k-means and k-means algorithm were tested using the silhouette coefficient method. The bisecting k-means algorithm can form the best customer segmentation into three groups, namely Occasional, Typical, and Gold, with a silhouette coefficient of 0.58132.
Exploring networked innovation

The growing complexity of societal problems and the increasing need to co-design contexts together with the service or product, force companies to collaborate in innovation. This networked innovation requires people to design together, who not only come from different disciplines, but also come from different organisations and companies. The collaboration in networked innovation therefore adds another level of complexity in addition to the (better known) collaboration in monoand multidisciplinary teams and introduces new issues. This paper describes a literature review of existing knowledge on networked innovation. It also describes a first explorative study in which we investigated in what way networked innovation differs from ‘normal’ innovation projects. Finally we describe the set up of an empirical study that we will execute in the near future.
Effectiveness of Follow-Up on Performance Auditing Issues in Practice: A Governance Network Perspective

Research aim: This study discloses the relationship between governance arrangements and network types (networking) and the effectiveness of follow-up practice. Design/ Methodology/ Approach: Governance network theory (GNT) was utilised together with the interpretative phenomenological approach. Fifty-five governance actors in the Malaysian public sector that consist of the auditors, auditees, regulators and other relevant actors were divided into four groups. Their stories and experiences collected via interviews constitute the main data for this study. Research finding: This study noted three phases of follow-up strategies which are pre; during; and post-tabling of the Auditor-General’s (AG) report in Parliament. This follow-up practice involves a new way of governing with the involvement of many actors. It is not limited to auditors and auditees. Data from this study evidenced that networking approaches based on three types of network, namely coordinative, cooperative and collaborative, have enhanced follow-up practice as evident in the dissemination of punitive audit issues to the right actors for further action. Theoretical contribution/ Originality: This research has provided evidence that study of follow-up on performance audit issues in practice encapsulates social behaviour, societal governance, and network perspective and produces stimulating results. Practitioner/ Policy implication: Supreme Audit Institution (SAI) must find a way to reduce the hierarchical nature of its work by entrenching its strategy, structure and process to ease governance arrangements and networking between various actors outside the SAI organisation in resolving the audit issues raised in the AG report through effective follow-up practice. Research limitation/ Implication: The researcher did not select performance auditing issues individually per se to see how each issue with punitive elements is addressed through a follow-up process. In order to perform in-depth research, researchers should select punitive issues and execute case study research. Type of article: Research paper Keywords: Performance Auditing, Follow-Up Practice, Governance Arrangement, Networking, Governance Network JEL Classification: M42, M48, H83, H77
The Impact of Hydrogen Peroxide Against
Cucumber Green Mottle Mosaic Virus Infection
in Watermelon Plants

The aim of this work was to study the effects of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) application against cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV) infection in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) plants. From the obtained results, the induced resistance using H2O2 treatments caused a delay in the appearance of CGMMV symptoms in watermelon plants. The viral infection showed abnormal morphological symptoms such as mosaics, yellow blisters and reduction in size. Pretreatment with H2O2 before infection was beneficial in increasing the contents of pigments, total proteins, total free amino acids and proline. Consequently, plants appeared morphologically similar to healthy controls. Signaling the effect of the H2O2 treatment could induce partial resistance or delay the appearance of symptoms and decreased virus concentration. The induced mechanism of resistance was suggested to be through alterations of plant antioxidant status – both enzymatic and non-enzymatic. All analyzed antioxidant enzymes were induced in response to H2O2±CGMMV. due to the H2O2 application prior to infection, malondialdehyde (MdA) content was reduced, indicating a lowering in lipid peroxidation caused by virus infection. On the other hand, internal H2O2 and phenolics contents were induced in H2O2 + CGMMV-treated leaves. To confirm: total antioxidant activity was increased to be double the value (80.67%) of that recorded in healthy plants (47.18%), indicating changes in antioxidant status as a response to H2O2 and/or CGMMV infection. This work provided evidence of the signaling role of exogenous H2O2, which led to systemic acquired resistance (SAR) induction acting against CGMMV infection in watermelon plants. From the present findings, a suggestion of spraying of H2O2 might be helpful in avoiding the appearance of CGMMV severe symptoms throughout the plants’ life.
The Evolution of Non-Performing Credit Limits During Crisis Period, Using Unique Accounting Data

The purpose of this paper is to study the effect of independent variables in identifying non-performing loans during crisis period, using a binomial logistic regression. We use a unique data of small business loans granted by one of the four systemic banks of Greece. Specifically we study a sample of credit limits granted to micro and small enterprises. Νon-performing loans significantly increased as the recession of Greek economy deepens. Moreover we find that in general the variables affect in the same way the creation of non-performing loans during the studied period. Specifically, binomial logistic regression shows a positive correlation between non-performing loans and factors “Adverse” and “Age”. In contrast, we find a negative correlation between the probability of classifying a loan as non-performing and the independent variables “Collateral”, “Own Facilities”, “Property” and “Years of operation”. Finally the predicted performance of the binomial logistic regression reduced as the crisis deepens. Country Private debt as percentage of GDP Public debt as percentage of GDP Total public & private debt United Kingdom 281,00% 68,60% 349,60% Denmark 238,00% 33,70% 271,70% Luxembourg 553,00% 15,00% 568,00% Malta 433,00% 68,50% 501,50% Cyprus 321,00% 53,20% 374,20% Ireland 259,00% 65,80% 324,80% Portugal 169,00% 77,40% 246,40% Holland 185,00% 59,80% 244,80% Spain 181,00% 54,30% 235,30% Italy 115,00% 114,60% 229,60% Austria 149,00% 69,10% 218,10% Belgium 117,00% 97,20% 214,20% Greece 92,00% 112,60% 204,60% Germany 129,00% 73,10% 202,10% France 117,00% 76,10% 193,10% Finland 89,60% 41,30% 130,90% Slovenia 93,00% 35,10% 128,10% Slovakia 47,40% 34,60% 82,00% Table 1: The public and private debt in Europe in 2009. Citation: Giannopoulos V (2019) The Evolution of Non-Performing Credit Limits During Crisis Period, Using Unique Accounting Data. J Account Mark 8: 308. doi: 10.4172/2168-9601.1000308
Study of Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Function in Cricketers

Background and Purpose: Playing cricket requires upper extremity strength and endurance, adequate scapular control and co-ordinated movements of the upper kinetic chain for optimal function and performance. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 86 male cricketers in the age group of 18 to 25 years. The Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test (CKCUEST) is an assessment tool for upper limb function and stability. The normalized score and power score was calculated. Results: Out of 86 cricketers, 48 (55.81%) were batsmen and 38 (44.19%) were bowlers. The mean age of the batsmen and bowlers were 23.89±2.71 and 22.41±2.23 years respectively. The comparison of mean value of CKCUEST average score between bowlers and batsmen using independent t test was statistically insignificant (p = 0.119). Also, the comparison of mean value of CKCUEST average score between bowlers and batsmen using independent t test was statistically insignificant (p = 0.707). Conclusion: The reference values of the CKCUEST for cricket players were studied. The study showed that there was no significant difference in mean values of CKCUEST average and power score in cricketers with respect to their player position.
OTT_A_247731 3073..3083

*These authors contributed equally to this work Objective: Rap2c is a member of the Ras superfamily that has been implicated in various types of cancers. However, its role in glioma remains elusive. This study aimed to elucidate the role of Rap2c in glioma and its specific molecular mechanism. Methods: We determined the expression of Rap2c in glioma tissues by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry (IHC) assays. The proliferation and apoptosis of cells were explored using CCK-8 and flow cytometry assay, whereas the migration and invasion of glioma cells were determined using transwell assay. The potential mechanism of Rap2c in the migration of glioma cell lines was investigated through Western blotting analysis and transwell assay. BALB/c nude mice were used to establish tumor models to test the effect of Rap2c on cancer metastasis in vivo. Results: Our data showed that the protein expression of Rap2c was significantly upregulated in glioma tissues compared with normal brain tissues, and Rap2c overexpression negatively correlated with 5-year overall survival rate. However, there was no correlation between Rap2c expression and clinicopathological parameters of glioma patients. Overexpression of Rap2c promoted the migration and invasion abilities of glioma cells but had no significant effect on the proliferation of glioma cells. Western blotting analysis revealed that Rap2c overexpression increased the phosphorylation level of extracellular signal-related kinase1/2 (ERK1/2), and this effect was abolished with U0126, a selective MEK inhibitor. Furthermore, overexpression of Rap2c induced lung metastasis of glioma cells in xenograft models. Conclusion: These findings indicate that high Rap2c expression predicts poor prognosis in glioma. Rap2c-mediated ERK1/2 phosphorylation initiates EMT cascade and promotes migration and invasion of glioma cells. Thus, targeting Rap2c and ERK signaling pathway could be a novel treatment modality for glioma.
Accumulation of C-labelled phenanthrene in phytoplankton and transfer to corals resolved using cavity ring-down spectroscopy

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are widespread pollutants in marine ecosystems including threatened and potentially sensitive coral reefs. Lower organisms such as phytoplankton, known to bioconcentrate PAHs, could serve as potential entry points for these chemicals into higher trophic levels. Here, we present a novel method using a C-labelled PAH and cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) to investigate accumulation, uptake rates and trophic transfer of PAHs in corals, which are key organisms to sustain biodiversity in tropical seas. We quantified the accumulation of C-phenanthrene in the marine microalga Dunaliella salina, and in the coral Acropora millepora after diffusive uptake from seawater or dietary uptake via labelled D. salina. Additionally, we monitored the photophysiological health of D. salina and A. millepora during phenanthrene exposure by pulseamplitude modulation (PAM) fluorometry. Dose-dependent accumulation of C-phenanthrene in the microalga showed a mean bioconcentration factor (BCF) of 2590 ± 787 L kg dry weight. Corals accumulated phenanthrene from both exposure routes. While uptake of C-phenanthrene in corals was faster through aqueous exposure than dietary exposure, passive diffusion showed larger variability between individuals and both routes resulted in accumulation of similar concentrations of phenanthrene. The C-PAH labelling and analysis by CRDS proved to be a highly sensitive method. The use of stable isotopic label eliminated additional toxicity and risks by radioactive isotopic-labelling, and CRDS reduced the analytical complexity of PAH (less biomass, no extraction, fast analysis). The simultaneous, precise quantification of both carbon content and C/C ratio (δC) enabled accurate determination of C-phenanthrene accumulation and uptake rate. This is the first study to provide empirical evidence for accumulation of phenanthrene in a phytoplankton-coral food chain.
European Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science-2501-1235

The purpose of this research was to determine the factors encourage female and male amateur tennis players in Diyarbakır for tennis; reasons and expectations of them about tennis. The population consisted of almost 250 tennis players in Diyarbakır Province. The research sample was limited by entirely 121 randomly selected amateur tennis players (39 female, and 82 male) who interest in tennis at Dicle University and participated in the Diyarbakır Kayapınar municipality tennis tournament. The survey used in the study was developed by Sunay et al., in 2006. This Likert scaled survey consisted of 4 parts. The 1st part of the survey included demographic information; the 2nd part of the survey consisted of expectations from tennis sport; the 3rd chapter of the same survey asks the reasons for interesting in tennis in an amateur way; finally, the factors encourage for tennis sport can be seen in the 4th part. T-test and ANOVA tests were applied to determine whether the difference between the comments of participators related to gender, marital status, age, and educational background. Pearson Correlation test was applied to specify the relationship between groups and variables. For study findings, expectations of amateur tennis players in Diyarbakır toward being a coach and popular athlete are at a high level; the effect of physical education teachers and mass communication such as television and media organs is very few in tending towards to tennis. Also, it is revealed that thoughts about making money and leading a good life become prominent as a reason for interesting in tennis. i This study was submitted as a poster abstract in the 13th International Sports Sciences Congress in Konya province from 7 to 9 November 2014. ii Correspondence: email cgulbineskiyecek@gmail.com Canan Gülbin Eskiyecek, Özlem Keskin REASONS FOR TENDING TOWARDS TO TENNIS AND THE REALIZATION LEVELS OF EXPECTATIONS OF AMATEUR TENNIS PLAYERS FROM TENNIS – THE CASE OF DİYARBAKIR PROVINCE, TURKEY European Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science Volume 6 │ Issue 1 │ 2020 81