Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Zambian Invertebrate Scoring System (ZISS): A macroinvertebrate-based biotic index for rapid bioassessment of southern tropical African river systems

An extensive survey of tropical rivers, conducted during 2009–2012 throughout Zambia, collected 151 samples of benthic macroinvertebrates, located on 95 rivers in six of the nine freshwater ecoregions. Associated data for physico-chemistry, human activities and ecosystem stressors were collected. Data were used to develop and test a new Rapid Bioassessment Protocol (the Zambian Invertebrate Scoring System: ZISS) for assessment of water quality and river condition in both wadeable and non-wadeable rivers. ZISS, which is based on the South African Scoring System (SASS), includes a total of 85 taxa, of which 79 are shared with SASS. Assignment of sensitivity weightings to new ZISS taxa was based on sensitivity weightings of closely related SASS families; known life-history modes and anatomical adaptations; and correlation of occurrence to impact ratings. The ability of the ZISS to measure impacts was assessed by determining the relationships between ZISS metrics and impacts. ZISS data for the Kafue River demonstrated the efficacy of the ZISS for detecting moderate to high impacts on water quality and river condition. ZISS represents a major step in developing a user-friendly, widely applicable, macroinvertebrate-based biotic index, which can provide easily interpretable assessments of river condition for southern tropical African rivers.
Effects of lowering incubation temperature on hatch of fertile and post-hatch performance and correlation between egg and chick weights of Banabang Kalabaw Philippine native chicken.

The objectives of the study were to evaluate the effect of incubation temperature on hatch of fertile, day-old chick weight, and livability for the first seven days and establish correlation between egg weight and chick weight in 52-week old Banabang Kalabaw Philippine native chicken. A total of 72 fertile eggs (45 ± 2 g) were randomly distributed into two incubators with constant temperatures of 36.5°C and 37.5°C, respectively, following CRD with three replicates. Chicks were individually weighed upon hatch and group brooded for seven days. Results showed that at 52 weeks of age, Banabang Kalabaw native chicken had an average egg weight of 48.76 g, composed of 61.5% albumen, 30.0% yolk, 8.0% shell and 0.5% shell membrane. The two incubation temperatures had no significant effect on all variables tested. Egg weight had a very strong positive correlation (r=0.95, P <0.01) with chick weight. This study shows that the incubation temperature for Banabang Kalabaw native chicken eggs can be lowered to 36.5°C with no adverse effects on hatch of fertile and 7-day post-hatch performance. Further, egg weight can be used as direct selection criteria for chick weight.
MICROPROPAGATION AND PLOIDY STABILITY OF Lippia lacunosa Mart. & Schauer: AN ENDANGERED BRAZILIAN MEDICINAL PLANT

Lippia lacunosa is a Brazilian savanna plant that belongs to the Verbenaceae family. It has been used in folk medicine as a treatment for different diseases. This species represents an endangered Brazilian medicinal plant, and this is the first report documenting a reliable protocol for the in vitro propagation and regeneration of L. lacunosa. Axenic explants were cultivated in MS medium containing different concentrations of naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) to induce root growth. The mean shoot length and the number of roots were highest with 0.06 mg·L-1 NAA. The highest number of buds in shoot regeneration was induced with 2 mg·L-1 6-benzylaminopurine (BA). To obtain a long-term culture, the dwarf shoots were elongated on MS media containing 0.5 mg·L-1 BA alternated with MS containing 2 mg·L-1 BA every 40 days. In the present protocol, the long-term shoots retained the ability to root even after long periods of BA treatment. In addition, we evaluated the nuclear DNA content and ploidy levels, including the occurrence of endopolyploidy, in long-term micropropagated plant leaves using flow cytometry analysis. The plants propagated in vitro over several years possessed nuclear DNA contents ranging from 2.940 to 3.095 pg, and no differences in DNA content were found among in vitro plants or between these plants and the control (L. lacunosa from a greenhouse with a DNA content of 3.08 pg). The flow cytometry analysis also demonstrated that there was no polyploidization. The present study will be useful for biotechnological approaches and provides the first estimate of the nuclear DNA content of this species using flow cytometry.
Trust and distrust in the resolution of protracted social conflicts: the case of Colombia

ABSTRACT In protracted social conflict, trust between the contending parties is absent and distrust can prevent or undermine attempts to find a sustainable resolution. It is important to recognise distrust as an active process, distinct from low trust or the absence of trust. Previous work has identified the difference between thick (internal) and thin (social) trust bonds within and between groups. Recognising the varied nature of trust and distrust can provide opportunities to create mechanisms to bridge divides. It may be possible to create institutions able to guarantee agreements, as leading actors persuade followers by calling on thick trust. This paper examines the negotiation of the peace agreement between the Government of Colombia and the FARC, following more than 50 years of conflict. The aims of the paper are to (1) identify the form and extent of trust and distrust between parties, and (2) determine how distrust was managed in negotiating the peace agreement. The findings point to the ability of elite actors to develop thin trust through repeated formal interactions and in turn use thick trust to bind followers.
Achieving Balanced Performance of Service Supply Chain through Structural Capital: Evidence from the Life Insurance Agency in Malaysia

Supply chain performance of a company is determined by its strategic resources. These resources may exist in the form of physical, human and structural resources. Despite many studies on these resources carried out in the past, structural resource, an element of intellectual capital, is yet to be further explored, particularly in the supply chain of the service sector. Hence, the main aim of this paper is to determine the impact of the structural capital on the Life Insurance Agency performance in Malaysia. A total of 100 respondents of agency managers of life insurance companies in Malaysia was surveyed. A quantitative approach was used and data collection through questionnaire was analyzed using the Smart-PLS 3 software version 3.0. The results indicated the significant element of the intellectual capital focusing only the on structural capital towards agency performance. Overall results revealed that structural capital have a significant influence on agency performance of Life Insurance Agency in Malaysia.
Peningkatan Kemampuan Peserta Didik terhadap Baca Tulis Al-Qur’an melalui Guru Pendidikan Agama Islam

This study aims to examine the competence of Islamic Religious Education teachers in SMP Negeri 16 Kota Bandung in improving students' ability to read and write the Qur'an, factors that support and inhibit and solutions offered to improve the students' ability. The research method used is descriptive qualitative. Data collected through observation, documentation and interview methods. Interviews were conducted with PAI teachers in SMP Negeri 16 Kota Bandung, amounting to 3 (three) people. The results showed that 1) the competence of PAI teachers of SMP Negeri 16 Bandung was realized by making learning plans in accordance with government instructions using the 2013 curriculum form; 2) the learning method used is with the wahdah bil kitabah method and the iqra’ method; 3) supporting factors for the implementation of PAI learning consisting of teachers, students, and the school environment; 4) Obstacles faced are the time of learning to read and write the Qur'an which is only 2 hours short, the lack of learning media to read the Qur'an and the background of the students; 5) The solution offered is the method of learning to read and write the must consider the characteristics of students and implementation of audio-visual learning methods.Keywords: Teacher Competence; Al-Qur'an Reading Literacy; Islamic Religious Education
Climate Change, Rangelands, and Sustainability of Ranching in the Western United States

Accelerated climate change is a global challenge that is increasingly putting pressure on the sustainability of livestock production systems that heavily depend on rangeland ecosystems. Rangeland management practices have low potential to sequester greenhouse gases. However, mismanagement of rangelands and their conversion into ex-urban, urban, and industrial landscapes can significantly exacerbate the climate change process. Under conditions of more droughts, heat waves, and other extreme weather events, management of risks (climate, biological, financial, political) will probably be more important to the sustainability of ranching than capability to expand output of livestock products in response to rising demand due to population growth. Replacing traditional domestic livestock with a combination of highly adapted livestock and game animals valued for both hunting and meat may be the best strategy on many arid rangelands. Eventually, traditional ranching could become financially unsound across large areas if climate change is not adequately addressed. Rangeland policy, management, and research will need to be heavily focused on the climate change problem.
Watson’s Human Caring Theory-Based Palliative Care: A Discussion Paper

: Palliative care is one of the most basic care approaches for providing care to patients with life-threatening illnesses. Applying theories in palliative care provision results in such cares’ development and organization and guides health care providers in this direction. One of the caring theories that can be focused on palliative care is Watson’s human caring theory, which despite its applicability in palliative care, has not been studied much. Thus, this study aimed at assessing how to use this theory in palliative care that can be applied to health care providers in all clinical specialties and societies with different cultures.
Conversion of Alcohols into Amines by Borrowing Hydrogen

This thesis describes the development of a more economical catalytic system for the N-alkylation of amines by “borrowing hydrogen” and its application in the synthesis of a variety of amines including the dopamine agonist Piribedil and the antihistamine agents Antergan and Tripelennamine. Chapter 2 describes the development of the ruthenium-catalysed N-alkylation of primary amines with primary alcohols by “borrowing hydrogen”. Chapter 3 describes the application of the ruthenium-catalysed N-alkylation of secondary amines with primary alcohols by “borrowing hydrogen”. The ruthenium-catalysed synthesis of dimethylamines by “borrowing hydrogen” is also described and a mechanistic proposal for the N-alkylation of alcohols with amines has been proposed. Chapter 4 describes the role of amines in pharmaceuticals and the ruthenium-catalysed synthesis of Piribedil, Antergan and Tripelennamine by “borrowing hydrogen”.
Análisis de las fotografías y vídeos de Instagram para la creación de un ranking de popularidad de los territorios y los destinos

espanolInstagram permite a los usuarios compartir fotografias y videos y es una herramienta clave para crear imagen de los destinos. Actualmente los destinos compiten entre si para tener una buena imagen y un buen posicionamiento. Por ello, los objetivos de este estudio son: analizar las publicaciones georreferenciadas de fotografias y videos de los usuarios de destinos, las reacciones que estas han comportado y crear un Factor de Impacto que genere un ranking de popularidad de los destinos entre los usuarios en Instagram. El estudio muestra las aportaciones del Factor de Impacto en Instagram creado para medir la popularidad de los destinos respecto a rankings anteriores y muestra tambien su utilidad para las Organizaciones de Marketing de los Destinos. EnglishInstagram allows users to share photos and videos and is a key tool to create destination image. Nowadaysdestinations compete among them to have a good image and a better position among publics. Therefore, the objectives of this study are to analyze the georeferenced publications of photographs and videos of users in destinations, the reactions they have generated among them and to create an Impact Factor that generates a popularity ranking of the destinations on Instagram. The study shows the contribution of the created Impact Factor in Instagram to measure the popularity of the destinations with respect to previous rankings andtheir usefulness for the Destination Marketing Organizations.
EFFECTS OF AFFORESTATION ON CARBON STOCKS IN FANDOGHLOO FOREST AREA

Nowadays humanity facing challenges at global level, resulting from climate change which is a consequence of increasing greenhouse gases, especially CO2 (Nakakaawa, 2010). Soil and tree biomass are reflected to have a large possibility for impermanent and a lot of time carbon storage (Houghton, 2005; Gower, 2003). Improvement of carbon stock by increasing the area of forested lands (afforestation) has been recommended as an efficient factor to reduce elevated CO2 agglomeration and thus provide to the prevention of global warming (Watson, 2000; IPCC, 2001). Some international organizations such as UNFCCC also encourage afforestation plans as an effective solution to decrease atmospheric carbon concentration (UNFCCC, 1997). The study of the impacts of tree plantation on the carbon stock is described by various researchers (Zinn, 2002; Lemma, 2006; Nosetto, 2006; Yuksek and Yuksek, 2011; Hansson 2013; Zhag, 2013; Varamesh, 2014), although the contribution of afforestation was known in biomass carbon stocking ,the impacts of afforestation on soil carbon stock were less certain because of effective dynamic components such as rainfall, physico-chemical properties of soil, the age of planted stand (Guo and Gifford, 2002; Paul, 2002), but, the results of different studies regarding the afforestation effects are inconsistent in the case of on net SOC accretion. Therefore, more research needed to understand the accumulation potential of SOC under afforestation in degraded grasslands (Varamesh et al., 2014). The afforestation could be a very useful method for restoring degraded soils and ecosystems (IPCC, 2000) and in the global scale, this method is considered as soil conservation , desertification ,and an increase of carbon stock (Kumar et al., 2001; Maestre and Cortina, 2004; Nosetto et al., 2006). In a study, Giuffre et al. (2003) obtained significant differences by evaluating of soil organic carbon between the afforested regions compared with the rangeland in the Patagonia, Argentina. Nosetto et al. (2006) found that the afforestation with Pinus Ponderosa in grassland of Patagonia increases above and belowground carbon stocks ,and Mireia (2010) noted a significant increase in soil organic carbon in the plantation of Pinus halepensis. Fonseca et al. (2012) found Pak. J. Agri. Sci., Vol. 55(3), 555-562; 2018 ISSN (Print) 0552-9034, ISSN (Online) 2076-0906 DOI: 10.21162/PAKJAS/18.4493 http://www.pakjas. com.pk
Does foreign ownership enhance technological innovation amongst manufacturing firms in Sub-Saharan Africa?

Abstract Many African nations have over time relied on the use of foreign ownership to enhance technological innovation in manufacturing firms. The literature on the subject is, however, mixed. While foreign-owned firms can benefit from the technological innovations of foreign sources because of their superior nature relative to local innovation systems, these innovations may not be forthcoming for several reasons, including an uncompetitive business environment. In this paper, we test this hypothesis for Sub-Saharan Africa by relying on a sample of 1157 manufacturing firms from the World Bank Enterprise Surveys. By defining technological innovation as product and process innovations and using the Probit estimator, we find that foreign-owned firms are less likely to introduce product innovation. For process innovation, we did not find foreign ownership to have a significant effect. These findings have some implications for policy. First, the paper throws a spotlight on the kinds of foreign affiliations in the manufacturing sector of Africa and suggests that there must be a deliberate effort to attract the forms that are beneficial to local innovation systems. Second, the paper finds that an improvement in the general business environment can be crucial in attracting foreign firms that will improve local innovation systems.
Examining the Feasibility of Tea Futures in India

The commodity derivative market in India has gained an important place in the last few decades. However, the entry of ‘tea futures’ in the derivative market is yet to come. Tea is a substitute for coffee and has a good market worldwide. India’s contribution to world production of tea is significant, but the presence of tea futures in Indian derivative market is yet to be seen whereas coffee, being a similar commodity, has a good place in the derivatives market. This study makes an attempt to examine the feasibility of tea futures in India by studying two leading conditions for tea in comparison with coffee. The study examines the market conditions by studying the export potentiality that signifies the demand and supply; and price volatility of tea price. The observations and analysis find favourable grounds for the introduction of tea futures in the commodity derivative market to extend the benefits to various groups like tea growers and manufacturers.
Simplifying the dental/periodontal management of patients with metabolic bone fragility receiving treatment with denosumab

Denosumab (DNB) is a bone-targeted medication used to preserve structural integrity and minimise the risk of fragility fractures in metastatic cancer and metabolic bone disorders. DNB targets and binds RANK Ligand, inhibiting osteoclast maturation, function, and survival. In contrast with nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates (N-BPs), DNB does not bind to hydroxyapatite and incorporate into bone; thus, bone cellular remodelling recovers rapidly after drug suspension. Denosumab has benn linked to the occurrence of osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ), a uncommon but severe oral side effect with a higher prevalence in metastatic cancer patients than in patients with metabolic bone fragility. Although several oral triggers can initiate MRONJ, invasive oral treatments and tooth extraction still remain the most common precipitating event. In general, tooth extraction and oral surgery should be avoided in patients at increased risk of MRONJ, while extraction of unsalvageable teeth should be performed based on specific risk reduction protocols to eliminate dental/periodontal infections, still protectig from MRONJ onset. Based on the different pharmacological properties of DNB and N-BPs, it is likely that the MRONJ risk profile of patients with metabolic bone fragility receiving receiving different ARs could somewhat vary. We hypothesize the chance to maximize the pharmacokinetic of Prolia® and identify a time interval in which invasive oral treatments can ideally take place without restrictions in patients with metabolic bone fragility, provided that careful case selection, adequate communication among specialists, planning of a delayed dosing window and rigorous postoperative follow-up are granted.
Efficacy of Preservative-free Latanoprost in Normal-tension Glaucoma with Mild to Moderate Dry Eye

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of preservative-free latanoprost in patients with normal-tension glaucoma who had mild to moderate dry eye after switching from preserved latanoprost. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in patients with normal-tension glaucoma who had mild to moderate dry eye. All enrolled patients had used preserved latanoprost and switched to preservative-free Latanoprost. The study consisted of a baseline visit (treatment with preserved latanoprost) and four follow-up visits conducted after 1, 3, 6, and 12 months of treatment with preservative-free latanoprost. Intraocular pressure (IOP), mean deviation (MD), ocular surface disease index (OSDI), Shirmer’s test score, tear break-up time (TBUT), corneo-conjunctival fluorescein staining, and adverse drug reactions were evaluated. Results: The mean IOP and MD values during treatment with preserved latanoprost were 14.1 ± 2.6 mmHg and -2.68 ± 0.11 dB, respectively. The mean IOP and MD values at 12 months after switching to preservative-free latanoprost were 13.9 ± 1.9 mmHg and -2.66 ± 0.12 dB, respectively. The OSDI, Shirmer’s test score, BUT, and corneo-conjunctival fluorescein staining during treatment with preserved latanoprost were 53.15 ± 8.86, 4.97 ± 1.71 mm, 4.92 ± 1.72 seconds, and 2.92 ± 1.05, respectively. The OSDI, Shirmer’s test score, TBUT, and corneo-conjunctival fluorescein staining at 12 months after switching to preservative-free latanoprost were 49.07 ± 6.97, 5.51 ± 1.48 mm, 5.49 ± 1.46 seconds, and 2.47 ± 1.09, respectively. There were no serious adverse drug reactions causing ocular damage. Conclusions: Preservative-free latanoprost was effective for improving objective and subjective symptoms compared to preserved latanoprost; it maintained a stable IOP and visual field value in patients with normal-tension glaucoma who had mild to moderate dry eye. J Korean Ophthalmol Soc 2020;61(6):639-644
Otimização experimental do desempenho térmico de uma edificação residencial

Este trabalho apresenta a otimizacao experimental do desempenho termico de uma edificacao. O design experimental 2 k contemplou cinco fatores controlaveis, absortância, condutividade termica, taxa de ventilacao, numero de moradores e equipamentos; e quatro variaveis de resposta, temperatura do ar no verao e inverno e umidade relativa do ar no verao e inverno. A metodologia baseou-se em uma simulacao computacional. Objetivou-se avaliar a influencia dos fatores controlaveis e interacoes na variavel de resposta. A taxa de ventilacao foi a que mais influenciou a temperatura no verao e inverno e a umidade do ar no inverno, enquanto a umidade do ar no verao foi afetada principalmente pelo numero de equipamento e absortância.
Selective Guidance Normal Filter for Geometric Texture Removal

There is typically a trade-off between removing the detailed appearance (i.e., geometric textures) and preserving the intrinsic properties (i.e., geometric structures) of 3D surfaces. The conventional use of mesh vertex/facet-centered patches in many filters leads to side-effects including remnant textures, improperly filtered structures, and distorted shapes. We propose a selective guidance normal filter (SGNF) which adapts the Relative Total Variation (RTV) to a maximal/minimal scheme (mmRTV). The mmRTV measures the geometric flatness of surface patches, which helps in finding adaptive patches whose boundaries are aligned with the facet being processed. The adaptive patches provide selective guidance normals, which are subsequently used for normal filtering. The filtering smooths out the geometric textures by using guidance normals estimated from patches with maximal RTV (the least flatness), and preserves the geometric structures by using normals estimated from patches with minimal RTV (the most flatness). This simple yet effective modification of the RTV makes our SGNF specialized rather than trade off between texture removal and structure preservation, which is distinct from existing mesh filters. Experiments show that our approach is visually and numerically comparable to the state-of-the-art mesh filters, in most cases. In addition, the mmRTV is generally applicable to bas-relief modeling and image texture removal.