Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Seroepidemiology of Hepatitis B and C Virus Infections: A Five-Year Retrospective Study among Blood Donors in Saboba District in the Northern Region of Ghana

Methods A five-year hospital-based retrospective study was carried out among 8605 blood donors comprising 8517 males and 88 females using data on blood donors from Saboba Assemblies of God Hospital located in the Saboba District in the Northern Region of Ghana from 2013 to 2017. Blood bank records on HBV and HCV potential blood donors who visited the hospital to donate blood were retrieved. Donor demographic details, i.e., age and gender, were also recovered. Donors who were registered to the hospital but were not residents of the Northern Region were excluded from the study. Donors with incomplete records were also excluded from the study. The data was managed using Microsoft Excel spreadsheet 2016 and analysed using GraphPad Prism statistical software. Results The overall prevalence of asymptomatic viral hepatitis B and C infections in the general adult population was 9.59% (95% CI: 9.00-10.20) and 12.71% (95% CI: 12.00-13.40), respectively, with an HBV/HCV coinfection rate of 2.23% (95% CI: 1.90-2.60). The number of donors generally declined with advancement in years from 2038 (23.68%) since 2013 to as low as 1169 (13.59%) in 2016, except for 2017 where a sharp increase of 1926 (22.38%) was observed. The first and second highest proportions of donors fell within the age categories of 20-29 (51.53% (4434)) and 30-39 (32.90% (2831)) respectively. The seroprevalence rate of HBV, HCV, and HBV/HCV coinfection rates were generally higher among the female group than those observed among the male category. The year-to-year variation in HBV, HCV, and HBV/HCV infections was statistically significant. The highest year-to-year HBV seropositivity rate was 11.48% in the year 2013, while that for HCV and HBV/HCV coinfection was 16.24% and 5.85%, respectively, both documented in the year 2014. HBV and HBV/HCV coinfection rates were highest among donors aged <20 years old, while HCV seroprevalence was highest among donors aged 50-59 years old. Significantly higher odds of HBV/HCV coinfection (OR = 5.2; 95% CI:3.3-8.1) was observed in the 2014 compared to the year 2013. Donors aged <20years were at higher risks of HBV and HBV/HCV coinfection rates compared to the other age groups. Conclusion The seroprevalence of HBV and HCV among donors in the Saboba District of the Northern Region of Ghana is endemic. The HBV/HCV coinfection rate also raises serious concern owing to its high prevalence rate among the younger age. Intensive public health education coupled with mobile screening and mass vaccination of seronegative individuals is advised so as to help curb further spread of the infection and in effect help safeguard the health status of potential donors in the district.
High Security for De-Duplicated Big Data Using Optimal SIMON Cipher

: Cloud computing offers internet location-based affordable, scalable, and independent services. Cloud computing is a promising and a cost-effective approach that supports big data analytics and advanced applications in the event of forced business continuity events, for instance, pandemic situations. To handle massive information, clusters of servers are required to assist the equipment which enables streamlining the widespread quantity of data, with elevated velocity and modified configurations. Data deduplication model enables cloud users to efficiently manage their cloud storage space by getting rid of redundant data stored in the server. Data deduplication also saves network bandwidth. In this paper, a new cloud-based big data security technique utilizing dual encryption is proposed. The clustering model is utilized to analyze the Deduplication process hash function. Multi kernel Fuzzy C means (MKFCM) was used which helps cluster the data stored in cloud, on the basis of confidence data encryption procedure. The confidence finest data is implemented in homomorphic encryption data wherein the Optimal SIMON Cipher (OSC) technique is used. This security process involving dual encryption with the optimization model develops the productivity mechanism. In this paper, the excellence of the technique was confirmed by comparing the proposed technique with other encryption and clustering techniques. The results proved that the proposed technique achieved maximum accuracy and minimum encryption time.
CSR and tax avoidance: A review of empirical research

This article is a literature review that covers quantitative empirical research on the association between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and corporate tax avoidance. We conduct a structured literature review and evaluate the empirical-quantitative results with regard to the CSR–tax avoidance link and vice versa. The association between CSR and tax avoidance is both theoretically and empirically ambiguous. However, the majority of studies finds a negative association between CSR and tax avoidance. Nevertheless, results are highly dependent on measurement of the respective constructs and other marginal conditions. Comparability of recent research on the issue is in particular limited due to heterogeneous CSR and tax avoidance metrics and due to a potentially bidirectional relationship. Results imply that there is not necessarily a stable association between CSR performance, as measured by CSR scores or ratings, CSR reporting, and a firm’s tax practices. Thus, socially responsible investors have to make a decision about whether they are prepared to invest in firms that have high CSR scores and strong CSR performance while aggressively avoiding taxes. Investors who perceive tax payments as part of a firm’s responsibility towards society, have to select their investments with great care, as CSR scores and CSR reporting are of only limited informative value with regard to tax avoidance
Delay-induced spiking dynamics in integrate-and-fire neurons

Experiments showed that a neuron can fire when its membrane potential (an intrinsic quality related to its membrane electrical charge) reaches a specific threshold. On theoretical studies, there are two crucial issues in exploring cortical neuronal dynamics: (i) what model describes spiking dynamics of each neuron, and (ii) how the neurons are connected [E. M. Izhikevich, IEEE Trans. Neural Networks, 15 (2004)]. To study the first issue, we propose the time delay effect on the well-known integrate-and-fire (IF) model which is classically introduced to study the spiking behaviors in neural systems by using the spike-and-reset procedure. Under the consideration of delayed adaptation on the membrane potential, the parameter range for the IF model with spiking dynamics becomes wider due to undergoing subcritical Hopf bifurcation and the existence of an unstable orbit. To study the second issue, we consider the system with two coupled identical IF units where time delay takes place in the coupling structure. We also demonstrate spiking behaviors in the coupled system when the delay time is large enough, and it contributes an original viewpoint of the connection between neurons. In contrast with the emergence of delay-induced spiking in a single-neuron system, a coupled two-neuron system involve both emergence and death of spiking according to different values of delay times. We also discuss the ranges of different parameters in which it allows occurrence of spiking behaviors.
Consumer Attitudes and Purchasing Interests of Coffee Shop which Implement Green Marketing and Non-Green Marketing in Malang, Indonesia

There are many universities in Malang. This has an impact on increasing the number of newcomers to stay and invest in Malang, one of which is a coffee shop. This has the potential to cause a lot of waste due to the production of coffee drinks. Green Marketing is an effort by the government and coffee drink producers to minimize waste caused by the coffee industry. This study aims to 1) analyzing differences in consumer attitudes towards coffee shops that implement green marketing and non- green marketing strategies; 2) Determine whether there is a relationship between attitudes and consumer purchase intention towards coffee drink products in coffee shops that implement Green Marketing and non-green marketing strategies. The analytical method uses Fishbein analysis and the Spearman Rank test. Questionnaire was given to 100 respondents at Starbucks and 100 respondents at Pesen Kopi in Malang. The results show that consumers have a positive attitude towards coffee shops that implement green marketing, and consumers have a negative attitude towards coffee shops that implement non-green marketing. The results also show a strong positive correlation between green marketing strategies and customer purchase intention for environmentally friendly coffee drink products.
Social-Aware Routing in Mobile Opportunistic Networks

Mobile Opportunistic Networks (MONs) are characterized by the lack of continuous end-to-end connectivity between two nodes due to node mobility, sparse deployment, and constrained resources. In order to fulfill ubiquitous communication requirements of them, social-aware routing, which exploits social ties and behaviors among nodes to make forwarding decisions, has been proposed and already become a promising approach to enable data delivery in MONs. In this article, we present an insightful review of social-aware routing in MONs through thorough investigations to provide a comprehensive understanding and inspire more in-depth studies. We first explore the motivations behind social-aware routing and introduce various social metrics commonly used. Then we investigate existing social-aware routing schemes in terms of design principles, evaluation metrics, taxonomy, relay selection and message distribution, respectively. Finally, we outline emerging challenges and open issues with respect to social metrics, social perception, privacy and security, emerging applications and experiments in this area.
Research on Islamic corporate social responsibility and Islamic bank disclosures

ABSTRACT Sustainable development and corporate social responsibility (CSR) are becoming more prominent in Islamic finance, which is characterized by financial and economic models based on ethical principles and values. Previous research has examined various determinants of Islamic CSR disclosure, but only a few of those studies are based on corporate governance mechanism. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to review previous research and fill gaps using a literature review approach. It analyzes the determinants of Islamic CSR disclosure based on previous findings, then categorizes them into: (1) board structure, (2) ownership structure, (3) CEO power, and (4) shariah governance. The study seeks to offer further knowledge about Islamic CSR, and thus contribute fresh insights to academics, Islamic bank company managers, and governments.
Iron Gall Ink Revisited: A Surfactant-Free Emulsion Technology for Black Hair-Dyeing Formulation

Inspired by the redox reactions in the preparation of the iron gall ink that has been used in Europe since the Middle Ages, we developed a technology for forming the oil-in-water emulsions, without any surfactants and emulsifiers, by homogenizing a mixture of tannic acid, gallic acid, Fe(D-gluconate)2, and natural oil, which are all approved as cosmetic ingredients. Various plant-derived oils, such as argan oil, olive oil, sunflower oil, grape seed oil, hemp seed oil, peppermint oil, rosemary oil, and ylang-ylang oil, were used as an oil phase for the emulsion formation, and all the fabricated emulsions exhibited the capability of black hair-dyeing. This surfactant-free emulsion technology for combining the hair-dyeing capability of Fe3+–tannin complex with the hair-fortifying property of natural oil would have great impact on the hair-cosmetic industry.
Analysis of the theorical model of the situational test for measuring the development of basic employability competences: the workers’ perspective

Copyright © 2015 SIPS. Licencia Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial (by-nc) Spain 3.0 CONTACT WITH THE AUTHORS Mercè JARIOT GARCIA. Facultat de Ciències de l’Educació, despacho G6-265. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès. E-mail: Merce.Jariot@uab.cat ANALYSIS OF THE THEORICAL MODEL OF THE SITUATIONAL TEST FOR MEASURING THE DEVELOPMENT OF BASIC EMPLOYABILITY COMPETENCES: THE WORKERS’ PERSPECTIVE1 ANÁLISIS DEL MODELO TEÓRICO DEL TEST SITUACIONAL DE DESARROLLO DE COMPETENCIAS BÁSICAS DE EMPLEABILIDAD: LA PERSPECTIVA DE LOS TRABAJADORES ANÁLISE DO MODELO TEÓRICO DO TESTE SITUACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO DAS COMPETÊNCIAS BÁSICAS DE EMPREGABILIDADE: A PERSPECTIVA DOS TRABALHADORES
Testing equality of the regression coefficients in panel data models

Abstract In this paper, we propose a new method to compare two or more panel data regression models. We aim to propose a method that is easily applicable to test the hypothesis of equality of regression coefficient vectors in panel data models with one-way and two-way error component regression. We present the results of our simulation study to compare our parametric bootstrap method with the other methods.
From a drone’s eye view: indicators of overtourism in a sea, sun, and sand destination

Abstract This article examines overtourism indicators at Kailua Beach Park in Hawaiʻi, and demonstrates a systematic approach to assessing carrying capacity by pairing descriptive indicators with more commonly used evaluative indicators. Data were obtained from an onsite survey of 452 visitors. Questionnaires with embedded photographs measured visitors’ perceived encounters, norms, and crowding (evaluative indicators), while an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was used to collect actual use levels at the site (descriptive indicator). In total, 63% of respondents felt crowded at this site, suggesting that it is nearing over-capacity. Respondent norms showed that no more than approximately 950 people should be allowed. Use levels exceeding 700 people caused respondents to feel moderately or extremely crowded, yet use levels commonly exceeded this threshold. Standards representing these numeric thresholds should be set at this site, and management action is critical (e.g., quotas, reservations, fees, encourage alternative sites). This research contributes to the literature by demonstrating the importance of all four indicators (use levels, encounters, norms, crowding) when investigating overtourism issues, and the potential of UAVs to support the measurement of descriptive indicators.
A Damped Decoupled XY Nanopositioning Stage Embedding Graded Local Resonators

Lightly damping linear dynamic characteristics of a flexure-based stage mainly limit control bandwidth when its piezo-actuating hysteresis is well compensated. In this article, a novel damped decoupled XY nanopositioning stage embedding graded local resonators (GLRs) is developed and optimized based on the maximization of motion range and first-order natural frequency. The modal damping strengthening mechanism of local resonant metastructures is analyzed based on the built dynamic model. The GLRs embedded in the working platform has different dynamic parameters, which are optimized based on $H_2$ norm. The motion decoupling is guaranteed by the designed hybrid flexure-guided mechanism while strengthening the Z-direction supporting stiffness. The static/ scanning-frequency dynamic experiment and trajectory tracking control with a propotional-integral-derivative (PID) controller is implemented. The experimental results indicate that maximum motion crosstalk is 0.69%, and validate the effectiveness of improving the linear dynamics of the stage and expanding control bandwidth.
Cambios en la Vitamina C y el Color durante la Cocción del Pimentón Verde (Capsicum Annuum L) Changes in Vitamin C and Color during Cooking Of Green Peppers (Capsicum Annuum L)

Abstract The quality of pepper is mainly valued for flavor, color, and vitamin C. This study explored the effect of cooking on the physicochemical characteristics of the fruits of green pepper. Weighed 150 g, cut to size of 2.2 cm long and 1.3 cm wide and subjected to heat treatment (steam and water for 5 min, and 760 W microwave for 2 min), and quenched proceeded to determine the pH and acidity, vitamin C concentration by the indophenol method, total chlorophyll content by spectrophotometry at 652 nm and the surface color coordinates. After heat treatment the concentration of vitamin C, chlorophyll content and acidity significant differences (p <0.05), in contrast pH, L *, a *, b *, C * and h ° not statistically affected. Vitamin C ranged from 147.84 ± 4.36 and 79.31 ± 5.44 mg ascorbic acid/100 g fresh weight. The total chlorophyll ranged from 4.44 ± 0.04 and 2.61 ± 0.04 mg/ 100 of pepper. In the acidity values were between 0.10 ± 0.005 and 0.07 ± 0.001% citric acid. The microwave cooking method obtains the highest level of retention of vitamin C, and the surface color of green pepper is not affected by the different cooking methods evaluated in this study.
Autonomous Robots

Primitive autonomous robotic vehicles were first developed during World War I and deployed during wars throughout the 20th century. More recently, autonomous vehicles with cognition were enabled by new technologies, especially in sensors, processors, and software, along with advances in humanoid and other legged robots. The autonomous car, a transformative and disruptive technology, will lead over the coming decades to the development of ubiquitous autonomous robots with increasing levels of cognition for many different applications. These robots will fill nearly every economic sector and occupational niche. The potential impact of autonomous intelligent robots on society, by the end of the century, will lead to ethical and moral dilemmas, as well as impacting jobs across the globe. There is a need to provide alternative sources of income, or alternative employment, for unemployed humans. There is also a need to consider the consequence of the possible emergence of robot self-awareness, consciousness, and free will.
The Impact of Anomalous Diffusion on Action Potentials in Myelinated Neurons

Action potentials in myelinated neurons happen only at specialized locations of the axons known as the nodes of Ranvier. The shapes, timings, and propagation speeds of these action potentials are controlled by biochemical interactions among neurons, glial cells, and the extracellular space. The complexity of brain structure and processes suggests that anomalous diffusion could affect the propagation of action potentials. In this paper, a spatio-temporal fractional cable equation for action potentials propagation in myelinated neurons is proposed. The impact of the ionic anomalous diffusion on the distribution of the membrane potential is investigated using numerical simulations. The results show spatially narrower action potentials at the nodes of Ranvier when using spatial derivatives of the fractional order only and delayed or lack of action potentials when adding a temporal derivative of the fractional order. These findings could reveal the pathological patterns of brain diseases such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer’s disease, which have become more prevalent in the latest years.
Assessing the Temperature and Current Density of Flat Winding Coils for Concentrated Windings Within a Segmented Stator Machine

This article re-evaluates flat windings to improve the current density of concentrated windings. The article produces finite element and lumped parameter thermal models to compare the thermal profile of the new flat winding construction with traditional concentrated windings of square cross-sectional area. An experimental setup is developed to validate the models which are then used to establish the thermal profile and current density of the two constructions. Traditional concentrated windings are shown to have a number of thermal resistances across their interwinding layers. A hot spot temperature is therefore produced at the winding with the longest thermal path. Flat windings as proposed here eliminates this problem, leading to lower temperatures. As a result, higher current can be injected before the maximum allowed temperature is reached. The article demonstrates that for a typical motor operating point of 300 N·m and 1500 r/min the maximum temperature is reduced by 97 K. For the same maximum temperature, the current density can be increased between 130%–150%.
The politics of securitization: China’s competing security agendas and their impacts on securitizing shared rivers

ABSTRACT Managing transboundary river basins proves a challenge for China when encountering disagreements with its neighbors that experience different political and social conditions. This paper analyzes what happens when China characterizes water as a security issue, examining China’s fluid securitization practices, where changes can be identified indicating that the Chinese government values the various water security concerns differently. Two cases are adopted for comparison. In the case of China sharing the Mekong River, the Chinese government has shown a willingness to incorporate more issues found both inside and outside of the water sector. In contrast, in the case of the sharing of the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna, China’s security agenda has been limited to the consideration of water availability and has led to military security concerns. The findings indicate that China’s water security agenda is not only driven by a concern for water management over specific rivers, but also judgments that incorporate strategic military consideration with regard to countries that they are involved with. The case of China thus suggests that water security is a complex domain that demonstrates competing values and concerns in (de)politicizing water. Therefore, water-related security issues cannot be understood solely from an environmental policy perspective.
Cross-Cultural Analysis of Sexual Response and Relationship Satisfaction in Women With and Without Orgasmic Difficulty During Partnered Sex

Abstract Objective To investigate how orgasmic difficulty may impact women’s sexual/relationship quality depending upon their cultural origin. Method: We used a cross-sectional, multinational survey designed to assess orgasmic difficulty during partnered sex and other sexual/relationship factors in 88 Pakistani and 188 U.S. women. Results: Pakistani women reported less orgasmic difficulty than U.S. women, but those Pakistani women having orgasmic difficulty reported lower relationship satisfaction, less interest in sex, and greater difficulty becoming sexually aroused compared to U.S. respondents with orgasmic difficulty. Conclusions: The presence of orgasmic difficulty affected sexual and relationship factors more in Pakistani women than U.S. women.