Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterizing and Explaining Smallholder Households' Views and Understanding of Climate Change in the Bongo District of Ghana

Africa is amongst the most susceptible regions to climate change and this situation is intensified by the interaction of ‘multiple stresses’ and the low adaptive capacity of smallholder households. Agricultural production and livelihood security in many African countries are severely weakened by climate change. The paper seeks to contribute to the growing empirical and policy discourse on climate change by examining smallholder households’ views and understanding of climate change. The research combined qualitative methods (FGD’s, historical timelines and interviews) with a quantitative method (survey) and analyzed the data using descriptive and inferential statistics such as percentages, trend analysis and bivariate correlations to investigate the relationships and differences of the variables. The results indicate that smallholder households believe that the rainfall pattern of the Bongo district is characterized by erratic rainfall, reduced rainfall, late onset, short duration and high temperature which have resulted in significant crop failure. The results further show that smallholder households associate climate change to bush burning, deforestation {hegemonic representation} whiles others associate climate change to breaking of taboos and the disrespect for the beliefs, spirits, gods (life forces) {polemic representation}. Over 95% of household believe climate change poses severe negative consequences for their farming activities and livelihoods {emancipated representation}. These perceptions by smallholder households were corroborated by rainfall and temperature records from the Ghana Meteorological Agency in the Bongo district. Livelihood diversification strategies, including off-farm income sources should be robustly pursued and more specific and targeted climate adaptation policies needs to be formulated by policy makers to reduce the vulnerabilities of smallholder households whose livelihoods depend largely on rain-fed agriculture.
Effect of confining pressure and depositional method on the undrained shearing response of medium dense sand

This study examines the effects of the confining pressure and sample preparation method on the shearing behavior shown by sand from the Chlef River (Algeria). Undrained monotonic triaxial compression tests were performed on samples with an initial relative density of 50% at initial confining pressures of 50 to 200 kPa. Samples were prepared using two depositional methods: dry funnel pluviation and wet deposition. Our results reveal marked differences in the undrained shearing responses produced under identical conditions of density and stress and therefore determined by the soil fabric. Thus, at low confining pressures, samples prepared by the wet deposition method showed complete static liquefaction (zero effective confining pressure and zero stress difference). For both sample types, as confining pressures increased, effective stress paths exhibited increasing resistance to liquefaction indicated by increasing dilatant tendencies.
Search for indications of fast rotation in the linear polarization of the magnetic white dwarf Grw+70o8247

Grw+70o8247 belongs to a small group of magnetic white dwarfs which despite repeated observations did not show any changes in their polarization over decades. The inferred rotation periods are of the order of hundred years which is not easy to understand if angular momentum is conserved during stellar evolution. An alternative possibility, which was to our knowledge never investigated, might be fast rotation with a period between some minutes and a couple of seconds. Assuming a mass of 1 $M_\odot $ and a radius of 1/100 $R_\odot $ the shortest possible period is about 10 s. In order to test this hypothesis the linear polarization of Grw+70o8247 was measured at the 2.2 m telescope at the Calar Alto Observatory, Spain, with a time resolution of 3 s by trailing the linear polarized image of Grw+70o8247 over the CCD chip. The linear polarization was searched for periodicities in the range between 10 s and 4000 s. Investigations with synthetic polarized data using the same window function and an assumed sinusoidal variation showed that variations with amplitudes of 40% relative to the amount of average linear polarization should be detectable. However, no periodicities at this or higher levels of significance were found. This would be in accordance with a recent report on slow rotation of GD229 and G240-72, but fast variations with lower amplitudes could not be ruled out.
The Oncology Patient's Perception of Support for the Use of Alternative Therapies by Their Health Care Provider

THE ONCOLOGY PATIENT’S PERCEPTION OF SUPPORT FOR THE USE OF ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES BY THEIR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER By Michelle Lyim Witkop The purpose of this descriptive study was to determine if patients with cancer communicated their use o f altemative therapies to their health care providers, to identify factors that influenced their decision to share (or not to share) this information with the health care provider, to describe the tĵ pes of alternative therapy they were using, to identify where information on the chosen altemative therapy was obtained, and to discuss the factors that influenced their use of an altemative therapy. A convenience sample of 29 subjects from five oncology practices in northwestern lower Michigan responded to questionnaires assessing their use of altemative therapy. Descriptive statistics along with t-test, correlation coefficients, and chi-square were used to analyze the data. The survey determined that cancer patients who are younger, with a higher education and higher income tend to use more types of altemative therapies. The surveyed group tends to supplement their traditional treatments with altemative therapy more frequently than nationally published reports, receive their altemative therapy information from the lay press, and share this information more often with a health care provider than previously published reports. This is dedicated to my mother-in-law, Louise C. Witkop, who passed away on May 10, 1997. Through her illness I gained an appreciation for life and faith in the unknown. Life will not be the same without her. Acknowledgments My heartfelt appreciation goes to many people who have supported me through my graduate studies and research effort. Thank you to my husband, Henry, and my daughters, Libby and Becky, for their patience, love, and understanding through this whole process. A sincere thank you to my wonderfully supportive thesis committee for their time, energy, and thoughtful comments. A very special thank you to my chairperson. Dr. Jean Nagelkerk, for her guidance and determination. She kept me on task which allowed me to finish on time. Together, their kindness, knowledge, and wisdom made this an exciting event in my life. I hope I can carry on witli their enthusiasm for research and mentor others as well as they have mentored me. Finally, a note of appreciation to the Oncology Nursing Society for their generous scholarship which supported my studies.
Human Values and Compassionate Love in Highly Gifted Students and Normal Student

The principal objective of this study is to examine the relationship between human values and compassionate love of highly gifted students, and to make a comparison of the levels of compassionate love and human values between highly gifted students and their normal peers. One of the quantitative models, associative patterns, were implemented in this research. These are the models used for the determining of levels and the existence of change between two or more variables. With ease of accessibility, 8th grade normal students (N=200) from Balikesir and Manisa (Turkey) and highly gifted students (N=200) of BILSEM were selected to gather data. 102 of the normal students were female, while 98 were male. 108 of the highly gifted students were female and 92 of them male. In this research, the Human Values Scale and Compassionate Love Scale were applied in order to determine levels of human values and compassionate love of the students. In conclusion, the highly gifted students were observed to have higher levels of human values than their normal peers, and to be more sensitive regarding love.
nteractive effects of CO 2 enrichment and brassinosteroid on CO 2 assimilation nd photosynthetic electron transport in Cucumis sativus u -

CO2 enrichment and brassinosteroids (BR) both have positive impacts on photosynthesis and plant growth. To examine the interactive effect of CO2 enrichment and BR on photosynthesis and plant growth, CO2 assimilation, chlorophyll fluorescence quenching, carbohydrate metabolism, photosynthetic gene transcript and enzyme activity were analyzed in leaves of young plants of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) in response to a doubling of growth CO2 level, foliar BR application alone or in combination. Both CO2 elevation and application of BR increased shoot biomass, leaf area, CO2 assimilation, total soluble sugar and starch contents, transcript for photosynthetic gene and activity for enzymes involved in Benson–Calvin cycle but a combination of the two treatments resulted in a more significant effect. Although an elevation of CO2 level had little effects on quantum efficiency of PSII (ФPSII), it significantly increased the electron flux for photosynthetic carbon reduction [Je(PCR)] but decreased electron flux for photorespiratory car-
Properly Timed Soil-applied Nitrogen Fertilizer Increases Yield and Fruit Size of 'Hass' Avocado

To protect groundwater from potential nitrate pollution, 'Hass' avocado ( Persea americana Mill.) growers in California divide the total annual soil-applied nitrogen (N) fertilizer (N at 56 to 168 kg·ha -1 ) into small applications made during the period from late January to early November. However, no research had been conducted to test the efficacy of this fertilization practice, and there was concern that the amount of N in the individual applications may be too little to meet the demand of the tree at some stages of its phenology. The research presented herein addressed the question of whether yield of 'Hass' avocado could be increased by doubling the amount of N currently applied during specific stages of tree phenology. The control in this experiment was the practice of annually applying N as NH 4NO3 at 168 kg·ha -1 (168 trees/ ha) in six small doses of N at 28 kg·ha -1 in January, February, April, June, July, and November. From these six application times, five were selected on the basis of tree phenology and additional N as NH 4NO3 at 28 kg·ha -1 was applied at each time for total annual N of 196 kg·ha -1 . Two phenological stages were identified for which N application at 56 kg·ha -1 in a single application (double dose of N) significantly increased the 4-year cumulative yield (kilograms fruit per tree) 30% and 39%, respectively, compared to control trees (P ≤ 0.01). In each case, more than 70% of the net increase in yield was commercially valuable large size fruit (178 to 325 g/fruit). The two phenological stages were when shoot apical buds have four or more secondary axis inflorescence meristems present (mid-November); and during anthesis to early fruit set and initiation of the vegetative shoot flush at the apex of indeterminate floral shoots (about mid-April). When the double dose of N was applied at either of these two stages, the kilograms and number of large size fruit averaged across the 4 years of the study was significantly greater than the control trees ( P ≤ 0.01). Averaged across the 4 years of the study, only the November treatment increased yield compared to the control trees ( P ≤ 0.05). Application of the double dose of N at flower initiation (January), during early-stage gynoecium development (February), or during June drop had no significant effect on average or cumulative yield or fruit size compared to control trees. Application of the double dose of N in April significantly reduced the severity of alternate bearing ( P ≤ 0.05). Yield was not significantly correlated with leaf N concentration. Time and rate of N application are factors that can be optimized to increase yield, fruit size, and annual cropping of 'Hass' avocado. When the amounts of N applied were equal (196 kg·ha -1 ), time of application was the more important factor.
Penetration of vortices into the ferromagnet'type-II superconductor bilayer

Vortex structures in the ferromagnet/type-II superconductor bilayer are investigated when the ferromagnet has domain structure and perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. It is found that two equilibrium vortex structures can be realized: straight vortices with alternating directions corresponding to the direction of the magnetization in the ferromagnetic domains and vortex semiloops connecting the ferromagnetic domains with opposite direction of the magnetization. These states are separated by an energy barrier. The values of the critical magnetization for the formation of these vortex structures are determined.
Factors Influencing Utilization of Post Abortion Care in Selected Governmental Health Institutions, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Background: In Ethiopia, utilization of post-abortion care service is minimal and it seems that the expanding services are underutilized. The aim of this study was to assess factors which influence utilization of post abortion care service among reproductive age (15-49 yrs) women in selected governmental health institutions in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods: Institution based cross sectional study was conducted among 153 respondents aged 15-49 years in six health institutions in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Respondents were obtained proportionally and interviewed consecutively with convenience to respond for the structured pre-tested questionnaire. Data were entered into Epi Info version 3.5. 1 and analyzed by using SPSS version 20 software for windows. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were done. Results: Sixty nine percent of the respondents were not utilized post abortion care services among the selected health institutions. Spontaneous abortion (AOR=2.22 [95% CI=1.21, 16.74]) and knowledge of respondents towards elements of post abortion care (AOR=4.30 [95% CI = 1.32, 13.99]) were found to have statistically significant association with post abortion care utilization. Conclusion: Addressing and scaling up efforts on community health education and developing guideline related to post abortion services for health extension workers will increase the utilization of post abortion care in health facilities.
The Nijmegen Auricle Consultation: How We Do It?

Introduction: The quality of healthcare optimization for patients with an absent or a deformed auricle is of great importance. The absence of the auricle has various causes, and the management differs between patients with congenital microtia and patients with amputated ears due to a malignant tumor or trauma. Auricular reconstruction using autogenous rib cartilage grafts and auricular replacement with implant-retained prostheses are the standard techniques used at the Radboudumc, Nijmegen. Aim: The aim of this study was to create more awareness, and to enhance the quality of care for patients with an absent or deformed auricle. Material and methods: All caretakers at Radboudumc who are involved in the healthcare of patients with an absent or a deformed auricle either aiming for hearing revalidation, an auricular reconstruction, or the application of an implant-retained prosthesis, or a combination of these, were interviewed through a questionnaire. Patients’ opinions regarding the auricle consultation were noted on a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). In addition, the patients who had undergone auricular reconstruction or received prosthesis over the past five years were asked to fill out the Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI). Results: The level of entrance in this chain of healthcare did not influence the end point for patients visiting the Nijmegen auricle consultation. The possible three end points either with or without rehabilitation were (1) accept or wait, (2) auricle reconstruction with autologous rib cartilage grafts, and (3) auricle reconstruction by an implant-retained prosthesis. Interviews and questionnaires were evaluated to create a flowchart. The patients rated the auricle consultation with an average score of 9. All patients who underwent auricle reconstruction and filled out the GBI stated that their quality of life was improved. Discussion: The present study describes the management of patients with an absent auricle at the Radboudumc in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. Due to the low incidence of these patients and the subsequent requirement for specialized care, patient-centered care is extremely important, and is offered at two experienced specialty centers in the Netherlands.
Study of the Inhibitive and Adsorptive Properties of Mild Steel in H2SO4 - Boscia senegalensis Plant Environment

The inhibitive and adsorption properties of ethanol extract of Boscia senegalensis for the corrosion of mild steel in H 2 SO 4 were investigated using weight loss, linear polarization, and scanning electron microscopy techniques. From the result, it was found that the corrosion rate of mild steel to decrease with an increase in the concentration of the inhibitor as well as increase with an increase in temperature of the environment. The inhibition efficiency of the inhibitor increases with increasing concentration but decreases with increasing temperature. The inhibition potential of ethanol extract of Boscia senegalensis is attributed to the presence of saponnin, tannin, phlobatanins, anthraquinone, cardiac glycosides, flavanoid, terpene, and alkaloid in the extract. The adsorption of the inhibitor on mild steel surface was found to be exothermic, spontaneous and is best described by Freundlich and Temkim adsorption model. The calculated values of activation energy, enthalpy of activation, entropy of activation, free energy of adsorption and the trend in the variation of inhibition efficiency with temperature, the mechanism of adsorption of the inhibitor by physical adsorption. Ethanol extract of Boscia senegalensis is a good adsorption inhibitor for the corrosion of mild steel in H 2 SO 4 . Tafel polarization analyses indicated that studied plant extract is a mixed type inhibitor. Keywords: boscia senegalensis ; polarization; adsorption.
Novel Subtractor Design Based on Quantum-Dot Cellular Automata (QCA) Nanotechnology

Quantum-dot cellular automaton (QCA) is a novel nanotechnology with a very different computational method in compared with CMOS, whereas placement of electrons in cells indicates digital information. This nanotechnology with specifications such as fast speed, high parallel processing, small area, low power consumption and higher switching frequency becomes a promising candidate for CMOS technology. In this paper, a new architecture of Half and Full subtractor based on the QCA is proposed. We take advantage of optimal XOR gate in designing these arithmetic units, which has been already designed based on the QCA majority voter gate. Using this XOR gate in the architecture of designed arithmetic units in this paper, reduces number of used QCA cells to 55 and 136 for Half and Full subtractor, respectively. Proposed design is more efficient in terms of cell counts, covered area and delay, than the conventional subtractors based on the QCA. These subtractors are designed and simulated using QCA Designer 2.0. 3.
Efficacy of Supplementary Image Schemes on Reading Motivation and Comprehension

This study examines the efficacy of three teaching methods, namely, passive supported image pedagogy, active supported image pedagogy, and traditional instruction, in increasing the reading motivation and comprehension of students. 116 fourth-grade students participated in the study and were evenly assigned, according to their pre-test performance, to one of three groups: “Passive Supported Group” (PSG), “Active Supported Group” (ASG), and “Text-only Group” (TOG). The PSG was asked to read a text with images; the ASG was asked to read the text and reconstruct the main ideas through image selection; and the TOG was asked merely to read the text. After eight weeks of reading-training, the three groups were asked to complete post-tests. Following this, independent-samples t-test and paired-samples t-test were used to analyze the results. Based on the results, active supported image pedagogy was found to be the most effective method for improving the reading motivation and comprehension of students.
Exploring governance structures of high altitude rangeland in Bhutan using Ostrom’s Design Principles

High altitude rangeland and livelihood systems in Bhutan are undergoing changes in resource availability, population and user rights. This paper explores the existing governance structures of high altitude rangelands in Bhutan using Ostrom’s design principles as a framework for analysis. Qualitative interviews and focus group discussions were used to capture perceptions of 151 herders, sedentary livestock farmers and government officials across three case study sites. The research showed that most high altitude rangelands in the three case study sites have clear boundaries using natural and manmade landmarks along with a list of eligible users (design principle 1). Herders and livestock farmers have developed customary norms and rules to enforce and engender collective choice agreements for governance of high altitude rangeland (design principle 3). Community guards, appointed on rotational basis, guarded communal pastures against infringement (design principle 4). Herders and livestock farmers have developed graduated penalty system (design principle 5) and they were generally able to resolve most conflicts locally however some were resolved through district courts (design principle 6). However, rights to organize (design principle 7) and a nested enterprise approach (design principle 8) did not feature explicitly in local governance discourses and narratives. Incongruence between provision and appropriation activities under existing governance structures of high altitude rangeland in the case study sites, may be attributed to assignment of incomplete property rights (e.g. lack of management rights) in the bundle of rights. The research demonstrated assigning management rights in the bundle of rights and conformance to design principle 2 are inextricably linked, and vital for sustainable governance of high altitude rangeland. One way to institutionalize Ostrom’s design principles into natural resource governance is formalizing and codifying them in the form of a written group constitution and by-laws. The role of government policies, acts and laws that inform and constrain high altitude rangeland management are explored and changes suggested for improving the current governance system of high altitude rangeland in Bhutan.
Qualification of a numerical anthropomorphic model dedicated to radiological accidents

In the case of accidental exposure to ionising radiation, estimation of the ahsorhed dose in the organism is an important indicator for evaluating the hiological consequences. To complete the clinical and hiological investigations, physical dosimetry methods can he used to provide an estimate of the absorhed dose and its distribution in the organism. This article describes the development of calculation tools in physical dosimetry, in particular a numerical anthropomorphic pbantom which can he adapted to each individual. A standard model was developed from the data avaiiahle in the ICPR Publication 23. A set of tests was carried out with the model dimensions heing modifed to study the effect of morphology on the dose calculation. A comparison was made with another standard model used in internal dosimetry. These studies highlight the parameters to he taken into account in the model, depending on whether the accident is local or global. Caracterisation d'un modele anthropomorphe numerique pour la reconstitution d'accident radiologique.