Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Precision In The Diagnosis Of Medial Meniscal And Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears By MRI

MRI is the more commonly advised diagnostic method in diagnosing musculo-skeletal pathologies. Knee joint is the most common articulation subjected to imaging studies. MRI has high accuracy in diagnosing the knee conditions like medial meniscal tears and ACL disruptions. The present study compares the MRI scan diagnosis and the finding of the arthroscopy which was as set as a gold standard. The results were obtained using statistical formulae, to calculate sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of the MRI scan. The study showed sensitivity and specificity rates in accordance with the reports in the literature. Current findings suggest that MRI helps the clinician in diagnosing these lesions with a high level of precision and proceeding with the definite intervention without subjecting the patient to invasive diagnostic modalities like arthroscopy.
The Effects of Heating Without Water Removal and Drying on the Swelling as Measured by Water Retention Value and Degradation as Measured by Intrinsic Viscosity of Cellulose Papermaking Fibers

The effects of heating without water removal and drying of bleached kraft fibers were separately investigated. Water swellability as measured using a water retention value method (WRV) and cellulose degree of polymerization as measured using a viscosity method were used to gauge the effects of such treatments on fibers. The drying of fibers at temperatures above 100°C resulted in significant decreases in WRV, as expected. However, heating fibers without water removal at the same temperatures resulted in a decrease in WRV much less than caused by drying. Drying at high temperatures reduced the cellulose viscosity only slightly, whereas heat treatment without water removal at high temperatures resulted in much greater losses in cellulose viscosity. The results of this study indicate that the timetemperature-humidity history of a fiber during papermaking and paper recycling can produce fibers with very different papermaking qualities.
THE DYNAMICS OF PERI-URBAN LAND MARKETS IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: ADHERENCE TO THE VIRTUE OF COMMON PROPERTY VS. QUEST FOR INDIVIDUAL GAIN

Sub-Saharan cities are currently experiencing the world's highest rate of urbanization. A vast number of peo ple migrate towards the peri-urban areas, changing the use of the land and its ownership, which often implicates a change of the land tenure system as well. Peri-urban land markets are the most dynamic and most diverse in sub-Saharan Africa. The question is whether the different land tenure systems in Africa in the long-run converge towards private property or develop into a diversity of property regimes which might be more divers than elsewhere. The article therefore analyses the changes in property regimes and land tenure systems which are forming current land transaction processes. What types of land tenure systems developed so far? Which property regimes are most in demand? Is there a general trend towards one specific property regime? Are there specific land tenure systems which only exist in sub-Saharan Africa? Based on this analysis, the article aims to identify which land tenure systems and property regimes fit best to meet current needs. Differing from earlier theories such as the Property Rights Doctrine and the Induced Institutional Innovation Hypothesis, the current institutional change in sub-Saharan Africa is neither a straight-forward transition from common to private property nor a self-acting and smooth process. It is rather characterized by insecurity of tenure and numerous conflicts as predicted by Boserup as early as in the 1960s. Although there is a trend towards formal private property, (neo-) customary common property provides for numerous advantages which are appreciated not only by the poor. Common property being so appreciated in sub-Saharan Africa, the author also investigates why over centuries it has been neglected by mainstream theories.
Towards an Integrated Learning Strategies Approach to Promoting Scientific Literacy in the South African Context.

The focus of this paper is on selected recent South African research studies that have explored efforts to promote the discussion, writing, and arguing aspects of scientific literacy in primary and middle schools, particularly amongst second-language learners. These studies reveal improvements in the participants’ abilities to both use the ‘science notebooks’ approach and argue their findings, as well as statistically significant improvement in their problem solving skills. The positive findings of these studies, and the call for attention to be paid to the fundamental sense of scientific literacy by a number of international researchers, resulted in the development of an integrated learning strategies approach. This approach not only specifically includes classroom discussion, argumentation and writing strategies to learn science, but also provides teachers with ideas and techniques to stimulate their learners to develop their own investigable questions, plan and execute a successful investigation in the classroom, and present their findings to an authentic audience. Findings on the effect of the strategy on learners’ general literacy skills, both in their home language and the language of learning and teaching in their schools, are reported.
Amphibian Declines in Latin America: Widespread Population Declines, Extinctions, and Impacts 1

Amphibian populations are in decline throughout Latin America; all families of frogs have experienced declines, but the species associated with aquatic habitats in upland areas have been most affected. Declines in Latin America were most common during the 1980s, but new declines continue to be reported. The causes of declines are varied, but they have most often been associated with habitat loss, a pathogenic fungus, and climate change. Scientists are just beginning to grasp the ethical and biological implications of losses of this magnitude. In this Special Section, we provide a general summary of the phenomenon and introduce five contributed papers that provide new data and new insights into Latin American declines.
Modeling the impact of drought on canopy carbon and water fluxes for a subtropical evergreen coniferous plantation in southern China through parameter optimization using an ensemble Kalman filter

Abstract. Soil and atmospheric water deficits have significant influences on CO2 and energy exchanges between the atmosphere and terrestrial ecosystems. Model parameterization significantly affects the ability of a model to simulate carbon, water, and energy fluxes. In this study, an ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) and observations of gross primary productivity (GPP) and latent heat (LE) fluxes were used to optimize model parameters significantly affecting the calculation of these fluxes for a subtropical coniferous plantation in southeastern China. The optimized parameters include the maximum carboxylation rate (Vcmax), the slope in the modified Ball-Berry model (M) and the coefficient determining the sensitivity of stomatal conductance to atmospheric water vapor deficit (D0). Optimized Vcmax and M showed larger variations than D0. Seasonal variations of Vcmax and M were more pronounced than the variations between the two years. Vcmax and M were associated with soil water content (SWC). During dry periods, SWC at the 20 cm depth explained 61% and 64% of variations of Vcmax and M, respectively. EnKF parameter optimization improved the simulations of GPP, LE and SH, mainly during dry periods. After parameter optimization using EnKF, the variations of GPP, LE and SH explained by the model increased by 1% to 4% at half-hourly steps and by 3% to 5% at daily time steps. Further efforts are needed to differentiate the real causes of parameter variations and improve the ability of models to describe the change of stomatal conductance with net photosynthesis rate and the sensitivity of photosynthesis capacity to soil water stress under different environmental conditions.
Deep Insight Section

AA, amino acid; AFP, alpha-fetoprotein; APC, antige n presenting cells; AR, androgen receptor; CF, cystic fibrosis; Coup, chicken nuclear receptor; CTL, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte; DC, dendritic cells; E, estrogen; E1, estrone; E2, estradiol; ear, human verbA related receptors; EGF, epidermal growth factor; er bA, putative thyroid hormone receptor proto-oncogene products; ERR, central nervous system receptor; FSH , follicle stimulating hormone; GR, glucocorticoid receptor; HAFP, human alpha-fetoprotein; HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma; HER, human estrogen receptor; HLA, human lymphocyte antigen; HRE, hormone response element on DNA; IFNgamma, interferon gamma; IGF, insulin growth factor; IL, interleukin (IL-2, IL-13, etc.); LPS, lipopolysacch aride TCR, T cell receptor; MER, mouse estrogen receptor; MHC, major histocom-patibility complex; MR, mineralocorticoid receptor; NKC, natural killer cel ls; nur-77, mouse nerve growth factor-like receptor; PDGF, platelet-derived growth factor; POLY I: C, polyinosinic:polycyti-dylic acid; PR, progesterone receptor; RAP, receptor auxiliary (accessory) prote ins; RAR, retinoic acid receptor; RXR, retinoic-X-recept or; T3R, thyroid hormone (triiodothyronine) receptor; TCGF, T cell growth factor; TNF, tumor necrosis factor; VDR, vitamin D receptor. Abstract
Patterns of Capital Structure and Dividend Policy in Pakistani Corporate Sector and their Impact on Organization Performance

The purpose of this study is to determine the patterns of capital structure decisions and dividend policy as well as their level of application in Pakistani corporate sector and also to check the impact of capital structure and dividend policy on organization performance. A total of ninety one questionnaires were distributed in different companies but seventy three filled were received and sixty one were processed for the analysis. The potential respondents were finance executives and financial analysts of the companies. The study concludes that capital structure decisions are being properly practiced while dividend policy is a major concern in most of the organizations. It is also concluded that there is a significant and positive relationship between capital structure decision, dividend policy and organization performance.
Experimental investigations of normal deformation characteristics of foundation chocks used in the seating of heavy machines and devices. Part I. Theoretical fundamentals and investigations of a steel chock

S u m m a r y This paper presents a description and results of experimental studies of normal deformations occurring in foundation chocks made of steel and epoxy resin, used in the so-called rigid seatings (mountings) of heavy machines and devices on foundations. The studies carried out have shown that these kinds of seatings are not perfectly rigid. In both cases there are significant normal deformations which play an important role in the foundation bolted connections of machines and devices. These deformations should not be neglected in strength and dynamic analysis of these objects. Mechanisms and characteristics of the deformations occurring in the examined chocks made of steel and resin are different in terms of quality and quantity. These differences are important because they have a major impact on the technical and functional quality of the seating. The studies show that the foundation chocks cast of resin provide a better technical solution which ensures greater reliability and durability of the mounted objects. The entire elaboration consists of two parts, constituting separate publications. Part I describes first the technical and scientific aspects of the so-called rigid seatings (mountings) of machinery on foundations, and then the method and results of experimental studies carried out for a steel foundation chock, traditionally used for this purpose. Part II contains a description and results of similar studies carried out for a foundation chock cast of resin. Subsequently, a comparative analysis of the test results of two chocks was made and demonstrated why the foundation chocks cast of resin fulfill their tasks better than the traditionally used metal chocks.
The Impact of Human Capital Development on Economic Growth in Nigeria: 1980-2012

The paper examines the impact of human capital development on economic growth in Nigeria using data for the period 1980-2012. Econometrics techniques such as Ordinary Least Squares Method and Johanson’s Co-integration Test were used to examine the long-run relationship. Evidence from the study suggest that though a long-run relationship exists between human capital and economic growth and the Nigerian human capital development is significantly and positively related to economic growth based on the result. But the link between the human capital development and the real sector of the economy remains very weak. This was due to the fact that some human capital development determinants have negative impact on economic growth in Nigeria and this implies that both the primary and secondary sub- sectors of education in Nigeria are yet to contribute significantly to economic growth. This is sad considering the amount of resources that are being allocated to these sub-sectors of education by the government and other stakeholders in Nigeria. Therefore, this calls for a rethink of our educational agenda and the study also recommended that the educational system should be restructured to meet the needs of the changing society in terms of high-level manpower that will propel the economy to higher levels of productivity, income and rapid economic growth. Keywords- human capital, Resources, development, education, productivity, Efficiency
A Theory of Social Identity with an Application to Redistribution

This paper develops a framework for incorporating social identity into economic theory. We say that an individual identifies with a group if he cares about the status of that group and wants to resemble its members. Identification is endogenous. People are more likely to identify with a group the higher its status and the more similar they see themselves to other group members. In equilibrium, both identities and behavior are endogenously determined. The model generalizes existing models of social preferences and organizes a large set of results from experimental economics and social psychology (determinants of ingroup bias, cooperation and conformity). The usefulness of the model in explaining large-scale phenomena is examined by applying it to the political economy of income redistribution, focusing on class and national identities. We show that it can help explain three major patterns observed in modern democracies. First, national identification is more common among the poor than among the rich. Second, national identification reduces support for redistribution. Third, across democracies there is a strong negative relationship between the prevalence of national identification and the level of redistribution. The last two patterns have not been systematically documented before and are reported here for the first time. The application further points to national prominence, threats to the nation and diversity within the lower class as factors that may reduce redistribution. It suggests the possibility that rising inequality may lead to less demand for redistribution.
Low Serum Alpha-fetoprotein Level an Important Predictor for Therapeutic Outcome in Egyptian Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C: A Data-Mining Analysis

Background Data mining can build predictive models for the response to antiviral therapy in chronic HCV patients. Objective To develop a prediction model for therapeutic outcome in chronic HCV genotype-4 patients using different decision-trees learning algorithms. Study Design Data of 3719 chronic HCV patients who had received PEG-IFN/RBV therapy at Cairo-Fatemia Hospital, Egypt was retrieved. Factors predictive of SVR were explored using data mining analysis. Weka implementations C4.5, classification and Reduced Error Pruning tree were constructed using 22 attributes from initial patients’ data. Results End of treatment response and estimated SVR were 61.6%, 52.5% respectively. Low median AFP; 2.9 ng/ml was significantly associated with SVR; compared to relapse group 5.06 ng/ml; p value<0.01. AFP was identified as the most decisive variable of initial split by both decision-tree models. Various cutoff levels were related to different probability of SVR. Baseline AFP ≤2.48 ng/ml was associated with 72%SVR while levels ≥ 7.8 ng/ml demonstrated 32%. Other attributes such as age, BMI, ALT, hepatic fibrosis and activity were less decisive in prediction of response. This was further confirmed by univariate logistic regression analysis; p value<0.01. Conclusion Low AFP Levels were significantly related to SVR in an HCV population presumably genotype-4 as demonstrated by data mining.
Effect of temperature and branching on the nature and stability of alkene cracking intermediates in H-ZSM-5 q

Catalytic cracking of alkenes takes place at elevated temperatures in the order of 773–833 K. In this work, the nature of the reactive intermediates at typical reaction conditions is studied in H-ZSM-5 using a complementary set of modeling tools. Ab initio static and molecular dynamics simulations are performed on different C4A C5 alkene cracking intermediates to identify the reactive species in terms of temperature. At 323 K, the prevalent intermediates are linear alkoxides, alkene p-complexes and tertiary carbenium ions. At a typical cracking temperature of 773 K, however, both secondary and tertiary alkoxides are unlikely to exist in the zeolite channels. Instead, more stable carbenium ion intermediates are found. Branched tertiary carbenium ions are very stable, while linear carbenium ions are predicted to be metastable at high temperature. Our findings confirm that carbenium ions, rather than alkoxides, are reactive intermediates in catalytic alkene cracking at 773 K. 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under theCCBY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Reflections on young Iranians' ethnocentric behaviours : evidence from consumer culture

This exploratory study attempts to shed some light on the ethnocentric behaviours of young Iranians in relation to the global consumer culture. It demonstrates why and how these individuals adhere to their own cultural resources and refrain from consuming the products or daily life practices of other cultures. The analysis of interpretive interviews with twelve participants in Tehran and Karaj reveals that these individuals’ ethnocentrism is driven by three discourses of religiosity, nationalism, and patriotism. Given the fact that young Iranians’ cultural consumption practices have often been analysed with reference to their receptivity to the global cultural flow (or what generally is perceived as westernisation), findings in this study provide a counterargument stressing that religiosity, nationalism and patriotism play an important role in people’s sense of identity and preference for their own cultural practices and resources.
Fluorescence spectroscopy: A tool for the investigation of cheese melting - Correlation with rheological characteristics

L'evolution de la texture et de la structure de deux fromages a pâte pressee cuite (Comte et Emmental) et un fromage a pâte pressee non cuite (Raclette) en fonction de la temperature a ete determinee par des mesures rheologiques (test d'oscillation) et par spectroscopie de fluorescence frontale. Le module d'elasticite (G'), le module de perte (G) et la viscosite complexe (η*) diminuent lorsqu'on fait varier la temperature entre 5 et 60 °C. Cependant, on note un accroissement de la deformation et de la tangente de l'angle de perte, tan δ, dans la meme gamme de temperature. Les spectres d'emission des tryptophanes de proteines et les spectres d'excitation de la vitamine A ont egalement ete enregistres sur des echantillons de fromages a 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 50 et 60 °C. Pour chaque type de fromage etudie, les donnees spectrales (tryptophanes et vitamine A) et lies donnees rheologiques ont ete analysees par analyse en composantes principales et analyse factorielle discriminante, respectivement. La carte factorielle definie par les 2 premieres composantes principales a permis de suivre l'evolution des caracteristiques du fromage en fonction de la temperature appliquee, et ce pour les 2 techniques utilisees. En outre, la temperature de fusion de la matiere grasse des trois types de fromage, determinee a partir des donnees rheologiques et de fluorescence frontale, donne des resultats similaires, soit respectivement, 30, 32 et 31 °C pour l'Emmental, le Comte et la Raclette. L'application de l'analyse canonique des correlations aux mesures rheologiques et aux collections spectrales de fluorescence des tryptophanes et de vitamine A a permis de mesurer le lien entre les 2 groupes de variables mesurees sur les memes echantillons et a mis en evidence de tres fortes correlations. En effet, les coefficients canoniques au carre pour les variables canoniques 1 et 2 etaient respectivement superieurs a 0,94 et 0,49.
A FRAMEWORK FOR A TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM (TTDSS)

Technology Transfer (TT) has been fundamental to the development of new products and the transformation of manufacturing systems and processes in both developed and developing countries. Given the historical technology gap between developed and developing countries it is necessary to develop tools and strategies that stimulate and support technology transfer to, and within developing countries. This paper identifies the critical factors, selection criteria and technological positioning indicators that should govern the adoption and implementation of transferred technologies in the sheet metal working industry in Zimbabwe. A survey of local sheet metal working companies revealed that the companies view technology transfer as a complex process that needs decision support. All respondents regard financial and environmental implications as very important while 80% believe technical implications are important. Based on the survey a framework for a Technology Transfer Decision Support System (TTDSS) application which is a systematic tool to assist decision makers in making effective and informed technology transfer decisions is developed. The TTDSS framework approaches the technology transfer problem as occurring in three domains namely necessity, feasibility and selection. Decision support for these three domains is derived from consideration of financial factors, technical factors and, environmental and social factors.
OXIDATIVE STRESS AND ANTIOXIDANT STATUS IN BRONCHOALVEOLAR LAVAGE FLUID, PLASMA AND ERYTHROCYTE OF CRITICALLY MIXED ILL WITH RESPIRATORY FAILURE

Aim: Increased oxidative stress is a significant part of pathogenesis of various lung diseases. In this trial, it is aimed to determine the role of oxidative stress in patients receiving mechanical ventilation for respiratory failure (RF). Methods: The oxidative stress was evaluated by determining plasma, bronchial fluid and erythrocyte levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), ascorbic acid, alpha-tocopherol, uric acid (UA) and nitric oxide (NO) in 25 critically ill patients with RF. Twenty five patients without RF was evaluated as control group. Results: Oxidative stress (MDA, NO) levels of plasma, erythrocyte and BAL fluid in mixed critically ill with respiratory failure were higher than control group. Antioxidant levels of plasma, erythrocyte and BAL fluid in mixed critically ill with respiratory failure were lower than control group. In all parameters, there was no statistically difference as exitus and survivors in critically mixed patients. Conclusion: Oxidative stress was higher in respiratory failure than control group.