Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bibliometric Analysis of Publishing Trends in Fiber Crops in Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science

The aim was to evaluate natural fibers (fiber crops or fiber plants) in Scopus, Web of Science (WOS), and Google Scholar with regard to growth trends and leading countries by authors/coauthors of documents. Basic functionalities of information systems were assessed. Search syntax was based on article titles, abstracts, and keywords (topics). The three information systems can only be consistently compared on the basis of article titles. Different ranks of individual fiber crops can be observed among the systems. The cumulative data for the entire period show different characteristics than the more recent trends. Specific crops show more intensive growth in the recent period. Retrieval with topics in Scopus and WOS also shows differences, probably on account of indexing method (KeyWords Plus in WOS and thesauri descriptors in Scopus). Several countries are ranked much higher in WOS than Scopus, and vice versa, indicating differences in coverage of journals. The principal contributing countries are China, India, and USA. China returns similar total counts as USA in 1994–2013 but is producing twice as many records in the most recent period. Interpretation of results depends on the query (selection of search terms, fields, and search syntax) and database or information system under analysis.
ADDRESSING CONTENT KNOWLEDGE GAPS, DIDACTICS AND PEDAGOGY TO IMPROVE TEACHER EFFECTIVENESS IN LIFE SCIENCES IN DINALEDI SCHOOLS: A CASE STUDY

The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of a support and guidance professional development intervention programme in addressing content knowledge gaps, didactics and pedagogy to improve teacher effectiveness in selected Life Science topics in Dinaledi Schools in South Africa. The study is guided by the conceptual change theoretical framework. A case study research design which utilised a one group pre-test post-test quasi-experimental research design, without a control group, was employed. The sample consisted of 51 Grade 12 Life Science teachers at Dinaledi schools drawn from the North-West province of South Africa. Data was collected using preand post-tests before-and-after the intervention programme and analysed this data using Muchtar’s (2012) framework and nonparametric inferential statistics. The results indicate that teachers have difficulties in certain concepts, namely; genetics and inheritance, human evolution, the Out of Africa hypothesis and protein synthesis. Teachers also acknowledge that conceptualising a topic from the ‘big ideas’ perspectives enables them to teach it effectively. The significance of this study rests in recommending more of such interventions throughout the year for teachers to improve their content knowledge and Science pedagogy as evidenced by analysis of their summative evaluation of the intervention.
Taiwanese Adolescents’ Self-Disclosures on Private Section of Facebook, Trusts in and Intimacy with Friends in Different Close Relationships

The study investigates self-disclosure by adolescents in Taiwan on the private section of Facebook, and their trust in, and intimacy with, Facebook friends in different close relationships. This study further determines the predictors of intimate self-disclosure that are mediated by trust in Facebook friends. In total, 1370 Taiwanese adolescents, via stratified random cluster sampling, filled out the validated questionnaire between March and May 2013. One-way repeated measures analysis of variance and structural equation modeling were applied to analyze data on self-disclosure, intimacy, and trust, respectively, among five levels of Facebook friends. The study demonstrates that as the closeness of friends’ increases, the amount of self-disclosure, intimacy, and trust increases. Additionally, the level of self-disclosure can predict the level of intimacy with Facebook friends. Adolescents’ trust in friends in close relationships may strengthen the development of intimacy; however, there is no such reaction in the group of unfamiliar Facebook friends.
Ascitic fluid analysis with special reference to serum ascites cholesterol gradient and serum ascites albumin gradient

Background: Ascites being a common clinical problem with a vast spectrum of etiologies, less expensive and widely available biochemical parameters are required to differentiate ascites which can correlate with pathogenesis and pin point towards an etiology with high sensitivity and significant accuracy. Aims of the study were to determine the sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic efficacy of serum ascites albumin Gradient (SAAG) and that of ascitic fluid total protein (AFTP), evaluating their diagnostic role in identifying the etiology of ascites, to determine the diagnostic efficacy of Ascitic fluid cholesterol and serum ascites cholesterol gradient (SACG) in diagnosis of malignant ascites. Methods: In this study, 100 patients of ascitis were evaluated for ascitic fluid total protein, albumin, cholesterol, SAAG and SACG along with ultrasound and other required investigations. Results: Sensitivity, Specificity, and Diagnostic accuracy of SAAG for Portal hypertension were 97%, 85%, 96% respectively, whereas those of AFTP for exudative/transudative ascitis were 78.5%, 66%, 68% respectively. Ascitic fluid cholesterol and Mean SACG were significantly elevated in malignant ascites when compared with Non-Malignant Ascitis with p=0.0001. Similarly with a cut off level of 70mg% and 54 mg%, Ascitic fluid cholesterol and Mean SACG are having diagnostic accuracy of 90% and 93% respectively. Conclusions: SAAG is much more superior to AFTP in differential diagnosis of Ascitis. Ascitic fluid cholesterol and Mean SACG are simple and cost effective methods to separate malignant ascitis from non-malignant causes even in small centres with limited diagnostic facilities.
Influence of Level of Feed Intake on Concentration of Purine Derivatives in Urinary Spot Samples and Microbial Nitrogen Supply in Crossbred Bulls

The potential of the spot urine sampling technique as an alternative to performing a total urine collection to predict the microbial nitrogen supply was evaluated in crossbred bulls. In a completely randomized design, 20 growing crossbred bulls were assigned four levels of feed intake (120, 100, 80 and 60% of voluntary dry matter intake) on diets comprised of wheat straw and concentrate mixture (50:50). After three months of experimental feeding, a metabolism trial was conducted for ten days, during which spot urine collections were performed every 6 h post feeding on days 9 and 10. The daily urinary excretion of allantoin (A) and purine derivatives (PD) decreased with the reduction in feed intake while creatinine (C) excretion remained similar in animals fed at different levels. The microbial nitrogen (MN) supply calculated from the PD excreted in total urine (35.08 to 72.08 g/d) was higher at increased levels of feed intake. PD concentration in spot urine samples had poor correlation with feed intake except at 12 h post feeding. A/C ratio and PD/C ratio in spot urine samples remained similar irrespective of sampling time and significantly (p<0.01) correlated with daily urinary PD excretion, digestible organic matter intake and dry matter (DM) intake. However, no significant differences were evident in these ratios among animals fed at levels 120, 100 and 80% of voluntary dry matter intake (VDMI) at different times post feeding. These results suggests that the spot urine sampling technique to predict the microbial protein supply is not suitable for detecting small differences in MN supply and hence, estimation of PD excreted in total urine (mmol/d) is necessary to assess precisely the MN supply in crossbred bulls.
Antibacterial activity of seed extracts of Argemone mexicana L. on some pathogenic bacterial strains.

Antibacterial activity of seed extracts of Argemone mexicana L. (Papaveraceae) was evaluated against some pathogenic bacterial strains. Chloroform extract of seeds exhibited varying level of antibacterial activity, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of 2.0 - 5.0 mg/ml, against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The chloroform extract was found to be more active than the other extracts against all the test bacteria. MIC values were 2.0 and 3.0 mg/ml, respectively, for Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and their respective drug-resistant strains. The sensitivity of the test bacteria varied with the species and strains. The study provides basis for the isolation and purification of antibacterial compound(s) from the seeds of A. mexicana L.
Radiocarbon in corals from the Cocos (Keeling) Islands and implications for Indian Ocean circulation

Annual bands of a Porites coral from the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, eastern Indian Ocean, were analysed by radiocarbon for 1955–1985 AD. A rapid oceanic response of the site to bomb 14C is found, with a maximum Δ14C value of 132‰ in 1975. This value is considerably higher than those for the northwestern Indian Ocean, suggesting that surface waters reaching Cocos are not derived from the Arabian Sea. Instead, Δ14C values for Cocos and those for Watamu (Kenya) agree well over most of the study interval, suggesting that the South Equatorial Current carries 14C‐elevated water rather than 14C‐depleted water westward across the Indian Ocean. This implies that oceanic upwelling in the northwestern Indian Ocean is spatially confined with little contribution to the upper limb of the global thermohaline circulation.
Power and Organization Life Cycles

This paper derives a model of organization life cycles in three steps: (1) by considering relationships of power distribution inside an organization with that around it, a typology of six configurations of organization power is produced; (2) by considering intrinsic forces that work within each of these configurations to destroy it, the likely transitions between these configurations are identified; and (3) by stringing these transitions together in sequences over time as organizations survive and develop, the model is developed. Some implications of such a model in a society of large organizations are addressed briefly in conclusion.
Helium abundance in giant planets and the local interstellar medium

The sun and giant planets are generally thought to have the same helium abundance as that in the solar nebula from which they were formed 4.6 billion years ago. In contrast, the interstellar medium reflects current galactic conditions. The departure of current abundances from the primordial and protosolar values may help trace the processes that drive the nucleosynthesis evolution of the galaxy and planetary interior formation and evolution. The Galileo probe measured the He abundance in situ the atmosphere of Jupiter, showing that He is only slightly depleted compared to the solar value. For Saturn, contradictory estimates from past Voyager observations make its He abundance very uncertain. Here, we use He 58.4 nm dayglow measured from the outer planets by the Voyager ultraviolet spectrometers to derive the He abundance in the atmosphere of Jupiter and Saturn. With the He abundance reported here, credible models become possible for the interior of Jupiter, Saturn, and extrasolar planets. We also use the solar He 58.4 nm line measured by the Solar Heliospheric Observatory to derive the He abundance inside the focusing cone. Finally, we compare He abundances derived here with primordial and protosolar values, stressing the unique opportunity offered by inner heliosphere observations and future Voyager in situ local interstellar medium measurements to derive the He abundance in the very interstellar cloud in which we reside.
The Factorial and Concurrent Validity of the Dimensions of Self-Concept Measure (Form H) with a Sample of Graduate and Undergraduate Students across the United States.

AYERS, ASHLEY NICHOLE. The Factorial and Concurrent Validity of the Dimensions of Self-Concept Measure (Form H) with a Sample of Graduate and Undergraduate Students across the United States. (Under the direction of Dr. Joan J. Michael.) This study seeks to add to the current literature that examines the construct and concurrent validity of the academic self-concept measure, Dimensions of Self-Concept (Form H), for college level students. By utilizing a sample of 429 undergraduate and graduate students from across the United States, this study provides supplemental information previously unavailable through the use of community college populations or small undergraduate populations. This investigation had four purposes: (1) to investigate the construct or factorial validity of the Dimensions of Self-Concept (Form H) for college students, (2) to examine the concurrent validity of the DOSC (Form H) with self-reported cumulative grade point average, 3) to determine if there would be significant gender, racial, age, or academic classification group differences at the college level and (4) to determine if the construct validity of the DOSC (Form H) generalizes across different groups, regardless of age, race, gender or academic classification. © Copyright 2010 by Ashley Nichole Ayers All Rights Reserved The Factorial and Concurrent Validity of the Dimensions of Self-Concept Measure (Form H) with a Sample of Graduate and Undergraduate Students across the United States by Ashley Nichole Ayers A thesis submitted to the Graduate Faculty of North Carolina State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science
POLLINATION ECOLOGY OF BRETSCHNEIDERA SINENSIS (HEMSLEY), A RARE AND ENDANGERED TREE IN CHINA

Bretschneidera sinensis, a monotypic species mainly distributed in China, was listed in National Key Protected Wild Plants as a rare and tertiary relict tree. Pollination ecology of B. sinensis was studied to reveal its floral morphology, breeding system and possible bottlenecks for its weak natural regeneration. Results indicated that B. sinensis has an outcrossing-entomophily breeding system with protogyny and a high P/O ratio, and is pollinated by a variety of insects, with the main pollinators belonging to Hymenoptera. It was the integrative factor that contributed to its low fruit production. The fragmentation of the habitat with increased inbreeding might be the most important factor for the diminution of this rare species. Other factors in reproduction also cause the low fruit production, includes low numbers of flowering individuals, low pollen transfer efficacy, weak fruit retention and the short flowering season etc. Meanwhile, bottlenecks in subsequent life history stages, such as low survivorship of seeds and lack of seedlings were also observed which indicated reduced fitness for its population development.
[Efectividad de un programa manualizado de intervención en habilidades de resolución de problemas para niños con trastorno del espectro autista (TEA)].

BACKGROUND Children with Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) frequently present a deficit in interpersonal and social problem solving skills. The Interpersonal Problem-Solving Skills Programme for Children (SCI-Children) comprises 10 weekly, one hour sessions working on interpersonal abilities from a mediation strategy for training purposes. METHOD The first study explores the effectiveness of training through pre- and post-treatment evaluations of a sample of 22 children with ASD (7-13 years of age). The second study replicates the programme with 15 children who were assessed three times (three months before the programme starts, at the beginning of the training and at the end of it). RESULTS In the first study, significant differences were found in outcome measures (a parent-report subscale of a socialisation measure and child performance on one subscale and total scores of an interpersonal problem-solving skills task). Results in the second study showed no significant changes in absence of the treatment during the waiting period and significant changes after the treatment in the socialisation measure. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that the SCI-Children program causes positive impact on the participants. Further evaluation is warranted.
Local and Global Sentiment Effects, and the Role of Legal, Information and Trading Environments

Using domestic consumer confidence indicators to proxy investor sentiment and data from 23 different equity markets, we document a pervasive overall sentiment effect. We further document a significant effect of global sentiment across these markets. More accessible markets have stronger global sentiment effects, suggesting that capital flows help the spread of sentiment across borders. For locally sourced sentiment, the core finding is of a stronger sentiment effect in a poorer environment. On the other hand, for globally sourced sentiment the opposite result is strongly evidenced, namely, that a stronger sentiment effect tends to be linked to a stronger environment. Broadly speaking, a better domestic legal and information environment is associated with weaker local and stronger global sentiment effects. Our findings suggest that, the effect of a good environment on facilitating arbitrage activity is stronger than its effect on attracting local behavioral investors but weaker than its effect in attracting foreign behavioral investors. Our results also suggest that a good legal environment rather than low transaction costs is the primary concern when behavioral investors seek foreign investment opportunities.
Effects of seed pretreatment and seed source on germination of five Acacia spp.

The effects of seed pre-sowing treatment and geographic source of seeds on three germination parameters of five Acacia species (GP = germination percent; GMT = germination mean time (days) and GI = germination index) were studied. Pre-sowing treatment included immersion in concentrated sulphuric acid for 5, 10 and 15 min; immersion in hot water for 2, 4 and 6 min; abrasion of the seed coat and control. Seeds were collected from three geographical regions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Aseer and Al Baha regions in South-Western and Al Madinah region in the West). Experiments were carried out on Petri dishes containing moistened filter papers and incubated in a growth chamber. Seed pretreatment significantly (P < 0.0001) affected GP, GMT and GI in all tree seed species studied. Generally, scarification (acid and mechanical abrasion) resulted in the best GP, GMT and GI. Hot water also gave good germination for most tree seed species. Germination behavior of A. ehrenbergiana seeds was different compared to other species. More also, increasing the time of immersion in acid decreased the GP in seeds collected from both Aseer and Al Baha regions, while in contrast, A. origena germinated better with increasing time of immersion in acid and hot water. Geographic source of seeds significantly affected most germination parameters, although it was comparatively inconsistent compared to seed treatment. Highly significant interactions (P < 0.0001) were recorded between seed pretreatment and seed source. Key words : Acacia species, pretreatment, seed source, germination, scarification, hot water.
Analyzing the Impact of Firm’s Specific Factors and Macroeconomic Factors on Capital Structure: A Case of Small Non-Listed Firms in Albania.

This paper attempts to explore the impact of firm specific factors and macroeconomic factors on capital structure decision for a sample of 69 non- listed firms, which operate in Albania, over the period 2008-2011.In this paper is used total debt to total assets (TDTA) as dependent variable and eight independent variables: tangibility (TANG), liquidity (LIQ), profitability (ROA) , size (SIZE),business risk(RISK) , non-debt tax shields (NDTSH),GDP growth rate (GDP) and prime lending rate (INT). The investigation uses cross-sectional time series data which are collected from the Balance Sheet Annual Reports, the official document delivered to the State Tax Office. This study found that tangibility (fixed assets to total assets), profitability (earnings after taxes to total assets), size (natural logarithm of total assets), risk (standard deviation of EBIT to average value of EBIT) and NDTSH (amortization to total assets), GDP growth rate and interest rate have a significant impact on leverage. Also it is found that liquidity (current assets to current liabilities) has a negative but not a significant relation with leverage. Keywords : Albania, Capital structure, Firm’s specific factors, Macroeconomics factors
Using computer‐assisted self‐interviewing (CASI) questionnaires to facilitate consultation and participation with vulnerable young people

This paper explores computer-assisted self-interviewing (CASI) as a methodology for consulting with vulnerable children. The authors provide a brief review of the literature in this area, indicating that computer-mediated environments for self-administered questionnaires can be particularly helpful in enabling data to be obtained about sensitive subjects. A case example is provided of Viewpoint Interactive, a CASI application in use in the UK in local authority children's services, education, and in learning disability child care practice. The paper concludes that CASI as a methodology can assist with consultation, and that it may provide a useful additional tool in the complex process of moving beyond consultation alone to the development of increased and more effective participation for vulnerable children in the provision of their care. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterization of Hearing Loss in Children with Mucopolysaccharidosis

Hearing impairment is common in patients with mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) in the preschool age. Conductive or mixed hearing loss is the most frequent occurrence while the involvement of the inner ear or central auditory pathways may occur in more severe forms. A retrospective review of 82 children with MPS admitted at the Pediatric Department of the University of Milano Bicocca was performed to determine the inci- dence of otological symptoms. We focused particularly on audiological investigations in a subgroup of 47 children diagnosed before 6 years of age (MPS I, n = 11 patients; MPS II, n = 10; MPS III, n = 7; MPS IV, n = 14; MPS VI, n = 5). In 37 children, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and cervical spine was also performed in order to correlate the audiological findings with the imaging of the middle and inner ear. A total of 40 out of 47 children (86%) showed some degree of hearing impairment: sensorineural or mixed hearing loss in 23 cases (48.93%) and retrocochlear in 4 (8.51%). MRI ascertained multiple CNS abnormalities in 13 (35.3%): dilated perivascular spaces in 5 (38.5%); dilated ventricular cavities in 5 (38.5%); demyelinated and gliotic areas in 3 (23.0%). Conversely, one-fourth of the children’s inner ears showed some morphological anomaly (24.3%).
A comparison of lower stratosphere temperature from microwave measurements with CHAMP GPS RO data

In this study, we compare the microwave brightness temperature (Tb) for the Lower Stratosphere (TLS) datasets provided by Remote Sensing Systems (RSS) Inc. and University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) with the GPS radio occultation (RO) data from Challenging Mini‐satellite Payload (CHAMP) over 49 months from June 2001 to June 2005. The GPS RO data are used to simulate microwave brightness temperatures, for comparison with Microwave Sounding Unit (Channel 4) and Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit (Channel 9) measurements. Excellent agreement was found between both RSS and UAH TLS and that of CHAMP. This study demonstrates the usefulness of GPS RO observations as independent data for comparison against and use with other satellite observations in climate studies.