Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Influence of Social Capital Dimensions on Household Participation in Micro-Credit Groups and Loan Repayment Performance in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya

Lack of access to credit is a key obstacle for economic development of transitional economies such as Kenya. The underlying problem is related to information asymmetry combined with the lack of collateral by low income households. Microfinance led group lending model offer a new way to deal with this problem without resorting to collateral requirements. The core issue in group lending is that it systematically exploits elements of social capital that inherently exist in groups into an incentive contract that substitutes collateral; a formal bank conventional requirement of lending that is virtually unavailable to the poor. This study sought to ascertain the influence of social capital dimensions on households’ participation and repayment performance in micro-credit groups in the study area. The study was conducted in Moiben Division, Uasin Gishu County, Kenya based on a sample of 174 households selected using a multi-stage sampling technique. The data was collected using a personally administered structured questionnaire. In the analysis descriptive statistics, Heckman two stage and a Tobit regression models were employed. The results show that individual and group borrowers had significant differences in gender, age, farm size, years of education, income and land tenure. It was established that household size, farm income and distance to the nearest financial institution positively influenced a household to join micro-credit group. On the other hand age, gender, years of education, farm size and interest rate were found to be significant and negatively influenced household decision to join micro-credit groups. The level of household participation in micro-credit groups measured by the number of loan borrowings was significantly and positively influenced by age, total income, years of experience in group borrowing and decision making index while farm size, heterogeneity index and density of membership had a negative affect on household number of loan borrowings. Lastly, the results on group loan repayment performance using the Tobit model revealed that experience in group borrowing, number of visits by loan officer, peer pressure, meeting attendance index and heterogeneity index positively and significantly influenced loan default rate while gender, household size, distance to the nearest financial institution and density of membership were significant but negatively influenced household loan repayment performance. The study therefore recommends that MFIs should increase awareness and encourage poor households to form micro-credit groups. These institutions are obliged to provide training to households on group dynamics in order to take advantage of social capital existing within well organized and managed groups.
SEISMIC PERFORMANCE OF MONOLITHIC WALL PANEL SUBJECTED TO QUASI-STATIC LATERAL CYCLIC LOADING

A half-scale of monolithic precast wall panel (4000x1350x125) together with foundation beam (3000x500x465) is designed to emulate the behaviour of a ductile cast-in-place concrete wall and designed accordance to New Zealand Standard (NZ3101). The slenderness ratio of wall panel is 30 and its aspect ratio is 3. The specimen is constructed on strong floor and tested under lateral quasi-static reversed cyclic loading from 0.1% drift up to 3% drift. The flexural strength of monolithic wall depends on the spacing of transverse and longitudinal bars in the potential plastic zone which located one-fifth height of wall. The percentage of longitudinal and transverse reinforcement ratios in this type of wall are 0.84% and 0.25%, respectively. These percentages of reinforcement bars are exceeding the minimum percentage of 0.24% as specified in BS 8110 which provide in both directions. Experimental results show that wall panel starts to crack at 0.25% drift and fully cracks on the surface of the wall at 1.0% drift. Spalling of concrete cover at bottom corner of the wall starts at 2.0% drift and become worse at 2.5% drift. The specimen reduces the strength degradation at 2.5% and longitudinal bars fractured at 3.0% drift. Overall results showed that monolithic precast reinforced wall panel performs well up to 1.0% drift (the wall behaving in elastic region) but performed badly after 1% drift until 3 % drift (under elasto-plastic and plastic regions) where strength degradation occurs.
Incomplete Specialization and Trade in Parts and Components

Within a higher-dimensional incomplete specialization Heckscher-Ohlin framework, we first develop a gravity model that views bilateral gravity equations as statistical relationships constrained on countries’ multilateral specialization patterns. Second, we test our model empirically by using a uniquely detailed and large European data set. We show that trade in the parts and components of capital goods is driven by supply-side country differences relative to the rest of the world, compatible with models of incomplete specialization and trade. We take our results as evidence of the existence of international production networks in Europe, driven by trade-offs between wages and coordination costs.
The Holocene relative sea-level variation curves of the Brazilian coast

ABSTRACT. A regional marine reservoir correction (∆R) of 33 ± 24 14C yr for southern Brazil was obtained from 6 marine shell samples collected in the states of Santa Catarina and Paraná. This work also presents a ∆R estimation of 8 ± 17 14C yr for the southern and southeastern Brazilian coast from the states of Rio de Janeiro to Santa Catarina, obtained by including 7 ages published in previous works. The high variability of R in modern and Holocene samples from the Brazilian coast is also discussed.
The Predictive Validity of High School Grades to College Remedial Mathematics Performance

The concerns for remedial education are not new – as remedial education has a long history. Yet, the issues are gaining prominence in our discourse about improving the outcomes associated with post-secondary education. Any discussion of improvement is often accompanied by a discussion regarding the challenge posed to post-secondary institutions in meeting the growing remedial needs of the students that they receive. The purpose of this research is to evaluate community college placement of students into remedial coursework through an examination of whether a student’s high school mathematics preparation and mathematics grade average are a significant determinant of their completion of the remedial math sequence – as referenced by successful completion of the common midterm and final examinations. Stated differently, this study will attempt to derive the predictive validity of a student’s high school grade point average and mathematics grade point average with respect to their performance on the common assessments (midterm and final) used in the remedial mathematics sequence. A non-experimental, quantitative, correlational research design was used for the study.
Feasibility study of cassava meal in broiler diets by partial replacing energy source (corn) in regard to gross response and carcass traits

Day-old unsexed broiler chicks (Cobb 500) were used to investigate the growth responses and meat yield traits by nourishing them under four dietary treatment group in inclusion of cassava meal with partial substitution of valuable energy source (maize or corn). A total of 260 birds were assigned randomly into four dietary treatments [T 1 (0%); T 2 (10%); T 3 (20%), and T 4 (30%)]; each replicated 5 times, 13 birds/replicate in a completely randomized design. Birds were reared with ad libitum feeding, similar housing, and environmental management condition from d1-35 days. Growth responses of broilers in terms of feed intake, body weight, feed conversion ratio (FCR), livability and meat yield traits were assessed in this study. Except for first week, the feed intake of birds on cassava treated diets up to 21 and 35 days was significantly (p<0.001) higher than the non-cassava or control diet (T 1 ). Feed intake of broilers on cassava treated diet (T 4 ) had the highest (2795.8 g/b) while the birds of control (T 1 ) diet group consumed the lowest feed (2771.9 g/b) at 35 day. Live weight decreased (p<0.001) with the inclusion of cassava meal diets up to 21 day only; and live weights up to 7 and 35 days were identical between treatment. FCR up to 21 day was improved (p<0.001) on control diet (T 1 ) and deteriorated on cassava treated diets. FCR values up to 7 and 35 days were unaffected by all the treatment groups. Neither the livability nor the meat yield traits (thigh, breast, drumstick, shank, neck, giblet, wing and dressing yield) of broiler chickens was influenced by the dietary treatments regardless of feeding broiler chickens with cassava or non-cassava diets in this study. It may be deduced based on the present findings that, cassava tuber meal might be a potential ingredient to replace the costly maize up to 300 g kg -1 without affecting growth performance of the broiler chickens. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3329/ijarit.v3i2. 17846 Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 3 (2): 59-65, December, 2013
Isotopic fractionation of boron in growing corals and its palaeoenvironmental implication

Isotopic compositions of boron (delta B-11(c) value) and elemental concentrations of B, Ca, Mg, Fe and Al in growing corals from Sanya Bay, China and Kavaratti Lagoon, India along with delta B-11(sw) values and pH values of the coexisting sea water have been measured in this study using TIMS. The delta B-11(c) values of growing corals behave inconsistently and are not related to the concentrations of Fe and Al in corals. The higher delta B-11(c) values of corals imply additional amount of trigonal species of boron to be incorporated into corals. Based on the measured delta B-11 values of growing corals and coexisting sea water as well as the pH of co-existing sea water, a new isotopic fractionation factor alpha(43) between two boron species, B(OH)(4)(-) and B(OH)(3), has been measured to be 0.980, consistent with the well accepted alpha(43) of 0.981 established by earlier workers. Isotopic compositions of boron (delta B-11(c) value) and elemental concentrations of B, Ca, Mg, Fe and Al in growing corals from Sanya Bay, China and Kavaratti Lagoon, India along with delta B-11(sw) values and pH values of the coexisting sea water have been measured in this study using TIMS. The delta B-11(c) values of growing corals behave inconsistently and are not related to the concentrations of Fe and Al in corals. The higher delta B-11(c) values of corals imply additional amount of trigonal species of boron to be incorporated into corals. Based on the measured delta B-11 values of growing corals and coexisting sea water as well as the pH of co-existing sea water, a new isotopic fractionation factor alpha(43) between two boron species, B(OH)(4)(-) and B(OH)(3), has been measured to be 0.980, consistent with the well accepted alpha(43) of 0.981 established by earlier workers.
DYNAMICS OF SYSTEMIC INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE MARKERS IN PATIENTS WITH URGENT CONDITIONS DEPEND-ING ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF SEPSIS

MATERIALS AND METHODS. The concentration of procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, LBP, IL-6, IL-10, IL-2R in 61 patients with a high risk of sepsis was investigated starting from the first day after admission to the hospital and then with intervals of 3–5 days. The Group 1 included 29 patients with verified sepsis. All patients of this group survived. The Group 2 included 8 patients who died. The Group 3 included 24 patients who had no clinical signs of sepsis. All the patients in this group recovered.
Diminuição da progressão da miopia com atropina 0,025%

6 to 12 years, with spherical equivalent refractive error of -1.00 to -6.00 diopters (D) and astigmatism of -1.00 D or smaller. They underwent a complete ophthalmological examination, corneal topography and optical biometry. Children were assigned into two groups: group 1 used 0.025% atropine drop, once-nightly dosing, and it was prescribed total refraction in anti-reﬂective coating lens; and group 2 was prescribed just total refraction. A new evaluation was conducted 2 years after that. Paired student’s t-test was used to compare refractions, axial length and keratometry which were measured in an initial exam and after a two-year follow-up. Results: Of the 60 children, the 30 in group 1 had an age mean and SD 8.21 +/- 1.72, and of the control group were 8.17 +/- 1.73 years. Fourteen (46,66%) and 16 (53,33%) were male, respectively. Myopic progression was signiﬁcantly lower in group 1 (-0.43 +/- 0.19 D) than in group 2 (-1.24 +/- 0.37 D) and axial length increase was also signiﬁcantly smaller in group 1(0.19 +/- 0.09 mm) than in group 2 (0.48 +/- 0.12 mm). There were no signiﬁcant statistical differences regarding keratometry between groups. Conclusions: Low dose atropine eyedrops were effective in decreasing myopia progression in 65% of this population studied for 2 years. Furthermore, a larger scale randomized controlled study with longer follow-up seems warranted.
MORPHOMETRIC CHARACTERIZATION OF THE SENEGALESE POPULATION OF COWPEA WEEVIL: Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabricius, 1775).

Ange Kafom 1 , Adiouma Georges Robert Jacques Sarr 1 , Cheikh Abdou Khadre Mbacké Dia 1 , Mama Racky Ndiaye 1 , Déthie Ngom 1 , Cheikh Thiaw 2 And Mbacke Sembene 3 . 1. Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences and technics, Cheikh Anta DIOP University of Dakar, PO Box 5005 Dakar, Senegal. 2. Regional Center for Studies on the Improvement, of Plant Adaptation to Drought (CERAAS), Khombole Road, PO Box 3320, Thies, Senegal. 3. BIOPASS Laboratory, IRD Bel Aire, PB. 1386, Dakar, Laboratory of Entomology and Acarology, Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Cheikh Anta DIOP University of Dakar. Manuscript Info Abstract . Manuscript History
Preoperative biliary drainage and its effect on outcome of surgical obstructive jaundice

The routine application of preoperative biliary decompression to patients who have surgical obstructive jaundice has a significant effect on overall morbidity and mortality by allowing selective application of the most appropriate therapeutic modality. Even though there are some complications associated with preoperative biliary drainage, they can be avoided by proper rehydration, antibiotic cover and experience of the endoscopist and these cannot preclude the beneficial effect of surgical preoperative biliary drainage. We conducted a study over a period of three years from January 2002. A total of 140 patients were encountered and randomly divided into two groups of 70 patients each by systematic random sampling. One group was taken for emergency surgery within 24 to 72 hours after diagnostic endoscopic retrograde cholangiography, while the other group was subjected to endoscopic decompression for a period of 4 to 6 weeks before taking them for definitive surgery. The results of these two modalities of management were compared with respect to overall morbidity and mortality. There were less complications and morbidity rates in the endoscopy group as compared to the surgery group. The duration of postoperative hospital stay was significantly shorter in the endoscopy group as compared to the surgery group. Overall mortality in the surgery group was 5.7%, while as it was 1.4% in the endoscopy group. Our conclusion is that patients with surgical obstructive jaundice should undergo preoperative biliary drainage and wait for improvement of overall general condition and biochemical parameters before subjecting them to definitive surgical intervention.
Foreign Knowledge Spillovers and Total Factor Productivity Growth: Evidence from Four ASEAN Countries

This study examines the dynamic relationship between foreign direct investment (FDI) and total factor productivity having controlled for other channels of external openness: exports and imports in four ASEAN countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. We employ the panel data analysis PDA (fixed effect and dynamic panel models) as well as the panel cointegration and Granger causality methods, using the data set for the period 1975-2010. The empirical results provide strong evidence on the impact of FDI and other channels of external openness on total factor productivity in ASEAN countries. We also find a short run and long run causality among these variables during the period of our study.
Evaluation of effective demographic variables in competition performances of Turkish wrestling referees

Management of wrestling competitions of equal competitors is often assigned to successful referees. For this reason, it is important to determine the demographic variables that influence the referees’ level of success. In this context, the aim of the study was to evaluate the effective demographic variables in competition performances of Turkish wrestling referees using the logistic regression analysis. The purpose of this research was explained to the referees and voluntary participation was provided. The research data consist of demographic variables and the referee evaluation reports of the year 2016 calculated by the Central Referee Committee of the Turkish Wrestling Federation. The referees were classified as successful (between 7-8.5 points) and unsuccessful (between ≥8.5-10 points) according to their performance scores. Accordingly, the international referees were 49 times more successful than the national referees in a competition. The referees who wrestled at the international level were 6 times more successful than the referees wrestling at the national level and who did not wrestle. Referees whose ages 31-40 and ≥41 were 7.9 and 24.9 times more successful than ≤30 age respectively. Moreover, it was determined that those who were refereeing for social identity, a hobby, and other reasons in a competition were, respectively, 6, 39 and 22 times more possible to be successful than those who were refereeing for social status. Consequently, if a successful referee performance was desired, the ones should be selected as who were over 41 years of age and wrestled at the international level, and who were international level referees that were refereeing as a hobby or other. Thus, a more successful referee performance can be achieved in competitions.
A CASE SERIES STUDY OF MESIODENS AMONG CHILDREN WHO PRESENTED TO ISTANBUL UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF DENTISTRY İstanbul Üniversitesi Diş Hekimliği Fakültesine Başvuran Mesiodensi Olan Çocuklarin Vaka Serisi Çalişmasi

Purpose: Supernumerary tooth is one of the developmental problems in children. Supernumerary tooth present in the midline of the maxilla is called “mesiodens”. Mesiodens present classical oral complication such as impaction of adjacent teeth, crowding, diastema formation, rotation, displacement of teeth, and occlusal interference. The treatment modality is removal of mesiodens and further observation till the permanent incisors erupt. The aim of this study is to evaluate the epidemiological characteristics of mesiodens, with an analysis of the associated clinical-eruptive complications. Materials and Methods: Thirty two patients with mesiodens were included in the present study. Radiological examination, age, sex distribution, number of mesiodens per patient, shape, size, direction of the eruption and the relationship with permanent incisors were documented. Results: The results showed that males were affected approximately 3.5 times more than females; most of the mesiodens were conical in shape (67.56%) where as the rest the others were tuberculate (32.44%). Of the 32 children, 27 (84.37%) had one mesiodens and 5 (15.63%) had two mesiodens bilaterally to midline. 12 mesiodens out of 37 (32.44%) were fully impacted. The most common complication caused by mesiodens was delayed eruption of the permanent incisors and there were 14 cases (43.75%) in such condition. Conclusion: Mesiodens as the most prevalent form of supernumerary teeth in permanent dentition is not a rare condition. Extraction of mesiodens in the early mixed dentition helps spontaneous alignment of the permanent dentition in childhood.
AmbiLoc: A year-long dataset of FM, TV and GSM fingerprints for ambient indoor localization

Ambient indoor localization — an approach that leverages ambient radio signals — has been previously shown to provide promising positioning performance using the globally available infrastructure of FM, TV and cellular stations. However, the need for specialized equipment and laborious data collection constitute a high entry barrier for follow-up studies. This paper presents AmbiLoc — a dataset of radio signals for ambient indoor localization research. The dataset has been systematically collected in multiple testbeds, including large-scale and multi-floor buildings, over the course of one year. Due to the use of a software-defined radio receiver, raw signal samples in AmbiLoc allow extraction of arbitrary fingerprinting features. The first edition of AmbiLoc, introduced in this paper, includes received signals strength (RSS) fingerprints of FM, TV and GSM signals, along with the relevant metadata (such as weather conditions). The dataset is available online at AmbiLoc.org. As the first public dataset of ambient localization signals, AmbiLoc provides an easy entry and a common reference for researchers exploring novel indoor localization methods.
Molecular differentiation of sheep and cattle isolates of Fasciola hepatica using RAPD-PCR

Understanding genetic structure and status of genetic variation of Fasciola hepatica isolates from different hosts, has important implications on epidemiology and effective control of fasciolosis. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD-PCR) was used to study the genetic variation of F. hepatica in sheep and cattle. DNA was extracted from adult helminthes removed from livers of each infected animal in slaughterhouse at East-Azerbaijan province, North-West of Iran. DNA template amplified by the polymerase chain reaction, using three oligonucleotide decamers with arbitrary DNA sequences as primers. RAPD patterns showed the specific but different pattern DNA patterns for each primer. The intraspecific similarity coefficient within two isolates of F. hepatica was ranged between 69 to 100%. Present findings showed that the interspecific genetic distance was higher than intraspecific genetic distances (19-47% compares to 0-19%). Pair wise similarity matrices generated from each isolates-primer combination were totaled and the similarity coefficient between strains were calculated both manually (Nei and Li method) and software analysis (Free-Tree-Freeware program). The inferred phylogenetic tree on the fingerprinting of these isolates clearly demonstrated the existence of population genetic diversity sub structuring within F. hepatica of sheep and cattle of Iran, raising interesting questions on the host specificity, epidemiology (e.g., zoonotic transmission) and ecology of this fluke. RAPD-PCR is useful for both individual identification and epidemiological investigations in endemic regions.