Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Achieving Quality Output in the Nigerian Banking Sector through Total Quality Management Skills

This study is on achieving Quality output in the Nigerian banking sector through total quality management skills. The study is motivated by the need to challenge the banking sector in Nigeria to employ best practice like other global banks around the world. The study made use of primary data sourced from the customers of eight (8) selected banks through administering of questionnaire. Their responses were tested using appropriate statistical tools like the simple percentage and the Chi-square research techniques; our study revealed that although quality output can be achieved in the Nigerian banking sector using total quality management skills but for the existence of obvious impediments that have made it look impossible. Therefore, the study recommended that such impediments like corrupt practices, ignorance, e-network failure and power problem be promptly tackled and eliminated to give the Nigerian banks competitive edge amongst top banks the world over.
Survival of the copepod Acartia tonsa following egg exposure to near anoxia and to sulfide at different pH values

The impact of near anoxia (1.78 x 10 -3 to 3.56 x 10 -3 mmol O 2 l -1 ) and anoxia/sulfide (∼1 mmol l -1 ) on hatching and viability of eggs of the planktonic copepod Acartia tonsa was evaluated. Since the equilibrium concentration of the sulfide species is influenced by pH and the different species have different capacities to enter cells, the impact of sulfide was analyzed at pH 8.2 and 6.5. The consequences of egg exposure for growth and survival of the hatched organisms were also studied. Subitaneous eggs, spawned by laboratory-reared organisms, were incubated in near anoxia or anoxia/sulfide for different periods (1, 4, 15 and 32 d) and then transferred to normoxic conditions. Short exposure to near anoxia or anoxia/sulfide did not affect egg viability and subsequent growth and survival. Exposure times ≥15 d caused significant declines in hatching and strong reductions in life expectancy. No significant differences between the effects of near anoxia and anoxia/sulfide (at both pHs) were observed following incubation for 15 d. After 32 d incubation, the hatching success of eggs exposed to anoxia/sulfide at pH 8.2 was significantly higher than that of eggs exposed to near anoxia or to anoxia/sulfide at pH 6.5, and life expectancy was also less reduced. The results indicate that long exposure of eggs to anoxia/sulfide is less detrimental to A. tonsa than near anoxia alone when the pH is in the range of natural seawater (7.9 to 8.3). It seems to be more detrimental when pH is as low as that reached in pore waters (6.0 to 6.5).
Relevance of Hardiness Assessment and Training to the Military Context

Hardiness is a pattern of attitudes and skills that provides the courage and strategies to turn stressful circumstances from potential disasters into growth opportunities instead. As such, hardiness is particularly relevant to inherently stressful settings, such as military service. First, theory and research on hardiness assessment and training is summarized in a manner than highlights relevance to stressful situations. Discussed then are likely applications of hardiness assessment and training in particular military contexts, such as selection and preparation for Special Forces or other extreme assignments, and treatment of combat-related physical and mental disabilities.
Association Between New Platelet Indices And Calcific Aortic Stenosis: Plateletcrit And Platelet to Lymphocyte Ratio

Results: PCT and PLR were demonstrated to be significantly higher in the AS. Moreover, PCT and PLR were significantly highest in the severe AS group than in the mild and moderate AS groups. Correlation analysis indicated positive significant relationships between the PCT and maximal and mean transaortic gradients, and maximum jet velocities; but negative association with AVA. The same relations were obtained between PLR and echocardiographic parameters of severity of AS.
The Relationship between Pneumonia with Parental Smoking in Children under 10 Years Old: A Case- Control Study

Background Recognition of risk factors for childhood pneumonia as the main cause of mortality and morbidity is essential. We aimed to determine the relationship of pneumonia with parental smoking in hospitalized children under 10 years old in Qom city, Iran. Materials and Methods This case-control study was performed among 240 children under 10 years old in Ayatollah Golpayegani hospital in Qom city, Iran. Patients were recruited by convenience sampling; 120 patients with pneumonia as the case group, and 120 patients without pneumonia as the control group were enrolled. Parents were asked about duration of exposure to cigarette smoking, the number of cigarettes smoked per day by parents, the frequency of the smokers in family of children, parental education, age of exposure to cigarette smoking, location of smoking, frequency of hospitalization, and duration of hospitalization. The parental smoking was assessed and compared across two groups. The data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 13.0). Results The mean age in case group was 29. 1Â±30.3 months and in control group was 32. 9Â±31.1 months. In this study it was seen that lower age of smoking exposure was related to pneumonia. In fact significant difference was found between the groups for age of exposure to cigarette smoking (p=0.001), and location of smoking (p=0.048), but the other variables such as duration of hospitalization (day), hemoglobin level, frequency of the smokers in family of children and parental education had no association (P > 0.05). Conclusion Based on the results of this study and comparing with similar studies conducted in this field, it can be concluded that pneumonia is related to parental smoking especially in younger ages.
The velocity field of ionized gas near Sgr A$^{\ast}$

Several distinct kinematic patterns are superposed in the ionized gas seen nearest Sgr A$^{\ast}$, the compact radio source at the center of the Milky Way. This has led to confusion over the morphology and motions of the gas; the recent dispersion-ring model of Sanders (1998) inadvertantly elides parts of two separate features and reproduces a description of the gas flow which does not actually occur. We demonstrate the gas kinematics via an analysis of the high-resolution H92 α radio recombination line data of Roberts & Goss (1993) and Roberts et al. (1996). The characteristic kinematic pattern of the “Bar” is reproduced by rotation in near-polar orbits seen edge-on at distances of 0.3–0.8 pc from Sgr A$^{\ast}$, with larger radii seen to the east. The mass of ionized material in the Bar is ~$27~{ M}_{\odot}$. The Bar and Eastern Arm together probably represent a single stream of gas falling on to the galactic center, crossing from east to west.
Sloshing in its cD halo: MUSE kinematics of the central galaxy NGC 3311 in the Hydra I cluster

Context. Early-type galaxies (ETGs) show a strong size evolution with redshift. This evolution is explained by fast “in-situ” star formation at high- z followed by a late mass assembly mostly driven by minor mergers that deposit stars primarily in the outer halo. Aims. We aim to identify the main structural components of the Hydra I cD galaxy NGC 3311 to investigate the connection between the central galaxy and the surrounding stellar halo. Methods. We produce maps of the line-of-sight velocity distribution (LOSVD) moments from a mosaic of MUSE pointings covering NGC 3311 out to 25 kpc. Combining deep photometric and spectroscopic data, we model the LOSVD maps using a finite mixture distribution, including four non-concentric components that are nearly isothermal spheroids, with different line-of-sight systemic velocities V , velocity dispersions σ , and small (constant) values of the higher order Gauss-Hermite moments h 3 and h 4 . Results. The kinemetry analysis indicates that NGC 3311 is classified as a slow rotator, although the galaxy shows a line-of-sight velocity gradient along the photometric major axis. The comparison of the correlations between h 3 and h 4 with V / σ with simulated galaxies indicates that NGC 3311 assembled mainly through dry mergers. The σ profile rises to ≃ 400 km s -1 at 20 kpc, a significant fraction (0.55) of the Hydra I cluster velocity dispersion, indicating that stars there were stripped from progenitors orbiting in the cluster core. The finite mixture distribution modeling supports three inner components related to the central galaxy and a fourth component with large effective radius (51 kpc) and velocity dispersion (327 km s -1 ) consistent with a cD envelope. We find that the cD envelope is offset from the center of NGC 3311 both spatially (8.6 kpc) and in velocity (Δ V = 204 km s -1 ), but coincides with the cluster core X-ray isophotes and the mean velocity of core galaxies. Also, the envelope contributes to the broad wings of the LOSVD measured by large h 4 values within 10 kpc. Conclusions. The cD envelope of NGC 3311 is dynamically associated with the cluster core, which in Hydra I is in addition displaced from the cluster center, presumably due to a recent subcluster merger.
Violent conflict and behavior: A field experiment in Burundi

We use a series of field experiments in rural Burundi to examine the impact of exposure to conflict on social, risk, and time preferences. We find that conflict affects behavior: individuals exposed to violence display more altruistic behavior towards their neighbors, are more risk-seeking, and have higher discount rates. Large adverse shocks can thus alter savings and investments decisions, and potentially have long-run consequences--even if the shocks themselves are temporary. (JEL C93, D12, D74, 012, 017, 018)
Effects of salicylic and ascorbic acid applications on growth, yield, water use efficiency and some physiological traits of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under reduced irrigation

Drought is one of the main constraints restricting the growth and yield of crop plants. It is suggested that antioxidants, like salicylic acid (SA) and ascorbic acid (AA), may enhance drought tolerance in plants. Results showed that seed yield, plant biomass, plant height and water use efficiency were decreased whereas protein content and soluble carbohydrates were increased as the result of complete drought stress. The maximum plant height and the highest protein content of the chickpea belonged to ILC482 and Kurdistan cultivars respectively. The plant biomass was increased by application of salicylic and ascorbic acids as compared with control plants significantly. The results showed that ascorbic acid application increased rate of biological water use efficiency significantly as compared with control plants. Application of salicylic acid led to significant increase in protein content of leaves in complete drought stress condition. Application of ascorbic acid at non-stress (control) condition resulted in the highest rate of economical water use efficiency.
AGRONOMY AND SOILS Correlation of Defoliation Timing Methods to Optimize Cotton Yield, Quality, and Revenue

The inconsistent nature of timing cotton defoliation indicates the need for ongoing research in an effort to develop a more concrete set of recommendations. Defoliation timing based on mature fruiting (sympodia) branches (MFB) and the correlation between three defoliation timing methods, heat unit (HU) accumulation after 5 nodes above white flower (NAWF5), open boll percentage at defoliation (OBPD), and nodes above cracked boll (NACB), were evaluated to determine which method was the most consistent for maximizing yield, fiber quality, and revenue. Harvest-aids were applied when a physiologically mature first position boll was present at 5, 7, 9, 11, or 13 main stem nodes (MFB) above the first sympodial branch with a harvestable boll. At those times, OBPD, NACB, and accumulated HU beyond NAWF5 were recorded. Heat unit accumulation was significantly correlated to total lint yield and was the best method of determining crop maturity; however, because of the practical limitations of using this method, OBPD, which was significantly correlated to lint yield in three of four studies and was highly correlated to HU accumulation in all studies (r = 0.935), was the preferred method rather than NACB. With a full season cultivar (DP 555 BG/RR), maximum lint yield was obtained by defoliating at 10 MFB (42 to 64 OBPD, NAWF5 + 790 to 906 HU, 4 to 5 NACB). Defoliating an early maturing cultivar (ST 4892 BR) at 8 MFB (17 to 40 OBPD, NAWF5 + 701 to 814 HU, 6 to 7 NACB) did not significantly reduce yield. To maximize lint yield with early defoliation, a second harvest may be necessary. Delaying crop termination until after 75 OBPD had detrimental effects on fiber quality leading to quality-based discounts and reduced gross revenue.
Changes of endogenous melatonin and protective eect of diet containing pleuran and extract of black elder in colonic inflammation in rats

Department of Animal Physiology and Ethology, Comenius University, Mlynská dolina B-2, SK-84215 Bratislava, Slovakia; tel. : ++421 2 60296424, fax: ++421 2 65429064, e-mail: mzeman@fns.uniba. sk Institute of Animal Biochemistry and Genetics, Slovak Academy of Sciences, SK-90028 Ivanka pri Dunaji, Slovakia Institute of Experimental Pharmacology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, SK-84216 Bratislava, Slovakia Institute of Preventive and Clinical Medicine, Limbová 14, SK-83337 Bratislava, Slovakia
Natural Convection Flow in A Square Cavity with Temperature Dependent Heat Generation

Unsteady natural convection laminar flows in a square cavity formed by insulated bottom and top walls, uniformly heated left wall and cooled right wall has been investigated. The governing equations are transformed into a non-dimensional form and the resulting partial differential equations are solved numerically applying upwind finite difference method together with Successive Over-Relaxation (SOR) scheme. The effect of the heat generation and the Rayleigh number on streamlines and isotherms as well as on the local rate of heat transfer in terms of the local Nusselt number and the average Nusselt number from the heated wall of the cavity are presented.
Nutritional Quality and Preference of Fufu processed from selected CassavaMosaic Disease (CMD) Resistant Cultivars

Cassava Mosaic Disease (CMD) resistant cultivars were harvested fresh at 10-12 months old. Fufu flours were obtained from the cassava roots using advanced processing method. Proximate composition of fufu flours and sensory evaluation of their dough prepared from the Cassava Mosaic Disease (CMD) resistant cultivars were studied. Moisture content ranged from 7.31-8.40%, which were within the recommended standard for edible cassava flour (13% m/m Max.). Protein ranged from 0.35-2.45%, ash (0.15-1.50%), fat (0.12-0.61%), fiber (0.01- 0.20%), carbohydrate (81.81-90.37%) and dry matter (81.792.69%). Low protein, ash, fiber, fat and high carbohydrate and dry matter confer with the nutritional composition of cassava root. Sensory evaluation of dough prepared from the cassava fufu flours obtained showed that colour, odour, elastic quality, hand feel/texture and over all acceptability were all acceptable to the panelists. However, fufu prepared from TMS 97/3200 and 99/3037 were most acceptable for over-all acceptability. Therefore, this work recommends the promotion and utilization of these newly improved cassava cultivars for fufu production
Medication Related Cutaneous Disorders in End Stage Renal Disease Patients in Lagos

BACKGROUND In End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients, a wide range of cutaneous manifestations are present which may be due to the medications prescribed. Most patients' with ESRD are on numerous medications for their primary ailment, with transplant patients needing long term steroids and cytotoxics for allograft survival. The purpose of the study is to identify the medication related cutaneous disorders in End Stage Renal Disease patients and the causative drugs. METHODS A simple random sampling technique was used to select 138 ESRD patients (GFR 90mls / min were used as controls. They were all examined for medication related disorders and list of drugs used collated. RESULTS The ESRD patients consisted of seventy six (55%) on dialysis, fifty- two (38%) on conservative management and ten (7%) post-transplant.Medication related disorders included hypertrichosis due to cyclosporine and minoxidil, gingival hyperplasia due to cyclosporine and steroid acne from prednisolone. These skin disorders were significantly present in 14(10.1%) of the study population, while controls had no medication disorders (X2 =12.7; P = 0.0001). The distribution of skin disorders in this fourteen patients, showed that 7 (50%) had hypertrichosis, 5 (36%) had steroid acne and 2 (14%) had gingival hyperplasia. Five patients on dialysis had medication related disorders, with four (5.3%) having hypertrichosis and one (1.3%) having steroid acne. Four (40%) of the ten transplant patients had medication related disorders with two having gingival hyperplasia and the others steroid acne. Five patients ((9%) who were conservatively managed had medication related disorders with three having hypertrichosis and two with steroid acne. Comparison of the three groups showed significant differences with X°= 10.85; P value = 0.04. CONCLUSION Medication related skin disorders are more common in patients with ESRD. The leading disorders are hypertrichosis, steroid acne and gingival hyperplasia. It is important for physicians to be aware of these complications so that alternative drugs that would improve the quality of life of patients with ESRD can be used.
In vivo assessment of the diaphragm in young male healthy adults: occupation-based activity-related differences Ocena in vivo stanu przepony u zdrowych, młodych mężczyzn - różnice uwarunkowane poziomem zawodowej aktywności fizycznej

Introduction: Very little attention has been paid to the thickness of the diaphragm (DT) as an important aspect of architecture of the respiratory muscle and the possible effect of occupation-related unregulated physical activity on it. Aim of the research: This study aimed at assessing the effect of occupation-based physical activity on the thickness of the thoracic diaphragm. Material and methods: Eighty (80) males between the ages of 18 and 30 years were recruited for the study and divided into two (2) groups: a control group of forty (40) relatively inactive subjects and a quasi-experimental group of forty (40) peasant labourers. The peasant labourers were recruited from a settlement of local craftsmen and motor-mechanic artisans. B-mode ultrasound was used to measure the thickness of the diaphragm (DT). Results: The mean DT of the quasi-experimental group was higher than that of the control group (p > 0.05 – not significant), even though the control group presented significantly greater weight and body mass index ( p < 0.05) than the age-matched Labourers. Conclusions: These findings indicate that occupation-based unregulated physical activity increases DT and may initiate the setting in of diaphragmatic hypertrophy induced by occupation-associated strength and anaerobic training. The find ings will also serve as a guidepost in the biomechanical aspects of the muscle during respiration in our sub-Saharan African population.
Pachytene chromosome morphology in Coffea L. II. C. arabica L. complement

Summary A detailed morphological analysis of Coffea arabica pachytene chromosomes is presented for the first time. The pachytene chromomeric patterns revealed that there occurs some structural similarities in about 54% of the 22 bivalents. This fact is supported by two secondary associations observed, one of them involving one nucleolar bivalent. Based on these results, and other evidences from literature, it is suggested that C. arabica is a segmental alIopolyploid with genetically controlled chromosome pairing
A Model Calculation of Infrared Spectra in Cyclohexanol

A model calculation based on semiempirical methods for the cyclohexanol molecules is presented. Energetically preferred molecular conformations and possibility of different hydrogen bond networks in the crystal are discussed. The calculated . and the experimenta infrared spectra are compared. The results corroborate earlier suggestions that the rich polymorphism of cyclohexanol is due to the existence of both axial and equatorial isomers in • solid phases and different architecture of hydrogen bonds network. PACS nnmbers: 61.50. Ah, 63.20. Dj, 78.20. Bh, 78.30. Jw, 78.30. Ly
SEEDLING GROWTH IN TANEKAHA (PHYLLOCLADUS TRICHOMANOIDES): EFFECTS OF SHADE AND OTHER SEEDLING SPECIES

Seedlings of tanekaha (Phyllocladus frichomanoides) were grown alone and in a mixture with kauri (Agathis australis), mapau (Myrsine australis) and lancewood (Pseudopanax crassifolius) seedlings under four levels of shading in a glasshouse. Growth response of tanekaha was similar in both experiments. Seedling dry weight increment was linearly related to light intensity for all four species in the range 1.7% to 33% full daylight. Growth rates of the shrub hard­ wood species (mapau and lancewood) were superior to those of the softwoods (tanekaha and kauri) over the whole range of illumination. It is suggested that the very slow growth rates of the softwoods under shaded conditions, compared to many hardwoods, partly explain the general failure of softwood regeneration in mature primary forest and their patterns of establishment in secondary scrub and forest communities.
Impact of Onset-to-Reperfusion Time on Stroke Mortality: A Collaborative Pooled Analysis

Background— Onset-to-reperfusion time has been reported to be associated with clinical prognosis. However, its impact on mortality remained to be assessed. Using a collaborative pooled analysis, we examined whether early mortality after successful endovascular treatment is time dependent. Methods and Results— In a collaborative pooled analysis of 7 endovascular databases, we assessed the impact of onset-to-reperfusion time in large-artery occlusion (internal carotid artery or middle cerebral artery) on outcomes. Successful reperfusion was defined as complete or partial restoration of blood flow within 8 hours from symptom onset. Primary outcome was 90-day all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes included 90-day favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale score, 0–2), 90-day excellent outcome (modified Rankin Scale score, 0–1), and occurrence of any intracerebral hemorrhage within 24 to 36 hours after treatment. A total of 480 cases with successful reperfusion (median time, 285 minutes) contributed to the present pooled analysis (120 with internal carotid artery occlusion and 360 with isolated middle cerebral artery occlusion). Increasing onset-to-reperfusion time was associated with an increased rate of mortality and intracerebral hemorrhage and with a decreased rate of favorable and excellent outcomes, without heterogeneity across studies. The adjusted odds ratio for each 30-minute time increase was 1.21 (95% confidence interval, 1.09–1.34; P<0.001) for mortality, 0.79 (95% confidence interval, 0.72–0.87) for favorable outcome, 0.78 (95% confidence interval, 0.71–0.86) for excellent outcome, and 1.21 (95% confidence interval, 1.10–1.33) for intracerebral hemorrhage. Conclusion— Onset-to-reperfusion time affects mortality and favorable outcome and should be considered the main goal in acute stroke patient management.