Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A PROPOSED VIRTUAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENT (VLE) FOR ISABELA STATE UNIVERSITY (ISU)

The aim of this study is to propose a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) for Isabela State University (ISU). The VLE was conceptualized based on the developed VLE approach model which originated from the Instructional Design ADDIE Model. In spite of problems related to management of ICT infrastructures, limited instructional materials, resistance to organizational change, issues on how to make course content more engaging, issues on effective learning pedagogy, and lack of skills and experience of instructors and students in virtual learning in the University, the results of the study revealed that students are satisfactorily ready to engage in virtual learning while instructors are highly capable of using the VLE as a teaching tool. The course content was assessed as an excellent VLE course and that it is highly acceptable as an online course material. In terms of usability, the VLE site complied satisfactorily on the usability issues encountered and that students were positive regarding its usability and support to learning. Also, the test of the gain score (posttest-pretest) indicates a significant variation between the two treatment groups which implies that the use of VLE is a significant factor in increasing the performance of the students. This further implies that the proposed VLE is a timely contribution to enhance and support the teaching and learning practices in the University by introducing a sustainable, effective technological and pedagogical virtual learning environment for students and instructors as well.
Detailed chemical characterization of unresolved complex mixtures in atmospheric organics: Insights into emission sources, atmospheric processing, and secondary organic aerosol formation

Recent studies suggest that semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) are important precursors to secondary organic aerosol (SOA) in urban atmospheres. However, knowledge of the chemical composition of SVOCs is limited by current analytical techniques, which are typically unable to resolve a large number of constitutional isomers. Using a combination of gas chromatography and soft photoionization mass spectrometry, we characterize the unresolved complex mixture (UCM) of semivolatile aliphatic hydrocarbons observed in Pasadena, California (~16 km NE of downtown Los Angeles), and Bakersfield, California, during the California Research at the Nexus of Air Quality and Climate Change 2010. To the authors' knowledge, this work represents the most detailed characterization of the UCM in atmospheric samples to date. Knowledge of molecular structures, including carbon number, alkyl branching, and number of rings, provides important constraints on the rate of atmospheric processing, as the relative amounts of branched and linear alkanes are shown to be a function of integrated exposure to hydroxyl radicals. Emissions of semivolatile branched alkanes from fossil fuel‐related sources are up to an order of magnitude higher than those of linear alkanes, and the gas‐phase OH rate constants of branched alkanes are ~30% higher than their linear isomers. Based on a box model considering gas/particle partitioning, emissions, and reaction rates, semivolatile branched alkanes are expected to play a more important role than linear alkanes in the photooxidation of the UCM and subsequent transformations into SOA. Detailed speciation of semivolatile compounds therefore provides essential understanding of SOA sources and formation processes in urban areas.
Excess Comovement in International Equity Markets: Evidence from Cross-Border Mergers

Using a large sample of cross-border mergers, we measure the effect of a change in location on systematic risk. When a target firm's location moves, a large part of its systematic risk switches from being related to its home equity market to that of the acquirer. On average, the change in betas is equivalent to an excess shift of about 0.5 in the target's beta from its home market to that of the acquirer. We test whether the change in systematic risk can be explained by fundamental factors related to changes in the operations of the firm or merger synergy and find that it cannot. The Author 2009. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Society for Financial Studies. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org, Oxford University Press.
System-size independence of directed flow at the RelativisticHeavy-Ion Collider

We measure directed ﬂow ( v 1 ) for charged particles in Au+Au and Cu+Cu collisions at √ s NN = 200 GeV and 62.4 GeV, as a function of pseudorapidity ( η ), transverse momentum ( p t ) and collision centrality, based on data from the STAR experiment. We ﬁnd that the directed ﬂow depends on the incident energy but, contrary to all available model implementations, not on the size of the colliding system at a given centrality. We extend the validity of the limiting fragmentation in diﬀerent collision systems, and investigate possible explanations for the observed sign change in v 1 ( p t ).
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE QUALITY OF ACCOUNTING INFORMATION AND THE REALIZED RETURNS EXCLUDED FROM CASH FLOW SHOCKS

Basing on the approach of earnings response coefficient, the Realized return has been analyzed and decomposed into two elements of cash flow shocks and the returns excluded from cash flow shocks. The research hypotheses were studied with the regression model by using hybrid data and based on the pooled model during the years 2001 and 2012, and the sample included 78 companies and 1044 observations. The results indicated that there wasn't a significant relationship between the accrual quality and the excess return. Also, the relationship between the accrual quality and the return excluded from the cash flow shocks indicated insignificance.
Rollover stability of precast concrete beams supported by elastomeric bearing pads

During construction of precast girder bridges there is the concern on rollover instability of the beams when exclusively supported by elastomeric bearing pads. This type of failure has been the focus of recent research due several accidents reported. However, these studies have not considered the nonlinear behavior of elastomeric bearing pads and the lift-off effect. Therefore, this paper presents a parametric study with a finite element model calibrated with experimental results, reported in literature, through a geometrical nonlinear analysis and considering that concrete behaves linearly. Besides, the experimental results are compared to simplified approaches which account the pad nonlinear behavior and the lift-off effect by utilizing its secant rotational stiffness. From the results, the difference between the instability load from geometrical nonlinear analysis and experimental results was 8.7 % and the simplified eigenvalue solution and experimental was 11.4 %, which was the best fit compared to the other existing analytical models. From parametrical analysis, the instability load was considerably decreased by varying the initial lateral deflection, the pad skewed rotation, top flange width and the span of the beam.
Dyslipidemia in patients taking anti-retroviral therapy

Background: People with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection are living longer with the use of anti-retroviral therapy (ART). But as they do, non-HIV medical problems become more relevant. In particular dyslipidemia, an important reversible risk factor for cardiovascular disease, has been linked to HIV infection and its treatment. Its pathogenesis is complex and includes factor related to the virus, the host and ART. Our aim is to study the changes in the lipid profile in the patients of HIV taking ART. Methods: Data were collected from 50 normotensive, non-diabetic and non-obese, HIV-infected patients who were on ART for at least 6 months at ART Center, Civil hospital, Ahmedabad, Gujarat and 50 healthy normal controls. Fasting lipid profiles were analyzed enzymatically by colorimetric method in fully automated Erba XL-640 Analyser. Results: The level of serum total cholesterol (TC), serum triglyceride (TG) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were increase while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were decrease in patients of HIV who were on ART for at least 6 month as compared to the normal subjects (p value <0.05). Conclusion: The study has demonstrated dyslipidemia in HIV infected patients receiving ART. There is a need for monitoring lipid profile in patients on ART.
Magnitude of Anemia and Associated Factors Among Pregnant Women Visiting Public Health Institutions for Antenatal Care Services in Adama Town, Ethiopia

Anemia is a global public health problem. It affects more than 2 billion people worldwide, both in developing and developed countries. It affects people of all age groups. However, it is more prominent in pregnant women. It is estimated that approximately 41.8% of pregnant women worldwide affected by anemia. Institution based cross sectional study design was employed. A total of 424 pregnant women visiting public Health Institutions in Adama Town for Antenatal Care service was randomly selected. Data was collected using semi structured questioner and participants were interviewed at the exit of the Antenatal Care unit. Blood and stool sample was collected to determine the level of anemia and Middle Upper Arm Circumference measurement was measured to determine nutritional status of the mother. Data was entered into EPI-Info version 7 and imported into Statistical Package and Service Solution (SPSS) version 21 for data processing and analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to explore the characteristics of women and the magnitude of anemia. The association between the outcome variable (Anemia) and explanatory variable was analyzed using binary logistic regression. The effect of explanatory variable on Anemia was estimated using adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and 95% confidence interval was used for tests of significance. A total of 424 respondents participated in the study. The magnitude of Anemia was found to be 28.1% (P=28.1; 95% CI: 23.6, 32.1). The highest level of anemia 79 (37.3%) and 14 (31.1%) was observed among women of age 25 – 34 years old and third trimester respectively. Birth interval of more than 2 years (AOR, 0.29; 95% CI: 0.13, 0.63), Nutritional status of MUAC < 23 cm (AOR, 8.91; 95% CI: 3.95, 20.11), taking tea (AOR, 5.49; 95% CI: 2.16, 13.96) and taking coca cola or chocolate (AOR, 6.81; 95% CI: 2.01, 23.12) and taking stimulant within 30 minutes after taking meal (AOR, 3.64; 96% CI: 1.47, 8.99) found to be significantly associated with the odds of having anemia during pregnancy. Magnitude of anemia is high (28.1%) among pregnant women in Adama Town. Respondents’ birth interval, nutritional status, type of stimulant and time of stimulant taking were found to be significantly associated to anemia in pregnant women. Health works should work on counseling of benefits of lengthening birth interval and delaying of taking stimulants after taking their meals.
Effect of seed vigour on stress tolerance of barley (Hordeum vulgare) seed at germination stage.

One of the prerequisites of efficient crop production is the use of high vigour seed that could guarantee a vigorous establishment. Seed production under organic and low input conditions is more difficult compared to conventional systems. Either nutrient or drought stress during seed development on parent plants can affect subsequent seed quality. The effects of both stresses on the subsequent germination of barley seeds were evaluated under drought and salt stress using either polyethylene glycol or NaCl at osmotic potentials of 0, -0.4, -0.8, -1 and -1.2 MPa. Barely seeds were produced under different irrigation (stressed and normal) and fertilizing systems (organic and chemical) in two cropping seasons (2007-2008). Water stress in the field during seed development reduced 1000 seed weight and Mean germination time (MGT) in both years. The seeds produced by plants at severe or moderate drought stress treatments had a higher germination percentage and lower MGT in stressed conditions applied by PEG and NaCl compared to the control. Seeds produced at either organic or low input fertilizing systems, had a better germination percentage at different solution potentials compared to chemical fertilizing system. Drought stress (during grain filling) improved tolerance of the seeds to osmotic or salt stress during germination, imposed by PEG and NaCl.
SOLVING THE OBLIQUE DERIVATIVE BOUNDARY-VALUE PROBLEM BY THE FINITE VOLUME METHOD

This paper deals with the oblique derivative boundary-value problem and its solution by the nite volume method. In this approach, the oblique derivative in the boundary condition is decomposed into this normal and tangential components which are then approximated by means of numerical solution values. The appropriate numerical schemes for 2D and 3D domains are developed and numerical experiments are performed. The numerical solutions are compared to the exact solutions and the second order accuracy of our 2D and 3D numerical scheme is obtained in all experiments. Our work is motivated by the large scale oblique derivative boundary value problem of physical geodesy.
Morphological and Ion-Transporting Plasticity of Branchial Mitochondrion-Rich Cells in the Euryhaline Spotted Green Pufferfish, Tetraodon nigroviridis

+/K + -ATPase (NKA) and the chloride-secreting channel, cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), were examined. The CFTR was present in the apical membrane of NKA-immunoreactive cells in gills of SW-acclimated pufferfish, but completely disappeared in FW-acclimated fish. Moreover, the chloride test directly demonstrated the chloride secretion function of concave-hole MR cells. Taken together, our findings suggested that different types of MR cells in pufferfish gills expressed various iontransport proteins to conduct distinct functions necessary for salinity acclimation of this euryhaline species.
Kinetics model analysis and technical optimization study on the elite menÃÂs triple jump

For the existing action defect problemof Chinese Triple jump athletes, this paper studies the motion parameters and technical actions of triple jump athletes through the analysis of kinematics, combines the whole process of triple jump, uses the mathematical statistical methods, by comparing Chinese elite athleteswith foreign elite athletes, and concludes that Chinese athletesÂÂ speed and take-off angle is too small, they have deficiency in the integrity and continuity of the action. Therefore, in the future training we should pay attention to strengthening the training of speed, increasing the ground pedaling angle when taking off, adjusting the power ratio of triple jump, focusing on strength training of upper body; it studies the taking-off angle of the third jump to find the best jumping angle. Through the study of the triple jump technique, this paper raises rationalization proposals for the improvement of technological level, which is aiming at improvement the technological level of China triple jump.
Material waste in the Northern Ireland construction industry: on-site management causes and methods of prevention

The construction industry in Northern Ireland is one of the major contributors of construction waste to landfill each year. The aim of this research paper is to identify the core on-site management causes of material waste on construction sites in Northern Ireland and to illustrate various methods of prevention which can be adopted. The research begins with a detailed literature review and is complemented with the conduction of semi-structured interviews with 6 professionals who are experienced and active within the Northern Ireland construction industry. Following on from the literature review and interviews analysis, a questionnaire survey is developed to obtain further information in relation to the subject area. The questionnaire is based on the key findings of the previous stages to direct the research towards the most influential factors. The analysis of the survey responses reveals that the core causes of waste generation include a rushed program, poor handling and onsite damage of materials, while the principal methods of prevention emerge as the adequate storage, the reuse of material on-site and efficient material ordering. Furthermore, the role of the professional background in the shaping of perceptions relevant to waste management is also investigated and significant differences are identified. The findings of this research are beneficial for the industry as they enhance the understanding of construction waste generation causes and highlight the practices required to reduce waste on-site in the context of sustainable development.
Effects of mineral water from spring 3 in Băile Tuşnad on experimentally induced alcoholic liver disease

Chronic alcohol consumption leads to the development of specific disorders, particularly of the liver. In this study, we aimed to investigate by optical microscopy the hepatic changes occurring after administration of ethyl alcohol for 70 days to Wistar rats, as well as the curative effect of mineral water from spring 3 in Băile Tuşnad administered for 50 days after completion of ethyl alcohol administration. Liver fragments were harvested and histologically processed by paraffin embedding and stained with Goldner’s trichrome method. After the first 70 days of the experiment, in the liver parenchyma, fat loading of hepatocytes and mild perivascular fibrosis were identified. After another 50 days, during which some of the rats drank tap water, the pathological evolution did not seem to stop, but on the contrary, a slight aggravation could be observed, while in rats drinking Tuşnad mineral water there was an arrest of evolution and a slight regression of the described aspects. This study evidences the curative effect of mineral water from spring 3 in Băile Tuşnad on alcoholic liver disease.
NUMERICAL ANALYSIS OF THE AERODYNAMICS OF THE AURORA AIRCRAFT BY AN INVISCID / VISCOUS INTERACTION METHOD

The PMAL3D computer code has been extended to an aircraft configuration with propellers by embedding a nonlinear actuator disk theory developed by Conway in the PMAL3D inviscid/viscous interation code developed at AL/IAR/NRC. The actuator disk model was coupled to PMAL3D by introducing the timeeveraged velocity field induced by each propeller actuator disk as a modification of the free stream. The theory of the panel method, integral boundary layer method, and the actuator disk model are briefly presented in the present paper. This study has included both propeller and viscous effects on the aerodynamics of an aircraft and presented detailed numerical analyses and discussions of the aerodynamics for the Aurora configuration.
Effect of Clonal Variation on Quality of Kocho , Traditional Fermented Food from Enset ( Ensete Ventricosum ), Musaceae

Enset (Ensete ventricosum Welw. Cheesman) is an important multipurpose crop serving for a large part of the Ethiopian population living in the southern and southwestern parts of the country. Survey on indigenous knowledge of farmers on local system of selection and identification of enset varieties was carried out in three localities of Sidama zone, namely: Chafee Jebesa (3 km east of Hawassa), Tulla and Abella 13 and 16 km, respectively, (south of Hawassa) from November 2011 to July 2011. The main objective of the study was to evaluate the sensory characteristics in relation to a nutritional analysis of selected top ten enset varieties. Open – ended and semi-structured purposive questionnaires targeted on best varieties of enset commonly used in the above mentioned localities were used for the survey. The sensory characteristics such as appearance, odor, taste, sourness, dryness and texture of kocho samples prepared from each selected enset variety were evaluated using a sensory panel of judges. Nutritional analysis of the selected varieties was also carried out using Official Methods of Analysis (AOAC, 1984, 1990, 1995). The results of nutritional analysis revealed that there was no significant difference among the selected varieties in terms of their moisture and ash content. The values of moisture content ranged from 59.90 to 63.30% while ash content was between 2.11 to 2.35%. However significant differences have been observed among the selected varieties in terms of their protein (2.93 to 3.51%), fat (0.43 to 1.25%), fiber (3.22 to 4.57%) and carbohydrate (49.21 to 64.15%) content. This is mainly attributed to varietal differences among the selected enset plants. In conclusion, varietal variation can affect proximate composition as well as sensory characteristics of the final product. This investigation can be the starting point for the selection of varieties of better nutritional value to reduce possible dietary insufficient uptake particularly of proteins and calories in the area.
Temperature‐dependent deformation and damage behaviour of ultrafine‐grained copper under uniaxial compression

The plastic deformation and damage behaviour of ultrafine‐grained (UFG) copper produced by equal channel angular pressing were investigated at temperatures ranging from room temperature to 573 K under uniaxial compression. It was found that the testing temperature has a strong effect on the corresponding mechanical behaviour of UFG copper. For example, the compressive yield stress and steady flow stress of UFG copper decease generally with increasing temperature. In the case of temperatures below recrystallization, an enhanced early‐stage strain softening was observed with increasing temperature. Compressive deformation damage features of UFG copper are also strongly dependent on the temperature. Small‐ and large‐scale cracks were observed to form along the shear bands at room temperature, whereas microvoids or cracks were found to nucleate at grain boundaries at temperatures above recrystallization. At in‐between temperatures, some microvoids with various sizes were detected along the shear direction. Such temperature‐dependent deformation and damage behavior are closely related with the corresponding microstructural changes after compressive deformation. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)