Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Students’ Perception about Quality of Distance Education at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana

Student satisfaction assessment is vital in determining service quality at higher learning institutions. To remain competitive with other public and private higher education providers, it is important that the institution continuously acquire, maintain, build stronger relationships and assess the level of students’ satisfaction with regards to distance education. With the increasing number of higher education institutions in Ghana, universities are competing to attract more students. To achieve this goal, the universities are competing to provide services that will increase students’ satisfaction. This study measures the level of student satisfaction with current services offered by College of Distance Education (CoDE), University of Cape Coast and the relationship between service quality dimensions and students’ satisfaction. The descriptive survey design was used for the research. Simple random sampling and self administered questionnaire were utilized to obtain data from 300 students of CoDE, UCC within Upper East Region. Frequency, percentages, Mean and Correlation techniques were used to examine the level of students’ satisfaction and the relationship between students’ satisfaction and service quality. Overall, students’ satisfaction level was high and results indicate strong relationships between students’ satisfaction and quality service delivered by CoDE, UCC. Keywords : Service quality, higher education institutions, students’ satisfaction.
Feeding ecology of olive baboons (Papio anubis) in Kibale National Park, Uganda: preliminary results on diet and food selection

Essential to an understanding of the ecology of anyorganism is knowledge of nutritional aspects of their diet,as adequate nutrition is critical for successful reproduc-tion (Barboza, Parker & Hume, 2009). While the feedingand nutritional ecology of baboons (Papio) has beenwidely documented (Norton et al., 1987; Whiten et al.,1991; Barton et al., 1993; Byrne et al., 1993; Altmann,1998; Kunz & Linsenmair, 2008; Swedell, Hailemeskel S Bentley-Condit, 2009), most research onolive baboons (P. anubis) has focused on savannah-dwelling populations, with comparatively little researchin forested habitat (Rowell, 1966, 1969; Okecha N Paterson, 2006; Ross et al., 2011). Here, we report preliminary results on diet and nutri-tional ecology of forest-dwelling olive baboons in KibaleNational Park, Uganda. Additionally, we report a preli-minary assessment of the baboons’ nutritional objectivesby comparing the nutrient content of consumed foodswith that of parts rejected in food preparation. Foodselectivity in olive baboons has been previously studiedby Barton & Whiten (1994), who compared the nutrientcontent of seven matched foods and discarded nonfoodsin savannah-dwelling olive baboons, and found foods tobe higher in protein and lower in both ﬁbre and pheno-lics than nonfoods. Here, we report preliminary resultson food choice in forest-dwelling olive baboons to furtherelucidate macronutrient properties governing diet selec-tion in this species.
Protein profile and physicochemical characteristics of meat of lambs fed diets supplemented with rapeseed oil, fish oil, carnosic acid, and different chemical forms of selenium

Abstract. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics of the longissimus muscle of lambs fed a control diet containing 3 % rapeseed oil (RO) (group I); an experimental diet with 2 % RO and 1 % fish oil (FO) (group II); or experimental diets with coupled addition of 2 % RO, 1 % FO, and 0.1 % carnosic acid (CA) (group III) without/with 0.35 ppm Se as selenized yeast (SeY) (group IV) or selenate (SeVI as sodium selenate, Na2SeO4) (group V). The results showed that dietary FO or SeVI affected the ultimate pH and meat color in comparison to lambs fed the control diet. The differences noted between diets in the case of muscle tissue were as follows: myosin HC (heavy chain) and LC1 (light chain), 150 kDa, α-actinin, 60 kDa, and TnT (troponin T), 30 kDa protein. The addition of FO to lamb diets resulted in a lower content of 30 kDa proteins, which are indicators of proteolysis. Considering the protein profile of drip loss, results showed effects of dietary administration of FO, CA, and Se (as SeY and SeVI) on the abundance of the following sarcoplasmic proteins: AMPDA (AMP deaminase), PGM (phosphoglucomutase), PK/PGI (pyruvate kinase/phosphoglucose isomerase), CK/PGAK (creatine kinase/phosphoglycerate kinase), ALD (aldolase), LDH (lactate dehydrogenase), PGAM (phosphoglycerate mutase), and TPI (triosephosphate isomerase). The lower content of TPI (in group II with comparison to groups III–V) and PGAM (in group II with comparison to group I and III) could be due to a higher ultimate pH in the group with FO addition, whereas lower contents of CK/PGAK, ALD, and LDH were attributed to Se addition. In comparison to the control diet, all experimental diets without SeVI decreased the content of the sum of all assayed amino acids ( ∑ AAs), indispensable amino acids ( ∑ IAAs), and dispensable amino acids ( ∑ DAAs) in the muscle. The highest ratios of ∑ IAAs to ∑ DAAs and ∑ IAAs to ∑ AAs were found in the muscle of lambs fed the diet containing RO, FO, and CA. The FO-supplemented diet with CA and SeVI increased the abundance of methionine in the muscle in comparison to the control diet and the FO-supplemented diet without/with CA.
Dynamic Compression Plate Versus Intramedullary Interlocking Nail for Managemaent of Humeral Shaft Fractures

Introduction: With the dramatic success of intramedullary fixation for fractures of the femur and tibia, there was speculation that Intramedullary Interlocking Nails might be more appropriate for humeral shaft fractures in comparison to Dynamic Compression Plates. There are very few studies comparing these two methods of fixation in shaft of humerus fractures and virtually no study in this part of world. The aim of the study was to compare these fixation methods in terms of duration of operating time, amount of blood loss, rate of infection, pain at the fracture site, time to achieve union, functional outcome(DASH score) and complications of surgery. Methods: This was randamised control trial in which all patients with fractures of shaft of humerus that met the criteria for operative interventions ( intramedullary interlocking nailing and dynamic compression plating) presenting to the department of Orthopaedics BPKIHS during the study period and giving informed consent were included in the study. The patients were randomized using Excel random number generation technique into two groups. N Group: Cases treated with intramedullary interlocking nail and P Group: Cases treated with dynamic compression plate. Results: Most of the patients were right handed. The operating time for nailing was 100±11.24 minutess in comparision to 90.25± 15.6 minutes for humerus plating. The mean blood loss in nail group was 148.75 ±36.70 while in plate group blood loss was 205±45.60. Post operative hospital stay was similar in both groups with mean stay of 4.5 days.The peroperative radial nerve palsy was 4% in nailing group as compared to 2% in plating group. Radiologically four cortices union was only 50% in nailing group while it was 80% in plating group at 24 weeks post operatively. Dash score gradually improved in both nail and plate group but Dash score was significantly higher in plating group at 6,12,18 and 24 weeks follow up. Conclusion: Dynamic compression plating is better for fracture shaft of humerus. Plate osteosynthesis remains the gold standard of fixation for humeral shaft fractures. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3126/noaj.v3i2. 9513 NOAJ July-December 2013, Vol 3, Issue 2, 10-13
Utility of heavy minerals distribution and granulometric analyses in the study of coastal dynamics: Application to the littoral between Sanlúcar de Barrameda and Rota (Cadiz, southwest Iberian Peninsula)

The present paper deals with grain size and heavy minerals distribution in the sandy coastal sediments of the littoral between the cities of Sanlucar de Barrameda and Rota. We have related these distributions to the predominant southward littoral drift and the possible source contributions, mostly represented by the Guadalquivir and Guadalete Rivers. The littoral studied is composed of fine sand in the northern sector and medium sand in its central and southern sectors. Heavy minerals were identified using X-ray analysis: the most abundant in the study area are epidote and garnet. We found that their concentrations and sizes decrease from north to south according to the coastal drift, whereas the grain morphology and the mineralogical component generally remain constant.
THE LITERATURE REVIEW OF TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION MODELS AND THEORIES FOR THE NOVELTY TECHNOLOGY

This paper contributes to the existing literature b y comprehensively reviewing the concepts, applications and development of technology adoption m dels and theories based on the literature review with the focus on potential application for the novelty technology of single platform Epayment. These included, but were not restricted to , the Theory of Diffusion of Innovations (DIT) (Rogers, 1995), the Theory of Reasonable Action (TR A) (Fishbein and Ajzen, 1975), Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) (Ajzen, 1985, 1991), Decompo sed Theory of Planned Behaviour, (Taylor and Todd, 1995), the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) (Davis, Bogozzi and Warshaw, 1989, Technology Acceptance Model 2 (TAM2) Venkatesh and Davis (2000) and Technology Acceptance Model 3 (TAM3) Venkatesh and Bala (2008). These reviews will shed some light and potential applications for technolog y applications for future researchers to conceptualize, distinguish and comprehend the under lying technology models and theories that may affect the previous, current and future applica tion of technology adoption.
Effect of conservation agriculture and precision nutrient management on soil properties and carbon sustainability index under maize-wheat cropping sequence

Conventional practices has for many years resulted in the deterioration of soil quality through depletion of soil organic matter and nutrients. Maize based system is being recommended as an alternate to rice-based systems to address the issues of resource degradation. Therefore, a two year field experiment was conducted in farmer’s participatory strategic research mode at Taraori, Karnal, India to evaluate the effect of conservation agriculture (CA) and green gram integration with precise nutrient management on soil quality and carbon sustainability index (CSI). Four treatment namely conventional tillage (CT), conventional tillage with green gram (CT+GG), permanent bed (PB) and permanent bed with green gram (PB+GG)] layered with three nutrient management strategies [farmer’s fertilizer practice (FFP), recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) and site specific nutrient management (SSNM)]. The PB+GG recorded 29.4% higher water stable aggregates and lower BD. In PB+GG soil penetration resistance was reduced and infiltration was increased compared to CT. Soil organic carbon was significantly higher under PB+GG. Available N and P was 4 and 14 percent higher at 0-15 cm soil depth as compared to CT. SSNM recorded 1.72 and 3.50 % higher SOC as compared RDF and FFP, respectively at 0-15 cm soil depth. PB+GG recorded 18% higher CSI as compared to CT. SSNM increased CSI by 20 and 25% as compared to FFP during 2012-13 and 2013-14, respectively.
The association between income dynamics and subjective well-being: Evidence from career income records in Japan

In this analysis, we attempted to investigate how subjective well-being (SWB) was associated with income dynamics for male employees in Japan (N = 1,004), on the basis of a panel dataset of career wage records covering a period of more than 30 years. It is widely recognized that income is a key determinant of SWB, along with other variables of socioeconomic status. We focused on the association of income dynamics with life satisfaction, its expectation five years later, self-rated health (SRH), and psychological distress. The history of income used in our analysis was based on administrative records, which were almost free from recall errors. Results showed that life satisfaction was more strongly affected by a change from lifetime average or maximum income than from income in the previous year, while the opposite was true of SRH and psychological distress. In addition, life satisfaction had a downward stickiness against a reduction in income from its average or maximum level, which was not the case for SRH or psychological distress. Further, the experience of peak out of income in the past made SWB more sensitive to changes in income. These findings suggest that the association between SWB and income should be further studied in a dynamic framework.
Employment Protection Legislation and Labor Markets in Transition: Assessing the Effects of the Labor Code in Armenia

The effects of employment protection legislation (EPL) on a country's labor market are clear in theory but empirical evidence is only starting to catch up. In particular, EPL is not robust as an indicator of overall unemployment, but previous panel data analyses have shown it affects the flow of workers into and out of employment. Examining monthly and quarterly data from Armenia, I find that the country's package of EPL has this same effect, and worker flows have slowed under the country's new Labor Code. The paradox of where Armenia's workforce is going still remains but can be hypothesized as entering the informal sector.
The Pricing and Performance of Initial Public Offerings in Australia, 1996-2007: A Comparison of Ordinary, Venture Capital and Private Equity-Backed Issues

This paper examines the pricing and performance of ordinary, venture capital and private equity-backed initial public offerings in the Australian stock market from June 1996 to May 2007. Headline underpricing, underpricing issuer loss, underpricing loss by market value, and underpricing loss by issue price are used to measure underpricing. Cumulative buy-and-hold abnormal returns with equal and value-weighted market indexes, market and book-to-market value quintile adjustments and the Fama-French three-factor model used to compare performance. The measures of underpricing indicate that venture capital and private equity-backed issues are less underpriced than ordinary issues. Further, all three forms of issuance outperform the nominal performance benchmarks. However, there is no statistically significant difference in the risk-adjusted performance of initial public offerings, regardless of backing.
An Empirical Analysis of Economic and Socio-Demographic Determinants of Entrepreneurship Across German Regions

Abstract Entrepreneurship is fundamental for a country's economic development through its positive effect on innovation, productivity growth, and job creation. In entrepreneurial research, one of the most important problems is to define the factors that actually determine entrepreneurial action. This study analyzes that question in the case of Germany by taking an aggregated approach that focuses on socio-demographic and economic determinants of regional entrepreneurship. Based on a literature review of German and international regional-level research, six hypotheses are developed and empirically tested using the most recent available data on 385 German regions as units of analysis. The results are surprising. In the case of household income, unemployment, education and marital status the relationship is significant but contrary to earlier research. Only regional age structure seems to be a stable predictor of regional entrepreneurship. The results indicate that in recent years there was a major shift in the determinants and characteristics of entrepreneurship in Germany.
Extracting winter North Atlantic Oscillation information from a central European stalagmite

This study explores the potential for extracting winter North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) information from central European stalagmites using a high resolution calcite δ18O (δ18Ocal) time-series from a stalagmite (AH1) extracted from Atta cave in northwestern Germany. Samples milled at 25μm resolution were run through an isotope-ratio mass spectrometer in weight order. This highlighted the benefit of using a random sample order during isotope ratio analysis because drifts were identified with greater certainty than if the samples were run sequentially. The chronology, constructed using annual δ18Ocal cycles and verified by locating the radiocarbon bomb spike, hints that three isotope excursions may be related to events in the cave history: i) the discovery of AH1's cave passageway in 1985, ii) surface modification during World War Two and iii) the opening of the cave’s artificial cave entrance in 1920. However, it was not possible to locate old aerial photographs of the site and appropriate historical documentation, therefore these explanations remain speculative. A good visual correlation between δ18Ocal and meteoric precipitation δ18O (δ18Opr) cycles was established within the errors of the chronology, but a good quantitative correlation was not achievable probably because the winter δ18Opr signal was documented by too few δ18Ocal datapoints. Despite the poor quantitative correlation, the good visual δ18Ocal- δ18Opr correlation suggests an annual winter NAO reconstruction is possible using stalagmites from central Europe if ultra high temporal resolution is achieved and excellent chronological control is established. Additionally, this suggests that AH1 is amenable to detection of prolonged shifts in mean NAO state, provided trends associated with other processes are removed
Blood cell histology of Homopus areolatus: effects of season and cohort

III DECLARATION . V ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . VI TABLE OF CONTENT . VII LIST OF FIGURES . IX LIST OF TABLES . XII 1 GENERAL INTRODUCTION . 1 1.1 VERTEBRATE HAEMATOLOGY . 1 1.2 BLOOD COMPOSITION OF REPTILES . 2 1.3 BLOOD CELL DEVELOPMENT IN REPTILES . 4 1.4 STUDY ANIMAL AND STUDY OBJECTIVES . 6 2 DESCRIPTION AND PREVALENCE OF ERYTHROCYTE TYPES . 8 2.
Comparison of spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) screening methods for Fusarium head blight resistance breeding.

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a widespread disease of cereals, including barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), that causes substantial grain yield losses and grain quality deterioration. Resistant varieties provide the greatest potential for reducing FHB. In the present study, we adapted two methods for screening FHB severity using Fusarium culmorum. We used a cut-spike method and a spray inoculation method in the field conditions for screening different spring barley genotypes of Latvian and foreign origin. Screening with the cut-spike method was done for 126 different genotypes in 2008 and in 2009 and for 180 genotypes in 2010. In the years 2011 and 2012, the field inoculation method was used to screen 207 and 164 genotypes, respectively; part of material was tested simultaneously by both methods. A significant effect of genotype was found for both cut-spike and field inoculation methods (p < 0.001); field inoculation method showed a greater proportion of genotype effect and a higher heritability. Using area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) and score obtained at 26 days after inoculation were equally effective. Correlations between results obtained by both methods in different years were not significant, though, the data of the same year correlated significantly (r = 0.36–0.47, p < 0.05). Results suggest that differences between breeding material can be assessed by both methods; however, the information obtained was contradictory for a number of genotypes. Considering the results and the fact that field inoculation method can more likely provide results of equal value to those in natural conditions in respect to identification of resistant and susceptible genotypes, field inoculation method was recognized as preferable for the assessment of spring barley breeding material. Significant correlation (r = 0.71, p < 0.05) between visual estimate of disease severity and mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) concentration in grain was found in 2011, but in the environmental conditions of 2012 formation of DON was inhibited.
Toxicity of copper on marine organisms from the Black Sea

*Corresponding author: Levent Bat, Department of Hydrobiology, Fisheries Faculty, Sinop University, TR57000 Sinop, Turkey. Tel: +90 3682876254 E-mail: leventbat@gmail.com Foundation Project: Supported by the Department of Hydrobiology, Fisheries Faculty, Sinop University (Grant No. S.049). The journal implements double-blind peer review practiced by specially invited international editorial board members.
Year-to-year Reuse of Tree-roosts by California Bats (Myotis californicus) in Southern British Columbia

Abstract To document year-to-year reuse of roost trees by forest-dwelling bats we monitored trees in southern British Columbia that we first identified as maternity roosts of California bats (Myotis californicus) in 1995. Initially we identified roost trees by tracking radio-tagged individuals. Then we revisited each tree in subsequent years up to 2000. At the start of the study the bats roosted under loose bark or in cavities in dead trees. Seven of eight trees were still standing in 2000, although all had lost bark since 1995, particularly ponderosa pines (Pinus ponderosa). In 1995, after radio-tagged bats had moved and the tags had fallen off, trees either were occupied by colonies of 5 to 52 M. californicus or they were unoccupied. In contrast, roost counts in subsequent years indicated that colonies rarely used the same trees and most observations were of one or two bats. Thus, while bats continued to use most of the trees over the 5 y period, the numbers of individuals declined and much of the use may have been by males or non-reproductive females. Although our study is preliminary, the results suggest that the suitability of roosts of tree-dwelling bats declines relatively rapidly compared to the loss of the snags themselves. More intensive studies are required given the current focus on preserving roosting habitat for forest-dwelling bats.
Accurate Drag Prediction Using Cobalt

The technical objective of the Second AIAA Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Drag Prediction Workshop is to assess the state-of-the-art computational methods as practical aerodynamic tools for aircraft force-and-moment prediction of increasingly complex geometries. With more emphasis being placed on CFD methods to evaluate aircraft designs early in the design process, the ability to accurately predict the forces and moments, specifically drag, on an airliner configuration is important. Using the CFD code Cobalt, force-and-moment calculations are obtained on a civil transport geometry with and without engine nacelle and pylon
Measurement of Farm Level Efficiency of Beef Cattle Fattening in West Java Province, Indonesia

This study was conducted to identify sources of technical efficiency among beef cattle farmers. This was investigated using the stochastic frontier production function which incorporates a model for the technical efficiency effect. Farm level survey data from 100 beef cattle farmers were obtained using well structured questionnaire. The parameters were estimated simultaneously with those of the model of technical efficiency effects. Asymptotic parameter estimates were evaluated to describe technical efficiency determinants by using the maximum likelihood estimation technique. Result reveal a mean efficiency of 0,77 implying that output from beef cattle fattening could be increased by 23 percent using available technology. Results further reveal that education, experience, number of cattle ownership and credit have significant impact on technical inefficiency. Keywords: technical efficiency, technical inefficiency, beef cattle fattening.