Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Justification of Effort by Humans and Pigeons

Justification of effort by humans is a form of reducing cognitive dissonance by enhancing the value of rewards when they are more difficult to obtain. Presumably, assigning greater value to rewards provides justification for the greater effort needed to obtain them. We have found such effects in adult humans and children with a highly controlled laboratory task. More importantly, under various conditions we have found similar effects in pigeons, animals not typically thought to need to justify their behavior to themselves or others. To account for these results, I propose a simpler mechanism than justification of effort—a mechanism based on contrast between the end of the effort and the reinforcement (or signal for reinforcement) that follows. This model predicts that any relatively aversive event can serve to enhance the value of the reward that follows it simply through the contrast between those two events. In support of this general model, my colleagues and I have found this effect in pigeons when the prior event consists of (a) more rather than less effort (pecking), (b) a long rather than a short delay, and (c) the absence of food rather than food. We have also found that a pigeon’s preference for food at one location can shift toward a different location if acquiring food at the new location requires that the pigeon work harder to obtain the food. Contrast may also play a role in other social psychological phenomena that have been interpreted in terms of cognitive dissonance.
Subsurface drip irrigation emitter spacing effects on soil water redistribution, corn yield, and water productivity.

Emitter spacings of 0.3 to 0.6 m are commonly used for subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) of corn on the deep, silt loam soils of the U.S. Great Plains. Subsurface drip irrigation emitter spacings of 0.3, 0.6, 0.9 and 1.2 m were examined for the resulting differences in soil water redistribution, corn grain yield, yield components, seasonal water use, and water productivity in a 4-year field study (2005 through 2008) at the Kansas State University Northwest Research-Extension Center, Colby, Kansas.
Effects of Family Structure on the Academic Achievement of Students at Elementary Level in Karak District, Pakistan

Family setting and structure is playing a crucial role in strengthening or devastating student’s academic performance. Family is the primary socializing agent which moulds the child in society. The purpose of the study was to explore the effects of family structure on academic achievement of the students at elementary level in Karak District. All the students at elementary level in district Karak constituted the population of the study. Only 360 students at elementary level were selected as simple through simple random sampling technique. The study was delimited to the twelve male secondary schools. The study was further delimited to the students of class 08. The study was descriptive in nature therefore a self-developed structured questionnaire used for the collection of data. The researchers personally visited to the respective sample and distributed questionnaires among the sample. In this way data was collected. After collection of data, it was organized, tabulated and analyzed. Chi-square was used for the statistical treatment of the data. After analysis of data, it was concluded that large family size; large number of brothers and sisters; domestic issues
Oral Health 2020: Recommendations to Help Ohio Meet Healthy People 2020 Goals Based on States’ Oral Health Plans

Dental caries remains one of the largest untreated diseases in children and is one of the leading causes of poor oral health in the United States. Many states have joined forces with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Medicaid to formulate a state oral health action plan that targets the Healthy People 2020 Goals for Oral Health to improve the overall oral health of children in the state. Through this plan, in connection with state oral health plans many states are comprehensively addressing these Healthy People 2020 goals. Ohio, on the other hand, has not met a number of the Healthy People 2020 goals yet as it does not have a state oral health action plan. This analysis looked at three states, Michigan, Massachusetts, and Tennessee, that are similar in population and demographics to Ohio and have both a state oral health plan and a state oral health action plan in order to make recommendations for Ohio to better meet the Healthy People 2020 goals and improve oral health in the state.
On Global Solutions of a Zakharov-Schulman type System

We consider a class of wave-Schroedinger systems with a Zakharov-Schulman type coupling. This class of systems is indexed by a parameter gamma which measures the strength of the null form in the nonlinearity of the wave equation. The case gamma = 1 corresponds to the well-known Zakharov system, while the case gamma = -1 corresponds to the Yukawa system. Here we show that sufficiently smooth and localized Cauchy data lead to pointwise decaying global solutions which scatter, for any gamma in (0,1].
Evaluation of Lactobacillus and Bacillus-based probiotics as alternatives to antibiotics in enteric microbial challenged weaned piglets

The present study investigates the efficacies of two probiotic products as alternative to antibiotics on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, immunity, and fecal microbiota in piglets challenged with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium KCTC 2515 and Escherichia coli KCTC 2571. Ninety-six 28-day-old piglets were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments consisting of four replicate pens with six piglets each. The dietary treatments were: negative control (NC), positive control (PC, 0.002% apramycin), 0.5% Lactobacillus probiotic (P1), and 0.04% Bacillus probiotic (P2). Average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) were improved by treatment with PC and P1, whereas, feed conversion ratio (FCR) was improved by treatment with P2 compared to NC (P < 0.05). Digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, and crude fat increased upon treatment with PC, P1, and P2 compared to NC. All dietary treatments showed significant reduction of fecal Salmonella and E. coli counts with an increase of Lactobacillus and Bacillus spp counts compared to NC (P < 0.05). The serum IgG level was elevated by P2 treatment compared to others (P < 0.05). Overall, both Lactobacillus and Bacillus probiotics had beneficial effects on weaned piglets under challenged condition and therefore, can be used as potential alternatives to antibiotics. Key words: Lactobacillus, Bacillus, fecal microbiota, immunoglobulin, challenged piglet.
Simulation research on hybrid electromechanical device - BLDC motor, torsion torque generator - for torsional vibration spectrum identification of drive systems

In this article the general concept of hybrid electromechanical converter for torsion torque generation is presented. Fundamental properties of proposed electromechanical device, including dependence of frequencies of generated torsion torque on generator's rotor angular speed has been shown. Based on computer calculations the usefulness of proposed method for determination of modal characteristics of drive system is shown. As an exemplary drive system the set of gas turbine and electric energy generator were chosen.
Rainfall erosivity estimation based on rainfall data collected over a range of temporal resolutions

Rainfall erosivity is the power of rainfall to cause soil erosion by water. The rainfall erosivity index for a rainfall event (energy-intensity values – EI 30 ) is calculated from the total kinetic energy and maximum 30 min intensity of individual events. However, these data are often unavailable in many areas of the world. The purpose of this study was to develop models based on commonly available rainfall data resolutions, such as daily or monthly totals, to calculate rainfall erosivity. Eleven stations with 1 min temporal resolution rainfall data collected from 1961 through 2000 in the eastern half of China were used to develop and calibrate 21 models. Seven independent stations, also with 1 min data, were utilized to validate those models, together with 20 previously published equations. The models in this study performed better or similar to models from previous research to estimate rainfall erosivity for these data. Using symmetric mean absolute percentage errors and Nash–Sutcliffe model efficiency coefficients, we can recommend 17 of the new models that had model efficiencies ≥ 0.59. The best prediction capabilities resulted from using the finest resolution rainfall data as inputs at a given erosivity timescale and by summing results from equations for finer erosivity timescales where possible. Results from this study provide a number of options for developing erosivity maps using coarse resolution rainfall data.
Effects of mycorrhizal inoculation on growth and quality of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) grown in soilless culture system

The effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AM) and organic plant waste on the growth and calyx quality of roselle cultivated in a soilless system was investigated. Three treatments were compared in the study, viz. (i) control, (ii) AM, comprising a mixture of Glomus sp. , Gigaspora sp. and Scutellospora sp. and (iii) AM supplemented with organic plant waste. Inoculation of soilless grown roselle resulted in the proliferation of fungal spores in the culture medium (varying from 55 to 61 spores per 10 gram substrate), while successful root infection ranged from 59% to 64%. The most significant observation in this study was the doubling of root volume and dry weight in the inoculated plants as compared with the control plants. Thus, AM inoculated plants showed significantly increased vegetative growth mainly below the ground level. In addition, total anthocyanin concentration in the calyces was also significantly improved. However, roselle yield and other quality attributes such as soluble solids concentration (SSC), titratable acidity (TA) and ascorbic acid were unchanged with the introduction of AM. It is concluded that while the AM treatments did not affect the growth and yield of soilless-grown roselle, AM infection of roselle roots increased their growth substantially. AM increased significantly the anthocyanin content of the calyces in cultures supplemented with organic plant waste.
Studies on the microbiological, nutrient composition and antinutritional contents of fermented maize flour fortified with bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranean L)

The nutrient composition, antinutritional factors and microflora in spontaneously fermenting maize flour fortified with bambara groundnut were examined over a period of 72 h. Titratable acidity as well as pH changes was obtained at 12 h interval during fermentation by adventitious microorganisms present in the fortified product. Results obtained showed that microflora gradually changed from gram negative enteric bacteria, molds, lactic acid bacteria and yeast to be dominated by gram positive lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and yeasts. All undesirable microorganisms such as coliforms and molds which were present at the start of fermentation were totally eliminated by 24 h of fermentation. Yeasts and LAB numbers in the fortified dough varied between 4.44 and 7.36 log cfu‑1. LAB number increased from 5.40 to 7.36 log cfu-1 during fermentation. Yeasts increased from 4.44 to 5.60 log cfu-1. The product pH decreased with concomitant increase in moisture, fat, ash, fibre and titratable acidity with increasing bambara groundnut addition. Bambara groundnut addition caused only minimal changes in the proximate composition with the exception of protein content, which increased remarkably from 18.40 to 21.68% with 30% bambara groundnut addition. Boiling, sprouting and fermentation significantly decreased the tannins and trypsin inhibitors levels. Boiling Bambara groundnut for 20 min before incorporation into the maize flour imparted a desirable flavour. Organoleptic evaluation revealed that the foods were well accepted. Based on the findings the application of bambara groundnut fortification to traditional foods can promote the nutritional quality of African maize - based traditional foods with acceptable rheological and cooking qualities. Key words: Spontaneous fermentation, fermented maize flour, Bambara groundnut fortification, micropopulation, nutrient quality, antinutritional factors, rheology.
Nutritional and Mineral Composition of the Fruits of Solanum torvum from Ghana

The fruits of Solanum torvum are regularly used in many Ghanaian food preparations because of the belief that they are very nutritious. The main aim of this work was to assess the nutritional and mineral composition of the Solanum torvum fruits. Proximate analyses of dried powdered fruits were therefore performed. The results indicated that the fruits possess high moisture content (86.230%). The values for the other parameters checked were carbohydrates 7.033%, proteins 2.322%, fats 0.278%, ash 0.143% and crude fiber 3.993%. Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) analysis of essential minerals was performed to ascertain the concentrations of iron, manganese, calcium, copper and zinc in the fruit. The results were iron (76.869mg/kg), manganese (19.466mg/kg), calcium (221.583mg/kg), copper (2.642mg/kg) and zinc (21.460mg/kg). Vitamins A and C contents were also analyzed and found to be 0.078mg/100g and 2.686mg/100g respectively. The high iron content of the fruits proves the fact that, the fruits truly have hematinic property.
BOARD GOVERNANCE INDEX, FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY-EMPHASIS IN GOVERNMENT BUSINESS CORPORATIONS

This study contributes to the growing literature on corporate governance index (CGI) by investigating the impacts a board governance index (BGI) developed in context of government business corporations (GBCs) on their financial performance. In addition, the study tests relevant corporate governance theories, namely agency, networking and resource dependence theories, in the context of GBCs. Concurrently, the study also conducts an exploratory investigation of the relationship between board governance arrangements and emphasis provided by GBCs’ management to processes and systems for discharging accountability requirements (accountability-emphasis). The study found that the current board governance arrangement of GBCs is positively related to financial performance. This finding is consistent with majority of prior studies in context of private sector entities. However, there isn’t any significant relationship found between board governance index and accountability-emphasis.
A low-loss high-power-factor flyback rectifier suitable for smart power integration

A low-loss, high-power-factor flyback rectifier is presented, which is designed as a possible application for a new type of smart power integrated circuit. This is going to be manufactured by ST Microelectronics using the VIPower/sup (c)/ M3 technology and will include on the same silicon chip both control circuitry and an emitter switching power device. In order to avoid dangerous interactions between power and control part of the integrated circuit, it is necessary to control the rate of change of the power device voltage at turn off. Accordingly, a lossless passive snubber was added to the conventional converter topology. The snubber also limits the voltage spikes across the power device, due to the transformer leakage inductance, and reduces the electromagnetic noise generation. A modified nonlinear carrier control is considered which, thanks to the integration of the switch current signal, ensures high power factor and inherent noise immunity together with a simple control implementation (no need of input voltage sensing, multiplier and current error amplifier). A 200 W converter prototype was tested in order to evaluate the achievable performance.
Comparative analyses of fish processing, marketing and distribution in Warri-South and sapele local government areas of Delta state, Nigeria

This study was carried out to analyze the processing and distribution of smoked fish in Warri-South and Sapele Local Government Areas of Delta State, Nigeria. A purposive sampling was used to select the two local government areas because of the presence of high fishing activities in the areas and random sampling method was also used to select two markets each in the both Local Government Areas. 80 smoked fish processors were surveyed for this study. The study was conducted with the aid of well structured questionnaires which were administered to 80 processors only. The results showed that the smoked fish processors in both local government areas were dominated with women who were married with little or no formal education. It was further observed that majority of the fish processors were Christians with 4–6 children and sourced their finance from their personal savings from other business. The survey also revealed that the fish processors had been in business for more than 12 years, sourced their fish for smoking from either fishermen and women or cold rooms and used full metal oil drum to smoke dry fish with firewood as their major source of energy. It was also seen that they processed their fish at home during the day and had difficulty to control smoke and heat with insect infestation as the major storage problem. They packaged their fish in baskets, used public transport as their means of transportation and preserved their smoked fish by re-smoking them. Finally, the study revealed the existence of a thriving profitable small-scale traditional smoked fish processing and distribution business in the study areas.
Trichel Pulse in Negative DC Corona discharge and Its Electromagnetic Radiations

We investigate in this paper the radiated electromagnetic waves together with the discharge characteristics of Trichel pulse of negative DC corona discharge in air in pin-to-plate and wire-to-plate configurations. The feature of the current pulse and the frequency spectrum of the electromagnetic radiations were measured under various pressures and gas gaps. The results show that the repetition frequency and the amplitude of Trichel pulse current depend on the discharge conditions, but the rising time of the pulse relates only to the radius of needle or wire and keeps constant even if the other conditions (including the discharge current, the gas gap and the gas pressure) change. There exists the characterized spectrum of electromagnetic waves from negative corona discharge in Trichel pulse regime. These characterized radiations do not change their frequency at a given cathode geometry even if the averaged current, the gas gap or the air pressure changes, but the amplitude of radiations changes accordingly. The characterized electromagnetic radiations from Trichel pulse corona relate to the formation or the rising edge of current pulse. It confirms that the characterized radiations from Trichel pulse supply information of discharge system and provide a potential method for detecting charged targets.
X-RAY INSIGHTS INTO THE NATURE OF PHL 1811 ANALOGS AND WEAK EMISSION-LINE QUASARS: UNIFICATION WITH A GEOMETRICALLY THICK ACCRETION DISK?

We present an X-ray and multiwavelength study of 33 weak emission-line quasars (WLQs) and 18 quasars that are analogs of the extreme WLQ, PHL 1811, at z ≈ 0.5 ? > –2.9. New Chandra 1.5–9.5 ks exploratory observations were obtained for 32 objects while the others have archival X-ray observations. Significant fractions of these luminous type 1 quasars are distinctly X-ray weak compared to typical quasars, including 16 (48%) of the WLQs and 17 (94%) of the PHL 1811 analogs with average X-ray weakness factors of 17 and 39, respectively. We measure a relatively hard ( Γ = 1.16 − 0.32 + 0.37 ? > ) effective power-law photon index for a stack of the X-ray weak subsample, suggesting X-ray absorption, and spectral analysis of one PHL 1811 analog, J1521+5202, also indicates significant intrinsic X-ray absorption. We compare composite Sloan Digital Sky Survey spectra for the X-ray weak and X-ray normal populations and find several optical–UV tracers of X-ray weakness, e.g., Fe ii rest-frame equivalent width (REW) and relative color. We describe how orientation effects under our previously proposed “shielding-gas” scenario can likely unify the X-ray weak and X-ray normal populations. We suggest that the shielding gas may naturally be understood as a geometrically thick inner accretion disk that shields the broad line region from the ionizing continuum. If WLQs and PHL 1811 analogs have very high Eddington ratios, the inner disk could be significantly puffed up (e.g., a slim disk). Shielding of the broad emission-line region by a geometrically thick disk may have a significant role in setting the broad distributions of C iv REW and blueshift for quasars more generally.
The Parity Rate of Indoor-Resting Adult Female Anopheles and Culex Mosquitoes and Their Implication in Disease Transmission in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Female Hostels Awka, South Eastern Nigeria

A study on the parity rate of indoor-resting Anopheles and Culex mosquitoes and their implication in disease transmission was carried out in Nnamdi Azikiwe University female hostel between June and July 2016. The mosquitoes were sampled weekly from 24 randomly selected rooms using pyrethrum knock-down collection (P.K.C). A total of 516 mosquitoes comprising of 4 species: Anopheles gambiae, Anopheles funestus, Culex quinquefasciatus and Culex annulioris, were collected during the study period. The mosquitoes were examined for their abdominal gradings/gonotrophic stages and dissected for parity determination. Culex quinquefasciatus (61.43%) constituted the most abundant species followed by Anopheles gambiae (30.04%) and Anopheles funestus (7.56%) and the least being Culex annulioris (0.97%). Results showed that majority of the vector species were fed and parous and variations among the parity rates of the 4 species was significant (P <0.05). The high rate of the fed and parous mosquito species is of utmost concern in the hostel environment and therefore control measures aimed at eliminating the breeding sites and reducing its contact with the students should be embraced and practiced so as to minimize disease transmission among the students.