Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Intersectional Hybrids of Dendrobium by RAPD Technique

Thirty interspecific hybridizations of inter- or intra-section of Dendrobium were made. Five crosses showed good compatibility and could yield hybrids as follows: 2 intersectional hybridizations, 1) section Phalaenanthe: Den. phalaenopsis (D017) · section Formosae: Den. draconis (D022) and 2) section Dendrobium: Den. finlayanum (D030) · section Formosae: Den. cariniferum (D018); and 3 intrasectional hybridizations, 1) section Dendrobium: D030 · Den. nobile (D031), 2) section Formosae: Den. trigonopus (D037) · D022, and 3) D037 · Den. infundibulum (D034). The greatest number of plantlets (1,250 plantlets) was obtained from cross D037 · D022 whereas the least number (3 plantlets) was found in cross D037 · D034. After transplanting for 6 months, survival rate of D037 · D034 was 100% whereas no survival plant was found in cross D030 · D018. Parents and hybrids of 5 crosses were analyzed by RAPD using 21 decamer primers and the number of primers generating polymorphic patterns of each cross varied. RAPD markers were able to differentiate parents in inter- and intra-sectional crosses and these markers could confirm the interspecific hybrids.
The important elements of LMS design that affect user engagement with e-learning tools within LMSs in the higher education sector

In recent years, universities have been under increased pressure to adopt e-learning practices for teaching and learning. In particular, the emphasis has been on learning management systems (LMSs) and associated collaboration tools to provide opportunities for sharing knowledge, building a community of learners, and supporting higher order learning and critical thinking through conversation and collaboration. Due to the greater level of data continuity, reliability, and privacy that LMSs can provide compared to the available free applications, LMSs are still the central platform for many universities to deliver e-learning. Therefore, it is vital to investigate the LMS structure requisites that affect user engagement. This paper focuses on the important LMS design factors that influence user engagement with e-learning tools within LMSs. Results were extracted from 74 interviews about Blackboard with students and lecturers within a major Australian university. A user-friendly structure, avoidance of too many tools and links, support for privacy and anonymous posting, and more customisable student-centred tools were identified as LMS design factors that affect user engagement.
Photoluminescence in MoS2 Multilayers with Functional Polyelectrolyte Nanospacing

Photoluminescence phenomenon in multilayers of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) spaced by nanothick polyelectrolyte layers are demonstrated on behalf of various transition metal dichalcogenides. Using facile method of layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly, negative charged MoS2 sheet and positive charged polymeric layers are sequentially stacked on various substrates. In this structure, individual MoS2 monolayers are not only effectively screened from interlayer coupling but also p-doped by functional polymeric layers. The Raman analysis demonstrates that MoS2 nanosheets separated by polymeric trilayers display much larger increase in photoluminescence (PL) as the number of layers is increased. Furthermore, it was also found that the enhanced PL has been correlated to the ratio of excitons to trions with type of polymeric spacers. Because uniform heterogeneous interfaces can be formed between various transition metal dichalcogenides and other soft materials, we expect that the result will be a trigger to fabricate hetero vertical architecture with other 2D analogues and will offer potential electronic and optoelectronic applications.
FDI and economic transformation in Sub-saharan Africa: paper prepared for the Midlands State University 1st International Research Conference: Driving Socio-Economic Development through Value Addition and Sustainable use of Resources held at Elephant Hills Resort, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe 14-16 July

Foreign direct investment (FDI) is widely considered one essential element for achieving sustainable development. This paper seeks to establish how much of the FDI activities in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) have translated into economic benefit for the host countries. It extends the analysis of aggregate FDI-growth relationships to intra and inter-sector spill-over effects, thereby reconciling the often inconclusive evidence on the growth impact of FDI in SSA. An interrogation of the figures in an econometric estimation of the FDI-growth relationship reveals that while FDI may seem like a key phenomenon of the century when measured by the rate it has been growing in Africa, this international interest in the region is yet to be translated into generation of livelihood and growth opportunities for recipient countries. The findings are important in light of Zimbabweâ€™s current economic woes characterized by low FDI inflows. FDI attraction has been proffered as a panacea to the current recession but the question is its sustainability given the turbulent political and socio-economic environment.
Energy Analysis of Pid Controlled Heat Pump Dryer

In this experimental study, a heat pump dryer was designed and manufactured, in which drying air temperature was controlled PID. Manufactured heat pump dryer was tested in drying kiwi, avocado and banana from among tropical fruits and energy and exergy analyses were made. Drying air temperature changed between 40 oC - 40.2 oC while drying the tropical fruits. Before the drying process in heat pump dryer, initial moisture contents were determined as 4.31 g water / g dry matter for kiwi, 1.51 g water / g dry matter for avocado and 4.71 g water / g dry matter for banana. Then tropical fruits were dried separately in heat pump dryer. Drying air temperature was kept unchanged with the error of +0.2 oC. Drying air velocity changed between 0.3 and 0.4 m/s in a period of 310 min. COPws of the heat pump dryer was calculated as 2.49 for kiwi, 2.47 for banana and 2.41 for avocado during the experiments. EUR changed between 13 % and 28 % for kiwi, 18% and 33% for avocado and 13% and 42% for banana in heat pump dryer.
TEXTUAL DIFFERENCES IN CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENTS OF AUSTRALIAN COMPANIES

The purpose of this study is to contribute to research on impression management in corporate annual reports in an Australian context. To contribute to this topic, a research question is investigated: do the most profitable Australian companies, assessed by percentage change in profit before tax, organise the chairman’s statements of their corporate annual reports and disclose information in a way that is significantly different from those least profitable companies. In terms of the methodology, this research has used a randomly selected group of companies from between the two extremes of profitability and lack of profitability to clarify any underlying disclosure trends in chairman’s statements of corporate annual reports as corporate performance level varies. The results of this study were indicative that impression management had occurred in Chairman’s letters of Australian corporations.
Parent-Adolescent Discrepancies In Parental Knowledge: Understanding Their Relationship To Adolescent Risk-Taking

PARENT-ADOLESCENT REPORTING DISCREPANCIES IN PARENTAL KNOWLEDGE: UNDERSTANDING THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO ADOLESCENT RISK-TAKING. Whitney L. McG. Kress, Michael J. Crowley, and Linda C. Mayes. Yale Child Study Center, Yale University, School of Medicine, New Haven, CT. This study examined discrepancies in parent and adolescent reports of parental knowledge (PK) in order to better define the relationship of such discrepancies to adolescent risk-taking and to further explore the significance of discrepancies. Subjects included 164 adolescentparent dyads (M age =14.9, SD 0.96). Adolescent and parent reports of PK both independently negatively correlated with degree of adolescent risk-taking. Discrepancy scores were generated by subtracting adolescent-reported PK from parent-reported PK. The relationship of discrepancy scores to adolescent risk-taking was examined in the context of three models: (1) A continuous model utilizing the absolute magnitude of the discrepancy score; (2) A three-group model consisting of a minimal discrepancy group, a group in which the parent reported higher levels of PK than the adolescent, and a group in which the adolescent reported higher levels of PK than the parent; and (3) A fourgroup model in which the minimal discrepancy group was further separated into two groups consisting of those reporting high levels of PK and those reporting low levels of PK. All three models significantly related to adolescent risk-taking. Models 1 and 2 both demonstrated that higher levels of discrepancies between parent and adolescent reports of PK corresponded to higher levels of risk-taking. The four-group model had the strongest correlation with risk-taking and demonstrated that the group consisting of subjects in whom there was minimal discrepancy with agreement on high levels of PK had significantly lower levels of adolescent risk-taking than any of the other discrepancy categories. Discrepancy groups also differed significently from eachother with respect to adolescent impulsivity and percieved stress. Findings suggest that discrepancy scores in PK are most highly related to risk-taking when interpreted in the context of their magnitude, directionality, and degree of PK. Specifically, low levels of discrepancies with high levels of PK appears to be protective of risk-taking and also associated with lower levels of impulsivity and percieved stress.
DETERMINANTS OF PUBLIC PROCUREMENT PERFORMANCE IN KENYA: CASE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, WATER AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Public procurement has always been a big part of the developing countries’ economy accounting for 10-40% of their GDPs. However, concerns on the way in which public organizations use the resources that are given to them has often raised doubts that value for money has not been realized. The overall problem in this study was that despite the fact that there has been reforms initiative in the public procurement system in Kenya since mid-1990s, the government still lost billions of money through procurement irregularities with the Ministry of Water and Irrigation leading by 38% of the reported cases in 2010/2011and 33% in 2011/2012. The overall objective was to explore determinants of public procurement performance in Kenya. The specific objectives included the effect of the legal framework on procurement performance, to establish how professional ethics affects procurement performance in Kenya, to ascertain how ICT affects procurement performance in Kenya, determine the influence of senior management support on procurement performance in Kenya and establish the moderating effect of government policy on public procurement performance in Kenya. This study took on a descriptive design approach. It was conducted at the Ministry of Environment, Water and Natural Resources headquarters. The respondents were sampled from all the departments within the Ministry. The office has 11 departments with a total of three hundred and twenty members of staff at the head office that constituted the target population of the study. The study sampled 25% of the population totaling 80 respondents. The study utilized questionnaires and unstructured observation in data collection. It conducted data collection systematically beginning with seeking permission from the relevant authorities through sample determination, actual data collection all the way to data analysis and presentation. The study adopted both qualitative and quantitative data analysis techniques. Data was edited after collection, classified and analyzed using SPSS and Microsoft Word tools, interpreted and presented using tables, graphs, narrations and statistical tools. Both descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was utilized in the analyzing and presenting of data.
The Economic Research Guardian – Vol . 2 ( 2 ) 2012

This study examines the link between bank lending and economic growth for European Union (EU-27) for the period 1990 to 2010. We apply a dynamic panel data (GMM-system estimator). This estimator permits to solve the problems of serial correlation, heteroskedasticity and endogeneity for some explanatory variables. As the results show, savings promotes growth. The inflation and bank credit have a negative impact on economic growth as previous studies.
Fossil clams from a serpentinite‐hosted sedimented vent field near the active smoker complex Rainbow, MAR, 36°13′N: Insight into the biogeography of vent fauna

Hydrothermal circulation at ultramafic‐hosted sites supports a large variety of high‐ and low‐temperature hydrothermal vents and associated ecosystems. The discovery of abundant fossil vesicomyid and thyasirid shell accumulations at the ridge crest, approximately 2.5 km east of the active Rainbow vent field on the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge (MAR, 36°13′N), increased our knowledge regarding the diversity of vent communities at slow spreading ridges. Bivalve molluscs of the family Vesicomyidae were represented by the genus Phreagena. Here we present the first record of this genus in the Atlantic Ocean. This second vesicomyid species known from the MAR, Phreagena sp. , was found to be associated with a Thyasira species that is affiliated with T. southwardae (at the Logatchev vent field on the MAR) and with T. vulcolutre (in the Gulf of Cadiz). These two clams have close relationships with seep taxa along the continental margin, and were likely associated with sedimented vent fields. δ18O and δ13C analyses of the shells suggested that the burrowing bivalve Thyasira could incorporate isotopically light carbon, derived from the oxidation of methane in the sediment, while the signature of Phreagena sp. shells denoted a different carbonate source. 14C dating of the shells denoted that the hydrothermal activity in the Rainbow area began at least ∼25.5 kyr BP, which is similar to the model of the hydrothermal vent field distribution that was proposed for the Logatchev hydrothermal site. The results provide new insight regarding the diversity of chemosynthetic fauna on the MAR over geologic time. Ultramafic‐hosted, on‐axis sedimented vent fields extend the range of habitats for chemosynthetic communities, underlying the need to further explore the geology of these types of environments on slow‐spreading ridges and to determine their role in the ecology of deep‐sea vent communities.
Health risk assessment of heavy metals via consumption of spinach vegetable grown in Elalla River

Water pollution with heavy metals due to discharge of untreated domestic wastes and surface runoff to the rivers is a major threat for human health that consumes vegetables grown with the polluted river. The present study aimed to examine the contamination of heavy metals through the health risk assessment via the consumption of spinach vegetable grown by the irrigation of Elalla River. Water from Elalla River, soil and spinach were analyzed for Fe, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cr and Cd using FAAS. Based on the elements analyzed, TF, DIM and HRI were calculated. The elements Cr (0.18-0.60) and Cd (0.021-0.023) in water samples (mg/L), Zn (316.10-517.86) and Cd (16.00-16.80) in soil samples(mg/kg); and Fe (483.38-612.24), Zn (109.86-219.72), Pb (2.56-3.97), Cr (8.42-13.45) and Cd (1.62-1.91) in spinach (mg/kg) were exceeded the permissible limits set by FAO and Ewers and Weigert. The TF calculated were lower for all metals except for Pb (2.832). Although the HRI values of all studied heavy metals were found to be < 1, the values for Cd and Pb were higher indicating alarming condition for the long term use of spinach in the studied area. Therefore, regular monitoring of heavy metals is essential to prevent excessive build up in the food chain and prevent serious health risk of population.
The acceptability of wind farms: the impact of public participation

ABSTRACT The planning process for wind farm projects appears to be a complicated matter in many cases. Despite the positive attitude towards wind power in general, local wind farm projects often face strong opposition. The aim of this study is to shed more light on residents’ perceptions of participation in the planning process of wind farms. This study is based on interview data (N = 22) and survey data (N = 291) collected from residents living near two Finnish large-scale onshore wind farms built about 1.5 years before the data were collected. The results indicate that residents’ participation in the planning process was rather passive and the vast majority of the respondents perceived that they did not have an opportunity to participate. Quite interestingly, perceived participation in the planning process resulted in a decrease in acceptability in terms of perceived well-being. Furthermore, the results indicate that the need for participation does not expire after the planning process for a wind farm has concluded. Thus, project developers should be prepared to continue communication with residents after the planning phase.
Survey trends of North American shorebirds: population declines or shifting distributions?

We analyzed data from two surveys of fall migrating shorebirds in central and eastern North America to estimate annual trends in means per survey and to determine whether trends indicate a change in population size or might have been caused by other factors. The analysis showed a broad decline in means per survey in Atlantic Canada and the northeastern United States (North Atlantic region). For example, 9 of 9 significant trends in this region were B / 1( P /0.004), and the mean, annual rate of change among 30 species was 0.9783, a decline of / 2.17% per year (PB /0.001). Trends in the midwestern United States (Midwest region) showed no clear pattern. The mean among 29 species was 1.0090 (P /0.35). Only 4 of the trends were significant. Several hypotheses were evaluated to identify causes of the declining means per survey in the North Atlantic region. The most likely hypothesis appears to be a decline in the breeding populations that supply migrants to the North Atlantic region, but a change in movements, for example passing through the region more quickly in recent years, cannot be excluded as an explanation. Further surveys of arctic breeding areas coupled with analysis of long-term survey data from western North America would be helpful in determining whether the declines found in this analysis are also occurring in other areas.
Incidences of irritable bowel syndrome and its subtypes in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

DOI: 10.4328/JCAM.5755 Received: 06.02. 2018 Accepted: 23.02. 2018 Published Online: 25.02. 2018 Printed: 01.07. 2018 J Clin Anal Med 2018;9(4): 329-32 Corresponding Author: Hacer Uyanikoglu, Gynecology Department of Harran University, Medical Faculty, Sanliurfa, Turkey. GSM: +905423455513 F. : +90 4143183192 E-Mail: huoglu@hotmail.com ORCID ID: 0000-0003-0316-4900 Abstract Aim: We aimed to compare the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and its subtypes in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and in healthy women. Material and Method: Fifty-four patients who referred to Endocrinology, Gynecology and Internal Medicine outpatient clinics of Harran University, Medical Faculty, and 53 healthy women were enrolled this study between September 2015 and March 2016. The incidence of IBS and IBS subtypes [according to predominance of diarrhea (IBS-D), constipation (IBS-C), and alternating (IBS-A)] in PCOS patients were compared with controls that matched age, sex and body mass index (BMI) criteria. For the diagnoses of PCOS and IBS, revised 2003 Rotterdam criteria and Roma III criteria were used, respectively. Results: IBS observed in 21 patients with PCOS (39%) and in 10 healthy women (19%). IBS is found significantly higher in PCOS patients than in the controls (p = 0.022). However, IBS-C is the most common subtype both in PCOS patients and in controls. Discussion: We showed IBS and IBS-C subtype were increased in women with PCOS. Therefore, we speculated that both IBS and PCOS might be releated with similar etiologic factors.
Ectomycorrhizal colonization of Alnus acuminata Kunth in northwestern Argentina in relation to season and soil parameters

The objective of this study was to determine patterns of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) colonization of Alnus acuminata Kunth at two natural forests in relation to soil parameters at two different seasons (autumn and spring). The soil parameters studied were field capacity, pH, electrical conductivity, available P, total N and organic matter. The percentage of AM colonization was estimated and correlated to soil properties and to two different seasons. The results indicate that the percentage of AM colonization varied among soil types and was higher in spring than autumn. A significant positive correlation was found between AM colonization and electrical conductivity, organic matter and total Nitrogen. Results of this study provide evidence that AM colonization of A. acuminata can be affected by some soil parameters and seasonality.
Self-Assembled Gold Nanoplexes for Cancer- Targeted siRNA Delivery

SELF-ASSEMBLED GOLD NANOPLEXES FOR CANCER-TARGETED SIRAN DELIVERY by Yongliang Shi August 2014 Through layer-by-layer method, the authors have constructed three Au nanoplexes: AuPEI/RNA/PEI, AuPEI/RNA/PEI-mPEG, and AuPEI/NA/PEI-PEG-FA. All the nanoplexes are characterized by UV-vis spectrometry, DLS, and zeta potential. The surface density of the first layer PEI and second layer RNA were also determined. Moreover, the Au nanoplexes can protect siRNA from RNase degradation and are stable in cell culture medium. siGLuc-ppp, ssRNA80, and siF17 were delivered by the assembled Au nanoplexes, and the results were analyzed by GLuc assay, TB assay, and Luciferase assay. In terms of RNA delivery, the Au nanoplexes AuPEI/RNA/PEI exhibited excellent gene silencing efficiency (or causing severe cell death) in the absence of the serum during the transfection. In terms of targeted delivery, PEGylation greatly reduces the nonspecific delivery of siRNA caused by AuPEI/siRNA/PEI. However, no apparent difference is found between AuPEI/RNA/PEI-mPEG and AuPEI/RNA/PEI-PEG-FA. Fast fabrication, versatility, and ability for siRNA protection are the major characters of our new developed Au nanoplex system. The high gene silencing efficiency in the absence of serum makes it an excellent delivery agent for negative-charged macromolecules in vitro. However, the application of the system in targeted delivery needs more exploration. ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Foremost, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my advisor, Dr. Faqing Huang, for offering me such a great opportunity to perform research, giving me valuable advice, and showing me what a real scientist is. Besides my advisors, I would like to thank my committee members, Dr. Masterson and Dr. Guo, for their guidance and insightful comments. Furthermore, I would like to thank Dr. Bai on the collaboration for the delivery of antivirus siRNA. I also want to express my thanks to lab mate, Joseph Spangler, for his selfless helping. Moreover, I want to acknowledge The University of Southern Mississippi, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and National Institutes of Health for financial support. Last but not least, I want to express great thanks to my parents and my wife for their unconditional love and support.
Recconciling opposing views towards labour informality. The case of Colombia and South Africa

The analysis of labour markets in Colombia and South Africa provides a framework of informality broad enough to understand the complex phenomenon of informality. Both South Africa and Colombia are upper-middle income countries struggling to break out of the middle-income trap. While both countries have similar levels of per capita income and inequality, South Africa stands out for having relatively high levels of unemployment and low levels of informal employment, whereas Colombia has a lower rate of unemployment but persistently high levels of informality.