Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
2 , 034606 ( 2018 ) Photoelastic properties of zinc-blende

Picosecond ultrasonics was used to study the photoelastic properties of zinc-blende (cubic) c-AlxGa1−xN with x around 0.5. The velocities for longitudinal sound in the alloys were measured using ultrafast UV pump-probe experiments with (AlGa)N membranes. Strong Brillouin oscillations were observed in (AlGa)N films attached to GaAs substrates. These oscillations are due to the dynamical interference of the probe beams reflected from the sample surface and interfaces and a picosecond-duration strain pulse propagating in the alloy layer. Optical and elasto-optical parameters including the complex refractive index and the fundamental band gap of the cubic nitride alloys are determined and compared with the values obtained by ellipsometry.
Image Modalities in Multimedia Vocabulary Instruction: Does Dual Coding of Vocabulary Occur at Different Degrees?

Convictions are strong that multimedia courseware holds great promise for enhancing learning efficiency among learners. This study thus aimed at comparing the effects of the multimedia programs introducing 100 vocabulary items through pictures and streaming video with those of teacher instruction on increasing EFL learners’ vocabulary repertoire. A total of 120 subjects were identified as intermediate-level students based on the scores they obtained on the reading and listening sections of an IELTS and were randomly assigned to four equivalent groups. One group served as the pilot group, two as the experimental groups, and the other as the control group. The pilot group participated in the pilot study of the vocabulary test that was designed by the researcher as the pre- and posttest. The two experimental groups received treatment on teaching the vocabulary items through a Motion-Picture Multimedia Program (MPMP) or a Still-Picture Multimedia Program (SPMP). The control group received a treatment on the same vocabulary items through teacher instruction. The results favored the use of the multimedia programs, albeit the multimedia program drawing on streaming video proved to be more effective than the one using still pictures. Therefore, the findings revealed that dual coding of vocabulary might occur at different degrees across different methods of vocabulary teaching, resulting in varying degrees of the learning success.
The effect of scopolamine on declarative learning and frontal midline theta activity

The role of theta oscillations in and around the frontal midline have been well documented in working memory and sustained attention related processes. However, the role of these oscillations in relation to learning processes, such as encoding and consolidation, have not yet been thoroughly studied in humans. In animal studies, scopolamine has been shown to hinder conditioning as well as decrease the hippocampal neural response and amount of theta. Some studies have also reported scopolamine induced disruption in hippocampal activity in humans. Using a double-blind setting, the present study used 1mg/72h transdermal scopolamine to hinder learning and memory functions in half of the sample while measuring memory performance with WMS-R logical memory and word pairs tasks, and learning performance in a trace eyeblink classical conditioning setting while measuring a frontal midline EEG activity. Scopolamine caused a decrement in encoding performance in WMS-R logical memory and word pairs tasks, and a slower rate of acquisition in trace-EBCC. Conditioned stimulus evoked frontal midline theta activity was more prominent in the control group. Groups did not differ based on alpha activity during any of the measured segments. The findings of the present study provide leeway for another interpretation of frontal midline theta activity besides its prevalence observed during working memory load and sustained attention.
EFFECT OF PHOSPHORUS AND ZINC FERTILIZATION ON BIOCHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF WHEAT

Field trials were conducted to assess the response of conjunctive use of phosphorus and zinc fertilizer on the 1000-seed weight and certain biochemical components of three varieties of wheat (Triticum aestivum) viz: PBW- 343, HW-2425 and NW-1014. Results indicated that the phosphorus and zinc application had an synergistic impact on the 1000-seed weight and protein content of the wheat varieties. The increase in the doses of phosphorus and zinc had a positive impact on all the physical and biochemical characters of the wheat varieties. Application of phosphorus @ 60kg/ha and zinc @ 10kg/ha was found suitable to enhance the nutrient composition and certain bread making qualities of the wheat varieties.
Evaluation of a biopsy technique of the epiphyseal plate radius of mules with angular deformity of surgical type: case study

Antecedentes: ocho mulares con deformidad angular (ALD) de tipo varus y valgus del carpo fueron estudiados. Objetivo: evaluar una tecnica de biopsia para la placa de crecimiento distal del radio con la aguja Jamshidi. Metodos: se utilizaron 13 miembros con ALD; inmediatamente antes de la cirugia correctiva. El lugar de la biopsia vario con la severidad de la ALD y con la tecnica quirurgica. Las muestras fueron conservadas y tratadas para estudio histopatologico. Resultados: se obtuvieron solamente 3 muestras exitosas. Conclusiones: la tecnica de biopsia utilizada fue poca eficiente (23%), pero permitio describir la presencia de displasia fisaria en mulares con ALD. Los hallazgos coinciden con los descritos para equinos.
Collagenase inhibition activity of Indian medicinal plants: an approach to moderate collagen turnover

Inhibition of collagenase plays a vital role in protecting unbalanced turnover of collagen in human inflamed or UV-irradiated skin. In recent years, plants have been widely investigated and found to have anti-collagenase activity. Therefore, in the present study we have screened eleven Indian medicinal plants viz., Aegle marmelos, Acalypha indica, Calotropis gigantea, Nerium oleander, Adathoda vasica, Erythrina indica, Acalypha fruiticosa, Vitex negundo, Morinda citrifolia, Nyctanthes arbortristis and Acorus calamus for gelatinase/collagenase inhibition activity. Anti-collagenase activity of plant extract was assessed by plate assay and gelatin-zymogram methods. Primarily, the plant extracts were subjected to investigation for the presence of various phytochemicals such as alkaloids, tannins, saponins, steroids, carbohydrates, glycosides and flavonoids etc. Out of eleven Indian medicinal plants studied, three plants extracts namely Erythrina indica , Nyctanthes arbortris-tis and Acorus calamus exhibited significant collagenase inhibition activity (at 50µg/ml concentration level). The three plants, Erythrinaindica , Nyctanthes arbortris-tis and Acorus calamus find potential cosmetic applications.
EFFECT OF SAVORY EXTRACT SUPPLEMENTATION ON SOME PRODUCTIVE TRAITS AND ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY OF COMMON CARP (Cyprinus carpio L.)

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of a dietary savory extract supplement on the survival rate, growth performance, feed conversion ratio and economic efficiency of common carp ( Cyprinus carpio L.) reared in a recirculation system. Thirty-two carps were allotted into two experimental variants, each of them comprising two replications with 8 fish in a group. The average initial live weight of fish from both replications from the control group (CG) and experimental group (EG) was 866.56±113.99 g and 866.81±119.10 g, respectively (p>0.05). They were kept in concrete tanks with efficient water volume of 0.8 m 3 , elements of the recirculation system. Carps were fed pelleted carp feed with 25% crude protein, produced with pellet size of 6 mm. The feed of fish from the EG was supplemented with 1% powdered savory extract, after lubricating the pellets with 5 ml sunflower oil per 100 g feed. Control carp received the same amount of sunflower oil-lubricated feed. The daily ration of fish from both replications was 1.8% of their live weight. The experiment duration was 45 days. Survival rates during the experiment showed 100% survival in carps, supplemented with 1% savory extract as well as in control fish . The average individual weight gain of carps from the two EG replications ( supplemented with 1% savory extract ) was 154.63±28.39 g, which was higher than that of controls by 57 . 1 8% (Table 3), as the differences were statistically significant ( p< 0.0 01 ). At the end of the trial, the analysis of consumed feed amount showed that feed conversion ratio in the group supplemented with 1% savory extract was 2.25±0.43 e.g. by 67.11% lower than that of control group, as the differences were statistically significant (p<0.001). The group that received 1% savory extract exhibited better economic conversion ratio (1.98), by 42.42% lower than that of the non-supplemented group.
Effect of International Remittances on Inflation in Ghana Using the Bounds Testing Approach

This paper empirically examines the effect of international remittances on inflation in Ghana from 1979 to 2013 by incorporating international remittances as an exogenous variable to the standard inflation function. Applying the bounds testing approach, the empirical results indicate that international remittances have a significant effect on inflation in the long-run. However, in the short-run, no significant relationship is evident between these two variables. The study recommends that in order to reduce the effect of international remittances on inflation rate and increase the impact on growth, the government should improve public infrastructure. By this, excessive transfer fees would reduce and these remittances could be channeled into more productive sectors rather than being used mainly for consumption purposes.
Clinical similarities and differences of four children with single mitochondrial DNA deletions

Background. Single deletion of mitochondrial DNA (del mtDNA) is a sporadic progressive disorder associated with clusters of symptoms known as Kearns-Sayre syndrome (KSS), chronic progressive ophthalmoplegia (CPEO), isolated myopathy and Pearson marrow-pancreas syndrome. The set of symptoms and signs differs remarkably from patient to patient. Material and Methods. The aim of the paper is to provide a description of the natural history of the disease in four children with two “common” and two novel mtDNA deletions. Diagnosis was established on the biochemical (plasma lactate concentration), histochemical (muscle biopsy), enzymatic and molecular level. Results. In early childhood all patients similarly show remarkable growth failure and fatigability. Plasma and cerebrospinal lactate concentrations were always elevated. Differences were seen in the range of multi-organ involvement and the age of its onset. Hypoparathyroidism, diabetes mellitus and suprarenal insufficiency developed earliest at the age of 7 and had a “strange” course. Ptosis, retinitis pigmentosa, deafness, and heart conductive changes developed frequently from late childhood to adolescence. Pearson-like diarrhea was seen transiently only once. Anemia with increased mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration was found twice. Kidney leakage of magnesium (evoking hypoparathyroidism) and sodium (imitating hypocorticism), and urinary phosphate or potassium loss were found periodically in all children. Delay in the diagnosis ranged from 2 to 14 years. Conclusion. In our experience, lactate should be measured more commonly to improve early detection of mitochondriopathies. Atypical or “strange” course of progressive chronic disorder associated with hyperlactatemia should especially alert not only neurologists, cardiologists, hematologists but also pediatric endocrinologists and nephrologists.
Wilkhu, Jitinder S and McNeil, Sarah E and Anderson, David E and Perrie, Yvonne (2014) Consideration of the efficacy of non-ionic vesicles

Strathprints is designed to allow users to access the research output of the University of Strathclyde. Unless otherwise explicitly stated on the manuscript, Copyright © and Moral Rights for the papers on this site are retained by the individual authors and/or other copyright owners. Please check the manuscript for details of any other licences that may have been applied. You may not engage in further distribution of the material for any profitmaking activities or any commercial gain. You may freely distribute both the url (https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/) and the content of this paper for research or private study, educational, or not-for-profit purposes without prior permission or charge.
Real Time, Time Series Forecasting of Political Conflict

We propose a framework for forecasting and analyzing regional and international conflicts in real time. The proposed framework would generate forecasts that 1) are accurate, 2) are produced in (near) real time, 3) address the actions of multiple actors in a conflict, 4) incorporate prior beliefs about conflict processes, and 5) allow us to generate policy contingent forecasts. We propose to meet these desiderata by combining the CAMEO event coding framework with Bayesian vector autoregression (BVAR) and Markov-switching Bayesian vector autoregression (MS-BVAR) forecasting models. We outline an example using these methods and present some preliminary conclusions.
Cadmium Removal from Aqueous Solutions Using Dried Banana Peels asAn Adsorbent: Kinetics and Equilibrium Modeling

The use of Dried banana peels as an adsorbent for removal of cadmium ions from aqueous solutions has been studied. Batch experiments have been conducted at different concentrations to evaluate the maximum adsorption capacity of Dried banana peels. The influence of pH, contact time, adsorbent dose was investigated at room temperature. Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm models used to test equilibrium of adsorption. The process of adsorption was found to be fast and equilibrium has been reached in within 2 hours. The maximum adsorption capacity of cadmium on Dried banana peels is 5.91 mg/g, evaluated by Langmuir adsorption isotherm model. Pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetic models applied to evaluate rate constants. FTIR spectra of adsorbent showed the presence of hydroxyl, carboxylic and amine groups in dried banana peels. This study shows that banana peels has great potential for removal of cadmium ions and can be used as a good adsorbent for removal of cadmium from water and wastewater at very low concentration.
Analysis of school factors associated with the physical fitness of high school students

The purpose of this study was to determine the association between physical education environment and physical fitness levels of students at selected Slovak high schools. Methods: For the purposes of the study, 12 high schools in the Presov region were selected via cluster sampling. To determine the association between physical education environment and physical fitness levels, 705 students (287 girls, 418 boys) participated in the study. The quality of physical education classes was assessed using selected items of a questionnaire used in a Texas youth fitness project, each school’s physical education environment and policy survey. Data on muscular strength, endurance, flexibility and BMI were collected using the FITNESSGRAM test protocol. To determine the effect of school physical education environment on fitness levels, ordinary least squares regression was used. Analysis of the association between school physical education environment and fitness levels showed minimal differences. The results indicated positive effects of qualified teachers and class size on fitness level measured by selected items of the FITNESSGRAM test battery in high school students. The educational attainment and participation in conferences by teachers and the number of students per class appeared to be the most significant predictors affecting the physical fitness of high school students.
Peer Feedback, Self-Correction, and Writing Proficiency of Indonesian EFL Students

This study investigated the effectiveness of peer feedback and self-correction based on guideline sheets on the writing ability of the Indonesian EFL students. It involved 71 Indonesian EFL students taking the Essay Writing course at Universitas Negeri Malang, an Indonesian university. The students were from three intact classes and they were given different types of treatment: The students from Class A were given peer feedback based on a guideline sheet, those from Class B were assigned to do self-correction based on a guideline sheet, and those from Class C were involved in a conventional editing process of writing. The results of the study showed that the students given peer feedback based on a guideline sheet (Class A) have better ability in writing essays than those who were not given peer feedback (Class C); the students conducting self correction based on a guideline sheet (Class B) have better ability in writing essays than those who did not conduct self-correction (Class C); and both peer feedback based on a guideline sheet (given to Class A) and self-correction based on a guideline sheet (given to Class B) significantly improved the ability in writing essays of the students in the two experimental classes. Given that the two types of treatment were effective in increasing the students‟ scores in essay writing, peer feedback and self-correction based on guidelines sheets are recommended for practical use in EFL classrooms as well as for further research studies.
New teeth of allotherian mammals from the English Bathonian, including the earliest multituberculates

New material and additional morphological details of a rare and phylogenetically significant large fossil snake, Wonambi naracoortensis Smith, 1976, are described from Pleistocene and Pliocene cave deposits in southern South Australia. The new data refute some previous interpretations of the morphology of this species, and have implications for the phylogenetic position of Wonambi relative to extant snakes and other fossils, including other Madtsoiidae. The nature of contacts among palatal, braincase, snout, and mandibular elements imply similar functional attributes to those of extant anilioid snakes: maxillae from multiple individuals show corrugated contact surfaces for the prefrontal, implying a tight suture; structures on the anterior and medial surfaces of the palatine choanal process are interpreted as forming extensive contacts with the vomer and parasphenoid; and the distinctly bounded facets on the basipterygoid processes and pterygoid imply little or no capacity for anteroposterior sliding of the palatopterygoid arch, hence absence of the macrostomatan 'pterygoid walk'. On the frontal, interolfactory pillars were either absent or very slender, and a deep, sculptured contact surface for the nasal implies a prokinetic joint was also absent. Margins of the frontal and parietal indicate broad entry of the sphenoid into the ophthalmic fenestra, as in Dinilysia. Similarity of elements and features of the braincase (trigeminal foramen, ear region, and basipterygoid processes) with both lizards and extant snakes show that differences between snakes and other squamates have sometimes been overstated. The case for macrostomatan affinities of Wonambi is not supported by new evidence.
REMOVAL OF OIL AND GREASE FROM WASTEWATER USING NATURAL ADSORBENTS

There are several pollutants that can harm our environment. Oil and grease are one of the examples of a pollutant that can cause a severe environmental problem. The highest concentration of oil and grease inside the sewer system can cause the sewer to clog that can lead to overflow. It can affect not only to the environment but can also affecting our health. There are various methods of oil and grease removal that one of the examples is by using adsorption method. This method commonly uses activated carbon that is one of the effective adsorbents. Although effective, the cost for activated carbon is expensive thus a study was conducted by using agricultural residues as alternative adsorbents for oil and grease removal. This study objective is to determine the ability of two adsorbents, which are sugarcane bagasse and banana pith as an adsorbent in removing oil and grease from wastewater. It involved the characterization of adsorbent and the performance studies of the adsorbent. The adsorbent was characterized in term of physical and chemical characterization. Dosage and contact time are the parameter used for performance studies, to see the ability of adsorbents in removing oil and grease.
Survey of benefits and constraints of urban trees in Kaduna Metropolis

This study was used to assess public opinion of the economic and ecological importance of various tree species in Kaduna Metropolis, Kaduna state. A total of one hundred (100) questionnaires were randomly administered among four purposively selected towns (Angwa-Rimi and Kawo new extension in Kaduna North and Bar’nawa and Sabo in Kaduna South) within the two major local governments in the study area. Twenty-five (25) questionnaires were randomly distributed across age and sex in each of the four (4) selected towns. Of these, ninety were retrieved for analysis. Data analysis was achieved through descriptive analysis. This included frequency distribution tables, percentages and charts. The results show that the majority of the respondents were aged between (21-30) and (31-40) years, these figures representing (44.4%) and (30.0%), respectively, of the entire study population. In addition, most had secondary education (53.3%). In the stated opinions, Meliaceae occur most often. Other trees species identified in the study area include Eucalyptus spp, Azadiracta indica, Psidium guajava, Terminalia catapa, Mangifera indica, Anacardium occidentalis, Khaya senegalensis, Gmelina arboria, pinus spp , Carica papaya, Moringa olifera, Gliricidia sepium, Ficus spp, Afzelia spp, Balanite eagyptiaca, -20-environmental conditions in the study area. It is recommended that efforts to make the populace aware of the economic and ecological significance of urban trees be intensified.
Under the Law: Legal Consciousness and Radical Environmental Activism

A growing body of sociolegal scholarship focuses the study of law away from formal texts and legal institutions and toward the experiences and perceptions of “everyday” citizens. This study introduces seventeen “radical” environmentalists who engage a repertoire of tactics that includes some actions that involve relatively severe forms of illegality. This research seeks to investigate the role of civil disobedience and lawbreaking within the radical environmental movement and the corresponding legal consciousness of movement actors. Utilizing ethnographic fieldwork and content analysis, this analysis suggests that Ewick and Silbey's (1998) three‐tiered model of legal consciousness is an operative starting point, but could be enhanced through theoretical expansion. This study proposes a new category of legal consciousness—Under the Law—that views the law as the protector and defender of a social order that is fundamentally illegitimate. Under the Law is qualitatively different from existing conceptualizations of legal consciousness and reaffirms the mutually constitutive nature of law and society.