Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On the Production of Synonyms by Arabic-Speaking EFL Learners

This study examines the productive knowledge of synonyms in English by 40 Saudi EFL learners. It also tests whether the participants’ English proficiency level plays a role in their production of English synonyms. To this end, the researcher designed a translation test to measure Saudi EFL learners’ ability to produce the correct synonym in contextualised English sentences. In order to test whether the English proficiency level of the participants influenced their production of English synonyms, the participants were divided, on the basis of their scores on the Oxford Placement Test, into two groups: 20 Advanced Learners (ALs) and 20 Intermediate Learners (ILs). The answers of the two groups on the translation test, i.e., the ALs and ILs were compared to check whether their English proficiency level played a role on their answers. A Chi-square test was employed to determine whether the differences between the ALs and ILs on the test were statistically significant. The results show that the number of correct answers provided by ALs was higher than that provided by ILs, suggesting that their English proficiency level may have played a role in their answers. The study suggested that the main sources of error were L1 interference, lack of focus on the acquisition of vocabulary in schools in Saudi Arabia, lack of knowledge of some English lexical items, lack of awareness of the different nuances of meaning between the synonyms in English and lack of knowledge with English collocations. Finally, the study concludes with some recommendations for further research.
Exploring Perspectives of the Student Competencies Needed to Advocate for Agriculture

The agricultural and natural resources industries are increasingly faced with remarks and skepticism from consumers and activists alike. Equipping those in industry as well as college graduates with skills to effectively share agriculture’s story through a variety of mediums continues to increase in importance. This qualitative study sought to explore learning objectives and curriculum goals that agricultural advocates have for an undergraduate agricultural advocacy course. Phone interviews with individuals involved in agricultural advocacy revealed two-way communication skills were important when communicating with the public. Active listening, communicating with an open mind, communicating at a level of understanding, and equipping oneself with an arsenal of industry knowledge and contacts were found to be key learning outcomes for a course such as this. Further, role-playing activities, professional experiences, and online media communication abilities were also found to be important class assignments, activities, and skills that would allow students to perfect these two-way communication skills. From the findings of this study, undergraduate educators may have a better understanding of the importance of incorporating two-way communications into their curriculum as well as have a guideline for developing a course for agricultural advocacy within their agricultural education, communications, and leadership programs. The findings of this study may also help communications practitioners and Extension personnel as they prepare for agricultural advocacy efforts within their organizations.
Effects of Mobile Number Portability: Case of Turkey

In today's competitive telecommunications environment, a service provider should be able to prepare for changes in customer needs, regulation and technology. The most recent technological change in GSM environment is the Mobile Number Portability (MNP). The aim of this study is to identify and model the factors affecting MNP in Turkey. The questionnaire is developed based on previous researches and is modified according to a pilot study applied to five end-users. It is administered to a total of 1275 Internet users and 1250 usable data are collected. Reliability analysis (Cronbach's alpha) is applied to test internal consistency of the questionnaire. Regression analysis results indicate that overall model is statistically significant, where the factors affecting MNP are age, contract type, operator type, and satisfaction level. This study shows that the specified model can be used by managers of telecommunications service providers in order not to be affected by MNP.
Bacteriological Study of Wound Infections and Their Antibiogram Pattern at A Tertiary Care Hospital in Suburban Area of Hyderabad

Background: Wound infections can be caused through two major sources: exogenous and endogenous bacteria. The probability of wound infection largely depends on the patient’s systemic host defenses, local wound conditions and microbial burden. Despite modern surgical techniques and the use of antibiotic prophylaxis, Surgical Site Infection (SSI) is one of the most common complications encountered in surgery. SSI places a significant burden on both the patient and health system. SSI is thus a major cause of morbidity, prolonged hospital stays and increased health costs. Methods: Two wound swabs were collected from the wound and from a drop of aspirate, smear was made on clean glass slide and Gram staining was done for direct microscopic examination under oil immersion 100X objective to know various morphological types of bacteria and presence or absence of inflammatory cells. Second swab/drop of aspirate was used for culture by inoculating it on routine media like Blood Agar, Nutrient Agar and MacConkey’s agar, incubated at 37° C for 24 hrs. aerobically. Result: Out of 108 pus samples, 101(88.5%) were culture positive for bacterial growth and no growth was observed in 7(11.4%) cases. Out of 101 bacterial culture positive cases, 96 were nonbacterial and 5 were poly bacterial. Out of 96 bacterial isolates; S. aureus (38/36.6%) was the commonest followed by P. aeruginosa (26/24.7%) Conclusion: The study concludes that variety of aerobic bacteria is responsible for wound infection with predominance of Staphylococcus aureus followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Effects of Random Oscillations on Balance Control in Healthy Young Adults

EFFECTS OF RANDOM OSCILLATIONS ON BALANCE CONTROL IN HEALTHY YOUNG ADULTS Jacob Van Dehy, B.S. Marquette University, 2017 In human walking, balance control is managed through proactive changes in spatiotemporal parameters of stepping [1]. It has been suggested that continuous disruptions to healthy young adult balance cause greater changes to overall variability of these parameters than a shift in the mean stepping parameters [2]. This suggests that walking may be occurring in a more reactive manner, modulating to maintain balance without increasing the mean significantly. Work using continuous oscillations to treadmill walking suggest there is an interplay between the predictability of a signal used to disrupt subject balance and the degree to which compensation occurs [3]. To determine how balance compensation occurs during continuous, unpredictable oscillations this work investigated the effects of unpredictable oscillations on human walking. A 6 Degree of Freedom Motion base was used to oscillate 12 subjects walking on a treadmill for seven different balance conditions: (1) Normal Walking (2) Pitch Amplitude Oscillations, (3) Pitch Frequency Oscillations, (4) Roll Amplitude Oscillations, (5) Roll Frequency Oscillations, (6) Medial-Lateral Amplitude Oscillations, and (7) Medial-Lateral Frequency Oscillations. Amplitude perturbations used a probabilistic multiplier to change the amplitude of an applied sine wave each period, maintaining timing, while frequency perturbations used the same multiplier to vary the timing of sine waves for each period. Amplitude oscillations caused a greater degree of proactive control characterized by changes in temporal stepping parameters. Frequency oscillations resulted in a greater change in reactive control, demonstrating variability in stepping parameters immediately preceding and following peaks in accelerations peaks which exceed 0.5 m/s. These observations suggest that healthy young adults shift to a reactive strategy of balance compensation when subject to more difficult, higher acceleration oscillations of support surface while maintaining a proactive rate of level walking at low accelerations.
Molecular Signatures and Diagnostic Biomarkers of Cumulative Blast-Graded Mild TBI

Abstract : During 3-d year, we completed comparing blast load characteristics producing mild through severe TBI of composite, accompanied with head acceleration with primary blast-peak overpressure exposure w/o significant head acceleration. Improved prototype (final version) of cumulative blast sensor and signal conditioning circuit has been produced and tested at Banyan Biomarkers November/December, 2013 and January/February 2013. We were capable of capturing at least 3 consecutive blasts and integrate a cumulative load. Also, we continued to fully characterize brain injury and biomarkers after repeated primary blast exposure. Rats were subjected to a primary blast of 50-53 psi overpressure and total duration of 75 sec : 3 exposures, with a 45 min to 1 hr recovery at the frontal part of the rat s skull. Portable cumulative blast sensors were placed on the head front and rat spine. We measured blood accumulation of our golden standard GFAP, neuronal UCH-L1 and CNPase, and NSE. To complete a panel, we investigated neuroendocrine peptide Orexin A, Neuropilin-2 and inflammatory sICAM and metalloproteinases. Multiple blasts augmented increased GFAP, UCH-L1, NSE and NRP-2, but not Orexin A, while at 7 days the cumulative effects of multiple blasts were much lower, if any. On the other hand, serum CNPase and sICAM after multiple blasts was significantly augmented vs. single blast both at 1 day and 7 days post exposure. Finally, we found and characterized new signatures of blast injuries: thrombin activity measured by calibrated activated thrombography (CAT), linked to microcirculation disorders following blast exposures.
User satisfaction as a measure of success in end user application development: An empirical investigation

End user application development to support organisational tasks is a phenomenon that is becoming increasingly important to organisations, yet there is little empirical research evaluating its effectiveness. Measures of user satisfaction, which are commonly used to evaluate organisational systems, may be inappropriate when end users assess systems they have developed themselves. This study compared the satisfaction ratings of applications which were evaluated by their end user developers with ratings of the same application by other end users. End users were significantly more satisfied with applications they had developed themselves. Possible implications of this finding are discussed.
Examining the Moderating Effect of Entrepreneurs Demographic Characteristics on Strategic Entrepreneurial Orientations and Competitiveness of SMEs

The focus of this study was to examine the moderating effects of entrepreneurs’ demographic characteristics on strategic entrepreneurial orientation and competitiveness of SMEs. The theoretical underpinning of the study was based on existing literature to reflect the moderating effects of entrepreneurs’ demographic characteristics on strategic entrepreneurial orientation and competitiveness of SMEs. The study adopted quantitative approach with a descriptive research design to describe the moderating effects of entrepreneurs’ demographic characteristics on the relationship between strategic entrepreneurial orientation and competitiveness of SMEs based on the objective of the study. Data was gathered from 159 owners/managers of micro, small and medium agro-based firms that were randomly selected and surveyed through the use of structured questionnaire. Hierarchical multiple regression was adopted in analysing the research instrument. The findings from the statistical analysis suggest that analysis, future oriented strategies, proactive initiatives, risk-taking attitudes, defensive strategies over their niche and ensuring integration of their various functional units are significant strategic entrepreneurial orientations that enhance SMEs competitiveness.
FORMULATION AND IN-VITRO EVALUATION OF FAST DISSOLVING FILM CONTAINING AMLODIPINE BESYLATE SOLID DISPERSION

Objective: This study concerned with preparation and in-vitro evaluation of fast dissolving film of amlodipine besylate solid dispersion, since amlodipine besylate is a sparingly soluble orally administered drug and the rate of absorption is often controlled by the rate of dissolution. Materials and method: The rate of dissolution can be increased by incorporating the drug in a fast dissolving dosage form as a solid dispersion that prepared using polyethylene glycol (PEG6000) or polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) in different ratios and different methods of preparation. The fast dissolving films were prepared using sodium carboxy methyl cellulose (SCMC) in different concentration orhydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) also different concentration of glycerin were used. Different factors affecting the dissolution rate of the solid dispersion and fast dissolving film were studied. Results: It was seen that as the ratio of drug to PEG6000 or PVP in solid dispersion increased the release rate increased and the solvent evaporation method gave greater release than fusion method. In fast dissolving film it was seen that as the concentration of SCMC increased the release rate decreased significantly and as the concentration of glycerin increased the release rate increased significantly. Discussion: The release rate increased with increasing the ratio of drug to PEG6000 or PVP in solid dispersionsince both of them are water soluble carriers;so increase their amount in solid dispersion leading to increase the wettability and dispersibility of drug from the dispersion resulting in dissolution of drug in hydrophilic carrier.
OMBINI ) ON TOMATO ( L YCOPERSICON ESCULENTUM M ILL . , S OLANACEAE ) FLOWERS : POLLINATION AND REWARD PERCEPTION

The foraging behaviour of pollinators can influence their efficiency in pollinating certain plant species. Improving our understanding of this behaviour can contribute to an improvement of management techniques to avoid pollination deficits. We investigated the relationship between the number of visits of bumble bees (Bombus impatiens) to tomato flowers (Lycopersicon esculentum) and two variables related to the quality of the resulting fruits (weight, number of seeds), as well as the relationship between foragers’ thoracic weights, physical characteristics of thoracic vibrations (main frequency, velocity amplitude), amount of pollen removed from flowers, and the quality-related variables. In addition, we studied the capability of foragers to assess the availability of pollen in flowers. Tomato weight and seed number did not increase with the number of bee visits, neither were they correlated with the foragers’ thorax weight. Thorax weight also did not correlate with the amount of pollen removed from the flowers nor with the physical characteristics of vibration. Vibration characteristics did not change in response to the amount of pollen available on tomato flowers. Instead, foragers adjusted the time spent visiting the flowers, spending fewer time on flowers from which some pollen had already been removed on previous visits. The quantity and the production-related variables of tomatoes are not dependent on the number of bee visits (usually one visit suffices for full pollination); bigger foragers are not more efficient in pollinating tomato flowers than smaller ones; and B. impatiens foragers are capable of evaluating the amount of pollen on a flower while foraging and during pollination.
Interactive comment on “Paleofires and the dynamics of carbon cycling in Chinese Loess Plateau over the last two glacial cycles” by X. Wang and Z. L. Ding

Reply: Plants use two principal biosynthetic pathways to fix carbon, the C3 and C4 cycles. C3 plants have δ13C values ranging from -22‰ to -34‰ with an average value of -27‰ and C4 plants from -10‰ to -14‰ with an average value of -13‰ (Farquhar et al., 1989). Many previous studies have employed the mean values of -27‰ and -13‰ as the d13C end-member values of C3 and C4 plants respectively when reconstructing C3/C4 abundances using d13C of soil organic matter (e.g., Gu et al., 2003; Liu et al., 2005; Wang et al., 2008). These two values are so far the most representative isotopic compositions for C3 and C4 plants since they were obtained using the statistics of a large number of plants in many different regions. Although the end-member values might change a little bit (not too much) from time to time, we cannot currently find a feasible way to disclose the changes in these values. This is still an open question to be resolved. In this case, we may provide a “best guess” for C3 and C4 abundance
Torsion points on the cohomology jump loci of compact K\"ahler manifolds

We prove that each irreducible component of the cohomology jump loci of rank one local systems over a compact Kahler manifold contains at least one torsion point. This generalizes a theorem of Simpson for smooth complex projective varieties. An immediate consequence is the conjecture of Beauville and Catanese for compact Kahler manifolds. We also provide an example of a compact Kahler manifold, whose cohomology jump loci can not be realized by any smooth complex projective variety.
DIFFERENTIAL SENSITIVITY OF CHICKPEA GENOTYPES TO SALICYLIC ACID AND DROUGHT STRESS DURING PRE-ANTHESIS: EFFECTS ON TOTAL CHLOROPHYLL, PHENOLICS, SEED PROTEIN AND PROTEIN PROFILING

The work was conducted with the purpose to evaluate the effect of salicylic acid (SA) under drought stress on chlorophyll pigment, phenolics, seed protein and protein profile in four chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genotypes (i.e., Tyson, ICC 4958, JG 315 and DCP 92-3). The experiment was carried out in a complete randomized design with three replications. Drought stress was imposed during the pre-anthesis phase. Reduction in relative injury was observed in plants treated with SA at the threshold level of 1.5mM. Drought stress reduced the total chlorophyll and percentage of seed storage protein, where increases the level of total phenolics content were observed under drought stress and this was further induced by SA. The genotype ICC 4958 perform better than Tyson, JG 315 and DCP 92-3 under drought stress with SA treatment. Moreover, it is also noteworthy that drought did not change significantly the 1-D protein profile of chickpea genotypes. This suggests that chickpea could be induced to tolerate drought using 1.5mM of SA.
Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes of Jatropha curcas L. seeds stored at different maturity stages

The objective of the present work was to investigate the antioxidant enzyme activities and the occurrence of lipid peroxidation during storage of J. curcas seeds obtained from fruits at different maturity stages. Seeds extracted from fruits collected at three stages of maturity were used, i.e., yellow, brownish-yellow, and brown (dry fruits). The seeds were subsequently stored for 18 months in Kraft paper bags in a laboratory environment. Initially as well as every three months, the seeds were evaluated for germination and electrical conductivity, and the seed embryos were evaluated for lipid peroxidation; protein content; and superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and ascorbate peroxidase enzyme activity at the same time points. In general, the seeds from the three stages of fruit maturity did not differ regarding germination throughout the entire period of storage, although a reduction in viability was observed after nine months of storage. The electrical conductivity increased during storage and was greater for the seeds obtained from brown fruits. There was a reduction in protein content and in enzyme activities in the seed embryo, except for superoxide dismutase. No relationship was observed between reduction in seed viability and lipid peroxidation. Thus, J. curcas seeds with high initial quality can be stored under environmental conditions for up to 9, 15 and 15 months for brown (dry), yellow and brownish-yellow fruits, respectively, without a significant reduction in germination but with a reduction in seed vigour.
Are there cool-core clusters at high-redshift? Chandra results and prospects with WFXT

In this contribution we trace the evolution of cool-core clusters out to z~1.3 using high-resolution Chandra data of three representative cluster samples spanning different redshift ranges. Our analysis is based on the measurement of the surface brightness (SB) concentration, c_SB, which strongly anti-correlates with the central cooling time and allows us to characterize the cool-core strength in low S/N data. We confirm a negative evolution in the fraction of cool-core clusters with redshift, in particular for very strong cool-cores. Still, we find evidence for a large population of well formed cool-cores at z ~ 1. This analysis is potentially very effective in constraining the nature and the evolution of the cool-cores, once large samples of high-z clusters will be available. In this respect, we explore the potential of the proposed mission Wide Field X-ray Telescope (WFXT) to address this science case. We conclude that WFXT provides the best trade-off of angular resolution, sensitivity and covered solid angle in order to discover and fully characterize the cool-core cluster population up to z=1.5.
Export Versus FDI in Services

In the literature on exports and investment, most productive firms are seen to invest abroad. In the Helpman et al. (2004) model, costs of transportation play a critical role in the decision about whether to serve foreign customers by exporting, or by producing abroad. We consider the case of tradable services, where the marginal cost of transport is near zero. We argue that in the purchase of services, buyers face uncertainty about product quality, especially when production is located far away. Firm optimisation then leads less productive firms to self-select themselves for FDI. We test this prediction with data from the Indian software industry, and find support for it.
A new Felimare (Mollusca: Heterobranchia: Nudibranchia) of the Atlantic blue chromodorid chromatic group from Cape Verde

A new species of the chromodorid genus Felimare (Gastropoda: Heterobranchia) of the Atlantic blue chromatic group is described using material from Cape Verde (eastern Atlantic). Felimare aurantimaculata n. sp. was described based on morphological characters, as well as a molecular phylogeny using two mitochondrial (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and 16S rRNA) and one nuclear (histone-3) markers. Felimare aurantimaculata n. sp. is characterized by having a ground of dark blue colour with many orange polka dots over the body, dark blue rhinophores and branchial leaves, and very large and not clustered mantle dermal formations (MDFs) at the edge of the mantle, totally absent in the anterior area facing the rhinophores.
The Role of Perceived Managerial Discretion on Strategy Implementation and Its Implication on Organizational Performance: A Conceptual Model

The rapidly changing and disruptive environment makes the business competition more hypercompetitive. The fundamental challenge that companies often face is not in the strategic planning process, but rather on how to ensure the formulated strategy can be well-implemented. Currently, the literature is still dominated by theories and practical advice on planning and strategy formulation, and there is only limited studies on the role of discretion on strategy implementation. Therefore, this study aimed to find out what is the role of perceived managerial discretion in the process of strategy implementation and its implications on organization performance. By reviewing the literatures, this study examined whether task environment, organizational agility and cognitive complexity influence the managerial discretion, and whether strategy implementation mediates perceived discretion of middle manager and organization performance. This paper presented a proposed research model, four propositions that need to empirically be tested, proposed research method, and a conclusion. Type of paper: Review