Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Extent of Technology Infusion in the Junior Secondary School Math & Science Curriculum: Students Views

: Computer Technology infusion is the use of computer applications and software in classroom instructional practices. Infusion of computer technology in teaching has been viewed as facing challenges deriving from teachers’ lack of computer technology skills and inadequacy of computers. It has been however, reported that students’ collaboration and interactive skills tended to improve in classes taught with the use of computers compared to those taught through the orthodox methods. Performance in the three year JC results over the last seven years had also been reportedly declining (BEC JC results, 2010-2017) across various subjects in Botswana junior secondary schools, despite the computer infusion program that hit the school system seven (7) years ago. It is on the basis of the aforementioned that the purpose of this study was to find out students’ views on the extent to which computer technology is integrated across math and science subjects. The study employed a quantitative survey design and used open ended questions for triangulation purposes. Form three students formed the sample of this study and it was drawn through simple random sampling technique from the South East Educational Region schools. The data was collected through the use of a questionnaire and qualitative methods were used to analyse the data. For quantitative data processes (closed ended questions), a statistical program called Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS version 23) was used for data entry and analysis of the results. Descriptive and Inferential statistics were used in the data analysis. The data from open ended questions was analysed thematically. The findings from this study revealed that most of the students believed computer technology infusion helped them to develop cooperative skills and creativity which could possibly result in increased motivation to learn concepts with understanding. The study findings had implications for research and practice as it provides unique and comprehensive data that will lead to insight for curriculum designers, policy implementers and instructional leaders on effective computer technology infusion.
Mass production of the predatory mite Stratiolaelaps scimitus (Womersley) (Acari: Laelapidae)

The predatory mites Gaeolaelaps aculeifer (Canestrini) and Stratiolaelaps miles (Berlese) (Mesostigmata: Laelapidae) have been commercialized in several countries for the biological control of edaphic pest species (Bennison et al. 2002, Walter & Campbell 2003).
Effect of Toxoplasma Gondii Infection on Haematological and Liver Function Parameters among Abortive Women in El-Beida City

This work was carried out to investigate the changes in haematological and some of liver function parameters among abortive females after diagnosing toxoplasmosis-related symptoms in El-Beida City, Libya. Eighty seven abortive women during the period from October 2018 to March 2019 were chosen as a study group. These women were split into two groups when the antibodies of Toxoplasma was present. (IgG and/or IgM) (44 cases who positive with toxoplasmosis). The largest incidence was observed in age group 21-25 years followed by age groups 31-35 and 26-30. While the smallest incidence was observed in the age group, more than 46 years followed with age groups of less than 20 years. At age group 41-45, percentage of positive toxoplasmosis was found higher than negative toxoplasmosis. All positive cases, 50.6% of them was found to have IgG anti-toxoplasma antibodies sero-positive. 13.6% of total cases was mixed seropositive for IgG and IgM. These value of antibodies IgG/IgM were found statistically difference between positive and negative toxoplasmosis. Only, the mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and white blood cell count were decreased significantly in positive toxoplasmosis. Mean values of RBC count, HGB concentrations, percent of hematocrit (HCT), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and red blood cell distribution width (RDW) were not statistically different in positive compared to negative cases. Lymphocytes (Lymph %) and mid cells total count (MID %) were increased and granocytes (Gran %) decreased slightly in positive toxoplasmosis without significantly deference. Meanwhile the mean platelets number (PLT) the volume occupied by platelets in the blood (PCT %), the mean platelet volume (MPV %) and platelets distribution width (PDW %) were changed without significant deference. In terms of blood group, the smallest incidence was discovered with blood group O and the largest incidence with blood group AB. The highest prevalence among individuals with blood group who have Rh-positive at same blood group. The mean levels of AST, ALT and ALP in the serum of the positive toxoplasmosis was decreased without significantly deference. These results were might give a better understanding about pathogenesis of toxoplasmosis.
Why autocrats sometimes relax online censorship of sensitive issues: A case study of microblog discussion of air pollution in China

Air pollution is one of the most visible environmental problems in China, generating considerable online public discontent. However, despite potential social instability, Chinese leaders sometimes relax censorship over this discussion. Drawing on existing work in authoritarian politics, we theorize incentives for adjusting censorship and apply these to a dispute between the U.S. Embassy in Beijing and the Chinese government over the disclosure of air quality data. Using data from China’s microblog, Sina Weibo, and relying on hand-coded and computerassisted text analysis, regression models and a brief qualitative analysis, we find that Chinese leaders adapted to the crisis by either not raising, or lowering censorship in two categories – human health concerns and scientifically-grounded claims – while repressing direct criticism. In doing so, they signaled responsiveness to public concerns regarding pollution, but also re-delineated the tolerable limits of criticism. Our findings suggest sophisticated authoritarian adaptation to public demands through new technologies.
Investigating the Effects of Reward on the Conflict and Cooperation in the Sale and Marketing Department from Managers’ Perspective (Case Study : Isfahan city Food Industries)

The sale and marketing unit is of the most important departments in every organization. In comparison to the internal factors, the effective communications in sale and marketing has a crucial role in promoting organizational performance. Therefore the present study was aimed to answer this question that can the employees promote their organization through sale and marketing efforts. Also this study seeks to answer this question that whether adoption of the common rewards facilitate the employees’ cooperation and decrease the conflicts between sale and marketing efforts. The statistical population of this study includes managers of Isfahan food industry. The statistical population include180 managers (CEO, finance, sale and production) of the Isfahan food industry. Since the population is limited no sampling is necessary. Thus the whole population is studied. The data collection tool is a researcher-made questionnaire containing 62 items, of which the validity has been confirmed using the comments from advisors, professionals and experts; and the reliability, determined through Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 73%) The questionnaire includes personal data and main, specialized items for examining the research hypotheses. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS and AMOS software programs through statistical tests at descriptive (frequency, percentage, accumulated percentage, average and standard deviation)and inferential(t-test,regression modeling,variance analysis,non-parametric Kolmogorov and Smirnov test, and Freedman non-parametric test) levels.Dependingon results regardless of third approach (conflicts in sale/marketing have negative effect on cooperation in sale and marketing) other approaches have been verified. Thus gratuity had a great influence on conflict and cooperation in sale and marketing segment within Esfahan food industry`s chiefs.
The Effect of Incentives and Leadership on Employees' Motivation and Performance at the Indonesian Footwear Industry Development Centre

This research aims to study the effect of incentives and leadership on employees' motivation and performance at the Indonesian footwear industry development centre. The sampling was done using saturation sampling, in which all existing populations were sampled, with 35 employees as the population. Path analysis and hypothesis testing was done using the t test. The results indicate that incentives, leadership, and motivation have a positive and significant effect on employees’ performance; incentives and leadership have a positive and significant effect on employees’ motivation; and through motivation, leadership and incentives have a positive effect on employees’ performance. Motivation plays a major role in employees because the higher the incentives given to employees and leaders, the more their performance will also increase. This study showed that each variable has a link, the independent variable (incentive and leadership) and the dependent variable that is performance and motivation influence each other. The analysis approach used is path analysis, confirmed by path regression.
Effects of Hand-pinching and Dikegulac-sodium Sprays on Capsicum annuum

Foliar sprays of dikegulac-sodium (sodium salt of 2,3:4,6-bis-0-(1-methylethylidene)-alpha-L-xylo-2-hexulofuranosonic acid) at 722 and 2888 ppm and hand-pinching significantly increased branching of chili pepper cultivars ‘Sandia’, ‘NM 6’, and ‘Espanola 1’ (Capsicum annuum L.). Both dikegulac-sodium concentrations were equally effective in increasing branching. Hand-pinching and dikegulac-sodium at 722 ppm did not influence plant height. Dikegulac-sodium at 2888 ppm significantly reduced plant height. Hand-pinching and dikegulac-sodium at 722 ppm delayed first harvest by 9 days. Dikegulac-sodium at 2888 ppm delayed first harvest by 34 days. Dikegulac-sodium at 5053 ppm resulted in death of treated plants. All concentrations of dikegulac-sodium decreased yield.
The estimation of the ocean Mean Dynamic Topography through the combination of altimetric data, in-situ measurements and GRACE geoid: From global to regional studies

The contribution of a recent geoid model derived from GRACE data (EIGENGRACE03S) for estimating the ocean Mean Dynamic Topography is investigated for global and regional studies. The recent EIGEN-GRACE03S geoid model allows to greatly improved the estimate of the ocean Mean Dynamic Topography (hereafter GR3400 MDT) at scales larger than 400 km. A global and full resolution estimate of the ocean MDT was calculated using a similar method than (Rio and Hernandez, 2004): synthetic estimates of the ocean MDT (dynamic heights and drifting buoy velocities minus concurrent altimetric height and velocity anomalies) are used to provide the short scales missing in the GR3-400 MDT and compute a Combined MDT on a 1⁄2 ° regular grid for the period 1993-1999 (CMDT RIO05). This new MDT compares globally better to independent observations than other existing solutions. A focus on the Mediterranean Sea is done to highlight the limits of GRACE geoids for oceanographic studies in areas where the MDT is characterized by scales shorter than 50-100 km. In such regions, the contribution of the future Gravity Field and Steady-State Ocean Circulation Experiment (GOCE) will be determinant, as shown by the confrontation between the GR3-400 MDT and a simulated “GOCE MDT”. However, in such areas, the GOCE data will not allow to resolve all spatial scales of the MDT and combination techniques will still need to be used to achieve the full resolution.
Nucleotide enhancement of diets, fish reproduction and egg quality

Fish reproduction, and egg and larval quality are affected by broodstock nutrition. Nucleotides, the building blocks of DNA and RNA, are now considered as semiessential nutrients during periods of food deficiency, stress, rapid growth and immunological stress. Since oogenesis is a process of intensive cell division with high nucleic acid formation and a concomitant high requirement for nucleotides, broodstock diets were enhanced with nucleotides. Their effects on the reproductive performance of Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus L.) and haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus L. ), two cold water species with different life histories, were compared with control diets. Broodstock condition at the end of the spawning seasons did not differ between dietary treatments. However, dietary nucleotides improved total relative fecundity and batch relative fecundity of halibut and haddock respectively. Egg quality was also improved in both species. Fertilisation rate of haddock eggs and hatching rate in halibut and haddock eggs were significantly higher with the nucleotide diets. Nucleotide supplementation resulted in improved larval quality in both species. Survival of halibut larvae at the end of the yolk-sac stage was higher in the nucleotide group. Haddock larval survival five days after hatch was the same in both diets but improved at ten days post hatch as a result of significantly better developed gut and first feeding success in the nucleotide group. Histological examination of fish ovaries at the end of the experiment revealed no differences in the atresia levels. Nucleotide composition of egg and larval samples did not differ between diets, suggesting that dietary nucleotides were utilised by the broodfish to cover their nutritional requirements during oogenesis and reproduction. The enhanced reproductive performance in the nucleotide group is discussed in relation to a higher lipid mobilisation during oogenesis and quality of the yolk being consequently improved. Energy charge is confirmed as an egg quality indicator.
Inhalation of vanadium modifies gap junctions in mouse seminiferous tubules

Vanadium (V) adhering to inhaled particles has been associated with male reproductive alterations. Intercellular junction proteins, such as connexin 43, constitute the blood-testes barrier. These proteins are crucial for the reconstitution of the barrier during spermatogenesis. Normally, connexins are located between cell membranes but in cells exposed to certain metals or which are transformed, their location is altered. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of the inhalation of vanadium pentoxide on the distribution of connexin 43 in seminiferous tubules of mice. Immunohistochemical localization of connexin 43 demonstrated the redistribution of the protein that increased with time of exposure while intensity of stain on the membranes decreased. In previous studies, reduction in the actin and γ-tubulin stain intensity upon V inhalation has been observed. All these alterations may explain the reprotoxic effect associated with vanadium.
Wild apples and wild pears

Zohary, D. : Wild apples and wild pears. - Bocconea 7: 409-416. 1997. - ISSN 1120-4060. The principal wild progenitors of the cultivated apples and pears grown in Europe and west Asia are the crab appIe (Malus sy/veslris (L.) Miller, and wild Pyrus wmml.tnis L. subsp. communis = P. pyrasler Burgst. ). Both are widely distributed over Europe and southwest Asia. The wild primary gene pools of these fruit crops are, however, much wider. They include most (and perhaps ali) of the congeneric wild relatives of these crops.
Induction of Proinflammatory Responses in Macrophages by the Glycosylphosphatidylinositols (GPIs) of Plasmodium falciparum: CELL SIGNALING RECEPTORS, GPI STRUCTURAL REQUIREMENT, AND REGULATION OF GPI ACTIVITY

The proinflammatory cytokines produced by the innate immune system in response to pathogenic infection protect the host by controlling microbial growth. However, excessive proinflammatory responses could disrupt the host’s vital physiological functions, causing severe pathological conditions. In the case of Plasmodium falciparum, the protozoan parasite that causes fatal malaria in man, the glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchors are thought to be the major factors that contribute to malaria pathogenesis through their ability to induce proinflammatory responses. In this study, we identified the receptors for P. falciparum GPI-induced cell signaling that leads to proinflammatory responses, and studied the GPI structure-activity relationship. The data show that GPI-signaling is mediated mainly through recognition by TLR2 and to a lesser extent by TLR4. The activity of sn-2 lyso GPIs is comparable to that of the intact GPIs, whereas the activity of Man3-GPIs is about 80% that of the intact GPIs. The GPIs with three (intact GPIs and Man3-GPIs) and two fatty acids (sn-2 lyso GPIs) appear to differ considerably in the requirement of the auxiliary receptor, TLR1 or TLR6, for recognition by TLR2. The former are preferentially recognized by TLR2/TLR1, whereas the latter are favored by TLR2/TLR6. However, the signaling pathways initiated by all three GPI types are similar, involving the MyD88-dependent activation of ERK, JNK and p38, and NF-κB signaling pathways. The signaling molecules of these pathways differentially contribute to the production of various cytokines and nitric oxide (Zhu, J., et al. (2004) J. Biol. Chem., accompanying manuscript). Our data also show that GPIs are degraded by the macrophage surface phospholipases, predominantly into inactive species, indicating that the host can regulate GPI activity, at least in part, by this mechanism. These results imply that macrophage surface phospholipases play important roles in the GPI-induced innate immune response and malaria pathogenesis.
Age and sex variability and normal reference values for the V(MCA)/V(ICA) index.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The index of mean blood flow velocity (V) in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) divided by respective velocity in the ipsilateral internal carotid artery (ICA), or V(MCA)/V(ICA) index, is commonly used as a marker of vasospasm, although reference values are not established. We sought to provide reference data for these velocities and index. METHODS Transcranial color-coded duplex and carotid duplex sonography was performed in 335 healthy volunteers (211 women, 124 men; mean age +/- SD, 42 +/- 18 years; range, 18-86 years). Age analyses were based on three groups: I, <40; II, 40-60; and III, >60 years. The V(MCA)/V(ICA) index was calculated based on angle-corrected blood flow velocities determined in the MCA and extracranial ICA. RESULTS Mean flow velocities in the MCA and ICA diminished with increasing age, most pronounced in those subjects >40 years. The V(MCA)/V(ICA) index increased significantly (1.67 + 0.005 [age]; P < .05) with age in women, but not in men. In women, reference values and ranges for the V(MCA)/V(ICA) index were as follows, by group: I, 1.82 (range, 0.88-2.68); II, 1.91 (range, 0.94-2.88); and III, 2.06 (range, 0.59-3.53). Respective values for men were as follows, by group: I, 2.10 (range, 0.96-3.24); II, 2.04 (range, 0.71-3.37); and III, 1.78 (range, 0.81-2.75). In subjects <40 years, the V(MCA)/V(ICA) index was significantly higher in men than in women. CONCLUSION The V(MCA)/V(ICA) index significantly varies with age and sex. Sonographic diagnosis of cerebral vasospasm should be based on age- and sex-adjusted reference values of the V(MCA)/V(ICA) index.
Laboratory Evaluation of some Marine Plants on South Australian Beaches

In the first experiment, twelve species of the most plentiful and fresh seaweeds and one species of seagrass from the beach were collected at Kingston, South Australia. All species were then separately sun-and oven-dried and ground. The ground samples were analysed for dry matter, ash, organic matter, crude protein, crude fibers, ether extract and digestibility in vitro. The digestible and metabolisable energy of the samples were estimated by calculation. The results showed that all seaweeds and seagrasses contained a very high ash content, ranging from 19.5 - 40 per cent. The crude protein content of the samples was low and ranged from 4.4 - 7.3 per cent. The crude fiber in seagrass was considerably greater than in seaweed species (34.4 % vs 3.7 -10.1 %). The dry matter digestibility of samples ranged from 34.1 to 51.5, while the data also showed that the values for digestible and metabolisable energy of aquatic plants were very low as compared with lucerne (the control). From the first experiment it was concluded that, amongst marine plants available in South Australia, the seagrass Posidonia australis, because of its ready availability in great quantities and the environmental problems for residents, may be regarded as a potential alternative animal feedstuff. In the second experiment, samples of four different physical forms of seagrass, Posidonia australis green and fresh (from the water, and washed and un-washed from on the beach) were examined and compared for their chemical composition, including nonstarch-polysaccharides, uronic acids, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and lignin, amino acids, crude protein, tannin, ether extract, soluble and insoluble ash. The results from this experiment showed that there were no significant differences between the four different physical forms of seagrass collected in terms of their most important chemical constituents.
Middle Miocene (Badenian) gastropods from Korytnica, Poland; Part III

This report is the second part of the monograph of the surprisingly rich assemblage of gastropods occurring in the Middle Miocene (Badenian), so-called Pleurotoma Clays in the environs of Korytnica in the Holy Cross Mountains, Central Poland. Presented are new data on the age of the Korytnica Clays, that involved an adjustment in the title of this monograph. Reviewed is also an updated state of recognition of the associated fauna, both invertebrates and vertebrates. The systematic account contains a description of 135 prosobranch species of the ten superfamilies: MelaneIlacea, Hipponicacea, CaIyptraeacea, Strombacea, Cypraeacea, Triviacea, Naticacea, Tonnacea, Muricacea, and Buccinacea, without Nassariidae. Within this assemblage, 11 species are new for the science (including 2 species formerly reported from Korytnica, but determined erroneously), and the other two require to be labelled as a nomen novun ; of the recognized as many as 90 have not hitherto been known from Korytnica and 83 from the Miocene of Poland. As new species established are: Leiostraca jaskiewiczi sp.n. , Melanella ( Polygyreulima ) sanctacrucensis sp.n. , Melanella ( Polygyreulima ) korytnicensis sp.n. , Melanella ( Polygyreulima ) montilysensis sp.n. , Megalomphalus convictor sp.n. , Nacca unica sp.n. , Hadriania polonica sp.n. , Magilus ? ficiformis sp.n. , Coralliophila ( Coralliophila ) serraticincta sp.n. , Pyrene ( Mitrella ) korytnicensis sp.n. , and Cantharus minutulus sp.n. For two taxa at the species level the new names introduced are: Purpura ( Tritonalia ) kojwndgievae nom.n. , and Euthria friedbergi nom.n. Normal 0 21 false false false PL X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:Standardowy; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}