Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Performance Prediction of Engineering Students using Decision Trees

Data mining can be used for decision making in educational system. A decision tree classifier is one of the most widely used supervised learning methods used for data exploration based on divide & conquer technique. This paper discusses use of decision trees in educational data mining. Decision tree algorithms are applied on engineering students’ past performance data to generate the model and this model can be used to predict the students’ performance. It will enable to identify the students in advance who are likely to fail and allow the teacher to provide appropriate inputs.
STUDY THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TRACE ELEMENTS AND HORMONES AMONG JORDANIAN INFERTILE WOMEN

Background: Infertility is the inability of couples to achieve pregnancy after one year of unprotected intercourse. Different causes are associated with female infertility including ovulation, hormonal failure, tubal damage, in addition unexplained causes of infertility. Therefore, this study was initiated to determine the relationship between serum hormonal profile (follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol β-17, and testosterone. Methods: Hormones were detected by Competitive Chemoluminescent Enzyme Immunoassay and trace elements (Zn, Cu, Cr, Mg, Mn, Fe, and Se) measured by atomic absorption in infertile and fertile women. One hundred and thirty eight females including 88(63.8%) infertile females, [50 (56.8%) cases with primary infertility and 38 (43.2%) with secondary infertility], and 50 (36.2%) fertile were enrolled in this study. The duration of infertility was 7.61±4.42 years and the mean ages of the infertile females were (30.68±6.86) years. Results: No significant relation was observed between smoking habits and female infertility. The most common cause of female infertility was ovulation and hormonal factors (52.6%), followed by tubal factor (19.2%). However, 28.2% of the females showed no apparent causes of infertility (unexplained infertility). Hormonal study showed that the infertile females exhibit a significant reduction in the mean serum level of FSH, LH, and estradiol as compared to fertile, whereas the mean testosterone level was significantly higher in infertile group. In addition, the mean testosterone, estradiol β-17, and FSH concentrations were higher among non-smoker females. The current study showed a significant decrease in the mean concentration of Zn, Cu, Mg, Fe, Cr and Mn in the serum of infertile females in compared to that observed in fertile. The mean serum concentration of Zn, Cu, Mg, Mn, Fe, Cr, Se, among infertile females was: 795.87ug/L, 1091.89ug/L, 8.78mg/ml, 693,97mg/L, 31.83ng/ml, 86.88ng/ml, and 11.17mg/ml, as compared to 1176.4ug/L, 1713.0ug/L, 14.95mg/ml, 1223.40mg/L, 73.92ng/ml, 124.46ng/ml, and 20.27mg/ml in fertile females, respectively. However, the mean trace elements level in infertile females with primary or secondary causes doesn’t show any significant differences. No statistically significant effect of smoking on trace elements concentration in females with infertility. Conclusion: a significant increase in testosterone and a significant decrease in estradiol, FSH, LH was observed among infertile female. A significant reduction in Zn, Cu, Mg, Fe, Cr and Se was observed in infertile.
A Novel Stastical Particle Filtering Approach for Non- Linear and Non-Gaussian System Identification

Increasingly, for many application areas, it is becoming important to include elements of nonlinearity and nonGaussianity in order to model accurately the underlying dynamics of a physical system. The problem of identifying nonlinear system models arise in various applications in control and signal processing. In this context, one of the most successful and popular stastical identification approaches is Particle Filtering, otherwise known as Sequential Monte Carlo (SMC) methods. As compared to Extended Kalman Filter and Gaussian Sum Filter, this approach is computationally reliable for identification of highly nonlinear systems in terms of accuracy, and, at the same time chance of failure in difficult circumstances decreases. The numerical integration techniques, on the other hand, are only feasible in lowdimensional state-spaces. In this paper the particle filtering approach has been attempted for non-linear system identification. The particles and their associated importance weights in particle filtering approach evolve randomly in time according to a simulation-based rule. This is equivalent to a dynamic grid approximation of the target distributions, where the regions of higher probability are allocated proportionally more grid positions. Using these particles Monte Carlo estimates of the quantities of interest may be obtained, with the accuracy of these estimates being independent of the dimension of the state space. The envisioned method is easier to implement than classical numerical methods and allows complex nonlinear and non-Gaussian estimation problems to be solved efficiently in an online manner. The experimental results on comparison with Kalman filtering show the efficacy of the proposed method through illustrative examples.
Impact of Teacher Characteristics on Students‟ Academic Performance in Public Secondary Schools

-The study examined the impact of teacher characteristics on students’ academic performance in public secondary schools in Enugu North Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey design and a sample size of four hundred was selected from a population of nine hundred and sixty-eight using the Taro Yamane sample size formula. Two research questions and two hypotheses were proposed for the study in line with the study objectives. The Average Mean Score was used to analyze responses for the research questions while Multiple Regression Analysis was used to test the five hypotheses proposed for the study to ascertain the relationship that exist between academic performance and teachers’ characteristics. The findings of the study show that the independent variables (teachers’ knowledge of subject matter and teaching method) all correlated significantly and positively with the dependent variable (students’ academic performance). Among other recommendations, the paper recommends that government should embark on time to time monitoring and evaluation of teachers to ensure that teachers carry out their duties effectively in line with the guidelines of the teaching profession and that Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) should introduce tests and examination for teachers at regular intervals based on the subject they teach and general teaching practice. Furthermore, geography teachers should incorporate field trips and excursions as integral part of their teaching method, since geography is more of a field experience than classroom subject.
FACTORS AFFECTING THE INCIDENT OF HYPERTENSION IN ADOLESCENT AT CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL BANJARMASIN

Hypertension is a condition when the blood pressure at blood vessels increase in chronically elevated which also a disease characterized by the occurrence of normal blood pressure can cause various complications in other diseases. Adolescent is defined as the period of transition between the period of childhood development to adulthood. The factors that cause hypertension in adolescents, such as the diets of adolescents erratic, physical activity, and psychosocial factors change. This research aims to know the factors have an effect on the occurrence of hypertension in adolescent of SMA Kristen Banjarmasin. The design of this study is analytic observational study with cross sectional approach. The population in this study amounted to 59 people. From the results of studies using chi square test with with a confidence level of 95% found no effect of gender on the occurence of hypertension in adolescents (p= 0,200 ; OR= 2,549); There is the affecting of body mass index against the occurrence of hypertension in adolescents (p= 0,0001; OR= 18,958); There is the affecting of physical activity against the occurrence of hypertension in adolescents (p = 0.0001; Or = 18.083); There is the affecting of the stress of events hypertension in adolescents (p = 0.0001; Or = 93,333). It can be concluded that there is no affecting of gender against the occurrence of hypertension in adolescent, there is the affecting of body mass index, physical activity and stress against the occurrence of hypertension in adolescent of SMA KristenBanjarmasin.
A STUDY OF INSECT PEST INFESTATIONS ON STORED FRUITS AND VEGETABLES IN THE NORTH EASTERN NIGERIA

A Survey of insect pest infestations on dried fruits and Vegetables in the north eastern region of Nigeria was obtained from market men and women in Monday and Gambaro markets (Borno State), Potikum and Gashua markets (Yobe State), Muda Lawal and Central Markets (Bauchi State), Yola and Jimeta Markets (Adamawa State) Jalingo and Wukari Markets (Taraba State) and Central and Kasuwan Mata (Gombe State). The experiment was set up in the Department of Crop protection Entomology Laboratory, University of Maiduguri for the period of three months. Twenty of each sample of dried fruits and vegetables were initially assessed of their level of infestation and each sample was assessed monthly to know the number of infested and uninfected. The experimental containers were set up in complete randomize block design with three replications. The result showed that among the dried fruits, Chinese date Ziziphus spinachrisk (Z. mauritania), balanites (Balanites aegyptiaca), Tamarind (Tamarindus india) were seriously attacked while date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) were less infested. Among the dried vegetables, chill pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.) Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentus Mills) and Bell-shaped pepper (Capsicum annum L.) were severely infested while dried okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) was less infested during the three month storage period. The result showed that Tribolium castaneneum (Herbst,Plodia interpunctella (Hubn), Ephestia coutella and Trogoderma granarium were found to infest all the dried fruits and vegetables during the study period. There were other insect species identified which were associated with dried fruits and vegetables such as Stegobium penicium (L.) (=Sitodrepa panicea) and Teneboides mauritanicus (L.). The infestation of these stored dried fruits and vegetables led to loss of quantity, quality and market value. Adoption of modern drying technologies, occasional re-drying, good packaging and storage facilities coupled with good market structures will reduce the losses of these valuable crops.
The Meridian is a Set of Pathways for Interstitial Fluid to Travel among Tissues

In tradit ional medicine, the essence of merid ian has always been a topic of discussion. Ly mphatic fluid travels around the tissues freely and rando mly, and pools wherever the t issues are more loosely spaced. This is the so-called meridian, which is a set of pathways for interstitial fluid to travel. In dead tissues, fluids do not travel anymore, thus the pathways of merid ian do not appear. Ho wever, in Chi Gong state or during acupuncture, capillaries relax and fluid flows out of capillaries, and more flu id travels among looser spaced tissues and forms the shape of meridian. These pathways are difficu lt to be observed because they only form when fluids are traveling.
Screening of Lactic Acid Bacteria of Different Origin for their Probiotic Potential

This study was to isolate lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from different dairy and non-dairy sources and to evaluate the probiotic potential of the isolated microorganism(s). Sixteen Lactobacillus isolates viz. seven human (LHI), six dairy (LMI) and three from kimchi (LKI) were subjected to screening for probiotic attributes: simulated stomach deudenum passage, bile salt hydrolase; cell surface hydrophobicity, adhesion, auto-aggregation, antimicrobial activity, antibiotic susceptibility and antioxidative potential, following standard protocols. The isolates exhibited resistance to stomach pH (pH=3.0) and tolerance against gastric juice and bile. The isolates also displayed antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella sp. , S. typhimurium and were uniformly sensitive towards amikacin, amoxycillin, ampicillin, chloramphenicol, clindamycin, erythromycin, oxytetracyclin and cefuroxime. Highest hydrophobicity of up to 86 and 44% against both n-hexadecane and xylene were recorded with LHI7 followed by LHI6. Moreover, LMI5 and LKI2 showed high anti-oxidative and auto-aggregation properties, respectively. Bacterial adherence increased with a decrease in pH with highest affinity for Caco-2 cells in LHI7, showing 68.7 ± 0.53% adhesion, followed by LHI6 with 65.4 ± 0.15%. Overall, these selective strains may possibly be utilized as probiotics after further validation through in vivo studies and/ or human clinical trials. Screening of Lactic Acid Bacteria of Different Origin for their Probiotic Potential
PHENOTYPIC AND GENOTYPIC CHARACTERIZATION OF MDR ISOLATES OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS FROM BLOOD AND PUS IN HIMACHAL PRADESH, INDIA

Drug resistance in Staphylococcus aureus with variable epidemiology has become a serious public health problem worldwide. To study the phenotype prevalent in this region (Himachal Pradesh) and to choose the appropriate antibiotic therapy regimen both phenotypic and genotypic characterization of the given isolates were performed in the present work. A total 25 isolates (20 of pus and 5 of blood) were obtained from IGMC Shimla and their antibiotic resistance profiling was done. 100% resistance was obtained in case of tetracycline and 48% for oxacillin. Vancomycin, netilmycin, teicoplanin and linezolid, showed 100% sensitivity where as in case of clindamycin 88% sensitivity was seen as three of the isolates were found to be intermediate. Genotypic characterization of both MSSA and MRSA strains (5 each) was done for the presence of tet 38 gene by PCR. The results of PCR revealed all the 10 isolates carrying tet 38 gene with amplicon size of 1353 base pair irrespective of whether the isolates were MSSA or MRSA.
Cost Efficiency and Ownership Structure of Commercial Banks in Ethiopia: An application of non-parametric approach

The study was carried out to examine the relationship between cost efficiency and ownership structure of commercial banks in Ethiopia using data envelopment analysis (DEA). Moreover, the study made an attempt to explore the key factors that affect the cost efficiency of the commercial banks using the Tobit model. In measuring the cost efficiency of the commercial banks the study used the input-oriented BCC model. The study found that the average cost efficiency of state-owned commercial banks over the period 2000-2009 is 0.69 while that of the private commercial banks is 0.74. The aggregate cost efficiency of Ethiopian commercial banks is found to be 0.73. The Kruskal-Wallis (K-W) non-parametric test indicates that the difference between the cost efficiency of the state-owned and private commercial banks is statistically insignificant. The study found little statistical evidence to conclude that the state-owned commercial banks are less cost efficient than the private commercial banks . Thus, ownership structure has no significance influence on the cost efficiency of commercial banks in Ethiopia. In addition, the study has identified bank size, loan loss reserve to total assets, market share, market concentration, capital adequacy, and return on average assets as the key factors that influence the cost efficiency of the commercial banks. Key words: DEA, Input -oriented BCC model, cost efficiency, and K-W non-parametric test
Int. J. Biosci

This study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of GA3 and temperature regimes as seed priming strategies on the seed germination parameters of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.). Cumin seeds treated with different GA3 concentrations (0, 100, 200 and 400 ppm) and then were placed in growth chamber at 20, 25, 30 and 35 °C. Some seed germination and seedling growth characters were performed for 10 days. The results showed that the percentage of germination, average duration of germination, germination speed, seedling length and seedling fresh and dry weights significantly increased along with increasing in GA3 concentration as the highest amount was found in 400 ppm. These parameters slightly increased with increasing temperature from 20 °C to 25 °C and then slightly decreased. Overall, the results suggested that the 400 ppm of GA3 in combination with 25 °C, which showed the better seed germination and seedling growth characters, could be more appropriate to use as a priming strategy in cumin seed. * Corresponding Author: Hamid Sadeghi  hsadeghi@jia.ac. ir International Journal of Biosciences | IJB | ISSN: 2220-6655 (Print) 2222-5234 (Online) http://www.innspub. net Vol. 5, No. 9, p. 266-272, 2014
Evaluation of a malaria rapid diagnostic test among febrile children in Sokoto, Nigeria

Malaria rapid diagnostic test (RDT) is an antigen capture assay that enables rapid diagnosis of malaria without the need for electricity or highly skilled technicians. Though potentially useful, its adoption needs to be guided by local test sensitivity. This study evaluated the diagnostic performance of a commercially available RDT (Malaria Pf rapid device, Biotec Laboratories Limited, United Kingdom) among 400 febrile children(aged 6months to 12 years) in Sokoto, Nigeria. It was a prospective observational study conducted at the Paediatric Outpatient Department (POPD) of UDUTH, Sokoto between March and October, 2009. Finger prick blood samples were collected from each of the patients (day 0) and immediately tested for falciparum malaria by both Giemsa microscopy and rapid diagnostic test (RDT). Patients with both positive RDT and positive microscopy results on day 0 were retested on day 7 (after antimalarial therapy) by both diagnostic methods. The prevalence of malaria among the study cohort was 40.8% by microscopy and 39.5% by RDT. The RDT had a sensitivity of 90.2% and specificity of 95.4%; with positive and negative predictive values of 93.0% and 93.4% respectively. Test accuracy was 93.3%, whereas reliability was 85.3%. Test sensitivity is reduced by low parasite density (100% at > 1600/μl Vs 69.2% at <800/μl). Of the 69 patients who were retested on day 7 after antimalarial treatment, 18 (26.1%) still had positive RDT test even though negative by microscopy and afebrile at the time of follow up. The diagnostic performance of the RDT in this study was good. Hence, it is recommended as an alternative method for diagnosis of malaria, especially when microscopy is not feasible.
Advances in Nutrition & Food Science A Survey on the Ethnobotanical uses of Plants in Mersin and Adana Provinces (Turkey)

Background: This study presents the result of a second research on the popular medicinal plant species in the traditional markets in Mersin and Adana. This work done for the first time in 2005 was carried out again in 2012-2013. Here we conducted on the pharmacological properties of medicinal plants and this survey could be a base for future studies on the herbs that are interesting on the potential use of their metabolites. The purpose of our study is to underlines the ethnobotanical richness of the region and compare with other cities of Turkey and abroad ethnobotany published literature. Methods: The informants about herbal drugs were collected between 2012-2013 by interview with herbalists and customers. Results: A total of 175 species belonging to 57 families were reported and the plants were listed with their local and latin names. As a result, local people have used various plant species to treat many ailments and tha data indicated that these herbs have used especially for disorders of immune system (18.96 %), gastrointestinal-digestive (18.10 %), analgesicanodyne-emollient-sedative (15.05 %), urinary system (10.04 %), heart-blood (9.06 %), disorders of arthritis (6.62 %), respiratory system (5.19 %), skin disorders (4.25 %), cancer (4.05 %), gynecological (3.59 %), mental and neurological disorders (1.76 %). Conclusion: We documented the traditional ethnobotanical data herited by local people living in Adana-Mersin region. These plants were widely preferred by local people to use treatment of many ailments. The results of this study provided preliminary knowledge about local use and aimed at a more detailed researches on the usage of herbs. Ayse Everest1 and Elif Ayse Erdogan Eliuz2*
PREVALENCE OF PREHYPERTENSION AND ASSESSMENT OF CARDIOVASCULAR FUNCTION AMONG PREHYPERTENSIVE UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN NNEWI, ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA. *Obiorah M.O.1, Ogbodo E.C.1, Amah U.K.1, Ezeugwunne I.P.1,2, Analike R.A.1,3, Onah C.E.3, Okwara J.E.1, Egbe J.U.1, Oha P.C.1, Ajulu, C.A.1 Ugwu, M.

This study investigated the prevalence of prehypertension and cardiovascular function in prehypertensive students of the College of Health Sciences, Okofia, Nnewi, Nigeria. A total of 210 apparently healthy respondents aged 18-28, were recruited for the initial screening. Their blood pressure readings and body mass index (BMI) were obtained, whereas 5mls of blood sample was collected from 18 prehypertensive and 19 normotensive subjects. Lipid profile was assayed using enzymatic method, while serum magnesium was analyzed using Xylidyl blue method. Results showed a comparatively low prehypertensive prevalence rate of 11.4%, with higher percentage in males (12.12%) than in females (10.81%). The mean values of BMI, SBP and DBP in prehypertensives (26.34.8, 126.75.8mmHg, 79.66.6mmHg) were significantly higher compared with values in normotensives (21.32.4, 107.79.1mmHg, 69.57.4mmHg) respectively (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in age of prehypertensives and normotensives (24.22.3 vs 24.02.2; P>0.05). HDL cholesterol and Mg were lower in prehypertensives (1.190.11mmol/l vs 1.270.11mmol/l; 1.600.65mmol/l vs 2.110.53mmol/l; P<0.05) respectively; but no significant difference in TG, TC and LDL between the groups (P>0.05). Importantly this preliminary study did show that TC, TG, and LDL still remained normal and this may be due to the age of the subject.
The Outcome of Operation between Younger and Older than 12 Months for Development Dysplasia of the Hip

Background: Anterior open reduction approach to treat developmental dysplasia in the hip in children. Materials and Methods: From 2008 to 2014, 141 hips of 127 patients with developmental hip dislocation underwent surgeries. The patients were divided into two variants based on age at the time of open reduction: 12 months less than 18 months (Variation 1) and less than 12 months (Variant 2). There are 129 hips in V1 and 12 hips in V2. Patients with pre-surgery do not use traction of skin or bone, or femoral osteotomies. All patients with reduced surgery approach first. Dislocations are classified according to the Tönnis system. Acetabular indicators are commonly measured. Clinical evaluation of revised McKay criteria and Severin Roentgenographic evaluation. Results: There are 99 (78.0%) patients who are girls and 28 (22.0%) are boys. Twenty-eight (19.9%) patients were bilaterally affected. The right hip in 23 (16.3%), and the left hip in 90 cases (63.8%). Tönnis Class: Tönnis 3 of 32 (22.7%), Tönnis. 4 out of 109 (77.3%). Patients were performed at an average age of 12.05 months (9 to 18) and the latest average follow-up age was 66.2 months (53 to 102), and the average follow-up period was 47.3 months. (31 to 64 months). Favorable general results 133 hips (94.3%) and unfavorable results 8 hips (5.7%). Roentgenographic results are 79.8%, Good 15.2%, Fair 3.5%, Poor 1.5%. There is Redislocation 11 (7.8%) and avascular necrosis 34 (24.1%). Conclusion: This Operation is safe and effective. In the latest results, both Variations younger and Older than 12 months are not significantly different.