Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Tale of Two Blogospheres: Discursive Practices on the Left and Right

Discussions of the political effects of the Internet and networked discourse tend to presume consistent patterns of technological adoption and use within a given society. Consistent with this assumption, previous empirical studies of the United States political blogosphere have found evidence that the left and right are relatively symmetric in terms of various forms of linking behavior despite their ideological polarization (Hargittai, Gallo & Kane, 2008; Hindman, 2008; Adamic & Glance, 2005). In this paper, we revisit these findings by comparing the practices of discursive production and participation among top U.S. political blogs on the left, right, and center during Summer, 2008. Based on qualitative coding of the top 155 political blogs, our results reveal significant cross-ideological variations along several important dimensions. Notably, we find evidence of an association between ideological affiliation and the technologies, institutions, and practices of participation across political blogs. Sites on the left adopt more participatory technical platforms; are comprised of significantly fewer sole-authored sites; include user blogs; maintain more fluid boundaries between secondary and primary content; include longer narrative and discussion posts; and (among the top half of the blogs in our sample) more often use blogs as platforms for mobilization as well as discursive production.Our findings speak to two major theoretical debates on the political effects of the Internet and networked discourse. First, the variations we observe between the left and right wings of the U.S. political blogosphere provide insights into how varied patterns of technological adoption and use within a single society may produce distinct effects on democracy and the public sphere. Secondly, our study suggests that the prevailing techniques of domain-based link analysis used to study the political blogosphere to date may have fundamental limitations. The fact that we find evidence of significant cross-ideological variation when we compare intra-domain attributes of political blogs demonstrates that link analysis studies have obscured both the diversity of participatory affordances online as well as the primary mechanisms by which the networked public sphere alters democratic participation relative to the mass mediated public sphere.
THE EFFECT OF INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY SET, LAGGED DIVIDEND AND MANAGERIAL OWNERSHIP ON DIVIDEND POLICY

The purpose of this study is to examine the factors that influence dividend policy in companies in the consumption industry sector between 2017 and 2019. The market to book value of equity can be used to calculate the investment opportunity set, the lagged dividend can be calculated using the dividend payout ratio from the previous year, managerial ownership can be calculated as a percentage of total share ownership divided by total company shares, and dividend policy can be calculated using the dividend payout ratio. Purposive sampling procedures were used to collect data, and the results were analyzed using multiple linear regression analysis. This study drew 60 samples from a total population of 168. The data is secondary in nature and derived from financial statements. The results of hypothesis testing indicate that investment opportunity set, lagged dividend, and managerial ownership all have an effect on dividend policy. And, to a lesser extent, the investment opportunity set affects dividend policy, while lagged dividends have no effect on dividend policy.
A Validated Spectrophotometric Method and Thermodynamic Studies for the Determination of Cilostazol and Rivaroxaban in Pharmaceutical Preparations Using Fe-Phenanthroline System

Abstract A spectrophotometric method has been adopted for the determination of cilostazol and rivaroxaban. The method was based on the oxidation of the selected drugs by iron (III) in the presence of 1, 10-phenanthroline and formation of tris (1, 10-phenanthroline) iron (II) complex (ferroin) with λmax at 510 ± 1 nm. All experimental conditions were carefully studied and optimized. The method was obeyed beer’s law in concentration range (0.5-10 μg/ mL) for cilostazol at pH 3.5 and (30-400 μg/ mL) for rivaroxaban. The spectrophotometric measurements enabled the detection of cilostazol and rivaroxaban at 0.046 μg/ mL for cilostazol and 4.719 μg/ mL for rivaroxaban. Apparent molar absorptivity was 53.02 × 103 and 1.28 × 103 L/mol/ cm, whereas the corresponding sandell sensitivity was 0.0069 and 0.28 μg/cm-2 for cilostazol and rivaroxaban, respectively. Method validation was performed as per ICH Q2 (R1) guidelines. Furthermore, thermodynamic parameters; free energy (ΔG°), enthalpy (ΔH°) and entropy (ΔS°) of complexation were evaluated. The reliability of the procedure has been successfully ascertained by assay of pharmaceutical formulations and recovery tests by standard addition technique. The results obtained were statistically compared with those of the reference methods using student t-test and F ratio.
Meaningful Metrics: A 21st Century Librarian's Guide to Bibliometrics, Altmetrics, and Research Impact

What does it mean to have meaningful metrics in today's complex higher education landscape? With a foreword by Heather Piwowar and Jason Priem, this highly engaging and activity-laden book serves to introduce readers to the fast-paced world of research metrics from the unique perspective of academic librarians and LIS practitioners. Starting with the essential histories of bibliometrics and altmetrics, and continuing with in-depth descriptions of the core tools and emerging issues at stake in the future of both fields, Meaningful Metrics is a convenient all-in-one resource that is designed to be used by a range of readers, from those with little to no background on the subject to those looking to become movers and shakers in the current scholarly metrics movement. Authors Borchardt and Roemer, offer tips, tricks, and real-world examples illustrate how librarians can support the successful adoption of research metrics, whether in their institutions or across academia as a whole.
Tenderness and flavor of leg cuts from meat goats influenced by calcium chloride injection

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to assess the potential of improving tenderness of chevon using calcium chloride (CaCl2) injection and its effect on the palatability characteristics of chevon. Primal leg cuts from meat goats were allotted to one of four treatments: either no injection (control) or injection with water, CaCl2 (food grade, 2.2% w/v), or CaCl2 plus a spice mix. The CaCl2 injection improved tenderness of goat leg cuts, proven by Warner–Bratzler shear force values and sensory panels. Furthermore, panelists were not able to detect off-flavor problems associated with CaCl2 injection. When CaCl2 was injected into goat leg cuts with the beef spice mixture, it resulted in a more desirable flavor. Calcium injection did not influence flavor volatile compounds in cooked chevon leg cuts. The results indicate that CaCl2 plus spice mix injection can be applied to improve tenderness of goat meat without detrimental effects on other sensory characteristics.
Effect of culture media and fermentation parameters on phytase production by the thermophilic fungus Myceliophthora thermophila in solid state fermentation

Phytase production by thermophilic filamentous fungi was evaluated in solid state fermentation. A total of twenty strains belonging to Rhizomucor spp. (9), Myceliophthora thermophila (6), Thermoascus aurantiacus (4), and Paecilomyces variotii (1) were screened. Sugar cane bagasse was used as support for assessing the effect of different carbon and nitrogen sources, as well as mineral salts. Solid state fermentation parameters (initial moisture, initial pH, aeration rate) were also studied. Myceliophthora thermophila showed higher phytase activity and was selected for further studies. Synthetic culture media containing different carbon and nitrogen sources were tested for phytase production by this species in solid state fermentation. M. thermophila showed the highest phytase activity after 36 h of fermentation, when grown on a synthetic culture medium (glucose 10 g/L; phytic acid 2 g/L). (NH4)2HPO4, CaCl2, and MgSO4 favored high phytase activity in M. thermophila. Optimal initial culture conditions for phytase production were determined (pH, 6.0; moisture, 75%; aeration rate, 25 ml/min/column). In comparison with Aspergillus ficuum, the phytase activity of M. thermophila was 2.5 times higher. Phytase was most active at pH 5.5 and 45-50 C, but it was also active at 70 C. Optimization studies resulted in a 4-fold increase of phytase activity.
Effect of Gd doping on structure and photoluminescence properties of ZnO nanocrystals

Gd doped ZnO nanoparticles with varying dopant concentration are synthesized by simple wet chemical method. X-ray diffraction measurements confirm that the prepared samples are of hexagonal wurtzite structure with grain size around 50–60 nm. Gd doping induces lattice expansion in ZnO as the average crystallite size increases with the evolution of Gd2O3 phase after Gd doping. Electron microscopic studies show the presence of two types of particle distribution belonging to ZnO and Gd2O3 phases with an average size of 55 nm where the later surrounds the surface of ZnO. UV–VIS spectra show red-shift of absorption band of ZnO with Gd doping. A suppression of band edge UV emission and intensification of visible emission is observed in the photoluminescence spectra of doped ZnO. This has been explained on the basis of incorporation of impurity levels by the dopant along with intrinsic defect such as oxygen vacancies in the band gap of ZnO.
The influence of diabetes on atherosclerosis and amyloid fibril formation of coronary arteries. A FT-IR spectroscopic study

In the present study the ATR-FT-IR (Attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared) spectroscopy was used to investigate 54 biopsies from atheromatic coronary arteries of patients who had elevated serum glucose. Comparison of FT-IR spectra among insulin-dependent patients and patients who were on oral hypoglycemic drugs treatment and patients with normal serum glucose showed that insulin-dependent diabetic patients pronounced changes across the absorption infrared spectral range 4,000-400 cm -1 . The increase of the intensity of the characteristic stretching vibrations of antisymmetric ( v as CH 2 ) and symmetric ( v s CH 2 ) methylene groups indicates the increasing of lipophilic environment of the membranes. This finding is attributed to the damage on the membrane induced by free radicals produced during oxidative stress especially in diabetic patients. The new band at 1,744 cm -1 is assigned to aldehyde C=O vibration mode and the intensity is related to LDL cholesterol in serum of the patients. The appearance of a new band at 1,728 cm -1 only in the spectra of insulin-dependent patients, is attributed to influence of keto groups of cardiolipin due to atherosclerosis. Shifts to lower frequencies of the stretching vibration absorptions of amide I and amide II modes of proteins indicate that protein folding changed from a-helix to random coil and β-sheet configuration. The most significant changes were observed in the region 1,200-1,000 cm -1 , where the vibration modes of C-O-C groups of the sugars and C-O-P of DNA and phospholipids absorb. SEM analysis showed the production of aggregates as a result of the protein amyloid formation and the increased lipophilic environment, in agreement with FT-IR spectroscopic data. The changes were related to clinical history of the patients and were more pronounced in insulin-dependent diabetic patients. The presence in the FT-IR spectra of cardiolipin vibrations in insulin dependent diabetic patients needs more investigation.
Understanding the thermal properties of amorphous solids using machine-learning-based interatomic potentials

Abstract Understanding the thermal properties of disordered systems is of fundamental importance for condensed matter physics - and for practical applications as well. While quantities such as the thermal conductivity are usually well characterised experimentally, their microscopic origin is often largely unknown - hence the pressing need for molecular simulations. However, the time and length scales involved with thermal transport phenomena are typically well beyond the reach of ab initio calculations. On the other hand, many amorphous materials are characterised by a complex structure, which prevents the construction of classical interatomic potentials. One way to get past this deadlock is to harness machine-learning (ML) algorithms to build interatomic potentials: these can be nearly as computationally efficient as classical force fields while retaining much of the accuracy of first-principles calculations. Here, we discuss neural network potentials (NNPs) and Gaussian approximation potentials (GAPs), two popular ML frameworks. We review the work that has been devoted to investigate, via NNPs, the thermal properties of phase-change materials, systems widely used in non-volatile memories. In addition, we present recent results on the vibrational properties of amorphous carbon, studied via GAPs. In light of these results, we argue that ML-based potentials are among the best options available to further our understanding of the vibrational and thermal properties of complex amorphous solids.
Phytochemical analyses and comparative in vitro antioxidant studies of aqueous, methanol and ethanol stem bark extracts of Simarouba glauca DC. (Paradise tree)

This study was conducted to evaluate selected phytochemicals (antioxidant potentials of aqueous, methanol and ethanol stem bark extracts of Simarouba glauca) relative to standard antioxidants. Sample was harvested, air dried, pulverized and extracted with aqueous and absolute methanol and ethanol; freeze dried at the National Energy Commission Centre, University of Benin. Alkaloids, phenols and tannins were identified, and also flavonoid was detected. 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, reducing power activity, total antioxidant activity, hydroxyl radical activity, trolox equivalent antioxidant activity and nitric oxide (NO•) radical scavenging activity of stem bark extracts of S. glauca were evaluated, and all the experiment were conducted in a dose dependent manner. Butylated hydroxytuolene (BHT), ascorbate and trolox were introduced as positive controls (antioxidant). DPPH radical scavenging activity of stem bark extracts did not exhibit anti-radical activity at 50% inhibition but demonstrated less anti-radical activity at percentage inhibition lower than 50%. Extracts yielded significant reducing power and total antioxidant activities (FRAP). Hydroxyl radical scavenging activities of extracts was substantial; extracts exhibited significant anti-radical activity when trolox was introduced as positive antioxidant control, while nitric oxide scavenging activities was unprecedented. The presence of phytochemicals and antioxidant principles proffer high medicinal value to S. glauca. Key words: Simarouba glauca, stem bark, oxidants, radical scavenging properties.
Grain Yield, Quality, and Nutrient Concentrations of Feed, Food, and Malt Barley

ABSTRACT Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is a cereal grown for animal feed, human consumption, and malting. Nutrient concentrations are important as they provide information regarding the dietary values of barley consumed by animals or human beings. In addition, grain nutrient removal may be useful for refining fertilizer recommendations. A study was conducted in 2015 and 2016 investigating the cultivar effects on grain yield, quality, and grain nutrient concentrations and removal under irrigated conditions for two-row barley cultivars. Adjunct and feed cultivars produced the highest yields compared with the all-malt and food cultivars. Specific quality and nutrient values were greater than or equal to in the food cultivar compared to the malt or feed cultivars. Variations in nutrient concentrations were measured among the adjunct and all-malt cultivars, which could potentially affect the malting and brewing qualities. Grain yield, quality, nutrient concentrations and nutrient removal varied among cultivars grown under identical environmental conditions, which may influence end-use.
Radioactivity level of dug well water across selected cities in two states of Nigeria

ABSTRACT Over the years, municipal water supplies have been found to contain radionuclides, but data regarding the level and the associated radiological implications in many environmental samples are still sparse in towns and cities of developing nations around the world. Hence, the activity concentrations of radionuclides present in 16 dug well water samples taken from selected cities across Ondo and Ekiti states, Nigeria, have been determined using an n-type coaxial HPGe gamma-ray detector with ORTEC Multichannel Analyzer (MCA). The activity concentration of gamma emitter radionuclides in the well water ranged from 1.59 ± 0.44 to 3.75 ± 0.67Bq/L for 232Th, 6.43 ± 1.33 to 12.59 ± 1.50Bq/L for 226Ra, and 35.81 ± 2.78 to 70.38 ± 3.46Bq/L for 40K in Ondo state, and 0.45 ± 0.24 to 33.15 ± 5.99Bq/L for 232Th, 2.08 ± 0.53 to 78.36 ± 14.17Bq/L for 226Ra, and 34.47 ± 2.88 to 556.90 ± 30.73Bq/L for 40K in Ekiti state. Total annual effective dose equivalents resulting from exposure to these radionuclides from the untreated dug wells were estimated using the measured activity concentration and the dose conversion factor for three different age groups. The mean total annual effective dose equivalents for each of the age groups (0–1 y, 7–12 y, > 17 y) resulting from the radionuclides in the well water samples of both Ondo and Ekiti States were (11.49 ± 1.92, 3.02 ± 0.48, 2.52 ± 0.41) mSv/y and (26.52 ± 5.33, 6.63 ± 1.32, 5.77 ± 0.76) mSv/y respectively. This is above the International Centre for Radiation Protection (ICRP)-and WHO-recommended limits of 1 mSv/y and 0.1 mSv/y respectively. Hence, the dug wells across the studied area are recommended for conventional water treatment to remove radionuclides. The estimated values of total annual effective dose equivalent and committed effective dose were presented for three different age groups (i.e., 0–1 y, 7–12 y, > 17 y) and > 17 y respectively.
Public perception of communities towards flood vulnerability and resilience in Bayelsa state, Nigeria

The study examined the public perception of flood vulnerability and resilience among communities in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Consequently, 1500 copies of questionnaire were administered to elicit information on the perception of flood vulnerability and resilience in the selected communities using a random sampling technique. However, 1265 copies were retrieved for further analysis. Findings revealed that flood occurrence in Bayelsa State is becoming a recurring issue which happens every year and lives and properties are lost numerously. The dominating coping strategies include construction of sandbag dykes, channel and drainage construction, opening/maintenance of blocked drains and channels, land reclamation, raise the floor of buildings above water level, resettlement and remove possessions from ground floor. The study concluded that public opinions were germane to understand the level of impact of flood in Bayelsa State and it was suggested that regular flood assessment should be encouraged in Bayelsa State. Also the communities with high and moderate vulnerability to flood should be provided with adequate preparedness in case of any flood disaster in the future. Government should really come to the aid of the flood victims in Bayelsa State
PENGARUH KEPEMIMPINAN TERHADAP PRODUKTIVITAS KERJA PEGAWAI PADA DINAS PENDIDIKAN NASIONAL (DISDIKNAS) DAN KEBUDAYAAN KABUPATEN OKU TIMUR

Berdasarkan peneliti banyak masalah ditemukan Masih ada pegawai belum bisa memanfaatkan waktu dengan baik. Kualitas hasil kerja dicapai pegawai DISDIKNAS Dan Kebudayaan Kabupaten OKU Timur belum terlihat optimal. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk Memperoleh data dan menggambarkan informasi tentang pengaruh kepemimpinan terhadap produktivitas kerja pegawai di DISDIKNAS OKU Timur. Metode yang digunakan penelitian adalah kepustakaan, lapangan, observasi, wawancara, dan angket. Dengan rumus Korelasi dicapai r = 0.82 terletak antara 0,800 – 1,000 termasuk korelasi kuat. Sehingga dapat dikatakan kepemimpinan mempunyai pengaruh kuat terhadap produktivitas kerja. Saran yang diberikan untuk DISDIKNAS OKU Timur harus melakukan kepemimpinan supaya dapat meningkatkan produktivitas kerja yang lebih optimal.
Effects of Gibberellic Acid (GA3) and Salicylic Acid (SA) postharvest treatments on the quality of fresh Barhi dates at different ripening levels in the Khalal maturity stage during controlled atmosphere storage

Barhi dates at Khalal maturity stage are well-known with their pleasant taste, crispy texture, and bright yellow color. It is necessary to extend the duration of Barhi Khalal stage which is too short for effective marketing. This study aimed to inspect the effects of Gibberellic Acid (GA3) and Salicylic Acid (SA) postharvest treatments on retaining the high quality of Khalal Barhi fruits during controlled atmosphere storage. Fresh samples of Barhi fruits at Khalal stage harvested at three different ripening levels were dipped after harvesting in GA3 (150 ppm) or SA (2.0 mmol/L) and subsequently stored in controlled atmosphere (0°С, 5% O2, 5% CO2, 80%±5% RH). The results revealed that the GA3 and SA treatments reduced the percentage of weight loss and decay in the fruits, while the total soluble solids increased. Moreover, GA3 and SA treatments were significantly efficient in limiting the changes in fruit color and texture of Barhi dates compared to the control. Sensorial results support the experimental data and disclosed that the GA3 (150 ppm) treatment in the controlled atmosphere (CA) storage was better in conserving the quality of Barhi at the Khalal maturity stage and delaying ripening process. Keywords: Barhi dates, Khalal maturity stage, Gibberellic Acid (GA3), Salicylic Acid (SA), postharvest treatments, controlled atmosphere (CA) storage DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe. 20181103.3760 Citation: Atia A, Abdulkarim D, Younis M, Alhamdan A. Effects of gibberellic acid (GA3) and salicylic acid (SA) postharvest treatments on the quality of fresh Barhi dates at different ripening levels in the Khalal maturity stage during controlled atmosphere storage. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2018; 11(3): 211–219.