Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Extra Curricular and Co-curricular Activities to the Academic Performance of Intermediate Pupils

This study was made to determine the effects of extra and co-curricular activities to the academic performance of intermediate pupils in Binmaley I District, Binmaley, Pangasinan. Public schools in the elementary level in Binmaley District 1 are mostly with big campuses with standard number of pupils and sample teaching force. Majority of the schools holds 5-7 co-curricular activities. More so, the majority of the learners participate in the co-curricular activities in school, district, division and regional levels. The participation of the learners to the co-curricular activities contributes to attaining their learning competencies. The school profile has not related to the extent of contribution of the majority of the co-curricular activities to pupils’ learning competencies. Among the top problems encountered by the learners in participating Co-Curricular activities dwell on the pupils’ struggle with time management, short attention span, costly activities, the difficulty of coping up and tardiness. Based on the findings and conclusions, it is recommended that public elementary schools should sustain the conduct of co-curricular activities and explore more innovative and interactive activities to reach out to more learners. They should also promote and give more emphasis on the participation of co-curricular activities. Further, since profile variables do not affect the extent of contribution of the majority of the co-curricular activities to pupils’ learning competencies, it should be part of the curriculum for good.
Bioenergy on Islands: An Environmental Comparison of Continental Palm Oil vs. Local Waste Cooking Oil for Electricity Generation

Energy security on islands is a challenging issue due to their isolation from energy markets and fossil fuel dependence. In addition, islands’ average energy intensity has increased in recent years due to economic development. This research explores the environmental performance of two alternative non-variable bioelectricity feedstocks to increase energy resilience on islands. The study was developed for the Galápagos islands to address the environmental impacts from the direct use of waste cooking oil (WCO) and refined palm oil (RPO) to produce 1 MWh using the life cycle assessment methodological framework. A combination of primary and secondary data sources was used. The results show better performance for the electricity derived from WCO in all the impact categories considered when compared to RPO.
Impact of Electricity Consumption on Economic Growth in Nigeria

There is a complement identified between energy sector products (such as petroleum and electricity) and other sectors in an economy which includes: agricultural sectors, commerce, mining, and manufacturing which adds up to form a needful output (Amusa & Leshoro, 2013). Although, Nigeria is blessed with copious energy resources, yet, the nation often crashes into an energy crisis. As stated by Auty (1993), a situation whereby an economy is rich in natural resources and also facing intense private privation is known as ‘Dutch disease syndrome’ or ‘resource curse’, which has been believed to exist in Nigeria. Abstract: The study investigates the impact of electricity consumption on Nigerian economy between 1986 and 2018. The data were sourced from National Bureau of Statistics, World Development indicators and The International Energy Agency. The estimation technique employed for the analysis is Autoregressive Distributed Lag Model. The variables used are Electricity consumption (ELC), Cost of fuel/gas (CFG) and Economic growth rate (GDPR). The variables were subjected to stationarity test. The result showed that GDPR and CFG were stationary at level I(0) while ELC became stationary at first difference I(1). The variables are also free of multicollinearity. The ARDL result confirmed that both ELC and GDPR are positively and significantly correlated in the short-run but in the long-run, ELC impacted negatively and insignificantly on economic growth in Nigeria, while CFG exerts positive but insignificant impact on economic growth. The study therefore, recommends that measures be taken towards electricity conservation to enhance efficient consumption of electricity towards increasing economic growth in Nigeria. The government should enact policies in the sector towards availability of electricity considering the negative influence that electricity consumption has on economic growth in the long-run. The cost of fuel and gas should be at a rate that will accommodate all income class in the economy in order to aid access to electricity consumption which will in turn increase economic growth.
Semiparametric Tests for the Order of Integration in the Possible Presence of Level Breaks

Abstract Lobato and Robinson developed semiparametric tests for the null hypothesis that a series is weakly autocorrelated, or I(0), about a constant level, against fractionally integrated alternatives. These tests have the advantage that the user is not required to specify a parametric model for any weak autocorrelation present in the series. We extend this approach in two distinct ways. First, we show that it can be generalized to allow for testing of the null hypothesis that a series is for any δ lying in the usual stationary and invertible region of the parameter space. The second extension is the more substantive and addresses the well-known issue in the literature that long memory and level breaks can be mistaken for one another, with unmodeled level breaks rendering fractional integration tests highly unreliable. To deal with this inference problem, we extend the Lobato and Robinson approach to allow for the possibility of changes in level at unknown points in the series. We show that the resulting statistics have standard limiting null distributions, and that the tests based on these statistics attain the same asymptotic local power functions as infeasible tests based on the unobserved errors, and hence there is no loss in asymptotic local power from allowing for level breaks, even where none is present. We report results from a Monte Carlo study into the finite-sample behavior of our proposed tests, as well as several empirical examples.
Mechanism of homeotropic alignment of a doped liquid crystal

In the paper, the physico-chemical orientation mechanism on solid surfaces for a liquid crystal (NP5 from Merck) doped for homeotropic alignment, is tested. For that, the dispersion and polar parts of surface tension of the liquid crystal are determined. Using substrates with and without adsorbed surfactant, the dispersion and polar parts of the surface tension of the substrates were also measured. Comparison of liquid and solid surface tensions, involved in the physico-chemical mechanism, failed to explain the difference of the molecular alignment for the two substrates. In the presence of the surfactant adsorbed on the surface, the steric model probably gives the explanation for the homeotropic alignment.
Co-pretreatment of Municipal Wastewater and Landfill Leachate by Chemical Coagulation Using Ferric Chloride and Aluminum Sulfate

In this study, co-pretreatment of municipal wastewater (MW) and landfill leachate (LL) was investigated by means of coagulation using ferric chloride and aluminum sulfate. The effects of operating conditions on process performance were examined, which included pH, coagulant type and coagulant dose. For both coagulants, the best removal efficiency was achieved at the initial pH of 5. At this pH, the removal efficiencies of chemical oxygen demand (COD), suspended solids (SS) and turbidity were 82%, %99 and %99, respectively with ferric chloride and 72%, 98% and 98.5%, respectively with aluminum sulfate. For the ratios ranging between 10:1 and 5:1 of MW to LL, the optimum dose was determined as 500 mg/L for both coagulants. When the ratio of MW to LL was reduced from 5:1 to 1:1, the coagulant dose required was raised from 500 to 1000 mg/L and the removal efficiency of pollutants reduced. Better removal efficiencies were achieved by ferric chloride in comparison to aluminum sulfate. The results revealed that coagulation could be applied as pretreatment for co-treatment of MW and LL.
Chemical properties of the graptolite periderm from the Holy Cross Mountains (Central Poland)

indices of thermal maturity of pre-Upper Silurian rocks, in which vitrinite does not appear (e.g. Goodarzi 1984, 1985; Goodarzi & Norford 1985, 1987, 1989; Link et al. 1990; Cole 1994; Petersen et al. 2013; Luo et al. 2020). It is commonly employed in the recognition of the unconventional hydrocarbon deposits, which frequently occur in the Cambrian–Silurian organic-rich shales (e.g. Więcław et al. 2010, Schovsbo et al. 2011, Jarvie 2012, Petersen et al. 2013). However, the chemical structure of the graptolite periderm (or fusellum sensu Maletz et al. 2014) is still not fully resolved. Periderm of living graptolites was composed of collagen-like fibrils but their corresponding fossil counterparts lack protein and they underwent the coalification process similar to plant remains (Towe & Urbanek 1972, Link et al. 1990). Deep insight into graptolite paleobiology was given by Maletz et al. (2017). Research on the chemistry of the fossilized graptolite periderm (Bustin et al. 1989; Suchý et al. 2002, 2004; Caricchi et al. 2016; Morga & Kamińska 2018; Luo et al. 2020) were mostly performed on graptolite specimens, reflectance (Rr) of which exceeded values of 0.8–1%, and still little is known about chemistry of low reflectance graptolites. The purpose of this investigation is to determine, for the first time, chemical properties of the graptolite periderms from the Holy Cross Mountains (Rr < 0.8%), and compare them to those known from the previous studies. The research is a continuation of the microstructural examination performed on the same samples (Morga 2019).
Telepsychotherapy in the age of COVID-19: A commentary.

This is a commentary on 15 articles addressing some of the major emergent challenges in provision of mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, offering telepsychology as a viable and elegant solution to maintaining psychotherapy within and after the pandemic. The papers in the special issue both build on existing telepsychotherapy initiatives and offer rapid responses to the early phase of COVID-19. Two papers explore the relative effectiveness of in-person supervision and telesupervision, proposing telesupervision as a feasible alternative; and extending practical considerations to maintain effective clinical care in training settings while implementing telepsychology. Ten papers address technological challenges, with recommendations to create, enhance, and optimally configure telepsychotherapy services for clients across the mental health spectrum from common mental health problems, clinical high risk for psychosis, high risk for suicide, posttraumatic stress disorder, and family intervention. Turning to process, two papers explore psychotherapists' attitudes toward online psychotherapy and their use of technology in practice. Finally, one paper addressed system considerations, describing the development of a virtual partial hospital program for acute psychiatric patients stepping down from inpatient hospitalization. We discuss the key themes emerging from this corpus of work, linking these themes to the current state of evidence regarding the mental health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Crucially, the value of this special issue goes beyond the current crisis, enabling psychotherapists to be better prepared for physical distancing situations that they may face in the future.
Removing EOG Artifacts from EEG Signals Using a Modified Wavelet-RLS Method

EEG signals are among the weakest and most disturbing vital signals because with the slightest change in body posture, and various artifacts will be added to them. The presence of artifacts in the EEG signal leads to an incorrect analysis of this signal. Due to the importance of the subject, various methods have been proposed to eliminate these artifacts. In this thesis, the Wavelet-RLS modified method for removing eyelid articulation from the EEG signal is improved. We then compare the performance of the modified Wavelet-RLS method with the SNR and MSE criteria with the RLS and regular Wavelet-RLS methods. In this method, first, the noise signal is analyzed by the wavelet. Then the coefficients in the frequency bands, including the blinking effect, are filtered by a recursive least squares (RLS). Finally, the clean signal is reconstructed with the inverse Wavelet transformation. The results show that the performance of the modified Wavelet-RLS method is better than the regular Wavelet-RLS and RLS methods in terms of MSE and SNR.
Effect of Palladium Form on Tetraphenylborate Decomposition Rate

Palladium catalyzes the decomposition of tetraphenylborate in alkaline solutions. Researchers postulate several decomposition mechanisms that differ in the form of the palladium catalyst. Potential forms include solid and soluble, different soluble species (such as aqueous or organic soluble), and different oxidation states (i.e., 0, II, and IV). Initial tests measured the reactivity and distribution of four Pd forms in tetraphenylborate slurries.
Flipped Classroom Technique: Engagement and Value

This paper explores the effectiveness of the flipped classroom technique in engaging learners and creating value, as perceived by EFL learners involved in a flipped classroom structure. It also investigates the effect of gender on engagement with and value of flipped activities. The study population consists of 40 EFL learners who attended a flipped learning course in the academic year of 2019-2020.The data were gathered through a questionnaire on a four-point Likert scale. The quantitative data were analyzed descriptively using the parametric Levine’s test and t-test independent sample formula. The results were analyzed by using the SPSS Statistics software package. The results of the t-test formula indicated there were significant differences between male and female perception in terms of their engagement with and value of flipped classroom activities. The females reported greater engagement and a stronger desire to engage, and they valued the flipped techniques more than the male learners. In light of the findings, the study recommends enhancing male learners’ involvement in knowledge acquisition outside the classroom to promote more interest in and value of flipped instruction in the English language classroom.
Potencial agroindustrial del epicarpio de mandarina como alternativa de colorante natural en pan

En este estudio se evaluó el potencial agroindustrial de la harina de epicarpio de mandarina Oneco (Citrus reticulata) como posible colorante natural en el pan. En la metodología se analizaron las propiedades fisicoquímicas como el pH, aw, los parámetros de color: luminosidad (L*), cromaticidad (C*) y ángulo de tono (h°), porcentaje de acidez, porcentaje de materia seca, cuantificación de carotenoides por espectrofotometría, compuestos fenólicos, capacidad antioxidante en harina y parámetros de color (L*, C* y h°) en el pan. Se encontró que, después del tratamiento de secado convectivo, se retuvieron concentraciones significativamente más altas de compuestos bioactivos como los fenólicos, se evidenció también un aumento en la capacidad antioxidante y el contenido de carotenoides, además de cambios significativos en los parámetros de color (L* y C*). En la sustitución de la harina de epicarpio de mandarina en las formulaciones del pan, se notó un aumento significativo en la concentración del contenido de carotenoides, siendo el pico de esta en la sustitución del 4 %; En los parámetros de color, se hallaron diferencias significativas en los parámetros L* y C*, presentando el mayor valor de L* en la sustitución del 2 % y de C* en la sustitución del 4 %, mientras que el parámetro h° no presentó diferencias significativas en ninguna de las formulaciones. Finalmente, se concluye que la harina de epicarpio de mandarina puede ser una alternativa importante, como aditivo de colorante natural en la elaboración del pan.
The adoption of an indicator panel in educational management to decision-making support

The use of technology to assist in the performance of daily activities and to carry out communication between individuals has become a necessary task in the face of technological advances. In the context of public institutions, the insertion of technology is also based on the possibilities of making the activities of this sector more efficient and better quality, in addition to allowing greater transparency and accessibility of information for society. For public managers, the information and communication technology tools allow for a more accurate assessment of the variables and possibilities involved in a decision-making process and, thus, to make better decisions in a sector whose main customer is society (users). Therefore, this paper aimed to analyze the use and acceptance of a decision support tool in a public educational institution called the Indicators Panel. For this, the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) was used, and the results were measured using the paraconsistent logic. The results indicate that it is possible to consider the use and acceptance of the decision support system in the public educational institution by reducing the propositions of the UTAUT Model in three factors: Usability, Performance, and Relationship. Regarding the UTAUT Model, it was found that the moderating variables of gender, age, and experience do not significantly influence the adoption of the decision support system. It is important to note that managers point the tool as very important for the development of their activities and emphasize that ease of use is one of the main points for the adoption of technology.
The Potential Role of Platelets in the Progression of Ovarian Cancer

The potential role of platelets in the progression of ovarian cancer. Birna Brynjarsdóttir, John Sheehan, Magnús Karl Magnússon. Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland. University of Wisconsin, Madison. Background: Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) generally presents with non-specific symptoms and is diagnosed at an advanced stage. Malignant cells spread from the ovaries, along the peritoneal cavity, and formation of ascites in patients is common. Paraneoplastic thrombocytosis is associated with adverse prognosis in various solid tumors, and in EOC it is associated with advanced disease and shortened survival. If platelets are present and active in the ascites of patients with EOC, it is possible that they play a role in the progression of the disease. Research goal: Assess evidence of platelet migration and activation in the ascites of patients with EOC. Materials and methods: Patient samples consisted of plasma (n=47) and ascites (n=26) samples. Plasma samples from healthy donors (n=54) were used as controls. Hemoglobin levels were measured in ascites samples to determine which samples had blood contamination, as platelets in those samples would not represent migration only. Western blots were performed to acquire a qualitative view (full length and cleaved form) of GPIb, a platelet specific membrane protein, in patient samples. In order to get a quantitative view of GPIb in ascites samples, and thus an estimate of platelet mass, a method for GPIb ELISA was put into development. Platelet activation was determined by measuring PF4 levels with an ELISA assay, as PF4 is a cytokine specific for platelets and is released from alpha granules following activation. Results: The median hemoglobin level in ascites samples was 0.4% of the median hemoglobin level in plasma, suggesting negligible blood contamination in most samples. Western blot showed GPIb protein present in plasma and ascites of EOC patients. Development of an ELISA method for GPIb is still in progress. PF4 was present in plasma and ascites of EOC patients as well as healthy control plasmas. Discussion: The presence of GPIb indicates that platelets are present in malignant ascites of EOC patients. Only ascites samples that had negligible hemoglobin levels were used for analysis which suggests that the presence of platelets was due to migration into the ascites, rather than blood contamination, although further confirmation is needed. PF4 levels also suggest that platelets are activated in malignant ascites of EOC patients. These results support our hypothesis that platelets are present and active in the tumor microenvironment of EOC, the peritoneum. Based upon evidence of platelet interaction with cancer cells, platelets may influence the progression of EOC in the peritoneum. To what extent is a question that still needs to be answered. Our hope is that further research into the contribution of platelets on the progression of EOC might lead to new therapeutic targets against mechanistic EOC pathways that involve platelets and platelet activation, or in fact against platelets themselves.
Drainage Water Salt Load Variations Related to the Salinity and Leaching Ratios of Irrigation Water

Solubility of salts and leaching fractions have different effects on drainage water quality. Knowing the quality of drainage water is extremely important in terms of environmental factors and quality of water resources for the reason that this water is transferred to various sources. In this study, were studied the changes of drainage water salinity and salt load under lyzimeter (soil columns) conditions using different irrigation water salinity and with different leaching fractions. The study was carried out with sunflower in PVC soil columns with 40 cm diameter and 115 cm length with 3 different irrigations and 5 irrigation waters with different salinity level. The three irrigation treatments were 75%, 115% and 135% of the required irrigation water. The irrigation water salinities were 0.25 dS m-1 as control treatment, 1.5 and 3.0 dS m-1 with NaCl+CaCl2 salts and 1.5 and 3.0 dS m-1 with NaCl+CaSO4 salts as saline treatments. In this study investigated drainage water quality variations and salt load with irrigation water and some individual ions load and their leaching by drainage water as well. Drainage water salinities variated with both irrigation water salinity and leaching fractions. It was higher under the effect of soluble salts and with the 15% leaching fraction. However, salt load was higher at 35% leaching fractions level. When discuss the individual ions; while Cl-, (CO3-2+HCO3-) and Ca+2 were accumulated in the soil profile, SO4-2, Na+ ve Mg+2 were leaced from the profile, and all these ions variated by interaction for irrigation waters, and by leaching fractions for the drainage water.