Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Radiology among Physicians in a Tertiary Hospital in North-Central Nigeria

Objective: To assess physicians’ knowledge, attitude and practice of radiology. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional study utilizing an anonymous questionnaire responded to by physicians, divided into parts as follows: one with questions about the physicians’ knowledge of imaging modalities, availability of the modalities at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), modalities with ionizing radiation, radiologist reports and way forward in improving services at radiology department. Results: A total of 123 physicians participated in the study. Majority of the physicians (65.0%) were males. Male to female ratio was nearly 2:1. Concerning the impression about radiology, the Original Research Article Salaam et al.; JAMMR, 32(4): 16-23, 2020; Article no.JAMMR. 55271 17 study showed that 101(82.1%) like radiology as a specialty. There was however poor knowledge about the risks and hazards associated with radiological imaging modalities. Conclusion: The non-radiologist physicians’ knowledge is heterogeneous and, in some aspects, needs to be improved. Multidisciplinary clinical meetings and teaching activities are important ways to disseminate information on the subject.
Growth responses of African savanna trees implicate atmospheric [CO2] as a driver of past and current changes in savanna tree cover.

Atmospheric CO2 has more than doubled since the last glacial maximum (LGM) and could double again within this century, largely due to anthropogenic activity. It has been suggested that low [CO2] contributed to reduced tree cover in savanna and grassland biomes at LGM, and that increasing [CO2] over the last century promoted increases in woody plants in these ecosystems over the past few decades. Despite the implications of this idea for understanding global carbon cycle dynamics and key global role of the savanna biome, there are still very few experimental studies quantifying the effects of CO2 on tree growth and demography in savannas and grasslands. In this paper we present photosynthetic, growth and carbon allocation responses of African savanna trees (Acacia karroo and Acacia nilotica) and a C4 grass, Themeda triandra, exposed to a gradient of CO2 concentrations from 180 (typical of LGM) to 1000 µmol mol−1 in open-top chambers in a glasshouse as a first empirical test of this idea. Photosynthesis, total stem length, total stem diameter, shoot dry weight and root dry weight of the acacias increased significantly across the CO2 gradient, saturating at higher CO2 concentrations. After clipping to simulate fire, plants showed an even greater response in total stem length, total stem diameter and shoot dry weight, signalling the importance of re-sprouting following disturbances such as fire or herbivory in savanna systems. Root starch (per unit root mass and total root starch per plant) increased steeply along the CO2 gradient, explaining the re-sprouting response. In contrast to the strong response of tree seedlings to the CO2 gradient, grass productivity showed little variation, even at low CO2 concentrations. These results suggest that CO2 has significant direct effects on tree recruitment in grassy ecosystems, influencing the ability of trees to recover from fire damage and herbivory. Fire and herbivore regimes that were effective in controlling tree increases in grassy ecosystems could thus be much less effective in a CO2-rich world, but field-based tests are needed to confirm this suggestion.
Input use under cost‐of‐production crop insurance: Theory and evidence

There have been a number of previous studies that examined the effects of yield‐ or revenue‐based crop insurance products on input use of farmers. However, no study has specifically investigated the input use impacts of a cost‐of‐production (COP) crop insurance policy, even though this type of crop insurance is the predominant one used in several other countries outside of the United States (such as the Philippines and China). This article aims to theoretically and empirically examine the effect of a COP crop insurance product on farmers’ chemical input use. Our theoretical model suggests that the effect of COP insurance on input use can either be positive or negative, with the resulting impact depending on the strengths of (a) the traditional moral hazard effect of insurance (i.e., an input use decreasing effect); versus (b) the marginal incentives to apply more inputs due to input levels being the main determinant for expected indemnity amounts in this type of insurance (i.e., an input use increasing effect). A survey data set from corn farmers in the Philippines is then used to empirically illustrate how a particular COP insurance product influences input use in a real‐life context. In this case, we find that COP insurance increases the use of chemical inputs (e.g., fertilizers and total chemical expenditure), implying that the positive marginal incentive to apply more inputs dominates the negative moral hazard effect.
An in vitro study to compare the surface roughness of glazed and chairside polished dental monolithic zirconia using two polishing systems

Aim: To evaluate the efficiency of two commercially available polishing systems in reducing surface roughness of a monolithic zirconia after clinical adjustment and to compare them to glazed zirconia. Setting and Design: In vitro study. Material and Methods: This in vitro study was conducted on 25 discs (10mm in diameter and 2mm in thickness) using monolithic zirconia (Ceramill Zolid). From 25 specimens, 5 specimens were randomly selected as the positive control. The remaining discs were abraded for 15 secs with a red band diamond finishing bur using an air rotor handpiece. Then the specimens were randomly divided into 5 equal groups of 5 specimens each. Group 1: Roughened, unpolished and unglazed. Group 2 (Positive Control): Glazed without prior roughening,Group 3: Roughened and polished with eZr polishing kit, Group 4: Roughened and polished with Optra fine ceramic polishing kit and Group 5: Roughened and glazed. The surface roughness (Ra) values (μm) were measured quantitatively by a surface analyzer. The mean values were compared using one-way ANOVA and Post Hoc Test. One specimen of each group was evaluated qualitatively under a scanning electron microscope(SEM) for surface topography. Statistical Analysis Used: One-way ANOVA and Post Hoc Test. Results: The lowest Ra value was found in Group 4-Roughened and polished with Optrafine ceramic polishing kit (Ra=0.47μm) as compared to Group 3-Roughened and polished with eZr polishing kit (Ra=0.49μm) and Group 5-Roughened and glazed (Ra=0.59μm). There was no stastistically significant difference between two polishing systems. SEM analysis of surfaces polished with Optrafine polishing kit revealed smoother and regular morphology as compared to surfaces polished with eZr polishing kit. Conclusion: The Optrafine polishing kit created more smoother and uniform surfaces as compared to surfaces polished with eZr polishing kit both quantitatively and qualitatively. Also, lowest surface roughness values were produced by optrafine ceramic polishing kit on monolithic zirconia as compared to glazed monolithic zirconia after their clinical adjustments.Thus Optrafine ceramic polishing kit can be used as alternative to glazing.
Access to Sanitation Facilities and Handwashing Practices among Physically Challenged Persons in Homes for the Disabled in Ibadan, Nigeria

Background: Disabled people in the streets have been adjudged to have the least access to sanitation facilities. Information is inadequate on accessibility to sanitation and hygiene services in homes for the disabled in Nigeria. Purpose: To investigate accessibility to sanitation facilities and handwashing practices among Physically Challenged Persons (PCPs) in selected homes for the disabled in Ibadan. Materials and Methods: Sixty-four consenting PCPs selected from three homes for the disabled in a cross-sectional study were interviewed using questionnaire. Field observation and Focus Group Discussion (FGDs) were conducted using a checklist and FGD guide respectively. Results: Mean age of PCPs was 19.5 ± 6.8 years, and 56.2% were males. All PCPs reported they had water closet toilet-types in their homes, however, 42% reported that toilet usage was difficult because there were no assistive devices. Observation revealed there were no hand rails or ropes to aid in toilet usage. The FGDs revealed water supply for flushing was inadequate. Although 98.4% reported handwashing with soap after toilet use, only 54.7% of the PCPs reported that soap was readily available in their homes/centres. Discussion and Conclusion: Reports by the PCP and field observation showed that there were inadequate assistive devices such as wheelchair ramps, hand rails, or ropes to aid in toilet usage. Sanitation facilities in homes for the disabled should be appropriately built with necessary support to facilitate usage and easy accessibility.
Enhancing customer retention using customer relationship management approach in car loan bussiness

Abstract The objective of this study was to analyse the effects of customer-perceived value, corporate image, and service quality on customer satisfaction, as well as to analyse the direct effect of switching barriers on customer retention, and to analyse the direct and indirect effects of customer satisfaction on customer retention. The conceptual research framework was examined by subjecting data pertaining to 310 customer car loans to structural equation modelling (SEM). The study findings indicated that customer-perceived value, corporate image, and service quality have a significant effect on customer satisfaction, while switching barriers have a significant effect on customer retention. Although customer satisfaction does not have a significant effect on customer retention, the indirect relationship that occurs through customer trust shows that the trust in the credit process and the service provided will prompt customers to use the company’s products or services when applying for new credit. The managerial implications of these findings include grouping customers, determining sales targets based on customer groups, offering products that have more advantages over competitors, providing credit packages and special programs to promote low-interest rates, and forming telesales as information channels. This research provides an overview of the loyalty of customers that will reuse the previous car loan company when reapplying for credit.
Comparison of Effects of Two Aging Methods on the Physicochemical Traits of Pork Loin

Abstract The objective of this study was to compare effects of two different aging methods on physical, chemical, and microbial traits of pork loin: Dry and wet-aged meat was hung in the cooler at 8±1°C and 85±2.1% humidity for 14 days, while wet-aged meat was immersed in a 3.5% salt solution of brine in vacuum pouches. On day 7, pH and moisture content were higher in dry-aged loins than in wet-aged, while drip loss and total plate counts (p<0.05) were lower on day 14. As aging continued, the pH and drip loss of dry-aged loins decreased, while their total plate counts and water holding capacity (WHC) increased (p<0.05). After 7 and 14 days of aging, redness in dry-aged loins was higher than that in wet -aged muscles (p<0.05). On day 14 of aging, hardness, chewiness, and adhesiveness were lower in dry-aged pork loin as compared to those in wet-aged samples (p<0.05). Consequently, the results suggested that dry and wet aging methods differently affects meat quality traits of pork loin.
Methoprene‐induced matings of young Queensland fruit fly males are effective at inducing sexual inhibition in females

Pre‐release dietary treatment with methoprene, a juvenile hormone analogue, decreases the age at which male Queensland fruit flies mature and hence may decrease the post‐release delay until released sterile flies participate in sterile insect technique (SIT) programmes. However, if matings of young methoprene‐treated males are not effective at inducing sexual inhibition in their mates, then this treatment may not enhance SIT. The present study investigates efficacy of matings of methoprene‐treated males at inducing sexual inhibition in their mates. Methoprene incorporated into a diet of sugar and yeast hydrolysate (w/w 3:1) for 48 hr after emergence resulted in significantly increased male mating propensity when flies were <10 days of age, but not when older, and longer copulations. Copula latency did not vary with methoprene treatment but did decrease with age. The matings of young methoprene‐treated males were effective at inducing sexual inhibition in their mates, matching the efficacy of untreated mature males. Regardless of treatment, females had reduced tendency to remate if their first mate was 15 days of age than if their first mate was younger (6, 8 days) or older (20, 25, 30 days). Females mated by methoprene‐treated males that did remate tended to remate later in the day than females mated by untreated males. Also, second copula durations of females first mated by a 6‐ to 10‐day‐old male were shorter if the male was methoprene treated. These patterns in remating females may indicate greater efficacy of the initial mating of methoprene‐treated males. Overall, we find that the additional matings of young methoprene‐treated male Queensland fruit flies are effective at inducing sexual inhibition in their mates. This finding supports the incorporation of methoprene into pre‐release diet for SIT.
Towards an improved spatial representation of a boundary layer from the attached eddy model

This study compares the predicted synthetic flow fields generated based on the representative structures of the attached eddy model to experimental data captured using Particle Image Velocimetry of a turbulent boundary layer. To this end, wall-parallel and cross-stream planar fields are analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively by examining instantaneous flow features and by statistical two-point correlation functions, respectively. Our results reveal that although single-point flow statistics are in good agreement with the experimental data, a comparison of instantaneous flow fields and multipoint statistics between the attached eddy model and experiments shows differences in the spatial coherence. Based on these observations, a modification to the placement of the representative eddies in the attached eddy model is proposed that incorporates the meandering of these flow structures, which has been extensively reported in turbulent boundary layers. Our results reveal that this subtle modification provides a superior spatial representation of a turbulent boundary layer from the attached eddy model by reducing periodic effects and the overestimated spatial coherence. Similar improvements are also reported for the spatial representation of the spanwise velocity component.
From Trees to Ecosystems: Spatiotemporal Scaling of Climatic Impacts on Montane Landscapes Using Dendrochronological, Isotopic, and Remotely Sensed Data

An interdisciplinary approach is needed for understanding tree physiology and forest biogeochemical cycles undergoing climate change and rising atmospheric CO2. We combined tree ring time series, wood isotope signatures, remotely sensed variables, and climatic data to perform a spatiotemporal scaling analysis of tree physiology and high‐elevation forest responses to rising CO2. The main question addressed is how tree physiological performance of dominant trees can be combined with satellite‐derived information of stand‐level productivity to understand how the landscape shapes the relationship between forest structure and function. Annually resolved tree ring carbon and oxygen isotopic ratios (δ13C and δ18O), carbon isotope discrimination from CO2 to wood (Δ13C), and intrinsic water‐use efficiency (iWUE) of dominant Pinus hartwegii Lindl. trees were sampled and compared against stand‐level normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) time series from 2000 to 2016. Linear mixed‐effects models tested the effects of elevation, aspect, and time. Carbon and oxygen isotope ratios were correlated with NDVI mainly for the previous fall‐winter season and for the beginning of the growing season. Wood δ13C decreased over time regardless of spatial position, whereas wood δ18O varied as a function of altitude and time. Although Δ13C did not vary with elevation, aspect, or time, a notable decline in Δ13C and peak in iWUE during a severe drought event was evident. Results highlight the link between remotely sensed data, tree ring isotopic composition, and tree physiology as the determining factors to determine spatiotemporal variability in dendroecological studies.
BEM applied to the cup effect on the partially submerged propeller performance prediction and ventilation pattern

This article describes the development of the boundary element method (BEM) to predict the partially submerged propeller (PSP) performance with and without the cup effect, and the 3D unsteady ventilation pattern under an open flow condition. The applied theory is a time-domain BEM, where the perturbation potential is a function of immersion ratio and time. For validation, the unsteady ventilating flow about the 841-B propeller is investigated. It is shown that the formation of the ventilation pattern is captured by the BEM, and the predicted shape of the ventilated surface corresponds well with the experimental observation. Force/moment (components) coefficients are calculated on the key blade of PSP during one cycle in comparison with and without the cup effect. The obtained numerical results are in good agreement with experiments data at high advanced coefficients and in low advanced coefficients reduced.
Do soil‐borne fungal pathogens mediate plant diversity–productivity relationships? Evidence and future opportunities

From the establishment of the first biodiversity experiments in the 1990s, studies have consistently reported positive relationships between plant diversity and productivity in grasslands. However, the predominant hypotheses that may explain this pattern have changed. Initially, there was a strong focus on plant–plant interactions such as facilitation and resource partitioning, but the results from the first experiments that manipulated soil communities have led to a paradigm shift. In the current view on mechanisms that drive plant diversity–productivity relationships, fungal pathogen‐induced reductions of plant productivity at low diversity play an important role. This role rests on two assumptions: the effects of pathogens (a) are plant‐species specific (i.e. not all plant species are affected equally by a fungal pathogen) and (b) display negative density dependence (i.e. decrease with decreasing host plant density and hence, with increasing plant species richness). Here, we review the empirical evidence for these two assumptions. In the biodiversity literature, this is mainly based on indirect approaches, such as soil sterilization, plant–soil feedback studies and plant biomass patterns. The identification and functional characterization of the fungal pathogens that actually drive the plant diversity–productivity relationship have only recently started. Synthesis. Nevertheless, these studies, together with studies on plant–pathogen interactions in agricultural crops and forests, clearly suggest host‐specific, negative density‐dependent effects of fungal pathogens are common. Moreover, recent studies suggest that the reduced impact of pathogens at high plant diversity depends not just on host density but also on effects of neighbouring (non‐host) plant species on the pathogen. Understanding how neighbouring plants affect the interactions between a pathogen and its host plants and disentangling the role of plant–pathogen interactions from other mechanisms potentially driving diversity–productivity relationships are important future challenges.
Do Shareholders Benefit from Green Bonds?

Abstract The green bond market has been growing rapidly worldwide since its debut in 2007. We present the first empirical study on the announcement returns and real effects of green bond issuance by firms in 28 countries during 2007–2017. After compiling a comprehensive international green bond dataset, we document that stock prices positively respond to green bond issuance. However, we do not find a consistently significant premium for green bonds, suggesting that the positive stock returns around green bond announcements are not fully driven by the lower cost of debt. Nevertheless, we show that institutional ownership, especially from domestic institutions, increases after the firm issues green bonds. Moreover, stock liquidity significantly improves upon the issuance of green bonds. Overall, our findings suggest that the firm's issuance of green bonds is beneficial to its existing shareholders.
Demographics and (Equal?) Voice: Assessing Participation in Online Deliberative Sessions

Critics of deliberative democracy have worried that deliberation may mirror (or even exacerbate) inequalities in participation across categories such as gender, race, and age. Accordingly, we investigate the potential for technology and design to ameliorate these concerns, looking at the extent to which online deliberative sessions facilitate inclusive participation. In a large study of online deliberation (over 1600 participants nested in hundreds of online sessions), we examine differences in the amount and nature of participation across demographic categories, as well as the effect of forum characteristics on such differences. Though our results are mixed, we read them with cautious optimism: the online format is not immune to inequalities in participation and satisfaction, but we do not observe differences across some demographics, and most observed differences are substantively minor. Moreover, features of online deliberation environments show promise for addressing some of the problems plaguing in-person designs.
Profile of congenital digital anomalies in children seen in two tertiary health facilities in Southern Nigeria

Anomalies of the digits are among the common congenital limb anomalies seen worldwide. They can occur as isolated entities or in association with other anomalies or syndromes. The appearance of the digits contributes significantly to an individual’s self-esteem and social confidence as well as functional capabilities. Career choices and professions requiring dexterity with the hands can be affected profoundly by the state of the digits of the hands. Similar challenges are seen with digital anomalies of the foot in the use of some types of foot wears for sports or jobs. Whereas the majority of these digital malformations are relatively minor and require simple treatment, some of them are complex and often associated with other anomalies and systemic disorders. The aetiology is most often unknown but a number of genetic factors have been linked to these anomalies. Reported cases of occurrence in generations of a family support the role of genetic factors. Treatment in these complex cases can be challenging with resultant less than optimum functional or cosmetic ABSTRACT