Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Student-teachers' HIV/AIDS knowledge and their risky sexual behaviour at a South African rural-based university

This study investigated the relationship between HIV/AIDS knowledge and risky sexual behaviours among student-teachers in a rural context. The study was an offshoot of the Teacher Education Pilot Project undertaken in South African Higher Education Institutions. The purpose of the Pilot Project was to enhance the personal and professional competencies of teacher education graduates through the provision of support for the piloting of an HIV/AIDS module in teacher education faculties. This paper reports on the findings of a small study with first year student teachers at a university in rural South Africa. Participants completed an anonymous self-administered questionnaire, adapted from the Higher Education HIV/AIDS Pilot Project to generate quantitative data. Statistical analyses revealed no significant differences between the knowledge scores about HIV/AIDS and risky sexual behaviours except on one question: whether sexual behaviour as measured by taking an HIV test, was related to their knowledge of HIV/AIDS. The study highlighted the importance of providing correct knowledge which considers socio-cultural factors for successful and effective sexual behaviour change to occur. These findings raise several important questions that teacher education programmes and other curricula need to consider if any substantial progress is to be made in addressing HIV/AIDS issues.
Temporal and spectral cloud screening of polar winter aerosol optical depth (AOD): impact of homogeneous and inhomogeneous clouds and crystal layers on climatological-scale AODs

Abstract. We compared star-photometry-derived, polar winter aerosol optical depths (AODs), acquired at Eureka, Nunavut, Canada, and Ny-Alesund, Svalbard, with GEOS-Chem (GC) simulations as well as ground-based lidar and CALIOP (Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization) retrievals over a sampling period of two polar winters. The results indicate significant cloud and/or low-altitude ice crystal (LIC) contamination which is only partially corrected using temporal cloud screening. Spatially homogeneous clouds and LICs that remain after temporal cloud screening represent an inevitable systematic error in the estimation of AOD: this error was estimated to vary from 78 to 210 % at Eureka and from 2 to 157 % at Ny-Alesund. Lidar analysis indicated that LICs appeared to have a disproportionately large influence on the homogeneous coarse-mode optical depths that escape temporal cloud screening. In principle, spectral cloud screening (to yield fine-mode or submicron AODs) reduces pre-cloud-screened AODs to the aerosol contribution if one assumes that coarse-mode (super-micron) aerosols are a minor part of the AOD. Large, low-frequency differences between these retrieved values and their GC analogue appeared to be often linked to strong, spatially extensive planetary boundary layer events whose presence at either site was inferred from CALIOP profiles. These events were either not captured or significantly underestimated by the GC simulations. High-frequency AOD variations of GC fine-mode aerosols at Ny-Alesund were attributed to sea salt, while low-frequency GC variations at Eureka and Ny-Alesund were attributable to sulfates. CALIOP profiles and AODs were invaluable as spatial and temporal redundancy support (or, alternatively, as insightful points of contention) for star photometry retrievals and GC estimates of AOD.
Governance and Intelligence: Empirical Analysis from African Data

This study aims at testing the relationship between intelligence and governance. It is based on African data. This study finds that countries with high-IQ populations generally enjoy good governance. Governance and Intelligence are found to mutually reinforce each other in a robust relationship however the study does not suggest the direction of causality between them.
Resonant transfer of large momenta from finite-duration pulse sequences

We experimentally investigate the atom optics kicked particle at quantum resonance using finite duration kicks. Even though the underlying process is quantum interference, it can be well described by an E-pseudoclassical model. The E-pseudoclassical model agrees well with our experiments for a wide range of parameters. We investigate the parameters yielding maximal momentum transfer to the atoms and find that this occurs in the regime where neither the short pulse approximation nor the Bragg condition is valid. Nonetheless, the momentum transferred to the atoms can be predicted using a simple scaling law, which provides a powerful tool for choosing optimal experimental parameters. We demonstrate this in a measurement of the Talbot time (from which h/M can be deduced), in which we coherently split atomic wave functions into superpositions of momentum states that differ by 200 photon recoils. Our work may provide a convenient way to implement large momentum difference beam splitters in atom interferometers.
Immuno-Assessment of "Pseudomonas syringae" Lipodepsipeptides (Syringomycins and Syringopeptins)

Following a previous work on the immunological detection of syringopeptins (SPs), polyclonal antibodies with a high specificity for syringomycins (SRs) were raised in rabbits and purified. Assayed in a competitive ELISA, the most common forms of SR, i.e. SR-E and SR-G, were recognised with a detection limit of 0.1 mg per well, whereas other structurally related bacterial lipodepsipeptides (LDP), such as SPs, pseudomycins (PSs) and syringotoxins (STs) were not recognised. The immuno-assay (competitive ELISA) method developed in this work is about 100 times more sensitive than the current chromatographic (HPLC) method and requires no previous extraction of the toxin. The production of LDP in culture by strains of three pathovars of Pseudomonas syringae (pv. aptata, pv. lachrymans and pv. syringae) was found to range from 0.026 to 0.055 mg ml-1 for SRs and from 0.02 to 0.06 mg ml-1 for SPs. Both the concentration of LDP in aqueous extracts from zucchini cotyledons infected by P. syringae pv. lachrymans and the severity of symptoms were shown to increase progressively after infection. The immunologically estimated concentration of SRs in the infected cotyledons averaged 0.22 mg g-1 f wt after 12 hours, and 0.39 mg g-1 after 4 days. The corresponding values for SPs were 0.11 and 0.37 mg g-1. In a recovery experiment, solutions of pure toxins (0.22 mg SR-E and 0.14 mg SP25A g-1 f wt) were injected in healthy cotyledons. After 2 days, overestimation due to toxin complexing in planta was of 10% for (SR-E) and 40% for (SP25A). Applying these percentages to the values estimated for infected cotyledons, the net concentrations were as follows: 12 h after inoculation: 0.20 (SRs) and 0.07 (SPs) mg g-1 f wt; four days after inoculation: 0.35 (SRs) and 0.22 (SPs) mg g-1 f wt. The values obtained with aqueous extracts from infected plants are relatively high if compared to the figures of the in vitro experiments. It is assumed that the high reactivity of ELISA to the immune-LDP-related compounds present in the water extracts from infected plants is due to the presence of high molecular weight LDP complexes having a cross-reactivity with antibodies substantially higher than that of free toxins.
Seasonal variation in the length-weight relationships and condition factor of Synodontis schall (Bloch and Schneider, 1801) (Siluriformes: Mochokidae) in man-made Lake Ayamé 2 (Côte d’Ivoire)

Length-weight relationship (LWR) and condition factor (K) of Synodontis schall (Bloch and Schneider, 1801) were studied in man-made Lake Ayamé 2. Samples of S. schall were collected from catches of artisanal fisheries using various mesh size of gill nets from May 2015 to April 2016. Length-weight data were analyzed and length-weight relationship graphs were plotted for the dry and rainy seasons of the sampling years. The b values in the LWR (W= aLb) varied between 2.5163-2.7857 for the dry seasons and 3.0008-3.001 for the rainy season indicating that the growth pattern of S. schall had negative allometric and isometric in the seasons respectively. The average condition factor (K) were less than 1 (Mean: 0.315-0.647) during the dry season revealing that this fish species was not in good physiological sate of well-being. However, it was in better condition (K-values were greater than 1; Mean: 1.03751.357) during the rainy season.
The Path From Litter to Soil: Insights Into Soil C Cycling From Long‐Term Input Manipulation and High‐Resolution Mass Spectrometry

The path of carbon (C) from plant litter to soil organic matter (SOM) is key to understanding how soil C stocks and microbial decomposition will respond to climate change and whether soil C sinks can be enhanced. Long‐term ecosystem‐scale litter manipulations and molecular characterization of SOM provide a unique opportunity to explore these issues. We incubated soils from a 20‐year litter input experiment for 525 days and asked how litter quantity and source (i.e., roots versus aboveground litter) affected C cycling, microbial function, and the size and molecular composition of C pools. Input exclusion led to a 30% loss of soil C, attributable largely to the nonmineral‐associated C fraction, and to declines in soil C decomposition. The absence of roots caused a shift in the microbial catabolic profile, though there was little evidence that root litter was preferentially stabilized. Although C pool size did not change with litter additions, Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry analysis of the finest mineral fraction revealed dramatic changes to the chemical composition of carbon. Lipid content increased proportionally with input addition and was subsequently mineralized during incubation, indicating that this fraction was metabolically active. Moreover, nonmetric dimensional scaling showed that both litter treatments and incubation caused the molecular composition of SOM to change. We conclude that the path of C from litter to soil may involve labile pools and root‐driven microbial activity associated directly with SOM in the soil mineral matrix otherwise previously hypothesized to be stable.
Trust transfer effects on values and attitudes toward China and the Shanghai Expo 2010

Despite the increasing popularity of events, the application of trust transfer concepts has yet to be investigated. Linking trust transfer, values, attitude, and behavioral intentions in a theoretical model, this study employs an on-site survey of visitors attending 2010 Shanghai World Expo to test the theory. The results suggest that positive emotional values attributed to the Expo were associated with positive emotions toward China. In addition, positive perceptions of functional values of the Expo carried over to improved perceived functional and emotional perceptions of China and positive attitudes towards the Expo.
The Role of Flux Cancellation in Eruptions from Bipolar ARs

The physical processes or trigger mechanisms that lead to the eruption of coronal mass ejections (CMEs), the largest eruptive phenomenon in the heliosphere, are still undetermined. Low-altitude magnetic reconnection associated with flux cancellation appears to play an important role in CME occurrence as it can form an eruptive configuration and reduce the magnetic flux that contributes to the overlying, stabilizing field. We conduct the first comprehensive study of 20 small bipolar ARs (ARs) in order to probe the role of flux cancellation as an eruption trigger mechanism. We categorize eruptions from the bipolar regions into three types related to location, and find that the type of eruption produced depends on the evolutionary stage of the AR. In addition, we find that ARs that form eruptive structures by flux cancellation (low-altitude reconnection) had, on average, lower flux cancellation rates than the AR sample as a whole. Therefore, while flux cancellation plays a key role, by itself it is insufficient for the production of an eruption. The results provide supporting evidence that although flux cancellation in a sheared arcade may be able to build an eruptive configuration, a successful eruption depends upon the removal of sufficient overlying and stabilizing field. Convergence of the bipole polarities also appears to be present in regions that produce an eruption. These findings have important implications for understanding the physical processes that occur on our Sun in relation to CMEs and for space weather forecasting.
On High-Dimensional Sign Tests

Sign tests are among the most successful procedures in multivariate nonparametric statistics. In this paper, we consider several testing problems in multivariate analysis, directional statistics and multivariate time series analysis, and we show that, under appropriate symmetry assumptions, the fixed-p multivariate sign tests remain valid in the high-dimensional case. Remarkably, our asymptotic results are universal, in the sense that, unlike in most previous works in high-dimensional statistics, p may go to infinity in an arbitrary way as n does. We conduct simulations that (i) confirm our asymptotic results, (ii) reveal that, even for relatively large p, chi-square critical values are to be favoured over the (asymptotically equivalent) Gaussian ones and (iii) show that, for testing i.i. d. -ness against serial dependence in the high-dimensional case, Portmanteau sign tests outperform their competitors in terms of validity-robustness.
Local current conduction due to edge dislocations in deformed GaN studied by scanning spreading resistance microscopy

Local electrical conductivities were measured for plastically deformed n -GaN single crystals by scanning spreading resistance microscopy (SSRM). In the SSRM images, many spots with high conductivity were observed, which can be attributed to introduced edge dislocations whose line direction is along [0 0 0 1] and Burgers vector is b = ( a/ 3)[1 2 ¯ $\bar{2}$ 1 0]. This result is in contrast to the previous studies which showed that grown-in edge dislocations of the same type in GaN films exhibit virtually no conduction. This suggests that the dislocation conduction depends sensitively on the dislocation core structure. Current-voltage spectra indicated a Frenkel-Poole mechanism for the conduction.
Synthesis of Diazirine‐Based Photoreactive Saccharin Derivatives for the Photoaffinity Labeling of Gustatory Receptors

Saccharin is one of the most common artificial sweeteners that has a bitter taste at high concentrations. Currently, there are no detailed functional analyses of these gustatory receptors. Therefore, we designed and synthesized photoreactive saccharin derivatives that contain a (trifluoromethyl)diazirinyl moiety at the 5- or 6-position for use as functional analysis tools for photoaffinity labeling.
Innovation in Tourism: “Attractor” Model as a Good Opportunity to Increase Economic Cooperation in the Balkans

Innovation is a necessity in all fields and sectors, with the main purpose to create, maintain and improve the image of a company (in microeconomic terms), and a country (in macroeconomic terms). Competitiveness and innovation are now transformed into an inseparable binomial to achieve success. Up to 10 years ago, foreign visitors have questioned the image of Albania because of different reasons, such as slow economic development, a social structure that is not fully consolidated, public institutions that are not very conscious about the role they should play in the community, private companies often oriented towards short- and medium-term plans and benefits, and so forth. There is almost the same case with the image of Kosovo. On the other hand, Montenegro and Macedonia seem to always have had a positive image, which has been more stable but still incomparable to other countries, such as Italy, Greece (despite the recent crisis) and Turkey, with respect to tourism. Given that for countries like Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro and Macedonia tourism is among the core sectors contributing towards future economic growth, there is an open discussion on how to find ways for increasing the economic cooperation among those countries in the sector of tourism. The focus of this article is a deep analysis regarding the positive impact that can be generated from the implementation of the “Attractor based model” in the sector of tourism, as an innovative model that can improve economic cooperation and quality of tourism in the Balkans (Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia and Montenegro). DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2014. v3n4p119
Relationship between CO$_2$ assimilation and leaf anatomical characteristics of two grapevine cultivars

L'influence possible des caracteristiques anatomiques des feuilles sur le taux de photosynthese a ete etudiee pour deux especes de vigne : Vitis Labrusca (Isabella) and Vitis vinifera L. (Ribier), cultivees en culture au champ. Ribier a presente un taux photosynthetique plus eleve que Isabella, bien qu'il n'y ait pas de differences significatives de l'activite de la Rubisco et de la conductance stomatique. La fraction du volume de mesophylle representee par l'espace intercellulaire, ainsi que la surface des cellules du mesophylle exposee a l'air dans l'espace intercellulaire, etaient significativement plus faibles chez Isabella. Les conductances gazeuses pour le CO 2 a travers l'espace intercellulaire et en phase liquide etaient significativement plus fortes pour Ribier que pour Isabella, contribuant a des taux photosynthetiques plus importants pour cette espece.
Molecular markers as a tool for germplasm acquisition to enhance the genetic diversity of a Napier grass (Cenchrus purpureus syn. Pennisetum purpureum) collection

At the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 171 germplasm accessions of Napier grass were studied using 20 SSR markers with the objective of assessing the allelic richness and genetic diversity of the collections held at ILRI and the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA), and to determine distinct accessions to be introduced to enhance the diversity in each of the genebank collections. A total of 148 alleles were observed in the whole collection, of which 140 and 93 alleles were observed in the ILRI and EMBRAPA collections, respectively. Fifty-five and 8 alleles were found to be unique to the ILRI and EMBRAPA collections, respectively, while 85 alleles were shared between the collections. The number of alleles per marker ranged from 1 to 23 with an average value of 7.4 across both collections. The heterozygosity per locus ranged from 0.000 to 0.808 with an average value of 0.463. A principal coordinate analysis grouped accessions into 3 main groups, whereas a hierarchical cluster analysis indicated 4 main clusters. From a genebank management and conservation perspective, the marker profile of the accessions was used in the process of selecting and acquiring distinct lines to be added to the ILRI and EMBRAPA collections. Accordingly, 54 accessions and elite lines were selected and introduced from EMBRAPA to the ILRI collection, while 8 distinct accessions from ILRI were added to the EMBRAPA collection. In general, a useful marker profile of an expanded Napier grass collection has been generated which could be used to enhance the conservation, use and management of the available genetic resources of this important forage crop.
Haematological Effects of Dichloromethane-Methanolic Leaf Extracts of Carissa edulis (Forssk.) Vahl in Normal Rat Models

Assessment of hematological parameters can be used to explain blood related functions of a plant extract. The blood can act as pathological reflector and also as an indicator of the physiological state of an animal. Hematological disorders are increasingly on the rise while conventional management of these disorders is not easily accessible. This has prompted an increased use of medicinal plants which are readily available in the management of blood disorders. Carissa edulis (Forssk.) Vahl (Apocynaceae) like other terrestrial plants, has ethnopharmacological relevance and has been exploited by the local people in search for remedies for various diseases including those of the blood. Although C. edulis is widely used in managing blood related disorders in traditional system of medicine, no scientific research have been undertaken to evaluate its effects on the hematological profiles. This study therefore was designed to investigate the effects of Dichloromethane-Methanolic leaf extract of C. edulis on hematological parameters. Experimental rats were divided into four groups each consisting of five normal rats. The groups received oral doses of 50, 75 and 100 mg/kgbw of the extract while one group was used as control and did not receive any dosage. Hematological analysis and phytochemical screening were conducted using standard recommended procedures. The results of this study showed that DCM-MeOH leaf extract of C. edulis induced general increase in the levels of red blood cells, Hemoglobin and related parameter profiles across the different dose levels (p<0.05). The total and differential white blood cell counts also increased significantly at all the dose levels during the study period (p<0.05). Platelets and the related parameter levels significantly increased as well at all dose levels during this study period (p<0.05). Qualitative phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of various phytochemicals which included alkaloid, flavonoids, tannins, phenols, terpenes and traces of steroids which have the ability to protect the erythrocytes from oxidative damage as well as possess erythropoietin stimulatory, immunestimulatory and thrombopoietic stimulatory activities. It was therefore concluded that the plant extract may be useful in the management of hematological disorders
On the optimality of expert-adjusted forecasts

Official forecasts of international institutions are never purely model-based. The preliminary results of models are adjusted with expert opinions. What is the impact of these adjustments for the forecasts? Are they necessary to get ‘optimal’ forecasts? When model-based forecasts are adjusted by experts, the loss function of these forecasts is not a mean squared error loss function. In fact, the overall loss function is unknown. To examine the quality of these forecasts, one can rely on the tests for forecast optimality under unknown loss function as developed in Patton and Timmermann (2007). We apply one of these tests to ten variables for which we have model-based forecasts and expert-adjusted forecasts, all generated by the Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis (CPB). We find that for almost all variables the added expertise yields better forecasts in terms of fit. In terms of optimality the effect of adjustments for the forecasts are limited, because for most variables the assumption that the forecast are not optimal can be rejected for both the model-based and the expert-adjusted forecasts.