Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Undergraduate students' self-directedness in relation to their examination preparation styles in Open Distance Learning

This article investigated the relationship between undergraduate students' self-directedness and their exam preparation styles as well as the implications these have for teaching practice in the open and distance learning (ODL) context. A quantitative cross-sectional survey design was used, involving a stratified proportional random sample of 1102 predominantly early career black and female undergraduate ODL adult students in the field of economic and management sciences. Canonical correlation results indicated that the students' level of active engagement in their academic studies was significantly influenced by factual-practical and abstract-theoretical study strategies. Multiple regression analyses revealed the examination preparation styles to be significant predictors of the participants' self-directedness. The findings suggest that balancing factual-practical and abstract-theoretical learning strategies may be most important in enhancing students' engagement with their academic activities, the amount of time they actively devote to their studies and their use of ODL-related study materials (study guides, tutorial letters, textbooks and assignment feedback) in preparing for their examinations. Recommendations are made for future research and teaching practice in the ODL context. Overall, it is concluded that teaching practices should aim at enhancing ODL students' levels of self-directedness in line with their preferred examination preparation styles in order to increase their chances of success in an ODL environment.
The Effect of External Loads and Cyclic Loading on Normal Patellofemoral Joint Signals.

Pain over the anterior portion of the knee joint is a common clinical complaint. A condition known as 'chondromalacia patella' (softening of the cartilage under the patella), which frequently causes anterior knee pain is difficult to diagnose and monitor. Vibrations detected by a contact transducer over the patellofemoral joint may be useful in the assessment of chondromalacia patella. This paper utilised this technique known as vibroarthrography (VAG), to study two potential sources of variability of the normal patellofemoral joint signal. The effect of increased muscular force on the VAG signal was measured by externally loading the joint. The effect of load history (cyclic loading) on the VAG signal was determined by comparing signals before, during, and after application of weights under similar cyclic loading conditions. Results indicated that external loading of the patellofemoral joint caused only minor signal variation. Cyclical loading of the joint, on the other hand, was determined to be a major source of variability of the normal patellofemoral joint signal, which must be controlled in future VAG tests.
Globularization Behavior of ELI Grade Ti-6Al-4V Alloy during Non-Isothermal Multi-Step Forging

The globularization behavior of ELI grade Ti-6Al-4V alloy having different initial lamellar structures during multi-step forging under non- isothermal condition was investigated. The samples with either a thin or thick lamellar structure, which were produced fromannealing followed by different cooling conditions, were upset and stretched repeatedly at forging start temperatures of 940 � C and 900 � C, and subsequently air cooled. The microstructural changes after non-isothermal multi-step forging were analyzed with respect to globularization of � lamellae. After multi-step forging at 940 � C, the initially thin lamellar structure changed to homogeneous equiaxedglobules, but elongated � globules with high aspect ratio were obtained from the initially thick lamellar structure. By forging at 900 � C, the initially thin lamellar structure was changed to a mixed structure of both equiaxed and elongatedglobules, while severely deformed lamellae were preserved inside distorted colonies with little globularization for the initially thick lamellar structure. Globularization of the samples by forging at 900 � C with both initially thin and thick lamellar structures was less effective compared to that by forging at 940 � C. A quantitative microstructural analysis revealed that, in addition to the initial microstructure and forging start temperature, globularization oflamellae was significantly affected by the instantaneous microstructural development by thermal fluctuation during non-isothermal multi-step forging.
pH-Sensitive Highly Dispersed Reduced Graphene Oxide Solution Using Lysozyme via an in Situ Reduction Method

Well-dispersed, high-quality reduced graphene oxide (RGO) solutions were prepared using an in situ reduction process with lysozyme (lys) as the dispersant. The lys-RGO reaches a concentration as high as 0.22 mg/mL and can remain stable for over six months. Atomic force microscopy indicates that the lys-RGO is effectively exfoliated with an average thickness of about 1 nm. Furthermore, XPS and Raman spectra demonstrate that the presence of lysozyme promotes the chemical reduction of GO and restores the sp2 hybridization in the obtained RGO. The dispersibility effect of lys-RGO solution is pH-sensitive. Zeta potential and UV−vis spectrum analysis indicate that the RGO sheets will aggregate in the pH range of 2.5−7.5 and disperse well at pH 8−12.5. It is found that the dispersibility of the lys-RGO is reversible, and over 80% of the aggregates can be redissolved after pH regulation. This reversible dispersing was attributed to the strong adsorption affinity of lysozyme onto RGO, resulting from the hydrophobi.
Pharmacotoxic evaluation of extracts of medicinal plants used in the treatment of obesity

Medicinal plants are rich sources of bioactive compounds with potential for therapeutic, cosmetic and food use, and many of them are consumed only based on popular use, without any scientific proof of their efficacy and safety. The objective of this study was to evaluate the toxic and pharmacological effects of aqueous extracts of the plant species Aloe vera (L.) Burm. , Simaba ferruginea St. Hil. , Baccharis trimera (Less.) DC, Garcinia cambogia Desr. and Tournefortia paniculata Cham. , popularly used as auxiliaries in the treatment of obesity, in order to obtain information on the safety of its use. The genotoxic, hemolytic, phospholipase, coagulant and fibrinogenolytic effects were evaluated. It was observed that, at concentrations of 125 and 250 µg/ml, the plant extracts showed no genotoxic, phospholipase, hemolytic (except for B. trimera), coagulant and fibrinogenolytic potential. Although no genotoxicity and erythrocyte or phospholipid lysis was observed, defining what is safe regarding the use of these extracts depending on the implementation of comprehensive preclinical and clinical characterizations.
The Effect of Foliar Potassium and Seaweed Products in Combination with a Leonardite Fertigation Product on Flame Seedless Grape Quality

Berry colour and size are important factors determining Flame Seedless quality. Supplementary to standard cultivation, foliar application of potassium (K) and seaweed or soil application of vegetable extracts affect grape quality. The purpose of this trial was to determine if combined product application (CPA) of K, seaweed and leonardite (organic material of vegetable origin) can improve Flame Seedless grape colour, berry size and composition. This study was conducted on Flame Seedless in the Berg River Valley in two seasons. In 2011/2012, leonardite was applied through fertigation six, four and three weeks before harvest, while K and seaweed were applied as foliar sprays four and three weeks before harvest. In 2012/2013, all products were applied eight and six weeks before harvest. Treatments included (1) control (ethephon/ ethephon and abscisic acid – ABA); (2) CPA with ethephon/ethephon and ABA (CPA-plus); and (3) CPA without ethephon/ethephon and ABA (CPA-minus). All vines received standard gibberellic acid treatments. Berry quality was determined. In 2011/2012, CPA-minus reduced anthocyanin concentration significantly compared to the control. CPA-plus increased berry diameter significantly compared to the control on the first harvest date in 2012/2013. Compared to the control, CPA-plus significantly increased total soluble solids (TSS) on all harvest dates in 2011/2012, and on the first harvest date of 2012/2013. Compared to the control, CPA-plus did not improve colour, but it retarded total titratable acidity breakdown in both seasons. Ethephon/ethephon and ABA must be applied for acceptable colour. The consistent effect on TSS shows the ability of CPA-plus to enhance Flame Seedless ripening.
Can the distribution of sal (Shorea robusta Gaertn. f.) shift in the northeastern direction in India due to changing climate

Sal (Shorea robusta Gaertn. f.) is a dominant tree species, whose natural range lies between 20–32°N lat. and 75–95°E long. , is spread across 10 million ha in India. Species distribution models predict the species geographic ranges from occurrence records and sitespecific environmental data. Here, we have (i) generated the 1960s scenario for sal species on the basis of the existing published literature; (ii) confirmed the species occurrence data using satellite imagery for the period of 1972–75; (iii) run the Maxent species distribution model to predict the distribution for the year 2020 under climate change scenario SRES A1-B and (iv) validated the prediction using more than double the amount of species occurrence data gathered during the last decade (1998–2008). The model identified moisture as the key player that would influence the distribution to shift towards northern and eastern India, with greater than 90% certainty. The study highlights utility of the archived remote sensing data in providing locational information in climate change studies.
An adaptive household sampling method for rural African communities

Investigators working in rural communities and small towns in Africa face many obstacles to obtaining a random and representative sample of households for their research. The civic infrastructure used as the building blocks of survey sampling in developed countries are mostly absent in rural Africa. The purpose of the study described in this paper was to pilot an innovative and cost-effective approach to household sampling designed to generate probability samples representative of the socio-economic diversity of the small town of Berekuso, in the Eastern Region of Ghana, without relying on existing census data, household registers, or a regular layout of roads and dwellings. Utilizing Google Earth images and a Graphical Information System (GIS) map of Berekuso, sampling units were defined as 15-degree wedge-shaped sectors radiating from the center of the original township. All households within randomly selected sectors were surveyed, and based on a household classification scheme, each household type was identified. Additional sectors were randomly selected and surveyed in sequence until no new household types were identified – a notion recognized by laboratory scientists as an ‘end point’. The adaptive sampling strategy was cost and time effective: freely available versions of Google Earth and QGIS software were employed along with inexpensive handheld Global Positioning System (GPS) devices; a total of 57 households were surveyed by teams of two enumerators over three consecutive Sundays. The survey method yielded a probability sample that is representative of the socioeconomic diversity of Berekuso, and produced generalizable results for median household size, median age of residents, sources of potable water and toilet types, among others. For example, based on the results of the survey, a 95% confidence interval estimate of the proportion of residents of Berekuso under the age of 20 years is between 0.49 and 0.58. These figures are consistent with results of Ghana’s 2010 census which pegged the proportion of the population of the Eastern Region under the age of the 20 years at 0.49. The authors believe that the methodology described in this paper may be applicable to household research in many rural African villages and small towns where little civic infrastructure exists to create more traditional sampling frames. Key words : Google Earth, area sampling, household survey, impact evaluation, wealth ranking
Numerical modelling of hydrodynamics and sediment transport in the surf zone : a sensitivity study with different types of numerical models

A comparison between two very different numerical models is presented: Delft3D and XBeach. Delft3D (Deltares) calculates non-steady flow and transport phenomena that result from tidal and meteorological forcing. The wave propagation is calculated in the frequency domain. XBeach (Unesco-IHE, Delft University and Deltares) consists of formulations for short wave envelope propagation (time-dependent wave action balance), non-stationary shallow water equations, sediment transport and bed update. The model is able to resolve the time dependent long waves, which are important in the surf zone. A number of simplified cases are defined beforehand taking into account actual features and conditions existing in chosen problem areas. The examination of these simplified cases allows for the identification of driving processes and the assessment of the sensitivity to certain relevant parameters, with the advantage of working in scenarios of limited complexity and without excessive computational load.
Augmenting Halal Food Integrity through Supply Chain Integration

ABSTRACT The purpose of this paper is to highlight the importance of the supply chain integration in augmenting food integrity from the perspective of the focal companies. A series of case studies in four halal food supply chain (fast food, kopitiam, casual dining, and fresh processed food) in Malaysia were conducted in understanding the companies’ best practices in safeguarding halal food integrity. The findings from the case studies were then suited and discussed in the paradigm of arc of integration theory. The results provide strong empirical evidence on how a stronger supply chain integration could enhance halal food integrity. Theoretically, this paper advances supply chain integration paradigm discussion into food industry. It offers a novel understanding of supply chain integration relevancy in food industry and in particular the supply chain integration strategy in safeguarding halal food integrity. In addition, the paper offers propositions on how halal integrity could be better achieved through a range of integration strategies. In practice, the paper offers a way forward to the managers in selecting the most relevant type of supply chain integration practices. Keywords: Supply chain integration; halal; food integrity ABSTRAK Tujuan artikel ini adalah untuk mengetengahkan kepentingan integrasi rantaian bekalan dalam mengukuhkan integriti makanan dari perspektif syarikat pengeluar. Satu siri kajian kes di empat halal rantaian bekalan makanan (makanan segera, kopitiam, makan kasual, dan makanan diproses segar) di Malaysia telah dijalankan dalam memahami amalan terbaik syarikat-syarikat 'dalam menjaga integriti makanan halal. Hasil penemuan daripada kajian kes disesuaikan dan dibincangkan dalam paradigma teori “arc of integration”. Dapatan kajian telah memberikan bukti empirikal yang kukuh tentang bagaimana integrasi rantaian bekalan yang lebih kukuh boleh meningkatkan integriti makanan halal. Secara teorinya, artikel ini menambah perbincangan berkenaan integrasi rantaian bekalan dalam industri makanan. Ianya juga memberikan pemahaman yang baharu berkaitan integrasi rantaian bekalan yang relevan dalam industri makanan dan khususnya strategi integrasi rantaian bekalan dalam menjaga integriti makanan halal. Di samping itu, artikel ini mancadangakan beberapa usul tentang bagaimana integriti halal boleh dicapai dengan lebih baik melalui pelbagai strategi integrasi. Secara praktikal, artikel ini boleh membantu pengurus dalam memilih jenis amalan integrasi rantaian bekalan yang paling relevan. Kata kunci: Integrasi rantaian bekalan; halal; integriti makanan
Performance Evaluation on the Effect of Combining DCT and LBP on Face Recognition System

In this paper, we introduce a face recognition algorithm based on doubly truncated multivariate Gaussian mixture model with Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) and Local binary pattern (LBP). Here, the input face image is transformed to the local binary pattern domain. The obtained local binary pattern image is divided into non-overlapping blocks. Then from each block the DCT coefficients are computed and feature vector is extracted. Assigning that the feature vector follows a doubly truncated multivariate Gaussian mixture distribution, the face image is modelled. By using the Expectation-Maximization algorithm the model parameters are estimated. The initialization of the model parameters is done by using either K-means algorithm or hierarchical clustering algorithm and moment method of estimation. The face recognition system is developed with the likelihood function under Bayesian frame. The efficiency of the developed face recognition system is evaluated by conducting experimentation with JNTUK and Yale face image databases. The performance measures like half total error rate, recognition rates are computed along with plotting the ROC curves. A comparative study of the developed algorithm with some of the earlier existing algorithm revealed that this system perform better since, it utilizes local and global information of the face.
Asset Pricing with a Factor Arch Covariance Structure: Empirical Estimates for Treasury Bills

Asset pricing relations are developed for a vector of assets with a time varying covariance structure. Assuming that the eigenvectors are constant but the eigenvalues changing, both the Capital Asset Pricing Model and the Arbitrage Pricing Theory suggest the same testable implication: the time varying part of risk premia are proportional to the time varying eigenvalues. Specifying the eigenvalues as general ARCH processes. the model is a multivariate Factor ARCH model. Univariate portfolios corresponding to the eigenvectors will have (time varying) risk premia proportional to their own (time varying) variance and can be estimated using the GARCH-M model. This structure is applied to monthly treasury bills from two to twelve months maturity and the value weighted NYSE returns index. The bills appear to have a single factor in the variance process and this factor is influenced or "caused in variance" by the stock returns.
Defect feature extraction using surface wave interactions and time-frequency behavior

In this paper we exploit the interaction of ultrasonic surface waves with surface cracks in order to extract defect characteristics. An experimentally validated computer model was developed to simulate laser generated surface waves interacting with defects of several depths and angles. The Rayleigh reflection coefficient vs. crack angle and depth was explored. Amplitude and frequency behaviour at the defect interface in aluminium samples was also considered. Additionally, the phase component of the FFT was used to extract similar information. Finally, we explore the time‐frequency behaviour using the Wigner transform.
Particle observers for state estimation and adaptation in deterministic systems with random piecewise constant inputs

In this paper we develop a methodology for state estimation of partially contracting systems inspired by the particle filter (PF). If a system is partially contracting, in the sense that once some state variables are assumed known and viewed as inputs, the remaining reduced system is contracting, then only those variables need to be estimated. Indeed, once those variables are known, the remaining variables are asymptotically recovered owing to the contraction properties. To estimate the state of such a system, we thus suggest to use a PF approach to estimate only the non-contracting part, whereas the other part is naturally recovered. The methodology is applied to a nontrivial tracking problem. The trajectories of objects one seeks to track, such as aircraft and marine vehicles, typically consist of smooth sections with large, but infrequent, unpredictable changes. As a result, their motion is well modeled by nonlinear deterministic ordinary differential equations driven by piecewise constant random control inputs. Following our methodology, we combine a type of PF called the variable rate particle filter (VRPF) with a bank of observers assumed to have convergence properties. Using the notion of virtual system, we devise a hybrid variable rate particle observer, that uses the particles to detect changes, and the observers for state estimation in between changes.
Identifying Robust Proxies of Gonad Maturation for the Protandrous Hermaphrodite Tridacna maxima (Röding, 1798, Bivalvia) from Individual to Population Scale

ABSTRACT Monitoring gonadmaturation for protandrous and functional hermaphrodite species such as the giant clamTridacna maxima is difficult due to the juxtaposition and relative proportion ofmale and female tissues in the gonad [gonadal sex ratio (GSR)]. Here, the relevance of the widely used gonadosomatic index (GSI) as proxy of giant clam gonad maturation is tested with a large dataset (n = 265). Gonadosomatic index is compared with other indices, namely the proportion of the male part harboring spermatozoids, the proportion of empty oocyte follicles, the mean oocyte diameter, and the oocyte elongation. At gonad scale, high index variability highlighted partial spawning. At individual scale, male and female maturation proxies were contrasted, showing either asynchronous emissions of male and female gametes or contrasted spermatogenesis and oogenesis duration. The GSI was mostly driven by the number and diameter of oocytes and therefore it is recommended here as primary proxy for female maturity. Except for the oocyte elongation, all indices were affected by the GSR, which ruled out drawing conclusions at population scale. These results highlight the need for maturation stage proxies that are optimized for functional hermaphrodite species.
Modeling of the Stability and Flow of Asphalt Mixes Using Optimum Asphalt Content

The main aim of this study was to evaluate the asphalt mixture properties for samples that were taken from different sites and plants: Amanat Baghdad, Faluja municipality, and Baghdad Governorate, which almost produced in private plants. Forty seven asphalt mixtures samples were tested following Marshall Test. The tested properties were: Marshall Stability, Marshall Flow, specimen density, and air voids. Asphalt extraction was carried out according to quantative extraction of bitumen from paving mixtures test. A statistical analysis of the collected field data was performed and a prediction model was built. The variables such as asphalt content, stability and flow data were analyzed using computer software. The statistical analysis includes four stages: data extraction and evaluation, verification, calibration, and validation. Results of this study indicate that both of Marshall Stability and Marshall Flow correlate positively with asphalt content, but with different degree. Asphalt content affect Stability property much more than flow property of the asphalt mixes.