Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Innovation Maturity Model (IMM) Framework on Assessment of Software Development Projects

Innovation Maturity Model (IMM) creates the ability to improve and find the position of the innovative software ideas in a more organized way through segments with specific processes which defined to evolve and measure the capability of the core idea. The creation of this framework has been done by exploring related frameworks; such as open innovation process model, Fugle innovation model, capability maturity model and perception of innovation in companies model. Therefore this paper seeks the contribution to evaluate the practical usefulness of the designed framework and proposes possible improvement roadmap of Innovation Maturity Model concept.
The Pattern of Creatinine Clearance in Gestational and Chronic Hypertension Women from the Third Trimester to 12 Weeks Postpartum

Introduction: Hypertension complication during the pregnancy will lead to morbidity and fatality in pregnancy. Objective: The study was done to identify the differences of calculated creatinine clearance level between two groups of pregnant patients which were gestational and chronic hypertension patients from pregnancy to the postpartum period. Methods: A prospective cohort study was done from September 2015 to April 2016 on the Obstetrics & Gynaecology Clinic of Hospital USM patients. A total of 10 pregnant mothers from gestational hypertension patients and 10 pregnant mothers from chronic hypertension patients who signed the consent form were included in the study. The patient’s medical records were reviewed. Patients with proteinuria > 300mmHg, preeclampsia or eclampsia, on Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs), and those who have present or history of diabetes, renal disease, liver disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, hepatitis, hyperaldosteronism, renal artery stenosis or thyrotoxicosis were excluded from the study. Blood for renal function test was collected at three phases. The collection was at the last trimester of pregnancy followed by six weeks and 12 weeks after labour. Repeated measure ANOVA was used to analyze the pattern of the calculated creatinine clearance between the groups from pregnancy to postpartum. Results: The pattern of calculated creatinine clearance is the difference between groups. In the gestational hypertension group, the calculated creatinine clearance was an increase from 6 weeks postpartum to 12 weeks. The pattern of calculated creatinine clearance still declined in the chronic hypertension group after 6 weeks postpartum. Conclusion: The women with previous hypertensive disorders during pregnancy should have a regular checkup especially on checking renal function test as it is one of the major causes of unintended of having renal disease.
Knowledge and Perception Towards HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Hepatitis among Serving Corps Members in Nnewi North Local Government: A Cross Sectional Survey

Background:The lack of awareness of several health conditions among people of the community has been on the rise. This study however is aimed at the youths of the society specifically corps members as there is dearth in the evidence on the level of awareness and knowledge in our youth particularly corps members. Methodology: This study is a cross sectional survey among serving corps members within in Nnewi north local government. Information on knowledge and perception on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Hepatitis was sort through a structure questionnaire. Descriptive analysis was used in analysing the data obtained. Result: One hundred questionnaire were distributed but 76 questionnaire were with complete information and analysed, representing 76% response rate, comprising 27(35.5%) male and 49(64.5) female, with a M : F ratio of 1:1.8. Fifteen CDS group participated in the survey, out of which Health and Drug free CDS Group had the highest respondent, health 10(13.2%) and Drug free 9(11.8%) respectively.There was no significant difference between gender and each of HIV/AIDS(χ2=3.388a; p-value=0.184), Tuberculosis (χ2=4.935a; p-value=0.177) and Hepatitis (χ2=1.503a; p-value=0.472)when p is set at 0.05. However, there was significant association between marital status and each of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Hepatitis. Conclusion: The general knowledge and awareness about HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis was moderate but low for Hepatitis among corps members serving in Nnewi north Local government area. From this study, it appears that more female corps member than their male counterparts are more aware about HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Hepatitis. keywords: Hepatitis; Tuberculosis; Demography; Prophylaxis
Experimental Relationships between Surface Roughness, Irradiation Time and Photodecomposition Rate Constant of PVC Films Doped by Polyphosphates

The photodegradation rate constant and surface morphology of poly(vinyl chloride), upon irradiation with ultraviolet light was investigated in the presence of polyphosphates as photostabilizers. Poly(vinyl chloride) photodegradation rate constant was lower for the films containing polyphosphates compared to the blank film. In addition, the surface morphology of the irradiated poly(vinyl chloride) containing polyphosphates, examined by scanning electron microscopy, indicates that the surface was much smoother compared to the blank film.
Fatigue Fracture Resistance of Different Materials Restoring Rest Seat Preparations in Removable Partial Dentures

Aim: This study aimed to compare the fatigue behavior of resin composite and dental amalgam restorative materials used below the occlusal rest of removable partial denture (RPD). Subjects and methods: Thirty extracted first maxillary molars were prepared with standard class II cavities and divided to three groups (n=10 per group). Group I and group II were filled with composite (Charisma Smart and Flitek Z250) respectively and group III was filled with amalgam (Dispersalloy). After 24 hours, 30 standard saucer shaped rest seats were prepared. The samples were stored in distilled water for 14 days prior to testing. Fatigue resistance test was evaluated by the step-test method on a computer controlled materials testing machine. One way ANOVA followed by pair-wise Tukey’s post-hoc tests was used to determine the significance between groups. Results: The difference between groups was statistically non-significant as indicated by the one way ANOVA followed by pair-wise Tukey’s post-hoc multiple comparison tests (p=8910>0.05). Conclusion: There was insignificant difference in the fatigue fracture resistances between the tested groups. INTRODUCTION The occlusal rest has main role in removable partial denture support. It also aids in directing forces with the long axis of abutment tooth that help in preservation of abutment periodontal health (1). Rest seat form and inclination grossly affect appropriate rest function to avoid deterioration of abutments and supporting structures. Moreover, the rest seat material is considered essential requirement to maintain positive supportive foundation which finally preserve abutments and / or supporting periodontium (2). In selection of rest seat materials, the mechanical properties especially fatigue resistance and modulus of elasticity should be considered in order to withstand the masticatory load which normally ranges between (65-235) N (35) .
Study of High Temperature Crack Initiation and Growth in Light Capturing Ribbon (LCR) PV Module Interconnection

The ribbon interconnection between solar cells (used for collecting current from solar cells) is a key PV module component and it highly affects the reliability of PV module as interconnection failure can lead to PV module performance. Light Capturing Ribbon (LCR) is a new type of interconnection to increase the efficiency of PV modules by reflecting the incident sun rays from the interconnection ribbon to the cell surface. This paper studies a comparison of the crack initiation and growth in the PV module interconnection due to the high-temperature manufacturing process between Light Capturing Ribbon (LCR) and Conventional Ribbon (CR). Extended Finite Element Method (XFEM) in ABAQUS software is employed to find the Crack Initiation Temperatures (CIT) and the Crack Growth Rate (CGR) for different configurations of PV module interconnection designs. The optimum solder, silver, and copper thickness for LCR interconnection are recognized as 20μm, 40μm, and 125-187. 5μm, respectively, where this configuration experiences smaller cracks in the solder joint material rather than CR interconnection with the same cross-section area. Keyword PV Module Interconnection, Light Capturing Ribbon, Crack Initiation and Growth, Thermal stress, XFEM
Modelling Transition From Normal To Epileptic Eeg Signals: A Neuron-Astrocyte Mass Action Approach

Epileptic seizures occur intermittently as a result of complex dynamical interactions among many regions of the brain. The sudden and apparently unpredictable nature of refractory seizures is one of the most disabling aspects of the disease. Therefore, there is need for interdisciplinary research efforts directed at better understanding of the mechanisms involved in the emergence of epileptic seizures. Our research objective in this field is the use of applied methods from deterministic and nondeterministic dynamical systems modeling to study epilepsy. Dynamical systems refer to systems whose state variables evolve in time. By the assumption of deterministic system,the physiological system (the brain) can be treated as low dimensional without any random components. Nondeterministic assumption on the other hand allows randomness in some input components. We developed at the macroscopic level physiologically based mathematical models of parts of the brain believed to be eliciting the abnormal signals observed during Generalized Absence Epilepsy (GAE) and Temporal Lobe Epilepsy (TLE). In developing our models, we considered the activities of nerve cells, the surrounding astrocyte cells and the dynamics of extracellular neurotransmitters and conducted parameter sensitivity studies on our models. The models were then validated using Electroencephalogram (EEG) data of epileptic patients. The important conclusion from our findings is that the transition from normal to epileptic brain activity is critically dependent on small variations in few system parameters and/or the balance between a small number of system parameters, be it neural or astrocytes activity dependent
Universal, statistically scale-invariant regime in 3D cellular systems

We perform extensive Potts model simulations of 3D dry foam coarsening and we report reaching a scaling state. Starting with 2.25million bubbles, we have enough time for the transient to end and reach the scaling state; enough time in the scaling state to characterize its properties; and finally, enough bubbles at the end to avoid spurious finite size effects. In the scaling state, we find that the number of bubbles decreases as t 1:5 and we obtain a time independent distribution in relative bubble size. r 2006 Published by Elsevier B.V.
Perspectives on Transitional Care for Vulnerable Older Patients: A Qualitative Study

Background: Transitional care for vulnerable older patients after acute hospitalization back home is increasingly important. Despite previous studies, optimal transitional care of vulnerable older patients remains undefined. Purpose: This study explores what is needed to satisfy these patients with transitional care, from the perspectives of these patients themselves, informal caregivers and nurses. Methods: Patients (n=13) and informal caregivers (n=10) were interviewed after hospital discharge. Hospital and home care nurses (n=9) participated in two focus groups. Verbatim transcriptions were analyzed according to the framework method. Results: Patients (mean age 85.5) and informal caregivers indicated transitional care is optimal if, on top of the organization of this transition, they have trust in the professionals involved. Elements of this organization and trust together stimulated three preferred outcomes of transitional care: the patient going home, the patient reaching adequate health and feeling safe. Nurses indicated no other elements or outcomes. Conclusion: Transitional care for vulnerable older patients is optimal if, on top of the organization of transitional care, these patients and their informal caregivers have trust in the professionals involved. Regarding the challenge of organizing increasingly complex transitional care for vulnerable older patients, the focus should shift towards optimizing trust. perspectives of health care providers may help to point further research, health care innovations and policy development on optimizing transitional care in the right direction.
The Contribution of Decentralization in Enhancing Accountability and Service Delivery in Urban Governments: The Case of Dessie Town Administration. Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia

The overall objective of the research is to assess the level of accountability relationship between actors and institutions involved in the delivery of basic social services at local level by taking Dessie town administrations as a showcase. A cross-sectional and explanatory design were used. The study also pursues a mixed (qualitative and quantitative) approaches. Both random and purposive sampling techniques were employed to identify the representative samples. Samples were selected based on feasible criteriaand at most 10% of the households were selected. Hence, a total of 135 samples were chosen to participate in the study. The findings of this study showed that the offices prepared performance standards to ensure accountability, the town administration has been providing various supports to service giving offices, there is less political interference in the activities of the offices, the ethics of workers is good, there is participation of residents in waste collection activities, the level of customer satisfaction is not high, and the workers have low level of educational performances.Some of the critical challenges of accountability include: Absence of strong follow-up and supervision, low level of water coverage, inadequate sources of finance, old system of water distribution and weak coordination among stakeholders. Recommendations include: The town City-Council should have strong follow-up and supervision mechanisms;the city administration should increase the water coverage and meet the UN standard;the city administration should find additional sources of water;the city administration should find adequate sources of finance;the town administration should modernize the distribution systems of the town; and there should be strong coordination among stakeholders of the town.
ISO-DOSE MAP GENERATION AND DOSE-AREA PRODUCT CALCULATION THROUGH DIGITAL IMAGE PROCESSING OF SCANNED IRRADIATED RADIOCHROMIC FILMS GENERACIÓN DE MAPAS DE ISO-DOSIS Y CÁLCULO DEL PRODUCTO DOSIS-ÁREA USANDO PROCESAMIENTO DIGITAL DE IMÁGENES EN PELÍCULAS RADIOCRÓMICAS IRRADIADAS Y ESCANEADAS

Iso-dose maps creation and kerma-area products calculation are important procedures in radiotherapy and medical imaging. In this work, a method is presented to obtain iso-dose maps through digital processing of the images obtained from radiochromic films, which are employed to estimate the dose absorbed by the patient. The kerma-area product in selected regions of interest (ROIs) in the iso-dose map was then evaluated. The images were obtained by scanning the irradiated films using a commercial flatbed scanner. The iso-dose areas were extracted by means of an image segmentation algorithm, while calibration for a particular film to obtain a sensitometric curve relating dose to film darkening, was also made. A software interface allowed introducing the scanned image for the estimation of kerma-area products by defining the ROI interactively. The methods developed in this work allowed to implement a software application to obtain the iso-dose maps and kerma-area product in selected ROIs. La creación de mapas de isodosis y el cálculo subsiguiente del producto kerma-área son procedimientos importantes en radioterapia e imagenologı́a médica. En este trabajo se presenta un método para obtener mapas de isodosis a través del procesamiento digital de imágenes de las pelı́culas radiocrómicas utilizadas para estimar las dosis absorbidas por los pacientes en estos procedimientos. También se evalúa el producto kerma-área en regiones de interés (ROI) seleccionadas en los mapas de isodosis. Las imágenes se obtuvieron escaneando las pelı́culas irradiadas utilizando un escáner plano comercial. Las áreas de isodosis se extrajeron mediante un algoritmo de segmentación, además se realizó la calibración utilizando una pelı́cula en particular, para obtener una curva sensitométrica que relaciona la dosis con el oscurecimiento de la pelı́cula. Una interfaz de software unifica los métodos desarrollados y permite procesar imágenes escaneadas para la estimación de productos dosis–área definiendo las ROI de forma interactiva.
Training Data Generation Based on Observation Probability Density for Human Pose Refinement

Human pose estimation is an active research topic since for decades, and it has immediate applications in various tasks such as action understanding. Although accurate pose estimation is an important requirement, joint occlusion and various gestures of a person often result in deviated pose predictions. In this paper, we aim to correct such outliers included in pose estimation results. We propose a method to generate training data which is effective for learning models for outlier correction.
How Does Water Stress and Nitrogen Fertilizer Affect the Growth and Yield of Upland Rice (Oryza Sativa L.)

Water stress and inadequate nitrogen (N) fertilizer are important factors that simultaneously limit the growth and yield of upland rice. In this study, we examined the interactive effects of N fertilizer application and water stress timing on the growth and productivity of upland rice. The experiment was set up as a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 2 replications. Toyohatamochi rice was fertilized with three levels of N (30, 60, and 90 kg/ha) and subjected to water stress at different growth stages (early vegetative, active tillering, maximum tillering stages, and then at 10 and 20 days after heading). We did not find any statistically significant interactive effects of water stress timing and N on growth, yield, and dry matter productivity, although N appeared to increases the sensitivity of upland rice to water stress. Water stress at maximum tillering and 10 days after heading (DAH) both reduced grain yield by 50% and dry matter productivity by 49% and 38% respectively. In contrast, early vegetative stress reduced grain yield by a modest 20% despite decreasing dry matter productivity by 40%. Nevertheless, the grain yield of rice stressed at the early vegetative stage increased with N, suggesting a possibility of salvaging grain yield in rice that has suffered water stress at the early vegetative stage by enhancing N fertilization. However, after maximum tillering but before 20 DAH water stress caused irrecoverable grain yield loss, even with more N.
HYPOCHOLESTEROLEMIC EFFECTS OF ADIANTUM CAPILLUS VENERIS L. AQUEOUS EXTRACT IN HIGH CHOLESTEROL DIET-FED RATS AND HPLC-MS DETERMINATION OF ITS POLYPHENOLICS

Hypercholesterolemia is a predominant risk factor for atherosclerosis and associated with coronary and cerebrovascular diseases. The global incidence of hypercholesterolemia is rapidly increasing. Adiantum capillus veneris L. (Adiantaceae) has been reported as herbal medicine for diverse ailments in Jordan. However, its alleged benefits and action mechanisms remain elusive. Thus the present study aimed to identify the phenolic constituents of A. capillus veneris by LC-MS and to evaluate the chronic effect of its water extract on 10-weeks high cholesterol diet (HCD)-fed rats serum lipid profile and atherogenic index. Antioxidant potential is also assessed. Rats were divided into four groups of 6 rats each. Group 1 was kept on stand diet; the remaining three groups were high-cholesterol fed for ten weeks. On week 7 onwards; Group 3 was atorvastatin 10 mg/Kg b.wttreated, while group 4 was supplemented daily with A. capillus veneris 500 mg/Kg b.wt. HPLC-MS analyses revealed the presence of ellagic acid (5.48 mg/g), rutin (4.77 mg/g), quercetin-3-O-glucoside (3.96 mg/g), ferulic acid (3.88 mg/g), gallic acid (3.44 mg/g), caffeic acid (1.55 mg/g), epicatechine (1.34 mg/g) and quercetine (0.43 mg/g). Crude extracts of the aerial parts exhibited potent antioxidant activity by ORAC, ABTS and DPPH assays (2184.95±109.3, 762.50±38.1, and 337.07±16.9 Trolox equivalent μmol/mg, respectively). Exceeding atorvastatin 10 mg/Kg b.wt effectiveness (p<0.05, n=6 rats/group), 10-week administration of A. capillus veneris extract in HCD-fed rats decreased highly significantly the total cholesterol (TC), LDL and VLDL serum levels. VLDL serum levels in both intervention groups were substantially (p<0.001) and comparably decreased. Neither treatment could affect HDL serum levels. Besides, atherogenic index parameter of TC/HDL was normalized in A. capillus veneris-treated rats. A. capillus veneris can be considered as potential candidate for management of hypercholesterolemia and its atherosclerotic complications.
Mangifera indica as a bioindicator of lead, copper and iron in the vicinity of a metal smelting plant, Bukuru Jos, Nigeria

The levels of lead, Pb copper Cu and iron Fe in Mangifera indica leaf and bark and the native soil samples in the vicinity of Makeri smelting plant, Bukuru, Plateau state, were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The aim was to assess the extent of pollution of the environment under study. Results show that the soil pH ranged from 9.40 to 10.17 indicating that the soil samples were generally alkaline with the possible effect of trapping metal ions as hydroxides. The leaf, bark and soil samples gave mean Pb values of 33.40±0.01, 19.25±0.03 and 12.30±0.12ig/g respectively at a distance of 10 metres from the factory. The corresponding values obtained at a distance of 200 metres were 9.65±0.01, 5.20±0.10 and 11.65±0.0ig/g for leaf, bark and soil samples respectively. However, at a distance of 400 metres away from the factory, the leaf, bark and soil samples gave 6.03±0.02, 3.10±0.12 and 10.40±0.05ig/g. The value of Cu was 27.00±0.11, 14.00±0.17 and 43.50±0.15ig /g in the leaf, bark and soil samples respectively at 10 metres away from the factory, decreasing to 20.00±0.03, 10.85±0.02 and 39.30±0.20ig/g while at a distance of 400 metres the corresponding values were 19.30±0.22, 8.00±0.13 and 3.00±0.17ig/g for the leaf, bark and soil samples respectively. The value of Fe was 479.55±0.1ig/g in the leaf, 116.8±015ig/g in the bark and 817.11±0.10ig/g in the soil sample at a distance of 10 metres which decreased to 220.00±0.22, 80.30±0.10 and 749.60±0.13ig/g respectively at 200metres. The values further decreased to 62.15±0.13, 32.70±0.11 and 655.20±0.21ig/g in the leaf, bark and soil samples respectively at a distance of 400 metres suggesting that the metal smelting activity of the factory has contributed to high metal load in the environment.