Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Survey of Hookworm Infection among Pupils of School Age in Jos-North, Plateau State, Nigeria

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Hookworm infection among children of school age in Jos-North Local Government Area of Plateau State. A total of 2,800 stool samples from pupils aged 3 – 15 years and above, attending seven (7) primary schools were collected and bio-assayed for Hookworm ova using direct smear and formalin – ether concentration techniques. Six hundred and forty seven (647) pupils (23.11%) were found to be infected by various parasites. Parasites encountered in order of occurrence include Ascaris (8.46%), Entamoeba histolytica (5.64%), Hookworm spp (5.14%), Giardia (2.61%) and Trichuris (1.29%). The result showed that 144 of the pupils had hookworm ova in their stool samples. This accounts for 5.14% of the total population and 22.26% of the infected population. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) between males and females with respect to the prevalence of the infection, although more males (86) were found to be infected than females (58). There was significant difference between the different age groups (P < 0.05), 3 – 6 yrs having the highest infection rate (11.3%) while 15 yrs and above have the lowest (1.31%). The implications of the findings on the occurrence and distribution of Hookworm infection and possible control measures were highlighted. Further study is needed to identify which of the two Hookworm species is most prevalent.
SOIL QUALITY IMPLICATION IN A RECENTLY RECLAIMED SALTY AGRICULTURAL SITE IN ITALY

The paper show a preliminary study on biological parameters of salty recently reclaimed soils in Italy (Valle di Mezzano, Comacchio and Ostellato – Ferrara). The soils were characterized and classified. Biological parameters were measured and calculated: Basal Respiration Carbon (Cbas) (mg C-CO 2 /kg soil); Cumulative Respiration Carbon (Ccum) (mg C-CO 2 /kg soil); Microbial Carbon (Cmic) (mg C/kg soil); Metabolic Quotient (qCO 2 ) ((10 -2 ) h -1 ); Mineralization Quotient (qM) (%). The combination of these biological parameters was used to create an index of soil fertility (Benedetti and Mocali 2008) and the same index is on the way of being evaluated for these soils as well. The objectives of the work are: (a) give insights on the dynamics of the salinization processes, (b) better understand biogeochemical cycles of soils affected by high electrical conductivity and fertility loss, and (c) propose land management strategies.
Example-based word sense disambiguation: a paradigm-driven approach

The paper describes an example-based approach to word sense disambiguation: words in a pre-processed text corpus are automatically linked to their corresponding senses in a machine readable dictionary (MRD) by using information automatically extracted from the MRD. For each word sense, typical contexts of use were acquired and structured as "paradigmatic structures" on the basis of distributional criteria. Word sense disambiguation is modelled as a process of "paradigm extension" grounded on the acquired paradigmatic structures. The technique, already applied with success to a number of Natural Language Processing (NLP) applications, is currently under extensive test for word sense disambiguation: preliminary results look promising.
Chapter 2 Optical Frequency Rectification

Submicron antenna-coupled diodes, called optical rectennas, can directly rectify solar and thermal electromagnetic radiation, and function as detectors and power harvesting devices. The physics of a diode interacting with electromagnetic radiation at optical frequencies is not fully captured in its DC characteristics. We describe the operating principle of rectenna solar cells using a quantum approach and analyze the requirements for efficient rectification. In prior work classical concepts from microwave rectenna theory have been applied to the analysis of photovoltaic power generation using these ultra-high-frequency rectifiers. Because of their high photon energy the interaction of petahertz-frequency waves with fast-responding diodes requires a semiclassical analysis. We use the theory of photon-assisted transport to derive the current–voltage [I(V)] characteristics of metal/insulator/metal (MIM) tunnel diodes under illumination. We show how power is generated in the second quadrant of the I(V ) characteristic, derive solar cell parameters, and analyze the key variables that influence the performance under monochromatic radiation and to a first-order approximation. The photon-assisted transport theory leads to several conclusions regarding the high-frequency characteristics of diodes. The semiclassical diode resistance and responsivity differ from their classical values. At optical frequencies, a diode even with a moderate forward-to-reverse current asymmetry exhibits high quantum efficiency. An analysis is carried out to determine the requirements imposed by the operating frequency on the circuit parameters of rectennas. Diodes with low resistance and capacitance are required for the RC time constant of the rectenna S. Grover (*) National Center for Photovoltaics, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 15013 Denver West Parkway, Golden, CO 80309-0425, USA e-mail: sachitgrover@ieee.org G. Moddel Department of Electrical, Computer, & Energy Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309-0425, USA G. Moddel and S. Grover (eds.), Rectenna Solar Cells, DOI 10.1007/978-1-4614-3716-1_2, © Springer Science+Business Media New York 2013 25 to be smaller than the reciprocal of the operating frequency and to couple energy efficiently from the antenna. Finally, we carry out a derivation that extends the semiclassical theory to the domain of non-tunneling based diodes, showing that the presented analysis is general and not restricted to the MIM diode.
Directors’ Independence, Internal Audit Function, Ownership Concentration and Earnings Quality in Malaysia

Concentration of ownership in Malaysian public listed companies contributes to agency conflict between majority and minority shareholders. An effective monitoring mechanism is critical to mitigate this conflict. The study aims to examine the influence of board and audit committee independence, internal audit function and ownership concentration on earnings quality proxied by discretionary accruals. The sample of the study 508 companies listed on the Bursa Malaysia Main Market from 2009 to 2012. Two measures of discretionary accruals are used: Modified Jones model (Dechow et al., 1995); and extended Modified Jones Model (Yoon et al., 2006). Using OLS regression, results of the study suggest that audit committee independence and more investment in internal audit function are related to higher earnings quality. However, board of directors’ independence and ownership concentration are associated with lower earnings quality. The finding indicates the importance of audit committee independence in producing quality financial reporting. Consistent findings are found for most variables in both models. The findings of the study have implication on the use of measurement of discretionary accruals in earnings quality studies and corporate governance practices in Malaysia.
Flight trial of an electro-optical sense-and-avoid system

This paper presents the flight trials of an electro-optical (EO) sense-and-avoid system onboard a Cessna host aircraft (camera aircraft). We focus on the autonomous collision avoidance capability of the sense-and-avoid system; that is, closed-loop integration with the onboard aircraft autopilot. We also discuss the system’s approach to target detection and avoidance control, as well as the methodology of the flight trials. The results demonstrate the ability of the sense-and-avoid system to automatically detect potential conflicting aircraft and engage the host Cessna autopilot to perform an avoidance manoeuvre, all without any human intervention
On-Chip Interconnect Network Communication Management for Multi-Core Design

Modern On-chip Multi-core design will continue Moore's law and facilitate platforms for wired and wireless communications. It has been predicted that the future computing platform will have a tightly integrated complex system that can process "big data" with swift speed and high quality. However, it is not clear how the current multi-core systems would react to large volume of data and how the data volume would impact the interconnect network design and architecture of the future computing platform. The goal of this paper is to raise these questions and provide some answers. In particular, this paper provides a series of cost models and a new optimization scheme "Interconnect Communication Cost Minimization" (ICCM) to manage tasks and their data. Task flows and their partitions are considered with data amount created and consumed. The consequent partitions are mapping virtually to the multi-core system through a data and task scheduling optimizer. Through experimental results, we demonstrated that an average of 50% reduction in the communication cost, an average of 23.1% of throughput improvement and 35% of dynamic power reduction. 1
An Ex Ante Analysis of the Benefits from the Adoption of Corn Rootworm Resistant, Transgenic Corn Technology

This study examined the potential economic impacts in the United States of the commercial adoption of a corn rootworm (CRW) resistant transgenic corn. Using a counterfactual approach, we estimated that if the technology had been made available in the year 2000 at a price that would equate per acre costs to those for insecticide-based corn rootworm control, and adopted on all of the acres treated for corn rootworm in that year, the total benefits would have been $460 million. This benefit includes $171 million to the technology developer and seed companies, $231 million to farmers from yield gains, and a further $58 million to farmers from reduced risk, time savings, and other nonpecuniary benefits associated with reduced use of insecticides. This is a one-year benefit with 100 percent adoption. Our nation-wide survey of corn producers suggests that initial adoption might be as low as 30 percent, which means that the first-year benefits might be only one-third of the value implied by 100 percent adoption. Different pricing assumptions would mostly change the distribution of the benefits between farmers and others, so long as the pricing did not influence the adoption rate as well. Benefits over time would reflect changing adoption patterns and evolving insect resistance. Further analysis could include the effects of any refuge requirements implemented to slow the development of resistance, when such requirements are known.
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT CORRELATES OF NILGIRI WOOD-PIGEON (Columba elphinstonii) IN NORTH WESTERN GHATS, INDIA

Nilgiri wood-pigeon (Columba elphinstonii) was surveyed in two forest types (open and closed) for spatial distribution and habitat correlates using belt transects across 94 localities in Sahyadri Tiger Reserve, India, during 2011–2013. Only closed forested localities showed presence of the species with maximum number of individuals sighted in evergreen forests. Poisson multiple regression analysis was conducted on species abundance data from 18 sites and seven variables. The species was found to be associated with high canopy cover and evergreen forests. Suitable habitat of the species was predicted using MaxEnt model. MaxEnt model showed high degree of suitable habitat in west Chandoli National Park and the corridor area of the tiger reserve. This paper provides fine scale distribution data and habitat correlates and discusses potential threats to the species in north Western Ghats and stresses the immediate need for conservation action in this area.
Heterogeneity in Guessing Games: An Experiment

In interactions under strategic complementarity, naive players have a disproportionally large effect on the aggregate outcome, resulting in a nonlinear relationship between the proportion of sophisticated and naive players and the aggregate outcome. This paper studies this relationship in a beauty contest game by informing some players the game theoretic solution and systematically varying the proportion of informed players. The results show that the conditions predicted by strategic complementarity stand empirical test.
On Comparing Cash Flow and Accrual Accounting Models for Use in Equity Valuation: A Response to Lundholm and O'Keefe (CAR, Summer 2001)

A claim is commonly made that cash flow and accrual accounting methods for valuing equities must always yield equivalent valuations. A recent paper by Lundholm and O'Keefe (2001), for example, claims that, because of this equivalence, there is nothing to be learned from empirical comparison of valuation models. So they dismiss recent research that has shown that accrual accounting residual income models and earnings capitalization models perform, over a range of conditions, better than cash flow or dividend discount models. This paper demonstrates, with examples, that the claim is misguided. Practice inevitably involves forecasting over finite, truncated horizons, and the accounting specified in a model - cash versus accrual accounting in particular - is pertinent to valuation with finite-horizon forecasting. Indeed, the issue of choosing a valuation model is an issue of specifying pro forma accounting, and so, for finite-horizon forecasts, one cannot be indifferent to the accounting.
The Value Relevance of Financial Instruments Disclosure in Malaysian Firms Listed in the Main Board of Bursa Malaysia

This paper investigates the value relevance of financial instruments disclosure in Malaysia based on MASB24 (Financial Instruments: Disclosure and Presentation) standard. Unlike most of the Western countries, the only standard available for firms in Malaysia related to financial instruments is MASB24. Therefore, in the absence of a standard on the measurement of financial instruments, it is important to know whether the disclosure of such risky activities is useful to the investors or the market. Hence, this study examines the association between i) disclosure quality of financial instruments information and ii) fair value information and the market price of firms. Disclosure quality is measured based on disclosure index developed according to the MASB24 disclosure requirements. Results indicate that disclosure quality of financial instruments information is value relevant. However, the relationship is less positive in the period after the MASB24 become mandatory. Further evidence suggests the less positive relationship is not caused by bad news but is caused by the disclosure quality of risks. Consistent with prior studies, this study also provides evidence that fair value information is value relevant. This indicates that investors value the fair value information and high disclosure quality as important factors in investment decision. These findings imply the adoption of FRS 139 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement in Malaysia is justified. Keyword: Value relevance, MASB 24, financial instruments disclosure, Malaysia
AN ANALYSIS OF THE MANAGEMENT OF THE NAMIBIAN INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY SCHOOL CURRICULUM PLANNING

The Namibian Educational sector acknowledges the impact that technology bears in education, however, ICTs have not been thoroughly immersed in classroom practice. A policy document which purports for the preparation of all Namibia’s learners, students, teachers, and communities was drafted but its implementation has not provided much fruition. The chief tenet of this article is that proper planning, organisation, supervision and communication leads to proper implementation of policies. If the Namibian education sector is to achieve the above, significant improvement in immersing ICTs in the classroom would be achieved. The paper begins with a discussion of the current status quo of ICT in the Namibian education sector. Then, it explores the importance of thorough planning, organisation, supervision and communication of the implementation of the ICT curriculum in the Namibian education sector. Keywords: management, communication technology, Namibian
MDMV / RNA / translation in vitro Properties and in vitro Translation of Maize Dwarf Mosaic Virus RNA

By P. H. B E R G E R , I ~ C. S. L U C I A N O , 2 D. W. T H O R N B U R Y , 1 H. I. B E N N E R , 3 J. H. H I L L 3. AND R. J. Z E Y E N 4 1Department of Plant Pathology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40546, "-Department of Biology, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, Pennsylvania 15705, 3Department of Plant Pathology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011 and *Department of Plant Pathology, University of Minnesota, St Paul, Minnesota 55108, U.S.A.
Effect of Resource Indulgence on Aquatic Vascular Plants: A Closer Study of Lemna minor

lants make up a vast majority of life on planet Earth and have been a very successful kingdom since their first appearance 450 million years ago. There are many different species that grow rapidly with various adaptations to be successful in their environments. We decided to test the growth rate and life span of Lemna minor, an aquatic vascular plant that produces mostly asexually, and created an experimental group of Lemna plants that received a fertilizer treatment. We also decided to test the effect of CO2 concentration on Lemna due to the recent concerns on how much harm the rising CO2 levels are causing in the biosphere. The Lemna experimental group with fertilizer treatment exhibited the least growth rate as compared to the control group and CO2 seemed to have little significant effect on the Lemna minor. Further study needs to be conducted in order to definitively state that Lemna benefits negatively from fertilizer treatment or has an increased resistance to rising CO2 levels.
The Study of Knowledge Discovery with Spatial Data Mining in Epidemiology Database

Large amount of spatial data is being collected in various applications like remote sensing, computer cartography, geographical information system (GIS), environmental assessment and planning, etc. Now the real challenge is to discover interesting, implicit, and previously unknown knowledge from this large database. This is what the objective of spatial data mining. The real work is to extend the scope of data mining from relational and transactional database to spatial database and apply it in the study of spatial distribution of epidemiology. The paper summarizes the work that has been done so far in spatial data mining from spatial data generalization, mining spatial association rule to spatial data clustering.
The Influence of Reading Comprehension Strategies on the Development of Iranian Students’ Pragmatic Competence

Pragmatic competence of the English learners is usually tested through the inferring questions of a reading comprehension test. The knowledge of reading strategies used by the students affects their pragmatic competence. The present study compared thirty reading comprehension strategies to determine their effects on 50 EFL students' reading comprehension. The students answered a standard reading comprehension test, which was taken randomly from the internet, and a questionnaire was used to collect the data. The software SPSS was used to analyze the data. The results of the analysis revealed that some strategies have positive and some have negative impact. Metacognitive strategies would have positive effect s on their pragmatic knowledge. Some pedagogical implications are also discussed.
Influence of Statins on LDL- and HDL-Cholesterol and Plasma Fatty Acids in Elderly Japanese Ischemic Stroke Patients

Introduction: Stroke sometimes occurs in elderly patients who are treated with statins. The aim of our retrospective study was to investigate what influences statins had on plasma levels of LDL-C, HDL-C, triglyceride (TG) and fatty acids (FA), particularly essential FAs, in elderly Japanese acute ischemic stroke patients. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of Japanese acute ischemic stroke patients aged between 50 and 74 years admitted to our institution between Sep 2015 and Aug 2016 within 24 hours of stroke onset who took blood examination for plasma lipid levels of LDL-C, HDL-C, TG and FAs such as palmitic acid (PaA), stearic acid (StA), oleic acid (OlA), linoleic acid (LiA), dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DHLA), arachidonic acid (AA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). We assessed plasma lipid levels in patients taking statins (group S) and in patients not taking statins (group NS). Results: One hundred forty-seven patients matched our criteria. Average age was 68 years. On arrival to the hospital, 30 patients took statins (group S) and 117 didn’t (group NS). In group S and NS, LDL-C was 84.6 and 130.1 mg/dl (p<0.0001), HDL-C was 50.5 and 60.3 mg/dl (p<0.01), TG was 196.8 and 135.7 mg/dl (p<0.05). There was no difference in plasma levels of any FAs except LiA (722.5 vs. 880.1 μg/mL, (p<0.001)). Conclusion: Plasma levels of LDL-C, HDL-C and LiA were lower in group S; however there were no differences in PaA, StA, OlA, DHLA, AA, EPA or DHA.
Review of relationship between vascular endothelial growth factor family & receptors and tumor angiogenesis

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) also named vascular permeability factor (VPF), is an impor- tant positive regulator for angiogenesis. This is one target of the anticancer research. Discovered members of VEGF family include: VEGF-A, VEGF-B, VEGF-C, VEGF-D, VEGF-E and placenta growth factor (PLGF). Recep- tors of VEGF are VEGFR-1(flt-1), VEGFR-2(flk-1/KDR), VEGFR-3(flt-4) and neuropilin(NPR1/NPR2). Mem- bers of this family can selectively promote mitosis of vascular endotheial cells or lymphatic endothelial cells, stimu- late endothelial cells to proliferate and induce angiogenesis. They also enhance the permeability of microvessels, help to establish capillary vessels net. This article mainly reviewed the structures, functional characteristics, rela- tionship between VEGF and its inhibitors and tumor angiogenesis.
Breast cancer molecular subtypes and the metastatic microenvironment: Review of literature

Breast Cancer is a major public health concern worldwide. Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer and second leading cause of cancer death in women, with >90% of deaths resulting from metastasis. Clinically, human breast cancers are classified into distinct molecular subtypes (luminal A/B, Her2-positive, and triple-negative [TN]) which exhibit organ-specific patterns of metastasis. The lung is one of the most common sites of metastasis in patients with aggressive triple-negative (TN) disease, while less aggressive luminal A/B cancers most often metastasize to bone. Experimentally, it has been suggested that the presence of a primary tumor may serve to induce a “pre-metastatic niche” in the lung in order to make it more hospitable for metastasizing breast cancer cells. This review integrates how the cellular and molecular components of the metastatic niche evolve in the context of molecular subtype. Understanding the cancer-induced components of the metastatic niche will develop opportunities for improved clinical management and new therapeutic strategies.
Issues and challenges in open and distance e-learning: Perspectives from the Philippines

Rapid advances in information and communications technology in the digital age have brought about significant changes in the practice of distance education (DE) worldwide. DE practitioners in the Philippines’ open university have coined the term ‘open and distance e-learning’ (ODeL) to refer to the new forms of DE, which are characterised by the convergence of an open learning philosophy, DE pedagogies, and e-learning technologies. This paper discusses the issues and challenges that ODeL poses for the Philippines’ open university from the point of view of the institution’s leading ODeL practitioners. The paper concludes with a discussion of the policy development and administrative changes required to support innovative teaching practice across the institution. The findings and conclusions are relevant for other institutions in the same stage of ODeL development.