Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
International expansion of the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC) curricular evaluation program

Eight journalism educational programs outside the United States are certified by the U.S.-based Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications. A survey of journalism undergraduate program directors in the United States indicated that many respondents see opportunities for expanding this voluntary curriculum evaluation and endorsement as a way of spreading U.S. values, in particular to countries lacking press freedoms. However, other respondents worry about the cultural imperialism of imposing U.S. cultural norms and practices on those in other countries. And, some directors questioned the ability to apply standards equitably across all programs, in countries with different political and cultural environments. The results indicated a lack of consensus and the need for a thorough discussion about Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication’s role in promoting journalism education and practice around the globe and what forms that education should take.
Analysis of serum trace elements, macro-minerals, antioxidants, malondialdehyde and immunoglobulins in seborrheic dermatitis patients: A case-control investigation

Background: There are many theories abound; the exact mechanism for the pathophysiology of seborrheic dermatitis (SD) remains unknown. Neuropsychiatric disorders, stress, weakened or irregular immune responses, fungal infections, etc. are thought to be associated with the development of SD. The present study aimed to determine the serum levels of trace elements (TEs), macro-minerals (MMs), antioxidant vitamins, malondialdehyde (MDA), and immunoglobulins in SD patients to explore their role in the disease progression. Methods: This prospective case-control study recruited 75 SD patients and 76 healthy controls (HCs) matched by age and gender. Serum TEs and MMs were analyzed by the flame atomic absorption spectroscopy and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. RP-HPLC was used to determine the serum levels of vitamin A and E. Serum MDA levels were measured by UV spectrophotometry as a marker of lipid peroxidation, whereas the turbidimetric method was used to quantify the serum levels of immunoglobulins. Results: We found significantly higher concentrations of serum copper, manganese, and iron, calcium, and magnesium in SD patients compared to HCs. Serum levels of vitamin E significantly decreased and serum levels of MDA significantly increased in SD patients. Besides, the lower concentrations of immunoglobulin A, G, and M were observed in SD patients when compared to HCs. The present study also found a positive correlation between serum Zn and Ca levels (r = 0.365, p = 0.009) in SD patients; whereas a negative relation was detected between serum Cu and Ca levels (r = -0.298, p = 0.035). Conclusions: The present study suggests that increased levels of TEs, MMs, MDA, and decreased levels of immunoglobulins and vitamin E are strongly associated with the pathophysiology of SD. Moreover, these alterations may provide a predictive tool for the assessment and management of SD patients.
Form Follows Function: Interpretive Wisdom for Environmental Educators

A review of the literature reveals that interpreters’ emphasis on individual connection to the resource offers environmental educators key strategies to promote engagement and addresses critiques of environmental education practice as too generalized, behaviorist, manipulative, or negative. Interpreters serve as the nation's front-line environmental educators, with the foremost opportunity to inspire adults to engage in the free-choice learning that may, at best, motivate deeper ecological awareness and personal environmental activism. Pairing interpreters with teachers can extend the same opportunities to students.
Effects of DBP on the Structure and Function of Testes in the Male Rats

Objective To study effects of DBP on the mammalian development and reproductive toxicity by using male rats as animal model.Method Forty health male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups and were administered respectively with 0(control group),50,250,500mg/(kg·d-1) DBP water solution by intragastric administration consecutively for 6 weeks and the dose of intragastric administration is 5 mL/kg.Body weight and viscera coefficient were weighed;sperm density and sperm abnormal rate in the epididymis were detected;the histological change of the testis was examined.Results The body weights,testes,epididymis and the coefficient of testicular viscera of middle dose group and high dose group have statistical significance compared with those in the control group(P0.05). The negative correlation was significant in body weight,right testes,right epididymis and the dose of DBP water solution(r=-0.771 03,P0.001;r=-0.638 9,P0.001;r=-0.618 5,P0.05). The sperm densities and motility rate in moderate and high dose groups also decreased significantly compared with those of control and group low dose groups.The differences all have statistical significance(P0.05). The con-abnormity rates in moderate and high dose groups also increased more significantly than those of control group and low dose groups.The differences all have statistical significance(P0.05). Conclusion Some dose DBP intake has toxic effects on mammalian development and testis functions of rats.
Eradication vs. Control in Biosecurity Policy-Making: Mediterranean Fruit Fly in Western Australia

The principal chemicals used by Western Australia’s horticultural industries for field control and post-harvest disinfestation procedures for Mediterranean fruit fly are soon to be withdrawn from use due to public health concerns. When this occurs, the necessary switch to alternative control methods such as bait sprays and intensive fruit fly trapping will involve additional producer costs. Given these costs, this paper evaluates the option of eradicating Mediterranean fruit fly from the State and discusses possible cost sharing arrangements between government and industry that could be reached for mutual benefit.
Inhibition of beta-lactamase I from Bacillus cereus by ssDNA

Inhibition of β-lactamase I from Bacillus cereus by ssDNA Taylor Ann Foster, M.S. Mentor: Sung-Kun Kim, Ph.D. Inhibitors of β-lactamases are important to the treatment of infectious diseases when used in conjunction with a β-lactam antibiotic. Current inhibitors of β-lactamase such as clavulanic acid, sulbactam, and tazobactam perform efficiently overall but due to developing bacterial resistances to these inhibitors, new inhibitors need to be discovered. SELEX procedures were used to isolate ssDNA aptamers capable of binding to the enzyme active site and consequently inhibit the action of β-lactamase I from Bacillus cereus 569/H/9. A 22 base ssDNA aptamer was discovered to have an inhibition pattern consistent with reversible competitive inhibition. These results prompted further study of a hairpin loop of 10 bases and a linear 11 base ssDNA aptamer which were truncated forms of the original 22 base aptamer. The 11 base aptamer failed to show any inhibition against β-lactamase I, whereas the 10 base aptamer showed competitive reversible inhibition.
Short period culture of retinal neurons and ganglion cells of neonatal rat in vitro

Objective To observe the growth characters of retinal neurons and retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) by setting up retinal neurons in vitro culture system of neonatal rats.Methods Monocell suspend from neonatal rats retina was seeded into 96 hole culture plates pre coated by murine tail collagen. Cells densities were 400×10 3·cm -2 and 200×10 3·cm -2 respectively. The proliferation of non neurons was inhibited. MTT chromatometry was applied to evaluate the viability of neurons at day 1,2,3 and 4.The above retinal cells suspend was also planted in 24 hole culture plates with cover glasses inside pre treated by murine tail collagen.And the cover glasses with retinal neurons on it were fixed at day 1,2, 3 and 4 in turn so as to carry on hematoxylin eosin (HE) stain and anti Thy 1 monoclonal antibody immunocytochemistry. Then the axon length of retinal neurons and RGCs were measured from the 1st to 4th day.Results Retinal neurons had the tendency to grow in clusters. Neurons viability at high density culture was significantly higher than that at low density and it reached the peak at the 3rd day, then declined. Retinal neurons showed various morphologic shapes when cultured in vitro . Retinal neurons got their highest axon growth speed at the first 2 days,which was faster than 12.0 μm·d -1 , and slowed down from the 3rd day. RGCs displayed large and round nuclei and relatively less plasma.Most RGCs regrowed 2 or more processes at the 1st day. The mean axon extending speed was 12. 5μm·d -1 at the 1st day, then maintains 8.0 μm·d -1 from the 2nd day. And their mean axons length reached the longest at the 4th day, which was about 29. 45μm. Conclusion Retinal neurons including RGCs cultured from enzymatically digested retina supported by murine tail collagen show high viability and regrow longer axons in short period. High density culture (400×10 3·cm -2 ) is more benefited to the survival of retinal neurons in vitro.
In-vitro comparative studies of Apium graveolens L. extracts for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity

The purpose of the present study was to find out the secondary metabolites and to evaluate and compare the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of various extracts (aqueous, methanol, chloroform and acetic acid) of Apium graveolens L. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of the major class of phytochemicals. The TPC and the TFC were found to be highest in the aqueous extract (61.3 ± 0.8 mg GAE /g) and TFC (47.7 ± 0.4 mg QE /g) with acetic acid extract showing the lowest TPC (2.6 ± 0.3 mg GAE /g) and TFC (13.0 ± 1.1 mg QE/g), respectively. The same trend was found in the case of TAC, where aqueous extract exhibited the highest TAC (9.5 ± 0.06 AAE mg/g) and antioxidant activity with IC50= 0.87 and 0.13 mg/ml for DPPH and NO scavenging activity, respectively. Extracts also showed in vitro anti‐inflammatory activity by inhibiting the heat-induced protein denaturation with the IC50 values of 0.58, 0.69, 1.06, and 2.82 mg/ ml for methanol, aqueous, chloroform and acetic acid extracts, respectively. The results of our study revealed that aqueous extract is the most effective solvent to proceed for the in vivo studies against oxidative stress and inflammation-associated diseases.
Saussurean Rhapsody: Systematicity and Arbitrariness in Language

In fact, the whole system of language is based on the irrational principle of the arbitrariness of the sign, which would lead to the worst sort of complication if applied without restriction. But the mind contrives to introduce a principle of order and regularity into certain parts of the mass of signs, and this is the role of relative motivation. Since the mechanism is but a partial correction of a system that is by nature chaotic, however, we adopt the viewpoint imposed by the very nature of language and study it as it limits arbitrariness.
A computational system biology approach to construct gene regulatory networks for salinity response in rice (Oryza sativa)

Salinity is one of the most common abiotic stress which limits agricultural crop production. Salinity stress tolerance in rice (Oryza sativa L.) is an important trait controlled by various genes. The mechanism of salinity stress response in rice is quite complex. Modelling and construction of genetic regulatory networks is an important tool and can be used for understanding this underlying mechanism. This paper considers the problem of modeling and construction of Gene Regulatory Networks using Multiple Linear Regression and Singular Value Decomposition approach coupled with a number of computational tools. The gene networks constructed by using this approach satisfied the scale free property of biological networks and such networks can be used to extract valuable information on the transcription factors, which are salt responsive. The gene ontology enrichment analysis of selected nodes is performed. The developed model can also be used for predicting the gene responses under stress condition and the result shows that the model fits well for the given gene expression data in rice. In this paper, we have identified ten target genes and a series of potential transcription factors for each target gene in rice which are highly salt responsive.
Generational Shifts in the Moral and Political Landscape

In modern America, political polarization is on the rise, especially among Millennials. This paper explores why, examining moral values, worldview, and other potential moderators. In addition to a literature review and theoretical discussion, this paper will present one study of online Americans (N=500). Results indicate that subtle yet potentially important differences exist among younger generations. Younger generations were more intellectually-egotistic (p = .000; d =.65), are more overconfident in their intellect (p =.000; d =.45), and adopt a hierarchical worldview (p =.001; d =.36). Further research might examine these factors over time with long-term studies that control for the effect of aging.
Extracting the temperature dependence in high-
p⊥
 particle energy loss

The suppression of high-p⊥ particles is one of the main signatures of parton energy loss during its passing through the QGP medium, and is reasonably reproduced by different theoretical models. However, a decisive test of the reliability of a certain energy loss mechanism, apart from its path-length, is its temperature dependence. Despite its importance and comprehensive dedicated studies, this issue is still awaiting for more stringent constraints. To this end, we here propose a novel observable to extract temperature dependence exponent of high-p⊥ particle’s energy loss, based on RAA. More importantly, by combining analytical arguments, full-fledged numerical calculations and comparison with experimental data, we argue that this observable is highly suited for testing (and rejecting) the long-standing ∆E/E ∝ L2T 3 paradigm. The anticipated significant reduction of experimental errors will allow direct extraction of temperature dependence, by considering different centrality pair in A + A collisions (irrespective of the nucleus size) in high-p⊥ region. Overall, our results imply that this observable, which reflects the underlying energy loss mechanism, is very important to distinguish between different theoretical models.
Drivers of diversification and pluriactivity among smallholder farmers—evidence from Nigeria

Diversification and pluriactivity have become a norm among farm business owners (FBOs) due to persistent low farm income. This study applies the resource-based theory to examine drivers of diversification and livelihood income-oriented towards a sustainable livelihood. Our framework develops hypotheses about the impact of internal and external resources on livelihood choices at the household level. We use a survey of 480 rural Nigerian farmers (agripreneurs), applying a Multivariate Tobit to test our framework. We find that education plays the most significant role in all types of employment options. The more FBOs are educated, the more the likelihood that they will choose non-farm or wage employment. This study revealed that while the agriculture sector’s share of rural employment is declining, non-farm is on the increase. More so, there is a decline in farming among the young generation, marital status bias and gender influence in resource allocation. The socioeconomic (income and food security) and socio-cultural (employment and rural-urban migration) implications of rural sustainability linked to UN Development Goals have been highlighted and analysed in this article.
Clinical and Imaging Findings of Neonatal Seizures Presenting as Diffuse Cerebral White Matter Abnormality on Diffusion-Weighted Imaging without any Structural or Metabolic Etiology.

Purpose Some patients with neonatal seizures show diffuse, symmetric diffusion-restricted lesions in the cerebral white matter. The aim of this study was to describe clinical and imaging findings of patients with neonatal seizures who had diffuse, symmetric diffusion-restricted lesions without any structural or metabolic etiology. Materials and Methods A total of 56 neonates aged less than 1 week underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for evaluation of seizures from November 2008 to February 2017. After excluding 43 patients, 13 patients showed diffuse white matter abnormality on diffusion-weighted imaging. Initial and follow-up clinical and MRI findings were analyzed retrospectively. Results All 13 patients were born at full term. Among the ten patients who underwent a stool test for viruses, six were positive for rotavirus and one for astrovirus. MRI revealed diffuse, symmetric diffusion-restricted lesions distributed along the cerebral white matter, thalami, and midbrain variably. Conclusion Diffuse, symmetric diffusion-restricted lesions involving the cerebral white matter can be seen in patients with neonatal seizures without any structural or metabolic etiology. Rotavirus is commonly but not exclusively detected in these patients. Nevertheless, viral infection-associated encephalopathy should be considered for patients with characteristic clinical and MRI findings.
Growth and Nutrient Utilisation in Lambs as Influenced by Dietary Monensin

Twelve grazing Malpura lambs divided randomly into three groups of 4 each viz. T1, T2 and T3 were fed concentrate mixtures containing 0,11 and 22 mg monensin per kg, respectively. The daily intake of concentrate mixture reduced linearly (P<0.01) with increase in the level of monensin but roughage DM intake was significantly higher (P<0.01) in T2 and T3 groupss The digestibility of nutrients was comparable in 3 groups except for DM which waa ssgnificantly (P<0.01) higher in experimental groups. The N retention was maximum (P<0.01) in T3 group followed by T2 and T1 The body weight gain and body measurements of the lambs fed monensin diets were significantly higher (P<0.01) than those in control. This reflected that the monensin supplementation improved growth and feed efficiency in the lambs.
Effects of Corn Distillers Dried Grains on the Performance and Egg Quality of Laying Hen

A study was conducted to determine the effects of corn distillers’ dried grain (CDDG) on the performance and egg quality of laying hens. The hens were fed dietary inclusions of CDDG at 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40% for a period of eight weeks. Average feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio and nitrogen economy varied significantly (P<0.05) among dietary treatments. Birds fed 30% dietary CDDG had the highest feed intake (127.00 g/bird/day). Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was inversely related to increasing levels of dietary treatments with CDDG. Among hens fed dietary CDDG, those fed 10% dietary the best feed conversion ratio (6.3) and highest weight gain (20.10 g/bird/day). Nitrogen retention was the highest (88.6%) in birds fed control diet and lowest (61.2%) in birds fed 30% dietary CDDG. Hen-day production (HDP) and Haugh Unit (HU) were significantly affected (P<0.05) by dietary treatments. Birds fed 20% dietary CDDG had the highest (61%) HDP, while birds fed 0% CDDG (control diet) had the lowest HDP (52.2%). Birds fed 20% dietary CDDG had the highest HU value (88.7) while birds fed 0% dietary CDDG (control) had the lowest (81.2) value. Birds fed 20% CDDG performed best in terms of HDP, egg quality, cost-benefit ratio. Laying hens can be fed CDDG at 10- 20% inclusion level. Inclusion levels of CDDG above this level were observed to have counter-productive effects on the production performance of bird; this observation is as a result of high fibre level of CDDG. Keywords: Corn distillers’ grain, Laying hens, Feed intake, Weight gain, Feed conversion ratio, Nitrogen economy, Egg quality
PII: S0887-2333(99)00068-5

ÐThe cytotoxicity of colloidal bismuth subcitrate (CBS) was investigated in cultured Giardia lamblia trophozoites on the basis of cell attachment, morphology and viability studies. The eects on cell membrane integrity were evaluated by the permeability to trypan blue, and the morphological alterations were studied by phase-contrast microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Our data show that although CBS induced loss of cellular viability (morphological and regrowth studies), the cell membrane permeability was not altered. The attachment of G. lamblia trophozoites to culture vials was rapidly disrupted by CBS. Ultrastructural observations revealed that this drug promoted modi®cations on the cell shape, displacement of nucleus and of cytoskeletal structures, pronounced cytoplasmic vacuolization, dorsal and ventral protuberance of cytoplasmic membrane and heavy deposition of electron-dense precipitates in adhesive disc, nuclear membrane and cytoplasmic components. In contrast, membranes and microtubules were apparently undamaged. Some of these results suggest that the cytotoxicity of CBS to G. lamblia cultures is the result of its binding to cytoskeletal components. As far as we know, this work is the ®rst demonstration that bismuth subcitrate could kill a human protozoan parasite suggesting its potential in the therapy of giardiasis. # 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved
The Use of GeoGebra in Disadvantaged Rural Geometry Classrooms

The aim of this study was to investigate how the implementation of GeoGebra by teachers who had recently attended a GeoGebra training course, impacts on learner experience and achievement. The study was conducted in four disadvantaged and under resourced schools situated in rural areas of the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa. Despite the curriculum’s encouragement to use educational technology in the mathematics classroom, and evidence of the benefits of such use, literature indicates that most mathematics teachers still struggle with effective technology integration into their classrooms. Within the non-equivalent quasi-experimental design of this study, a quantitative approach was used. The conceptual framework involved the first two levels of Kirkpatrick’s (1996) four level framework. Four Grade 10 classes comprising of 165 learners participated in this research. Data collection involved a questionnaire administered to the experimental group, as well as pre- and post-tests assessing the achievement of the learners regarding the properties of quadrilaterals administered to both the experimental and control groups. Results from the quantitative data analysis showed a significant difference in the mean scores with a mean difference of 6.5 in favour of learners taught with GeoGebra compared to a chalk and talk method. Implementation of and enthusiasm about GeoGebra had a positive influence on learner achievement. Analysis of the questionnaire responses indicated a positive reaction towards the use of GeoGebra in learning about quadrilaterals. Based on the results, it was concluded that GeoGebra as a pedagogical tool can work effectively in deep rural schools where geometry is hardly taught.