Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gossip in the workplace and the implications for HR management: a study of gossip and its relationship to employee cynicism

Gossip is a common phenomenon in the workplace, but yet relatively little is understood about its influence to employees. This study adopts social information theory and social cognitive theory to interpret the diverse literature on gossip, and to develop and test hypotheses concerning some of the antecedents of gossip, with an aim of developing knowledge of the relationship between gossip and employee behaviour in the workplace. The study analysed survey data in a two-stage process, from 362 employees across a range of industries in Taiwan. The findings revealed that job-related gossip predicted employee cynicism and mediated the relationship between psychological contract violation and cynicism, and that non-job-related gossip showed a similar but weaker effect to employee cynicism. The contribution made by this paper is of value to both the academic subject domain and managers in Human Resources. First, we have identified two constructs of gossip, job-related and non-job-related gossip not previously reported and a validated scale has been created. Second, we have confirmed that these different constructs of gossip impact differently on employee behaviour and therefore HR managers should be cautious about gossip in the workplace, as it can cause cynical behaviour amongst employees.
Do L2 Proficiency and L1 Reading Strategies Affect Persian EFL Learners' Use of English Reading Strategies? Threshold Hypothesis Revisited

Research in the area of reading comprehension strategies (RCSs) suggests that not all learners use these strategies in the same fashion and that various factors affect the type and frequency of the strategies used by second/foreign language learners. This study attempted to investigate the effect of two factors, namely, L2 proficiency and L1 reading strategies on the use of FL semantic and syntactic RCSs of Iranian university EFL learners. To this end, data were gathered form ninetyseven Persian learners. Results of the study indicated that L2 proficiency did not have any significant effect on the use of L2 semantic and syntactic RCSs. However, L1 semantic RCSs were found to have a significant effect on the use of L2 semantic RCSs. Moreover, the interaction of L1 syntactic strategies and L2 proficiency had an impact on using L2 semantic strategies. The implications of the study along with suggestions for further research have also been provided.
Determinants of choice of improved Maize Seeds in Arid and Semi-Arid areas of Kenya: The Case of Yathui Division of Machakos District

Smallholder farmers in arid and semi-arid parts of Kenya can increase maize yields by growing improved varieties that are available through formal seed markets. Smallholder farmers’ access to improved germplasm, however, is limited. The objective of this study was to understand how the seed maize market channels are structured, the bottlenecks to them operating more efficiently, effectively and equitably, and to identify the factors that influence the choice of smallholder farmers in the arid and semi-arid areas of Machakos District. Data was generated by use of qualitative and quantitative research methods. Qualitative data on the structure of the seed input market chains in the study area was followed by a household survey of 150 random sampled households. The sampled households were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Logit model was used to analyze quantitatively factors influencing farmers’ choice of improved maize seeds. The study findings showed that extension contacts, access to credit, membership to farmer groups and experience with improved maize varieties positively influence the likelihood of farmers’ choice of improved maize seeds. Cost of seeds, distance to output markets and to extension service, unavailability of improved high yielding maize varieties at the farm level, and transaction costs negatively influenced choice of improved maize seeds. The study reveals a large unexplored formal maize market. It is recommended that government implement policies that empower smallholders such strengthening extension service and encouraging players outside government to provide the service, make credit more accessible to smallholders and organize farmers into producer groups. It is further recommended that maize seed dealers make seeds available by penetrating closer to
Time Collapse in Social Media: Extending the Context Collapse

Context collapse, or the flattening of multiple audiences into a single context, has been an important notion in research on privacy experiences, self-performance, and changing user practices in social media. Yet, previous research has mainly addressed context collapse in spatial rather than temporal terms. The resulting lack of an understanding of time in social media limits our conception of the social media context. The aim of this article is therefore to go beyond the spatial dimension in the current notion of “context collapse” in social media. We discuss relevant theories, empirical evidence, and technical features that address the importance of a time dimension and suggest a collapse of temporal patterns in social media. By introducing the concept of “time collapse,” we account for how context in social media may muddle the time boundary between past and present, which, in turn, can affect how users manage their identity and performance on social media. Whereas research on social media has commonly addressed self-performance and impression management, we understand self-identity as an entity in progress. We analyze the results of two empirical case studies to suggest how and why a collapse of time related to self-performance is becoming increasingly prevalent, focusing on young people and Facebook. Our analyses contribute to a new understanding of time and the prolonged self-documenting practices typical of social media. Our research offers a unique understanding of the nature and conceptualization of time that may guide future directions in the study of social media and their implications for young people.
Arf characters of an algebroid curve

Two algebroid branches are said to be equivalent if they have the same multiplicity sequence. It is known that two algebroid branches R and T are equivalent if and only if their Arf closures, R and T ′ have the same value semigroup, which is an Arf numerical semigroup and can be expressed in terms of a finite set of information, a set of characters of the branch. We extend the above equivalence to algebroid curves with d > 1 branches. An equivalence class is described, in this more general context, by an Arf semigroup, that is not a numerical semigroup, but is a subsemigroup of N. We express this semigroup in terms of a finite set of information, a set of characters of the curve, and apply this result to determine other curves equivalent to a given one. AMS subject classification: 13H15, 14B05.
Land redistribution in South Africa

At the end of apartheid, some 60,000 white landowners less than 1% of the country’s population – controlled roughly 82 million hectares (ha) – about 86% – of all farmland in South Africa (Lahiff, 2009). In contrast, black South Africans in rural areas, representing about 30% of the national population, had access to less than 15% of all farmland typically held under informal or insecure tenure in racially segregated “homelands” (Wegerif, 2004). In addition, an estimated 5.3 million black South Africans lived and worked on white commercial farms, typically without access to farmland of their own (Wildschut & Hulbert, 1998). Starting in 1994, the newly elected democratic government led by the African National Congress (ANC) set a goal of transferring 30% of white-owned agricultural land to black owners – first by 1999 and now by 2014 – to address this highly unequal land distribution (ANC, 1994). This lesson discusses experiences with the three major phases of land redistribution policy and practice in South Africa.
Teachers’ beliefs about multilingualism and a multilingual pedagogical approach

Knowledge of teachers’ beliefs is central to understanding teachers’ decision-making in the classroom. The present study explores Norwegian language teachers’ beliefs about multilingualism and the use of a multilingual pedagogical approach in the third-language (L3) classroom. This study analysed data collected via focus group discussions with 12 teachers of French (N = 4), German (N = 2) and Spanish (N = 6) using qualitative content analysis. Three main themes emerged from the analysis. (1) The teachers view multilingualism as a potentially positive asset. Although they think that multilingualism has benefited their own language learning, they do not conclude that multilingualism is automatically an asset to students. (2) The teachers claim to make frequent use of their students’ linguistic knowledge of Norwegian and English when teaching the L3. However, the teachers rarely focus on the transfer of learning strategies because they believe that learning an L3 is completely different from learning the second language L2 English. (3) The teachers think that collaboration across languages could enhance students’ language learning; however, no such collaboration currently exists.
The myth(?) of the police sub‐culture

This study examines empirically the extent to which there is evidence of an endemic sub‐culture of policing among a sample of sheriffs’ deputies. While failing to observe widespread adherence to the sub‐cultural norms and values suggested in the literature, such adherence is observed among a subset of our sample. Advanced statistical techniques (i.e. cluster analysis and discriminant function analysis) are then used to create, replicate, and validate a numerical taxonomy of policing. The taxonomy reveals three types of law enforcement orientations: “Sub‐Cultural Adherents,” “COP Cops,” who represent a nouveau sub‐culture strongly committed to public service, and “Normals,” who, on average, are quite average and are not especially committed to either sub‐cultural form.
EFFECT OF AGE ON CHARACTERISTICS AND CLINICAL BEHAVIOR OF ADULT AGRESSIVE NON-HODGKIN'S LYMPHOMA

Aim: The importance of age as a prognostic factor in aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) remains controversial. It is not clear whether age is an independent factor or reflecting the limited physiologic reserves of the patients. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed prognostic factors according to age (≤60/>60) in 201 patients with aggressive NHL treated at our institution between 1989 and 1998 years. An ageadjusted prognostic index was used for younger and older than 60 years patients with aggressive NHL in order to give 5 years survival analysis. Results: Seventy-four (37%) of the patients were older than 60 years and 40 of these were male (54%). Older patients presented with more advanced disease than younger patients (p=0.01). Median follow-up in younger and older patients were 37.6 (range 1-120), and 20.8 (range 1-58) months, respectively. Median survival in younger and older patients were 75 months and 29 months, respectively (p=0.0001). Five years overall survivals rates in younger and older patients were 52% and 40%, respectively (p=0.036). There were significant differences in the median survival according to prognostic factors [sex, performance status (PS), B symptoms, stage, bulky disease, extra-nodal involvement site (ENI), histologic grade, response to treatment, serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), β2-microglobulin and albumin levels)] between the two age groups in univariate analyses (p=0.001). In the multivariate analyses response to treatment (complete response and not complete response) (p=0.005), and performance status (p=0.04) retained significant as prognostic factors for overall survival (p=0.001). In patients younger or older than 60 years, age-adjusted prognostic index based on tumor stage, serum LDH levels, PS, and ENI identified four risk groups with predicted five-year survival rates of 56%-38%, 42%42%, and 0%-38%. Conclusion: Elderly patients have a poor outcome than younger patients but age alone is not sufficient to discriminate patients with a poor outcome. However, achievement of complete response and performance status are additional important prognostic factors. Response to treatment and PS may define a subgroup of patients with a poor outcome between the two age groups.
Mathematical analysis of morphological traits and their effects on body weight in the red crab (Charybdis feriata)

The red crab (Charybdis feriata) is one of most important fishery resource in China. In the present study, 17 morphological traits and body weight of C. feriata were first measured and 18 traits were characterized, and then, the effects of morphological traits on body weight were estimated by statistical methods including correlation coefficients, determination coefficients, path coefficients and regression equations. All correlation coefficients between each morphological trait and body weight reached an extremely significant level (P<0.01). Determination and path coefficients analysis revealed the real correlation between the independent variables and the dependent variable. Significant path coefficients were found between three morphological traits (stemum width, X8; meropodite length of pereopod 3, X16; meropodite length of pereopod 4, X17) and body weight, suggesting these three traits were the key factors directly influencing body weight. Multiple correlation index (R2) between the above three morphological traits and body weight was of 0.977, which indicated that the main independent variables influencing body weight had been found. Finally, a best-fit linear regression equation was established as Y = 13.078 X8 + 7.048 X16 - 4.902 X17 - 576.635, which provided an ideal model for better understanding of the feature of morphological traits and body weight of C. feriata. Key words: Charybdis Feriata, morphological traits, correlation analysis, path analysis, regression analysis.
Kawasaki Disease: The Coronary Affection Perspective

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute, febrile systemic vasculitis of an unknown etiology. KD has now surpassed rheumatic fever as the leading cause of acquired heart disease in the United States (U.S.) among children younger than 5 years. Although there has been a great deal of research into the cause of KD, there is no known etiology. The lack of a diagnostic test can result in significant delays in treatment, often resulting in cardiovascular sequelae ranging from asymptomatic coronary artery ectasis or aneurysm formation to giant coronary artery aneurysms with thrombosis, myocardial infarction, and sudden death in untreated children. Continued research is integral to the evolution of the management of patients with KD because understanding the mechanism of pathogenesis would allow the development of a diagnostic test and, therefore, more rapid and comprehensive treatment. I review these facts and the coronary affection from the diagnostic and the mechanistic standpoints. Correspondence to: Manal F Elshamaa, Department of Pediatrics & Echocardiography, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt, E-mail: manal_ elshmaa@hotmail.com Received: July 28, 2017; Accepted: August 25, 2017; Published: August 29, 2017 Abbreviations: INF: Interferon; IgA: Immunoglobulin A; Ig E: Immunoglobulin E; Ig G: Immunoglobulin G; MMR: Measles, Mumps, Rubella; IVGG: Intravenous gammaglobulin; ESR: Erythrocytic sedimentation rate; PO: per oral; Qid: Quarter in die; Qd: Quaque die; Tid; Ter in die.
Modeling of Trapped Electron Effects on Electron Cyclotron Current Drive for Recent DIII-D Experiments

Owing to its potential capability of generating localized non-inductive current, especially off-axis, Electron Cyclotron Current Drive (ECCD) is considered a leading candidate for current profile control in achieving Advanced Tokamak (AT) operation. In recent DIII‐D proof-ofprinciple experiments [1], localized off-axis ECCD has been clearly demonstrated for first time. The measured current drive efficiency near the magnetic axis agrees well with predictions of the bounce-averaged Fokker-Planck theory [2,3]. However, the off-axis current drive efficiency was observed to exceed the theoretical results, which predict significant degradation of the current drive efficiency due to trapped electron effects. The theoretical calculations have been based on an assumption that the effective collision frequency is much smaller than the bounce frequency such that the trapped electrons are allowed to complete the banana orbit at all energies. The assumption might be justified in reactor-grade tokamak plasmas, in which the electron temperature is sufficiently high or the velocity of resonant electrons is much larger than the thermal velocity, so that the influence of collisionality on current drive efficiency can be neglected. For off-axis deposition in the present-day experiments, the effect of high density and low temperature is to reduce the current drive efficiency, but the increasing collisionality reduces the trapping of current-carrying electrons, leading to compensating increases in the current drive efficiency. In this work, we use the adjoint function formulation [4] to examine collisionality effects on the current drive efficiency. By using the adjoint techniques to discuss current drive efficiency, we are assuming that the plasma is close enough to the Maxwellian equilibrium, i.e., f ~ f M , for the collision operator to be linearized, and that the rf power density is not too high such that interactions between the EC waves and electrons can be described by S rf f M () , where S rf denotes the rf quasilinear diffusion operator. The perturbed distribution function f 1 satisfies the linearized Fokker-Planck equation:
Strategic Planning Process Intensity and Formality Impact on the Performance of Accredited Universities in Kenya

This study sought to investigate if the strategic planning process has significant influence on the performance of accredited universities in Kenya. Beyond the strategic plan document, the intensity and formality with which the process of strategic planning is carried out, its extensiveness and inclusiveness, is a concern for organizations in the twenty first century. Performance of accredited universities is conceptualized into growth and ranking as guided by the world standard for performance of tertiary institutions. The study is anchored on the institutional theory and contingency theory and it is founded on the positivist philosophical orientation as it is based on theory. Further, it adopts a descriptive cross sectional survey design. The population of interest were all accredited universities in Kenya as at November 2016. The findings indicate a statistically significant direct relationship between strategic planning process and growth (F=2.605, p=0.047 and R2=.303) and with ranking (F=1.995, p=0.033 and R2=0.218). Engaging university stakeholders in the strategic planning process and focusing the energies of members on the seven key variables of the strategic planning process should be encouraged and enhanced since it has a positive effect on university performance. The formality of the strategic planning process has a negative effect on university performance hence there is need to balance formality with allowing room for creativity to avoid missing out on innovative approaches from university members. Further research into other industries with different performance measures and the use of longitudinal design are recommended as possible areas for further research to enhance generalization of current study findings.
Performance of Wheat as Affected by Different Irrigation Levels and Sowing Dates

The experiment was conducted to determine the effect of irrigations and sowing dates on growth and yield performance of wheat in the experimental field of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, Bangladesh during the period of November 18, 2012 to March 30, 2013. The experiment was comprised of two factors, viz. factor A: two irrigations namely irrigation (I) and no irrigation i.e. control (I 0 ), and factor B: three sowing dates such as S 1 : 1 st sowing on 18 November, S 2 : 2 nd sowing on 03 December and S 3 : 3 rd sowing on 18 December. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with three replications. Irrigation was assigned in the main plot, while sowing time was in the sub-plots. Data on grain yield and different yield contributing characters were taken after harvest. Results indicated that the highest grain yield was obtained with I (2.915 t ha -1 ) and S 1 (2.983 t ha -1 ). The interaction of irrigation (I) and sowing on 18 November (S 1 ) showed the maximum yield (3.387t ha -1 ), spike length (17.08 cm), 1000 grain weight (43.4 g), spikelets spike -1 (20.03) and grain spike -1 (65.58) of wheat. The Agriculturists 2016; 14(2) 77-85
Urban Economics and Entrepreneurship

Research on entrepreneurship often examines the local dimensions of new business formation. The local environment influences the choices of entrepreneurs; entrepreneurial success influences the local economy. Yet modern urban economics has paid relatively little attention to entrepreneurs. This essay introduces a special issue of Journal of Urban Economics dedicated to the geography of entrepreneurship. The paper frames the core questions facing researchers interested in assessing the local causes and consequences of entrepreneurship, perturbs a core urban model to incorporate entrepreneurship, and concludes by offering an agenda for future work on the spatial aspects of entrepreneurship.
Research Article

Nesting parameters such as clutch size, hatching rate or nesting success have been extensively studied in birds in relation to biotic and abiotic factors. In this study we aimed to investigate the effects of air temperature, amount of precipitation, reed burning, and water depth (independent variables) on nest density, clutch size, hatching rate, and nesting success (dependent variables) of the Great Reed Warbler during a nine-year period. We found that neither the clutch size nor the hatching rate was influenced by any of the predictor variables. Nest density was positively influenced by the water depth, while the nesting success was negatively related to the amount of precipitation. Reed burning had no effect on any of the nesting parameters. Similarly, to our results, short-term studies reported a positive relationship between nest density and water depth, and a negative relationship between the nesting success and amount of precipitation, indicating that these two environmental variables generally influence the two nesting parameters. However, the impact of various reed management practices, such as harvesting or removal, on the nesting variables of the Great Reed Warbler needs further clarification.
Speed or sperm: A potential trade-off between development and reproduction in the butterfly, Bicyclus anynana (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae)

Life-history theory predicts trade-offs between resources invested in reproduction and other fitness-related traits. To date, most studies have focused on potential reproductive trade-offs in females. However, it is now generally accepted that reproduction is also costly for males, and thus males too may be subject to trade-offs. We examined the relationship between development time and the production of both fertile and non-fertile sperm in males of the African bush brown butterfly (Bicyclus anynana) selected for short or long pre-adult development time. Fast developing males ejaculated fewer non-fertile sperm on their first mating, suggesting that there could be a trade-off between ejaculate production and development time in this species. Contrary to predictions, slow developing males were smaller, produced fewer fertile sperm and took longer to mate. We discuss why this might be the case, and suggest that there may be a cost to the production of non-fertile sperm in the Lepidoptera.