Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic variation in nitrogen efficiency among cultivars of irrigated rice in Senegal

Due to increasing fertiliser costs as well as environmental concerns, N-efficiency became an attractive breeding topic. Genotypes can be considered as N-efficient if they realise an above average yield at low N level or if they convert high N input comparatively better into yield than other genotypes. To evaluate potential of Oryza sativa L. in nitrogen use efficiency compared to Oryza glaberrima Steudt. , a two years field experiment was conducted. Twelve O. sativa genotypes were tested in a split-plot design with two N-levels (without N fertiliser and with 150 kg N/ha). For comparison, one genotype of African rice, O. glaberrima, was included in the experiment. Variability about grain yield at harvest and N-uptake was observed between O. sativa and O. glaberrima and within O. sativa genotypes. O. glaberrima had lower yield as O. sativa. In low N-level, a close relationship between total N-uptake in plant and grain yield was observed. In high N-level, no correlation was observed. An effect of O. glaberrima genotype on the variance component GN was demonstrated. Variation in N uptake and in N utilisation efficiency depends on N fertilisation. At low N level variation in N uptake were higher than at high N level. At the opposite, variations in utilisation efficiency were lower without fertilisation than with fertilisation. Genotypes Farox 304 and Farox 239 gave best yields at high N input as well as under low N input conditions. At low N input, variation in uptake efficiency was higher than variation in utilisation efficiency. In contrary at high N level, variation in utilisation efficiency was higher than variation in uptake efficiency. Improving N-efficient genotype through classical breeding or using biotechnology linked with innovative agronomic management could be exciting prospects to improve N use efficiency.
Accounting for Non-Normality in Latent Regression Models Using a Cumulative Normal Selection Function

In educational measurement, group di¤erences in ability are investigated using latent regression models. Commonly, these models assume a normal distribution of the latent ability, conditional on group membership. However, this assumption could be problematic. In the present paper, a new model is discussed in which the latent ability is modelled as if it has arisen from a latent selection process. This will enable the analysis of group di¤erences under a more general family of distributions than the commonly used normal distribution.
A knowledge-based view on start-ups’ export activities: The effect of business owner human and social capital

This study investigates the influence of a business owner’s human and social capital on the starting venture’s export activities. We examine general human capital, in terms of formal education and management experience, specific human capital, in terms of industry and start-up experience, and bonding and bridging social capital. Furthermore, building on the knowledge based view of the firm, we assume the relationships between the owner’s characteristics and the firm’s export activities to be moderated by the organization’s ability to acquire, assimilate, and exploit external knowledge – its absorptive capacity. Flemish start-ups form this study’s empirical setting. Our results indicate that a start-up’s export activities (1) are driven by the business owner’s formal education and start-up experience, and (2) are hampered by his or her management experience and bonding social capital. Moreover, the organization’s absorptive capacity appears to excavate the direct effect of any experience-related human capital variable (e.g. management, industry, start-up). Implications and opportunities for future research are suggested.
Basal friction of Fleming Glacier, Antarctica – Part 1: Sensitivity of inversion to temperature and bedrock uncertainty

Abstract. Many glaciers in the Antarctic Peninsula are now rapidly losing mass. Understanding of the dynamics of these fast-flowing glaciers, and their potential future behaviour, can be improved through ice sheet modelling studies. Inverse methods are commonly used in ice sheet models to infer the spatial distribution of a basal friction coefficient, which has a large effect on the basal velocity and ice deformation. Here we use the full-Stokes Elmer/Ice model to simulate the Wordie Ice Shelf–Fleming Glacier system in the southern Antarctic Peninsula. With an inverse method, we infer the pattern of the basal friction coefficient from surface velocities observed in 2008. We propose a multi-cycle spin-up scheme to reduce the influence of the assumed initial englacial temperature field on the final inversion. This is particularly important for glaciers like the Fleming Glacier, which have areas of strongly temperature-dependent deformational flow in the fast-flowing regions. Sensitivity tests using various bed elevation datasets, ice front positions and boundary conditions demonstrate the importance of high-accuracy ice thickness/bed geometry data and precise location of the ice front boundary.
Reflective Practice through Video Recording

The principal aim of this study is to examine how reflective practice enables ESL teachers to make sense of their professional worlds as well as make significant and worthwhile change within themselves and in their teaching practices. This paper presents analysis of the data gathered from the interviews, audio-video recordings, journal entries and post-reflection discussions. The data collected from the pre-reflection interviews indicate the subject’s beliefs about the teaching of English as a second language in general and specific aspects such as the classroom strategies and teaching aids. The data gathered from the video recordings and journal writings have been subjected to analysis to find emerging patterns and themes relevant to the participant teacher’s conceptualization of the use of reflective practice in his classroom.
SECOND-ORDER BOUNDARY ESTIMATES FOR SOLUTIONS TO SINGULAR ELLIPTIC EQUATIONS

Let Ω ⊂ RN be a bounded smooth domain. We investigate the effect of the mean curvature of the boundary ∂Ω in the behaviour of the solution to the homogeneous Dirichlet boundary value problem for the singular semilinear equation ∆u + f(u) = 0. Under appropriate growth conditions on f(t) as t approaches zero, we find an asymptotic expansion up to the second order of the solution in terms of the distance from x to the boundary ∂Ω.
System leadership: mapping the landscape

System leaders are those headteachers who are willing to shoulder system-wide roles in order to support the improvement of other schools as well as their own. As such, system leadership is a new and emerging practice that embraces a variety of responsibilities that are developing either locally or within discrete national networks or programmes that, when taken together, have the potential to contribute to system transformation. Because this is an emerging practice, there has been no attempt to date to document how system leadership is being enacted and is evolving across the English education system. This article elaborates the concept of system leadership and illustrates its potential power as a catalyst for systemic reform in three ways. First, it not only provides an initial conceptualisation of system leadership based on the contemporary literature and recent policy announcements but also raises a series of concerns about the way the concept is being interpreted. Second, by drawing on responses provided by local authorities, the Department for Education and Skills (DfES), a range of national agencies and professional associations as well local and national networks of headteachers and teachers, it maps the system leadership landscape in England current in 2006 by proposing a taxonomy of roles that system leaders are currently assuming. Third, and based on these analyses and research with leading headteachers, it locates system leadership within the literature on systems theory and leadership, proposes a potential model for system leadership and explores the tensions involved in developing the concept further.
Sustainability in the hospitality industry: Some personal reflections on corporate challenges and research agendas

Purpose The purpose of this commissioned paper is to offer some personal reflections on sustainability within the hospitality industry. Design/methodology/approach The paper opens by identifying sustainability as a teasing paradox for the hospitality industry and a short discussion of the characteristics of sustainability. It then explores the growing interest in corporate sustainability and offers a review of the range of academic research into sustainability within the hospitality industry literature. More generally, the authors suggest three fundamental sets of issues that currently face the industry, namely, defining sustainability within the industry, materiality and independent external assurance and sustainable consumption and the industry’s commitment to continuing economic growth. Findings In addressing these three sets of issues, the authors make a number of suggestions. First that definitions of sustainability within the hospitality industry can be interpreted as being constructed around business imperatives rather than an ongoing commitment to sustainability. Second that materiality and external assurance are not treated comprehensively within the industry, which undermines the credibility of the sustainability reporting process. Third that the concept of sustainable consumption and any critique of the industry’s commitment to economic growth are conspicuous by their absence in the both the research literature on sustainability and in sustainability reporting within the industry. Practical implications The paper suggests that the hospitality industry may need to examine how it defines sustainability, to extend its sustainability reporting to embrace materiality and external assurance and to address the issues of sustainable consumption and continuing economic growth if it is to demonstrate a worthwhile and enduring commitment to sustainability. Originality/value The paper provides some accessible personal reflections on sustainability within the hospitality industry and, as such, it will be of interest to academics, students and practitioners interested in the hospitality industry and more widely within the business and management community.
IN VITRO REGENERATION OF MULTIPLE SHOOTS FROM THE NODAL EXPLANTS OF DRYMARIA CORDATA (L.) WILLD. EX. ROEM. AND SCHULT

Drymaria cordata commonly known as West Indian chick weed is widely exploited for its medicinal properties. An efficient protocol for in vitro multiplication of Drymaria cordata using nodal explants is developed. Nodal cultures were raised on Murashige and Skoog’s medium (MS) supplemented with auxins and cytokinins either alone or in combination with various auxins. Maximum number of shoots (19.51 ± 0.18) with high frequency of shooting response (76.6%) was obtained in nodal cultures on MS medium fortified with BAP (4.44μM) alone. The in vitro regenerated shoots were rooted in MS + IBA (0.49 μM). The plantlets obtained were successfully hardened and established in soil. Nearly 90% of survival was recorded. KEY WORDS Drymaria cordata, Micropropagation, Nodal explants,
Emotional Cutoff In Women Who Abuse Substances

This exploratory study was based upon Bowen Family Systems theory and investigated emotional cutoff in women (n = 168) who entered a substance abuse treatment program. Three questions were explored: First, the degree of emotional cutoff in this sample was compared to a non-clinical sample of women. Secondly, the relationship was explored between the variable of emotional cutoff and the following variables: substance abuse variables, individual psychological functioning variables, and marital and family relationship variables. Finally, the relationship was explored between dropout from substance abuse treatment and emotional cutoff. Results indicate that the degree of emotional cutoff was significantly higher in this clinical sample of women who abused substances than in two comparison samples—one was a non-clinical sample of women balancing multiple roles and responsibilities and one mixed sample of divorced men and women. Emotional cutoff was found to have a significant positive relationship with the following variables: behaviors characteristic of substance abusers, behaviors of a highly defensive person, symptoms of depression, anxiety, hostility, psychoticism, somatization, obsessive compulsive disorder, interpersonal sensitivity, and a global assessment of psychological dysfunction. Emotional cutoff was found to have a significant negative relationship with denial of substance abuse. No significant relationship was found between emotional cutoff and marital satisfaction, health or distress in family functioning, dropout from treatment, severity of substance abuse, and symptoms of paranoia or phobia. These results have implications for further research based on Bowen theory and the understanding of the emotional process of addicted family systems.
Impact of Bethesda System of Reporting for Thyroid Cytopathology

FNAC though considered the gold standard diagnostic test in the evaluation of a thyroid nodule, has many issues regarding the terminologies and interpretation. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) hosted the NCI Thyroid Fine needle Aspiration State of the Science Conference in 2007, which acknowledged the importance of developing a uniform terminology for reporting thyroid FNA results to facilitate effective communication among cytopathologists, endocrinologist, surgeons, radiologists and other healthcare providers. The NCI Conference concluded the terminology and morphologic criteria which formed the framework for The Bethesda system for reporting thyroid cyto pathology (TBSRTC). It is a 6 tiered ‘The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology’ (TBSRTC) for unifying the terminology and morphologic criteria along with the corresponding risk of malignancy. Bethesda also offers manage ment approach for all the categories. Bethesda system is presently widely accepted in western countries and is being introduced in rest of the world. This system of reporting undoubtedly represents a major step toward standardization, reproducibility and ultimately improvement in clinical signi­ ficance, usefulness and predictive value of thyroid FNAC. The problems faced by the cytopathologist while implementing Bethesda during reporting are centred on AUS/FLUS category. The heterogeneity of this low-risk category leads to significant variability in its reported percentage as well as reported rate of malignancy.
Study on Antifungal Ability of Water Soluble Chitosan Against Green Mould Infection in Harvested Oranges

Effect of water-soluble chitosan (WSC) on green mould disease caused by Penicillium digitatum P4 was investigated in vitro and in vivo . Results of the experiments showed that P. digitatum P4 growth was much inhibited by WSC and inhibitory effect increased as WSC concentration increased. In vitro test results indicated that complete inhibition of spore germination and mycelial growth were observed in the medium containing 1 mg/ml WSC. In the in vivo study, WSC treatments significantly reduced disease incidence and lesion diameter of green mould disease on orange fruits. After 8 days of inoculation, the lesion diameter of orange fruits coated by 0.5%, 1%, 1.5% and 2% WSC were 5.49 cm, 5.01 cm, 3.22 cm and 1.87 cm, respectively, which smaller than that of control fruits. Biochemical experiments demonstrated that the activities of the main defense-related enzymes in flavedo tissue including chitinase and Beta-1,3-glucanase were enhanced by both P. digitatum P4 infection treatment and challenged with P. digitatum P4 and treated with WSC treatment. However, these enzymes of samples inoculated with P. digitatum only were lower than samples inoculated with P. digitatum P4 and treated with 2% WSC concentration. These findings suggest that the in vitro and in vivo effects of WSC on controlling green mould disease may be associated with direct antifungal activities and the elicitation of biochemical defense responses in fruit.
An Evaluation of Motherhood Experience in Pursuit of Postgraduate Study in Kenya

This research study is an evaluation of motherhood experience in pursuit of postgraduate study in Kenya. The study has three objectives: 1) Learn more about the experiences of mothers who study at postgraduate level; 2) Analyze impact of postgraduate study on women and 3) Evaluate how mothers who study resolve tension of combining motherhood and education. Using a qualitative approach, the study gathered data through open-ended interviewing questioning from 32 female participants who reported in their role as mothers of child (ren) eighteen years old or younger enrolled for postgraduate study at University of Nairobi. These study findings reveals that postgraduate student mothers experienced conflict between various commitments like childcare, domestic, work and academic duties. However, nearly all the women reported ways in which they resolved tension that affected their studies on their families by employing positive coping strategies. Participants‟ success appeared to be based on being organized and making sacrifices in other areas of their lives, time-management skills, family support and by sacrificing sleep and recreating time for their families. Women in this study experienced numerous benefits as a result of their study. Individual benefits included increased selfesteem and a sense of professional identity. Children also benefitted from their mother‟s postgraduate education because she provided a positive educational role model, developed skills to assist her children with their own education, and positioned her to improve the financial future of her family.
Factors associated with Genital Hygiene Behaviours in pregnant and non-pregnant women in Turkey

Purpose: This descriptive study was conducted to determine the factors associated with genital hygiene behaviours in pregnant and non-pregnant women. Method and material: Seventy pregnant women and 70 non-pregnant women, aged between 25 and 45 years, who were in the third trimester of pregnancy and presented to the Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinic at the Faculty of Medicine in Konya Province, Turkey, were included in the study. The data were gathered using a questionnaire with 26 questions designed by the researcher using the Genital Hygiene Behavior Inventory (GHBI). Results: There was no significant difference between the GHBI scores of the pregnant and non-pregnant women (p>0.05). Therefore, both groups were combined, and it was aimed to discover the factors associated with genital hygiene behaviours more effectively. A positive correlation between the GHBI scores and the monthly income was found, whereas there was a negative correlation between the GHBI scores and age, marriage age, number of pregnancies, and birth (p<0.05). There was a significant difference between the GHBI scores and the educational status of the women and their husbands, the employment status of the women and the perceived income status (p<0.05). A statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of GHBI scores and the women’s pain and/or bleeding experience during sexual intercourse, vaginal douching, and training on the hygiene of the genital area (p<0.05). Conclusion: There was no significant difference in genital hygiene behaviours between the pregnant and non-pregnant women. This may be attributed to the fact that the genital hygiene practices of women who did not have sufficient knowledge of genital hygiene before they became pregnant did not change during pregnancy. Therefore, we suggest that midwives provide both pregnant and non-pregnant women with training on genital hygiene.
A Qualitative Exploration of Maternal Perspectives on the Impact of Stuttering on the lives of 6–10-year-old children

Objective: Th e study aimed to explore maternal perspectives of the impact of stuttering on the lives of 6–10-year-old children’s relationships, self-identity, and academic development. Method: A qualitative design was used: fi ve semi-structured interviews were conducted with mothers of children aged 6–10 years who stutter. Th e data was analyzed using thematic network analysis. Main results: While participants diff ered in their perceptions of the extent to which stuttering infl uenced their child’s life, all fi ve discussed aspects of how their child’s relationships, self-identity and academic development had been impacted. Mothers described their child’s personal characteristics, their school environment, how their child communicated with family members and peers and how others related to their child.
Epidemiological Characteristics Of Lumbar Disc Prolapse In A Tertiary Care Hospital

Study objectives: To examine the sociodemographic characters of diagnosed case of lumbar disc prolapse in patients reporting to the Tertiary Care Hospital. Design: Prospective case series study. Setting: Varanasi, India Participants: The 180 MRI proved new patients of lumbar disc prolapse who attended Neurosurgery out patient department from July 2003 to June 2005. Main results: The most common age of presentation was 31-40 years (33.33%) and the incidence of lumbar disc prolapse above L4 was 13.3%. The incidence of lumbar disc prolapse was more common in people from rural area, moderate and heavy workers and vehicle drivers on bad roads. Conclusions: Lumbar disc prolapse was more among people living or working in areas of poor infrastructures.
Numerical analysis of geodynamic evolution of the Earth based on a thermochemical model of the mantle convection

Full-scale numerical modeling of the geodynamic evolution of the Earth throughout its existence is performed in terms of the thermochemical model of mantle convection proposed by the authors. Numerical modelling results are visualized in color and their detailed videorecord is presented. The global geodynamic process is clearly characterized by the presence of cycles of dierent lengths. Hydrodynamic pulsations associated with reorganizations of convective cells in the upper mantle correlate well with the geological cycles of Stille ( 30 Myr). Moreover, the numerical experiments have shown that large avalanche-like flows of substance from the upper mantle into the lower mantle through their endothermic interface took place during the geodynamic evolution of the Earth; these impulsive downward flows significantly dier both quantitatively and qualitatively. In particular, impulsive flows of upper mantle substance into the lower mantle on a continental or regional scale (the so-called avalanches), also observable in our model, correspond in our interpretation to the geological cycles of Bertrand ( 170 Myr). In addition, numerical experiments revealed the presence of basically new impulsive flows of upper mantle substance into the lower mantle on a planetary (global) scale that are referred to as overturns; about half of the upper mantle material is replaced by the material of the lower mantle over a relatively short time of the development of such an overturn. In our interpretation, the mantle overturns correlate with the Wilson cycles (700-900 Myr), which is evidence of their geodynamic nature and accounts for such major geological events as periodic assemblages and breakups of continent, the asymmetric structure of the Earth, and others. As the mantle cools during the evolution of the Earth, mantle overturns gradually attenuate and degenerate into mantle avalanches.