Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The relationship between job insecurity and burnout

Organisational survival has necessitated both more flexible practices (short-term contracts and outsourcing) and an effective workforce that is able to work continuously under immense pressure. While the former has raised feelings about job insecurity, the latter has resulted in burnout. This study aims to assess levels of job insecurity and burnout among 87 employees in a training and development environment, as well as the relationships between these two key dimensions and the impact of biographical variables. Data collected using the Job Insecurity Questionnaire (JIQ) and the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI) reflects a significant relationship between these dimensions. The study provides recommendations for reducing their detrimental individual and organisational consequences.
What is the role of roles? Exploring the link between social roles and women’s alcohol use in low- and middle-income countries

Grittner, U. , Nemeth, Z. , Kuntsche, S. , Gaertner, B. , & Bloomfield, K. (2015). What is the role of roles? Exploring the link between social roles and women’s alcohol use in low- and middle-income countries. The International Journal Of Alcohol And Drug Research, 4 (2), 139-149. doi: http://dx.doi. org/10.7895/ijadr.v4i2. 211 Aims: This paper investigates how social roles are related to alcohol use among women in low- and middle-income countries. Methods: Cross-sectional data were used from 25-49-years-old women in 11 low- and middle-income countries from the GenACIS project. Dependent variables were current drinking and risky drinking (10+gr/day). Information on partnership, parenthood and having paid labour were used as social role measures. Multiple and multilevel regression analyses were carried out to test whether holding several roles are related to current and risky drinking. Results: Having paid work was associated with current and risky drinking across countries. Having a partner and having children were associated with a higher likelihood of abstention. With regard to country level characteristics per capita consumption was significantly related to both current drinking and risky drinking among women, while gross national income was significantly associated only with current drinking. Gender equality within the country did not have a significant association with women’s drinking. Concerning differing role combinations, working single women without children were most likely to be risky drinkers, while women who were not working and had a partner and children were the least likely. Conclusions: Paid labour was a substantial singular factor positively associated with women’s drinking. In addition, with the exception of Argentina and Kazakhstan, high per capita consumption on country level was associated with higher prevalence of risky drinking among women.
An ultraluminous X-ray microquasar in NGC 5408?

We studied the radio source associated with the ultraluminous X-ray source in NGC 5408 (L X ≈ 10 40 erg s −1 ). The radio spectrum is steep (index ≈− 1), consistent with optically thin synchrotron emission, not with flat-spectrum core emission. Its flux density (≈0.28 mJy at 4.8 GHz, at a distance of 4.8 Mpc) was the same in the March 2000 and December 2004 observations, suggesting steady emission rather than a transient outburst. However, it is orders of magnitude higher than expected from steady jets in stellar-mass microquasar. Based on its radio flux and spectral index, we suggest that the radio source is either an unusually bright supernova remnant, or, more likely, a radio lobe powered by a jet from the black hole (BH). Moreover, there is speculative evidence that the source is marginally resolved with a radius ∼30 pc. A faint H II region of similar size appears to coincide with the radio and X-ray sources, but its ionization mechanism remains unclear. Using a self-similar solution for the expansion of a jet-powered electron‐positron plasma bubble, in the minimum-energy approximation, we show that the observed flux and (speculative) size are consistent with an average jet power ≈ 7 × 10 38 erg s −1 ∼ 0.1L X ∼ 0.1L Edd ,a n age≈10 5 yr, a current velocity of expansion ≈80 km s −1 . We briefly discuss the importance of this source as a key to understand the
Effect of seedling size and flowering time on fruit quality, secondary metabolite production and bioactivity of pineapple [Ananas comosus (L.) Merr. var. ‘Yankee’] fruits

Recently, antioxidants derived from natural sources have gained wide interest worldwide due to their high medicinal values and industrial applications. Various factors have been reported to affect the antioxidant content in plants. This study aimed to analyze the effect of seedling size and flowering time on quality attributes and bioactivity of pineapple fruits, Ananas comosus L. var. Yankee. Free radical scavenging activities of the fruits produced from seedlings of different sizes (grades A, B and C), produced either through natural flowering or artificially induced flowering were investigated using DPPH, ABTS and FRAP assays. The methanolic extract of fruits from grade A seedlings showed the lowest IC 50 value of ABTS radical and the highest FRAP value, indicating good scavenging activity. However, DPPH assays showed that fruits from grade C seedlings (either naturally produced or artificially induced) exhibited the highest scavenging activity against DPPH, compared to fruits from other seedling grades. Moreover, fruits from grade B seedlings produced from natural flowering showed significantly better antioxidant potential than fruits that were artificially induced. Other quality attributes such as fruit weight and length, total titratable acidity (TTA), amount of total soluble solid (TSS) and pH were also observed to be not significantly different among fruits produced from different seedling sizes, and their phytochemical constituents were also similar. These results suggested that A. comosus L. var. Yankee fruits contain various pharmacologically important phytoconstituents which can be further exploited for various uses.
Numerical simulation of thermoacoustic response of laboratory scale premixed multi-slit burner flames

Numerical Simulation of Thermoacoustic Response of Laboratory-Scale Premixed Multi-Slit Burner Flames Adam O’Brien Masters of Applied Science Graduate Department of Aerospace Engineering University of Toronto 2015 Thermoacoustic instabilities are an entirely unwanted, yet nearly inevitable phenomenon occurring in many practical premixed combustors. If not properly accounted and designed for, they can incur significant increases in the development combustion systems. The fact that such unexpected issues are encountered is indicative of a fundamental lack of understanding regarding the mechanisms that drive thermoacoustic phenomena. Numerical techniques are used to characterize the thermoacoustic response of premixed multislit bunsen burner flames. A symmetrical representation of the multi-slit burner is used, and the transfer function is computed at several different frequencies and at three different equivalence ratios. The numerical results are then compared against experimental results in order to determine the suitability of numerical techniques for studying thermoacoustics. A fully compressible Navier-Stokes combustion solver is used in conjunction with adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) for improved resolution at the flame interface.
Immune responses induced in rabbits after oral administration of bovine serum albumin in combination with different adjuvants (herb extracts, aluminium hydroxide and platinum nanoparticles)

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the immunostimulatory activity of 10 different herbal extracts from Vitex agnus-castus , Vinca major, Aloe arborescens and the polyherbal product containing extracts from Sambucus nigra , Primula versis , Pinus alba , Gentiana lutea , Cetraria islandica , Eucaliptus globulus , Citrus limon and aluminium hydroxide, as well as platinum nanoparticles. Rabbits were immunized three times orally with bovine serum albumin (BSA) in combination with the components mentioned above. BSA-specific IgA antibodies in saliva and IgG antibodies in serum were examined by ELISA. It was found that the rabbits immunized with BSA in combination with either platinum nanoparticles or aluminium hydroxide had higher titres of BSA-specific IgA antibodies in their saliva at day 56 of observation. Likewise, rabbits treated with BSA and Vinca major or Aloe arborescens extracts showed higher levels of BSA-specific IgG antibodies in the serum at the end of observation. These results suggest that some plant extracts, aluminium hydroxide and platinum nanoparticles components could be used as oral adjuvants or as immunomodulators for rabbits.
Spokes cluster: The search for the quiescent gas

Context. Understanding the role of fragmentation is one of the most important current questions of star formation. To better understand the process of star and cluster formation, we need to study in detail the physical structure and properties of the parental molecular cloud. The Spokes cluster, or NGC 2264 D, is a rich protostellar cluster where previous N2H+(1-0) observations of its dense cores presented linewidths consistent with supersonic turbulence. However, the fragmentation of the most massive of these cores appears to have a scale length consistent with that of the thermal Jeans length, suggesting that turbulence was not dominant. Aims. These two results probe different density regimes. Our aim is to determine if there is subsonic or less-turbulent gas (than previously reported) in the Spokes cluster at higher densities. Methods. We present APEX N2H+(3-2) and N2D+(3-2) observations of the NGC2264-D region to measure the linewidths and the deuteration fraction of the higher density gas. The critical densities of the selected transitions are more than an order of magnitude higher than that of N2H+(1-0). Results. We find that the N2H+(3-2) and N2D+(3-2) emission present significantly narrower linewidths than the emission from N2H+(1-0) for most cores. In two of the spectra, the nonthermal component is close (within 1-sigma) to the sound speed. In addition, we find that the three spatially segregated cores, for which no protostar had been confirmed show the highest levels of deuteration. Conclusions. These results show that the higher density gas, probed with N2H+ and N2D+(3-2), reveals more quiescent gas in the Spokes cluster than previously reported. More high-angular resolution interferometric observations using high-density tracers are needed to truly assess the kinematics and substructure within NGC2264-D. (Abridged)
APPLICATION OF TROPHIC INDICES IN ECOLOGICAL STATE ASSESSMENT OF RIVERINE WATER BODIES

KERAKOVA, M. , M. IHTIMANSKA and E. VARADINOVA, 2013. Application of trophic indices in ecological state assessment of riverine water bodies. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., Supplement 2, 19: 277–281 Benhtosological data from 39 potentially referent sites situated on 33 Bulgarian rivers are used for this study. Functional feeding group distribution and the main indicator macroinvertebrate groups along the studied sites are analyzed. Current ecological state, based on German Feeding Type index and Index of Trophic Completeness, of the studied sites was determined. Assessment was compared with the one made in the adapted version of Irish Biotic Index, widely applied in Bulgarian benthosological practice. Percentage distribution of the species in the main indicative groups demonstrates that SC and SH are dominant in macrozoobenthic trophic structure of the studied sites. Benthic species, which belong to functional group SH, are sensitive, while SC, PR, CL and FL are more or less tolerant. DF is characterized as most tolerant. Applicability of two trophic indices showed that the highest coincidence in assessment between the BI and RETI/PETI is observed. RETI/PETI is closer in ecological assessment to the BI and more relevant for conditions of the Bulgarian riverine ecosystems.
Distributive Politics, Nature of Government Spending and Economic Growth in a Low Income Democracy

In this paper we analyze how the government in a democratic setup of the developing world manipulates the fiscal instruments to maximize its political gain so that it can retain power. The government and the voters in low income countries are generally selfish and myopic in the sense that the electorates prefer to get direct and immediate benefits from the government while the government, in turn, tries to seek majority support in the election, by adopting short term and distributive policies instead of going for long term growth. Using the theoretical structure of the existing literature, and making modifications therein, this study demonstrates that the optimal tax rate, public expenditure shares and growth rate are determined in terms of technological and behavioral parameters. The simulation results show that if political gain from distributive policies is high, the government will allocate a greater share of the fund for distributive purposes adversely affecting economic growth.
The Effect of Segmental Weight of Prosthesis on Hemodynamic Responses of Lower Extremity Ampueetes

Bu calismanin amaci, alt ekstremite amputelerinde protezin segmental agirliginin hemodinamik cevaplari etkileyip etkilemedigini belirlemektir. Calismaya, Hacettepe Universitesi,Fizyoterapi ve Rehabilitasyon Bolumu, Protez–Ortez Unitesine basvuran, toplam 13 unilateral transtibial, transfemoral ve syme amputasyonlu hasta dahil edildi. En hafif ve en agir protezler arasindaki fark 250 gram olarak saptandi. Tum hastalar, olcumleri once agirliksiz ve daha sonra ayak bileklerine takilan 250 gramlik agirlikla tamamladilar. 6 dakika yurume testi ve 10 merdiven inip cikma testlerinden once ve sonra kan basinci olcumu ve nabiz olcumleri kayit edildi. Olcum oncesi ve sonrasi karsilastirmalarin veri analizi, paired T- test kullanilarak analiz edildi. Hastalarin ortalama yaslari 44±15.84yildi (min: 18-mak: 65 yil), hastalardan 9'u erkek, 4'u kadindi. Agirlikli ve agirliksiz olarak gerceklestirilen 6 dakika yurume testi ve 10 merdiven inip cikma testlerinin oncesi ve sonrasinda kan basincinda anlamli bir fark bulunmadi (p>0.05). Nabiz sayisinda istatistiksel anlamli bir fark vardi (p<0.05). Sonuclarimiz, bu calismada alt ekstremite amputelerinde protezin segmental agirliginin kan basinci uzerinde etkisi olmadigini gostermistir. Ancak protezin segmental agirligi alt ekstremite ampute kalp hizi uzerinde etkisi vardir. Sonuclarin alt ekstremite amputelerine genellenebilmesi icin daha fazla vakanin dahil edilmesi gereklidir.
Director Networks and Takeovers

We study the impact of corporate networks on the takeover process. We find that better connected companies are more active bidders. When a bidder and a target have one or more directors in common, the probability that the takeover transaction will be successfully completed augments, and the duration of the negotiations is shorter. Connected targets more frequently accept offers that involve equity. Directors of the target firm (who are not interlocked) have a better chance to be invited to the board of the combined firm in connected M&As. While connections have a clear impact on the takeover strategy and process, we do not find evidence that the market acknowledges connections between bidders and targets as the announcement returns are not statistically different from those bidders and targets which are ex ante not connected.
Studies on the in vitro propagation of Calamus travancoricus

In vitro propagation techniques were applied for the mass propagation of economically important plant Calamus travancoricus Bedd.ex. Becc. & Hk.f. For callus induction, the explants were cultured on MS medium augmented with different auxins separately. The study showed 2, 4-D (10mg/ml) is effective to induce callus. The calli were subcultured on MS medium with various concentrations of cytokinins for shoot formation. The medium supplemented with BAP (5mg/l) showed better response. The medium supplemented with1.0mg/l of GA3 was found suitable to culture microshoots for elongation. The in vitro shoots thus obtained were successfully rooted in ½ MS medium supplemented with IBA (1.5mg/l) and NAA (1mg/l) separately. The rooted plantlets were transferred to the field after acclimatization. Synthetic seeds were prepared.
Studies on nodulation, biochemical analysis and protein profiles of Rhizobium isolated from Indigofera species

Nodulation characteristics in five species of Indigofera viz., I . trita , I. linnaei , I. astragalina , I. parviflora and I. viscosa was studied at regular intervals on the plants raised in garden soil. Among the species studied, highest average number of nodules per plant of 23 with maximum sized nodules of 8.0 mm diameter was observed in I. astragalina. Biochemical analysis of root nodules of I. astragalina revealed that the leghaemoglobin content of nodules and nitrogen content of root, shoot, leaves and nodules were gradually increased up to 60 DAS, and then decreased with increase in age. Rhizobium isolates of five species of Indigofera were isolated and screened for enzymatic activities and total cellular protein profiles. All the five isolates showed nitrate reductase, citrase, tryptophanase and catalase activity while much variation was observed for enzymes like gelatinase, urease, caseinase, lipase, amylase, lysine decarboxylase and protease activities. Among the isolates studied, only the isolate from I. viscosa has the ability to solubilize the insoluble tricalcium phosphate. All the Rhizobium isolates exhibit similarity in protein content, except the isolate from I. viscosa which showed one additional protein band.
Universal multifractals and ocean patchiness: phytoplankton, physical fields and coastal heterogeneity

We argue that a wide-range scaling approach is demanded by standard Stommel diagrams and that it can unify the treatment of phytoplankton variability over wide ranges of scales. By investigating the effects of coastal heterogeneity on the variability of in situ salinity (S), oxygen (rO), temperature (T), optical transmissivity (t) and phytoplankton proxy data (fluorescence; rp) over the range ~0.4‐1600 m, we statistically characterize the heterogeneity of these variables, determining both the range and types of scaling, as well as their scale-by-scale interrelationships. By comparing bays with systematically varying large-scale heterogeneity, we were able to investigate the influence of the latter on the variability, systematically determining the three universal multifractal parameters as well as the exponent characterizing extreme self-organized critical behaviour. We found that, consistent with turbulent dominated dynamics, T, rO, S and t were scaling over essentially the entire observed range of scales, with T and rO being statistically very close to passive scalars. However, rp was quite different, displaying two regimes separated by a characteristic ‘planktoscale’ typically ~100 m, but highly variable. The large-scale regime was neither passive scalar nor growth dominated (Denman‐Platt), but was rather in between the two (the corresponding exponent was Hp ￻ 1/8 rather than 0 or 1/3, respectively). In addition, we found a new small-scale regime with Hp ￻ ‐1/3, which is much ‘rougher’ than passive scalar (which has Hp = +1/3). We propose a simple model involving both growth and turbulence to account for the large scale, and grazing and turbulence (predator‐prey zooplankton/phytoplankton interactions) to account for the small scale. Depending on the value of a dimensionless grazing constant Gr = D/(tg 2 «) (where D is the zooplankton diffusion constant, tg is the phytoplankton growth constant and « is the turbulent energy flux), the small scale is dominated either by the turbulent grazing (Gr > 1) or by passive scalar turbulence (Gr < 1). In the grazing regime, we also theoretically predict that the density fluctuation exponent = ‐1/3, which is quite close to the data and quantifies the tendency of the zooplankton to uniformize the phytoplankton distribution by preferentially grazing high-concentration patches.
The quadruple system ADS 1652

A detailed study of the rare nearby quadruple system with a 3-tier hierarchy is presented, contributing to the still scarce data on such multiples. We c ompute the first combined spec- troscopic and interferometric orbit of HD 12889 with a period of 2.58 yr and eccentricity 0.77. This refers to the inner pair Aa,Ab in the quadruple system ADS 1652 which also con- tains the visual binary A,B with a known orbit of »200 yr period and another companion, C (HD 12873), at a projected distance of 2500 AU from A. Photometry of all components is provided. The multiple system is located at a distance of 44 pc and it is composed of main- sequence dwarfs with estimated masses of 0.74, 0.72, 0.57, and 0.78 solar masses for Aa, Ab, B and C, respectively. The orbits of Aa,Ab and A,B are likely co-planar.
Dealing with diversity in internationalised higher education institutions

While the economic benefits created by international education export are well documented, few systematic and qualitative analysis studies have been conducted to examine how academic staff perceive the presence of international students in their institutions. Using interview data from 80 academic staff from different disciplines in one higher institution in Australia, this study examines whether the presence of international students has an impact on staff teaching practice. Some of the academic staff reported that they made no adjustments to their teaching. They treated all students as one student group. Other staff members said that there have been changes in their teaching in response to the presence of international students in their classroom. The paper discusses some of the underlying causes of these responses, and implications for the practice of international education. The discussion of the findings is informed by Bennett’s Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity, which helps us understand how people respond to cultural differences.
Research Note: Effect of CPPU (N-(2-Chloro-4-Pyridinyl)-N’- Phenylurea) and a Seaweed Extract on Flame Seedless, Redglobe and Crimson Seedless Grape Quality

The application of GA3 (gibberellic acid), in combination with CPPU (N-(2-chloro-4-pyridinyl)-N’- phenylurea), may result in larger berries, but also decreases total soluble solids (TSS), increases total titratable acidity (TTA) and reduces grape skin colour. The purpose of this study was to determine a CPPU dosage that would improve berry size, without negative effects on other quality attributes of Flame Seedless, Redglobe and Crimson Seedless. The trials, which were conducted in the 2008/2009 season, comprised five treatments: control (standard GA3 application), seaweed extract plus GA3, and three dosages of CPPU in combination with GA3. CPPU dosages were 1, 2 and 3 ppm for Flame Seedless; 3, 4 and 5 ppm for Redglobe; and 2, 3 and 4 ppm for Crimson Seedless. The seaweed product used on Flame Seedless and Redglobe was derived from Ascophyllum nodosum, while a derivative of Ecklonia maxima was used on Crimson Seedless. Berry diameter, TSS, TTA, anthocyanin concentration, grape colour as well as cold storage defects were determined. CPPU dosages of 2, 5 and 3 ppm significantly increased berry diameter in Flame Seedless, Redglobe and Crimson Seedless respectively. Five ppm CPPU increased Redglobe TSS. Three ppm CPPU increased TTA and decreased anthocyanin concentration in Crimson Seedless. The seaweed extract treatment resulted in firmer Flame Seedless berries with a higher anthocyanin concentration than the control. Seaweed extract also improved the firmness of Crimson Seedless compared to the control. Four ppm CPPU increased the percentage of Crimson Seedless total cold storage defects compared to the control.