Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Utilisation of Monitoring and Evaluation Systems by Development Agencies: The Case of the UNDP in Zimbabwe

The study examines the utilisation of Monitoring and Evaluation Systems (M&Es) by international development agencies, using the UNDP in Zimbabwe as the case study. M&Es are now used across the world by organisations to track progress, measure and evaluate outcomes. To this end, the study reviewed success story country experiences in Australia, Sri Lanka and Uganda as a basis for a comparative analysis with UNDP systems. In-depth interviews were also conducted with various categories of UNDP staff. The study noted that the UNDP in Zimbabwe is yet to install a comprehensive M&E system. It does not have a standalone monitoring and evaluation department. Its systems are at the formulation stage. The critical specialist personnel for the monitoring and evaluation function are yet to be recruited. Clear-cut baseline and performance indicators are also to be established. There is also low note systematic use of evaluation findings from previous programmes while its evaluation approaches have a disturbing skew towards the quantitative. Such overly quantitative approaches carry the risk of sidelining the impact of contextual factors in development programmes and projects. Against this backdrop, the study recommends speedy implementation of the M&E systems through the formulation of appropriate system designs and baseline indicators, strict and routine follow-ups on the implementation of evaluation findings and use of multi-disciplinary evaluation frameworks. Specialist services unit for monitoring and evaluation should be established to cater for technical challenges in the designing and implementation of M&E systems.
Factors Influencing the E-commerce Performance of Large-scale Turkish Companies

This study aims to examine the effects of technology integration, competitor and customer pressure on the ecommerce performance of large-scale companies in Turkey. A stepwise regression analysis was employed to identify the variables that significantly contributed to e-commerce performance. The survey method was employed to gather data and 81 questionnaires in all, from different companies were returned to the researchers. The results of our study revealed that factors such as competitor pressure, technology integration, and customer pressure correctly predict e-commerce performance. Of these, competitor pressure has the highest impact. We conclude with managerial implications and recommendations for possible future research.
WHAT ARE SMALL ENTERPRISES FINANCE NEEDS

The paper aims at contributing to the knowledge in the area of small enterprise finance. The research is based on quantitative research design and a survey of the small enterprises in Sunyani Township that were selected using convenience sample method for a sample of 106. Data were analysed using percentages and one-ANOVA with SPSS 16.0. The findings indicate that Small business owners appeared to have high satisfaction with the products and services offered by their financial institution and hence have not changed their bank/financial institution. They have also experienced a change in terms and conditions of the financing arrangements, but have not experienced a change in charges, fees, and interests. More credit will be used to seize business expansion, fund business growth. Credit has not also been a problem over the years under consideration and that there has been a competitive banking and finance industry. Demographic variables significantly influence some of the responses of the respondents. In future, researchers should research into the issue of relationship lending and also the determinant of bank selection among the small businesses in the study area in a comparative analysis of the rural banks and the Big banks. Further study should look at the knowledge level of small businesses in relation to the various financing schemes available in the country. KEY WORDS: Banks, Employment, Finance, Relationship lending, small enterprise,
Implications of External Debt on the Nigerian Economy: Analysis of the Dual Gap Theory

Government debt and its importance to revenue generation have generated a lot of debate over the years in Nigeria particularly with respect to economic growth. This paper examines the effect of government debt on economic growth in Nigeria between 1986 and 2013 – using the ordinary least square method. The study reveals that the impact of government debt on economic growth over the period under review is insignificant – with external debt which has been enormous over the years contributing minimally to real gross domestic product. The findings of the study reveal that, if the course of consistent borrowing is not curbed, the economy will slump further: resorting to surplus budgeting, and igniting; increases in unemployment, decreases in total investment, falling reserves, increased exchange rate, higher inflation and consequently increased poverty. It is therefore recommended among others that borrowing should be a last recourse by the government to revitalize the economy, and if necessary, the loans should be sourced within the economy so that when the principal and interest on the loans are paid back, it will serve as a crowd-in-effect which in turn further accelerates economic activities in the country. Also, other alternative sources of government revenue especially taxation hitherto neglected should be explored to minimize dependence on borrowed funds to revamp the economy. Finally, power should be made stable so that the cost on industries that depend on alternative power sources to thrive can be reduced. Thus, such monies can be utilized for remunerative alternative employments. Key Words: Economic Growth, Internal Debt, External Debt, Dual Gap Analysis, Nigeria economy.
Modeling ozone photochemistry and evaluation of hydrocarbon emissions in the Mexico City metropolitan area

[1] Emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and of CO are often underestimated, and correcting this underestimate is important for modeling ozone formation and sensitivity. The California Institute of Technology three-dimensional photochemical model is used to test the official emissions inventory for the Mexico City metropolitan area through a direct comparison of measured and modeled total nonmethane hydrocarbons (NMHCs) and CO. The model is applied to six 2-day periods during the IMADA measurement campaign of March 1997. When using emissions based on the official emissions inventory, the model significantly underestimates measurements of total NMHCs and of CO. A best fit to the measurements (with lowest bias) is found when increasing emissions of CO and VOCs by factors of 2 and 3, respectively. Adjusting total emissions accordingly, the model produces good estimates of ozone and NOx, with average normalized biases over 6 days of 3% and 32%, respectively, and with better agreement during daytime hours. This agreement for ozone and NOx supports the suggestion that VOC and CO emissions are underestimated. Other uncertainties are analyzed, finding that while some uncertainties are important, none is individually significant enough to account for the discrepancy. Correcting the total emissions, the overall model performance is found to be adequate, particularly on 3 days, for the model to be used for analysis of control strategies. Using the results of a chemical mass balance identification of NMHC sources highlights sources that are more likely underestimated, but confidence in the appropriate correction to emissions from different sources is low and should be investigated further.
The Strategic Implications of Consumer-Centric Virtual Communities

The social aspect of Internet-based communities, also known as Virtual Communities (VCs), formed around a consumption activity or a brand is influencing the marketing actions in a significant way. The strategic implications of such virtual communities under following four themes: (I) VCs as target markets; (2) VCs and interpersonal influence on consumers (3) VCs as a leisure pursuit; (4) VCs for vicarious consumption. The managerial implications of the consumer-to-consumer interactions and future research directions are also discussed.
Susceptibility of different grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) cultivars to Diplodia seriata and Diplodia mutila

Canes obtained from one-year-old stems of the grapevine cultivars Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah (all non-grafted) were used as models to test their susceptibility to Diplodia seriata and Diplodia mutila . The results showed that the mean length of lesions caused by D. mutila was 3.2 times larger than that produced by D. seriata . In addition, the Cabernet Franc and Syrah cultivars were the most susceptible to D. mutila , while Merlot and Malbec were the least susceptible. No significant differences were observed between cultivars inoculated with D. seriata . The results are discussed in terms of the susceptibility of the different grapevine cultivars to both pathogens.
Forced oscillations of coronal loops driven by EIT waves

Aims. We study the generation of transversal oscillations in coronal loops represented as a straight thin flux tube under the effect of an external driver modelling the global coronal EIT wave. We investigate how the generated oscillations depend on the nature of the driver, and the type of interaction between the two systems. Methods. We consider the oscillations of a magnetic straight cylinder with fixed-ends under the influence of an external driver modelling the force due to the global EIT wave. Given the uncertainties related to the nature of EIT waves, we first approximate the driver by an oscillatory force in time and later by a shock with a finite width. Results. Results show that for a harmonic driver the dominant period in the generated oscillation belongs to the driver. Depending on the period of driver, compared to the natural periods of the loop, a mixture of standing modes harmonics can be initiated. In the case of a non-harmonic driver (modelling a shock wave), the generated oscillations in the loop are the natural periods only. The amplitude of oscillations is determined by the position of the driver along the tube. The full diagnosis of generated oscillations is achieved using simple numerical methods.
A community survey on the knowledge of neglected tropical diseases in Cameroon

Background : The neglected tropical diseases are a group of 13 infections that affect more than one billion people worldwide, especially those who live in extreme poverty. Aim : This study was conducted to determine community knowledge of these neglected tropical diseases (NTD) in Cameroon. Materials and Methods : A random sampling method was used to administer questionnaires to 3345 adults. Results : 2566 (76.7%) of people approached responded to the questionnaire. This comprised 1313 (51.2%) females and 1253 (48.8%) males. There was a significant level of association between the opinion of the respondents and their region of residence (P Conclusion : There was low community knowledge pattern of neglected tropical diseases, mostly among the female populations and people living in rural areas. We advocate mass media health education to be adopted as one of the strategies for the national control policy of NTDs. Keywords : Neglected Tropical Diseases, Cameroon, community, knowledge
Modulated Model-Predictive Control With Optimized Overmodulation

Finite-set model-predictive control (FS-MPC) has many advantages, such as a fast dynamic response and an intuitive implementation. For these reasons, it has been thoroughly researched during the last decade. However, the waveform produced by FS-MPC has a switching component whose spread spectrum remains a major disadvantage of the strategy. This paper discusses a modulated model-predictive control that guarantees a spectrum switching frequency in the linear modulation range and extends its optimized response to the overmodulation region. Due to the equivalent high gain of the predictive control and to the limit on the voltage actuation of the power converter, it is expected that the actuation voltage will enter the overmodulation region during the large reference changes or in response to load impacts. An optimized overmodulation strategy that converges toward the FS-MPC ’s response for large tracking errors is proposed for this situation. This technique seamlessly combines PWM’s good steady-state switching performance with FS-MPC ’s high dynamic response during large transients. The constant switching frequency is achieved by incorporating modulation of the predicted current vectors in the model-predictive control of the currents in a similar fashion as the conventional space-vector pulsewidth modulation is used to synthesize an arbitrary voltage reference. Experimental results showing the proposed strategy’s good steady-state switching performance, its FS-MPC -like transient response, and the seamless transition between modes of operation are presented for a permanent magnet synchronous machine drive.
The Global Streamflow Indices and Metadata Archive (GSIM) – Part 1: The production of a daily streamflow archive and metadata

Abstract. This is the first part of a two-paper series presenting the Global Streamflow Indices and Metadata archive (GSIM), a worldwide collection of metadata and indices derived from more than 35 000 daily streamflow time series. This paper focuses on the compilation of the daily streamflow time series based on 12 free-to-access streamflow databases (seven national databases and five international collections). It also describes the development of three metadata products (freely available at https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.887477 ): (1) a GSIM catalogue collating basic metadata associated with each time series, (2) catchment boundaries for the contributing area of each gauge, and (3) catchment metadata extracted from 12 gridded global data products representing essential properties such as land cover type, soil type, and climate and topographic characteristics. The quality of the delineated catchment boundary is also made available and should be consulted in GSIM application. The second paper in the series then explores production and analysis of streamflow indices. Having collated an unprecedented number of stations and associated metadata, GSIM can be used to advance large-scale hydrological research and improve understanding of the global water cycle.
The Assessment of Written Phrasal Constructs and Grammar of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students with Varying Expressive Language Abilities

The purpose of this study was to examine the written phrasal constructs and grammar usage of deaf and hard of hearing students with varying expressive language skills. Twenty-nine d/hh middle school students attending a residential school for the deaf were divided into three language groups: students using spoken English, ASL/English bilinguals, and language delayed learners. Personal narrative writing samples were collected at the beginning, middle, and end of the academic year. The samples were divided into T-units and coded for language variables, including word efficiency ratio (WER) scores according to the Structural Analysis of Written Language (SAWL) and phrasal errors. The repeated measures ANOVA for WER III showed a statistically significant main effect with no between-subjects factor, demonstrating that students from all three language groups made positive gains in their written outcomes over one academic year. There was a reduction in phrasal errors over the course of the year for all language groups. Differences in word efficiency ratio scores by language groups are discussed. Findings from this study suggest that SAWL is an effective tool in assessing the grammaticality of written compositions for d/hh students with varying language abilities over time. Instructional implications are discussed.
ШЛЯХИ ПІДВИЩЕННЯ ЕФЕКТИВНОСТІ ЛІКУВАННЯ ТА ПРОФІЛАКТИКИ РЕПЕРФУЗІЙНОГО СИНДРОМУ У ХВОРИХ НА ГОСТРИЙ КОРОНАРНИЙ СИНДРОМ (ІНФАРКТ МІОКАРДА), ЯКИМ ПРОВЕДЕНО БАЛОННУ АНГІОПЛАСТИКУ ТА СТЕНТУВАННЯ КОРОНАРНОЇ АРТЕРІЇ

В Україні відзначено зростання захворюваності на інфаркт міокарда серед осіб працездатного віку (48,9 на 100 тис.), а ішемічна хвороба серця посідає перше місце серед причин первинного виходу на інвалідність (22,8 %). З огляду на вищенаведені факти, пріоритетними є розробка та вдосконалення методів лікування хворих на гострий коронарний синдром (інфаркт міокарда) (ГКС (ІМ)). Мета – підвищити ефективність лікування та профілактики реперфузійного синдрому у хворих на ГКС (ІМ), яким проведено коронарне стентування, шляхом включення в терапію L-аргініну та L-карнітину (тіворелю). Матеріал і методи. Обстежено 45 хворих на гострий коронарний синдром з елевацією сегмента ST, яким було проведено ургентну балонну ангіопластику та стентування інфарктзалежної коронарної артерії. Вік пацієнтів – від 43 до 75 років, у середньому (59,57±8,07) року. Серед них переважали чоловіки (82,2 %). Дослідну групу склали 30 пацієнтів, які отримували стандартне протокольне лікування ГКС (ІМ) і яким додатково призначали 4,2 г L-аргініну та 2,0 г L-карнітину (препарат «Тіворель», Юрія-Фарм, Україна) у формі розчину для інфузій по 100 мл один раз на добу курсом 5 днів внутрішньовенно. До контрольної групи увійшли 15 пацієнтів із ГКС (ІМ), яким також проведено ургентну балонну ангіопластику та стентування інфарктзалежної коронарної артерії, але хворі цієї групи отримували тільки стандартне протокольне лікування. Результати. Встановлено, що у хворих на ГКС (ІМ) після перкутанного коронарного втручання найчастіше розвивався реперфузійний синдром із проявами лівошлуночкової недостатності та порушень ритму. Під впливом стандартного медикаментозного лікування у хворих контрольної групи відмічено суттєве клініко-функціональне покращення, але прогресувало післяінфарктне ремоделювання з порушенням систолічної та діастолічної функцій серця, з розвитком синдрому серцевої недостатності та ендотеліальної дисфункції судин, а також зберігалась резистентна до лікування екстрасистолія. У хворих на ГКС (ІМ) дослідної групи під впливом комплексного медикаментозного лікування із включенням L-аргініну та L-карнітину відмічено достовірне зменшення частоти порушень ритму і провідності вже на другу добу спостереження, а також зменшення проявів постінфарктного ремоделювання ЛШ, що в кінцевому результаті проявлялося достовірним покращенням скоротливості міокарда (ФВ зросла на 13 %) та зменшенням діастолічної дисфункції. Висновок. Покращення інотропної функції серця та достовірне зниження частоти і вираження реперфузійних аритмій досягнуто за рахунок кардіометаболічного впливу L-карнітину, а відновлення ендотеліальної функції судин наставало завдяки терапевтичному впливу L-аргініну.
Do organisational factors support creativity and innovation in Polish firms

Purpose – Martins and Terblanche developed a theoretical framework of the organisational factors that support creativity and innovation, and the current study aims to provide an empirical test of this framework.Design/methodology/approach – Based on a review of existing literature on national culture and previous research into Polish organisations, we developed hypotheses as to the likely position of Polish organisations on these four dimensions. These predictions were tested via a survey of Polish managers from a diverse range of companies.Findings – The key findings related to ownership – partly or fully foreign‐owned companies operating in Poland appeared to be much more enabling of creativity and innovation than their wholly Polish‐owned counterparts.Research limitations/implications – Nicholson suggested that Polish businesses would benefit greatly from the adoption of at least some western methods, but that there would be significant constraints to their adoption. This research strongly supports thi.
The Effects of Steroid Therapy on Bone and Eyes in Children with Nephrotic Syndrome

Results: Fifty-six patients were included in this study. The mean age of the patients was 4.2±2.3 years. The patients were examined in 3 groups according to steroid therapy. Group 1 was defined as patients who had not received steroids in the past year and who were in the remission stage, Group 2 comprised patients who had received steroids in the last year and who were in the remission stage, and Group 3 was made up of patients who were in the active nephrotic period and had received steroids. In terms of biochemical parameters (serum urea, creatinine, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, alkaline phosphatase, parathyroid hormone, osteocalcin, vitamin D, triglycerides), there was no statistically significant difference between the 3 groups. Group 3 had a higher ratio of calcium/creatinine and protein/ creatinine in spot urine than Groups 1 and 2. Of 56 patients, 40 patients had eye examinations. There was no statistically significant difference determined in terms of side effects of steroid treatment.
River flood risk in Jakarta under scenarios of future change

Abstract. Given the increasing impacts of flooding in Jakarta, methods for assessing current and future flood risk are required. In this paper, we use the Damagescanner-Jakarta risk model to project changes in future river flood risk under scenarios of climate change, land subsidence, and land use change. Damagescanner-Jakarta is a simple flood risk model that estimates flood risk in terms of annual expected damage, based on input maps of flood hazard, exposure, and vulnerability. We estimate baseline flood risk at USD 186 million p.a. Combining all future scenarios, we simulate a median increase in risk of p180 % by 2030. The single driver with the largest contribution to that increase is land subsidence (p126 %). We simulated the impacts of climate change by combining two scenarios of sea level rise with simulations of changes in 1-day extreme precipitation totals from five global climate models (GCMs) forced by the four Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs). The results are highly uncertain; the median change in risk due to climate change alone by 2030 is a decrease by −46 %, but we simulate an increase in risk under 12 of the 40 GCM–RCP–sea level rise combinations. Hence, we developed probabilistic risk scenarios to account for this uncertainty. If land use change by 2030 takes places according to the official Jakarta Spatial Plan 2030, risk could be reduced by 12 %. However, if land use change in the future continues at the same rate as the last 30 years, large increases in flood risk will take place. Finally, we discuss the relevance of the results for flood risk management in Jakarta.
Opportunities and constraints of beekeeping in Wolaita and Dawro zones, Southern Ethiopia

This study was conducted in districts of Wolaita and Dawro zones, Southern Ethiopia with objectives of assessing constraints and opportunities for beekeeping production. Multistage purposive sampling procedure was employed for 180 respondents. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. The results showed that majority of the respondents kept honey bees for consumption and income generation, while very few reported they kept honey bee for consumption, income generation, teaching and income generation. Major of the constraints for beekeeping included but not limited to honeybee pests and diseases, lack of modern equipments, absconding, swarming, bee predators, lack of skilled man power, lack of appropriate apiary site, finance limitation, lack of market, agro-chemicals, shortage of water availability and shortage of bee forages. On the other hand, major opportunities for beekeeping were reported to be suitable climate, availability of bee forages, sufficient rainfall, water availability as well as bee colony and race availability. Regardless of the presence of a number of constraints facing beekeeping such as pests and diseases and limitation to modern equipments’ input, there are also opportunities which, proves their importance. It was therefore, recommended that modern beekeeping production system should be introduced to farmers in order to help them improve the quantity and quality of honey production. Key words: Assessment, beekeeping constraints, honey, honeybee, opportunities.