Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The competence-based didactic approach in initial vocational education

This article examines a didactic and curricular model that was developed to support the implementation of a competence-based approach, today prevailing in the European (initial) vocational education and training (VET). It starts by presenting contemporary developments in the Slovenian VET, and then continues with a study of some of the underlying pedagogical concepts influencing the contemporary educational practice. The concept of competence, as it relates to the Slovenian VET, is discussed, and the new didactic model is presented in terms of its conceptualisation, realisation and evaluation. The model is built around the concepts of the competence- based didactic unit, and has been produced to help teachers support students in developing the ability to integrate knowledge, skills and attitudes, so that they are able to solve complex and unpredictable professional tasks and challenges. The article concludes with a discussion on the methodological limitations of the evaluation, and its transferability to other contexts.
Why do Foreign Banks Withdraw from Other Countries? A Panel Data Analysis

This paper describes trends in foreign bank ownership across the world and, for the first time, presents empirical evidence of the causes of multinational bank exits from other countries. Using panel data for 149 closed or divested foreign bank subsidiaries across 54 countries from 1997 to 2009, we show that the problems encountered by subsidiaries were not the main cause of divestment by parent banks. Based on data for the parent banks of the closed subsidiaries, the results show that these parent banks reported significant financial weaknesses before closing their international operations. Therefore, we conclude that a multinational bank's decision to close or sell a subsidiary in another country is motivated by problems in the home country, with the weak performance of the foreign subsidiary in the host country being a less relevant factor.
Intrinsic dynamics and long‐term evolution of a convectively generated oceanic vortex in the Greenland Sea

Nonstationary dynamics, realistic long‐term evolution, and influence on local convection characterizing an oceanic vortex similar to those observed in the central Greenland Sea were investigated using in situ data, a hierarchy of numerical models, and an analytical theory. A non‐hydrostatic model for the simulation of convective plumes was nested into a regional ocean‐ice model forced and initialized by a global, atmosphere/ocean/ice model. In the central Greenland Sea, water masses similar to those observed in a convectively‐generated vortex and a corresponding numerically reconstructed 3D velocity were imposed in the non‐hydrostatic model. Under atmospheric/oceanic realistic conditions and forcing, the simulated vortex evolved as an almost circular, nonstationary, long‐lived, predominantly anticyclonically rotating feature. As time elapsed, it detached from the sea surface and became an intermediate vortex, which influenced the local convective preconditioning. Its inertial pulsations, shape, and velocity structure closely resemble corresponding characteristics of recently discovered theoretic nonstationary anticyclones.
High efficiency macropropagation of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cv. Kufri Jyoti in Kumaun Hills

The present study demonstrated the use of various PGR combinations for efficient in vitro regeneration of cv. kufri jyoti in kumaun hills. Best callus induction and proliferation was observed in MS medium supplemented with 13.59 µM 2,4-D alone and 2,4-D + kinetin (9.06 + 1.16 µM) out of different concentrations of 2,4-D (4.53 to 18.12 µM) alone and 2,4-D (0 to 18.12 µM) with kinetin (1.16 µM). Leaf explants were more efficient in producing callus as compared to internodes. Medium supplemented with BA + GA3 (8.88 µM + 1 µM) initiated shoot induction out of various combinations of BA (4.44 to 13.22 µM) and GA3 (1 µM) after 7 days of incubation with significantly high average number of shoots, average shoot length and average number of leaves per explant. MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of zeatin (4.56, 9.12 and 13.68 µM) with IAA (5.71 µM) and GA3 (8.49 µM) was tried for direct regeneration of shoots through nodes out of which zeatin + IAA + GA3 (13.68 µM + 5.71 µM + 8.49 µM) served to be the best combination and the raised plantlets were found to produce microtubers in a period of 8 to 10 weeks. 2.45 µM IBA in full strength basal MS medium induced highest number of roots. In addition to an efficient regeneration protocol, the microtuber production was also studied in the present piece of work. The research protocol may also be utilized for Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated transformation towards the biotic and abiotic stress tolerant potato crop. Key words: In vitro, potato, callus, direct regeneration, microtubers.
Mapping Angiogenic Cells CD31 (PECAM1) and CD45 in PCa and BPH Biopsies

Molecular characterization of PCa and BPH using the angiogenic tissue markers CD31 and CD45 to differentiate between the two major types of prostate gland disorders is investigated. 8 clinically characterized biopsies were analyzed at the Histopathology Laboratory of the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital; the tissue sections were processed for antigen retrieval and were labeled with anti-CD45 and anti-CD31 to map the location of angiogenic cells and vascularization in BPH and PCa. The results showed that PCa biopsies expressed embryonic stem cell status of CD31+/CD45+, while BPH showed CD31-/CD45+. This suggests the presence of migrating blood cells (vascularization) in PCa and the absence of such in BPH. It also confirms the role of platelets in endothelial activation that can result to cell proliferation and apoptosis in the prostate gland of either BPH or PCa diagnosed patients. Key words: CD31, CD45, Prostate, Endothelioma, Vascularization, Angiogenesis
Embedding academic literacy skills into the mainstream curriculum: the case of information systems 131/132

This paper reports on collaborative teaching between two academic literacy (AL) specialists and two lecturers teaching first-year students Information Systems (IFS) 131/132 during the 2012 and 2013 academic years in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences at the University of the Western Cape. The aim of the collaborative teaching was to embed AL skills into the first-year IFS curriculum in order to ensure that the transfer of skills was taking place effectively. The objective was to determine whether the skills taught were enabling the students to pass their IFS modules well, thereby ensuring access for success. The theoretical framework used in this paper draws on Barton's 'ecology' approach to literacy and learning; the social learning theory of Wenger; and the views of Bransford, Brown and Cocking on how people learn and transfer knowledge.
Authenticity and the tourist's search for Being

The purpose of this article is to provide a broad overview and opinion on the term ‘authenticity’ within the context of the Tourism industry and tourist expectations and it draws on extensive literature on the topic. An attempt to define ‘authenticity’ is indeed an intricate assignment; it clearly has different meanings in different cultures, societies, and in diverse settings. It is thus important to examine the term ‘authenticity’. One of the main reason people travel abroad is to enjoy an “authentic” experience. They imagine travelling abroad and living in accommodation which is slightly different, tasting unique cuisines and participating in local activities while absorbing diverse cultures. The concept of authenticity has been debated in tourism literature for over four decades and the term ‘authenticity’ has a multiplicity of definitions. Tourists generally seek an authentic experience in which they can go beyond what Maslow termed ‘selfactualization’ and in fact discover a true sense of Being. Recognizing the great importance of authenticity is an opportunity for Africa’s tourism industry and the desire of tourists to ‘find themselves’ by linking with authentic heritage, cultures and traditions presents huge opportunities for especially local communities. Tourists are not impressed by inauthentic pseudo sites and objects and tourism offerings and such like, and will travel to destinations that offer authenticity.
Changes in apple fruit quality during a modified atmosphere storage.

Water evaporation and changes in texture and colour caused by biophysical processes are important in fruit storage. Using various modified atmospheres, fruits of apple cultivars ‘Staris’, ‘Auksis’, ‘Cortland’ and ‘Spartan’ were stored at +1± 1 °C and relative humidity of 90-95%. The fruits were tested in the Biochemistry and Technology laboratory of the Institute of Horticulture, Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry. Fruit texture and the colour parameters: L*, a*, b*, hand C were measured before and after 8 months of storage. Soluble solids, respiration rate, sugar content and the amount of ascorbic acid were determined with standard methods. It was found that skin firmness of ‘Spartan’ apples was the highest (355.4 N/cm). ‘Auksis’ apples had the softest skin (215.8 N/cm). Fruit firmness changed slightly when the carbon dioxide concentration in the modified atmosphere was increased. The same tendency was found for flesh firmness at 2% and 4% of carbon dioxide. The amounts of soluble solids and sugars in fruits at 4% CO2 were stable. The obtained results showed that ascorbic acid losses in the modified atmospheres with 2% and 4% CO2 were respectively 18% and 10.5%. Fruit colour properties were more affected in terms of the colour coordinates a* and b*.
Examining the impact of financial development on the environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis

In this study, building a simple model that incorporates static and dynamic elements, the relationship of financial development and economic growth on the environmental degradation is investigated together with the validation of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis. Our analysis is based on an unbalanced panel data set covering the OECD countries over the period 1970-2014. Our approach strongly accounts for the presence of cross-sectional dependence between the sample variables and utilizes second generation panel unit root tests in order to investigate possible cointegration relationships. The empirical findings do indicate that local (NOX per capita emissions) and global (CO2 per capita emissions) pollutants redefine the EKC hypothesis when we account for the presence of financial development indicators. Specifically, in the case of global pollution an N-shape relationship is evident both in static and dynamic framework with a very slow adjustment, whereas a monotonically decreasing relationship is found in the case of local pollutants with a much quicker dynamic adjustment. Lastly, we argue that policy makers and government officials have to cultivate investments in network industries (energy, telecommunications, transportation) by promoting cutting edge research and development financial projects and cost effective mitigation methods.
Effects of High-Tech Capital, FDI and Outsourcing on Demand for Skills in West and East

In this paper we study the effects of high-tech capital, foreign direct investment flows and outsourcing on demand for labour differentiated by educational attainment levels in the manufacturing industries for two groups of countries over the period 1995-2004. These two groups of countries comprise Western and Eastern European countries respectively which are assumed to be differently affected by the European integration process. Using detailed trade data as a basis for measuring outsourcing we further distinguish the effects of trade and outsourcing on relative wages by different groups of partner countries. This allows to study the effects of 'inward' outsourcing and foreign direct investment flows to Central and Eastern European countries (which became quite important in this time) in the Western European countries and - conversely - to study the effects of 'outward' outsourcing and the increase in inward FDI stocks in the Central and Eastern European countries separately.
In search of a modelling strategy for projecting internal migration in European countries - Demographic versus economic-geographical approaches

Internal migration is the most volatile and difficult to predict component of regional demographic change. A pure demographic approach using age and sex-specific parameters of migration intensities cannot fully capture the migration trends over time. One of the approaches that can be used for a better description of past trends and forecasting of future trends is to use additional non-demographic information such as regional economic indicators. In this paper we compare the predictive performance of pure demographic and extended economic-geographical models using data of four European countries at the so-called NUTS 2 level. The models are nested within a GLM specification%2C that allows both demographic and extended models to be written as specific cases of loglinear models. Therefore model fit and performance can be compared directly.
Thermal-flow technique for reducing surface roughness and controlling gap size in polymer microring resonators

Q factors of microring resonator waveguide devices are primarily limited by the surface-roughness-induced scattering loss. Such surface roughness loss has been observed in waveguides that are fabricated from various types of materials, including semiconductors, dielectrics, and polymers. In this letter, we show that the surface roughness of polymer waveguides can be greatly reduced by a thermal-flow technique, and the effective reduction in waveguide loss was verified experimentally. In addition to smoothing surfaces, this technique can simultaneously shrink the gap distance in the coupling region of polymer microring resonators. This, in turn, provides higher coupling, lessens the difficulty of fabricating submicron gaps, and leads to more compact devices.
Application of Iron Oxide Nanomaterials for the Removal of Heavy Metals

In the 21st century water polluted by heavy metal is one of the environment problems. Various methods for removal of the heavy metal ions from the water have extensively been studied. Application of iron oxide nanaparticles based nanomaterials for removal of heavy metals is well-known adsorbents for remediation of water. Due to its important physiochemical property, inexpensive method and easy regeneration in the presence of external magnetic field make them more attractive toward water purification. Surface modification strategy of iron oxide nanoparticles is also used for the remediation of water increases the efficiency of iron oxide for the removal of the heavy metal ions from the aqueous system.
Older persons and malaria treatment in Nigeria

This study examined the prevalence and pattern of health-seeking behavior of older people on malaria fever among the elderly in Nigeria. Data from the Nigeria Malaria Indicator Survey were used with a weighted sample of 1819 older persons aged 60 and above across the six geopolitical regions in Nigeria. The odds of fever as well as treatment seeking were predicted using logistic regression models. The prevalence rate of fever among the aged in Nigeria is 28%. About half of the respondents did not receive treatment in a standard health facility. There is high patronage of chemist/patient medicine vendor/shops for malaria fever treatment among older people in Nigeria. Findings suggest that older people may use healthcare facility if it is affordable. The lifelong approach that can reduce poverty and illiteracy is recommended since the rural-urban differences in treatment seeking reduced with the inclusion of other socio-demographic variables in the model.
The Development of a Freshman Engineering Research Program

Incorporating research opportunities into undergraduate engineering education provides students with early hands-on experiences that often influence retention rates and the likelihood of continued research participation and higher education. A new initiative at the University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin), the Freshman Introduction to Research in Engineering (FIRE) program, offers a select group of first-year students with an opportunity to participate in semester-long, faculty-sponsored mechanical engineering research and development projects. In addition to their research, students attend bi-monthly lectures that introduce them to various topics in mechanical engineering and current research in the field, the successes (and roadblocks) in engineering research and how to overcome them, and career opportunities in engineering. An end of semester poster session allows students to showcase their research results and describe opportunities for future work, encouraging continued involvement in research. Many FIRE students continue to participate in research after the program concludes and note that the program influenced their decision to attend UT Austin and confirmed their interest in the field of mechanical engineering. The general structure of the FIRE program is documented in this paper, along with investigations of its impact on participants’ GPA, retention within the major, rate of participation in undergraduate research, and intention to pursue higher education. Student perceptions of the program and opportunities for improving it are also discussed.
Fiscal Policies and Asset Prices

The surge in public debt triggered by the financial crisis has raised uncertainty about future tax pressure and economic activity. We contribute to the current fiscal debate by examining the asset pricing effects of fiscal policies in a production-based general equilibrium model in which taxation affects corporate decisions by: i) distorting profits and investment; ii) reducing the cost of debt through a tax shield; and iii) weakening productivity growth. In settings with recursive preferences, these three tax-based channels generate sizable risk premia making tax uncertainty a first order concern. We document further that corporate tax smoothing significantly affects the cost of equity by altering the intertemporal distribution of consumption. While common tax smoothing increases the annual cost of equity by almost 1%, public financing policies aimed at stabilizing capital accumulation reduce both long-run consumption risk and the cost of capital, producing relevant welfare benefits.
Comparing internationalisation of the curriculum in action across disciplines: theoretical and practical perspectives

Internationalisation and internationalisation of the curriculum in higher education are not new concepts, but they are much debated and diversely interpreted. Studies of the higher education curriculum have been scarce. Studies of internationalisation of the curriculum in higher education are even rarer and, with a few exceptions, are focused on a single institution and/or a single discipline. This paper presents a conceptual framework for internationalisation of the curriculum that explains the foundations of alternative constructions of an internationalised curriculum and presents three case studies of internationalisation of the curriculum in three disciplines and universities in Australia. The framework is based on research that engaged academic staff in the process of exploring and making explicit the meaning of internationalisation of the curriculum in their programmes. It highlights the full complexity of internationalisation of the curriculum in context, prompts consideration of alternative paradigms, accommodates and legitimates different perspectives and provides gateways into alternative futures.
SUGARCANE GROWN IN AN OXISOL AMENDED WITH SEWAGE SLUDGE AND VINASSE: NITROGEN CONTENTS IN SOIL AND PLANT

Sewage sludge is a residue from waste water treatment plants and vinasse is a main effluent from alcohol distilleries. The main differences between them are observed in the nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) contents. Sewage sludge is poor in K, and the vinasse in N. This research was carried out to evaluate sewage sludge and vinasse effects on the nitrogen contents of the plant-soil system and the effects of their application on planted-cane and 1st. ratoon-cane under field conditions, on a Typic Haplustox, in Pontal, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil, using the sugarcane cultivar SP81-3250. A randomized blocks experimental design was used with 13 treatments and three replications. The results were organized in a 3 × 2 × 2 factorial scheme (three residue forms, two application modes and two rates of N or K) and a control treatment (mineral fertilization). Sewage sludge provided the highest N plant contents and the highest residual N soil contents. Sewage sludge and vinasse can replace mineral fertilization for both planted-cane and 1st. ratoon-cane.
Numerical modeling of ductile fracture behavior in aluminum weldments

The present investigation focuses on the application of micromechanical material modeling by means of the modified Gurson model to determine the deformation and fracture behavior of aluminum weldments. In order to predict the material behavior, a set of material parameters associated with formation and coalescence of voids was established for the different zones in a weld. The material parameters of various positions in the heat-affected zones were determined for two different aluminum alloys, one 6005 alloy and one 6082 alloy, using weld thermal simulated material. The results from numerical simulations of welded wide plates showed that the deformation and fracture characteristics can be predicted fairly well by using the established damage mechanics methodology.
Carotid Body Tumour: The Second Case Series from Baghdad, Iraq

Background: Carotid body tumour (CBT) is a rare neoplasm, yet it is the commonest head and neck paraganglioma. In Iraq, relevant literature is sparse. Herein, we present our second case series. Methodology: Patients with CBTs that were operated upon in the Department of Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Baghdad Medical City from 2010 to 2014 were enrolled. History and examination were followed by a workup of duplex ultrasonography, CT scan, magnetic resonance imaging, CT or conventional carotid angiography. Surgical exploration via a standard anterolateral cervical incision and subadventitial dissection was used to resect the tumours with preservation of carotid arteries. Intra-luminal carotid shunts and vein grafts were prepared to be used if necessary. Results: There were 5 males and 2 females aging 17 - 46 with a mean of 32.9 ± 9.8 year. All patients had slowly growing painless pulsatile swelling below mandiblular angle for long durations (1 - 25 years) and a positive Fontaine’s sign. All tumours were benign, unilateral (right n = 4, left n = 3) and ranging in size from 3 × 3 cm to 6.4 × 3.2 cm. Beside US neck exam, carotid angiography was done in 5 patients. According to Shamblin classification, 4 were class II, 2 class I and 1 class III. All tumours were successfully resected with preservation of ICA. However, the ECA was safely ligated twice due to severe involvement. Tongue deviation occurred once (14.3%) but no patient died and none had stroke or recurrence. Conclusions: Our results of surgery for CBT compare very well with the international standards.