Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Relations between Global Environmental Awareness and Technology.

The changes in the society related to the developments in science and technology underline the importance of the need for education. Technological developments broaden and accelerate communication, too. The opinion that rapid and unpreventable developments in technology today lead to many environmental problems and contribute to increases in environmental problems is quite widespread. Within the framework of the study, a three-factored, 15 item Likert type “Global Environmental Awareness Scale” that can measure the attitudes of all individuals and mainly students about global environmental awareness was developed firstly. The aim in preparing such a scale is to measure what the individuals especially in educational ages think about global environment, being able to make suggestions for educational programs in line with the findings obtained, and contribute to programs that will free these solutions from being national and make them global. Following the application of the Global Environmental Awareness Scale and the Attitudes towards Technology Scale (Morgil, 2004) on the students as pretest, a 30-hour computer and internet practice was carried out with the students. The relation between the attitudes towards technology and global environmental awareness and whether computer aided education has an influence on global environmental awareness attitudes and technology-related attitudes was found using the preand after implementation data. Regression analysis and paired-sample t-test were carried out in the study in order to find out to what level technology awareness contributes to the creation of global environment awareness and the effects of the computer aided education to attitudes towards global environment awareness and the use of technology. It has been found that the researches of the students on the internet led to a statistically significant increase in their scores in attitudes towards technology, and again, as a consequence of the researches that the students carried out on the internet medium about global environment and the homework and activities they prepared, that there was a statistically significant increase in their scores on attitudes towards global environment.
A thesis submitted for the degree of Master of Philosophy

How should we understand de re modal features of objects, if there are such features? Any answer to the question is connected to how we should think about coincident objects, objects which occupy the same spatio-temporal region and share the same underlying matter. This thesis is mainly about the connections between de re modality and coincidence. My interest in the connections is twofold: First, how do theories of de re modality interact with theories about coincidence? Details of interactions are discussed from chapter 2 to chapter 5. Second, do the considerations about de re modality o er reasons to favour a particular position about coincidence? And how does this answer contribute to current meta-ontological debate? These are raised in chapter 1 and are answered in conclusion.
Marketing Strategies and the Difference Level of Sales and Profits Performance of the Batik SMEs in Malaysia

In this research, the business owners of batik SMEs were analyzed on their marketing strategies. The objective is to examine if the marketing strategies of high performance batik SMEs differently from low performance batik SMEs. The high and low performance batik SMEs were categorized based on their annual sales and profits for three consecutive years. For this purposes, the questionnaires were distributed among 186 batik business owners in Malaysia. The data collected were then analyzed using Mann-Whitney U Test and Chi-Square Test. The result found that the high sales and profits performers are not only focused in local market, but they expand their sales out-of their states. For high sales performers, they are frequently advertised their businesses and using various promotional tools. Hence, efforts should be made by the low performers to find and expand their sales outside of their states, advertise their businesses more frequently and not only depends on personal network as promotional tools. Using various promotional tools especially media, could help in increasing sales. The conclusion is that the way of how the business owners market their products impact the performance of the firms. By identifying the marketing strategies of high performance batik SMEs, this research will provide batik entrepreneurs some guidance and will help low performers identify their weaknesses by comparing the marketing strategies practiced by high performers.
Small and Medium Tourist Enterprises and Social Media Adoption: Empirical Evidence from Tanzanian Tourism Sector

The increasing competition and the highly demands of globalization in tourism sector are increasing challenges in the market and operation of Small and Medium enterprises in Tanzania. In order to cope with these challenges, it is evidenced that the adoption of social media networking is an enabler of small and medium tourist enterprises in quest of enhancing competitiveness in their globalized market place. Despite of this benefit offered by Social Media (SM) to SMEs, very little is known on the factors influencing adoption of Social Media in Tanzanian Tourist sector. This paper aims at filling the gap by examining factors influencing adoption of Social Media Networking among SMEs in Tanzanian Tourism Sector. Questionnaire was used to collect data from SMEs owners and employees in Dar es salaam city, Iringa region and Rukwa region where geographical stratified sampling was used to ensure representativeness of the sample from the heterogonous population to form homogeneous group followed by simple random sampling technique which was used to draw a sample of 265 respondents for quantitative data and purposive sampling technique was used to pick sample for qualitative data. Factor analysis was used to ensure construct validity of the proposed conceptual model in this study while Cronbach’s alpha was used to test the suitability of research instrument used in collecting data for the study. Structure equation modeling method was used to test hypothesis on the factors influencing adoption of social media networking among SME in Tanzania tourism sector. Findings using SEM revealed that organization context and environmental context are significantly influencing adoption of social media networking adoption while technology context was found to be insignificant factor. This study recommended that in order SMEs to continuously be competitive in this global and dynamic market they should continue to adopt the use of social media networking as a tool to capture more customers worldwide.
HIGHER ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY PROTECTS PHOTOSYNTHETIC ACTIVITIES AS REVEALED BY CHL A FLUORESCENCE IN DROUGHT TOLERANT TOMATO GENOTYPES

Drought is the most important factor limiting growth and yield of tomato. Genetic improvement in tomato for water stress tolerance is of prime importance for economically and efficient utilization of arid area land resources. Since photosynthetic efficiency and antioxidant capacity are associated with degree of water stress tolerance in tomato genotypes, experiment was conducted to assess relationship between plant antioxidant capacity and activity of photosynthetic apparatus. Fifteen tomato genotypes differing in their drought tolerance were subjected to different levels of PEG8000 (Control, 5%, 10% & 15%) at the seedling stage. It was concluded that water stress tolerant tomato genotypes (CLN-1767 and Lyallpur-1) also maintain relatively higher photosynthetic efficiency as assessed through A/Ci curve or PSII efficiency. Chlorophyll fluorescence measurements revealed that NPQ increased whereas the electron transport rate decreased under waters stress. Water stress tolerant tomato genotypes down regulate ETR with increase in NPQ to avoid photoinhibition and photodamge. Protection of photosynthetic machinery in water stress tolerant genotypes might have been due to higher antioxidant capacity. Water stress tolerant cultivars exhibited much lower lipid peroxidation, and showed increased activities of the enzymes involved in the ROS scavenging system. Up-regulation of the antioxidant system plays a role in water stress tolerance of tomato.
Testing acoustic versus physical marking: two complementary methods for individual‐based monitoring of elusive species

Individuals of some species differentiate each other on the basis of the acoustic features of their vocalizations, and this can be used in individual-based population monitoring studies. No research has tested for the effectiveness of individual marking through voice recognition as compared to traditional monitoring methods relying on physical marks. We compared voice recognition and physical marking using the Dupont's lark Chersophilus duponti as a study species. This bird needs to be attracted with playback in order to be seen (or captured). We first demonstrated that the territorial calls from a sample of banded males were individually distinctive and constant over time by means of discriminant function analysis, which correctly classified 100% of marked males. Then, we applied similarity techniques on call spectrotemporal features to define a threshold value of similarity within banded individuals, to be combined with qualitative spectrogram inspection for the classification of all recorded birds. Eventually, we compared the voice and the capture samples, to test for differences in relation to re-location rate, territory fidelity and dispersal movements both within and between years. Voice recognition was less time-consuming than capture-recapture method in the field, but it was useless for monitoring yearlings in call development stage. The two methods provided the same results in terms of territory fidelity and dispersal movements, but differed in re-location rates, which were significantly greater in the case of voice recognition method. By means of physical captures we possibly trapped a large sample of young and silent floaters, with low probability of recapture or recording. This mismatch between methods could bias the estimates of annual survival, which strongly depend on re-location rates. We suggest considering the two methods as complementary rather than alternatives for monitoring populations. Each technique offers unique information, and the two sources should be combined to provide correction factors that would eventually sharpen our knowledge on bird population ecology.
Effects of fermented cottonseed meal on the growth performance, apparent digestibility, carcass traits, and meat composition in yellow-feathered broilers

The effects of supplementing broilers' diets with fermented cottonseed meal (FCSM) on the broilers' performance, apparent digestibility, carcass traits, and meat composition were studied. A total of 180 yellow-feathered chickens of 21 days old were randomly divided into three groups (six replicates of 10 broilers each): 1) a control group (Con), 2) a treatment group of FCSM by Candida tropicalis (Ct), and 3) a treatment group of FCSM by C. Tropicalis plus Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Ct-Sc). Results showed that FCSM supplementation improved the average daily gain and gain-to-feed ratio from the 43rd to 64th and the 21st to 64th day, respectively (P < 0.05). The dietary nutrient digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, and crude ash significantly increased (P < 0.05) with FCSM supplementation. The abdominal fat content was lower (P < 0.05) in Ct and Ct-Sc than in Con (21st to 42nd day). The crude protein content was higher in the thigh muscles of treatment groups and breast muscles of Ct, and the crude fat (ether extract) in the breast muscles of Ct-Sc was higher than in Con throughout the entire duration (P < 0.05). In conclusion, FCSM is beneficial for broilers as it positively affects their growth and digestibility in addition to altering their meat compositions.
The effects of perceived business uncertainty, external consultants and risk management on organisational outcomes

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relations between perceived business uncertainty (PBU), use of external risk management (RM) consultants, formalisation of RM, magnitude of RM methods and perceived organisational outcomes. Design/methodology/approach: This paper is based on a questionnaire survey of members of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants in the UK. Using AMOS 17.0, the paper tests the strength of the direct and indirect effects among the variables and explores the fit of the overall path model. Findings: The results indicate significant and positive associations exist between the extent of PBU and the level ofRMformalisation, as well as between the level ofRMformalisation and the magnitude of RMmethods adopted. The use of externalRMconsultants is also found to have a significant and positive impact on the magnitude of RM methods adopted. Finally, both the extent of RM formalisation and the magnitude of RM methods adopted are seen to be significantly associated with overall improvement in organisational outcomes. Research limitations/implications: The study uses perceptual measures of the level of business uncertainty, usage of RM and organisational outcomes. Further, the respondents are members of a management accounting professional body and the views of other managers, such as risk managers, who are also important to the governance process are not incorporated. Originality/value: This study provides empirical evidence on the impact ofRMdesign and usage on improvements in organisational outcomes. It contributes to the RM literature where empirical research is needed in order to be comparable with the traditional management control system literature.
Non Nuclear Method for HMA density measurements

Density is an important part of hot-mix asphalt (HMA) pavement quality control. The longterm performance of an HMA pavement can be affected by insufficient density of the pavement. This study evaluated the Pavement Quality Indicator (PQI) model 301, which utilizes electrical impedance principles by using the current going through the pavement to determine its density and moisture content. Test data was collected in the field during pavements, and cores samples that were tested in the laboratory for further measurements. Thirteen field site visits were used to evaluate the PQI in terms of accuracy and precision. A thorough investigation of calibration methods was also performed both in the lab, and in the field to improve the accuracy of the PQI‟s results. Data analyses showed that the PQI‟s accuracy is lower than the nuclear gauge‟s. However, the PQI could be a better alternative to a nuclear gauge when the following benefits are considered: 1) economic savings, 2) faster data measurement, 3) minimized safety concerns, 4) no licensing and intense training courses mandated by State and Federal authorities.
The Impact of Keeping Oral Dialogue Journals on EFL Learners’ Oral Fluency

This study focused on investigating the impact of keeping oral dialogue journals on EFL learners’ oral fluency. Sixty participants were selected out of 80 undergraduate freshmen who were studying English Translation at Sanandaj Islamic Azad University and pre-intermediate students at Passargadeh Jam Language School based on their scores on a piloted proficiency test. They were then randomly divided into two equal groups undergoing control and experimental conditions. Prior to the treatment, an oral interview was conducted for all the participants of the study. The results of a t-test demonstrated no prior significant difference between the oral fluency of the participants in the control and experimental groups. After the treatment period, during which the experimental group experienced keeping oral dialogue journals but the control group received the same instruction without the practice of dialogue journals, another oral interview was administered. The results of the comparison of the oral fluency mean ratings of the two groups revealed that the participants in the experimental group had a significantly higher oral fluency compared to the ones in the control group. It was concluded that keeping oral dialogue journals significantly affected the oral fluency of the EFL participants.
Determinants of bank profitability in the South Eastern European region

The aim of this study is to examine the profitability behaviour of bank-specific, industry-related and macroeconomic determinants, using an unbalanced panel dataset of South Eastern European (SEE) credit institutions over the period 1998-2002. The estimation results indicate that, with the exception of liquidity, all bank-specific determinants significantly affect bank profitability in the anticipated way. A key result is that the effect of concentration is positive, which provides evidence in support of the structure-conduct-performance hypothesis, even though some ambiguity arises given its interrelationship with the efficient-structure hypothesis. In contrast, a positive relationship between banking reform and profitability was not identified, whilst the picture regarding the macroeconomic determinants is mixed. The paper concludes with some remarks on the practicality and implementability of the findings.
Gangsterism on the Cape Flats: A challenge to 'engage the powers'

One of the most pressing issues in the urban ghettos of the Cape Flats is that of gangsterism and the discourse of power and powerlessness that is its lifeblood. Media coverage over the past two years was littered with news on gangsterism as the City of Cape Town struggles to contain what some labelled a pandemic. It is a pandemic that is closely tied to a deprivation trap of poverty, marginalisation, isolation, unemployment and, ultimately, powerlessness. The latter concept of powerlessness and its interplay with these factors constituted the main thrust of this article as it explores the concept of power (and powerlessness) as deeply relational with the economic, psycho-social and spiritual dimensions. It is proposed that Kingdom power challenges the status quo within such contexts and offers the church an alternative framework within which to engage prophetically.
Acarine embryology: inconsistencies, artificial results and misinterpretations.

In this paper, we discuss how views of early stages in acarine embryology – from the first cleavage to the blastula – have changed over time, starting with historical works of the 19th century and ending with electron microscopic analyses in the 21st century. Our goal is to identify errors and inconsistencies in both observations and the interpretation of information throughout this time span, and to show how they have related to technical improvements. Surprisingly, the questions about cleavage pattern and its implications for acarine classification have not changed, despite the advent of electron microscopy and molecular biology. In the last century authors attempted to develop a general concept of cleavage types and their distribution among the major subgroups of the Acari. Based on available data, all of which was from light microscopy, the type of cleavage for both the Anactinotrichida and Actinotrichida was considered to be interlecithal, with the exception that some actinotrichid mites show mixed/combination cleavage. Newer data obtained by transmission electron microscopy and molecular biology point to a very different generalization: early acarine cleavage seems to be a special type of total cleavage.
Using Thinking Maps to Facilitate Research Writing in Upper Level Undergraduate Classes

It is increasingly important that students who intend to become nutrition professionals acquire the skills to routinely read, understand, and critically evaluate the primary research literature in nutrition. American Dietetic Associate (ADA) accreditation standards require that the undergraduate curriculum include evaluation of primary literature. Hierarchical and sequence thinking maps were used to assist students in developing a process for obtaining the necessary skills in critical evaluation of the literature in an increasingly complex area, nutrition sciences.
Changes in how prospective teachers anticipate secondary students’ answers

This research was supported by the project from the Ministry MINECO, Spain, no reference EDU2014-54526-R and from the Project I+D for emergent research groups GV/2014/075 of the Conselleria de Educacion, Cultura y Deporte de la Generalitat Valenciana.
Impacts of black carbon and mineral dust on radiative forcing and glacier melting during summer in the Qilian Mountains, northeastern Tibetan Plateau

Abstract. Black carbon (BC) and mineral dust (MD), the most important compositions of light absorbing particles (LAPs), significantly reduce the albedo of glaciers and thus accelerate their melting. In order to investigate the impacts of BC and MD on the glacier radiation balance and ablation, a total of 92 surface snow/ice samples were collected along different elevations from 4300–4950 m a.s. l. on Laohugou glacier No. 12 (LHG, 39°10'–35' N, 96°10'–35' E), located at Qilian Mountains, northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau (TP), during summer of 2013 and 2014. A thermal-optical method was employed to detect the BC (EC – element carbon) concentrations in snow/ice samples. The results showed that BC and MD concentrations were much lower in snow than those in ice, and gradually declined with increasing elevation. The effects of BC and MD on albedo reduction at different melting conditions were identified with the SNow ICe Aerosol Radiative (SNICAR) model initiated by in-situ observation data. The sensitivity analysis showed that BC had a stronger impact on albedo reduction than MD on this glacier. The impacts of BC represented around 45 % of albedo reduction while the contribution of MD was 35 % when the glacier surface presented as superimposed ice and experienced intensive melting. During summer, when the surface was covered by snow, BC and MD contributed for 15 % and 9 % respectively. On average, the radiative forcing (RF) caused by BC in the snow/ice, more than MD, was 41.6 p 37.0 W m−2. Meanwhile, compared to glacier melting in summer of 2013 and 2014 (409 mm w.e. and 366 mm w.e., respectively) calculated using the surface energy-mass balance model, contributions of BC and MD were less than 37 % and 32 % respectively of summer melting, while MD and BC together contributed a maximum of 61 %. This study provided the baseline information on BC and MD concentrations in glaciers of the northeastern TP and their contributions in glacier melting during summer.