Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Contributions of Self-Efficacy and Problem Solving Skills on Secretaries’ Job Performance in Ogun State Public Service, Nigeria

This study is aimed at determining the contributions of self-efficacy and problem solving skills to the job performance of secretaries. The study also ascertained the relationship among self-efficacy, problem solving skills and job performance of the Secretaries. The study employed the descriptive research design. Ten (10) Secretaries were selected from thirty (30) government parastatals through simple random sampling techniques. Out of the 300 questionnaires distributed only 294 were returned. Three sets of instruments were used in collecting data, they are: General Perceived Self-Efficacy Scale (GPSS), Problem Solving Inventory (PSI) and Annual Performance Evaluation Report (APER) Form. The data collected were analyzed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC), Multiple Regression, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The result obtained indicated that the predictor variables (self-efficacy and problem solving skills) accounted for 61.1% of the variance in the job performance of Secretaries in the public service of Ogun State which implies that there is a significant combined contribution of self-efficacy and problem solving skills in the prediction of job performance of Secretaries in the public service of Ogun State. Also, there are significant and positive relationship among self-efficacy, problem solving skills and job performance. The findings were discussed and it was recommended among others that there should be provision for in-service training for Secretaries in the public service which is expected to bring about improvement of their self-efficacy and problem solving skills. Keywords : Self-efficacy, Problem Solving Skills, Job Performance, Secretaries, Public Service
Social Networking Sites Habits and Addiction Among Adolescents in Klang Valley

Social networking sites (SNS) is a very popular application in today’s world society. SNS, to certain extent has change the way people communicate with each other. This kind of technology has become a trend among the users regardless the impact of the technology to the users either positive or negative. The level of SNS usage among the adolescents has started to raise concern among the parents and also the society. SNS addictions are becoming problematic in certain countries especially in United States and lately this issue has started to spread all over the world. Malaysia is also one of the country affected with SNS addiction. SNS addiction is not an isolated phenomenon as it is started from high engagement on the SNS usage and it originates from habitual behavior. Therefore, it is important to seek and understand habit and addiction of SNS among adolescents in Malaysia. The purpose of this study is to analyze and explore the usage of SNS among the adolescents in Malaysia, specifically in Klang Valley. It examines the SNS usage behavioral, which is habit and addiction. The data was collected from a sample of 60 respondents using an online survey. The data were analyzed using SPSS for descriptive analysis. From the analysis, it was found that most of the adolescents used SNS in daily basis and majority of them use it for more than two hours per day. Patterns on habits and addiction on the SNS usage shows that some adolescents experienced certain habit and addiction behavior.
Flexibility and security? ‘Flexicurity’ and its implications for lifelong guidance

This article sets out to trigger research and policy attention among the career guidance community to the increasingly important notion of ‘flexicurity’. It first explores the different meanings of the term, particularly as these have evolved in discussions across the European Union. It then goes on to consider why ‘flexicurity’ has attracted so much policy interest, particularly in its promise to both support labour market competitiveness and increase economic efficiency on the one hand, while protecting the interests of workers on the other. Next, the article documents some of the key debates around the notion of flexicurity, highlighting the fact that any consideration of ‘flexicure’ arrangements needs to be empirically grounded in time and space, and carefully contextualised. The article concludes by making a series of critical reflections on the need to ‘insert’ career guidance in the European discourse on ‘flexicurity’.
Life Cycle Assessment of platform chemicals

One of the challenges of our time is the substitution of the existing fossil based economy by a green economy within the framework of sustainable development of our society. Biomass, especially from lignocelluloses, is a promising solution for the substitution of fuels, energy, chemicals and materials from fossil sources in a so called ―Biorefinery. The production of biochemicals presents higher mass and carbon theoretical efficiency, and it seems an interesting alternative to provide a renewable path for globally and widely demanded platform chemicals like phenols, solvents (Acetone), soft plastic precursor (Polyethylene) and hard plastic precursor (Polypropylene). In this report, the environmental loads associated to the production of biochemicals (Phenolic compounds, Acetone, PolyHydroxyButyric Acid and Polylactic Acid) from lignocellulose biomass scenarios (Poplar and Eucalyptus) are evaluated and compared to their petrochemical equivalents. Life Cycle Assessment Methodology and the latest Global Warming Potential Indicator that accounts biogenic greenhouse gas effect related to the rotation period of the feedstock along the entire carbon cycle are used along this study.
Screening for kidney disease in children on World Kidney Day in Lagos State, Nigeria

Background: Across the world, World Kidney Day (WKD) is marked yearly to increase awareness of kidney diseases. In 2016, its focus was on children for the first time. We report on a WKD screening initiative for kidney disease that was conducted in two public schools in Lagos State, Nigeria. Methods: Participants were recruited after guardians provided signed consent and older children gave assent. Baseline data were obtained which included family history of chronic diseases like sickle cell disease, hypertension, diabetes, renal disease, and the use of herbal medications. Anthropometric parameters such as height, weight and body mass index (BMI) were recorded. Investigations included urinalysis, measurement of serum creatinine and estimation of glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using the Schwartz formula. Results: A total of 405 children were screened; there were 190 (46.9%) males and 215 females. The children were aged 2 to 17 years with a mean age of 9.1 ± 3.0 years. Over 80% of the children had normal nutritional status. Severe thinness was seen in 22 (6.8%) whereas overweight was present in 10 (3.1%). Only 1 was obese. eGFR was above 90 mL/min/1.73 m2 in 232 (94.3%) of the participants. Hypertension was present in 47 (14.4%), with the highest rate among those 0–8 years old. Proteinuria was detected in 118 (29.2%); none of the children had haematuria. Systolic hypertension, a family history of smoking and the use of herbal medications were associated with proteinuria. Conclusions: The study has highlighted a high rate of proteinuria, associated with the use of herbal medications, hypertension and a family history of smoking. Screening for renal disease in children with appropriate follow-up and timely intervention to avoid progression to end-stage renal disease is imperative.
The reproductive biology of the Greater kudu, Tragelaphus strepsiceros

The reproductive biology of the greater kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros was examined in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa in relation to season, social Organization and the biology of other Trage- laphines. Macroscopic and microscopic methods were employed to examine the reproductive condition of bulls and cows. Kudu bulls attained puberty at eighteen months of£ge while fifty percent of cows pro- duced their first calf when two years old. Specific conception rates of 100% were realized and main- tained. The foetal sex ratio did not differ significantly from parity. It was inferred that kudu cows were seasonally polyoestrous, with no prolonged lactational anoestrus but with a post-partum oestrus. Breed- ing was strictly seasonal and the incidence of conceptions suggested that kudus are short day breeders. The strict seasonality of reproduction is discussed in relation to that of other Tragelaphines.
Effects of aging on regulators of muscle apoptosis in the female F344BN rat

Age-related muscle atrophy is a consequence of normal aging characterized by decreases in muscle mass and strength. The mechanism(s) underlying the loss of muscle mass with increasing age is not fully understood, however recent data has suggested that muscle cell apoptosis may be involved. Here we investigate how aging affects the regulation of muscle apoptosis in the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and soleus muscles of young (6-month), aged (26-month), and very aged (30-month) female Fischer 344/NNiaHSD X Brown Norway / BiNia (F344BN) rats. EDL and soleus muscle mass/body weight ratios were lower in aged animals but not different between 26and 30-months of age. Decrease in muscle mass was associated with increased TdTmediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) positive immunoreactivity in both EDL and soleus. With advancing age the time course and magnitude of changes in Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3, caspase-9, caspase-12 and cleavage of α-fodrin protein were regulated differently between muscles. These data demonstrated that decreases in muscle mass, and increases in muscle cell apoptosis appear to be caspase independent and differ between fiber types in the female F344BN rats with aging.
Neighborhood Watch: Spatial Effects of Human Rights INGOs

This article examines the neighborhood effects of various activities of human rights international nongovernmental organizations (human rights INGOs or, as used hereafter, HROs). We argue that the presence of HRO members or volunteers “next door” increases the advocacy mobilization and resources of a domestic population, resulting in improvements in human rights performance. When contiguous countries have large numbers of HRO members within their borders, these members are able to mobilize resources that are either directly transmitted across borders or diffuse across state boundaries. Using spatial econometric techniques in a sample of 117 states from 1994 to 2003, we examine the effect of neighboring HRO membership, permanent location presence, and shaming on the probability of improvements in human rights practices. We find that the presence of neighboring HRO members increases the probability of human rights improvements, but that this is conditional on the ability of the groups to freely move across .
Real Earnings Management and Information Asymmetry in the Equity Market

Abstract The literature suggests that real earnings management (REM) activities can increase adverse selection risk in capital markets. Due to their opacity and the difficulties in understanding their implications, REM strategies may increase the level of information asymmetry among investors. This paper examines the association between earnings management through real activities manipulation and information asymmetry in the equity market. To estimate the level of adverse selection risk we use a comprehensive index of information asymmetry measures proposed by the market microstructure literature. For a sample of Spanish listed firms, we find that firms’ strategies of increasing earnings through REM are associated with higher information asymmetry in those firms that meet last year’s earnings. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that earnings management through real activities manipulation garbles the market, enhances private information production, and exacerbates information asymmetry in the stock market.
Operational complexity impact on performance of electrical and electroncis industry in Malaysia

The electrical and electronics (E and E) manufacturing industry is one of the most complex, challenging and dynamic industry. In order to maintain competitiveness, companies need to learn how to manage and leverage on the increase of complexity in their operations. This study seeks to understand the relationship between operational complexity and operational performance of E and E industry in Malaysia. This survey-based study registered a response rate of 17.8% with 111 usable data. Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) technique was applied to analyze the data. Operational complexity consists of two dimensions, namely, complicatedness and uncertainty. Meanwhile, operational performance has four dimensions of cost, quality, delivery and flexibility. Both variables are multi-dimensional and modeled as formative second order in PLS-SEM. Results of structural model reveal that operational complexity has a positive impact on operational performance which indicate that the higher the operational complexity, the better the performance. Based on Complex Adaptive System (CAS) in complexity science literature, the relationship between performance and complexity is an inverse U shape curve. This implies that, high operational complexity needs to be managed so as not to reach the threshold of a chaotic stage, which will affect performance. The finding provides insights for managers to cope with increasing operational complexity and to improve performance in the current fast-moving business environment. It also contributes to knowledge in complexity science.
Runoff- and erosion-driven transport of cattle slurry

The addition of cattle slurry to agricultural land is a widespread practise, but if not correctly managed it can pose a contamination risk to aquatic ecosystems. The transport of inorganic and organic components of cattle slurry to watercourses is a major concern, yet little is known about the physical transport mechanisms and associated fluxes and timings of contamination threats. Therefore, the aim of the study was to ascertain the importance of flow pathway partitioning in the transport (fluxes and timing) of dissolved and particulate slurry-derived compounds with implications for off-site contamination. A series of rainfall–runoff and erosion experiments were carried out using the TRACE (Test Rig for Advancing Connectivity Experiments) experimental hillslope facility. The experiments allowed the quantification of the impact of changing slope gradient and rainfall intensity on nutrient transport from cattle slurry applied to the hillslope, via surface, subsurface, and vertical percolated flow pathways, as well as particulate transport from erosion. The dissolved components were traced using a combination of ammonium (NH+4 ) and fluorescence analysis, while the particulate fraction was traced using organic biomarkers, 5β-stanols. Results showed that rainfall events which produced flashy hydrological responses, resulting in large quantities of surface runoff, were likely to move sediment and also flush dissolved components of slurry-derived material from the slope, increasing the contamination risk. Rainfall events which produced slower hydrological responses were dominated by vertical percolated flows removing less sediment-associated material, but produced leachate which could contaminate deeper soil layers, and potentially groundwater, over a more prolonged period. Overall, this research provides new insights into the partitioning of slurry-derived material when applied to an unvegetated slope and the transport mechanisms by which contamination risks are created.
Role of Board and Firm Performance in Determination of CEO Compensation: Evidence from Islamic Republic of Pakistan

The current research aims to investigate the influence of board effectiveness and firm performance on CEO compensation within the context of developing economy of Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The study uses Partial Least Square (PLS) based Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) Technique to draw the inference using PLS Graph Version 3.0. It uses Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE)-100 index companies as a sample for the period of five years 2007-2011. Before analyzing the structural model the validity and reliability of the model is confirmed through bootstrapping technique and variance inflationary factor respectively. The structural model results reveal that board effectiveness has negative influence on CEO compensation. Opposite to agency theory and current studies from developed countries, we have found a negative association between the firm performance (firm value and firm profitability) and CEO compensation. These results are due to different business environment of Pakistan and poor corporate governance structure. So, it is concluded that board of directors of Pakistani companies are not that much effective to facilitate the objective determination of CEO compensation and failed to design such contracts which can link the CEO pay with firm performance. Our results also support the international literature that firm size is the major determinant of CEO compensation. Most of the previous studies have been conducted with reference to developed economies so we need to know the procedure through which the corporate managers in developing economies are compensated. The unique characteristics of Pakistani business environment like concentrated ownership, family owned businesses and poor governance structure make it interesting to study this issue. Moreover, unlike developed economies the CEO compensation does not include stock options as a part of the total compensation representing the difference in CEO compensation contracts with respect to developed economies and developing economies. So, current study makes a valuable addition to the
Leaf-level physiology in four subalpine plants in tephra-impacted forests during drought

Ecological impacts of climate change in the Pacific Northwest may hinge on acclimation to drier summers, highlighting the importance of plant physiological studies in forests. Evaluating dominant forest plant species under old-growth and managed forest conditions is similarly important as timber harvest might change microclimates and alter drought effects on plants. We examined water potential and gas exchange rates of four dominant plant species in understories of subalpine forests of the Pacific Northwest region of the United States during 2015 — a year with drought conditions representative of future climate projections. We examined two conifer species (Abies amabilis Douglas ex J. Forbes and Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg. ) and two huckleberry species (Vaccinium membranaceum Douglas ex Torr. and Vaccinium ovalifolium Sm.) in old-growth and formerly clear-cut forests at two elevations. Contrary to expectations, we found no evidence of hydraulic stress, and there were no significant differences between .
HYDROGELS BASED ON (DIMETHYLAMINO)ETHYLACRYLATE (DMAEA) AND N,N'-DIMETHYLACRYLAMIDE (NNDMAAM): SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION, AND SWELLING BEHAVIOR

Hydrogels of 2-(dimethylamino)ethylacrylate (DMAEA) with N,N'-dimethyl acrylamide (NNDMAAm) were synthesized by solution free-radical polymerization at different feed mol ratios. These copolymers were completely water-insoluble. Polymers were characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The monomer reactivity ratios were determined by Kelen-Tudos method. According to that, the monomer reactivity ratios for poly(DMAEA-co-NNDMAAm) were r1 = 0.288 (M1=DMAEA) and r2 = 1.460 (M2=NNDMAAm), (r1x r 2 = 0.419). Low critical solution temperatures (LCST) values of hydrogels are around 60°C, which was significantly higher than that poly(NIPAAm) and increased with increasing of hydrophilic DMAEA unit content in the copolymers. The hydrogels achieved a water-absorption value of 188 g of water/g of dry polymer (xerogel) in distilled water. Effects of time, temperature, pH, salt concentration, cross-linking concentration, and solvent polarity on the water absorption were studied. Experimental results indicated that the copolymer poly(DMAEA-co-NNDMAAm) with a feed mol ratio 2:1 presents the best swelling properties.
Inequity Aversion in Tournaments

We consider the cost of providing incentives through tournaments when workers are inequity averse and performance evaluation is costly. The principal never benefits from empathy between the workers, by he may benefit from their propensity for envy depending on the costs of assessing performance. More envious employees are preferred when these costs are high, less envious ones when they are low.
Measuring service quality in higher education: three instruments compared

Measuring the quality of service in higher education is increasingly important, particularly as fees introduce a more consumerist ethic amongst students. This paper aims to test and compare the relative efficacy of three measuring instruments of service quality (namely HEdPERF, SERVPERF and the moderating scale of HEdPERF‐SERVPERF) within a higher education setting. The objective was to determine which instrument had the superior measuring capability in terms of unidimensionality, reliability, validity and explained variance. Tests were conducted utilizing a sample of higher education students, and the findings indicated that HEdPERF scale resulted in more reliable estimations, greater criterion and construct validity, greater explained variance, and consequently was a better fit than the other two instruments. Consequently, a modified five‐factor structure of HEdPERF is put forward as the more superior scale for the higher education sector.
Pedestrian Countdown Signals: What Impact on Safe Crossing?

This paper examines safety impacts of a Pedestrian Countdown Signal (PCS) installed on a busy downtown intersection in San Diego, California. Crossing episodes of over 5000 pedestrians were videotaped and analyzed using multivariate statistical methods. Details of timing of pedestrian crossing as well as information about vehicular traffic and signal timing were carefully coded for each pedestrian. Significant safety benefits of the PCS system were found on the long crossings over a street with high vehicular volumes: most pedestrians were able to effectively increase their walking speed to complete their crossing without committing the exit violation—even if they have already committed the entry violation. However, on the short crossing with light vehicular traffic, PCS was generally ineffective in preventing the entry violations from becoming exit violations. Over there, many pedestrians felt safe enough to walk over a short crossing with no apparent vehicular traffic in sight instead of waiting for a green signal. The length of crossing and volume of interfering vehicular traffic were consistently found the most significant variables affecting the crossing violation rates of different categories of pedestrians. Crossing violation rates were the highest for runners, bicyclists and older males. Crossing violation characteristics were found to be consistent over time.
A cross sectional study of hypertension and their risk factors in fishermen of Chennai district

Hypertension is a major health problem throughout the world because of its high prevalence and its association with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. In developed world about 330 million people worldwide have hypertension as do around 640 million in the developing world. The WHO rates hypertension as one of the most preventable risk factor of premature deaths worldwide and the problem is growing. In 2025 it is estimated there will be 1.56 billion adults living with high blood pressure. According to the WHO hypertension constitutes an important modifiable risk factor related to 4.5% the world wide disease burden and is associated with an approximately 40% reduction of stroke risk and 15% reduction of myocardial infarction when treated ad controlled.