Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Teachers' motivation to teach national education in Singapore: a self-determination theory approach

The National Education (NE) programme was set up in Singapore schools in 1997 to inculcate a national identity and values in the younger generation. Teachers in schools are given the important role of developing a shared sense of nationhood among their students. However, no study has yet examined the motivations for teaching NE in schools. The purpose of this study was to examine pre-service teachers' motivations, perceptions of NE, perceived competence to teach NE and feelings on the NE programme provided in their teacher training course, using the cluster analysis method. The study involved 4242 pre-service teachers (1229 males, 2986 females, 27 missing information) from the National Institute of Education (NIE) in Singapore. The results showed that 15.6% of the teachers belonged to a “high amotivation” cluster, 38.0% formed a “high externally regulated” cluster, 19.9% made up a cluster labelled as “low externally regulated”, and the rest (26.5%) had an “intrinsically regulated” profile. The four clusters showed significant gender and programme differences. In summary, the results from the cluster analysis supported the concurrent validity of the clusters in terms of pre-service teachers' perceptions of their involvement in NE activities, its importance, NE as government propaganda, competence to teach NE and satisfaction with the NE programme provided in their teacher training course.
A new method for continuous measurements of oceanic and atmospheric N 2 O, CO and CO 2 : performance of off-axis integrated cavity output spectroscopy (OA-ICOS) coupled to non-dispersive infrared detection (NDIR)

Abstract. A new system for continuous, highly resolved oceanic and atmospheric measurements of N2O, CO and CO2 is described. The system is based upon off-axis integrated cavity output spectroscopy (OA-ICOS) and a non-dispersive infrared analyzer (NDIR), both coupled to a Weiss-type equilibrator. Performance of the combined setup was evaluated by testing its precision, accuracy, long-term stability, linearity and response time. Furthermore, the setup was tested during two oceanographic campaigns in the equatorial Atlantic Ocean in order to explore its potential for autonomous deployment onboard voluntary observing ships (VOS). Improved equilibrator response times for N2O (2.5 min) and CO (45 min) were achieved in comparison to response times from similar chamber designs used by previous studies. High stability of the OA-ICOS analyzer was demonstrated by low optimal integration times of 2 and 4 min for N2O and CO respectively, as well as detection limits of
The molecular characterisation of Neisseria meningitidis in Scotland before, during and after the initial introduction of the meningococcal serogroup C conjugate (MenC) vaccines

The aim of this project was to develop and introduce an MLST system for all meningococci causing invasive disease in Scotland starting in 1999, and subsequently throughout 2000, 2001 and 2002. MLST was introduced because strains within the electrophoretic type 37 (ET-37) complex, particularly those of ST11, are often indistinguishable by traditional methods. Nucleotide sequencing was performed on seven housekeeping genes and one outer membrane protein gene, porA. Data was analysed using databases and software available through the MLST website (www.mlst.net) and the porA websites (neisseria.org/nm/typing/porA/ and http://www.show.scot.nhs.uk/smprl/). The introduction of MLST in Scotland was used as a routine method for the characterization of Neisseria meningitidis isolates in 1999. Coincidentally this is just prior to the introduction of the MenC vaccines in November 1999. All N. meningitidis isolates from invasive disease were analysed. This has given valuable data highlighting the effect the MenC has on Serogroup C disease and its decline over the length of the vaccination campaign. At the same time, the overall numbers of cases were monitored including the effect on serogroup B between 1999 and 2002. This has been linked with historical data such as the typical cyclical pattern seen with serogroups B and C over the past decade. The incidences of ET-37 strains in serogroup C disease were assessed along with ET-37 strains of other serogroups. The number of different ST's isolated were monitored from the introduction of the MenC vaccine and this has been linked with their corresponding serogroups and subtypes. A decrease in serogroup C disease was observed, however this has been accompanied by an increase in serogroup B disease. The occurrence of capsule switch has been assessed and applied to the whole data set for subsequent conclusion. This thesis clearly shows that MLST is extremely important for the surveillance of meningococcal disease over a period of years and, and that this study, has been effective not only in monitoring the impact of the MenC vaccines, but also providing a detailed genotypic representation of strains now commonly associated with disease. In addition to enhanced sequence based characterisation, development of a fluorescent -based PCR protocol using N. meningitidis specific probes has been developed to markedly improved sensitivity and specificity of meningococcal DNA detection. Using an automated platform employing Taqman chemistry, a detection system employs fluorescence-based chemistry that eliminates post PCR processing and has provided accurate real-time quantitative PCR. This development has identified previously undetectable quantities of meningococcal DNA, which have been subsequently used in a modified MLST system to produce genotypic results, which would not normally be created.
Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and hypertension related cardiovascular risk in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Background: To assess hypertension related cardiovascular risk parameters in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. To determine the effect of long-term treatment with corticosteroids, non-steroid antiinflammatory drugs, and methotrexate on diurnal BP variability. Material and methods: 60 patients with clinically stable rheumatoid arthritis and treated hypertension. Casual blood pressure measurement and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Results: Mean casual systolic blood pressure 139.0 ± 14.6 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure 85.7 ± 6.5 mmHg, and heart rate 74.9 ± 7.2 beats.min-1. Mean 24-hour systolic blood pressure 129.0 ± 12.7 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure 77.6 ± 7.4 mmHg, and heart rate 73.9 ± 8.7 beats.min-1. Mean casual pulse pressure 54.7 ± 15.6 mmHg, and the mean 24-hour ambulatory pulse pressure 50.1 ± 11.0 mmHg. The mean morning surge of systolic blood pressure 35.3 ± 11.00 mmHg. The number of patients with increased short-term variability of their systolic blood pressure using the coefficient of variation 30 (50%). A number of systolic nondippers in the group were treated with corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs 34% and 35%, respectively, and a number of excessive diastolic dippers in the group were treated with methotrexate 49%. Conclusions: Certain hypertension characteristics in patients with rheumatoid arthritis can increase cardiovascular risk: Higher pulse pressure, elevated levels of morning surge of systolic blood pressure, increased short-term 24-hour blood pressure variability, higher number of systolic nondippers treated with corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and excessive diastolic dippers treated with methotrexate. In addition increased heart rate may contribute to higher cardiovascular risk.
Workers compliance with measures for safe environment in quarry industries in abakaliki town of ebonyi state, nigeria

Hazards in quarry industries are unavoidable and inimical to the health of man and environment. Occupational health and safety measures mitigate the effect of the hazards. This study investigated the extent of workers’ compliance with measures for safe environment in quarry industries in Abakaliki capital development territory of Ebonyi State. Descriptive survey research design was used for the study. The population of the study consisted of 3450 workers of quarry industries in the area under survey. A sample of 358 workers was chosen using proportionate stratified random sampling technique. The instrument for data collection was a 15-item structured questionnaire tagged Measures for Safe Environment Compliance Questionnaire (MSECQ). Internal consistency of the instrument was determined using Cronbach alpha co-efficient and the overall reliability coefficient was 0.96. Research questions were answered using mean and standard deviation while hypotheses were tested using t-test and one way analysis of variance. Alpha level for test of hypotheses was set 0.05. The results show that workers highly comply with measures for safe environment, exhibit high compliance with measures for safe environment in relation to reporting safety problems and every faulty equipment to management as well as working only when there is proper lighting. They show low compliance with measures for safe environment with regard to urinating into toilet/urinal within the quarry and defecating into toilet within the quarry. There is no significant difference between male and female workers in the level of compliance with measures for safe environment. There is significant difference in workers compliance with measures for safe environment based on level of education. It is recommended that the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) should liaise with state and local health authorities in the health education of quarry workers and general control of quarries. Also, owners of quarries should take responsibility for every act of non-compliance in quarries and should ensure regular health education and training of workers and regular hazard control in the quarries.
A Study of Sarcocystis Infection in Mincemeat Using Digestion Method in Ghazvin, Iran

Archives of Hygiene Sciences Volume 6, Number 2, Spring 2017 © 2017 Publisher: Research Center for Environmental Pollutants, Qom University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved. 178 Jaber Davoudi a , Afshin Bahman Shabestari a , Peyman Mozahheb a , Roghayeh Norouzi b , Mohammadreza Maadinia a , Razzagh Mahmoudi c* Department of Veterinary Parasitology, Islamic Azad University, Abhar-Branch, Abhar, Iran. Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran. Medical Microbiology Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran.
ASAC 2009

This meta-analysis explores the relationship between the degree of virtuality and performance in teams. Seven recent empirical studies were examined and the results suggest there is a medium correlation effect size, such that a higher degree of virtuality is related to lower team performance. Three significant moderators, level of measurement, virtuality measurement and task complexity, were identified, providing support for broadening the scope of virtual team research.
Active and passive microrheology in equilibrium and nonequilibrium systems

Quantitatively measuring the mechanical properties of soft matter over a wide range of length and time scales, especially if a sample is as complex as typical biological materials, remains challenging. Living cells present a further complication because forces are generated within these nonequilibrium materials that can change material properties. We have here developed high-bandwidth techniques for active one- and two-particle microrheology to tackle these issues. By combining active micromanipulation of probe particles with an optical trap with high-resolution tracking of thermal motions of the very same particles by laser interferometry, we can both measure the mechanical properties of and, at the same time, identify nonequilibrium forces in soft materials. In both simple liquids and equilibrium cytoskeletal actin networks, active microrheology (AMR) proves to be less noise sensitive than and offers extended bandwidth (0.1−100 kHz) compared to passive microrheology (PMR), which merely tracks thermal mo.
What explains farmers' participation in rural development policy in Italian southern region? An empirical analysis

The importance of farming activities in disadvantaged areas is acknowledged by the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) within its rural development policy whose significance has grown in the last two decades. In this paper an econometric approach is developed to consider the likelihood of farmers participating in various rural policy measures in disadvantaged areas, e.g. southern regions in Italy. We carried out an empirical analysis by using a bivariate probit model aimed to analyse the main driver factors which lead farmers� participation in Rural Development Policy in such areas. We used an extensive cross-sectional database related to the Italian Farm Accountancy Data Network for 2009. Our results indicate that location and farm(er) socio-economic features are the major factors. Moreover, complementarity was found between different policy schemes.
Orman’s Internet Addiction Survey: a Preliminary Psychometric Study in an Universitary Andalusian Sample

En las ultimas decadas se han desarrollado diversos instrumentos para medir el comportamiento de estar continuamente conectado a Internet, presentado por algunos usuarios. En este articulo se analizan sus caracteristicas psicometricas a partir de una muestra incidental de estudiantes universitarios. Los resultados muestran una fiabilidad satisfactoria y una estructura latente unidimensional, presentando valores de correlacion altos con otros instrumentos utilizados con el mismo fin. Se sugiere su utilizacion para el estudio de la Adiccion a Internet.
A Research on the Customer Relationship Management in the Furniture and Other Forest Products Business (Istanbul Provincial Sample)

Musteri Iliskileri Yonetimi (CRM), bugunun musteri odakli is dunyasinda ve yogun rekabet ortaminda ayakta kalmak isteyen herkes icin vazgecilmez bir yonetim araci haline gelmistir. Musteri Iliskileri Yonetimi, satis, pazarlama ve servis sureclerini daha etkin hale getirmek icin gelistirilmis isletme stratejisi ya da kulturudur. Musterilerin ihtiyaclari temel alinarak, isletmenin rekabet gucunu arttirmak icin yeniden yapilanma olarak ta tanimlanabilir. Her arac gibi musteri iliskileri yonetimi sistemleri de ancak dogru kullanildiginda yarar saglayabilmektedir. Bu calismada Istanbul ilinde faaliyet gosteren mobilya ve diger orman urunleri sanayi isletmelerinde musteri iliskileri yonetiminin onemli bir parcasi olan satis oncesi, satis ani ve satis sonrasi uygulamalari incelenmis ve musteri iliskileri yonetimi uygulamalarinin ortalama puanlarinin calisanlarin demografik ozellikleri gore farklilik gosterip gostermedigi arastirilmistir. Calismada verileri toplayabilmek icin yuz yuze anket uygulamasi yapilmistir. Anket sorulari 5’li likert olcegi modelinde hazirlanmistir. Toplam 344 isletme calisani ile gorusme gerceklestirilmistir. Anket uygulanan calisanlarin, 225 ‘i mobilya, 119’u diger orman urunleri sanayi sektorunden calismaktadir. Ankete cevap verenler isletmelerinde alt, orta ve ust duzey yonetici yetkilileridir. Calisma verilerinin degerlendirilmesinde SPSS istatistik programi kullanilmis olup, bazi tanimlayici istatistikler, t-testi ve tek yonlu ANOVA analizi verilmistir. Sonuc olarak, mobilya sektoru ve diger orman urunleri isletmelerinde musteri iliskileri yonetimine butce ve imkânlari dogrultusunda onem verildigi, kurumsallasma ve isletmelerin buyumeleri sonucunda modern pazarlama anlayislarinda verilen onemin arttigi bulunmustur.
Perceptions of inequity in the workplace : exploring the link with unauthorised absenteeism : original research

Orientation : The focus of this study was the relationship between perceptions of inequity and specific withdrawal behaviours. Research purpose : The purpose of the investigation was to explore possible relationships between workers' perceptions of inequity in the workplace, intentions toward withdrawal behaviour and unauthorised absenteeism. Motivation for the study : There is very little South African research on the correlates of perceived inequity in the workplace. This study attempted to address the gap by exploring specific withdrawal behaviours as possible correlates of perceived inequity. Research design, approach and method : Using a small-scale survey design, the researchers measured intentions towards withdrawal behaviour and recorded rates of absenteeism in a sample of 110 employees from a variety of automotive manufacturing companies in the KwaZulu-Natal area. Main findings : The researchers did not find a relationship between perceptions of inequity and unauthorised absenteeism but did find one between perceptions of inequity and future withdrawal behaviours. Practical/managerial implications : The high levels of perceptions of inequity amongst the workers and the finding that workers were more likely to engage in withdrawal behaviours in the future if they perceived unequal treatment in the workplace are worrying issues for the companies involved. Contribution/value-add : The scale that the researchers developed to measure perceptions of inequity shows preliminary evidence of construct validity. The results suggest that employers need to monitor levels of perceived inequity especially in relation to future withdrawal behaviour.
Comparison of static balance of elderly women through two methods: computerized photogrammetry and accelerometer

Introduction The aging process produces functional and structural deficits in the body, among these changes we highlight the changes in balance. Objective This study aims to compare the computed photogrammetry and accelerometer to assess static balance in the elderly. Methods This was an observational, cross-sectional study. The study included 112 female subjects participating in a mothers club, where the balance assessment was performed using computerized photogrammetry and accelerometer. Results Average age 70.3 ± 5.8 [60-79] years, with the majority of the sample (47.3%) consisted of elderly widows, followed by 41.1% of married elderly. Most of the sample (73.2%) reported not working, eighty-six percent of the sample reported not having suffered falls in the last year. The vast majority of elderly studied (93.8%) reported not having suffered fracture episode and 6.3% reported having suffered fracture episode in the last three months, 75% of the sample owned anteriorization trunk, 63% had previous oscillation trunk and 37% had subsequent oscillation. Conclusion There were significant direct and a moderate to good between the measurements obtained in photogrammetry and triaxial accelerometer correlations.
Use of different doses of Hidrogel for sweet pepper seedling production

El pimiento ( Capsicum annuum ) es una hortaliza de gran importancia socioeconomica en Brasil. Una de las principales etapas del sistema de produccion es la produccion de plantulas de calidad, y esto requiere de un sustrato con buena porosidad y retencion de agua. La tecnica de adicion de hidrogel como acondicionador del suelo tiene como objetivo aumentar la capacidad de retener agua en sustratos para plantulas. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar el desarrollo de las plantulas de pimiento con el uso de cuatro dosis del hidrogel hydroplan-EB anadido al sustrato Bioterra, siendo: 0, 1,0, 1,5 y 2,0 g kg -1 de sustrato. El ensayo ha sido desarrollado entre marzo y abril de 2007 en vivero cerrado con tela en la Universidad de Oeste Paulista (UNOESTE), Presidente Prudente - SP. Se utilizo el pimiento variedad Cascadura Ikeda. Las variables evaluadas fueron altura de planta, longitud de la raiz, numero de hojas, masa seca de lo dosel vegetativo y parte de la raiz. El uso de hidrogel no he causado diferencias en el sistema radicular de las plantulas de pimiento. No hubo efecto del hidrogel en la longitud del dosel vegetativo, pero el hidrogel he interferido con la masa de lo dosel, pues con el aumento de la dosis de hidrogel se ha observado como respuesta el desarrollo de las hojas y no el crecimiento en altura, promoviendo un ajuste lineal positivo significativo del peso seco de lo dosel vegetativo con lo aumento de la dosis de hidrogel, proporcionando una plantula de mejor calidad.
Non‐destructive DC resistivity surveying using flat‐base electrodes

The application of flat-base electrodes to geoelectrical measurements is examined. This study is motivated by the inability to apply geoelectrical techniques in environments where conventional spike electrodes cannot be inserted into the ground. The performance of flat-base electrodes is examined in various environments, using different measuring modes. It is shown that flat-base electrodes can be satisfactorily used in most cases, producing data that are almost identical to the measurements obtained using standard electrodes. Several case studies in various urban locations in Greece, where flat-base electrodes have been successfully employed, are also presented. The results indicate that flat-base electrodes provide the advantage of a fully non-destructive application and, therefore, the extension of geoelectrical methods to environments that, otherwise, would not have been considered suitable.
Testing nowcasts of the ionospheric convection from the expanding and contracting polar cap model

The expanding/contracting polar cap (ECPC) model, or the time‐dependent Dungey cycle, provides a theoretical framework for understanding solar wind‐magnetosphere‐ionosphere coupling. The ECPC describes the relationship between magnetopause reconnection and substorm growth phase, magnetotail reconnection and substorm expansion phase, associated changes in auroral morphology, and ionospheric convective motions. Despite the many successes of the model, there has yet to be a rigorous test of the predictions or nowcasts made regarding ionospheric convection, which remains a final hurdle for the validation of the ECPC. In this study we undertake a comparison of ionospheric convection, as measured in situ by ion drift meters on board DMSP (Defense Meteorological Satellite Program) satellites and from the ground by SuperDARN (Super Dual Auroral Radar Network), with motions nowcasted by a theoretical model. The model is coupled to measurements of changes in the size of the polar cap made using global auroral imagery from the IMAGE FUV (Imager for Magnetopause to Aurora Global Exploration Far Ultraviolet) instrument, as well as the dayside reconnection rate, estimated using the OMNI data set. The results show that we can largely nowcast the magnitudes of ionospheric convection flows using the context of our understanding of magnetic reconnection at the magnetopause and in the magnetotail.