Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of transport logistics challenges affecting freight forwarding operations in Malawi

Malawi is one of the landlocked countries within sub-Saharan Africa which faces serious challenges in managing her transport logistics. The provision of predictable, reliable and cost effective transport logistics is constrained due to deficiencies in road and rail infrastructure, inefficient port and transit border operations that contribute to very high transport cost. This study was undertaken to analyse the challenges facing the transport logistics industry in sub-Saharan Africa specifically Malawi. Data was solicited from a structured questionnaire that was circulated to purposely selected members from the population of the business community with expertise in transport logistics. Results from the study are also supported by literature and indicated that high transport cost, deficiencies in road and rail infrastructure, inefficient port and transit border delays pose serious challenges to transport logistics. Key words: Transport logistics, infrastructure, trade facilitation, landlocked countries.
Comparative Analysis Between Cough Peak Flow And Cough Strength Score in Evaluating Patients for Scheduled Extubation

Objective: To evaluate and compare the accuracy of cough strength score and cough peak flow in anticipating extubation results in patients admitted to ICU. Methods: Prospective, randomized and double-blind investigation was carried out in the period between June 2014 till October 2016 at Royal Medical Services Amman-Jordan. 204 patients who were candidates for extubation after a successful spontaneous breathing test were included in this study. Cough strength score and cough peak flow were evaluated before extubation. Reintubation was recorded after 3 days of extubation. Results: Twenty six patients required reintubation during the three days after planned extubation. Patients with successful extubation had higher cough strength score than patients who required reintubation . cough strength score demonstrated a positive correlation with cough peak flow. There is an inverse relation between cough strength score and reintubation incidence. Conclusions: Cough strength score is an easy and applicable method to be recorded at the bedside. It is positively associated with CPF and had the same result for anticipating reintubation after scheduled extubation.
Iron treatment enhances the levels of reduced glutathione, oxidized glutathione and glutathione reductase activity in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The six rice varieties (Govind, Super, HKR120, Pusa1121, HBC19 and Palman579) differing in grain iron concentration (35400 μg/g) were evaluated for changes in reduced (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG) content and glutathione reductase (GR) activity in root and shoot tissues in response to varied iron concentrations at vegetative and reproductive stages. Plants were grown in pots in the net house and treated twice with Yoshida solution containing different iron concentrations (0, 0.1 mM, 0.5 mM EDTAFe II). Both reduced and oxidized glutathione content and activity of glutathione reductase invariably increased with increasing iron treatment in both roots and shoots. The GR activity remained significantly low in the low grain Fe content varieties, Govind and Super, as compared to medium, HKR120 and PUSA1121 and high Fe varieties, HBC19 and Palman579. A significant positive correlation was observed between the per cent change in glutathione content and GR activity.
Prevalence and Antibiotic Resistance of Listeria Spp. Isolated from Ready-to-Eat Foods in Ankara

In this study the presence of Listeria spp. is tested in 100 ready-to-eat food samples purchased from different stores and traditional food shops in the province of Ankara. The tested materials were 20 each of the following: mayonnaise based salad, kadinbudu kofte (fried meatball), fried liver, rice stuffed mussel, and green salad. Microbiological analyzes showed that 13 of 100 salad samples (13%) were contaminated with Listeria spp. while 10 of 100 salad samples (10%) were contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Among these, 4 of 20 mayonnaise based salad samples (20%), 1 of 20 fried liver (5%), 1 of 20 rice stuffed mussel (5%), 1 of 20 kadinbudu kofte samples (5%), and 6 of 20 green salad samples (30%) were positive for Listeria spp. All isolated and identified strains were susceptible to chloramphenicol, trimethoprim, tetracycline, and tobramycin while they were resistant to rifampine.
Drought and vegetation stress monitoring in Portugal using satellite data

Abstract. Remote sensed information on vegetation and soil moisture, namely the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and the Soil Water Index (SWI), is employed to monitor the spatial extent, severity and persistence of drought episodes over Continental Portugal, from 1999 to 2006. The severity of a given drought episode is assessed by evaluating the cumulative impact over time of drought conditions on vegetation. Special attention is given to the drought episodes that have occurred in the last decade, i.e., 1999, 2002 and particularly the major event of 2005. During both the 1999 and 2005 drought episodes negative anomalies of NDVI are observed over large sectors of Southern Portugal for up to nine months (out of eleven) of the vegetative cycle. On the contrary, the 2002 event was characterized by negative anomalies in the northern half of Portugal and for a shorter period (eight out of eleven months). The impact of soil moisture on vegetation dynamics is evaluated by analyzing monthly anomalies of SWI and by studying the annual cycle of SWI vs. NDVI. While in the case of the drought episode of 1999 the scarcity of water in the soil persisted until spring, in the recent episode of 2005 the deficit in greenness was already apparent at the end of summer. The impact of dry periods on vegetation is clearly observed in both arable land and forest, and it is found that arable land presents a higher sensitivity. From an operational point of view, obtained results reveal the possibility of using the developed methodology to monitor, in quasi real-time, vegetation stress and droughts in Mediterranean ecosystems.
Embolisation of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations – case series

Purpose Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVM) are the direct communications between the pulmonary arteries and veins. These malformations can cause serious complications, and most of these patients should be treated. Herein we present our experience in the treatment of 18 cases of PAVM, treated with endovascular embolisation. Material and methods Eighteen patients with PAVMs underwent endovascular embolisation during a five-year period. Eight were male and 10 were female, with ages ranging from 16 to 65 years. Standard steel coils and vascular plug were used for embolisation. Results Embolisation was successful in 17 of 18 patients. Coiling was used in 10 patients, vascular plug in five, and both materials in two patients. All symptomatic patients with successful embolisation lost all their symptoms after treatment. Control angiography after embolisation showed a closure of AV shunt without migration of embolic material in all patients. Post-embolisation syndrome developed in four patients and late onset of pleural pain in three patients. There was no connection between pleural reaction and type of PAVM and embolic material. Conclusions Endovascular PAVM treatment is a minimally invasive, highly successful method with a low rate of only transitory complications.
Sensitivity of Investor Reaction to Market Direction and Volatility: The Case of Dividend Change Announcements

This study examines whether investor reactions are sensitive to the recent direction and/or volatility of underlying market movements. We find dividend change announcements elicit a greater change in stock price when the nature of the news (good or bad) goes against the grain of the recent market direction during volatile times. For example, announcements to lower dividends elicit a significantly greater decrease in stock price when market returns have been up and more volatile. Similarly, announcements to raise dividends tend to elicit a greater increase in stock price when market returns have been normal or down and more volatile, although this latter tendency lacks statistical significance. We suggest an explanation for these results that combines the implications of a dynamic rational expectations equilibrium model with behavioral considerations that link the responsiveness of investors to market direction and volatility.
AUTO-ETHNOGRAPHIC TECHNIQUES AS AN EFFICIENT TOOL FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF RURAL SOCIAL CAPITAL AND LOCAL IDENTITY

Many regions in Poland are said to be a unique example of preservation of cultural heritage. These include many examples of Pomorskie, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Wielkopolskie and Dolnoslaskie voivodships. These regions are known to preserve the traditional way of life and customs as well as the architecture, especially the sacral architecture. It is also much easier to build mutual trust and social capital in them, because people from those regions can always refer to the universal values of their ancestors. However, there are also regions which, under the influence of migration and post-displacement processes after World War II, have lost their cultural and social character. Economic emigrants and displaced people from the Eastern Borderlands and Central Poland shared poverty and desire to settle. Will they succeed, and is there a chance to recreate and build a new identity? Those are the questions we are trying to answer, and the following article presents some of the results. By moving the border of autobiographical and ethnographic methods, authors adopt an autoethnographic method (narrative interviews, participant observation, biographical methods), which means turning to narratives as a way of research and as an expression of the search for a different relationship between the researcher and the subject and between the author and the reader. The researchers use their own experiences as a source of description of the culture in which they participate and examine. As a result, the text is a story created by the local community and researchers, aimed at reproducing and creating identity in the post-immigrant rural communities based on experienced and historical memory. The research was conducted in the years 2016-2017 in the above mentioned voivodships. Keywords: qualitative research, autoethnography, rural social capital, post-immigration societies identity Article DOI: http://doi.org/10.15544/RD.2017. 164
Observations on the globally threatened Pied Tit Parus nuchalis at Jessore Sanctuary, Gujarat

I discuss observations made on the globally threatened Indian endemic Pied Tit Parus nuchalis during a study conducted between July 2003 and February 2005 at Jessore Sanctuary, northern Gujarat. Twelve sightings of the species (18 individuals) were obtained chiefly in thorn-scrub habitats dominated by Acacia senegal. Several avian co-habitants were listed from the area and its overlap with Great Tit P. major explored. Pied Tit appears to be an intrinsically rare species with a mean encounter rate of 0.18 individuals/km and a relative abundance of 0.0034 at Jessore. This rarity combined with a patchy distribution, disjunct range, limited availability of nesting sites and human pressures on its thorn-scrub habitat point at the need to review its conservation status at the global and national levels.
On the optimality of bargaining outcomes in the Collective-Particularistic multilateral bargaining game

This note analyzes the efficiency properties of the equilibrium in a multilateral bargaining game in which a legislature divides a budget among collective and particularistic goods. We extend the model of Volden and Wiseman (2007) by considering smooth utility functions and consensus requirements ranging from simple-majority to unanimity. We show that when the private valuation of the private good is relatively high, only unanimity induces an (ex-ante) Pareto efficient outcome. Moreover, optimality can be easily attained by using sequential negotiations, independently of the majority requirement.
GENOTYPE × ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION OF CORM AND CORMEL PRODUCTION IN GLADIOLUS

Twelve gladiolus genotypes were planted on five different dates from 10 th October to 10 th December, 2011 at fortnightly interval and traits for corm and cormel production were evaluated. The number of corms and cormels per plant were maximum under 10th October planting (1.75 and 24.37 respectively) and in cv. Punjab Lemon Delight (2.01) and Punjab Glance (41.52) respectively. The result of G x E interaction shows that the number of corms and cormels per plant in twelve genotypes under five different environments ranges from 1.00 to 2.66 and 1.66 to 75.00 respectively. The maximum corm weight and corm size was in cv. Rose Supreme (102.70 g and 5.66 cm respectively) and under 10 th October planting (76.07g and 4.39cm respectively). The G x E interactions shows that the corm weight per plant and corm size ranges from 10.83 to 106.86g and 2.70 to 6.51cm respectively. It concluded that the best planting time with respect to corm and cormel production was 10 th October while 10th December was least favourable.
Determining the Influence of Psycholigical Capital on the Ethical Behavior of Sales Force: A Case of Telecom Sector

The study assessed the influence of psychological capital on the ethical behavior of sales force in telecom sector of Pakistan. The study used quantitative approach to collect data through questionnaires based survey. The collected data were analyzed through descriptive statistic and stepwise regression. Results of the study indicated that psychological capital has significant effects on the ethical behavior of sales force in telecom sector. Keywords: Psychological Capital, Ethical Behavior, Sales Force, Telecom Sector
Are financial incentives related to performance? A meta-analytic review of empirical research.

The relationship of financial incentives to performance quality and quantity is cumulated over 39 studies containing 47 relationships. Financial incentives were not related to performance quality but had a corrected correlation of.34 with performance quantity. Setting (laboratory, field, experimental simulation) and theoretical framework moderated the relationship, but task type did not.
Competitive Advantage Based on Human Capital and its Impact on Organizational Sustainability: Applied Study in Jordanian Telecommunications Sector

The current situation facing business organizations is characterized by diverse work environments with continuous change and development. Todays organizations seek to keep pace with this continuous development and operate to maintain their current business through the ability to effectively respond to change, and to create competitive advantage based on the existence of qualified human capital that contribute to the creation of organizational sustainability in the business sector. Talented human capital, with special skills, has the potential to create confidence and integration among the staff and top management, leading to organizational growth and continuation (Kurucz, 2013). The emergence of a set of challenges in the knowledge economy has had a clear reflection on business organizations which have begun to search for new mechanisms to compete and insure their existence in the business world. Hence, the importance of the concept of competitive advantage, based on human capital, as a necessary requirement to deal with the challenges faced by local, regional or international organizations (Global Institute, 2011). Where competitive advantage based on human capital is the main generator of new ideas, development of old ideas, and contribution to aid in organizational abilities to expand their current market share as well as maximizing value. Competitive advantage based on talented human capital allows organizations to be able to seize new opportunities and achieve permanence and future continuity (Thomas, 2014). This study aimed to look at the impact of competitive advantage through intellectual capital investment as one of the elements in the creation of organizational sustainability in the Jordanian Telecommunications Companies sector. Simple and Multiple regression was used for data analysis and testing the hypotheses of this research . This study has reached a set of results that previous studies reinforced in this area such as: Competitive advantage based on a distinct capital is the optimum method that should be used in telecommunications companies since it contributes to the optimal investment of human capital. This leads to optimum organizational sustainability for companies in various fields and also contributes to the achievement of a companyi¯s mission and vision of the future.
The Prevalence of Under-Nourished Child Obese Mother Phenomenon in Rural Areas: Evidence from Central Province of Kenya

Attainment of nutritional security is a major focus of the Millennium Development Goals. Despite efforts, Sub-Saharan Africa countries are yet to make significant progress in becoming nutritionally secure. Over the years, maternal obesity and child under-nutrition have concurrently been on the increase. The rise in obesity and child under-nutrition is attributed to, among others, urbanization-driven shifts in eating habits and lifestyle, changes in purchasing power, food assistance and stress-related medical conditions. Studies in Asia and Latin America have associated co-existence of adult obesity and child under-nutrition with urban areas. In this paper we examine the prevalence of child under-nutrition and mother obesity in rural Kenya. We find that 22 per cent of households with undernourished children have mothers that are obese. The paper also find a positive association between wealth, education and woman status and the existence of undernourished child obese mother phenomenon in the same household. The policy implication of this double burden problem is that interventions aimed at solving child malnutrition need to be targeted.
Characterization, Meteorological Influences and Source Identification of Carbonaceous Aerosols during the Autumn-winter Period in Tianjin, China

Organic and elemental carbon (OC and EC) were measured in PM2.5 and PM10 at urban and suburban sites in Tianjin, China, from September 2009 to February 2010. Average PM2.5 and PM10 mass levels were 124 and 243 μg/m^3, respectively, with 53% of the PM10 mass present as PM2.5. The average OC and EC concentrations in PM2.5 were 14.5 and 4.3 μg/m^3, respectively, while those in PM10 were 33 and 6.1 μg/m^3, respectively. Relation of OC and EC to the trace elements As, Zn, K and Pb and principal component analysis indicated that multiple sources contributed to the OC and EC. Secondary organic carbon was found to constitute 46% and 66% of the total organic carbon in PM2.5 and PM10, respectively, in autumn and 41% and 56%, respectively in winter.
Teenage Pregnancy among Young People in and Leaving Care: Messages and Implications for Foster Care

Previous research has shown that looked after children and young people are vulnerable to poor life outcomes, including early pregnancy. Abigail Knight, Elaine Chase and Peter Aggleton discuss findings from a Department of Health-funded study on teenage pregnancy among young people in and leaving care. Using in-depth interviews, data were collected from 63 recently looked after young people aged 15 to 24 and from 78 associated professionals from a range of backgrounds, across four research sites. This paper focuses specifically on young people's experiences of foster care and the interface between foster care and the emotional influences surrounding pregnancy, opportunities for and challenges to learning about sex and relationships, and the provision of support during pregnancy and early parenthood. Findings suggest the need to provide foster carers with support, training and guidance concerning relevant and appropriate education for young people with regard to sex and relationships. The findings also indicate the need for specialist guidance on these matters in mother and baby foster care placements so as to benefit foster carers, young parents and their babies alike.
On the M-σ Relationship and SMBH Mass Estimates of Selected Nearby Galaxies

Super massive black holes are believed to influence galactic evolution and dynamics. A histogram of SMBH masses for different redshift regimes may reveal clues on how the SMBH evolve in time. A prominent method for SMBH mass estimation is based on the linear correlation between the bulge velocity dispersion and the SMBH mass. Known as M-σ relationship, this method is known to provide reasonable but not very accurate mass estimates due to considerable scatter in data. In order to increase the precision, we surveyed the literature and gathered SMBH and velocity dispersion data for low redshift (z 0.02) spiral galaxies. We report the M-σ relationship for low redshift spiral galaxies as, By using this refined M-σ relationship we measured 32 SMBH masses and determined upper and lower mass boundaries and the mass histogram for spiral galaxies in a narrow redshift regime (0.016 z σ relationship. The estimated masses vary between 9.51 × 106 - 2.36 × 108 solar masses.
Learn it, Live it, Teach it, Embed it: Implementing a whole school approach to foster positive mental health and wellbeing through Positive Education

Schools provide unique environments for the implementation of interventions to support the mental health and wellbeing of young people. While promising as an intervention setting, the school system is inherently complex, and any successful intervention or programme must account for, and adapt to, such complexity. Whole-school approaches that comprise multi-components and promote collaborative and collective action across the school system appear promising for accounting for these complexities. This paper reports the updated implementation processes of one whole-school approach, the Geelong Grammar School Applied Model for Positive Education, for fostering positive mental health and wellbeing among the school community. Drawing upon existing frameworks and from successes observed in the fields of Social and Emotional Learning, mental health prevention, and health promotion, adapted to meet the goals of Positive Education, we propose four interconnecting, cyclical processes; Learn it, Live it, Teach it, Embed it. In combination, these processes assist schools in designing and reviewing ongoing implementation. This study extends the literature to date by synthesising organisational, systems change, education, and anecdotal evidence to identify barriers to implementation and subsequent outcomes of missed, or poorly executed processes. While schools will be unique in factors such as context, specific needs, and available resources, it is envisaged that reporting these processes and potential barriers to success may assist schools with their own future implementation endeavours.