Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development outcomes of internet and mobile phones use in Kenya: the households' perspectives

Purpose – Usage of internet and mobile phones has promoted and sometimes hindered various aspects of development bringing radical changes to Kenyan households in the last couple of years. The rapid spread of mobile phones, mobile broadband and internet usage at the household level has increased the potential of these technologies leading to development outcomes. This paper aims to focus on these issues.Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on primary data collected through two surveys and is part of ongoing PhD work. A rigorous methodology was designed and used to conduct the research. Starting with the research problem that outlined the key areas for the study, research objectives were developed following a background review of the study. The paper establishes the development outcomes associated with the rapid spread and usage of the internet and mobile phones and explores if the wide usage expands or shrinks the capabilities of the households.Findings – The analysis indicates that a high valu.
Job satisfaction among Malaysian employees: an application of Spector’s Job Satisfaction Survey in the South East Asian Context

ABSTRACT Job satisfaction explains individuals’ reactions towards their jobs. Many studies find that job satisfaction is a well-known construct that is widely used to study work-related wellbeing; and contributes significantly to employees' overall quality of life. The current paper examines job satisfaction among Malaysian employees using the Job Satisfaction Survey (JSS). In particular, the present study compares the job satisfaction levels of Malaysian samples with those of a previously reported study involving samples from Singapore and the United States. Results of one sample t-test reveals statistically significant differences in pay, promotion, fringe benefits, contingent rewards, supervision, co-workers and nature of work subscales. No cultural influence exists between Malaysian and Singapore samples in terms of perceived operating conditions satisfaction. Similarly, no statistically significant difference exists between Malaysian and the United States perception towards the communication facet. Furthermore, the results of factor analysis support the previous study, suggesting possible cultural differences in the understanding of, and consensus regarding, the structure of the job satisfaction scale. Keywords: Job satisfaction; Malaysia; Spector; South East Asia ABSTRAK Kepuasan kerja menerangkan tentang reaksi individu terhadap kerjanya. Ia merupakan antara konstruk utama yang selalu digunakan untuk mengkaji kesejahteraan individu dan konstruk yang menyumbang secara signifikan terhadap kualiti hidup pekerja. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengenal pasti kepuasan kerja dalam kalangan pekerja Malaysia dengan menggunakan kajiselidik kepuasan kerja (JSS). Secara khususnya, kajian ini membandingkan kepuasan kerja pekerja Malaysia dengan pekerja Singapura dan Amerika Syarikat. Ujian t satu sampel menunjukkan terdapat perbezaan yang signifikan berdasarkan sub-skala upah, kenaikan pangkat, faedah sampingan, ganjaran kontigensi, penyeliaan, rakan sekerja dan sifat pekerjaan. Tidak terdapat pengaruh budaya terhadap perbezaan persepsi kepuasan kondisi operasi antara sampel pekerja Malaysia dengan Singapura, begitu juga dengan persepsi aspek komunikasi. Seterusnya, analisis faktor juga mengukuhkan lagi dapatan kajian lepas yang menunjukkan terdapat perbezaan budaya dalam kefahaman dan persetujuan tentang struktur skala kepuasan kerja. Kata kunci: Kepuasan kerja; Malaysia; Spector; Asia Tenggara
Optical fibre sensors based on UV inscribed excessively tilted fibre grating

In-fibre inscription of grating structures in the core of an optical fibre was firstly reported in 1978 by Hill [1]. Being a promising device as narrow band reflector, the fibre Bragg gratings (FBGs) have drawn a lot of attentions in the field of optical communication at that time. However, the functionality of FBGs as sensors has been only recognised after a decade of the invention of the device which can inscribe FBG with resonant wavelength independent of the writing laser wavelength [2]. Since then, the research of FBG based sensors has grown tremendously [3]. The techniques using diffractive optical element to fabricate FBG have put the field into a more commercial way as reproductive of identical FBGs is possible [4]. FBGs are then found a range of applications in sensing field such as strain, temperature, curvature, loading, displacement etc. In 1996, a new type of fibre grating device which is called long period fibre grating (LPG) was demonstrated which has superior temperature sensitivity while possessing refractive index (RI) responsivity [5]. Both FBGs and LPGs have shown significant role in the optical sensing domain. They have been utilised directly or functionalised or integrated with other structures to show functionality in various sensing applications.
A modified air pycnometer for compost air volume and density determination

Agnew, J.M. , Leonard, J.J., Feddes, J. and Feng, Y. 2003. A modified air pycnometer for compost air volume and density determination. Canadian Biosystems Engineering/Le genie des biosystemes au Canada 45: 6.27-6.35. A method of measuring the bulk density and free air space (FAS) of compost that is quick and accurate, and simulates in situ conditions was required for more efficient management of the composting process. An air pycnometer is a device which uses ideal gas principles to determine the amount of air space within a given material. The modified air pycnometer designed and built to meet the objectives of this work included two 30-L PVC vessels for pressure difference determination and an air cylinder activated piston to simulate the stress conditions found at all pile depths. The FAS and bulk density of manure compost, municipal solid waste compost, and mixtures of biosolids and amendment material (leaves, straw, and woodchips) were measured at various moisture contents and compressive loads. The particle densities of the compost materials were roughly similar (1500-1800 kg/m), and negatively sloped linear bulk density and FAS profiles (variation with depth) were observed for all materials. The linear relationship between bulk density and FAS had an R value of 0.97.
Tidal regimes of temperate coasts and their influences on aerial exposure for intertidal organisms

Thermal stress and desiccation are the main causes of the upper limit to the distribution of organisms on rocky shores. The timing of low tides plays a key role in determining the exposure of intertidal organisms to potentially stressful desiccation and thermal conditions, and has recently been suggested as pivotal in predicting the effects of global warming. Using data generated from tidal har- monics for evenly spaced stations of temperate latitude (23 to 50°), we compare the amount of time exposed to low tide during summer middays along 7 different coastlines (East Australia, east and west coasts of North and South America, and the west coasts of southern Africa and northern Africa-western Europe) for 3 standardized tidal heights. Eastern Australia and western South Amer- ica consistently showed the greatest amount of time exposed to low tides during summer middays at all 3 tidal heights. Some of the highest exposures were observed in western North America in the higher intertidal, but were among the lowest in the mid- and lower intertidal levels. The east coast of North America showed intermediate exposure in the high intertidal, but exposure was among the highest at mid- and lower tidal levels. Among the lowest exposure times were observed at the remaining 3 coasts at all 3 tidal levels. Therefore, predictions about the consequences of climate change on coastal organisms will vary across continents.
Prevalence of postnatal depression and associated factors among HIV-positive women in primary care in Nkangala district, South Africa

Background. The prevalence of postpartum depression in South Africa is high, but there is lack of prevalence data on postnatal depression among HIV-infected women. Aim. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of depressed mood and associated factors in postnatal HIV-positive women in primary care facilities in Nkangala district, Mpumalanga, South Africa. Methods. This cross-sectional study was carried out on 607 HIV-positive postnatal women in 48 primary health care clinics and community health centres in Nkangala district. Postnatal women were recruited by systematic sampling (every consecutive patient over a period of 2 months). Demographic and other data were obtained from all the women who responded to a questionnaire in the local language on male involvement, HIV test disclosure, delivery and infant profile, infant HIV diagnosis, stigma, discrimination, postnatal depression, attendance of support groups and social support. Results. Overall, 45.1% of women reported a depressed mood in the postnatal period. Depressed mood in a multivariable analysis was significantly associated with internalised stigma (odds ratio (OR) 1.12, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05 - 1.19; p=0.000), discrimination experiences (OR 1.22, CI 1.03 - 1.46; p=0.023), lack of social support (OR 0.86, CI 0.74 - 0.99; p=0.037) and having had an STI in the past 12 months (OR 2.22, CI 1.21 - 4.04; p=0.010). There were no statistically significant correlations between the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) scores of the women and age, marital status, level of education, employment status and number of own children. Conclusion. Depressed mood is common among HIV-positive postpartum women. This is significantly associated with lack of social support, stigma and discrimination. Routine screening to identify those currently depressed or at risk of depression should be integrated into postnatal care settings to target those most needing intervention.
The Hannan-Quinn Proposition for Linear Regression

We consider the variable selection problem in linear regression. Suppose that we have a set of random variables $X_1,. ,X_m,Y,\epsilon$ such that $Y=\sum_{k\in \pi}\alpha_kX_k+\epsilon$ with $\pi\subseteq \{1,. ,m\}$ and $\alpha_k\in {\mathbb R}$ unknown, and $\epsilon$ is independent of any linear combination of $X_1,. ,X_m$. Given actually emitted $n$ examples $\{(x_{i,1}.,x_{i,m},y_i)\}_{i=1}^n$ emitted from $(X_1,.,X_m, Y)$, we wish to estimate the true $\pi$ using information criteria in the form of $H+(k/2)d_n$, where $H$ is the likelihood with respect to $\pi$ multiplied by -1, and $\{d_n\}$ is a positive real sequence. If $d_n$ is too small, we cannot obtain consistency because of overestimation. For autoregression, Hannan-Quinn proved that, in their setting of $H$ and $k$, the rate $d_n=2\log\log n$ is the minimum satisfying strong consistency. This paper solves the statement affirmative for linear regression as well which has a completely different setting.
On the propagation times and energy losses of cosmic rays in the heliosphere

[1] We present calculations of the propagation times and energy losses of cosmic rays as they are transported through the heliosphere. By calculating these quantities for a spatially 1D scenario, we benchmark our numerical model, which uses stochastic differential equations to solve the relevant transport equation, with known analytical solutions. The comparison is successful and serves as a vindication of the modeling approach. A spatially 3D version of the modulation model is subsequently used to calculate the propagation times and energy losses of galactic electrons and protons in different drift cycles. We find that the propagation times of electrons are longer than those of the protons at the same energy. Furthermore, the propagation times are longer in the drift cycle when the particles reach the Earth by drifting inward along the heliospheric current sheet. The calculated energy losses follow this same general trend. The energy losses suffered by the electrons are comparable to those of the protons, which is in contrast to the generally held perception that electrons experience little energy losses during their propagation through the heliosphere.
Escape and establishment of transgenic glyphosate-resistant creeping bentgrass Agrostis stolonifera in Oregon, USA: a 4-year study.

Summary 1. Gene flow from transgenic crops to feral populations and naturalized compatible relatives has been raised as one of the main issues for the deregulation of transgenic events. Creeping bentgrass, Agrostis stolonifera L. , is a perennial, outcrossing grass that propagates by seeds and stolons. Transgenic Roundup Ready® glyphosate-resistant creeping bentgrass (GRCB), which is currently under USDA-APHIS regulated status, was planted in 2002 on 162 ha within a production control area in Oregon, USA. 2. We conducted a study to assess transgene flow from the GRCB fields. A survey within and around the production control area was performed during the year when the GRCB fields produced seed and for 3 years after the fields were taken out of production. Transgene flow was determined by testing creeping bentgrass and its relatives for expression of the glyphosate resistance transgene. 3. While GRCB seed-production practices were strictly regulated, evidence of transgene flow was found in all years. In 2006, 3 years after the transgene source fields were taken out of production and a mitigation programme was initiated, 62% of the 585 creeping bentgrass plants tested in situ were glyphosate-resistant (GR). Our results document not only the movement of the glyphosate resistance transgene from the fields, but also the establishment and persistence of high frequencies of GR plants in the area, confirming that it was unrealistic to think that containment or eradication of GRCB could be accomplished. 4. Synthesis and applications : These findings highlight the potential for transgene escape and gene flow at a landscape level. The survey provides empirical frequencies that can be used to design monitoring and management methods for genetically engineered (GE) varieties of outcrossing, wind-pollinated, perennial grasses and to evaluate the potential for coexistence of GE and non-GE grass seed crops. Such information should also be used in the decision-making process for authorization of field trials and deregulation of genetic engineering events.
Thermomechanical Time-Dependent Deformation and Fracturing of Brittle Rocks

A thermomechanical numerical model is proposed to describe the time-dependent brit- tle deformation of brittle rocks under different constant temperatures and confining pressures. The mesoscale model accounts for material heterogeneity and local material degradation, and the model introduces the concept of a mesoscopic renormalization to capture the cooperative interaction between microcracks in the transition from distrib- uted to localized damage. The thermophysical parameters for the model were determined based on creep experiments of granite at temperatures of 23, 50, and 90 (cid:1) C. The numerical simulations agree well with the experimental data. We then explore the influence of temperature, differential stress, confining pressure, and sample homogene- ity on brittle creep in granite using the same parameters. The simulated results show that the creep strain rate increases with an increase in temperature and differential stress and time to failure decreases, while creep strain rate decreases with an increase in confining pressure and sample homogeneity, and therefore time to failure increases. The proposed model is of great help to control and optimize rock engineering in granite.
STUDENTS' PRECONCEPTIONS AND MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT GASES *

Bu calismanin amaci onuncu sinif ogrencilerinin gazlar konusundaki onkavrama ve kavram yanilgilarini incelemektir. Calismaya bir devlet okulundaki iki ayri onuncu siniftaki yuz ogrenci katilmistir. Gazlar Kavram Testi ogrencilerin gazlarla ilgili onkavramalari ile kavram yanilgilarini belirlemek icin on- ve son-test olarak butun ogrencilere uygulanmistir. Sonuclar ogrencilerin ogretimden once ve sonra dogru olmayan kavramsallastirmalara sahip olduklarini gostermistir
Comparative Analysis of Peat Fibre Properties and Peat Fibre-Based Knits Flammability

Abstract A very promising cellulose-based natural fibre that is suitable for use in the textile industry is peat fibre. This fibre is a by-product of peat excavation, purified by separating it from other components. In this study, the morphological, chemical and mechanical properties of peat fibres as well as flammability of peat-based knitted fabrics were analysed. The average diameter of the peat fibres is ~60 μm, but it varies in very wide ranges – 25–150 μm; however, the number of fibres with diameter more than 100 μm is very low. As the peat fibre contains a high amount of lignin, lignin amount in the mixed peat/cotton yarn is relatively high too. Lignin is responsible for enhanced flame retardancy; therefore, time to ignition of the peat knit is ~30% higher than that of the cotton knit. Consequently, peat fibre can be used in the knitted structure in order to significantly reduce its flammability. In order to increase the flame retardancy, the knits have been treated by flame retardant in various concentrations. It was found that around the burned hole on the peat knit, treated by very low concentration flame retardant, forms charred area and the knit stops to burn even if the flame source is not removed.
UPTAKE OF FLUORIDE BY GLASS-IONOMER DENTAL CEMENTS FROM A COMMERCIAL FLUORIDATED MOUTHWASH

The ability of glass-ionomer dental cements to take up fluoride from a fluoridated mouthwash has been determined, and shown to vary somewhat with the degree of maturation (ageing). Three commercial conventional glass-ionomer cements were used to produce sets of five discs (6 mm diameter by 2 mm thickness). Discs were aged for 24 h or 1 month at 37°C then placed in 5 cm volumes of commercial fluoridated mouthwash (Plax, ex Colgate Palmolive, Guildford, UK) at a nominal concentration of 112 ppm. Free fluoride ion concentration was measured in samples stored at room temperature for 30 min, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 h, using an ion selective electrode. Under these conditions cements were found to take up similar amounts of fluoride at t = 30 minutes, regardless of their age. However, at 5 hours the cements samples matured for 24 hours took up significantly more fluoride than the samples matured for 1 month. In this way it was shown that degree of maturation influenced the ability to take up fluoride without affecting the initial uptake rate. These results suggest that fluoridated mouthwashes may be a valuable source of fluoride for recharging glass-ionomer cements.
The Allocation of volatile aid and economic growth: Evidence and a suggestive theory

We present evidence on the effects of aid transfers and their degree of volatility on economic growth and show that these effects can be categorised in relation to the allocation of foreign aid between productive and non-productive purposes. Using a stochastic endogenous growth model, we provide a theoretical rationalisation for our empirical evidence. Both the empirical and the theoretical analyses generate a pertinent conclusion: situations in which aid actually inhibits the recipient’s growth rate may appear if and only if aid is volatile. As a result, we conclude that it is only in conjunction with the presence of aid variability that aid allocation decisions determine whether aid hurts or promotes trend growth.
The Role of M-Commerce Readiness in Emerging and Developed Markets

Although mobile commerce (m-commerce) growth provides ample potential for retailers around the globe, several studies have shown that it has failed to attract potential customers across different countries. This study advances the literature by comparing m-commerce customers’ behavioral intentions and actual behaviors using data from 812 m-commerce users across four countries (Australia, India, the United States, and Pakistan). This context offers a unique opportunity for understanding how m-commerce consumers’ behaviors differ across disparate national markets. The authors propose a conceptual framework linking m-commerce users’ behaviors (intentions and actual usages) to key drivers (ubiquity and habit), and they develop hypotheses about the moderating roles of m-commerce readiness and habit in these linkages. The results reveal important asymmetries between m-commerce readiness stage and between habit: users at an early m-commerce readiness stage assign more importance to ubiquity relative to habit in influencing purchase intentions, whereas the opposite is true for the users who are at an advanced stage. Habit moderates the influence of ubiquity such that its importance in determining intention decreases as the behavior in question takes a more habitual nature. The authors outline how m-retailers operating across developed and developing countries should adapt their marketing strategies to customers at different m-commerce readiness stages.
The structure and kinematics of the central Taiwan mountain belt derived from geological and seismicity data

The structure of the Taiwan mountain belt is thought to be that of an imbricate thrust and fold belt developed in a forward breaking sequence above a shallowly dipping basal detachment. In recent years, however, a growing amount of seismicity data from the internal part of the mountain belt indicates the existence of widespread fault activity in the middle and lower crust, suggesting that deeper levels of the crust must be involved in the deformation than predicted by the shallow detachment, imbricate thrust belt model. To address this issue, we present new geological mapping, together with earthquake focal mechanism and seismic energy release data from the central part of Taiwan. We concur with the interpretation that the foreland basin part of the Western Foothills comprises an imbricate thrust system that is developing as a forward breaking sequence that is structurally and kinematically linked to a basal detachment at between 7 and 10 km depth. To the east of the foreland basin, however, in the Hsuehshan and Central Ranges, our data show the presence of two fault systems. An earlier, inactive thrust system with a well‐developed cleavage is cut by a system of steeply dipping active faults that penetrate to a depth of 25 to 30 km or more. In the Hsuehshan Range, the second fault system is best represented by a structural and kinematic model in which this part of the mountain belt forms a zone of transpression with a structural architecture similar to that of a crustal‐scale positive flower structure. Eastward, in the Central Range, Mesozoic basement rocks are over thrusting strongly folded and cleaved deep water sediments of the first, now inactive, thrust system. The involvement of deep crustal levels and Mesozoic basement in the second fault system is suggestive of the reactivation of preexisting basin‐bounding faults that were located on the Eurasian continental margin.