Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Laser Wavelengths on the Silver Nanoparticles Size Prepared by PLAL

In this present study, Pulsed Laser Ablation in Liquid (PLAL) experiment setup for synthesis colloidal solution of silver-NPs. The laser system was used in this study, a (Nd-YAG) nanosecond laser system with optimal pulse duration of 10 ns and repetition rate 1-6 Hz. The Laser wavelengths were: 1064 nm, 532 nm and 355 nm. The spot size of the laser beam on the surface of metal plate was varied in the range of 1.4-1.5 mm in diameter by changing the distance between the focusing lens and the metal plate. The ablation process was typically done for 1 minute. The average particle size has been characterized by TEM, SEM and UV-Vis investigation. From morphology results for colloidal silver nanoparticles images were spherical shape and average size of the particles is 55-60 nm at wavelength (λ =1064 nm), average size of the particles is 35-40 nm at (λ =532 nm) and average size of the particles is 28 nm at (λ =355 nm).
The unique Namib desert-coastal region and its opportunities for climate smart agriculture: A review

Abstract Namibia is the driest country in sub-Saharan Africa, with surface water being only available for very limited periods during the year. This has seen the country importing up to 70% of its food requirements which exacerbates the food security challenge in the face of climate change. This review looks at the Namib Desert, and how its unique environment can be exploited for agricultural production. The cool but sunny desert makes it possible to produce crops under controlled environments with limited evapotranspiration. However, the high cost of inorganic hydroponic fertilizers makes adoption of hydroponics by smallholder subsistence farmers a great challenge thus the potential of hydroponics fertilized by organic nutrient sources like vermicomposts is discussed; highlighting research gaps. This review also highlights the potential of utilizing fog water for irrigation, a resource that is abundant in the Namib Desert, which can be crucial in desert greening. Though mushroom production is an established technology, the potential of using seaweeds from the highly productive Atlantic Ocean as mushroom substrate amendments and their potential in improving the nutrient value of mushrooms is also explored. This review highlights that agriculture is possible in this hyper-arid desert, with research being critical in driving its success.
ADAPTING TO HIGHER EDUCATION-ACADEMIC, SOCIAL, AND PERSONAL EXPECTATION OF EDUCATIONAL SCIENCES STUDENTS FOR UNIVERSITY TEACHERS

Students enter higher education with a set of expectations which influence their behaviour in the new environment. In order to support students in adapting to university studies, this study analysed students' expectations of university teachers. The sample consisted of 170 first-year bachelor students of educational sciences. Thematic analysis was used for exploring students' academic, social and personal expectations. The results revealed that students' expectations of university teachers were mostly of academic kind: teachers have to be professionals who have good theoretical and practical knowledge in their field. In case of social expectations, the university teachers were expected to treat the students equally, and have good communication skills and a teaching style that supports the learners. Students' personal expectations were about creating a collaborative partnership and taking into account students' personal traits and different educational experiences. For full-time students, academic expectations took priority, whereas for part-time students, social expectations were more important.
Tinnitus perception mediates the relationship between physiological and psychological problems among patients

The current study is the first substantial investigation to determine whether tinnitus perception mediates the relationship between physiological and psychological problems (PP). Simple random sampling, with a cross-sectional design, was used to collect data from 100 adult patients (males = 60; females = 40) diagnosed with chronic tinnitus. Subjects were approached through various public and private hospitals, at their respective Audiology and Ear, Nose, and Throat departments in Rawalpindi and Lahore, Pakistan. Participants underwent complete physiological and psychological tinnitus evaluations, such as tinnitus matching and audiometry, as well as assessments using standardized tinnitus instruments. The mediation analyses revealed an indirect relationship with hearing loss (HL) and PP (e.g., anxiety, stress, depression, mood swings) in tinnitus patients. These findings suggest that physiological problems such as tinnitus and HL might contribute to the development of psychological symptoms.
Affirming and undermining motivations for reading and associations with reading comprehension, age and gender

Background: There has been an increasing interest in negative or ‘undermining’ motivations for reading. In this study, we aimed to strengthen knowledge on the validity of the distinction between affirming and undermining motivations. First, we examined whether the structure of a questionnaire based on this distinction could be confirmed. Second, we examined the predictive value of undermining motivations for reading comprehension. Third, we studied moderator effects of gender and age. Methods: We administered a reading motivation questionnaire and a reading comprehension test to 324 low-achieving adolescents. The questionnaire included items on affirming and undermining motivations for school and leisure time reading: intrinsic motivation and avoidance, self-efficacy and perceived difficulty. Results: Confirmatory factor analyses supported the assumed structure of the questionnaire. Undermining motivations, particularly perceived difficulty, explained unique variance in reading achievement. Gender and age did not moderate effects of motivational variables. Conclusions: Educators need to be aware of the role of undermining motivations. Future research should examine if interventions can lead to the reduction of such motivations.
Multi-dimensional couple bargaining and housework allocation

Research on couple bargaining and housework allocation focuses almost exclusively on partners’ economic resources. In this study, we ask whether additional bargaining resources, namely physical appearance and social networks, may exert a distinct effect – that is, whether partners can mobilize multiple resources within their bargaining framework. A focus on multiple bargaining chips is made possible by the German Socio-Economic Panel Study. In line with previous research, we conclude that earnings potential is the most important bargaining chip. But we also find that physical attractiveness can make a significant difference, although its effects depend on age. We uncover no distinct effects for social networks.
The relation between unfinished tasks, rumination and perceived stress among university students

Negative health effects can arise when employees are not able to unwind from job demands during their leisure time. Therefore, recovery seems to be an important factor to be able to refill one’s personal resources that might get depleted from stressors at work. Unfinished tasks have shown to be one important stressor for employees. As previous research was only directed to the work context, the goal of the current study was to find out if unfinished tasks might also be a stressor for students in the university context. As rumination has shown to be an important factor related to a higher perceived stress level, it was researched if it mediates or moderates the potential relation between unfinished tasks and perceived stress. An online questionnaire was administered to measure university students’ (perception of) unfinished tasks, their level of perceived stress, and their level of state and trait rumination. Results showed that unfinished tasks and perceived stress are not only related in the work context, but also in the study context. Additionally, trait rumination partially explained this relationship. However, conclusions could not be drawn about the role of state rumination, as the self-developed questionnaire showed not to be valid.
A Study Into Perceptions of Professionalism for Lecturers in One Further Education College in the South West.

3 | P a g e term, there was enormous links with supercomplexity (Barnett, 2000a; Barnett, 2011). HE in FE lecturers explained that they were having to deal with not only the supercomplexity of FE but also that of HE. This I term ‘liquid supercomplexity’, adding in the notion of liquid modernity suggested by Bauman (2000) and I conclude it is the reality for my HE in FE participants. Barnett (2011: 109) suggests one future for the university is becoming a ‘liquid university’. I conclude that this role has already been taken; HE in FE professionals are stuck between the supercomplex university ‘rock’ struggling with change and the supercomplex FE college ‘hard place’ where change and flux is situation normal and professionalism must adapt.
Business model innovation as problematizing: A discursive framework

Despite the widespread interest in business models, relatively little is known about how organizations innovate business models. We conceptualize business model innovation as problematizing, i.e. a specific kind of ‘discursive practice’ that challenges the dominant paradigm under which a given collective operates. Therefore, we transplant the concept of problematizing from the literature on discourse theory to the literature on business models. Moreover, we develop four ideal types of problematizing that matter for the business model innovation process (determined problematizing, exhaustive problematizing, pragmatic problematizing and symbiotic problematizing). Each of these types signifies a distinct probability whether the ‘ideated’ business model will be ‘implemented’ into the organization. We argue that the occurrence of these types is influenced by the degree of compatibility between different institutional logics of ‘ideating units’ and ‘implementers’ of business models, as well as their power balance.
Understanding the webrooming phenomenon

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to propose and empirically test a model encompassing antecedents of webrooming, an emerging shopping behaviour in omnichannel retailing. This study delineates the impacts of shopping motivation, perceived channel-related benefits and costs on webrooming intention. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire-based survey was conducted using a purposive sampling technique. A total of 300 responses were collected, and data were analysed using Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling. Findings Shopping motivation, such as efficiency shopping and bargain hunting, negatively influenced webrooming intention. Immediate possession positively influenced webrooming intention. With regard to perceived costs of webrooming, purchase effort and expected price loss negatively influenced webrooming intention. An additional exploratory analysis uncovered the moderating role of efficiency shopping. Originality/value This study provides empirical evidence for the antecedents of webrooming intention and expands the understanding of this emerging yet largely unexplored cross-channel behaviour.
The Rhetoric and Reality of Continuing Professional Development for Critical Care Nurses: A Critical Ethnographic Perspective

Current research and evidence into Continuing Professional Development (CPD) has mostly centred on effective delivery formats to engage consumers. The perceptions and approaches that influence an individual engaging in CPD have yet to be explored, particularly in nursing. This qualitative research grounded in critical social constructionism and critical ethnography explores the perceptions and influences for regional intensive care nurses from Victoria, Australia as they engage in CPD. Participants from three field sites participated in semi-structured interviews. Through interviews the major themes of fear and vulnerability, isolation, professional inconsistencies and a myriad of concern for the nursing profession were identified. Threaded throughout each theme was the social influence of workplace upon nurses’ perceptions and their approaches toward CPD and the sharing of acquired knowledge amongst colleagues. The theoretical perspective of Pierre Bourdieu have been used to explore and discuss the findings of the research through the positions of orthodoxy and heterodoxy. These two positions allow the reality and the rhetoric of mandatory CPD for Australian nurses to be revealed, as shared by the participants. Orthodoxy and heterodoxy bring to light a disconnect between the regulatory body of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Board (NMBA), and the nurses it registers. Nurses engage in CPD influenced by peers and often as a means of protection or a strategic tool to acquire and hold capital and power. The NMBA mandates CPD for knowledge growth and practice change. The findings reveal that nurses’ and the NMBA appear to be playing a game creating a state of illusio, with many nurses looking to mandatory CPD to maintain their employability rather than, public protection. This research highlights the symbolic power of CPD exposing the influences of social culture, habitus and the field in which nurses’ practice. Recommendations of this research suggest that the current model of CPD is fundamentally flawed. Significant changes need to be undertaken to achieve the goal of public protection through a contemporary and knowledgeable workforce.
Preparation of Well-aligned CuO Nanorods by Thermal Oxidation Method

Abstract: Well-aligned CuO nanorods were successfully prepared by thermal oxidation method. The effect of annealing time and annealing temperature on the morphology of the nanorods were studied by scanning electron microscopy. The results show that annealing temperature plays a more critical role in affecting the diameter and density of nanorods. Besides SEM images, the effect of annealing time and temperatures on the structure of the product were also studied by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. The diameter of CuO nanorods varies from 30 nm to above 100 nm when annealing temperature changes from 400 °C to 600 °C, while the length of the rods is up to several tens of micrometers. The most uniform nanorods with highest crystal quality of CuO were obtained when annealing temperature is 500 °C and annealing time was 2 h as suggested by SEM images together with Raman results. Keywords: Cupric, Nanorods, Raman, Thermal oxidation.
Bilingual testing at the phrase and text levels and its implications for bilingual programmes

As an earlier study (Soh 2011) shows, by controlling the substantive content and item format, bilingual testing which systematically combined questions and options yielded much greater correlations in students text performance in two languages. This indicates that bilingual ability has been underestimated when assessed by using two language tests separately. The finding is only for bilingual testing at the word level. The present study goes beyond to test bilingual ability by using the same approach but at the levels of phrase and text. The same effect was found for this more complex testing. The findings are discussed with reference to the bilingual approach to language syllabus design, classroom instruction, and assessment.
Analyzing Prevalent Internal Challenges to China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) through Public Opinion

China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is the project of high priority, importance and having ability change dynamics of entire world. Though there are some obstructions in the way and if authorities don’t treat these effectively then cordial tiers between Pakistan and China might get over. Therefore there is a need of procedures that will end the prevailing negativity in local residents of Pakistan and investors from China. Therefore a contemporary and pervasive study is required to understand issues which are perceived as real barrier to CPEC by the residents of Pakistan. Hence the aim of this study presents a contemporary model of prevailing internal issues perceived important by the residents of Pakistan. Keywords : CPEC, Public Opinion, Challenges & Pak-China Relationship DOI : 10.7176/JESD/10-7-01 Publication date : April 30 th 2019
Stakeholder Effects on Shaping Public Policy in Stormwater Management

Stakeholder Effects on Shaping Public Policy in Stormwater Management by Galates Sera MS, University of Florida, 2015 BS, University of Florida 2013 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy and Administration Walden University May 2019 Abstract In Washington, DC, historical data are used to adequately size for rainfall events, and efforts to increase stormwater management requirements are fought against by internal stakeholders. In urban planning, extreme rainfall events, that may occur more frequently than expected, are often not a consideration when designing for green infrastructure facilities. The purpose of this case study was to explore how internal and externalIn Washington, DC, historical data are used to adequately size for rainfall events, and efforts to increase stormwater management requirements are fought against by internal stakeholders. In urban planning, extreme rainfall events, that may occur more frequently than expected, are often not a consideration when designing for green infrastructure facilities. The purpose of this case study was to explore how internal and external stakeholders influence stormwater management policies related to extreme rainfall events in Washington, DC. The power and politics organization theory, which focuses on how individuals obtain influence, and the resource dependency theory, which explores how organizations benefit from sustainability, were used as the theoretical framework in this study. The case study analysis was conducted via phone interviews; through phone interviews, data were collected from 4 policymakers (i.e., external stakeholders), 5 real estate developers (i.e., internal stakeholders) and 3 internal team members (i.e., internal stakeholders) and analyzed thematically. All the stakeholders believed that it is not necessary to design the green infrastructure systems to the extreme rainfall event; however, the developers said that they would design their green infrastructure systems larger if required by policy. The results of the study showed that each group’s effect works in a cyclic fashion to each other. Recommendations for future studies include to expand and increase stakeholder participation. This collaboration and better communication can help in developing more efficient stormwater management policies for a better city, which is an implication for positive social change. Stakeholder Effects on Shaping Public Policy in Stormwater Management by Galates Sera MS, University of Florida, 2015 BS, University of Florida, 2013 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy and Administration
The Role of Faith (Spirituality/Religion) in Resilience in Sub-Saharan African Children

Abstract Children living in sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries face a plethora of challenges that require adaptation and resilience for them to develop typically. The experiences of epidemics, armed conflicts, and many other man-made and natural disasters create abject poverty and psychological issues: the vulnerable children become orphans and/or refugees in addition to premature deaths because they lack safety nets. This article explores the role of faith (i.e., religion or spirituality) as a source of resilience with regard to chronic stressful life events experienced by children. There is need to establish the role of faith in children's lives because of the different types of adverse events that impact child development. African countries are inundated by many hazards that impact children more than any other age group and this trend requires urgent intervention by all stakeholders. At research level, there is need to conduct studies that explore, over prolonged periods of time, the processes and role of spirituality/religion (S/R) in facilitating or inhibiting children's adjustment to traumatic experiences. Additionally, at policy level, there is need for governments in SSA to implement policies, intervene and protect children; in addition to encouraging collaboration among the religious fraternity, traditional leaders, and other stakeholders to make the world a better place for children.
Corporate governance in Canada: A review of regulation and practices

Emerging from the agency theory, corporate governance is the practice of ensuring a corporation conducts itself accountably, fairly and openly in all its dealings. The achievement of corporate performance relies on the mechanism efficiency of Corporate Governance both internally and externally. This study is intended to review the Canadian legal and practical landscape related to corporate governance and its external and internal mechanisms. One of the main goals of corporate governance is to ensure a company’s executives are managing the finances effectively and that they always act in the best interest of stakeholders. Canada passed a law in 2003 to strengthen corporate governance. Based on the U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX), this Canadian law aims to create confidence in the Canadian market and protect investors from corporate scandals. Corporate governance mechanisms can be divided into internal and external mechanisms. The internal mechanism is essentially derived from the board of directors and its committees whereas the external mechanism is derived from laws and regulation, capital market, corporate control market, stock holders (ownership structure), and investor activities. The balance and effectiveness of the corporate governance mechanisms can create a better corporate financial performance.
Smallholder farmers’ perceptions and adaptive response to climate variability and climate change in southern rural Ghana

Abstract This paper assesses the perception and adaptation strategies employed by smallholder farmers to abate the effect of climate variability. Using a mixed method cross-sectional research approach on smallholder farmers in the Bosomtwe district, 152 farmer respondents were sampled from 12 communities by a simple random sampling technique. The quantitative data gathered were subjected to the tools of binary logistic regression analysis, multiple regression analysis, contingency tables and frequencies, embedded in the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) v. 17. Farmers’ observations were consistent with meteorological data which revealed that temperature has been increasing since 1981 and rainfall pattern has been erratic. Perception of deforestation (p < 0.05) was a significant and positive predictor of climate change. A binary logistic regression analysis performed on disposition of farmers persistently practicing a particular adaptation strategy indicated that irrigation, mulch, use of agrochemicals and changing the type of crop cultivated were positive and significant at p = . 027, p = . 000, p = . 020 and p = . 035, respectively. Policy on adaptation must make room for and capitalize on local knowledge for sustainable climate action. Agroforestry should be introduced to farmers to curb such maladaptive practices of clearing of forests and help sustain forest and agriculture.