Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An empirical investigation of the SMS Exam Result Query System Model (SERQSM) in Malaysia: the case of Universiti Malaysia Sabah

The introduction of mobile phones has provided many benefits to business leaders, government agencies and to the public at large. Today, most of the universities in Malaysia are using mobile phones to help in communicating with their students. By using mobile phones, students are able to send and retrieve information in relation to their examination results, information on tuition fees and others university matters. This paper aims to explore the factors that influence university students to use ? SMS Exam Result Query System? (SERQS). This study was conducted in one of the public Universities in Malaysia: Universiti Malaysia Sabah. In order to explore the factors, the current study will extend the applicability of ? technology acceptance model? in the context of SERQS. This paper provides a workable direction for the University in offering many services using mobile phone communications for students.
Religiosity as a predictor of moral judgment and the effect of social connectedness on forgiveness

The aim of this thesis is to investigate the relationship between social connectedness, morality, and religiosity. The present thesis is composed of two studies with the aim of exploring some of the relationships between these variables. In Study 1, the relationship between morality, religiosity, and empathy was explored in a survey. In Study 2, the effect of social connectedness on forgiveness was experimentally tested. In Study 1, 655 participants responded to measures of moral judgment, religiosity, and empathy. Study 2 was a laboratory experiment with 108 participants randomly assigned to one of two conditions (lovingkindness meditation [LKM] condition x control condition). The results from Study 1 showed that religiosity can predict patterns of moral judgment and that, although a difference in the severity of the moral judgments could be observed between religious and non-religious participants; this difference was not of a big magnitude, contrary to what could be expected from commonsense notions about morality and religion. Study 2 indicated that even a brief experience of social connectedness can increase forgiveness and that this effect doesn’t interact with many variables that predicted forgiveness in previous studies. Both of these studies revealed initial evidence about the relationships between social connectedness, religiosity, and morality.
Promoting Rural Livelihoods through Riverbed Vegetable Farming in the Tarai Region of Nepal

Agriculture supports the livelihoods for more than 65% of the Nepalese, and also serves as the mainstay of the rural economy. In recent years, climate change has induced direct impacts on natural and human systems altering productivity, biodiversity and functions of many ecosystems and livelihoods. The agriculture sector is adversely affected by climate change, and the rural poor are becoming more vulnerable to unsustainable livelihoods. Forum for Rural Welfare and Agricultural Reform for Development (FORWARD) in partnership with Plan Nepal tested the technology of riverbed vegetable farming and it has been scaling out this technology in Tarai areas of Nepal. Riverbed farming is a pro-poor focused program for the rural community. Altogether, 333 participating farmers were organized into 17 groups for riverbed vegetable farming in Morang and Banke districts. Farmers grew cucurbit species on riverbed areas. Three years’ average vegetable crop yields recorded in Banke and Morang districts were 12.6 t/ ha and 25.6 t/ha, respectively. Farmers used to sell their produce in local haat, local market places and Indian markets. When net profit from group profile record was calculated, it was NRs. 10,029.0 and NRs. 7,697.0 per household per cropping cycle in Banke and Morang, respectively. Net profit per cropping cycle calculated from individual household from 2 Kattha (666 ) area was found Gam Bahadur GURUNG, Pankaj KOIRALA, Dharma Prasad PANDE, Durga Bahadur BASNET and Omkar KAFLE 114 to be NRs. 15,026.0. The benefit:cost analysis of riverbed vegetable farming ranged between 1.4 and 4.8 when calculated for 20 farms. Among the vegetable crops grown by farmers, the highest benefit:cost ratio of 2.7 was found with bottle gourd. Incomes generated by riverbed vegetable growers were used primarily for meeting their household food security. More than 12% of landless families purchased land using the income from vegetables and became land owners. High nutrient requirements for crops, stray animals, strong windstorms, and long spell of droughts are major constraints to riverbed vegetable farming. Cultivation of vegetables on riverbed is easy in terms of land preparation, cultural practices and irrigation management. The profitability from riverbed farming is lower due to low productivity and high cost of production of vegetables compared to conventional farming. However, riverbed vegetable farming has been emerged as a niche based on-farm income generation activity fpr landless and land poor families and well accepted by farmers and agricultural organizations. As the area under riverbed is increasing every year, efforts in partnership with governmental and non-governmental sectors need to be concentrated for the benefit of landless and land poor families by utilizing wastelands.
The Effect of an Isometric Hip Muscle Strength Training Protocol on Valgus Angle During a Drop Vertical Jump in Competitive Female Volleyball Players

Background: Hip muscle weakness is associated with higher peak knee valgus angles (VA) during drop vertical jumps (DVJ) and linked to ACL injury risk. Objective: To determine if isometric strengthening (IST) of the hip extensor, abductor, and external rotator muscle groups would reduce VA exhibited during a DVJ. Methodology: Fourteen female volleyball players (7 training (TG), 7 control (CG), VA≥9˚ during DVJ) participated. Pre- and post-test gluteal, quadriceps and hamstring strength were measured with a digital force gauge. Three-dimensional kinematics were collected during 15 DVJ trials. TG participated in a 6-week IST program that targeted the hip extensor, abductor, and external rotator muscle groups. Two-way mixed ANOVAs compared mean differences of VA and strength. Single-participant analyses examined if athlete-specific adaptations went undetected in the analyses of aggregated data. Results: TG hip extension, abduction, and knee flexion strength increased, respectively, by 20.5%, 27.5% and 23.5% (P<0.05). No group-level changes in VA were detected. Unilateral VA decreased for 5 TG participants, and bilateral VA decreased in 2 TG participants. Conclusions: IST increased isometric hip muscle strength, but its effect on VA is inconclusive based on group-level analyses. Using single-participant designs, future studies should assess IST and/or dynamic resistance/neuromuscular training in a larger sample to determine its effect on ACL injury risk factors.
What Social Security: Beveridgean or Bismarckian?

Why are Bismarckian social security systems associated with larger public pension expenditures, a smaller fraction of private pension and lower income in-equality than Beveridgean systems? These facts are puzzling for political economy theories of social security which predict that Beveridgean systems, involving intra-generational redistribution, should enjoy larger support among low-income people and thus be larger. This paper explains these features in a bidimensional political economy model. In an economy with three income groups, low-income support a large, redistributive system; middle-income favor an earning-related system, while high-income oppose any public system, since they have access to a superior saving technology, a private system. We show that, if income inequality is large, the voting majority of high-income and low-income supports a (small) Beveridgean system, and a large private pillar arises; the opposite occurs with low inequality. Additionally, when the capital market provides higher returns, a Beveridgean system is more likely to emerge.
A Systematic Review of User-Centred Design Practices in Illicit Substance Use Interventions for Higher Education Students

There is increasing interest within the mobile health (mHealth) field for technologies that encourage users to change or avoid certain health related behaviours. Recently the area of illicit substance use has attracted the attention of mHealth researchers, particularly as illicit substance use among students in higher education appears to be increasing. Little analysis has been conducted on the design strategies used to develop these interventions and the user experience they deliver. With concern growing about the capacity of mHealth interventions to engage users in real world settings, we undertook a systematic review of the implementation and reporting of user-centred design (UCD) practices in the development of illicit substance use behavioural interventions in the higher education context (n=7). Our review revealed limited consideration of end user experience and minimal engagement with UCD practices. We argue that these studies do not give sufficient consideration to factors that would have a significant influence their effectiveness and sustainability in normal use conditions. We further propose a framework of guidelines for the design and reporting of mHealth interventions (SCENE) that will underpin more robust methodologies for developing, evaluating, and reporting intervention strategies in this context.
Examination Repeats, Semester Deferments and Dropping Out as Contributors of Attrition Rates in Private Universities in Nairobi County Kenya.

The purpose of this study was to investigate student attrition rates in private universities in Nairobi County, Kenya. The study was based on the attribution theory of achievement, motivation, and emotion by Weiner (1985). The study sample consisted of 387 current and 60 students who had dropped out from 13 private universities in Nairobi, Kenya. Data was collected through a paper based questionnaire and in-depth interviews. The study established attrition levels of 37%. The results also showed a negative significant relationship between student faculty interaction and student attrition rate (p=.03). Based on the findings of the study and the conclusions made, the study recommended improvements in learning environments in order to ease or eliminate student attrition. The study recommends that university amenities such as lecture halls, libraries, hostels and dining points adhere to ergonomics. In addition, mechanisms for early detection of attrition risk should be put in place and supported by technology to ensure students pursue their studies to completion. A further recommendation was that students should be encouraged to always take a proactive approach to university life which would help them seek faculty and peer support and to use the university environment in a manner that would benefit them thus reducing attrition.
Characteristics of lightning leader propagation and ground attachment

The grounding process and the associated leader behavior were analyzed by using high‐speed video record and time‐correlated electric field change for 37 natural negative cloud‐to‐ground flashes. Weak luminous grounded channel was recognized below the downward leader tip in the frame preceding the return stroke, which is inferred as upward connecting leader considering the physical process of lightning attachment, though not directly confirmed by sequential frames. For stepped leader‐first return strokes, the upward connecting leaders tend to be induced by those downward leader branches with brighter luminosity and lower channel tip above ground, and they may accomplish the attachment with great possibility. The upward connecting leaders for 2 out of 61 leader‐subsequent stroke sequences were captured in the frame prior to the return stroke, exhibiting relatively long channel lengths of 340 m and 105 m, respectively. The inducing downward subsequent leaders were of the chaotic type characterized by irregular electric field pulse train with duration of 0.2–0.3 ms. The transient drop of the high potential difference between stepped leader system and ground when the attachment occurred would macroscopically terminate the propagation of those ungrounded branches while would not effectively prevent the development of the existing space stem systems in the low‐conductivity streamer zone apart from the leader tip. When the ungrounded branches are of poor connection with the main stroke channel, their further propagation toward ground would be feasible. These two factors may contribute to the occurrence of multiple grounding within the same leader‐return stroke sequence.
Biosorption of Methylene Blue and Malachite Green From Binary Solution onto Ulva lactuca

Adsorption of Methylene Blue (M.B.) and Malachite Green (M.G.) onto dried biomass of Ulva lactuca (L.) was attended in this study. The adsorption process was analyzed with respect to the initial concentration of dye, pH, contact time and adsorbent dose. Removal percentage of both the dyes was maximum in 100 ppm dye solution at pH 6 when 100 mg adsorbent was used for one hour. Correlation coefficient values were close to unity which suggested that adsorption data were in favor of Langmuir and Freundlich models. Pseudo second-order kinetic model was found favorable to describe the adsorption behavior of both the dyes. The intra particle diffusion was a prominent process right from the beginning of dye-solid interaction. Therefore the adsorption might involve monolayer surface coverage and heterogeneous adsorption mechanism. Thus Ulva lactuca can be used as a low cost adsorbent for removal of both dyes from a binary mixture .
Comparing Wealth - Data Quality of the HFCS

The Household Finance and Consumption Survey (HFCS) provides information about household wealth (real and financial assets as well as liabilities) from 15 Euro‐countries after the financial crisis of 2007/8. The survey will be the central dataset in this topic in the future. However, several aspects point to potential methodological constraints regarding crosscountry comparability. Therefore the aim of this paper is to get a better insight in the data quality of this important data source. We will first present a synopsis of cross‐country differences, which is the core of the paper. We will compare the sampling processes, the interview modes, the oversampling techniques, the unit and item non‐response rates and how itis dealt with them via weighing and imputation as well as further points which might restrict country comparability. In addition we give a first insight in the selectivity of item nonresponse in a cross‐national setting. We make use of logit models as well as apply a decomposition method suggested by Fairlie (1999, 2005) to identify differences in characteristics as well as structural (cultural) differences in the item non‐response missing process.
Do health beliefs explain traditional medical therapies utilisation? Evidence from Ghana

Abstract Although the direct impact of health beliefs on unconventional medical therapies consumption are well documented, the previous empirical findings of the relationship have been much inconsistent and theoretically subtle in Ghana. Using social cognitive thesis, this paper examines how relative effects of personal health beliefs influence the use of traditional medicine in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Drawing on a qualitative approach involving rural and urban peculiarities and 36 in-depth interviews, this research study adopts a posteriori inductive reduction model to derive broad- and sub-themes. Results suggest that health-seeking behaviour in Ghana is a socially negotiated process in which cultural beliefs play a major role in moulding the use of unconventional therapies. Perceived displeasure and pure medicalisation of western medicine push individuals into traditional medicine use. Cultural norms and health beliefs in the form of personal philosophies, desire to be part of the healing process, illness perceptions and aetiology, holistic and natural healing approaches, and perceptions on quality of care ascribe the widespread use of traditional medicine. The complexities of personal belief constructs underscore behavioural change towards traditional medicine uptake. This paper theorises that health-seeking behaviour is subject to the complex sociocultural orientation and belief paradigm. Policies targeted at improving health services delivery at the community level should be tailored to appreciate the role of traditional structure and cultural beliefs of the people.
THE CORRELATION BETWEEN STUDENTS’ SELF-ESTEEM AND SPEAKING ACHIEVEMENT OF UNDERGRADUATE EFL STUDENTS OF ENGLISH EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM OF ISLAMIC STATE UNIVERSITY OF RADEN FATAH PALEMBANG

The main purpose of the present study was to empirically investigate the possible correlation and the influence between students’ self-esteem and speaking achievement. Students in the fifth semester were selected from among undergraduate EFL students of English Education study program at UIN Raden Fatah Palembang as the sample. Speaking test was done to measure students’ speaking achievement. By using oral Proficiency categories from Brown (2004) students’ speaking achievement was scored the five subskills of vocabulary, structure, pronunciation, fluency and comprehensibility. An adult version of Coopersmith self-esteem inventory (CSEI) which modified by Ryden (1978) for measuring self-esteem containing 58 items were also administered to the participants. Pearson product moment and regression analysis were used to find out the correlation and the influence between variables. The result showed that there was a significant correlation between students’ self-esteem and speaking achievement with r = . 635. Besides, there was also a significant influence of self-esteem on speaking achievement with 40,4%. This study could have implications for English language teachers, course designers, learners, and text book writers. Index Terms - self-esteem, speaking achievement, testing speaking, UIN learners of English
Price and Volume Effects Associated with Index Additions: Evidence from the Indian Stock Market

This study investigates the price and volume effect of index additions to the benchmark Nifty index for the recent period 1999-2010 in the Indian stock market. This study evidences significant, positive permanent abnormal returns around index announcement and inclusion. The support for permanent abnormal volume around index additions is limited at best. The results in this study do not support either the downward sloping demand curve hypothesis or the price pressure hypothesis as the primary explanation for the index inclusion effect. This study contributes to the growing literature on index inclusion by providing evidence that stock addition to the benchmark Nifty index appears to convey information. Keywords: Indian Equity market, Nifty index additions, Abnormal return and volume, JEL classification: G14, G15.
Examine How Students Use Information and Communication Technology in their Leisure Time

The main objective of the present study was to examine how the use of information and communication technology in leisure time of junior school male students of Qarchak area. This research is a descriptive practical study that was conducted in a survey. Population of the study composed of all guidance school male students and 64 individuals of them were selected using a stratified random sampling method. Data were collected using the researcher made questionnaire which its reliability and validity had been approved. Nonparametric Chi-square, Wilcoxon and Friedman test was used to analyze the data. Research results indicated that the student are welcome to information and communication technologies to spend their leisure time and in the meantime, the use of television, mobile phone has the highest rate of use and radio and satellite has the lowest rates. Also , the results showed the students know partially the tools of information and communication technology, but knowledge of information and communication technology tools has not found yet properly its position and importance and the families don’t aware of position of this technology in the development of their children in the field of their education and growth character. About usage during the academic year and during the summer, there is a significant relationship between the use of computers, television, satellite, mobile phones and mobile audio and video devices (MP4-MP3), and the use rate of tools of computer, TV, Satellite TV, Telephone mobile and mobile audio and video devices (MP4-MP3) increases during summer more than during academic year. Also, most students had fun using information and communication technology tools and next the training use has been mentioned, and students for leisure time are interested more in computers, televisions and mobile phones. At the end it became clear that information and communication technologies could create some favorable changes in people.
Effect of limestone powder as a partial replacement of crushed quarry sand on properties of self-compacting repair mortars

Self-compacting repair mortars (SCRM) are particularly desired for the rehabilitation and repair of reinforced concrete structures. The properties of SCRM can be improved by using chemical, mineral, polymer and fiber additives. In limestone quarries, considerable quantities of limestone fine powder are obtained during the process of crushing rock. These fine powders are being collected and their utilization is a big problem from the aspects of disposal, environmental pollution and health hazards. The introduction of limestone powder as cement and sand replacement present interesting possibilities to reduce the cement cost production, CO2 emission and the conservation of natural resources. The effects of limestone powder content in crushed sand on the properties of SCRM are not studied. An experimental study was undertaken to find out the effect of limestone powder content on fresh and hardened properties of SCRM. SCRM mixtures were prepared using crushed sand partially replaced with limestone powder at varying percentages up to 30%. Results indicate that the limestone powder as sand replacement significantly improves the fresh and hardened properties of SCRM with a content ranging from 10 to 15%. The use of limestone powder in repair mortar and concrete application would offer technical, economical and environmental advantages for concrete producers.
Productivity Growth and R&D Spillovers in Japanese Manufacturing Industry

This paper estimates the contribution of R&D spillovers to productivity growth Japanese manufacturing industry by estimating two alternative measures of productivity growth and two different types of R&D spillovers. The results suggest that TFP growth is affected neither by rent R&D spillovers nor by knowledge R&D spillovers. However, knowledge R&D spillovers were found to have an effect on technical change.
A multigrid-DDM schur elliptic equation solver in unstructured meshes

This work shows the parallel Multigrid-MDD Schur method for the solution of elliptic equations. In the proposed method the solution is obtained by a multigrid method parallelized by domain decomposition techniques, more specifically by the Schur complement method. It is also shown some issues related to the generation and partitioning of the mesh hierarchy. In the case study, we used the 2D heat diffusion equation in unstructured meshes. The implementations was developed to explore parallelism in clusters, using message passing.