Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rural women's participation and constraints in agricultural activities: a case study of district Nankana Sahib, Punjab.

The role of rural women’s in agricultural activities is substantial in Pakistan in general and in the Punjab province in particular. Their contribution in the agriculture and livestock is underestimated. In this milieu, this study was planned with the objective to determine the problems faced by rural women during agricultural activities. District Nankana Sahib was selected as case study. Multistage sampling technique was used for this study. At the first stage, out of three Tehsils, two Tehsils were selected randomly. Then from two selected Tehsils, six villages were selected. Finally at the third stage, 120 respondents (rural women) were selected by using convenient sampling. The data thus collected were analyzed and interpreted by using appropriate statistical package to draw the conclusions. The results revealed that that majority of the working women were participating in diverse agricultural activities including sowing, harvesting and picking. Majority of the working women were doing work to increase their family income but they were facing many problems in looking after their children and household chores. Negative attitude of the landlord is found to be one of the main problems. It is suggested that negative stereotype image of working women in rural areas should be changed with the help of mass media.
RELIGION AND LOCAL POLITICS: Exploring the Subcultures and the Political Participation of East Java NU Elites in the Post-New Order Era

The history of the involvement of NU in politics cannot be separated from the elites of this organization in East Java. The variety of cultures that flourishes in the province strongly influences the nature and characteristics of the NU elites. This paper is an attempt to deal with the relationship between those subcultures and political participation. It focuses only on five subcultures, Mataraman, coastal areas, Arek, Madurese, and Pendalungan. The NU kiais are perceived by their followers to have played double roles as religious leaders (dealing with spiritual aspects) and community leaders (relating to socio-political aspects). Locality and its growing culture become a key factor. Locality makes a contribution to the growth of understanding about politics. Mataraman NU elites always keep their relationship with formal religious issues, and there is a tendency among them to separate religion from politics. In contrast, Madura, Pendalungan, Pesisiran (north coast), and Arek areas tend to combine religion and politics.
Sleep quality and its related factors in intercity bus drivers

Aims: Sleeping is one of the basic physiological needs of human beings and has an important effect on people's everyday activities. One of the prevalent disorders in humans is sleeping disorder. This disorder can have serious effects on humans such as increasing human errors during work, especially during driving. This study was designed to evaluate the quality of sleep and its related factors in Kerman inter-city bus drivers. Methods: This cross-sectional study was done in 2011. One hundred inter-city bus drivers were chosen by simple random sampling. Sleep quality was evaluated by the standard Petersburg Questionnaire and data were analyzed by independent T-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation and Chi-square test using SPSS 15 software. Results: The mean driving hours of each driver was 7.71±0.81 hours a day and the mean score of sleep quality in the drivers was 6.98±0.34 from 21 scores, and 61% of them had poor sleep quality. There was a significant relationship between the quality of sleep and age (p=0.01) and job satisfaction (p=0.001). The drivers that had had an accident in the last 5 years were more likely to have poor sleep quality (p=0.013). Conclusion: The sleep quality is not satisfactory among the majority of Kerman inter-city bus drivers. Certain initiatives should be implemented for improving drivers' sleep quality and timely and adequate rest and restricting their work hours in order to prevent accidents and save passengers from harm.
Dioscorea dumetorum Pax as an Alternative Starch Source for Industrial Applications

The increasing use of starch as alternative raw material for petroleum based chemical has been creating pressure on the food chain as most starches are obtained from food sources like cassava. There is therefore need to secure alternative starch source from non-edible underutilized plant materials. This study seeks evaluate the suitability of starch extracted from wild bitter yam (DioscoreadumetorumPax) for industrial applications, by comparing its physicochemical properties with that of cassava starch. Results revealed that bitter yam starch has relatively better physicochemical parameters. It possesses a desirable lower moisture content of 10.69±0.09% against 12.38±0.03% of cassava starch. Amylose/amylopectin percentage ratio was 75.79±1/24.21±1.00 and 78.40±1.77/21.60±1.77 for bitter yam and cassava starch respectively. Furthermore, the higher swelling capacities, moisture sorption capacity and gelatinization temperature recorded for bitter yam starch are pointer to its potential in certain food-related applications; paints, paper and adhesives production; and as pharmaceutical excipients. The ash content and pH was found to be 0.437±0.15% and 6.9±0.2 for bitter yam starch while cassava starch recorded 0.418±0.17% and 8±0.4. All the obtained values are within the recommended official specification for starch and suggest that bitter yam starch could be a promising source of cheap starch for industrial uses.
Oscillation Theorems for Second Order Difference Equations with Negative Neutral Term

In this paper we obtain some new oscillation criteria for the neutral difference equationΔ(a_n(Δ(x_n - p_nx_(n - k))))+qn f (x_(n - l)) = 0where 0 ≤ p_n ≤ p ＜ 1, q_n ＞ 0 and l and k are positive integers. Examples are presented to illustrate the main results. The results obtained in this paper improve and complement to the existing results.
Internal transcribed spacers (ITS) based identification of Trichoderma isolates and biocontrol activity against Macrophomina phaseolina, Aspergillus niger and Meloidogyne incognita

Ten Trichoderma isolates were isolated from different locations in Egypt. Amplification and sequencing of internal transcribed spacers (ITS) was employed to identify Trichoderma isolates that exhibited from 99 to 100% identity with three species of Trichoderma: Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma asperellum and Trichoderma longibrachiatum. The biocontrol activity of Trichoderma isolates against Macrophomina phaseolina, Aspergillus niger and Meloidogyne incognita was tested in vitro and under greenhouse conditions. The results show that the isolate Th2 (T. harzianum) gave the best antagonism against M. phaseolina and A. niger with inhibition rates of 72.85 and 64.28%, respectively. Moreover, the isolate Ta1 (T. asperellum) was the best efficient isolate in reduction of each second stage juveniles (J2), number of galls, egg masses and females per root system with 90.33, 90.59, 90.06 and 85.50%, respectively. Treatment with Trichoderma isolates improved tomato growth parameters (root length, plant height, roots and shoots fresh weight and shoots dry weight). Key words: Trichoderma, internal transcribed spacers (ITS), antagonism, Macrophomina phaseolina, Aspergillus niger, Meloidogyne incognita.
Callus induction and plant regeneration of Michelia champaca (Magnoliaceae): A multipurpose tree

Michelia champaca callus was induced from axillary bud explants cultured onto Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium supplemented with different concentrations of auxins (IAA and 2,4-D) and cytokinin (BAP) as plant growth regulators. It was observed that callus of M. champaca could be induced on MS media supplemented with 0.0 2.0 mg/l IAA, 0.0 2.0 mg/l 2,4-D, and 0.0 2.0 mg/l BAP, respectively. All growth regulators that were used in this study are capable of inducing callus from explants. 0.10 mg/l IAA and 0.10 mg/l 2,4-D were found to be the suitable concentrations for the induction of callus. The survival rate of explants in the media supplemented with IAA was found to be 81%. MS Media supplemented with different concentrations of BAP combined with IAA and 2,4-D were tested for callus proliferation. The callus growth showed good response to all growth regulators combinations tested in this study, except the combination BAP/IAA with 0.2/0.10 mg/I which exhibited low response with dark brown callus. The combination 2.00 mg/l BAP with 0.50 mg/l IAA and all the combinations of BAP with 2,4-D showed the highest rate of callus proliferation with cream colour. This study suggests that auxins along with cytokinins have a critical role on the callus and shoot proliferation of this plant.
Serbian adaptation of the positive and negative affect schedule (PANAS): Its facets and second-order structure

Although the PANAS is widely used in affect research there are some controversies regarding its structure. Two related studies were reported providing evidence that a Serbian adaptation of the PANAS represents a valid and reliable measure of self-reported affect. Study 1 (N = 455), showed that its psychometric properties and correlates obtained in a Serbian sample are highly comparable to those reported in the American validation study. Additionally, a hierarchical structure of specific affects within the PANAS was explored via a second-order confirmatory analysis. Results showed that Joviality, Self-Assurance, and Attentiveness can be regarded as lower-order factors of Positive Affect, whereas Fear, Self- Disgust, and Hostility seem to represent lower-order factors of Negative Affect. Study 2 (N = 87) demonstrated differential momentary activations of the identified lower-order factors in the real-life situation of taking an exam. The construct validity of the specific subscales was supported. Among the subscales, Self-Disgust had inadequate psychometric properties. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 179006]
Three Theories that Explain why Male Antisocial Behavior in Childhood Predicts Male Antisocial Behavior in Adulthood

There is strong evidence from prospective longitudinal studies that psychopathology in childhood robustly predicts psychopathology in adulthood [1]. Lahey [1] has recently reviewed three of the major theories for this strong predictive correlation. This article will present a brief overview of these theories as applied to male life-course-persistent (MLCP) antisocial behavior which is arguably the most important of all pediatric mental health problems [2]. MLCP refers to the childhood onset of severe overt conduct problems such as physical aggression, opposition-defiance, and rule-breaking that emerge from early neurodevelopmental (e.g., Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and environmental adversity risk factors (e.g., dysfunctional family) which greatly increases the risk for delinquency, adult criminality, and a host of other problems [3]. The focus on LCP that is male is appropriate as males are astonishingly 10 to 14 times more likely than females to develop LCP [3]. The much greater prevalence of MLCP receives strong support from research in the criminological literature on career criminality [4], which reports male/female ratios ranging from 9:1 to 12:1 [5]. Indeed, of all the multiple bio-psycho-social risk factors for the development of severe antisocial behavior, “maleness” is by far the most robust predictor [6,7]. Thus it is of high importance to understand why male antisocial behavior childhood is a strong predictor of male antisocial behavior in adulthood. In addition to presenting a brief overview of the three theories, the communication will also provide an example with each theory that helps explain why LCP is overwhelmingly male.
The Place of Transport Infrastructures among the Economic Factors of Foreign Direct Investment Attractiveness in the Meda-10 Region

This article aims to evaluate the contribution of transport infrastructures to improve the attractiveness of the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the countries of the MEDA-10 region. The present article is formed by two sections. In the first one, we have a theoretical study of the FDI attractiveness and an explanation of the transport role among the territorial attractiveness factors. In the second section, we represent the empirical study. The obtained results, by using an econometric model with panel data, showed that the traditional determinants of FDI (GDP, economic openness level, inflation, exchange rate .) have the most significant influence on the international investors’ decision. Also, transportation has a significant influence and it is considered as a new important factor of FDI attractiveness with strategic issues that cannot be avoided.
Antimicrobial resistance of Escherichia coli O 157:H7/NM isolated from feaces of ruminant animals in Iran

Bacterial resistance to antimicrobial agents is a phenomenon problem, and the understanding of resistance acquisition and transmission can contribute to the development of new strategies to the clinical and socio-economic implication of this phenomenon, especially in ruminant animals. A total of 327 fecal samples of ruminant animals were examined for E. coli O157:H7/NM and the antibiotic susceptibility testing was determined by disc diffusion according to the Clinical Laboratory Institute. Isolates were tested for susceptibility to antimicrobial drugs by the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method using MIellar-Hinton agar according to the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute. Twenty-five (7.6%)Escherichia coli O157:H7/NH were isolated, 24(96%) were resistant to one or more antibiotic agent. Six (24%) E. coli were resistant to one antibiotic agent, 11(44%) to two agents and 28% exhibited multi drug resistance. Gentamycin resistance phenotype was the most common (56.0%), followed by ampicillin (48.0%), erythromycin (40.0%), amoxicillin (16.0%), tetracycline (12.0%), chloramphenicol (8.0%) nalidixic acid (8.0%), and streptomycin (4.0%) and all E. coli O157 isolates were susceptible to cefuroxime. Considering the clinical implication of E. coli in veterinary medicine, surveillance of the bacterial pathogens became imperative for better understanding and infection control approach. Key words: Escherichia coli O 157, ruminant feces, antibiotic resistance, Iran.
Economic analysis and revenue optimization in management regimes of Pinus taeda

The objective of this work was to select, using operational research techniques, management regimes of Pinus taeda L. that maximize the revenue generated by the wood, considering different attractiveness rates. The OpTimber-LP® software, which performs the simulations using SisPinus® software, was used for forest optimization. The regimes consisted of different combinations of forest sites, planting densities, thinning regimes and clearcutting ages, totaling 17,760 regimes per site. Wood production was quantified and evaluated by assortment classes. Planting, thinning and harvesting costs were considered. The Annualized Net Present Value (ANPV) and the Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of each management regime were calculated. As a result, the density of 1,600 plants per ha optimized ANPV for most cases. Optimized regimes included no or only one thinning and provided ANPV of 2,753 and 158 BRL per ha and IRR of 22.9% and 2.9% for sites I and IV, respectively. It was concluded that the optimal number of thinning is reduced in lower quality sites, and the less productive the site, the later the optimal year for clear cutting. The attractiveness rate is a parameter that contributes to the selection of thinning regimes, because the larger the rate, the larger the number of thinning and the earlier they should be carried out.
“The Web of Our Life is of a Mingled Yarn”: The Canadian Adaptations of Shakespeare Project, Humanities Scholarship, and ColdFusion

This essay presents an overview of some of the challenges related to publishing the findings of a large-scale research project on Shakespeare––specifically the Canadian Adaptations of Shakespeare Project or CASP; www.canadianshakespeares. ca--on the World Wide Web. Our purpose in writing the essay is to allow others undertaking large-scale, IT-based projects related to Shakespeare––or any other Humanities research that involves extensive database manipulation on the Web––to understand and resolve some of the problems they will face: whether related to site architecture; database design and management; copyright; use of multimedia; and a host of other related issues that pose significant obstacles to presenting research via a web-based context. Humanities computing projects like CASP provide valuable testing grounds for realizing the inherent potential associated with new technologies. But even as they do so, the process of creating these resources lays bare the difficulties confronting new forms of knowledge as they are mobilized in formats that challenge traditional modes of research publication.
Spatial clustering of loggerhead sea turtles in coastal waters of the NW Atlantic Ocean: implications for management surveys

A regional (29.9 to 33.1° N) trawl survey was conducted from 2000 to 2003 and 2008 to 2011 to assess the relative abundance of sea turtles on an important foraging ground. A total of 1461 loggerhead sea turtles Caretta caretta were captured in 23% of 4756 trawling events ran- domly conducted in coastal waters 4 to 17 m deep. Seventy-five percent of positive catches con- sisted of the capture of a single loggerhead sea turtle with up to 10 loggerhead sea turtles cap- tured per event. Loggerhead sea turtle capture locations were significantly clustered throughout the survey area. Nine percent of sampling events (446) occurred in spatial 'hotspots' and captured 23% of loggerhead sea turtles (339). Four percent of sampling events (193) occurred in spatial 'coldspots' and captured 1% of loggerhead sea turtles (18). The probability of loggerhead sea tur- tle capture in any given trawling event was significantly greater following the capture of a logger- head sea turtle in the previous trawling event, but twice as great within hotspots (0.53) as else- where (0.25). Hot- and coldspots were not explained by carapace length, turtle sex, genetic haplotype, 25 biotic and abiotic attributes associated with trawling events, or bycatch co-occur- rence. Because of the universal application of these standardized and relatively easy to compute metrics, we recommend their inclusion in future studies to account for discrepancies in spatial distribution patterns.
Calculable fluid–rock interactions

This paper introduces a model of rock deformation (anisotropic poro-elasticity or APE), where the response of fluid-saturated rock to changing conditions, prior to fracturing, can be calculated. The driving mechanism for deformation is fluid migration along pressure gradients between neighbouring intergranular microcracks and pores at different orientations to the stress field. The parameters that control changes to microcrack geometry also control the splitting (birefringence) of seismic shear-waves, so that changes in deformation can be directly monitored by analysing the shear-wave splitting which is observed in almost all rocks. Analysis of shear-wave splitting in the Earth's crust and APE-modelling show that distributions of, mostly intergranular, cracks in the crust are always geometrically close to fracturing with the implication that shear-wave splitting is sensitive to comparatively minor changes of stress and minor changes of in situ conditions. This has important implications for the state of criticality of the rockmass and, as a consequence, changes in shear-wave splitting have been observed before larger earthquakes on those few occasions when suitable source–receiver geometry coincides with appropriate seismic activity. APE also has implications for monitoring changing conditions in reservoirs during hydrocarbon recovery.
DOES OPTIMISM AFFECT CORPORATE INVESTMENT? NEW EVIDENCE FROM TAIWANESE PANEL DATA

We set out in this study to examine the relationship between managerial optimism and corporate investment, and demonstrate that firms with valuable investment opportunities tend to invest less than the optimal level; the classic problem of underinvestment. On the other hand, however, firms which do not have valuable investment opportunities often tend to invest more than the optimum level; a problem of overinvestment. We present evidence on the relationship between such investment behavior and managerial optimism. Within those firms that do not have valuable investment opportunities, overinvestment is more likely to occur amongst optimistic managers than non-optimistic managers; conversely, for those firms with valuable investment opportunities, underinvestment is less likely amongst optimistic managers than non-optimistic managers.
The Effect Of The Mobile Learning Method On The Teaching Of Milankovitch Cycles

The aim of this study is to determine the effect of the subject of Milankovitch cycles which is addressed based on the mobile learning method on the success of students and the retention of their knowledge. The model with the pretest-posttest control group which is included within the experimental design pattern was used in the study. The sampling of the research consists of 60 people studying at the Kars Science High School. In sample selection, whether the students possessed mobile phones, tablet computers connected to the internet, an e-mail address and basic skills in web-based applications was taken into consideration. Therefore, criterion sampling was utilized. Milankovitch Cycles Achievement Test (MCAT) developed by the researcher and was used as the data collection tool. According to research results, the subject of Milankovitch cycles has been understood better by the students through the activities which were prepared based on the mobile learning method and students’ success has increased.
Enhancing Higher Order Thinking Skills in a Marine Biology Class through Problem-Based Learning

The purpose of this research was to examine students' perspectives of their learning in marine biology in the collaborative group context of Problem-based Learning (PBL). Students' higher order thinking skills (HOTS) using PBL involves the development of their logical thinking and reasoning abilities which stimulates their curiosity and associative thinking. This study aimed to investigate how critical thinking skills, particularly analysis, synthesis and evaluation were enhanced in a marine biology class through PBL. Qualitative research approach was used to examine student responses in a questionnaire involving 10 open-ended questions that target students' HOTS on a problem presented in a marine biology class for BS Biology students. Using axial coding as a qualitative data analysis technique by which grounded theory can be performed, the study was able to determine how students manifest their higher reasoning abilities when confronted with a marine biology situation. Results show student responses yielding affirmative remarks on the 10 questions intended to know their level of analysis (e.g., analyzing, classifying, inferring, discriminating and relating or connecting), synthesis (e.g., synthesizing and collaborating), and evaluation (e.g., comparing, criticizing, and convincing) of information from the presented marine biology problem. Consequently, students were able to effectively design experiments to address the presented issue through problem-based learning. Results of the study show that PBL is an efficient instructional strategy embedded within a conventional curriculum used to develop or enhance critical thinking in marine biology.