Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Introducing Key Performance Indicators: Perspective of Higher Education Performance Monitoring and Evaluation in Nigeria

This article attempts to introduce, clarify and justify the application of key performance indicators, KPIs in the Nigerian higher education system in a changing complexity of global education where stakeholders’ accountability in educational performance is not only a culture but a global one. This paper also attempts to propose the use of key performance indicators as a deliberate measure for quality decision making and taking with a view to engendering operation excellence in education, continuous improvement giving the fact that most of the constructs in education are mostly in abstract forms and so, not directly measurable except through some concrete measures. Furthermore, giving the strategic position education as system and evaluators as professionals occupy in the recreation of the individuals specifically and the society in general in which the individual is supposed to be a positive change agent.
Antibiotic Use and Misuse Among Adults in Magwagwa Ward, Nyamira County in Kenya

Self-medication is a public health concern in many countries, especially developing countries. Selfmedication is the intake of drugs without medical supervision. This has resulted in serious health implications. This study investigated the level of knowledge, attitude and practices of adults toward self-medication. The study was conducted in Magwagwa ward, the population involved adults aged 18-75 years old both male and female. 385 participants were randomly selected. The study was conducted in the months of October and November 2016. A structured questionnaire was administered to the respondents and data was collected, analyzed in SPSS vs 20. 198 (66%) were females and 102 (34%) were males. Knowledge on self-medication was poor as it was found that majority of 121 (40%) depend on physician for information on antibiotic use, when asked if selfmedication can cause harmful effects, 51% remained neutral, and when asked if there is danger in using an old prescription and even someone`s prescription, 65% and 58% remained neutral, more than half of adults attitude 50% (152) was that self-medication can be reliable, the study revealed that 60% of the respondents practiced self-medication.
Re-evaluating the general dynamic theory of oceanic island biogeography

The general dynamic model of oceanic island biogeography integrates temporal changes in ecological circumstances with diversification processes, and has stimulated current research in island biogeography. In the original publication, a set of testable hypotheses was analysed using regression models: specifically, whether island data for four diversity indices are consistent with the ‘B~ATT2’ model, in which B is a diversity index, A is log(area) and T is time. The four indices were species richness, the number and percentage of single‐island endemic species, and a diversification index. Whether the relationships between these indices and time are unimodal (i.e., ‘hump‐shaped’) was a key focus, based on the characteristic ontogeny of a volcanic oceanic island. However, the significance testing unintentionally used zero, rather than the mean of the diversity index, as the null hypothesis, greatly inflating F‐ values and reducing P‐values compared with the standard regression approach. Here we first re‐analyze the data used to evaluate the general dynamic model in the seminal paper, using the standard null hypothesis, to provide an important qualification of its empirical results. This supports the significance of about half the original tests, the rest becoming non‐significant but mostly suggestive of the hypothesized relationship. Then we expand the original analysis by testing additional, theoretically derived functional relationships between the diversity indices, island area and time, within the framework of the ATT2 model and using a mixed‐effects modelling approach. This shows that species richness peaks earlier in island life‐cycles than endemism. Area has a greater effect on species richness and the number of single‐island endemics than on the proportion of single‐island endemics and the diversification index, and was always better fit as a log–log relationship than as a semi‐log one. Finally, the richness–time relationship is positively skewed, the initial rise happening much more quickly than the later decline.
The Pennsylvania State University The Graduate School College of the Liberal Arts FACILITATION OF INSIGHT IN PSYCHOTHERAPY: TECHNIQUE VARIABLES A Thesis in Psychology by

The facilitation of client insight – broadly defined as forming new connections about one’s self, others, and emotions – is viewed as a key element in many forms of psychotherapy. Despite this, relatively little empirical work has addressed what types of therapeutic techniques may facilitate or hinder insight, especially an applied setting. In this study, clients and therapists completed questionnaires following 452 sessions of psychotherapy focused on rating the extent of insight achieved by clients and the types of techniques used by therapists in those sessions. Multilevel linear modeling was used to test the hypothesis that techniques from exploratory psychotherapies would be more frequent in high-insight sessions. Counter to the hypothesis, higher exploratory techniques were associated with lower client-rated insight at both the client and session level. In addition, interaction effects (including a four-way cross-level interaction) revealed that a complex interpretation of the data was necessary. Though it was the case that therapists reported using more exploratory techniques when insight was low, the typicality of different interventions appeared to play a substantial role in determining both the strength and direction of effect between different types of techniques and insight. These findings show that while significant relationships between techniques and insight exist across clients and therapists, what specific techniques facilitate insight may vary substantially across treatments.
English Pronunciation Teaching: Four Case Studies from Finland

The present study looks at how English pronunciation teaching practices are like in Finnish schools from the primary to upper secondary level; in particular, which methods are used and which items are emphasised. The study was carried out as focussed observations (Hopkins 2008, p. 89), as classroom observations were considered the best way to achieve the aim of this study. Four EFL teachers were each observed for 6–9 lessons within a period of one week. A pre-prepared observation form was used as a tool, and then developed into a categorisation of the teaching methods used by the observed teachers. As for the results, the teachers offered pronunciation teaching very different from each other, but in general the pronunciation teaching was found to be pragmatic and teacher-led, and traditional teaching methods were used. At the segmental level, a strong emphasis was placed on phonemes that have typically been found to be difficult for L1 Finnish-speaking learners (sibilants and affricates). Despite the emphasis on suprasegmentals in pronunciation teaching literature, explicit teaching of suprasegmental features of speech was neglected by the observed teachers.
Transformational leadership and depressive symptoms among employees: mediating factors

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine whether the link between transformational leadership and depressive symptoms among employees is mediated by such personal resources as occupational self-efficacy, perceived meaningfulness of the work, and work-related rumination. Design/methodology/approach – The study was conducted using questionnaires among 557 Finnish municipal employees in various occupations. The statistical analysis was based on structural equation modeling. A multiple mediation model enabled us to investigate the specific indirect effects of each mediator. Model comparison was applied to ascertain whether the mediation should be considered as full or partial. Findings – Results based on model comparison showed that the proposed factors fully mediated the negative relationship between transformational leadership and depressive symptoms. Thus high level of transformational leadership was associated with high levels of occupational self-efficacy and perceived meaningfulness of the work.
Pastoral ministry to single women in the Church of Christ in Nigeria, Gigiring Regional Church Council, Jos, Nigeria.

Beginning with the assumption that the church is a liberative space where everyone, single women in particular, can experience wholeness, this thesis investigates the extent to which the Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN) executes pastoral ministry to single women. The hypothesis of the study is that the concept of women in the COCIN, the COCIN’s pastoral training and its inability to appropriate the shepherding and facilitatory model of Jesus, have not enabled an effective pastoral ministry to single women. This thesis therefore proceeds to assess the COCIN’s theology of marriage and singleness, the role of women in the COCIN, marriage and family life in Jos today, the theological education and pastors’ training of the church and the execution of pastoral ministry to single women. This is to ascertain how these have impacted on the way the COCIN offers pastoral care to single women. This work is a combination of insights from social analyses, feminist cultural hermeneutics and feminist pastoral care and communal contextual pastoral care frameworks. While establishing that culture has had a strong influence on the pastoral ministry practice of the COCIN, methods were identified from the ideas generated by participants as well as relevant literature on the subject, that could be used for the execution of pastoral ministry to single women in the COCIN Regional Church Council, Gigiring, Jos. The data for the study was collected using in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and participant observation. Participants were categorised into church leaders, clergy, seminary lecturers, magistrates, adult children from divorced marriages and single,never married women and men and divorced women. The findings of the study indicate that with respect to ministry to single women, pastoral ministry in the COCIN has not been liberative, empowering and transformative. Most of the participants indicate that the lack of an effective pastoral ministry to single women is a result of inadequate preparation for dealing with gender complexities in the pastoral training of the church. Although the study has significant implications for the overall pastoral ministry of the church,the findings of this study highlight the necessity of a gender-inclusive pastoral ministry in the COCIN for single women and for the entire church. The study underscores the need for the COCIN to utilise the communal care practice characteristic of African culture for effective pastoral ministry to the different categories of people, particularly the single,never married and divorced women in its congregations.
Regulation of Root Length and Lateral Root Number in Trifoliate Orange Applied by Peroxide Hydrogen and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi

Root system morphology (RSM) in plants plays a key role in acquiring nutrients from the soil and is also altered by abiotic or biotic factors including soil microorganisms and signal molecules. The present study was made to evaluate the effects of an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF, Glomus versiforme ) and exogenous peroxide hydrogen (H 2 O 2 , 0, 1 and 100 μM) on root length, lateral root number and activities of polyamine-metabolized enzymes in trifoliate orange ( Poncirus trifoliata ) seedlings. After 5 months of inoculation with AMF, root mycorrhizal colonization was significantly increased by application of 1 μM H 2 O 2 , but markedly restrained by 100 μM H 2 O 2. Inoculation with AMF significantly increased the taproot length and the number of second- and third-order lateral roots under 1 and 100 μM H 2 O 2 application. The AMF infection significantly increased 0-1 cm classed root length and total root length, regardless of H 2 O 2 concentration. In general, inoculation with AMF increased arginine decarboxylase (ADC) and ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity of roots under 0, 1 and 100 μM H 2 O 2 , increased diamine oxidase (DAO) activity of roots under 0 μM H 2 O 2 and decreased DAO activity of roots under 1 and 100 μM H 2 O 2 . Root polyamine oxidase (PAO) activity was similar between AMF and non-AMF seedlings, irrespectively of H 2 O 2 concentration. Results suggest that lower concentration of H 2 O 2 (1 μM) might be regarded as a signal to stimulate mycorrhizal and lateral root development through increase of ADC and ODC and decrease of DAO, while high concentration of 2 O 2 (100 μM) as a toxic compound of reactive oxygen species restricted AMF colonization.
Perceived stress and its relationship with the body composition of undergraduate students of a medical college in Nigeria.

Background: Stress among medical undergraduates has been reported to be on the increase with subsequent tendency towards obesity. However, the association between perceived stress and body composition has yet to be determined. Objective: This cross-sectional study was undertaken to determine the relationship between perceived stress and body composition among undergraduates of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Nigeria. Methods: Three hundred and twenty-nine apparently healthy undergraduates (165 males and 164 females) with ages between 17 to 35 years participated in the study. Physical characteristics such as weight, height, body mass index (BMI), and body composition indices were measured using standard procedures. Questionnaires were administered to assess the levels of perceived stress of the participants. The data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation and Spearman’s Correlation Coefficient analysis. Results: The mean stress level was low (27.33 ± 10.60). There were significant relationships between the body composition indices and perceived stress with visceral fat having the strongest relationship (p = 0.004) while BMI had the least correlation (p = 0.037). There were also significant relationships between age, gender and body composition indices. The percentage muscle mass, visceral fat, and body fat had significant relationships with the gender of the participants. Conclusion: Visceral fat, BMI, and percentage muscle mass increased with an increase in perceived stress level, and females had a lower level of perceived stress than males.
Acoustic estimation of abundance and distribution of anchovy in the NW Mediterranean

In order to estimate the abundance and the distribution of the anchovy in the Northwest Mediterranean, a standardised series of acoustic evaluation cruises was carried out in 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993 and 1995. The series showed that there was agreement between the biomass estimations and the registered landings in the area. On the other hand, some areas were identified where the recruits were largely localised.
YIELD AND QUALITY OF CUT FLOWERS AND CORM PRODUCTION OF GLADIOLUS VARY BY CULTIVAR AT THREE LEVELS OF NITROGEN FERTILITY

Nitrogen plays an important role in the production and quality of crop through enhancing vegetative growth. In spite of this fact, if it is applied in excess of the requirement of the crop then it pollutes both ground water and environment. Hence an optimum level of nitrogen needs to be investigated for Gladiolus crop. Eight cultivars viz., Deciso, Hong Kong, Jessica, Jester Ruffled, Madonna, Peters Pears, Rose Supreme and White Friendship were evaluated at three nitrogen levels (0, 100 and 200 kg ha -1 ). Cultivar Rose Supreme produced the biggest florets (1.4 cm) both at color showing and full open stage (12.1 cm), lengthiest spikes (122.5 cm) at full spike opening, maximum number of 17.2 florets spike -1 , maximum first florets persistency (8.0 days), maximum number of 138.8 cormels mother corm -1 and the largest daughter corm (7.8 cm). Jessica yielded maximum number of spikes (1.4), and daughter corms (1.6) mother -1 corm. Jester Ruffled produced maximum spike lengths (97.6 cm) at first floret opening. Nitrogen did not show a significant effect on most of the yield and quality characteristics but a significant effect on the first florets size was observed where a linear increase in first florets size was associated with an increase in nitrogen levels.
Divisibility of Class Numbers of Real Quadratic Fields (解析的整数論とその周辺 研究集会報告集)

For any integer l ≥ 1, let p1, p2, . , pl+2 be distinct prime numbers ≥ 5. For all real numbers X > 1, we let N3,l(X) denote the number of real quadratic fields K whose absolute discriminant dK ≤ X and dK is divisible by (p1 . . . pl+2) together with the class number hK of K divisible by 2 l · 3. Then, in this short note, by following the method in [3], we prove that N3,l(X) ≫ X 7 8 for all large enough X ’s.
Plant resistance to fungi

There are at least six common forms of resistance exhibited by higher plants towards parasitic fungi and oomycetes: parasite-spe­ cific resistance, cultivar resistance, nonhost resistance, organ specific resistance, age-related resistance, and induced resistance. Available evidence suggests that all of these exploit components of the constitutive and inducible defensive factors that every plant possesses. Recent studies have revealed the extraordinary complexity and number of potentially defensive responses trig­ gered in plants by pathogens and other environmental stresses, as well as the large number of fungal and oomycete products that can trigger such responses. In addition, new, and sometimes unexpected, information on which defensive factors are actually involved in specific cases of resistance have come from the use of transgenic plants. The recent cloning of parasite-specific resis­ tance genes seems to confirm their role in triggering defense responses via a signal transduction cascade. Nevertheless, the most prevalent models to explain disease resistance do not always fit data obtained from specific fungus-plant interactions involving intact plants, suggesting that such models may be too simplistic, or not applicable in certain plant-fungus interactions.
Bioactivity of the phytoconstituents of the leaves of Persea americana

Isolation of the bioactive phytoconstituents of the leaves of Persea americana(Lauraceae), yielded, isorhamnetin (1), luteolin (2), rutin (3), quercetin (4) and apigenin (5). Compound 1 has been fully characterized. Compounds were evaluated for their ability to scavenge free radical using DPPH· and H2O2systems. The IC50 (mg/ml) of quercetin was 4.82 x 10-5; rutin, 1.37 x 10-4; luteolin, 3.34 x 10-4 and isorhamnetin, 4.41 x 10-4. H2O2 scavenging activity of the compounds was quercetin > rutin > isorhamnetin > luteolin > apigenin > BHA (p > 0.05). From this study it could be concluded that the leaves of P. americanacontain antioxidant activity which may be helpful in preventing the progress of various oxidative stress related diseases. Key words: Persea americana, Lauraceae, flavonols, antioxidant activity, oxidative stress, radical scavenging.
Effect of Mergers and Acquisitions on the Determinants of Dividend Payout in Nigeria

The effect of merger and acquisition on the determinants of dividend payout in Nigeria banks is examined in this paper. Dividend paid between 2007 and 2013 was considered in quoted banks and analysed using panel data regression technique. Determinants considered include: liquidity, growth, leverage, profitability (ROA & ROE), firm size and previous year dividend. Results showed a positive relationship between dividend paid and the following variables: liquidity, return on asset (ROA), firm size and previous year dividend. However, growth, leverage and return on equity (ROE) showed a negative relationship with dividend paid. The results are the same for banks involved in merger and acquisition and those not involved. We can therefore conclude that merger and acquisition has no effect on the determinants of dividend payout in Nigeria banks. It is therefore recommended that managers and directors should not be bothered about the effect that merger or acquisition will have on their dividend policy instead the determinants examined should be taking into consideration Keywords: Determinants, Dividend Payout, Mergers and Acquisitions
The distribution of adult training among European unemployed: Evidence from recent surveys

The importance of a highly skilled workforce has become increasingly relevant in the context of the European Union's new strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth -- 'Europe 2020'. Policies encouraging wide participation in continuing training are therefore an important component of lifelong learning strategies. This paper aims to investigate the determinants of adult education for the unemployed compared to workers using the two main European surveys on training, namely the Adult Education Survey (AES) and the Labour Force Survey (LFS). Our work demonstrates a significant difference in the capability of these two surveys to capture the participation in adult education programmes in Europe. After having estimated a probit model on both datasets, we find that, overall, unemployed adults in Europe tend to participate less in training than workers, especially in non-formal training. However, this result is statistically significant only for the estimates from the AES. Furthermore, both surveys highlight the key role played by country-specific institutional settings in determining the participation to adult training. Overall, this work shows that the AES is the more reliable data source for policy making in the field of adult participation to education and training
Spatial synchrony in the inter-annual population variation of vendace (Coregonus albula (L.)) in Finnish lakes

We analysed the spatial scale of synchrony in the inter-annual variation of vendace population indices from time-series of 21 Finnish lake basins. We detected significant positive correlation between lakes in the variation of abundance of young-of-the-year recruits, residuals of a density dependence model for recruitment, newly hatched larvae and spawning stocks. The spatial scale of correlation was typically 100-300 km and anisotropic, being shorter along the north-south vector of distance than along the east-west vector. The outcomes did not change when the data were restricted to rule out cases with a possibility of dispersal between populations. The scale and anisotropy structure of synchrony in mean temperature during the four week period after the local ice break date closely resembled that of the vendace population indices. Regionally correlated exogenous factors synchronise the recruitment variation either directly or perhaps also through environmentally induced synchrony in predator stocks. The effective scale of correlation for these factors, especially along the north-south axis, can be short if a large proportion of the prerecruit mortality occurs during a short period and the timing of this period at different latitudes varies by weeks due to differences in time of ice break and vendace hatching.
Morbidity and Mortality Profile of Newborns Admitted to the Special Care Newborn Unit (SCNU) of A Teaching Hospital of Upper Assam, India - A Three Year Study

Background: Neonatal mortality is the predominant cause of high infant and under five mortality rates. There is lack of data regarding the morbidity and mortality pattern of sick newborns admitted to special care neonatal units of Assam, especially studies done over an extended period of three years. Aim: To study the morbidity and mortality profile of newborns admitted to the Special Care Newborn Unit of Jorhat Medical College & Hospital.