Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Magnificent “MILE”: Impacting Black male retention and persistence at an HBCU

A strong body of research has documented the supportive environments of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and their impact on facilitating student success. Notwithstanding the consistency of these findings, recent reports and empirical research have highlighted the problems that HBCUs are experiencing with Black male enrollment, campus engagement, retention, success, and graduation. The purpose of this article is to discuss the Male Initiative on Leadership and Excellence (MILE) and to describe its impact on retention and persistence of Black men at an HBCU. Hopefully, the MILE will inspire administrators and student affairs practitioners at HBCUs to adopt a similar initiative to positively increase academic success among Black men on their campuses. A plethora of research has documented the relevance and positive impact of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) on Black students (Allen, Jewell, Griffin, & Wolf, 2007; Fleming, 1984; Fries-Britt & Turner, 2002; Harper & Gasman, 2008; Palmer, 2010; Palmer, 2008; Palmer, Davis, & Maramba, 2011; Palmer & Gasman, 2008). Although HBCUs were created to provide access to higher education for Blacks when other venues excluded their participation,
The Economic Psychology of Gabriel Tarde: Something new for behavioral economics?

In the last years of the 19th Century, Gabriel Tarde developed a theory of economic psychology based on interpersonal transmission of subjective values and beliefs. While his work has several aspects that resonate with behavioral economics as practiced today, its differences are profound. His interest in dynamics of change, and in particular in the role of innovation and invention in driving this process, is hard to fit into a behavioral economics framework. However, new empirical techniques leveraging social media and big data seem well suited to addressing his themes.
Knowledge, attitudes and practices towards COVID-19 in Paraguayans during outbreaks: a quick online survey

Background: Until March 22, 2020, 22 cases are registered in Paraguay, of which there are two cases with epidemiological links to be determined. The country's authorities have applied necessary sanitary measures to prevent massive spread. It is imperative to know the knowledge, attitudes and practices of the population about COVID-19, for decision making. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out from March 20, 2020, the week immediately after the closure of Paraguay. The survey was online using a Google Forms (c) form distributed through "WhatsApp" groups. Paraguayan nationals, over 18 years of age, who were explained the objectives and purpose of the study, who agreed to participate in the study, were asked to complete the questionnaire by clicking on the link. Results: A total of 3141 participants completed the survey questionnaire. The mean age was 29.55 years (SD: 10.7), 2139 (68.10%) were women, and 2073 (66) were Interior. The mean COVID-19 knowledge score was 7.45 (SD: 1.51), suggesting an overall 62% (7.45/12*100) correct rate on this knowledge test. The majority of the respondents agreed that COVID-19 will finally be successfully controlled (66.28%), the vast majority of the participants had not visited any crowded place (88.35%) and wore masks when going out (74.31%) in recent days Conclusion: The knowledge about COVID-19 in the Paraguayan population during the outbreak was acceptable, attitudes have been mostly favorable and the practices are mostly adequate, however, it is necessary to implement massive education campaigns, to increase the proportion of knowledge about COVID-19, to stop its spread.
Acquisitions: Poison Pill for Innovation?

Nowadays, many firms are or have already been engaged in an acquisition process, either as target or acquirer. While these companies seem confident in the potential returns of such endeavors, the positive aspect of those acquisitions has yet to be proven. There is indeed a vivid discussion among scholars, which are divided into two categories. On the one hand, there are those considering acquisitions as a source of additional knowledge that will in turn increase the innovation within the company; and on the other hand, those denigrating acquisitions, assimilating them to a "poison pill" for innovation. The purpose of this research is therefore to investigate whether the acquisitions will influence positively or negatively the innovative performance of companies involved in such processes. Using a quantitative approach, this research analyzed the R&D investments made by those companies and the issued patents gained in return. The research provides mixed results. While acquisitions seem to have a positive impact on the companies" innovative performance during the two years following the acquisition, this positive impact does not last and even becomes negative during the third year.
PAPER Special Section on Recent Advances in Machine Learning for Spoken Language Processing Investigation of Using Continuous Representation of Various Linguistic Units in Neural Network Based Text-to-Speech Synthesis

Building high-quality text-to-speech (TTS) systems without expert knowledge of the target language and/or time-consuming manual annotation of speech and text data is an important yet challenging research topic. In this kind of TTS system, it is vital to find representation of the input text that is both effective and easy to acquire. Recently, the continuous representation of raw word inputs, called “word embedding”, has been successfully used in various natural language processing tasks. It has also been used as the additional or alternative linguistic input features to a neural-network-based acoustic model for TTS systems. In this paper, we further investigate the use of this embedding technique to represent phonemes, syllables and phrases for the acoustic model based on the recurrent and feed-forward neural network. Results of the experiments show that most of these continuous representations cannot significantly improve the system’s performance when they are fed into the acoustic model either as additional component or as a replacement of the conventional prosodic context. However, subjective evaluation shows that the continuous representation of phrases can achieve significant improvement when it is combined with the prosodic context as input to the acoustic model based on the feed-forward neural network. key words: text-to-speech, speech synthesis, recurrent neural network, contexts, word embedding
Agribusiness opportunities for youth in Nigeria: Farmers perceptions and willingness to pay for mechanized harvesting equipment

Nigeria is facing two major problems. The high rate of post-harvest losses in rice value chain and high rate of youth unemployment. This study assessed farmers perception on business opportunities for youth as well as farmers willingness to upgrade and to pay for two mechanized harvesting equipment, mini-harvester and reaper that youth can use to provide services. The study is conducted in the two rice development hubs in Nigeria on 290 farmers. Contingent valuation method combine with a two stage approach is used to elicit farmers willingness to pay. Descriptive statistics show that farmers perceive harvesting and threshing as the main business opportunities for youth in rice value chain. Moreover, majority of farmers prefer mechanized harvesting equipment to traditional method and are willing to pay for that with a strong preference to reaper. Compared to the cost of traditional method, farmers are willing to pay 27.33% and 21.59% less respectively for mini-harvester and reaper. Double hurdle model reveals that access to credit, extension, training and perceptions increase farmers willingness to upgrade and to pay. The study suggest many policy actions Key words: Youth, Nigeria, Rice value chain, willingness to pay, contingent valuation Acknowledgement : Authors are grateful to CGIAR research program on rice for financing the study. Thanks to partners of State Agricultural and Rural Development Programs of the two rice hubs, executive of innovation platforms and all enumerators and facilitators in Nasarawa and Kano rice hubs.
WP / 15 / 038 The Comparative Economics of Catch-Up in Output per worker , total factor productivity and technological gain in Sub-Saharan Africa

After investigating the effect of external financial flows on total factor productivity and technological gain, we use the beta catch-up and sigma convergence to compare dispersions in output per worker, total factor productivity and technological gain in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) for the years 1980-2010. The comparative evidence is articulated with income levels, years of schooling, and health factors. We find; first, a positive association between foreign direct investment, trade openness, foreign aid, remittances and total factor productivity. However, when foreign direct investment is interacted with schooling, it is direct effect becomes negative on total factor productivity. Second, beta catch-up is between19.22% and 19.70% per annum with corresponding time to full catch-up of 25.38 years and 26.01 years respectively. Third, we find sigma-convergence among low-income nations and upper-middle income nations separately, but not for the entire sample together. Fourth, schooling in SSA is not yet a significant source of technology, but it can make external financial inflows more effective. Policies to induce external financial flows are not enough for development if absorptive capacity is low. More policy implications are discussed. JEL Classification: E23 F21O11 O33 O55 Key terms: External capital flows, Human capital, Total Factor Productivity, Convergence, and Sub-Saharan Africa
ON THE EVALUATION OF ICE MODELS

A method is presented for an evaluation of coupled dynamic and thermodynamic ice models using the RADARSAT Geophysical Processor System (RGPS) data and products for validation. The technique has been applied to a standard viscous-plastic rheology with a simple two-level ice thickness model for three test regions of the Arctic pack ice. High correlation is obtained between observed and predicted ice speeds. The model predictions show reasonable correlation with the data when examining shear and vorticity, but poorer correlation with divergence. The amount of opening is under predicted in these simulations.
Floristic Composition, Structure, Diversity and Conservation Strategies for Rehabilitation of Dry Tropical Forests in Buffer Zone of Achanakmaar Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve (AABR), India

Climate change, global warming and biodiversity losses have emerged as serious environmental threats of 21st century that impelled to increase the scientific efforts to bring resilience in native ecosystems for the sustainable supply of ecosystem services. Tropical forests are recognized as world’s richest, complex, diverse and self-sustaining terrestrial ecosystems provides many products and services vital for sustenance of human International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 9 Number 4 (2020) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas. com
Uniform distribution on locally compact groups

In this paper we give a short proof of the existence of uniformly distributed sequences in separable locally compact groups, a result first stated by Benzinger [1]. The existence of u.d. sequences in separable compact groups was proved by Veech [7] whose results also imply the above result. We also prove the existence of well-distributed sequences. H. Weyl's classical notion of uniform distribution admits an extension to arbitrary locally compact groups [6, Chapter 4, ? 5]. The main result of this paper is the following Theorem (compare also [7, Definition, p. 125] and [1, "key lemma", p. 150]). THEOREM. Let G be a locally compact group, C a class of nontrivial, continuous, unitary, irreducible, finite-dimensional representations of G. If there exists a countable subset F of G such that U(F) is dense in U(G ) for each U E C (in the usual topology), then there exists a sequence (xn) such that: For each U E C and any E > 0, there exists M = M(U, e) such that
Relationship Between Dysfunctional Eating Attitudes and Parental Marital Status in Female Adolescents

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between dysfunctional eating attitudes and anorexic or bulimic symptoms with regard to the marital status of parents and also to investigate the difference in eating attitudes scores by means of body and weight satisfaction in adolescents. 60 adolescent girls attending high school participated in the study. Half of the involved participants consisted of families whose parents lived together, and the other half had divorced parents. The questionnaire data collection method was used in this study. A moderately severe significantly positive relationship was found between eating attitudes and both anorexic and bulimic symptoms scales in participants whose parents lived separately or got divorced. The group of participants whose parents were divorced and who presented higher scores in anorexic symptoms also scored statistically significantly higher on the parameter of eating attitudes median. The participants who were dissatisfied with their weight scored the highest eating attitudes scales median when compared to the participants who had body dissatisfaction. Selective prevention and treatment methods should be used during adolescence to prevent eating disorders. Special attention should be paid to body image disturbances, inappropriate weight control behaviors, and disturbed self-perceived weight during adolescence in order to prevent eating disorders.
Translanguaging as a boundary crossing mechanism: A Turkish-American Youngster and her linguistic negotiation of three discursive spaces

In order to effectively respond to the increased linguistic and cultural diversity in U.S. schools and close the consistently documented achievement gap between culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) students and mainstream students, teachers need to take an asset-based approach and be able to draw on CLD students’ entire funds of linguistic knowledge. However, few studies have examined CLD students’ linguistic choices in multiple discursive spaces with different linguistic norms, values and practices. This article addresses this research gap through a case study of Elif, a Turkish-American student and her linguistic boundary crossing experiences within and across three discursive spaces: her home, her Turkish heritage language school, and her mainstream school. Through in-depth analysis of interviews, observations, and field notes, the study revealed that Elif experienced different linguistic environments and boundary types. She negotiated experiences that ranged from smooth to managed to insurmountable boundaries. Finally, translanguaging practices acted as a key boundary object that mediated sociocultural discontinuities in the Turkish heritage language school, and facilitated Elif’s experiences between Turkish dominant and English dominant discursive spaces.
Cyclical and Stuctural Variation in Resource Reallocation: Evidence for Europe

This paper uses cross-country micro-aggregated data on rm dynamics and productivity from the ECB CompNet database to provide empirical evidence on factor reallocation in the EU. The analysis fi nds that reallocation is towards more productive firms although the magnitude varies across countries and over time. Variation in reallocation is related to structural di fferences in firm size distribution across countries as well as to variation in labor and product market institutions. Productivity enhancing reallocation generally rises in downturns but, similar to findings for the US, it did not pick up in the great recession. The sharp drop in exports and tightness in credit markets are seen to provide a partial explanation for this lack of a silver lining.
Development and evaluation of guava-papaya jam

Guava-Papaya jam was developed and evaluated for changes in its physico-chemical, microbiological and sensory parameters at monthly interval for three months storage period. Total soluble solids increased significantly, while acidity decreased significantly in guava-papaya jam with the advancement in storage period. Yeast and mold count increased significantly in blended jam during storage. The colour and appearance, flavour, taste, mouthfeel and overall acceptability of guava-papaya jam decreased significantly during storage, however, the products were found acceptable even after three months storage. Jam prepared with 40 guava: 60 papaya pulp ratio was found to be the most acceptable.
ASSESSEMENT OF NOISE POLLUTION AND PERCEIVED HEALTH CHALLENGES AMONG RESIDENTS IN LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA

The study assessed noise pollution and perceived health challenges among residents of Lagos State. This study specifically assessed the noise pollution situation, various causes/sources of noise pollution, perceived health challenges and measures to achieve good and healthy environment. The study areas were selected using purposive sampling technique. One hundred and fifty female respondents and one hundred and fifty male respondents making a total of 300 respondents were selected with accidental sampling technique. Self-designed questionnaire, well validated and subjected to reliability of test re-test method at 0.89 co-efficient which was deemed fit for the study was used. The data collected were exposed to appropriate descriptive and simple percentages. The findings of the study revealed that there were always heavy and constant noises around. Major ways the environment could be polluted were heavy traffic (traffic noise), religion home (e.g. churches and mosques), factories/industrial activities and power generating plants/generators. The perceived health challenges were insomnia/ sleep disturbance, hypertension/high blood pressure, loss of hearing, nervousness and lack of concentration and frequent headache. Measures that can be put in place for healthy environment were that the law enforcement should monitor activities of pollution, worship centres (religious home) around residential areas should be checked for loud noise and using of megaphone and the construction sites should be far from residential areas. Based on the findings, it was recommended that the government should put in place laws and measures that will prevent siting of factories and industries in the residential areas and to provide constant electricity for all. Article visualizations:
Aerobic Exercise Intervention as Part of Management Options for Depression and Anxiety

From antiquity to the present day, exercise has been used as means of preventing diseases, and promoting health and well-being. Hence, this paper attempts to assess the results of several studies on the effect of aerobic exercise intervention in the management of mental health and well-being, precisely depression and anxiety. The data derived from this reviews shows that exercise is beneficial to mental health; it reduces anxiety, depression, and negative mood, and improves self-esteem and cognitive functioning. Exercise is also associated with improvements in the quality of life of those living with schizophrenia. The improvement in the depression and anxiety observed in most studies come as a result of body’s ability to regulate and release pain killers during exercise. The natural pain killers produce physiological and psychological effects that lead to feeling of calmness and improve mental health. However, despite these positive effects derived from exercise, it seems that exercise is rarely recognized and utilized by concerned health care professionals as an intervention in the management of mental health problems. Thus, the essence of this presentation. Exercise of the aerobic nature performed at moderate intensity, three to five times a week is more beneficial in improving mental health. Such aerobic exercise may be in the form of brisk walking, rope skipping, cycling, swimming, jogging, stair climbing, dancing, gardening and so on. Keywords: mental health, aerobic exercise, natural killers, schizophrenia
Histological and Immunohistochemical Study to Evaluate the Effects of Metformin versus Green Tea Extracts on Bleomycin Induced Lung Injury In Adult Male Albino Rats

Introduction Bleomycin is a widely used chemotherapy which is used in the treatment of many tumors. Lung injury especially pulmonary fibrosis is considered as one of the most common side effects of it. Aim of the work: we aimed to evaluate the possible effect of Green tea versus Metformin on Bleomycin induced pulmonary injury in adult male albino rats. Materials & Methods: 48 adult male albino rats were used in this study. The rats were divided into six groups of eight rats each. Control group, Bleomycin group, Bleomycin with Green tea group, Bleomycin with Metformin group, green tea group and Metformin group. Bleomycin was administered intra-tracheally to ensure induction of fibrosis. All animals were sacrificed after 14 days of starting the experiment. The lung sections were prepared and stained with H&E stain, Mallory′s trichrome stain and immunohistochemical staining for alpha smooth muscle actin (α –SMA). Morphometric measurements and statistical analysis were performed. Results: There was marked multifocal distortion of the lung architecture with significant increase of area % of collagen deposition and α –SMA staining in Bleomycin group compared to control group. There was noticeable partial preservation of normal lung structure in combined Bleomycin with either Metformin or Green tea groups compared to Bleomycin group. The effect of Green tea was more obvious than Metformin which still showed more areas of congestion and hemorrahge in the lung. In addition to significant decrease in area % of collagen deposition and α-SMA in both combined Bleomycin with either Green tea or Metformin groups compared to Bleomycin group. While both Metformin and Green tea groups appeared as the control.Conclusion: we can conclude that administration of either Green tea or Metformin can attenuate Bleomycin induced lung injury. Green tea produced more protective effect than Metformin.
Compressed Magnetic Field in the Magnetically Regulated Global Collapsing Clump of G9.62+0.19

How stellar feedback from high-mass stars (e.g., H ii regions) influences the surrounding interstellar medium and regulates new star formation is still unclear. To address this question, we observed the G9.62+0.19 complex in 850 μm continuum with the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope/POL-2 polarimeter. An ordered magnetic field has been discovered in its youngest clump, the G9.62 clump. The magnetic field strength is determined to be ∼1 mG. Magnetic field plays a larger role than turbulence in supporting the clump. However, the G9.62 clump is still unstable against gravitational collapse even if thermal, turbulent, and magnetic field support are taken into account together. The magnetic field segments in the outskirts of the G9.62 clump seem to point toward the clump center, resembling a dragged-in morphology, indicating that the clump is likely undergoing magnetically regulated global collapse. However, the magnetic field in its central region is aligned with the shells of the photodissociation regions and is approximately parallel to the ionization (or shock) front, indicating that the magnetic field therein is likely compressed by the expanding H ii regions that formed in the same complex.