Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Self-aspiration, perceived other’ aspirations and academic performance among rural adolescents

Aspirations place a critical influence on the behaviors and academic outcomes of adolescents. The present study examines the role of students’ self-aspirations and perceived other’ aspirations on academic achievement among rural adolescents. A convenient sample of 200 students (Males=100, Females=100) in the age group 15 to 18 years was recruited for this study from a rural public school located in south India. The participants completed self-report measures of students’ self-aspirations, and others’ aspirations for them in terms of perceived parents’ aspirations, perceived teachers’ aspirations and perceived friends’ aspirations. The academic performance of the students was taken from school records. The self-aspirations and perceived others’ aspirations measured pertained to career aspiration. Analysis of variance was used to examine gender differences in self-aspirations and perceived others’ aspirations. Multiple regression was used to examine the relationship between aspirations of self, parents, teachers, and friends on the one hand and academic performance on the other. The findings of the study revealed that females have higher self-aspirations, perceived parents’ and teachers’ aspirations, and are better in academic achievement than males. Being a male negatively predicted self-aspiration, i.e., males have lower aspirations than females. Both parents’ aspirations and teachers’ aspirations positively predicted students’ self-aspiration. Friends’ aspiration did not significantly predict students’ self-aspiration. Gender and not self-aspirations emerged as a significant predictor of academic achievement; Being a male negatively predicted academic achievement. The findings have implications for research, policy, and practice in the area of youth development.
Exploring a Model of Whistle Blowing System for Malaysian Municipal Council

A municipal council is one of the local authorities established under the auspice of Malaysian local government. The objective is to deliver services to a community under its jurisdiction in a sustainable manner, but evidences indicated that the service qualities have deteriorated due to numerous malpractices. The malpractices could be prevented should any of the insiders who witness the incidences whistle blow to those who have power to act. However, not many are willing to report for fear of reprisal, retaliation and even life threatening. Despite that a whistleblowing system is established to encourage whistleblowing, such system has yet to be formed in any of Malaysian municipal councils. Intrigued with the issue, the objective of this study is to explore a model of whistle blowing system for a Malaysian municipal council. A hermeneutic phenomenography study was conducted in which data were gathered through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The participants consisted of four top management and sixty officials from a Malaysian municipal council. Data were analyzed qualitatively using Nvivo 14 and triangulated with other source of documents. The findings from emergent themes proposed a model of the whistleblowing system that consisted of four elements namely protection, internal control policies, incentives and ethical culture. This discovery provides useful insights to policy makers, relevant authorities, and academic fraternities of the model of whistle blowing system that will alleviate malpractices and thus elevate the transparency, efficiency and integrity of the municipal council to the fullest.
Physicochemical, Proximate and Sensory Properties of Organic Side-stream Pineapple (Ananas sp.) Flour

Physicochemical, proximate and sensory properties of organic side-stream pineapple flour (OSPF) developed from three pineapple varieties were evaluated. The OSPF prepared from Sugar loaf had the highest moisture content (10.88) with a corresponding water activity (0.42). Colour changes for OSPF within the three varieties were significant (P < 0.05) for L*, a* and b*. A more positive a* value (5.93) was observed for Sugar loaf indicating browning had occurred. Sugar loaf had 7.1 - 15.0°Brix for 10 - 20% dilutions. Water Absorption Index (WAI) and Water Solubility Index (WSI) were in the ranges of 3.37 - 4.35 and 0.114 - 0.239, respectively. Swelling capacity of OSPF was more significant for Sugar loaf at 70°C (540%) and 30°C (491.20%) than MD2 and Smooth cayenne. Cake prepared from OSPF of Smooth cayenne recorded the highest overall acceptability when 3% flour was used, whereas MD2 had the highest when 6% flour was used. The OSPF of Smooth cayenne used at 15% in bread presented the highest overall acceptance. In both products the sensory properties of appearance, colour, aroma, taste, texture, crust, mouth feel and overall acceptance varied significantly (P < 0.05). Thus, cake and bread incorporated with OSPF was sensory acceptable.
Oxalate content of commercially packed salad greens

Salad mixes also known as mesclun contain young leaves of wide range of well known salad plants and also other plant leaves that are otherwise eaten cooked. These salad mixes include young leaves of green beet, spinach and red chard which are known to contain high oxalate contents and are eaten raw in salad mixes. In the samples analyzed small leaves of green beet, spinach and red chard contained the highest levels of total oxalate (mean 694.2 ± 28.6 mg/100 g fresh weight (FW) and soluble oxalate (mean 562.6 ± 52.1 mg/100 g FW). However, the overall levels in the total salad mix were modest because there was an admixture of other young leaves such as endive, bok choi tatsoi and rocket which contained very low levels of total oxalate (mean 24.1 ± 3.7 mg/100 g FW) and soluble oxalate (mean 22.5 ± 2.9 mg/100 g FW) as well as lettuce and mizuna leaves did not contain any oxalate at all. A standard serving of 25 g of a typical salad mix would contain 42.7 mg total oxalate and 34.5 mg soluble oxalate which is a modest amount compared to many other oxalate containing foods.
Personality traits as predictor of cognitive biases: moderating role of risk-attitude

Purpose This study aims to examine that personality traits are associated with the investor’s ability to exhibit disposition effect, herding behavior and overconfidence. It also explores how risk-attitude can modify investor behavior by moderating the association between personality traits, disposition effect, herding and overconfidence. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 396 respondents by using personally administrated survey. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to confirm the validity and reliability of data. Regression analysis was used to test the proposed hypotheses. Findings The results supported the proposed hypotheses and showed that extravert investors were more likely to exhibit disposition effect, herding and overconfidence. The conscientiousness trait was associated with disposition effect and overconfidence, while neuroticism was associated with herding behavior. The results confirmed the moderating effect of risk aversion on the association between personality traits, disposition effect, herding and overconfidence. Originality/value This study demonstrates how risk aversion modes the strength of association between psychological characteristics (represented by personality traits) and cognitive biases (disposition effect, herding and overconfidence). The results support the “auction” interpretation of investors' behavior by suggesting that personality traits are associated with investment decision-making and that investors are marginal price setters.
Government Ownership and Dividend Payment Policy

The purpose of this study to examine and analyze differences in the average policy of dividend payments with government ownership in companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in period 2008-2017. Previous research still shows differences in research results or inconsistent results between one study and another. The results showed that the average dividend payment policy carried out by the government was higher than companies that did not have government ownership. This is considered as government ownership, so the amount of dividends distributed will increase. Based on the results of this study it can be concluded that government ownership provides an average higher dividend payment policy than non-government ownership. Suggestions for company management, in making dividend payment policies, the company should always consider the interests of the company’s owners. Investors should pay attention to factors outside the economy in investing. For further researchers, it can be used as an additional reference and research can be done one by one sector.
The development and psychometric properties of a self-report Catastrophizing Questionnaire

Catastrophizing is a cognitive process that can be defined as predicting the worst possible outcome. It has been shown to be related to psychiatric diagnoses such as depression and anxiety, yet there are no self-report questionnaires specifically measuring it outside the context of pain research. Here we therefore, develop a novel, comprehensive self-report measure of general catastrophizing. We performed five online studies (total n = 734), in which we created and refined a Catastrophizing Questionnaire, and used a factor analytic approach to understand its underlying structure. We also assessed convergent and discriminant validity, and analysed test–retest reliability. Furthermore, we tested the ability of Catastrophizing Questionnaire scores to predict relevant clinical variables over and above other questionnaires. Finally, we also developed a four-item short version of this questionnaire. We found that our questionnaire is best fit by a single underlying factor, and shows convergent and discriminant validity. Exploratory factor analyses indicated that catastrophizing is independent from other related constructs, including anxiety and worry. Moreover, we demonstrate incremental validity for this questionnaire in predicting diagnostic and medication status. Finally, we demonstrate that our Catastrophizing Questionnaire has good test–retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.77, p < 0.001). Critically, we can now, for the first time, obtain detailed self-report data on catastrophizing.
Carbon monoxide, a retrograde messenger generated in post-synaptic mushroom body neurons evokes non-canonical dopamine release

Dopaminergic neurons innervate extensive areas of the brain and release dopamine (DA) onto a wide range of target neurons. However, DA release is also precisely regulated, and in Drosophila, DA is released specifically onto mushroom body (MB) neurons, which have been coincidentally activated by cholinergic and glutamatergic inputs. The mechanism for this precise release has been unclear. Here we found that coincidentally activated MB neurons generate carbon monoxide (CO) which functions as a retrograde signal evoking local DA release from presynaptic terminals. CO production depends on activity of heme oxygenase in post-synaptic MB neurons, and CO-evoked DA release requires Ca2+ efflux through ryanodine receptors in DA terminals. CO is only produced in MB areas receiving coincident activation, and removal of CO using scavengers blocks DA release. We propose that DA neurons utilize two distinct modes of transmission to produce global and local DA signaling. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Dopamine (DA) is needed for various higher brain functions including memory formation. However, DA neurons form extensive synaptic connections, while memory formation requires highly specific and localized DA release. Here we identify a mechanism through which DA release from presynaptic terminals is controlled by postsynaptic activity. Postsynaptic neurons activated by cholinergic and glutamatergic inputs generate carbon monoxide, which acts as a retrograde messenger inducing presynaptic DA release. Released DA is required for memory-associated plasticity. Our work identifies a novel mechanism that restricts DA release to the specific postsynaptic sites that require DA during memory formation.
Perceptions of Crop Farmers on the Effects of Land Management Practices in Northern Guinea Savanna of Agroecological Zone of Kaduna State, Nigeria

: The broad objective of this study is to assess the perceptions of crop farmers on the effects of land management practices in selected rural areas in the northern guinea savanna of agro ecological zone of Kaduna State. Purposive sampling technique was employed in collecting data from three hundred and eighty (380) rural farmers with structured questionnaire administered. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistical techniques such as frequency tables, mean and percentages to summarize the data. The study revealed that socio- economic characteristics such as age, gender, educational status, farming experience, farmland size and land ownership had influence on the farmers’ choice of practices being adopted. The study also identify these common land management practices as mulching, irrigation, organic manure, fertilizer application, and agro-forestry, where 53% of the farmers adopted fertilizer application and 29% of total sample practiced organic manure application. The Farmers perceived five land management practices had positive effects on the environment and farm productivity; these are cover crop, crop rotation, irrigation, organic manure and fertilizer application. Therefore, the study concluded that the farming population is ageing and that is adversely affecting the choice of best practices due to lack of education and knowledge to adopt the best land management practice and also the choice of land management practices had great significant difference both negative and positive on environment and farm productivity in this agro-ecological zone of Kaduna State. The study recommended that agricultural extension programmes should be encouraged to boost the famers’ knowledge in adopting the most appropriate practices for different socio-economic and environmental problems.
“No More Being Stuck” in Reading Literature: Effects of Reader Response Journal Project on EFL Teacher Trainees’ Literacy Engagement

--The study aims to explore the application of reader response journals to help EFL readers get out from the ‘being stuck condition’ in interpreting literary works. Underpinned by the interplay of Reader Response Theory, Socio-constructivism, and Critical Pedagogy, the study promotes EFL readers’ aesthetic stances to have their own ‘convenient rooms’ to (re)create meaning in transacting with texts as illuminated by their schemata and life experiences, which is contrast to New Critics’ views that promote text-based analysis only. An intact group of EFL teacher trainees of an Indonesian private teacher college taking literary criticism participated in this program evaluation-based case study to uncover the observed classroom dynamics representing the trainees’ reading and enjoying literary works, and responding to assigned literary works by means of response journals. In applying the one-semester course program, the trainees were triggered to individually and collaboratively share ideas, feelings, wants, interests, and expectations, and peer-feedback their written responses as reflected in on-going revised journals. The peer-led discussions characterized the classroom interaction driven by the teacher’s (tutor’s) guiding steps, as the scaffolding techniques. The study showed the nonthreatening classroom interaction and the trainees’ development of using varied critical and personal reader response strategies. The trainees’ captured ‘voices’ as reflected in peer-led discussions and their journals represented their freedom in expressing ideas, and enjoyment in reading-writing (literacy) events. The study suggests further studies investigate e-journaling project that entails possibilities of enhancing trainees’ multiliteracies.
AN ACADEMIC WRITING NEEDS ANALYSIS OF CZECH UNIVERSITY GRADUATE STUDENTS

The present paper presents the results of a needs analysis conducted among Czech students involved in a Master’s degree programme English Language Teacher Education. The aim was to identify their academic writing needs on the basis of a needs analysis questionnaire and a linguistic analysis of their written discourse in order to find out whether there are divergences between their ‘wants’ and ‘lacks’ (Hutchinson & Waters 1987). The results indicate that the students’ previous tuition at Bachelor’s level focused primarily on lexico-grammatical features of academic style such as text organizing devices, academic vocabulary, grammatical structures and citation styles. However, other areas essential to writing a successful Master’s thesis, such as evaluation and interpretation of results, conveying personal viewpoints and communicating with the reader or acknowledging research limitations, were ascribed a somewhat lower importance by the students, suggesting the existence of a divergence between the students’ ‘wants’ and ‘lacks’. The findings concerning the students’ perception of the writing process also concur with the finding of the authors’ previous research (Dontcheva et al. 2020) into the Theme zone in Czech students’ Master’s theses, which has indicated that Czech Master’s students tend to overuse textual Themes expressed by linkers and underuse interpersonal Themes realised by stance devices.
Microbial oxidation of nitrogen supplied as selected organic nitrogen compounds in the South Atlantic Bight

Dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) can account for a large fraction of the dissolved nitrogen (N) pool in the ocean, but the cycling of marine DON is poorly understood. Recent discoveries that urea‐ and cyanate‐N can be oxidized by some strains of Thaumarchaeota suggest that these abundant microbes may be able to access and oxidize a fraction of the DON pool. However, measurements of the oxidation of N supplied as DON compounds are scarce. Here, we compare oxidation rates of N supplied as a variety of DON compounds in samples from Georgia coastal waters, where nitrifier communities are numerically dominated by Thaumarchaeota. Our data indicate that polyamine‐N is particularly amenable to oxidation compared to the other DON compounds tested. Oxidation of N supplied as putrescine (1,4‐diaminobutane) was generally higher than that of N supplied as glutamate, arginine, or urea, and was consistently 5–10% of the ammonia oxidation rate. Our data also suggest that the oxidation rate of polyamine‐N may increase as the length of the carbon skeleton increases. Oxidation of N supplied as putrescine, urea, and glutamate were all highest near the coast and lower further offshore, consistent with patterns of ammonia oxidation in these waters. Though it is unclear whether oxidation of polyamine‐N reflects direct oxidation by Thaumarchaeota or combines remineralization and subsequent ammonia oxidation, more rapid oxidation of N from putrescine compared to amino acids or urea suggests that polyamine‐N may contribute significantly to nitrification in the ocean.
Lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) Persistence Remains Unchanged under Variable Cutting Regimes

Lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) persistence is important for farming systems in south east Australia. Defoliation of lucerne that is too frequent (arguably more than once every six weeks) reduces yield and accelerates stand decline. Three experiments were conducted in south east Australia (Burraja, New South Wales; Rutherglen and Hamilton, Victoria) to investigate different cutting regimes on lucerne persistence. At Burraja lucerne was cut 16 (lax) or 33 (severe) times over three years at different plant densities. At Rutherglen and Hamilton lucerne was cut every 21 days (short rotation), every 42 days (long rotation), when new shoots (2.5 cm long) emerged (new shoots) or cutting when new shoots emerged but allowing the lucerne to flower in autumn (new shoots flowering). It was hypothesised that the frequent cutting of lucerne would result in lower plant densities. At Burraja there was little difference between treatments at any density or assessment. At Hamilton, apart from the assessment in June 2016, there was no difference (p > 0.1) between treatments. At Rutherglen, there was no difference (p > 0.1) between treatments at any assessment although plant numbers declined in 2016 from waterlogging. The results provide evidence that lucerne has intrinsic mechanisms that protect it from cutting, often at short intervals, thus promoting its persistence over three to four-year periods.
Hair Growth Effect of Emulsion Extracted Brevilin A, a JAK3 Inhibitor, from Centipeda minima

Janus kinase 3 (JAK3) inhibitors have been used effectively in the treatment of several cases of alopecia universalis and its variants. Our study aims to evaluate whether the emulsion extract of brevilin A from Centipeda minima (CMX) stimulates hair regrowth in a clinical trial, as a JAK3 inhibitor, combined with network pharmacology-based analysis. CMX showed potent inhibition of JAK3 in a concentration-dependent manner. Significant differences in total hair count, terminal hair count, and anagen hair count from the baseline to 24 weeks were observed between the placebo and CMX subjects. The gene set enrichment analysis showed that the targets of CMX are mainly associated with the JAK-STAT signaling pathway, cytokine–cytokine receptor interactions, and the MAPK signaling pathway. This study suggests that the medicinal herbal extract CMX is useful in the treatment of mild to moderate vertex balding that contribute to the visible improvements in hair growth observed in treated patients.
Progress in Violet Light-Emitting Diodes Based on ZnO/GaN Heterojunction

Progress in light-emitting diodes (LEDs) based on ZnO/GaN heterojunctions has run into several obstacles during the last twenty years. While both the energy bandgap and lattice parameter of the two semiconductors are favorable to the development of such devices, other features related to the electrical and structural properties of the GaN layer prevent an efficient radiative recombination. This work illustrates some advances made on ZnO/GaN-based LEDs, by using high-thickness GaN layers for the p-region of the device and an ad hoc device topology. Heterojunction LEDs consist of a quasicoalesced non-intentionally doped ZnO nanorod layer deposited by chemical bath deposition onto a metal–organic vapor-phase epitaxy -grown epitaxial layer of p-doped GaN. Circular 200 μm-sized violet-emitting LEDs with a p-n contact distance as low as 3 μm exhibit a turn-on voltage of 3 V, and an emitting optical power at 395 nm of a few microwatts. Electroluminescence spectrum investigation shows that the emissive process can be ascribed to four different recombination transitions, dominated by the electron-hole recombinations on the ZnO side.