Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Conceptualizing Municipal Elections: The Case of Toronto 2018

Since Angus Campbell and colleagues first introduced the “levels of conceptualization” (LoC) framework as a measure of political sophistication, a number of scholars have applied the approach to subsequent American national elections. In this study, we present the first application of the LoC framework to a municipal election, and focus upon the 2018 Toronto mayoral race. After describing the method and data we use to adapt the framework to this new context, we replicate previous analyses, and find that LoC is related to local voter turnout and several measures of political sophistication. We then consider the question of whether major candidates were discussed at different LoC, and if their supporters view local politics at different LoC. We conclude by making the case that the LoC framework is helpful for resolving the debate over whether local politics are ideological or managerial in nature.
Measurements of the Planck length from a Ball-Clock without Knowledge of Newton’s Gravitational Constant G or the Planck Constant

In this paper we show how one can extract the Planck length from ball with a built-in stopwatch with no knowledge of the Newtonian gravitational constant or the Planck constant. This is remarkable as until recently it has been assumed one cannot find the Planck length without knowledge of Newton’s gravitational constant. This method of measuring the Planck length should also be of great interest to not only physics researchers but also to physics teachers and students as it conveniently demonstrates that the Plank length is directly linked to gravitational phenomena, not only theoretically, but practically. To demonstrate that this is more than a theory we report 100 measurements of the Planck length using this simple approach. We will claim that, despite the mathematical and experimental simplicity, our findings could be of great importance in better understanding the Planck scale, as our findings strongly support the idea that to detect gravity is to detect the e↵ects from the Planck scale indirectly.
Fungal α-amylase entrapped in agar-agar organic matrix “beads” enhances fabric starch-desizing potentials and α-amylase-detergent compatibility

Aureobasidium pullulans α-amylase (ApAmy) mixed with melted agar-agar solution and drop-wisely added to a mixture of organic solvent solution allowed for the entrapment of the α-amylase in the agar-agar organic matrix as beads. The immobilized ApAmy’s characteristics and wash performance were elucidated in comparison with the soluble ApAmy. Agar-agar at 2.0 % (w/v) and toluene: chloroform at 3:1 resulted in the highest immobilization yield retaining about 98% residual activity after ten catalytic cycles. The optimum temperature and pH for the immobilized enzyme were 60ºC and 6.5 respectively. The immobilized ApAmy hydrolysed branched and linear substrates thus establishing its broad substrate specificity. Relatively, the immobilized ApAmy (iApAmy) was more tolerant to organic solvents than the free enzyme. The iApAmy was mildly inhibited by cobalt but metals such as zinc, manganese, calcium and sodium enhanced the free and immobilized ApAmy activity. The iApAmy had a higher washing efficiency (77%) in the presence of detergents than the free enzyme (68%) and control (36%). The iApAmy showed good potentials as a detergent additive and from its characteristics, it could be useful in other industrial applications.
Millennial behavioural intention in Islamic banks: the role of social media influencers

Purpose This study aims to examine the role of social media influencers (SMI) in millennial behavioural intentions towards Islamic banks, from the perspective of both bank clients and non-clients. Design/methodology/approach Of the 484 Indonesian millennials in the sample, 278 were clients and 206 non-clients of Islamic banks. Factor analysis was used to examine the SMI dimension in the Islamic banking context. This study then used the partial least square to evaluate the proposed model and test the relationships between SMI, bank image, trust and behavioural intention. Findings Three SMI dimensions were confirmed, i.e. expertise, celebrity and similarity. For bank clients, the findings show that SMI has a significant influence on behavioural intention and reinforces bank image and trust. For non-clients, SMI does not have a significant impact on behavioural intentions but significantly strengthens bank image and trust. Practical implications Islamic bank managers can take benefit of this study findings by learning to foster the behavioural intentions of their millennial clients and non-clients using SMIs. Further, choosing the right SMIs for their Islamic bank is an important activity, and if they want to make a positive impact on existing and potential millennial clients, they need to choose popular millennials who are knowledgeable about the Islamic value compliance of Islamic banking services. Originality/value This study is an early study to explore SMI’s role in influencing the behavioural intentions of millennials towards Islamic banks.
NON PERFORMING FINANCING AND EFFICIENCY OF ISLAMIC BANKS IN INDONESIA

This research objective is to empirically investigate factors that decisively affect Non Performing Financing (NPF) of Islamic banks partially and simultaneously; the performance of Islamic banks through observing the efficiency by applying Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) approach; and the intertemporal relationship between NPF and efficiency of Islamic banks by employing VAR model to test the hypothesis of 'Bad Management' and 'Bad Luck'. This research uses purposive sampling method and panel data where data collected from official website of each bank and Bank Indonesia. This study adopts quantitative research and has 72 observations from four banks in five quarterly years. An empirical evidence of this research indicates that partially FDR, ROA, and Exchange rate has negative significant influence towards NPF, while BI rate has the positive significant influence towards NPF. However, CAR and inflation has an insignificant effect to NPF. Simultaneously, all of the independent variables have the significant effect towards NPF which described by the value of 74.92%. The findings of DEA show the average value of Islamic banks in Indonesia is 92.85% which means Islamic Banks in Indonesia are not fully efficient. The finding also indicates that Islamic banks in Indonesia support the “Bad Luck” hypothesis, that the NPF and inefficiency of Islamic banks in Indonesia can be linked to external factors that are beyond management control rather than internal factors.
Measuring the Influence of Environmental Policy on Economic Development of the Countries: EU-28 Scope

In current paper, we have researched the influence of environmental policy stringency (EPS) on economic development of the EU-28. The problem of identifying the influence of stringency of environmental policy (EP) on economic development of the EU-28 is that currently there is no well-established understand-ing of what economic results can be achieved depending on the extent of EPS within a separate country. The paper aims at making contribution to theoretical, empirical and political scopes of perception of EP as an independent factor of economic development of the EU-28. The results of research indicate that EPS is significant factor of economic development of the EU countries.
Professional development and ESL teacher quality: An empirical study

A broader awareness of ESL teachers’ conceptions for engaging in PD is vital for them to gain productive outcomes from prevailing Professional Development (PD) opportunities. The qualitative case study reported here investigated the implications of PD initiatives to heighten ESL teachers’ quality in their professional practice. The study used semi-structured interviews to gather data from ten in-service ESL teachers of a government university in Sri Lanka and, Thematic Analysis for recognizing, arranging and interpreting data. The results demonstrated four key implications of PD that empowered teachers to enhance the quality in their practice: (a) refinement of teachers’ character and behaviour (b) sustaining teachers’ currency of knowledge in terms of qualifications, content and overall knowledge and experience, thereby growing into quality practitioners with certificates and credentials, (c) enriching teachers’ quality of delivery via improved skills and expertise, and (d) maintaining teachers’ professional standards. These out-comes could be achieved through both independent and sponsored PD activities regulated by democratic and managerialist principles respectively. The study has valuable implications for PD providers and policy makers, and points to the need of considering them in designing, delivering and framing PD activities in ESL in order to achieve optimum learner outcomes via meaningful PD initiatives.
Pengaruh Motivasi Kerja dan Displin Kerja terhadap Kinerja Karyawan di Perusahaan PTPN X Pabrik Gula Lestari Kertosono

The background in this study is how important it is for a leader to apply motivation and work discipline to the company to improve the performance of its employees, because with motivation and work discipline, employees will feel responsible for all their duties. This study aims to determine the effect of work motivation and work discipline on employee performance partially, and to determine the effect of work motivation and work discipline on employee performance simultaneously. The data analysis technique used in this study is multiple linear regression analysis, using the F test and t test. The results of multiple linear regression show that the work motivation variable has a significant effect on employee performance. Work discipline variables have a significant effect on employee performance. And Hail F test shows that there is a significant influence between the variables of Work Motivation and Work Discipline simultaneously affect the Employee Performance of PTPN X Lestari Sugar Factory (Kertosono). The conclusion from the results of this study is that increasing employee performance cannot be separated from work motivation (needs, attitudes, abilities, payment or salary, job security, fellow workers) and work discipline (always present on time, always prioritizing attendance percentage, always obeying the hourly provisions). work, always use working hours effectively and efficiently). With high work motivation and work discipline, it will be easier to improve employee performance.
Training Pathways for Adult Learning Professionals in Higher Education: Case of Hungary and Serbia

The topic of the professionalization of adult education is receiving a great deal of attention worldwide. This is justified because the competencies among adult learning professionals have a significant impact on the effectiveness of adult learning. The professional preparedness of adult learning practitioners is therefore a basic condition for the high-quality realization of the adult learning process. Nevertheless, the training system for adult learning professionals varies greatly from country to country. Professionals in adult education are often andragogically unskilled individuals, and national education policy also plays a key role in this. A comparative approach has been used in this study to examine the historical development and content elements of university-level andragogy programs in Hungary and Serbia. The findings show that although Hungary and Serbia are neighbors, the development of adult education as a profession has followed completely different trends in the two countries.
The Emancipation of Household Accounting: A [Non] Feminism Critical Study of Tjoet Njak Dien

This study investigates household accounting practices in the families of women migrant workers from a gender perspective and offers a change in the traditional roles of Muslim women. Through a critical approach, Tjoet Njak Dien, a non-feminist theory researcher achieved the study objectives. The results showed that the household accounting practices of migrant workers were masculine. Through the metaphor of Tjoet Njak Dien’s subsequent struggle, three strategies of household accounting practices were revealed. The first concerns earning income with halal and toyib work principles and considering the benefits. Second concerns management to be executed with deliberation and an intermediate attitude. Finally, accounting must be performed via communication and openness between husband and wife. The application could be a means of balancing the household bookkeeping of female migrant workers, which relies on rationality. Keywords: feminism, gender, household accounting
Perception of white meat consumption among urban households in Ibadan North Local Government of Oyo State

This study examines the consumer’s perception of white meat among household in Ibadan north local government area of Oyo state, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling was used through questionnaire to gather information from 110 respondents used as a sample size for the study. Data were analyzed through the use of descriptive statistics tools such as frequency and percentage, while inferential statistics such as chi-square and PPMC were used for the hypotheses. The result of the study revealed that majority (63.6%) of the respondents were married, also in their active age (93.2%) and engaged in trading and civil service work as their primary occupation. Also, majority (55.5%) had up to secondary education and tertiary school level with household size 1-5.The result further revealed that 52.4% of the respondents had unfavourable perception of white meat consumption while 47.6% had favourable perception. Also, better cholesterol content (53.6%) and reduced health risk (51.8%) were some of the perceived benefits of white meat considered by respondents. Constraints such as high cost of white meat (99%) and low income (88%) were considered as major constraints to white meat consumption. Chi-square analysis revealed that marital status(X2=18.693, P=0.028), education(X2=17.753, P=0.038) and primary occupation(X2=18.266, P=0.032) of respondents were found to have significant relationship with their perception of white meat consumption at 0.05 level. Also, PPMC analysis showed that there was relationship between perceived benefits and perception for white meat at 0.05 level of significant. The study, therefore, recommends that the enlightenment programmes on nutritional benefit of white meat consumption should be promoted for consumers to have right perception.
The role of temperature for seasonal market integration: a case study of poultry in Iran

Understanding market integration has greatly beneﬁted from analysing and comparing variations in price transmissions. An important source of variation in agricultural markets is seasonal changes in production, consumption and transaction costs. A key factor driving seasonality in agricultural price is temperature, as supply and demand changes are triggered by seasonal temperature diﬀerences. In this paper, we study the seasonal variations in vertical price transmission focusing on the asymmetric price adjustment to analyse changes in the market interactions between the stages of the value chain. Our data reveal signiﬁcant transitory eﬀects of temperature on the price transmission process. Results of a panel threshold model suggest that the farm – wholesale price adjustments to deviations from the market equilibrium are more symmetric at higher temperatures. However, we do not ﬁnd an eﬀect of temperature on the wholesale – retail price relationship. Our ﬁndings can be rationalised with wholesalers making use of their market power to extend their margins in the upstream chain. Wholesaler market power is lower during warm periods, and price adjustment is more symmetric. Concerning the Iranian poultry value chain, our ﬁndings imply that temperature-related diﬀerences in market interactions should be considered in formulating policy interventions.
If you want a job, don’t just search hard, search systematically: A field study with career starters

ABSTRACT After finishing school, career starters face the challenge of finding a job. Job search is a difficult process because there is no clear pathway to obtaining employment. We identify job search systematicity, in addition to job search intensity, as an important dimension of job search behaviour that may predict the likelihood of obtaining a job. Job search systematicity is defined as the extent to which people have an adaptable and persistent rather than a volatile and fortuitous approach towards job seeking. We explored whether job search systematicity relates to increased chances of obtaining employment and explored potential antecedents of job search systematicity (i.e., job search clarity, employment commitment, anticipated financial need, and affect). The results of our field study among 217 job seeking career starters using a five-wave correlational design show that job search systematicity positively relates to job attainment, controlling for job search intensity. Moreover, job search clarity, employment commitment, and activating affect (both positive and negative) were positively associated with job search systematicity. These findings extend theory by broadening the conceptualization of job search, and inform job seeking career starters and employment and career counsellors about how to approach the job search process.
IMPACT OF BURNOUT SYNDROME IN ATHLETES: RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SEX, AGE, AND SPORT

Burnout syndrome has a multidimensional characteristic, and there are feelings inherent to this syndrome, and it has different response due to characteristic of the athletes and their sport. The purpose of the present study was to identify burnout levels and its relationship between sex, age and type of sport. The Athletes Burnout Questionnaire (ABQ) was used to assess the prevalence of burnout in athletes and whether burnout is influenced by sex, age group, and type of sport (individual versus team sports). The ABQ was administered to 223 athletes (50 females (15,4± 4,17 years old) and 173 males (17,8±4,34 years old)) in 4 different sports modalities (swimming, gymnastics, basketball, and soccer). The results showed that between 1% and 9% of the athletes showed elevated burnout scores on these four subscales, and the hypothesis of higher prevalence of burnout in individual sports was supported someway, by athletes who had higher levels of Emotional and Physical Exhaustion when compared to those of team sports. It was also found that age did not influence burnout levels. Furthermore, only a no correlation between sex and burnout scores was found. These findings suggest that factors other than sex, and age must be considered when athletes at risk for burnout are investigated.
Distribution, habitat suitability, and revised morphological diagnosis confirm that the fruit bat Platyrrhinus recifinus is an Atlantic Forest endemic

ABSTRACT Morphological characters used to separate the frugivorous bat Platyrrhinus recifinus from the similar Platyrrhinus lineatus have been contentious. This has led to uncertainties about the distribution of the species, that was once considered an Atlantic Forest endemic. Based on an analysis of a large and geographically restricted series of P. recifinus, we assessed the individual variation in the species and provide useful characters to separate it from P. lineatus. We reviewed the locality records of P. recifinus, and carried out an ecological niche model analysis in order to update the species polygon and calculate its area of habitat. After removing misidentifications, we found that the species occurs in moist forests from sea level to 1653 m. The area of suitable habitat estimated for the species was 402,225.2 Km2, ranging from the Brazilian states of Ceará to Santa Catarina. Both empirical records and ecological niche model analyses reinforce that P. recifinus should be considered an Atlantic Forest endemic. The species is present in moist forest enclaves in the Caatinga, but these formations are part of the Atlantic Forest domain.
A relative hairiness index for evaluating the securities of fiber ends in staple yarns and its application

Hairiness is a prominent property of staple yarns, but the existing evaluation parameters mainly describe the fiber ends already protruding out of yarn bodies. The potential fiber ends in yarns also play a crucial role in the performance of yarns in the subsequent processes and the resultant fabric quality. In our previous studies, maximum hairiness and its theoretical model have been proposed, which indicate the maximum fiber ends of a staple yarn having the potential to protrude out of yarn bodies and become hairy. On this basis, the relative hairiness index (RHI) is developed in this study to evaluate the fiber end tucking and securities of yarns. This index is treated as a ratio of the measured hairiness of sample yarns and the maximum hairiness of ring yarns in the same twist level and yarn count. A lower RHI indicates more fiber ends being tucked into yarn bodies, and a slower increment of the RHI with the increasing winding times represents more stable securities of fiber ends in yarns. The experimental results demonstrate that the RHI can directly reveal the effectiveness of different spinning parameters and methods in tucking and securing fiber ends; also, the changes of the RHI with increasing winding times visually present the stableness of fiber ends in various yarns experiencing abrasion, as well as predict the possibility of the potential fiber ends being pulled out to form hairiness during successive processes. The proposed RHI, therefore, provides a significant reference for the spinning process design and yarn quality control.
Ginkgo biloba leaf extract (EGb-761) elicits neuroprotection against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury by enhancement of autophagy flux in neurons in the penumbra

Objective(s): Ginkgo biloba leaf extract (EGb-761) injection has been widely used as adjuvant therapy for cerebral stroke in China. However, its underlying pharmacological mechanism is not completely understood. The present study aimed to investigate whether the therapeutic effects of EGb-761 are exerted by modulating autophagy flux. Materials and Methods: Ischemic cerebral stroke was prepared in male Sprague-Dawley rats by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) followed by reperfusion. The MCAO/reperfusion rats were then treated with EGb-761 injection once daily for 7 days. Thereafter, the brain tissues in the ischemic penumbra were obtained to detect the key proteins in the autophagic/lysosomal pathway with Beclin1, LC3, (SQSTM1)/p62, ubiquitin, LAMP-1, cathepsin B, and cathepsin D antibodies by western blot and immunofluorescence. Meanwhile, the infarct volume, neurological deficits, and neuronal apoptosis were assessed to evaluate the therapeutic outcomes. Results: The results illustrated that EGb-761 treatment was not only able to promote the autophagic activities of Beclin1 and LC3-II in neurons, but also could enhance the autophagic clearance, as indicated by reinforced lysosomal activities of LAMP-1, cathepsin B, and cathepsin D, as well as alleviating autophagic accumulation of ubiquitin and insoluble p62 in the MCAO+EGb-761 group, compared with those in the MCAO+saline group. Meanwhile, cerebral ischemia-induced neurological deficits, infarct volume, and neuronal apoptosis were significantly attenuated by 7 days of EGb-761 therapy. Conclusion: Our data suggest that EGb-761 injection can elicit a neuroprotective efficacy against MCAO/reperfusion injury, and this neuroprotection may be exerted by enhancement of autophagy flux in neurons in the ischemic penumbra.