Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
AN ExPLORATION Of THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PRINCIPAL CHANGE LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES AND TEACHER CHANGE BELIEfS

The purpose of the study was twofold: a) to examine the causal relationship of principal change leadership competencies (PCLC) and teacher change beliefs (TCB); b) to investigate the moderating effects of demographic factors on the above relationship. PCLC was operationalised using Principal Change Leadership Competencies Scale while TCB was measured using Teacher Change Beliefs Scale. A total of 936 teachers from 47 High Performing Secondary School in Malaysia completed the survey. Structural equation modelling was applied to test the models whereas invariance analysis was conducted to examine the demographic moderators. The result demonstrated that PCLC was significantly related to TCB (.81). In other words, in any school change, PCLC operates as a significant predictor for TCB. As changes in TCB are greatly influenced by PCLC, with TCB being the critical factor which leads teachers to embrace change, school principals need to competently strengthen teacher self-influences through the mechanism of personal agency – the belief system. Besides, the results of the study also revealed that the moderating effects of gender, age, year of experience and location of school were statistically significant. Hence, the above demographic factors should take into consideration in the causal relationship of PCLC and TCB in any school change.
E-Money Challenge in Disruption Era: Uncovering the Dilemma Issues from Consumers’ Perspective

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to determine factors that drive e-money provider system named Link Aja (produced by Telkomsel, a telecommunication company in Indonesia) users to become less active in using Link Aja, especially users located in Bandung, by remembering some potential commerce and trading conducted in the city that have great potential benefits if all transaction are supported by e-money Link Aja. Methodology: This study uses quantitative methods with descriptive and exploration research types. The technique of collecting data has spread the questionnaire to users in Bandung who have an account but less active in using Link Aja. Factoring Analysis as statistical tools were used to analyze the data and test the hypotheses. Results: There are six factors which determine the decreasing of Link Aja users activity in transaction, consist of (1) Security and limited discount, (2) Explicit fees, (3) Machine and update system unpredictable, (4) Networks, (5) Confuse term and condition, and (6) Disadvantage of time and popularity. Research Implication: This research presents update factors in terms of activity in using e-money from the opposite perspective (less active side), in completing factors of e-money motivation. The main limitation is the narrow scope, emphasizing only users located in Bandung city. This paper may involve more users further to present strong factors about e-money activity. Practical Implication: This research presents determinant factors about less active in using e-money among users that may help Telecommunication Company by recovering these elements. This paper gives valuable references to e-money providers to consider factors founded in offering better service for users and improve the amount of super active Ling Aja users in daily transactions. Originality/value: This study provides the determination of dominant factors that cased the less active activity and transaction among users of Link Aja and contributes to a better understanding of how to provide better service of e-money based on these factors for improvement further.
Explicit Conditional Reasoning Performance: An Examination of Educational Past, Processing Load, and Self-Efficacy.

The main aim of the present investigation was to examine conditional reasoning skills in college students whose educational past had emphasized verbatim learning. A successive independentsamples design was utilized to explore the effects of instruction that explicitly targeted critical thinking principles in either freshman students or sophomores. Conditional reasoning scores of freshman students were not higher than those of sophomores, even when the impact of either GPA or self-efficacy was statistically controlled. Furthermore, the students in our sample performed as well as students with a similar educational past, whereas both scored below students whose education had deemphasized verbatim learning. In addition to past educational practices, differences in performance arose from processing load. Not surprisingly, self-efficacy and processing load (as determined by a test read in the second language), but not GPA, predicted conditional reasoning scores. We conclude that demanding cognitive computations, such as those of a conditional reasoning test taken in a second language, not only reflect the test-taker’s knowledge, but also are sensitive to processing load, and past educational practices, as well as self-efficacy since confidence in one’s abilities translates into effort and persistence.
Fumonisin contamination of maize hybrids visibly damaged by Sesamia

Sesamia nonagrioides Lefebvre (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is the main insect pest of maize cultivated in Mediterranean areas, causing an increase in broken plants, a reduction in yield and a decline in grain quality. An investigation of Sesamia attacks and fumonisin accumulation on 25 maize hybrids sown as a second crop after wheat has been performed under field conditions in Central Italy in 2000. The hybrids tested in this study showed different degrees of insect damage, ranging from 12 to 57% of damaged ears per hybrid. Over 50% of the tested hybrids showed strong insect damage, with more than 30% of harvested ears visibly damaged by Sesamia. Fungal contamination by Fusarium verticillioides and F proliferatum, two well-known producers of fumonisins, was detected in both symptomless and insect-damaged samples. Fumonisin analysis of healthy-looking and insect-damaged ear samples of each hybrid showed 100% incidence of positive samples, with fumonisin contents ranging from 0.01 to 20 mg kg−1 for healthy-looking ears and from 27 ± 32 to 287 ± 221 mg kg−1 for insect-damaged ears. Extremely high levels of fumonisins were found in ear samples visibly damaged by Sesamia, with individual values of up to 694 mg kg−1 and average values exceeding 100 mg kg−1 in more than 50% of the hybrids. A good correlation (r = 0.749) was found between fumonisin contamination and the degree of insect damage by Sesamia of the tested hybrids, calculated on the basis of percentage of ears visibly damaged by insects and with more than 5% kernel loss. This finding leads to the conclusion that insect damage by Sesamia on maize could be used as an early indicator of fumonisin contamination. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry
Variability in Benthic Invertebrate Density Estimates from Stream Samples

ABSTRACT The problem of variability in benthic density estimates from stream sampling was reassessed using data from a number of stream studies, including our own. When data were analyzed assuming a negative binomial distribution and a tolerated precision of 40% of the mean, it was apparent that earlier estimates of hundreds of samples required to estimate density were inaccurate. Based on total numbers of organisms, in most cases, six samples were sufficient for a precision of 40%. Notably, from three samples on, variability (as measured by the coefficient of variation) actually increased with increased number of samples. Examination of two long-term studies revealed that taking three samples yielded reliable estimates of benthic density with reasonable coefficients of variation. However, such sampling schemes yielded significantly lower numbers of species than when six or 12 samples were taken. We suggest that six replicates, each a composite of two samples, would be sufficient for stream studies, by pr.
Impact of agronomic factors on seed yield formation and quality in flax

Flaxseed is known to have significant health benefits in human nutrition and when included in animal rations. There is pressing need to improve flaxseed production to meet the growing demand. The objective was to study the effects of three seeding rates (22, 45 and 67 kg ha-1), two seeding dates (early May and late May), three rates of nitrogen (66, 100 and 133% of recommended) and three cultivars (Norlin, AC McDuff and CDC Valour) and at five locations representative of the flax-growing area of the Canadian prairies from 1999 to 2001. The variables of interest were plant density, seed yield and yield formation, seed oil content and oil quality. Plant establishment was always highest with Norlin, but bolls m-2 was similar between the three cultivars. Plant density was always highest with the later plantings. No overall effect of seeding date was observed on grain yield, but the site-year by seeding date interaction showed that the later planting was favoured by the most northerly sites and early planting .
The effects of drought on barley: soil and plant water relations

SUMMARY In a field experiment on the effects of drought on spring barley, the crop was protected from rainfall by automatic rain shelters; a range of drought treatments was achieved by irrigating various plots according to a predetermined schedule. There were 12 treatments which ranged from no irrigation to full irrigation from emergence to harvest; results from seven treatments are discussed in this paper. The rate of water uptake was determined for four soil horizons centred at 0·15, 0·50, 0·80 and 1·10 m. For all treatments, the rate of uptake in each horizon decreased as the soil dried, and although there were large differences in root density between horizons, maximum rates of uptake were similar in all horizons down to 0·80 m. Treatment effects showed that prolonged drought decreased the rate of uptake from the 0·80 and 1·10 m horizons: root density at and below 1·0 m probably differed between treatments. Differences between treatments in leaf water potential (ψL) and osmotic potential (πL) were small, and there was no evidence that osmotic adjustment contributed to the drought response of this crop. Near anthesis, pre-dawn ψL was near zero for irrigated treatments and between – 3 and – 5 bar for unirrigated. During the day, ψL decreased to a minimum of – 15 to – 18 bar for irrigated plants, and was generally 3 bar lower for unirrigated. For all treatments, ψL was greater than π for the major part of the day, i.e. positive turgor was maintained; however, turgor was usually greater for irrigated than for unirrigated plants. The relationship, for leaf 8, between ψL and transpiration flux density was markedly non-linear, and was of a similar form for irrigated and vinirrigated plants. As the form of this relationship was independent of treatment, the non-linearity could not have been caused by variations in soil water potential through the profile. Stomatal resistance differed markedly between treatments. A detailed analysis is presented, relating measured resistance for leaf 8 to ψL and to environmental variables: irradiance (I), water vapour pressure deficit (vpd), and temperature (T). The analysis showed no significant dependence of resistance on ψL or T, but marked dependence on I and vpd; a mathematical model combining a hyperbolic response function for I and an exponential function for vpd fitted the data well. The responses of abaxial and adaxial surface resistances to vpd were similar, but their light responses differed because of their different exposures to incident irradiance.
Observations sur des myxosporidies (Myxozoa) du genre Myxobolus parasites de Mugil cephalus (Poisson, Téléostéen) du Sénégal

Cinq especes de myxosporidies du genre Myxobolus sont decrites chez Mugil cephalus du Senegal. Ce sont : M. muleri Butschli, 1882, M. exiguus Thelohan, 1895, M. hannensis n. sp. , M. goreensis n. sp. et M. raibauti n. sp. Ces especes parasitent les branchies, le foie et l'intestin. L'ultrastructure de la sporogenese de M. hannensis est analogue a celle de toutes les especes du genre.
Temporal and spatial distribution of atmospheric Poaceae pollen in Catalonia (NE Spain) in 1996–2001

A preliminary study to compare Poaceae pollen data and to determine possible differences in pollen productivity and/or seasonality was performed at six locations in Catalonia (Spain): Barcelona, Bellaterra, Girona, Lleida, Manresa and Tarragona over a 6-year period (1996–2001). In the study area, Poaceae pollen grains are an important cause of respiratory allergies. Being present in the atmosphere all year round, the grass pollen concentrations are especially significant between May and August. The absolute peak occurs in June, except in Lleida where the peak comes earlier, possibly due to the early flowering of particular steppe species. Even if there are differences between different years, Girona and Lleida (inland locations) usually present the highest annual grass pollen index with, on average, 2177 pollen grains per year. Barcelona and Tarragona (the coastal sites) show the lowest levels, with around 1140 grass pollen grains per year. The respective local climates are very different, and pollen grains may originate in different grass species. A decreasing trend in the Poaceae annual pollen index was found over the period of the present study.
Effect of microalgal biomass concentration and temperature on ornamental goldfish (Carassius auratus) skin pigmentation

The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of different carotenoid sources/concentrations and temperature on goldfish (Carassius auratus) skin pigmentation. In the first trial (trial A), the effect of carotenoid source (natural – microalgae Chlorella vulgaris and synthetic – Carophyll Pink) and carotenoid concentration (45, 80 and 120 mg pigment kg−1 diet) was tested. Six homogeneous duplicate groups of juvenile goldfish (7.4 g) were fed, for 5 weeks, one of the diets containing 45, 80 or 120 mg of total pigments of C. vulgaris biomass or synthetic astaxanthin per kg of diet (Cv45, Cv80, Cv120, Ax45, Ax80, Ax120), respectively. In trial B, the effect of water temperature on skin pigmentation was studied. Five homogeneous duplicate groups of 25 goldfish each (5.2 g) were fed diet Ax45 over 9 weeks, to test the following temperatures: 22, 24, 26, 28 and 30 °C. At the end of both trials, samples of skin along the dorsal fin were withdrawn for subsequent analysis of total carotenoid content, intensity of colour, red and yellow hue and visual observation. The best carotenoid concentrations were achieved with astaxanthin diets. There was a tendency to an overall improvement of colour parameters (L and b) in fish fed diets with high levels of C. vulgaris. The results indicated that the best temperature range to maximize skin pigmentation was 26–30 °C.
Seroprevalence and Molecular Biodiversity of Hepatitis C Virus in the Department of Lekoumou, Republic of the Congo

Background: Viral hepatitis C is a major public health problem. The World Health Organization estimates that about 150-180 million people worldwide are chronic carriers of HCV. In Congo, its epidemiology is not well known. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence and molecular biodiversity of HCV in the department of Lékoumou. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted from January to July 2015. The study involved 171 adult patients attending health centers in 3 districts of the department. All samples collected were screened for the presence of HCV antibody with the “HEALTH MATE HCV Ab Plus assay” and ELISA kit. Viral RNA was reverse transcribed and amplified by the polymerase chain reaction using the virus 5'UTR region. Genotyping was performed by type-specific PCR. Results: The average age of the study population was 45.0 ± 16.0 years. The overall seroprevalence of anti-HCV Ab was 14.6% (25/171). HCV RNA was detected in 22 patients, 20 of whom were seropositive and 2 were seronegative. Two genotypes were mainly identified: genotype 4 (G4), the most prevalent (22.7%) followed by G2 (13.6%). The co-infection of the two genotypes was observed in 45.5% of cases. The prevalence of infection was three times higher among women compared to men. Several risk factors have been identified. However, only the practice of scarification was significantly associated with carrying HCV (p = 0.01). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the department of Lekoumou is a high prevalence area of hepatitis C in the country according to WHO criteria.
The significance of organic matter degradation in the interpretation of historical pollution trends in depth profiles of estuarine sediment

The quantitative significance of organic matter degradation in bringing about the early diagenetic mobility of anthropogenic trace metals (Cu, Zn, Pb) is assessed specifically in relation to the use of estuarine sediments as historical records of pollution. A 1,500 mm salt-marsh sediment depth profile from Tites Point, Severn Estuary, England, was sampled at 10-mm intervals. Organic carbon determinations were carried out by a wet oxidation technique, and ‘organic fraction’ metals were separated by sequential leaching. Results demonstrated that organic phase metals are quantitatively significant in Severn Estuary sediments, particularly Cu and Zn (Cu>Zn), and that metals are probably released from this fraction during early diagenesis. The degree of release, and the apparent loss of the released trace metals from the sediment, would suggest that the use of estuarine sediments as historical records of pollution requires qualification.
The Effects Of High-Performance Work Practices On Psychological Well-Being And Work-Life Balance: An Empirical Investigation

The study examines the relationship between high-performance work practices (H-PWPs) and psychological well-being and work-life balance of employees in the Indian Service Sector. This study throws light on the potential dark-sides of H-PWPs, which are portrayed as highly positive by most past researches. We analyzed the effects of strain induced by H-PWPs implementation on psychological well-being and work-life balance of employees randomly selected from Private sector banks in NCR, India. Using a sample of 150 employees, results from correlation, and stepwise regression analyses showed that some of the potential HPWPs like; selective hiring, performance-based pay, high productivity and quality, autonomy and extensive training are strongly associated with psychological ill-health and work-life imbalance. Therefore, organizations have to rethink and pay close attention to balance between the practices that release human potential and that increase the intensity of work.
Egg Viability, Nest Predation, and the Adaptive Significance of Clutch Size in Prairie Ducks

Waterfowl begin incubating their eggs before the clutch is completed. No current hypotheses can explain this phenomenon. We show that egg viability declines during the period of egg laying if eggs remain unincubated, and we suggest that early nest attendance may slow the rate of decline in viability. We then develop the hypothesis that declining egg viability associated with delayed incubation plays an important role in determining the most productive clutch size in temperate-breeding waterfowl. The benefit of laying additional eggs is offset by the reduced value of the first-laid eggs, which suffer lowered viability and greater risk of predation. Our model combining egg viability and the risks of egg predation can account for most of the selection pressure determining clutch size in prairie ducks.
Correlation of Ultrasound Findings with Histopathology of Pelvic Masses in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: Benign and malignant pelvic masses can occur in different age groups, primary diagnosis and choosing appropriate surgical procedure is of utmost importance. Nowhere else in the body is it more perilous to interpret imaging studies in a void of clinical information than in the pelvis. USG is the diagnostic test of choice in evaluating pelvic masses and may diagnose majority of pelvic masses (highly operator dependent, however). Because of considerable overlap in the morphologic pattern of different pelvic masses, diagnosis should be supplemented by histopathological findings. Aims and Objectives: This study aims in detection of clinically suspected pelvic mass, its site of origin and relationship to other nearby organs and to correlate the ultrasound findings of malignant masses with definitive histopathological or Laboratory findings. Material and Methods: The present cross sectional observational follow up study consisted of 31 cases and 40 masses were carried out in department of Radiodiagnosis & Imaging at Rajindra Hospital & Government Medical College, Patiala from December 2014 to September 2015.Study was conducted to assess the efficacy of ultrasonography (USG) in diagnosing malignancy in pelvic masses and correlating their findings with histopathology. Results: 31 patients with clinical suspicion of pelvic masses, attending the outpatient department or admitted to wards of Rajindra hospital, Patiala, were included in this study. Some of these patients had presented with more than one mass hence the total number of masses were 40. After taking the detailed history all the patients were subjected to thorough clinical history& clinical findings and biochemical investigations were recorded. Patients were then subjected to ultrasonography and the findings were finally correlated with the histopathological findings. Conclusion: Because of inherent advantages of easy availability, lower cost, and no patient radiation exposure, USG is imaging modality of choice as first line investigation of pelvic masses, with supplementation of histopathology.
Tumour-infiltrating Langerhans cells in non-melanoma skin cancer, a clinical and immunohistochemical study

Non-melanoma skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) represents 78.5% of all skin malignant tumours in Egypt. Dendritic cells can be found in almost all human tumours, they play an important role in antitumour immunity. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the percentage of Langerhans cells using CD1a in non-melanoma skin cancer, including BCC and SCC and to correlate this percentage with their clinicopathological features. The current study was performed on surgically excised specimens of 41 patients presented with non-melanoma skin cancer (26 BCC and 15 SCC) and 16 healthy volunteer control subjects. The mean and median percentage of Langerhans cells were higher in normal epidermis of control compared to malignant tumour tissue (p < 0.0001) and adjacent epidermis overlying malignant tumour tissue (p = 0.007). Langerhans cells were significantly seen in BCC cases more than SCC (p = 0.035) and they were seen in facial lesions more than those arising from other sites (p = 0.007). The reduction of Langerhans cells is a way for non-melanoma skin cancer to develop and progress. Marked reduction of Langerhans cells in SCC compared to BCC could refer to their role as a barrier against metastasis.
AN ASSESSMENT OF RECENT TRENDS IN MARKET-BASED EXPECTED INFLATION IN THE EURO AREA by Marcello Pericoli

This paper presents estimates of expected inflation and the inflation risk premium in the euro area as deduced from asset prices. The preferred model uses both nominal and real government bond returns, takes into account market liquidity and exploits measures based on the survey of inflation expectations. The resulting estimate of expected long-term inflation is rather variable over time and has significantly decreased since the end of 2018. In contrast, an alternative model based on inflation swap returns provides a measure of expected inflation that remains almost unchanged for the entire reference period. JEL Classification: C32, E43, G12.