Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Examining Higher Education Students' Intention of Adopting MOOCs: An Empirical Study

Massive open online courses (MOOCs) have now become mainstream for learning in unprecedented situations, where traditional classroom learning is difficult to conduct. The aim of this study is to understand the factors that lead to the higher education students’ adoption of MOOCs and the barriers that prevent their use. This study proposes a theoretical model for measuring the higher education students’ intention to adopt MOOCs. The PLS-SEM approach was used to test the theoretical model developed for this study with a sample of 312 higher education students. The theoretical model explained 63.1% of the variance in the dependent variable of behavioral intention to use MOOCs. The findings identified that facilitating conditions, perceived usefulness, course flexibility, and job relevance are the factors—in order of their influence—that predict the higher education students’ perceived intention to use MOOCs. The findings of this study contribute to this existing body of knowledge of MOOCs adoption.
Comparison of Performance and Risk of Tourism Companies, Restaurants and Hotels Before and During the Covid-19 Pandemic

This study aims to determine the performance and risks of tourism, restaurant and hotel companies during and before the covid 19 pandemic. This study uses four proxies to measure the company's performance, namely Return on Assets (ROA), Return on Equity (ROE), Tobins Q and Net Profit. Margin (NPM) and use two proxies to measure company risk, namely the standard deviation of Return on Assets (SDROA) and the standard deviation of Return on Equity (SDROE). The population in this study are tourism, restaurant and hotel companies for the period 2019-2020. The sampling technique used is purposive sampling technique based on certain criteria. The number of samples in this study were 15 companies with 120 observations. The data analysis technique used is to perform different tests before the pandemic and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results showed that there were significant differences in the performance and risk of tourism, restaurant and hotel companies before the pandemic and during the pandemic.
Research on Knee Joint Load and Influencing Factors of Typical Tai Chi Movements

Background Tai chi is recognized worldwide for its rehabilitation abilities and healthcare benefits. However, in recent years, some movements associated with tai chi have been shown to damage the lower limb joints. The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the effects of different movements, postures, center of mass (COM) movements, and range of knee movement of tai chi exercises on knee joint load. Methods Fourteen professional tai chi practitioners in two postures (high and low) were enrolled to perform the following four typical tai chi movements: wild horse's mane (WHM), repulse monkey (RM), wave-hand in cloud (WHIC), and grasp the bird's tail (GBT). Kinematic and kinetics data were synchronously collected using the Vicon infrared high-speed motion capture system and a three-dimensional (3D) force measurement platform. Variance analysis and partial correlation analysis were performed to investigate factors influencing peak knee joint moment and vertical ground reaction force (VGRF). Results The results showed that the peak knee extension and abduction moment were larger in WHM and RM than those in WHIC and GBT (p < 0.05). WHM was associated with greater rotation moment than the other typical movements (p < 0.05). VGRF and joint moment among different poses were significantly different. Low-pose tai chi typical movements were associated with greater VGRF, knee joint extension and abduction, and rotation moments than high-pose movements (p < 0.05). The anteroposterior and mediolateral COM displacements were strongly and positively associated with VGRF (p < 0.001), while the mediolateral COM displacement was negatively associated with knee extension moment (p < 0.001). The knee internal-external rotation ROM and anteroposterior and mediolateral COM displacements were positively associated with knee abduction moment (p < 0.01). Conclusion For long-term tai chi exercises, choosing a suitable posture based on an individual exercise level and reasonable control of knee ROM and COM displacement can reduce the risk of knee injury during exercise.
Trend Analysis of Vehicular Traffic Contribution to Air Pollution in Urban Cities: A Case Study of Port Harcourt, Nigeria

The study investigated contributions of vehicular emissions to air pollution in Port Harcourt City, Nigeria for two years (24months), 2017-2018. The daytime pattern, monthly pattern, major traffic congested areas and factors that aid dispersion of air pollutants were considered. Using a closed-circuit television, traffic records were obtained at the chosen places by counting the number of vehicles passing at a spot for two hours in the morning, afternoon, and evening (Plate 5.1). For two years, all parameters were monitored once a month (Monday to Friday) in each location (2017-2018). Where appropriate, descriptive analysis, ANOVA, and multiple linear regressions were used to assess the data. The findings demonstrated that the mean concentrations of all pollutants followed a similar pattern in terms of temporal variation and were significantly (P < 0.05) different during the day. Similarly, within the daytime, the mean traffic volume fluctuated greatly and considerably (P < 0.05) between the two research years. Furthermore, all of the pollutants showed a similar pattern in terms of temporal change, with the lowest concentrations in 2017 and the highest in 2018. Statistical analysis revealed that, the concentration of all the air pollutants and traffic volume varied significantly (p < 0.05) between 2017 and 2018.
Meningkatkan Motivasi Belajar Dan Kemampuan Pemecahan Masalah Matematis Siswa SMP Melalui CTL

This study is an experimental study with pretest-posttest control group design that purposes to know: (1) the achieving and improving of students’ motivation and mathematical solving problem with CTL and its differences to the student who get conventionally, (2) the correlation between the achieving and improving of students’ motivation and mathematical solving problem. The population in this study is the students of SMPN 2, one class is given CTL and other class conventionally. The instrument that is used in this study is the ability mathematical problem solving and motivation questionnaires with scale of likert. The data analysis is used quantitative method. The conclusion: (1) there is significance difference of study motivation and the achieving of student mathematical problem solving between CTL and conventional student, (2) there is significance difference the improving of student mathematical problem solving between CTL and conventional student, and (3) there is significance correlation between student motivation and the achieving of students’ mathematical problem solving.
Audit Committee Busyness and The Risk of Financial Distress: Evidence from Indonesia

Studies about audit committee ineffectiveness monitoring role and detrimental financial condition are largely focused on its characteristics (i.e., independence, expertise, size, and activity), while the busyness of the audit committee is underexplored. This study extends previous literature on the relationship between the audit committee and financial condition by examining whether the busyness of audit committee members has an impact on the risk of financial distress. It is a panel data study conducted among 119 listed manufacturing companies in Indonesia, for the period of 2012 to 2014. The findings show that the busyness of audit committee financial experts negatively affects the risk of financial distress. Busyness compromises the monitoring role in the financial reporting process, thus increasing the risk of financial distress, which is consistent with the busyness hypothesis. However, the busyness of other audit committee members has a positive impact on the risk of financial distress among safe firms, which is consistent with the reputation hypothesis. Multiple positions enable the accumulation of knowledge, experience, and information that is beneficial for the oversight function. This study contributes to the literature by providing evidence that the busyness of different audit committee members has a different impact on its monitoring role effectiveness.
Learning electrochemistry through scientific inquiry. Conceptual modelling as learning objective and as scaffold

ABSTRACT This paper reports on the design of an innovative Electrochemistry course, part of a Chemical Science Engineering programme. Teachers have observed that their students’ understanding of electrochemical concepts and phenomena is insufficient to attempt connections to further concepts, and to generate new knowledge in scientific problem-solving. A new course was required aiming to contribute to students’ building mastery of concepts and deep insight into phenomena, both in and beyond the learning context. The course was designed tapping on ideas of inquiry-based learning and involving of conceptual modelling as a scaffold to learning. This pedagogical intervention departs from the consideration that conceptual modelling is an essential reasoning ability of (engineering) scientists and, consistently, it constitutes a key learning objective. Concurrent with the implementation of this course, an accompanying empirical investigation was set up to grasp how students learn electrochemistry with this novel pedagogical approach, and whether (and to what extent) there is any observable effect on the learning and transfer of electrochemical concepts. Both the instructional design of the course and the educational research design integrate considerations from Chemical Science, Philosophy of Science in Practice, and Education Sciences. The implications for engineering education and for educational research are discussed.
In silico identification of novel allosteric inhibitors of dengue virus NS2B/NS3 serine protease

Although dengue is a disease that affects more than 100 countries and puts almost 400 million lives at risk each year, there is no approved antiviral in the treatment of this pathology. In this context, proteases are potential biological targets since they are essential in the replication process of this virus. In this study, a library of more than 3,000 structures was used to explore the allosteric inhibition of the NS2B/NS3 protease complex using Consensual Docking techniques. The results show four best ranked structures that were selected for molecular dynamics and free energy simulations. Our analysis corroborate with other studies (experimental and theoretical) presented in the literature. Thus, the computational approach used here proved to be useful for planning new inhibitors in the combat against Dengue disease.
Independent of Auditors and Ethical Behaviours in Corporate Financial Reports of Listed Companies in Nigeria

Acceptance of corporate financial reports has greatly reduced, and financial statement users doubt the credibility and usefulness of the information contents of corporate financial reports. Existing studies had reported inconsistences and evidenced inconclusiveness of possible effect of independent of auditors and ethical behaviour in enhancing reliability and relevance of corporate financial reports. Consequently, in extending the frontiers, the effect of independent of auditors and ethical behaviours on corporate financial reports of listed companies in Nigeria is investigated by this study. Survey research design, using self-structured questionnaire was employed by this study. The population of the study consist of all the 66 manufacturing companies, while sample size of 414 was obtained using Yaro Yamane (1976) formula. A total of 356 valid questionnaires were retrieved from the online respondents, reflecting 86% of the expected respondents. Cronbach Alpha reliability analysis. The study found that independent of auditors and ethical behaviours had a positive significant effect on corporate financial reports (AdjR2 = 0.019; F (3, 341) = 3.340; p-value = 0.019). The study concluded that independence of auditors and ethical behaviours had a positive effect on corporate financial report of listed in Nigeria. The study recommended that auditors should exercise professional independence, competence and avoid unethical practices to enhance corporate financial reports.
Identifying Human PTP1B Enzyme Inhibitors from Marine Natural Products: Perspectives for Developing of Novel Insulin-Mimetic Drugs

Diabetes mellitus (DM) represents a complex and multifactorial disease that causes metabolic disorders with acute and long-term serious complications. The onset of DM, with over 90% of cases of diabetes classified as type 2, implies several metabolic dysfunctions leading to consider DM a worldwide health problem. In this frame, protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) and aldose reductase (AR) are two emerging targets involved in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its chronic complications. Herein, we employed a marine-derived dual type inhibitor of these enzymes, phosphoeleganin, as chemical starting point to perform a fragment-based process in search for new inhibitors. Phosphoeleganin was both disassembled by its oxidative cleavage and used as model structure for the synthesis of a small library of functionalized derivatives as rationally designed analogues. Pharmacological screening supported by in silico docking analysis outlined the mechanism of action against PTP1B exerted by a phosphorylated fragment and a synthetic simplified analogue, which represent the most potent inhibitors in the library.
Skill Improvement for Public Health Center Staffs in the Management of Toxic and Hazardous Materials

Highlight:There was an increase in the accumulation of B3 waste in health centers during the COVID-19 pandemic.The knowledge and skills level of health center staff in medical THM waste management before and after medical THM waste management training were determined.Medical THM waste management training was increasing the knowledge and skills level of health center staff. Abstract:The generation of medical toxic and hazardous material (THM) waste at public health centers tends to increase during the Covid-19 pandemic. Only 6.89% of the health centers have medical waste management practices that meet the standards. Medical waste management practices not in accordance with the procedures can be a source of infection, even though only 56% of health workers have good knowledge and attitudes in solid medical waste management. For this reason, it is necessary to increase the skills of health center staff in managing medical THM waste during the Covid-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of knowledge and skills of health center staff in medical THM waste management before and after medical THM waste management training. The training participants were 20 health center staffs who filled out a pretest questionnaire to measure their level of knowledge and skills prior to the training. The training materials include THM waste, medical THM waste, medical THM waste management and medical THM Temporary Storage. After the training, a post-test was conducted to measure the knowledge and skills scores of the trainees. The results of this study indicated that there was a significant difference in knowledge before and after training (p < 0.05). The average knowledge score before training was 6.2 (sufficient knowledge) and after training 8.15 (good knowledge). There was a significant difference in skill scores before and after training (p <0.05). The average skill before training was 6.3 (adequate) and after training 8.65 (good). In conclusion, there was an increase in the skills of health center staff in managing medical THM waste during covid-19 pandemic after participating in medical THM waste management training by the Community Service Team, Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia.
Assessment of Body Fat Percentage Using B-Mode Ultrasound Technique versus Skinfold Caliper in Obese Healthy Volunteers

Background and aims The measurement of the skinfold thickness at various sites with the calipers has remained the traditional method for estimation of body fat percentage (%BF) in clinical practice. Although this technique is relatively inexpensive and easy to learn, there are more chances of errors while measuring the skinfold thickness by this method. Therefore, no single standard prediction formula for the determination of body fat could be fixed. The aim of our study was to use B-mode ultrasound (US) for measuring the subcutaneous fat thickness and the calipers for skinfold thickness, and then compare, correlate, and derive the prediction equations for estimation of %BF by both the techniques. Methods This cross-sectional, observational, monocentric study was conducted on 43 Indian male volunteers aged 18 to 40 years. After collecting anthropometric data (age, height, weight, body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist-to-hip ratio [WHR], etc.), the skinfold thickness was measured at four standard sites (biceps, triceps, subscapular region, and suprailiac region) with skinfold caliper (SFC) and then B-mode US. The data were analyzed for distribution, and independent t-test was applied to compare the difference between two means of a %BF estimated by both the methods. The prediction equations were developed from anthropometric and skinfold thickness data obtained from both the methods, i.e., SFC and US, by applying stepwise multiple linear regression. Results It was observed that mean values of all the skinfold thicknesses along with the %BF measured by SFC were far more than those measured by US. The %BF measured by US technique (%BF US) was significantly lesser, i.e., 20.69 (SD: 3.126; p < 0.0002), than that of the SFC method (%BF SFC), i.e., 30.38 (SD: 4.634), which is 0.68 % higher. The best prediction equation for the %BF by SFC method was [%BF SFC = -26.154 + 0.208 SFss + 0.374 age + 0.354 SFbi + 32.066 WHR] (R2 = 84.8), where SFss and SFbi are skin fold thicknesses at subscapular and biceps regions, respectively, measured with SFCs, and that by the US method was [%BF US = 0.713 + 0.351 USsi + 0.232 age + 0.248 USss + 0.448 USbi] (R2 = 84.6), where USsi and USss are skinfold measurements at suprailiac and subscapular regions, respectively, measured by US technique. Conclusion In our study, we arrived to the conclusion that even though the estimated %BF by both the methods were found to have a significant correlation with each other, the values were very less in case of the US method. In the prediction equations, it was found that the skinfold thickness at the suprailiac region was not found to be the significant determining factor for estimation of %BF by SFC method as that by the US method. Looking at the lesser sample size with all participants being males, we do not recommend the prediction equations to be used in clinical practice in spite of the high R2 values.
Reduced Abundance of Nitrate-Reducing Bacteria in the Oral Microbiota of Women with Future Preeclampsia

The oral microbiota can contribute to the regulation of blood pressure by increasing the availability of nitric oxide through the reduction of nitrate to nitrite, which can be converted into nitric oxide in the stomach and then enter the circulation. It is unclear if the composition of the oral microbiota is different between women who do and do not develop preeclampsia. This study aimed to compare the composition of the buccal microbiota just prior to the development of symptoms at 36 weeks gestation in 12 women who developed late-onset preeclampsia and 24 matched women who remained normotensive throughout pregnancy by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. The abundance of the nitrate-reducing Veillonella spp V. parvula and V. dispar and a subunit of nitrate reductase narH was compared using real-time PCR. The abundance of bacteria was correlated with maternal blood pressure and dietary intake of nitrate-containing vegetables. The results showed that the abundance of nitrate-reducing bacteria including Veillonella, specifically V. parvula, and Prevotella was reduced in women who developed preeclampsia. Veillonella but not Prevotella abundance was negatively correlated with maternal blood pressure. The dietary intake of nitrate-containing vegetables did not differ between the groups and was not correlated with the abundance of Veillonella. There was no difference in the abundance of the nitrate reductase subunit narH between the groups. These results suggest that the abundance of nitrate-reducing bacteria is reduced in the oral microbiota of women who later develop preeclampsia, indicating a potential pathway for prevention.
Cervical facet joint effusion: A sign of instability in cervical degenerative spondylolisthesis

Aims: The aim of this study was to trace the association between cervical facet joint effusion and cervical degenerative spondylolisthesis (CDS). CDS has not received as much attention as its lumbar counterpart. Identification of features of instability on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is crucial to avoid missing presence of CDS. Materials and Methods: The authors retrospectively reviewed cervical spine MRI scans and upright lateral flexion-extension radiographs of 17 consecutive patients at a single institution between January 2017 and June 2018 that revealed CDS. Presence of cervical facet joint effusion and CDS was recorded. Data were analyzed to deduce possibility of an association between cervical facet joint effusion and CDS. Results: Seventeen patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria of cervical spondylotic myelopathy associated with CDS. Out of these, 10 patients revealed facet joint effusion at C3-C4 (4 patients) and C4-C5 (6 patients) levels. The mean age of patients was 65.8 years (49–79) and M:F was 2.2:1. Amount of facet joint effusion varied and ranged from 1.6 mm to 4.7 mm on the axial images. Ten patients (58.82%) demonstrated facet joint effusion associated with mobile CDS. Seven patients (41.17%) with CDS and without facet effusion did not demonstrate mobility of more than 0.5 mm in flexion-extension radiographs. Conclusion: The current study acknowledges the association of “cervical facet effusion” and CDS. Clinically measurable facet joint effusion on MRI suggests the need for further attempts to diagnose CDS.
Seeing is Believing: Impact of Digital Simulation Pedagogical Use in Spatial Geometry Classes

Digital simulators have an interesting potential to explain the relationships between two or more variables in a system, facilitating the activation of learning processes and favoring the occurrence of meaningful learning with positive impact on academic performance. To study the impact of the use of digital simulation on learning and academic performance of 9th graders in Spatial Geometry a quasi-experimental study was carried out, with a control group and pretest/post-test design. The analysis of covariance of the post-test results controlled by the pre-test results revealed a significant improvement in the general academic performance of the experimental group, with a significant improvement of skills related to measurement and associations between nets and solids. Students’ positive opinions suggest the experience promoted the occurrence of meaningful learning. Implications for practice point to the pedagogical adoption of such digital resources and special attention to the educational context.