Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Microfinance and Green Energy Lending: First Worldwide Evidence

The increasing requirement for action on climate change in developing countries has led to the inclusion of environmental aspects in microfinance objectives, in addition to social and financial performance, and hence to the appearance of green microfinance. To date, financing for modern energy service has proven to be an attractive option to offset adverse climate change related effects for the poor. This article sheds some light on factors predicting clean energy finance involvement of MFIs. By using a worldwide survey among microfinance institutions on rural lending and IT solutions implemented by YAPU Solutions, this study investigates how institutional characteristics and economic growth relate to green energy micro-credit. The findings provide evidence of a significantly positive relationship between the maturity and business sustainability of an MFI and the likelihood of offering green energy loans. Moreover, MFIs managed by female managers and located in wealthy countries are less willing to commence the finance of green energy.
The Effect of User Charges on the Pattern of Health Care Demand in Nigeria

The economic downturn in early 1980s in Nigeria led to the introduction and implementation of user charges in government health care facilities. This coupled with the persistent poverty level in Nigeria raises the question of consumers’ ability and willingness to pay these user charges. Accordingly, using primary data, this study examined the possible trade-off between user charges and demand for government health services in Nigeria. The analysis showed that increasing user fees substantially reduced the use of government health facility by low-income earners. Thus, it was recommended, among others, that government should introduce price discrimination into user fees, to be set at marginal cost. This would help avoid the adverse distribution effects of user-fees, especially, on the lower income group.
Impact of Rewards on Employee Performance: A Study on Private Banking Sector in Bangladesh

and Heng (2012), failure to reward employee can directly affect to decrease employee performance and an efficient reward system can be a good motivator but an inefficient reward system can lead to de-motivate the employees in terms of low productivity, internal conflicts, absenteeism, high turnover, lack of commitment and loyalty, lateness and felling grievances. Several studies have been conducted previously to measure the impact of reward on employee performance level in different sectors for example public sector oriented service organization (Edirisooriya, 2014); Pharmaceutical and insurance industries (Akter, 2013); oil corporation & Mishra, 2017); commercial banking sector of Nigeria & Chinedu, 2015); banking sector of Pakistan ( et al. 2013); banking sector of Saudi Arabia 2012). But few studies conducted on the impact of reward on employee performance in private banking sector of Bangladesh. Therefore, the overall objective of the study is to investigate the impact of different forms of rewards on the Abstract: Reward management is a function of human resource management which is considered as a strategic asset for any organization. Therefore, this study is aimed to illustrate to what extent do rewards has an impact on employee performance in private banking sector in Bangladesh. More specifically this study has investigated the relationship between extrinsic reward, intrinsic rewards and employee performance level in private banking sector in Bangladesh. A total of 61 employees from 17 private banks were selected as sample to collect data through structured questionnaire including 11 questions. Descriptive statistic was used to provide a narrative view of the study while multiple regression analysis was undertaken as a statistical tool to do hypothesis testing. The result indicates that there is a strong positive relationship between intrinsic rewards and employee performance meaning that employees are highly interested to learn through training, solve complex challenging task, recognize by organization, receive feedback from managers and achieve organizational goal. The research result can be used as a guideline for other private banks in Bangladesh to have a better understanding of significance of reward system on employee performance that will help to develop a strategic reward system for sustainable competitive advantage
Challenges Facing Mexican Students in the United Kingdom

This article reports data drawn from a doctoral qualitative case study conducted during the 2016–2017 academic calendar. The study explored the academic, sociocultural, and affective challenges a cohort of Mexican postgraduate international students faced during their first 2 weeks at a university in England. Twenty students participated in three focus groups, while seven were involved in in-depth interviews. The findings support the notion that the adaptation experiences of Mexican postgraduate international students in the United Kingdom are like those of other groups of overseas students. They undergo an extensive array of challenges related to the perceived extent of cultural distance and differences in individual and societal characteristics, as outlined by Ward et al. (2001). Concerning the early stage, findings did not seem to support traditional views of culture shock (Adler, 1975; Lysgaard, 1955; Oberg, 1960).
A living biobank of matched pairs of patient-derived xenografts and organoids for cancer pharmacology

Patient-derived tumor xenograft (PDX)/organoid (PDO), driven by cancer stem cells (CSC), are considered the most predictive models for translational oncology. Large PDX collections reflective of patient populations have been created and used extensively to test various investigational therapies, including population-trials as surrogate subjects in vivo. PDOs are recognized as in vitro surrogates for patients amenable for high-throughput screening (HTS). We have built a biobank of carcinoma PDX-derived organoids (PDXOs) by converting an existing PDX library and confirmed high degree of similarities between PDXOs and parental PDXs in genomics, histopathology and pharmacology, suggesting “biological equivalence or interchangeability” between the two. Here we demonstrate the applications of PDXO biobank for HTS “matrix” screening for both lead compounds and indications, immune cell co-cultures for immune-therapies and engineering enables in vitro/in vivo imaging. This large biobank of >550 matched pairs of PDXs/PDXOs across different cancers could become powerful tools for the future cancer drug discovery.
Physio-biochemical changes associated with seed ageing in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill]

The laboratory experiments were comprised of 20 genotypes with five different seed coat colours (Black, Brown, Variegated, Green and Yellow) and seeds were stored for 10 months in polythene bags to evaluate the physiological and biochemical changes during storage. The results revealed that black coloured genotypes showed resistant for seed ageing followed by brown coloured genotypes. Yellow coloured genotypes are susceptible for seed ageing followed by green coloured genotypes. Among the genotypes, PB-5 offered highest germination (97.67%), mean seedling dry weight (56.02 mg). EC 76756 recorded highest mean seedling length (42.63 cm) and lower activity of TSS (93.43 to 118.69 (µg/ml of seed leachates). Minimum electrical conductivity was found in black coloured seeds (0.477 to 0.587 dS cm -1 ) from initial to 10 th month of storage. And minimal seed germination, mean seedling length, seedling dry weight (90%, 30.48 cm, 47.54 mg respectively) and maximum EC (0.867 to 1.434 dS cm -1 ) and TSS (135.56 to 179.87 µg/ml of seed leachates) were found in 115-B genotype.
Studies on biology and morphometrics of fruit borer, Etiella sp. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) on mango under laboratory conditions

A study was carried out on the biological parameters of Etiella sp in the laboratory of Food Quality Testing Laboratory Fruit Research Station, Gandevi, Navsari Agricultural University during 2008 to 2009. The eggs were found to be laying singly or in batches near the peduncle of fruit. The freshly laid eggs were oval in shape and pale yellowish or dirty white in colour which changed to dark yellowish prior to hatching. Average length and breadth of egg was 0.63± 0.03 mm and 0.39±0.03 mm, respectively. The incubation period of eggs ranged from 3 to 5 days with 74.16±7.28 per cent of hatchability. The larvae passed through five instars. The average duration of first, second, third, fourth and fifth instar was 1.45±0.51, 2.45±0.51, 3.40±0.50, 5.40±0.50 and 3.50±0.51 days, respectively. The total larval period completed in 16.20±1.40 days. The Pupation took place in earthen cocoon in soil and the pupal period was of 9.85±0.81 days. The female and male adults measured on an average 13.20±0.73 mm and 10.24±0.73 mm in length and 2.86±0.14 mm and 2.50±0.12 mm in breadth, respectively. The pre oviposition, oviposition and post oviposition periods were of 2.40±0.50, 2.25±0.97 and 1.80±0.70 days, respectively. The average fecundity of female recorded as 24.55±8.75 eggs. The longevity of male and female was 4.45±1.10 days and 6.14±1.14 days, respectively. The total life cycle occupied 22 to 31 days (Av.26.62±2.57 days) by male and 25 to 33 days (Av. 28.90±2.11 days) by female.
Pengaruh Beban Kerja, Kepuasan Kerja, dan Motivasi Kerja Terhadap Turnover Intentions (Studi Kasus pada PT. ABC)

Abstract. The Effect of Workload, Job Satisfaction, and Work Motivation on Turnover Intention at PT ABC. This research was conducted to gain a more complete understanding of the Effect of Workload, Job Satisfaction, and Work Motivation on Turnover Intention at PT ABC. Based on the initial hypothesis this study consisted of four variables namely workload, job satisfaction, work motivation and turnover intention. This study uses various methods to study the feasibility of indicators on each variable so that an analytical model form that is relevant to the formulation of the problem raised at the beginning of the research can be obtained. The method used is using multiple linear regression. From the results of testing with a hypothesis. The value of the results of this study. Workload has no relationship and has no effect on turnover intention. Job satisfaction has a relationship and influences turnover intention. Work motivation has a relationship and affects turnover intention. Abstrak. Pengaruh beban kerja, kepuasan kerja, dan motivasi kerja terhadap turnover intentions pada PT ABC. Penelitian ini dilakukan untuk memperoleh pemahaman yang lebih lengkap tentang pengaruh beban kerja, kepuasan kerja, dan motivasi kerja terhadap turnover intentions pada PT ABC. Berdasarkan hipotesis awal bahwa penelitian ini terdiri atas empat variabel yaitu beban kerja, kepuasan kerja, motivasi kerja, dan turnover intention. Penelitian ini melalui berbagai tahap pengujian untuk mengetahui kelayakan indikator pada setiap variabel sehingga dapat diperoleh bentuk suatu model analisis yang relevan dengan perumusan masalah yang dikemukakan pada tahap awal penelitian. Metode yang dipergunakan adalah pendekatan regresi linear berganda. Dari hasil pengujian dengan hipotesis secara t value hasil penelitian ini adalah beban kerja tidak memiliki hubungan dan tidak berpengaruh terhadap turnover intention. Kepuasan kerja memiliki hubungan dan berpengaruh terhadap turnover intention. Motivasi kerja memiliki hubungan dan berpengaruh terhadap turnover intention.
Psychometric properties of the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 Brief Form in Chinese undergraduate students and clinical patients

Background: The Personality Inventory for DSM-5 Brief Form (PID-5-BF) is a 25-item measuring tool evaluating maladaptive personality traits for the diagnosis of personality disorders(PDs). As a promising scale, its impressive psychometric properties have been verified in some countries, however, there have no studies about the utility of PID-5-BF in Chinese settings. The current study aimed to explore the maladaptive personality factor model which was culturally adapted in China and examine psychometric properties of the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 Brief Form among Chinese undergraduate students and clinical patients.Methods: 7155 undergraduate students and 451 clinical patients completed the Chinese version of PID-5-BF. 228 students were chosen randomly for test-retest reliability at a 4-week interval. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were conducted to discover the most suitable construct in Chinese, measurement invariance(MI), internal consistency, and external validity were also calculated.Results: An exploratory six-factor model was supported more suitable in both samples(Undergraduate sample: CFI = 0.905, TLI = 0.888, RMSEA = 0.044, SRMR = 0.039; Clinical sample: CFI = 0.904, TLI = 0.886, RMSEA = 0.047, SRMR = 0.060), adding a new factor“Interpersonal Relationships”. Measurement invariance across non-clinical and clinical sample was established (configural, weak, strong MI, and partial strict MI). Aside from acceptable internal consistency (Undergraduate sample: alpha=0.84, MIC=0.21; Clinical sample: alpha=0.86, MIC=0.19) and test-retest reliability(0.73), the association with 220-item PID-5 was significant(r = 0.93, p < 0.01), and six PDs measured by Personality diagnostic questionnaire-4+ (PDQ-4+) were correlated with expected domains of PID-5-BF.Conclusions: The PID-5-BF is a convenient and useful screening tool for personality disorders with a novel six-factor model in Chinese settings, with the main difference for the Negative Affect domain.
Financial Reporting in Family Firms: A Socio-Emotional Wealth Approach Toward Information Quality

The strategic choices of family firms are influenced by economic and non-economic reference points. We contend that the preservation of the affect-related values a family derives from its ownership position in a firm (i.e., socio-emotional wealth – SEW) affects financial reporting quality and earnings management strategies. Using the voluntary International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) adoption by Italian unlisted family firms as a natural laboratory setting, we found that the level of SEW endowment impacts on financial reporting quality. Furthermore, we observe that IFRS adoption is associated with less accrual but higher real activity manipulation for increasing levels of SEW endowment.
How Reliably Do Empirical Tests Identify Tax Avoidance?

Research on the determinants of tax avoidance have relied on tests using GAAP and cash effective tax rates (ETRs) and total and permanent book-tax differences (BTDs). Two new proxies have emerged that overcome documented limitations of these proxies: one, developed by Henry and Sansing (2018), allows for more meaningful interpretation of results estimated in samples that include loss observations. The other, reserves for unrecognized tax benefits (UTB), provides new data on tax uncertainty. We offer empirical evidence on how well tests using these new proxies perform relative to those extensively used in prior research. The paper finds that tests using the proxy developed by Henry and Sansing (2018) have lower power relative to those using other proxies across all samples, including a sample that includes loss observations. In contrast, when firms accrue reserves for uncertain tax avoidance, tests using the current year addition to the UTB have the highest power across all proxies, samples, and levels of reserves. In the absence of reserves, tests using the GAAP ETR best detect uncertain tax avoidance, on average. This study contributes to the literature by using a controlled environment to provide the first large-scale empirical evidence on how the power of tests varies with the use of relatively new proxies, the inclusion of loss observations, and the advent of FIN 48.
Role of MADS-box Gene in the Development of Flower Organs in Pineapple of a Typical Collective Fruit

Background: MADS-box genes play crucial roles in plant vegetative and reproductive growth, especially in inflorescences, flower, and fruit. Pineapple is a typical collective fruit, and a comprehensive analysis of the MADS-box gene family in the development of floral organs of pineapple is still lacking. Results: In this study, the whole-genome survey and expression profiling of the MADS-box family in pineapple were introduced. Forty-four AcMADS genes were identified in pineapple, 39 of them were located on 18 chromosomes and five genes were distributed in five scaffolds. Twenty-two AcMADS genes were defined as 15 pairs of segmental duplication events. Syntenic analysis showed that pineapple is closely related to monocotyledon plants. Most members of the type II subfamily of AcMADS genes had higher expression levels in floral organs compared with type I subfamily, thereby suggesting that AcMADS of type II may play more crucial roles in the development of floral organs of pineapple. Six AcMADS genes have significant tissue-specificity expression, thereby suggesting that they may participate in the formation of one or more floral organs. Conclusions: Our findings not only benefit to reveal the functional characterization of MADS-box genes in the floral organ development of pineapple but also provide additional information for further understanding the formation and development collective fruit.
Chia (Salvia hispanica) Fodder Yield and Quality as Affected by Sowing Rates and Organic Fertilization

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of sowing rates and organic fertilization on growth and yield biomass quality of chia crop. The agronomic performance and nutritive value of chia were analyzed in order to define alternatives to local forages for dry-season feeding of ruminants in the Mediterranean region. Two sowing rates were arranged in the main plots and three levels of organic fertilization in the subplot with three replicates in split-plot design. Chia growth was not affected by sowing rates and fertilization. Concerning the dry weight and leaf area index (LAI), there were no significant differences among fertilization treatments while sowing rates influenced both dry and LAI, which were significantly increased as sowing rates increased. Forage quality traits were not significantly influenced by sowing rates. With regard to crude protein content, fertilization treatments had a positive effect. The greatest values were observed under manure treatment. Moreover, significant increases were revealed in the crude protein yield as sowing rates increased. In addition, acid detergent fiber (ADF) as well as neutral detergent fiber (NDF) were not affected by sowing rates but there were significant differences between fertilization treatments. Data suggest that chia could be successfully used as an alternative forage crop.
STIMULASI SENI DALAM MERANGSANG LIMA ASPEK PERKEMBANGAN ANAK USIA DINI MELALUI PERMAINAN TRADISIONAL GEDRIK

Pendidikan anak usia dini yang sering kali disebut masa keemasan atau golden age (usia emas) pada masa pertumbuhan dan perkembangan anak. Pada dasarnya di usia emas inilah stimulasi sesuai kelompok usia diperlukan untuk melakukan pengembangan secara menyeluruh dari berbagai macam aspek, termasuk salah satunya adalah aspek seni. Salah satu kegiatan yang dapat merangsang perkembangan anak usia dini adalah kegiatan bermain. Tujuan bermain pada anak maupun orang dewasa bukan hanya untuk kesenangan individu belaka. Melalui sebuah permainan seorang anak dapat belajar banyak hal, karena dengan bermain anak-anak merasa senang dan mampu berkonsentrasi lebih lama sehingga kemampuan mengingat mereka menjadi lebih baik (Delima et al., 2015). Alat permainan edukatif yang akan dipilih adalah permainan tradisional Gedrik. Tujuan dari penulisan ini adalah untuk menganalisis permainan tradisional Gedrik yang menjadi media stimulasi seni dalam merangsang lima aspek perkembangan anak usia dini. Kata Kunci: Stimulasi Seni, Permainan Tradisional, Gedrik
Novel p-type thermoelectric materials Cu3MCh4 (M = V, Nb, Ta; Ch = Se, Te): high band-degeneracy

The good thermoelectric performance of some half-Heusler (HH) alloys has been stimulating substantial efforts in searching for more materials with similar crystal structures but better properties. In this work, we predict a new class of thermoelectric materials Cu3MCh4 (M = V, Nb, Ta; Ch = Se, Te) with similar lattice structures to HH alloys. The electronic and thermal transport properties of these materials are quantitatively evaluated using first-principles calculations in combination with the semi-classical transport theory. The largest ZT values at 1000 K for p-type Cu3MTe4 and Cu3MSe4 (M = V, Nb, Ta) can reach up to 2.06, 2.22, 2.36 and 1.91, 2.35 and 2.03, respectively. It is suggested that high band-degeneracy near the valence band edge is the main physical source for the predicted excellent thermoelectric performance. Simultaneously, a smaller effective mass of holes than that of electrons also benefits the enhanced thermoelectric properties of these p-type materials.
In vitro evaluation of antimicrobial and biofilm inhibitory activity of Spirulina platensis extracts

Background. Over recent decades, the incidence of microbial infections has been increasing due to a greater number of immunocompromised people, as well as due to resistant microorganisms involved within their etiology. The increasing re- sistance of microbial strains to antibiotics, along with the biofilm formation are major problems in the management of infections caused by these organisms. Currently, an impressive number of antimicrobial drugs have been obtained from natural sources. Some cyanobacteria species as Spirulina platensis, have the potential to produce a large number of antimicrobial substances and are considered as suitable organisms for being exploited as antimicrobial agents against pathogenic bacteria and fungi. The purpose of this study was to determine the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of Spirulina platensis extracts. Material and methods. Antibacterial activities were determined through minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal/ fungicidal concentration (MBC/MFC), and time-killing kinetics. Biofilm formation was detected by microtiter plate method. Sta- tistical analysis involved a one-way analysis of variance. Results. The current study proved the in vitro antibacterial, antifungal and antibiofilm activity of Spirulina platensis extracts (ES, ES-1 and ES-2). Time-kill assay showed that the extracts had the strong bactericidal and fungicidal properties against planktonic cultures. The study was aimed to highlight the antibiofilm potential of S. platensis extracts. All the extracts enabled to inhibit biofilm formation by over 80% at doses of 1xMIC. Conclusions. These study results proved that the tested cyanobacterium might be a good source for producing promising antimicrobial agents against resistant bacteria. Further comprehensive research is necessary on analysis of bioactive compounds with respect to antimicrobial activity that would assist in various applications of S. platensis within medical practice.