Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
‘Farmer-born peasant-bred’: agriculture, modernity and socio-ecological vision in Niyi Osundare’s Village Voices and The Eye of the Earth

ABSTRACT Niyi Osundare is one of Nigeria’s most celebrated poets. Scholars working on his poetry are unanimous on what they see as his use of nature imagery, largely hinged on pastoral agriculture. He sings brilliantly of his father’s farms, of his childhood memories, and of the changing society in the face of modernity. A tension between African tradition and modernity is felt throughout his poetry. In this reading of Village Voices and The Eye of the Earth, situated within the postcolonial ecocritical problematic, I examine his portrayal of pre-modern pastoralism, the suspicion conveyed by his severe reflection on modernity, and his socio-ecological vision. I make the point that Osundare’s poetry marks the juncture at which Anglophone Nigerian poetry derives its aesthetic framing from a valorisation of bucolic localities. I conclude that Osundare’s poetry remains a site to expand the scope of postcolonial ecocriticism to embrace agrarian ecology.
The evolution of macrosystems biology

O the past several decades, ecologists have begun to recognize that individual processes, no matter how limited in scope, are connected to broader spatial and temporal scales and to the Earth system as a whole (Bonan 2008). Improvements in the resolution of Earth system modeling, the availability of remotely sensed observations, and the growth of large, complex datasets have enabled scientists to begin conducting critically needed broad-scale ecological research (Clark et al. 2001; Schimel and Keller 2015). The US National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Macrosystems Biology (MSB) Program (currently Macrosystems Biology and NEON-Enabled Science) was created in 2010 to help address these issues (Gholz and Blood 2016), partially because the origin and symptoms of many environmental threats are global in nature. The goal of this program was to provide funding for scientists to conduct “quantitative, interdisciplinary, systems-oriented research on biosphere processes and their complex interactions with climate, land use, and invasive species at regional to continental scales” (NSF 2018). The study of MSB was intended to employ existing and new data sources to better understand ecological processes within macrosystems and to address large global challenges caused by anthropogenic impacts (Figure 1; Schimel and Keller 2015). Shortly after the creation of the NSF MSB Program, MSB was defined as systems having biological, geophysical, and social components (Table 1). The study of MSB is also described as a hierarchical approach for understanding how spatial or temporal levels within a higher-level region to continent focal level (ie macrosystem) influence ecological processes at other levels (Figure 2; Heffernan et al. 2014). We refer to scale as the spatial or temporal extent of a level within or of the macrosystem itself, and a level is the spatial or temporal extents of different components within the macrosystem hierarchy. Since the creation of the NSF MSB Program in 2010, 273 projects have been funded, suggesting that this new discipline should be beginning to make a contribution to the understanding of broad-scale ecology. For example, MSB studies have developed new methods to analyze broad-scale data (eg Hamil et al. 2016) and new theories of ecological principles at broad spatial scales (eg Walter et al. 2018). MSB builds upon theories from ecological scaling, hierarchy, and social–ecological systems (Rose et al. 2017), The evolution of macrosystems biology
DISTRIBUTION AND COMPOSITION OF THE MAIN ACTIVE COMPONENTS FOUND IN STINGLESS BEE PROPOLIS FROM VARIOUS REGIONS IN INDONESIA

Objective: The aim of this study is to map out the distribution and composition of the main active components found in stingless bee propolis from various regions in Indonesia. Methods: The stingless bee propolis used was obtained from ten different provinces in Indonesia and the active components analysis using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS) pyrolyzer. Results: This study found 85 main types of active components with concentrations of ≥ 1%. The most frequently found active component was alpha-d-glucopyranoside, which had an average concentration of 28.20%. Conclusion: There were differences between the main active components found in 14 samples of stingless bee propolis obtained from 10 provinces in Indonesia, which was due to the variety of bee species and plant origin.
Investigation of the Anti-cataract and Antioxidant Activities of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius Leaves Extract In vitro

Background: Cataract is a major cause of visual impairment and blindness around the world. This study evaluated the in vitro antioxidant and anti-cataract activities of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius leaves extract and fractions. Antioxidant activities were evaluated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiozoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), total reducing power, and hydrogen peroxide scavenging assays. Anti-cataract potential was evaluated in vitro using goat lenses divided into eight groups of different treatments and incubated in artificial aqueous humor at 37 °C for 72 hours. Glucose-induced opacity in the lenses was observed and biochemical indices quantified (catalase, Malondialdehyde (MDA) and total protein in the lens homogenate). Results: The crude extract and its fractions possess substantial antioxidant activities. The aqueous fraction exhibited the best DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC50 value 78.599 µg/ml); while the dichloromethane fraction exhibited the highest ABTS radical scavenging activity with IC50 66.68 µg/ml. The anti-cataract evaluation of crude and fractions at 250 μg/ml showed a significant increase (p<0.05) in the total protein and catalase activity compared to the cataract control group. The malonaldehyde level decreased significantly (p<0.05) in all the treated groups.
Workload analysis using Modified Full Time Equivalent (M-FTE) and NASA-TLX methods to optimize engineer headcount in the engineering services department

With the increasing number of project initiatives, requests for engineering technical assistance are also increased. This raises a problem in the Engineering Services department which is uneven project workloads assigned among engineers, while there are no standard tools yet used to calculate accurate workload. To achieve maximum engineering productivity and performance, this study conducted to calculate engineer’s physical and mental workload. To calculate physical workload, the modified Full Time Equivalent (M-FTE) method is used, where engineer’s performance rating and allowance factors are also used to combine with the basic FTE calculation method. Estimate hours divided according to project’s level of complexity are converted into an index of FTE categories, i.e. underload, normal, and overloaded. The NASA-TLX method is used to get mental workload subjectively based on the average weight rating of six indicators. FTE index result shows adequate number of electrical engineers where half of them can still be assign to new project, while most of the instrument engineers already overloaded. Engineer’s mental workload from NASA-TLX result shows an average WWL (Weighted Workload) up to 81.72, which categorized as ‘Very High’ and corresponds to the nature of projects that always expected to be on schedule with high quality result.
Clinical perspective on the use of human amniotic epithelial cells to treat congenital metabolic diseases with a focus on maple syrup urine disease

Congenital metabolic diseases are a group of hereditary disorders caused by the deficiency of a single specific enzyme activity. Without appropriate therapy, affected patients suffer severe neurologic disability and eventual death. The current mainstays of management attempt to slow disease progression, but are not curative. Several of these diseases have demonstrated significant benefits from liver transplantation; however, this approach is limited by the morbidity associated with this invasive procedure and a shortage of donor organs. Therefore, there is a need to establish a new strategy for improving the quality of a life for these patients. One potential solution is regenerative therapy using hepatocytes generated from stem cells. Herein, we discuss pertinent issues necessary for clinical application of the human amniotic epithelial cell, a type of placental stem cell. Focusing on maple syrup urine disease as an example, where liver replacement is an effective therapy, we explore this approach from a clinician's perspective.
Household Water Stress, Adaptation and Resilience in Some Selected Peri-urban and Rural Communities of Oyo State, Nigeria

The condition of water infrastructure in selected village communities along peri-urban and rural corridors of Oyo State can be said to be in a state of colossal infrastructural waste and communal neglect. Using a mixed approach, the study examines household water stress and adaptation. Evidence shows that peri-urban villages and rural areas in Oyo State buy water and that water facility maintenance is limited by the high cost of repairs and limited inter-community cooperation. It was also revealed that many households are vulnerable to water-borne diseases owing to a lack of a potable water source. It was revealed 50.4% of the households travel less than 30m to fetch potable water, 17.1% travel between 31 to 60m, while the remaining 32.5% travel over 100m to fetch water. The study suggests that the strategic location of the capital city and LGAs’ headquarters must be considered as this often influences water infrastructure access and availability. The strategic location of infrastructure is considered relevant in the transformation of the selected communities towards sustainability environment and improved liveability.
The Nonrelativistic Quantum-Mechanical Hamiltonian with Diamagnetic Current-Current Interaction

We extend the standard solid-state quantum mechanical Hamiltonian containing only Coulomb interactions between the charged particles by inclusion of the (transverse) current-current diamagnetic interaction starting form the non-relativistic QED restricted to the states without photons and neglecting the retardation in the photon propagator. This derivation is supplemented with a derivation of an analogous result along the non-rigorous old classical Darwin-Landau-Lifshitz argumentation within the physical Coulomb gauge.
Retrospective analysis of pregnancy terminations and indications in a tertiary center

Purpose: The aimof this studywas to evaluate the indications of pregnancies terminated which were for maternal and fetal causes in our clinic and to discuss legal and ethical issues di fering by countries. Methods: This study was performed retrospectively by evaluating 318 pregnancies terminated due to maternal or fetal indications over 10 weeks. Results: Termination of pregnancywas performeddue to fetal congenital, chromosomal andobstetrical reasons in 96.8%of 318 terminated cases and due to maternal reasons in 3.2% of them. Thirtytwo (10%) late termination caseswithgestationalweek>23+0were termed a ter feticide procedure. Conclusion: Gestational limit for termination of pregnancy varies from country to country, which brings ethical problems with it. We presented indications of pregnancy terminations in our clinic, which is a tertiary and reference centerwithin the legal framework.
Exploring the professional development of doctoral supervisors through workplace learning: a literature review

ABSTRACT The professional development of doctoral supervisors is a relatively new area of academic development that is still non-existent in many higher education institutions worldwide. This is particularly relevant to explore as several other studies indicate that the quality of doctoral supervision has a direct impact on the doctoral student progression and attrition rates and on the quality of the student experience. The purpose of this literature review is to explore what has been written about the professional development of doctoral supervisors, with a focus on understanding how learning takes place in the workplace. Through a systematic literature review approach, 20 manuscripts in the social sciences were identified as providing an in-depth exploration of the topic under study. The analysis of these manuscripts was situated within the theories of adult and workplace learning. Professional development occurred in different shapes and forms and is shaped by institutional and national academic cultures. There was a common understanding that learning occurred more often through self-reflection and dialogue, in both formal and informal learning spaces, and that there is a need for focusing more on the pedagogy of the doctorate. The article ends by suggesting a set of institutional recommendations for promoting the professional development of supervisors.
Formation of organic aerosol through cloud chemistry: Insights from the OH radical oxidation of filtered rainwater

OF THE THESIS Formation of Organic Aerosol through Cloud Chemistry: Insights from the OH Radical Oxidation of Filtered Rainwater By ANJULI RAMOS-BUSOT Thesis Director: Barbara J. Turpin Organic particulate matter in the atmosphere plays an important role in climate forcing, visibility, and adverse health effects. Atmospheric organic aerosol is predominantly of secondary origin, formed in the atmosphere. Laboratory photooxidation experiments, atmospheric aerosol measurements below vs. above clouds and at increasing humidity, and modeling studies all suggest that secondary organic aerosol (SOA) forms from water-soluble gases through aqueous chemistry in clouds and wet aerosols (aqSOA). Previous laboratory experiments are simple compared to the atmospheric water media (single compound deionize water solutions), thus a more realistic approach is needed for the understanding of SOA formation through aqueous chemistry. We conducted batch photooxidation experiments with three different rainwater samples from Camden and Pinelands, NJ and hydroxyl radicals (formed from 150 μM H2O2 + UV radiation). We used rainwater (RW) as a surrogate for cloud water in these experiments.
Nonlinearity in Stock Exchange Markets: The Case of Bist 100 Indices

In this paper, using data for the Bist 100 index, we investigate the presence of nonlinearities by employing several nonlinearity tests. The Brock, Dechert, and Scheinkman (BDS) and runs tests were first applied to the series to show an initial indication of nonlinearity. The findings for the BDS and runs test of randomness were followed by other sets of direct nonlinearity tests developed by White (1989), Terasvirta (1993), Keenan (1985), and Tsay (1986). Also, the Threshold Autoregression (TAR) test is employed as a final test to confirm the existence of nonlinearity in the Turkish stock exchange market. From the results of the nonlinearity test, it is concluded that the Bist 100 index is characterised by the presence of nonlinearities and cycles. This finding is in contrast with the efficient market hypothesis (EMH) implying that the Turkish stock exchange market is inefficient.
Zircon U‐Pb Age, Geochemical, and Sr‐Nd‐Pb‐Hf Isotopic Constraints on the Time Frame and Origin of Early Cretaceous Mafic Dykes in the Wuling Mountain Gravity Lineament, South China

In view of the importance of mafic dyke swarms and their contribution to current scientific problems relating to South China, herein, we present the findings of studies on twenty–five representative mafic dykes cropping out in Hunan Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, within the southern Wuling Mountain gravity lineament, China. These results include new zircon LA‐ICP‐MS U‐Pb age, whole rock geochemical, Sr‐Nd‐Pb isotopic, and zircon Hf isotopic data for these dykes. The dykes formed between 131.5 ± 1.2 and 121.6 ± 1.1 Ma, and have typical doleritic textures. They fall into the alkaline and shoshonitic series, are enriched in light rare earth elements (LREE), some large ion lithophile elements (LILE; e.g., Rb, Ba, and Sr), Th, U, and Pb, and are depleted in Nb, Ta, Hf, and Ti. Moreover, the dolerites have high initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.7055–0.7057), negative ∊Nd(t) and zircon ∊Hf(t) values (–14.8 to –11.9, –30.4 to –14.9), and relatively constant initial Pb isotopic ratios (that are EM1‐like, 16.77–16.94, 15.43–15.47, and 36.84–36.92 for 206Pb/204Pb, 207Pb/204Pb, and 208Pb/204Pb, respectively). These results indicate that the dykes were likely derived from magma generated through low‐degree partial melting (1.0%–10%) of an EM1‐like garnet–lherzolite mantle source. The parental magmas fractionated olivine, clinopyroxene, plagioclase, and Ti‐bearing phases with negligible crustal contamination, during ascent and dyke emplacement. Several possible models have been proposed to explain the origin of Mesozoic magmatism along the Wuling Mountain gravity lineament. Herein we propose a reasonable model for the origin of these mafic dykes, involving the collision between the paleo‐Pacific Plate and South China, which led to subsequent lithospheric extension and asthenosphere upwelling, resulting in partial melting the underlying mantle lithosphere in the Early Cretaceous, to form the parental magmas to the WMGL mafic dykes, as studied.
DECISION OF FRAUD DISCLOSURE IN THE INDONESIAN REGIONAL GOVERNMENT

Abstract The objective of this study was to examine the potential factors affecting employees to perform whistleblowing in Indonesian regional government level. The examined factors included supervisor support, protection, compensation and the level of fraud severity. This study was conducted by testing 130 civil servants who have work ed in a number of regions in Indonesia. The test was done by handing out questionnaires that consisted of some questions and two case studies. The participants were asked to answer one of the available five answer choices which were related to the decision of fraud disclosure in regional government. The result showed that employees were willing to disclose any fraud in the workplace if they received sufficient supervisor support, protections and considered that the level of fraud was serious. However, it was found that compensation did not affect the employees to perform whistleblowing. Keywords: Whistleblowing, Wrongdoing, Supervisor Support, Protection, Compensation.
Human-wildlife conflicts and rural livelihood in Okomu national park, Edo state, Nigeria

Human-wildlife conflict remains a major challenge in wildlife conservation. This study explored the occurrence of human-wildlife conflict and its impact on the subsistence of rural communities’ adjoining Okomu National Park (ONP), Edo State, Nigeria. A semi-structured questionnaire (for villagers and law enforcement staff of Okomu National Park) and focus group discussion were employed to establish the occurrence and impact of human-wildlife conflict in ONP from January to April 2019. A total of 5 villages were purposively sampled of which 160 villagers, 70 rangers and 3 focused groups (comprising 7 individuals per group) were surveyed. The results revealed that Monkey (Cercopithecus erythrogaster), Buffalo (Syneruscafer), Elephant (Loxodontacylotis), Duikers (Philatombamaxwelli), and Porcupine (Histrixcristata)causes significant problem (χ2 =102.28, P= 0.000; χ2=10.592, P=0.000; χ2=15.454, P= 0.001; χ2= 10.213, P= 0.001; χ2=27.815, P= 0.007 respectively). Also, the occurrence of human-wildlife conflict was higher in villages within 2km radius to park boundary. The livelihood of villagers was negatively affected as they lose their crops to wild animals with no intervention from the park authorities. Management of conservation areas should ensure clear boundary demarcation to reduce the rate of encroachment into the park. Besides, management strategies that aid in the preservation of ecological integrity of the site and human well-being should be taken into account. Improved conservation education and compensation for the loss incurred to crop-raiding should be designed and implemented.
Sensitivity of Air‐Sea Heat Exchange in Cold‐Air Outbreaks to Model Resolution and Sea‐Ice Distribution

Modeling air‐sea interactions during cold air outbreaks poses a major challenge because of the vast range of scales and physical processes involved. Using the Polar WRF model, we investigate the sensitivity of downstream air mass properties to (a) model resolution, (b) the sharpness of the marginal‐ice zone (MIZ), and (c) the geometry of the sea ice edge. The resolved sharpness of the MIZ strongly affects peak heat fluxes and the atmospheric water cycle. For sharper MIZs, roll convection is initiated closer to the sea ice edge, increasing both evaporation and precipitation. This yields an increased heat transfer into the atmosphere while the net effect on the atmospheric moisture budget is small. Overall, higher atmospheric resolution increases both the peak and net heat extracted from the ocean. The geometry of the sea ice edge can induce convergence or divergence zones that affect the air‐sea exchange.
Project-based Learning to Enhance Pre-service Teachers' Teaching Skills in Science Education

Project- based learning (PBL) is a constructivist approach to learning which has been used successfully in a variety of settings and has received recognition as a method of enabling students to acquire 21st century skills (Cyprian, 2014: & Al- Ali, 2015). Some (Al-Saifi, 2016; Taskin-Can, 2011; & Baysura et al., 2016) have argued that if pre-service teachers are to be effective at implementing PBL with their students, they need repeated experiential exposure to the model in their university teacher training programs. One area of investigation has focused on the ability of pre-service teachers to implement the PBL model within their own classroom instructional experiences despite demonstrating adequate knowledge about PBL in their university coursework. The purpose of this manuscript is to address the value of preparing pre-service teachers to be K-12 science teachers through immersing them in PBL methodology in order to enhance their future teaching practices by modeling PBL teaching methodology in their university courses. It also sheds the light on online implementation of PBL and technology integration. 45 relevant studies have been reviewed in this manuscript. The challenges of implementing PBL found in the literature were mainly related to four: programs' policy, professional development, environment, and students’ willingness. Professional development sessions for faculty members, partnerships with local and international organizations specialists in this area of learning, and continuous evaluation of the current programs can be helpful strategies in achieving successful implementation of PBL in teacher preparation programs. Implementing PBL in teacher preparation programs contributes in fully integrating theory and practice; and positively influences student teachers’ professional, academic and personal skills.