Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EFFECT OF HUMAN RESOURCE PLANNING PRACTICES ON ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE IN PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES IN WESTERN KENYA

The universities are citadels of knowledge, research and academic excellence. The continuing role of universities in the provision of transformational experience for individuals and the global community cannot be under estimated. However, in the current climate and with substantial increase in technological advancement, higher education has witnessed increased cases of lack of honest appraisal of the problems facing universities. This study sought to assess the effect of human resource planning on the performance of public universities in western Kenya region . The specific objectives of the study were to; examine the effect of recruitment and selection on the performance of public universities and to determine the effect of outsourcing on the performance of public universities in western Kenya region. The study adopted analytical cross-sectional and survey research design. The target population was 2,822 employees and a sample size of 341 was drawn from a total population of 2,822 employees to represent the whole population using Krejcie and Morgan Table 1970. The researcher selected the six public universities in western region purposively. The public universities represented clusters from which simple random sampling was used to sample non-academic staff. Simple random sample was taken from the clusters in proportion to the cluster size in comparison to the population by use of proportional allocation. Data was collected by use of questionnaires. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics of frequencies, percentages, mean, standard deviation and inferential statistics of correlation and multiple regression analysis using SPSS version 25.0. The null hypothesis was tested at 5% significance level. Result of multiple regressions revealed that human resource planning practices jointly and independently influenced organizational performance in public Universities in Western region. Jointly the two constructs namely outsourcing and recruitment and selection contributed 53.5% variation in performance of public universities (Adjusted R Square = 0.535). The β value for Outsourcing (.284) and recruitment and selection (.623) were all positive. All these together led to the rejection of the null hypothesis. The synergistic effect of the human resource planning practices under study cannot be gain said in achieving high performance of public universities. This implied that the management of public universities should pay high premiums in formulating and implementing human resource planning practices to galvanize performance of the public universities. Key words: human resource planning, organizational performance, outsourcing and recruitment and selection CITATION: Nondoh, R. A. , Tsuma, E. , Alala, B. O. , Onyango, R. (2020). Effect of human resource planning practices on organizational performance in public Universities in Western Kenya. T he Strategic Journal of Business & Change Management , 7(2), 20 – 39.
EMPIRICAL AND CONCEPTUAL APPROACHES TO LIFE-HISTORY TRADE-OFFS: THE SIZE AND NUMBER OF OFFSPRING IN BROODS OF A PARASITOID WASP

OF DISSERTATION EMPIRICAL AND CONCEPTUAL APPROACHES TO LIFE-HISTORY TRADE-OFFS: THE SIZE AND NUMBER OF OFFSPRING IN BROODS OF A PARASITOID WASP Trade-offs in resource allocation underlie key life history traits of organisms. My dissertation focuses on the size-number trade-off in clonal broods of offspring using the polyembryonic wasp, Copidosoma bakeri parasitizing immature stages of the moth Agrotis ipsilon. I aim to characterize responses of wasp brood size and individual body mass by manipulating the environments in order to understand the allocation pattern in the size number trade-off. In reviewing the functional forms of trade-off relationships in relation to resource constraints, I distinguish among three main trade-off types based on graphical representations of the relationship between the trade-off variables: linear, convex (inverse), and concave. The size-number trade-off in C. bakeri shows convex relationship. Characteristics of the trade-off are sex specific: female broods have larger body mass but smaller brood size than do male broods. When food intake of the host was increased, the trade-off between wasp body mass and brood size for both sexes shifts toward both higher wasp brood size and higher body mass. When the host has better access to food late in development, the size-number trade-off curve moves up and to the right on the graph. However, the trait combinations shift along the same trade-off curve toward greater wasp body mass but smaller brood size when the host development time is shorter due to more resources in early in development. I also investigate temperature effects on the size-number trade-off. C. bakeri brood size significantly increases with high temperature early in host development. There is no shift in the allocation pattern of the size-number trade-off with temperature. Finally, I test effects of body mass on longevity, fecundity, and mating competitiveness of C. bakeri. Larger body size increases female longevity, and mated females produce more eggs than unmated females. There are no significant relationships between male body mass and longevity or mating competitiveness. Mating reduces male longevity independent of body mass. The different impact of body mass on fitness between male and female wasps suggests the observed sex-specific allocation patterns of the size-number trade-off. Implications of the experiments and possible follow-up work are discussed.
Zolpidem Use Among Dormitory Students in Yazd, Iran

Zolpidem Use Among Dormitory Students in Yazd, Iran Mohammad Amin Afshoon , Saeed Hosseini , Narjes Hazar 2, , Mahmood Vakili 2 and Vahid Rahmanian 3 School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, IR Iran Health Monitoring Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, IR Iran Research Center for Social Determinants of Health, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, IR Iran Corresponding author: Health Monitoring Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran. Email: narjeshazar@yahoo.com
A novel image analysis approach to characterise the effects of dietary components on intestinal morphology and immune system in Atlantic salmon

PAGE | xxi efficiency of conducting such a quantitative assessment with respect to the time taken for a subjective semi-quantitative alternative approach. Significant agreement between the fully automated and the manual morphometric image segmentation was achieved, however, the strength of this quantitative approach was enhanced by the employment of interactive procedures, which enabled the operator / observer to rectify preceding automated segmentation steps, and account for the specimen’s variations. Results indicated that image analysis provided a viable alternative to a pathologist’s manual scoring, being more practical and time-efficient. In the second research chapter, feeding Atlantic salmon a high inclusion level of unrefined SBM (25 %) produced an inflammatory response in the distal intestine as previously described by other authors. The model feed trial successfully generated differentiable states, although these were not, for the most part, systemically differentiable through the majority of standard immunological procedures used, being only detectable morphologically. Quantitation of morphometric parameters associated with histological sections using the newly developed image analysis tool successfully allowed identification of major morphological changes. Image analysis was thus shown to provide a powerful tool for describing the histomorphological structure of Atlantic salmon distal intestine. In turn, the semi-automated image analysis methods were able to distinguish normal intestinal mucosa from those affected by enteritis. While individual parameters were less discriminatory, use of multivariate techniques allowed better discrimination of states and is likely to prove the most productive approach in further studies. Work described in the third research chapter sought to validate the semi-automated image analysis system to establish that it was measuring the parameters it was purported to be measuring, and to provide reassurance that it could reliably measure pre-determined features. This study, using the same sections for semi-quantitative and quantitative analyses, demonstrated that the quantitative indices performed well when compared to analogous semi-quantitative descriptive parameters of assessment for enteritis prognosis. The excellent reproducibility and accuracy performance levels indicated that the image
The dispersal syndrome hypothesis: How animals shaped fruit traits, and how they did not

1. Fleshy fruits have evolved multiple times and display a tremendous diversity of colours, shapes, aromas and textures. For over a century this was attributed, at least in part, to frugivore-driven selection. The dispersal syndrome hypothesis posits that fruits and frugivores co-evolved, each exerting sufficient selective pressure on one another, and resulting to in suites of fruit traits that match frugivore behaviour, morphology and sensory capacities. 2. In the last two
Thermostability of the visual color and anthocyanins from Rio-Grande-Cherry (Eugenia involucrata DC)

Abstract The extract of Rio-Grande-Cherry (Eugenia involucrata DC), pure and with stevia addition (0.75% and 1.5%) and sucrose addition (20% and 40%), was subjected to heat treatment at 10 °C, 25 °C and between 50 °C and 90 °C. Anthocyanins and the color parameters C* and TCD (total color difference) followed first-order reaction kinetics while h° followed a zero order kinetic model, under all conditions. The addition of sweeteners, through the reduction of water activity, influenced the thermal stability of the anthocyanins and of the color parameters C*, h° and TCD was the most pronounced effect in the latter. The lower the temperatures, the most relevant was the effect of the sweeteners on increasing half-life. Thermodynamically, the degradation reaction of anthocyanins was defined as endothermic, as well as non-spontaneous and transition state of the molecules more structurally organized than the reactants.
Tracing the Evolution of 3-D Printing Technology in China Using LDA-Based Patent Abstract Mining

3-D printing is an additive manufacturing process, which enables products to be custom designed. Obtaining the evolution trend and identifying the potential R&D hotspots of 3-D printing technology are important strategic issues for both nations and enterprises. In this article, a combination method is proposed using the Viterbi algorithm to identify technological terms in patents, using the latent Dirichlet allocation model to capture potential technological topics in patents, and using the hidden Markov model to analyze the distribution and evolution pattern of the technological topics. Based on the results, technological topics and future R&D hotspots in 3-D printing are identified. Among the technological topics, extrusion devices and laser powder molding are gradually losing R&D; model acquisition, extrusion devices, rotary printing, and denture are the key topics of technological evolution that are difficult to overcome; laser focusing, print head, color printing, recyclable, feeding, control panel, and denture will become the focus of R&D in the near future. Finally, a comparison and experiments are given to demonstrate the plausibility of our method.
Analyses Through the Metastatistical Extreme Value Distribution Identify Contributions of Tropical Cyclones to Rainfall Extremes in the Eastern United States

Tropical cyclones (TCs) generate extreme precipitation with severe impacts across large coastal and inland areas, calling for accurate frequency estimation methods. Statistical approaches that take into account the physical mechanisms responsible for these extremes can help reduce the estimation uncertainty. Here we formulate a mixed‐population Metastatistical Extreme Value Distribution explicitly incorporating non‐TC and TC‐induced rainfall and evaluate its implications on long series of daily rainfall for six major U.S. urban areas impacted by these storms. We find statistically significant differences between the distributions of TC‐ and non‐TC‐related precipitation; moreover, including mixtures of distributions improves the estimation of the probability of extreme precipitation where TCs occur more frequently. These improvements are greater when rainfall aggregated over durations longer than one day are considered.
Short- and Long-Term Changes in Chromosomal Inversion Polymorphism and Global Warming: Drosophila Subobscura from the Balkans

The chromosomal inversion polymorphism of Drosophila subobscura is adaptive to environmental changes. The population of Petnica, Serbia, was chosen to analyze short- and long-term changes in this polymorphism. Short-term changes were studied in the samples collected in May, June, and August of 1995. The inversion polymorphism varied over these months, although various interpretations are possible. To analyze long-term changes, samples obtained in May 1995 and May 2010 were compared. The frequency of the "cold" adapted inversions (Ast, Jst, Ust, Est, and Ost) decreased and that of the "warm" adapted inversions (A2, J1, U 1 + 2 , and O 3+4 ) increased, from 1995 to 2010. These changes are consistent with the general increase in temperature recorded in Petnica for the same period. Finally, the possible response of chromosomal polymorphism to global warming was analyzed at the regional level (Balkan peninsula). This polymorphism depends on the ecological conditions of the populations, and the c.
After a catastrophe, a little bit of sex is better than nothing: Genetic consequences of a major earthquake on asexual and sexual populations

Catastrophic events can have profound effects on the demography of a population and consequently on genetic diversity. The dynamics of postcatastrophic recovery and the role of sexual versus asexual reproduction in buffering the effects of massive perturbations remain poorly understood, in part because the opportunity to document genetic diversity before and after such events is rare. Six natural (purely sexual) and seven cultivated (mainly clonal due to farming practices) populations of the red alga Agarophyton chilense were surveyed along the Chilean coast before, in the days after and 2 years after the 8.8 magnitude earthquake in 2010. The genetic diversity of sexual populations appeared sensitive to this massive perturbation, notably through the loss of rare alleles immediately after the earthquake. By 2012, the levels of diversity returned to those observed before the catastrophe, probably due to migration. In contrast, enhanced rates of clonality in cultivated populations conferred a surprising ability to buffer the instantaneous loss of diversity. After the earthquake, farmers increased the already high rate of clonality to maintain the few surviving beds, but most of them collapsed rapidly. Contrasting fates between sexual and clonal populations suggest that betting on strict clonality to sustain production is risky, probably because this extreme strategy hampered adaptation to the brutal environmental perturbation induced by the catastrophe.
Human-Induced Impacts on Land Surface Temperature Dynamics in Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria

The main goal of this study is to evaluate the impacts of humaninduced activities on land surface temperature dynamics of Osogbo, in Osun State, Nigeria. Land surface temperature dynamics, land use land cover dynamics and the relationship between land surface temperature (LST) and land-use land-cover (LULC) were assessed using Landsat satellite data (ETM+ and OLI/TIRS) of Oshogbo, Osun State, Nigeria. The radiometrically corrected thermal infrared bands of the Landsat images of 2000 and 2018 were used to retrieve land surface temperature while the Maximum Likelihood algorithm in Erdas imagine 9.2 was used to generate a classified image for the two periods. Land surface temperature maps, land cover index maps and Normalized Differential Vegetation Index (NDVI)) were generated. Correlation analysis using Pearson’s Product Moment Method was carried out between land surface temperature and normalized differential vegetation index (NDVI) data and the land cover index was digitized and overlaid on the LST map of 2018 to determine the association between them. The results revealed noticeable decrease in vegetated areas of Osogbo with an accompanying increase in land surface temperature from 28.045°C in 2000 to 29.200°C in 2018. Built-up increased within the same periods from 19 to 42%, which could be attributed to anthropogenic activities. The land surface temperature distribution maps showed a more pronounced intensity in areas of significant human activities than in areas covered by vegetation and waterbody. The correlation coefficient values of –0.54418 and -0.48513 observed in the land surface temperature and normalized differential vegetation index values for 2000 and 2018 respectively, indicated an inverse relationship between the two variables. The study concluded that the nature of land use / land cover patterns in Osogbo have impacted its land surface with a corresponding increase in land surface temperature. It is expected that as the city expands further, the magnitude of the land surface temperature will also increase thereby affecting the living conditions of the urban populace.
GROWTH FACTOR INTERACTIONS WITH PLATELET-DERIVED GROWTH FACTOR RECEPTOR ALPHA

The interaction between a growth factor and the extracellular region of its receptor is the first step in triggering the intracellular signalling pathways that induce a change in cell phenotype. Several platelet-derived growth factors (PDGFs) each bind to and activate PDGF receptor (PDGFR) alpha, a transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase that simulates proliferation and migration in cells of mesenchymal origin. PDGFR alpha itself activates several intracellular signalling pathways. Thus, the possibility exists that different growth factors interact with PDGFR alpha in distinct ways to elicit divergent cellular effects. This possibility was investigated by examining the interactions that occur between the extracellular region of PDGFR alpha and three growth factors: PDGF-AA, PDGF-BB and vascular endothelial growth factor-A165 (VEGF-A165). The extracellular region of PDGFR alpha, and fragments thereof, were recombinantly expressed by mammalian 293-EBNA cells. The affinities of the protein fragments for each of the three growth factors were assayed by solid phase binding analysis. Each growth factor had a different affinity both for the extracellular region of PDGFR alpha and the fragments of that region, indicating that they differentially interact with the receptor.These different growth factor/receptor interactions were further investigated by substituting charged amino acids for uncharged residues in the putative ligand binding domain of PDGFR alpha. The amino acids selected for substitution were analogous to residues that had been shown to form direct contacts with growth factors in growth factor/receptor systems that are evolutionarily related to PDGFR alpha. Mutants of the PDGFR alpha ectodomain were generated by site-directed mutagenesis, and their growth factor binding properties were subsequently assayed. Particular mutants had differential effects on growth factor binding to PDGFR alpha. For example, the K209A mutant had no effect on PDGF-AA binding to the receptor, compared to wild-type, but it had a lower affinity for PDGF-BB and a greater affinity for VEGF-A165, compared to wild-type.These data demonstrated that the examined growth factors form subtly different interactions with PDGFR alpha. Thus, it is likely that each growth factor induces a distinct conformational change in the receptor upon binding. In this way, different growth factors may elicit divergent cellular effects through the same receptor.
Toward a Realistic Representation of Global Electric Circuit Generators in Models of Atmospheric Dynamics

The diurnal variation of the global electric circuit (GEC) is simulated using the Weather Research and Forecasting model by estimating contributions of grid columns to the ionospheric potential (IP). A parameterization based on cutting off the grid columns with shallow convection and estimating the area covered by GEC generators (electrified clouds) in each column from the amount of precipitation yields the IP variation of the same shape as the classical Carnegie curve with a correlation coefficient of 0.97, although with a smaller peak‐to‐peak amplitude (18% against 34% of the mean) and maxima and minima shifted by 1–2 hr. It is shown that omission in the IP parameterization of either convective activity or the area covered by electrified clouds (estimated using the calculated precipitation) would result in poor similarity between the modeled IP variation and the classical Carnegie curve. The results of simulation show the best agreement with the Carnegie data during Northern Hemisphere winters; the shape of the simulated diurnal variation of the IP substantially changes throughout the year owing to the decrease of South America's contribution and the increase of Southern Asia's contribution in summer. The discrepancies between the results of modeling and the results of observations are probably caused by the limited ability of large‐scale models to differentiate between electrified and nonelectrified clouds. Further improvement of the parameterization of the IP in models of atmospheric dynamics requires using finer grids, which should allow computing microphysical characteristics of clouds and estimating source currents more accurately.
Simultaneous Magmatic and Hydrothermal Regimes in Alta–Little Cottonwood Stocks, Utah, USA, Recorded Using Multiphase U-Pb Petrochronology

Magmatic and hydrothermal systems are intimately linked, significantly overlapping through time but persisting in different parts of a system. New preliminary U-Pb and trace element petrochronology from zircon and titanite demonstrate the protracted and episodic record of magmatic and hydrothermal processes in the Alta stock–Little Cottonwood stock plutonic and volcanic system. This system spans the upper ~11.5 km of the crust and includes a large composite pluton (e.g., Little Cottonwood stock), dike-like conduit (e.g., Alta stock), and surficial volcanic edifices (East Traverse and Park City volcanic units). A temperature–time path for the system was constructed using U-Pb and tetravalent cation thermometry to establish a record of >10 Myr of pluton emplacement, magma transport, volcanic eruption, and coeval hydrothermal circulation. Zircons from the Alta and Little Cottonwood stocks recorded a single population of apparent temperatures of ~625 ± 35 °C, while titanite apparent temperatures formed two distinct populations interpreted as magmatic (~725 ± 50 °C) and hydrothermal (~575 ± 50 °C). The spatial and temporal variations required episodic magma input, which overlapped in time with hydrothermal fluid flow in the structurally higher portions of the system. The hydrothermal system was itself episodic and migrated within the margin of the Alta stock and its aureole through time, and eventually focused at the contact of the Alta stock. First-order estimates of magma flux in this system suggest that the volcanic flux was 2–5× higher than the intrusive magma accumulation rate throughout its lifespan, consistent with intrusive volcanic systems around the world.