Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Principals’ instructional time management and students’ academic performance in secondary schools in Ondo North senatorial district of Ondo State, Nigeria

The persistent concern of stakeholders in the education sector over the dwindling academic performance of students in Nigerian secondary schools could be attributed to the perceived inadequacies in instructional time management. This study therefore investigated principals’ instructional time management strategies, teachers’ effectiveness in instructional tasks, and students’ academic performance in secondary schools in Ondo North Senatorial District of Ondo State, Nigeria. Descriptive design of the survey type was adopted. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 30 public secondary schools from three (3) Local Government Areas in the Northern Senatorial Districts of Ondo State. The sample comprised 600 teachers and 30 principals randomly selected for the study. Three (3) research questions were answered using frequency counts and percentage, while three (3) hypotheses were tested using Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) at 0.05 level of significance. Findings indicated a significant relationship between principals’ time management strategies and teachers’ instructional tasks performance (r-cal=0.622, p0.05), there was significant relationship between principals’ time management strategies and students’ academic performance (r-cal=0.702, p0.05), and significant relationship between teachers’ instructional tasks performance and students’ academic performance (r-cal=0.587, p0.05). The major constraints to instructional time were pressure of administrative duties and excess workload. Based on the findings, it was recommended that principals should step-up efforts at prioritizing administrative tasks, encouraging teamwork in instructional activities and delegating duties to the experienced teachers in the management cadre to reduce excess workload, and improve monitoring and evaluation of teachers’ instructional tasks performance for better academic performance of students in secondary schools.
Time Preferences of Food Producers: Does “Cultivate and Grow” Matter?

Resource scarcity and food security are important issues due to overexploitation of natural resources. Fishing and farming have been two main occupations that produce food; however, their production modes are distinct in that fishermen (farmers) harvest (cultivate, grow, and harvest). It is hypothesized that such differences in production modes characterize their time preferences and discounting behaviors. We have conducted a discounting elicitation experiment for fishermen and farmers in Indonesia. The statistical analysis shows that fishermen are much more shortsighted than farmers, implying that fishermen should be encouraged to nurture a culture of cultivating and growing for sustainability of fish stock. (JEL Q18, Q22)
Free Riding and Workplace Democracy – Heterogeneous Task Preferences and Sorting

A novel laboratory experiment is used to show that mismatching between task preferences and task assignment undermines worker productivity and leads to free riding in teams. We elicit task preferences from all workers. Workers’ endogenous sorting into tasks significantly improves productivity under individual-based remuneration (performance pay). Under team-based remuneration (revenue sharing), free riding is significant, but almost exclusively among those working on undesired tasks. Task selection by majority voting in teams alleviates free riding, but only partly so, because some workers are still assigned to undesired tasks. Our findings have broad implications for research using real effort tasks.
Soil and crop response to phosphorus and potassium management under conservation tillage

In conservation tillage systems, proper fertilizer phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) management is critical to optimize yield and minimize negative environmental impacts. The objective of this study was to assess the responses of crop yield, nutrient use efficiencies, root growth, and soil test P and K levels to tillage, fertilizer placement, and fertilizer rates in a corn ( Zea mays L.)–soybean [ Glycine max (L.) Merr. ] rotation. Experiments were conducted for 8 yr in Illinois with tillage/fertilizer placement as the main plot (no-till/broadcast [NTBC], strip-till/broadcast [STBC], and strip-till/deep band [STDB]) and PK fertilizer rates as the subplot. The NTBC treatment consistently reduced yields in corn by 6.2 and 4.5% and in soybean by 3.1 and 6.1% relative to STBC and STDB, respectively. Also, NTBC had greater root length density at in-row and between-row positions relative to STBC and STDB. Nutrient use efficiency indices (partial nutrient balance, agronomic efficiency, and partial factor productivity) declined with increasing P and K rates but were not affected by tillage/fertilizer placement treatments. Deep banding significantly reduced soil P and K concentrations in surface layers while increasing them at the depth of application. These results underscore the reported potential for deep banding combined with strip-till to improve conditions for nutrient uptake while reducing the risk for nutrient losses to the environment. Critical soil test P and K levels (21 mg P kg − 1 and 217 mg K kg − 1 ) were similar for P and greater for K than the current university recommendations, which highlights the need for continuous refinement of soil fertility recommendations to keep pace with changes in production technologies and yield levels.
INTERPRETING THE 2013 MILITARY COUP IN EGYPT FROM THE NEW GEOPOLITICAL PERSPECTIVE

Geopolitics has been a tool for many leaders throughout the history to understand the world and determine its policies and has always been interpreted from the western point of view. ‘ The Barakah Circle theory of Islamicjerusalem ’, is quite new and has shown the heart of the world is not western-centered. Moreover, while domestic politics is often a guide to explain the military coups, understanding the external causes of Egyptian case is significant seeing the big picture. The theory shows Egypt is the central and main power for the Arab region. If politics is a game, one of the most effective stones of this game is Egypt. All the coup and destructive initiatives in Egypt have supported by the West are the product of great efforts to transform freedom into captivity. This research will focus on a theory that shifts our view on geopolitics from the western perspective to other side and the competence of this theory in explaining the 2013 military coup.
Downside Beta and the Cross Section of Equity Returns: A Decade Later

This study reexamines the relation between downside beta and equity returns in the U.S. First, we replicate Ang, Chen and Xing (2006) who find a positive relation between downside beta and future equity returns for equal-weighted portfolios of NYSE stocks. We show that this relation doesn’t hold after using value-weighted returns or controlling for various return determinants. We also extend the original sample, add AMEX/NASDAQ stocks or utilize alternative downside beta measures and still find no downside risk premium. We focus on factor analysis results, persistence of downside beta and various subsamples to understand the economic reasons behind the findings.
“Don’t worry—be happy”: The sad state of happiness research in gifted students

ABSTRACT Achieving happiness is considered to be a high value goal in modern society, associated with manifold positive outcomes. Much of the literature on gifted students focuses on cognitive outcomes, with a paucity of research on positive psychological constructs. The major goal of this paper is to examine the empirical evidence bearing on the happiness of gifted students when compared to their nonidentified students from a positive psychological perspective. The methodology of this study is based on a small-scale meta-analysis of the six available studies providing empirical data on differences among educational groups in their happiness. These six studies included a total of 1632 participants (mean proportion male = 53%), comprised of 713 gifted (61% boys) and 919 nonidentified students (47% boys). Overall, this study failed to reveal mean reliable differences among educational groups in happiness, supporting the position that giftedness is more of a protective resource than a vulnerability factor. Directions for future research in this relatively neglected, yet important, area of research are presented. This paper concludes by contending that gifted students who are happy and also feel they are contributing to the greater good and improving life, are also more likely to flourish and eventually benefit both themselves and society as a whole.
PERAN CUSTOMER SATISFACTION MEMEDIASI PENGARUH SERVICE QUALITY TERHADAP REPURCHASE INTENTION PADA PENGGUNA LAZADA DI DENPASAR

The development of technology and the internet has facilitated global activities both in the fields of economics, governance and human lifestyles. The interest in repurchasing online is of particular concern to Lazada, which have decreased the number of visitors to Lazada's online shopping sites. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of customer satisfaction in memdiasi effect of service quality on repurchase intention. The study was conducted on Lazada in Denpasar with 80 respondents. Data obtained by questionnaire which was analyzed using Path Analysis. The results of this study indicate that service quality positively and significantly influences repurchase intention. Service quality positively and significantly influences customer satisfaction. Customer satisfaction positively and significantly influences repurchase intention. Customer satisfaction is able to mediate the effect of service quality on repurchase intention. This shows that customer satisfaction has an important role in service quality thereby increasing repurchase intention in Lazada. Keywords: E-Commerce, Customer Satisfaction, Service Quality, Repurchase Intention
Does Culture, Motivation, Competence, Leadership, Commitment Influence Quality Performance?

The purpose of this study is to analyze the influence of leadership, motivation, competence, commitment, and organizational culture on the implementation performance of the Quality Performance at a packaging manufacturing industry. The study sample as population is all 300 employees of packaging industry. The analysis of this study uses SEM (Structural Equation Model) with LISREL software program version 8.70. The results show that leadership and organizational culture have significant influence on the implementation performance of quality management system, while motivation, competence and commitment do not affect the implementation performance of the quality management system.
The Effect of Transformational Leadership Style and Organizational Innovation on Improving Environmental Performance of Environmental Polluters Companies Case Study: Lead Producer Companies in Zanjan Province

The need for an appropriate leadership style that can regulate and improve the organization's culture to improving environmental performance is vital to the success of the organization. New developments in leadership theories have moved from charismatic leadership theories to neo-charismatic and transformational leadership theories. This study was carried out aimed to investigate the effect of transformational leadership style and organizational innovation on improving environmental performance of environmental polluters companies Zanjan Province in Iran. The research method was descriptive survey. The data collection tool was a standard questionnaire. The statistical population of this study was 5 Lead producer company in Zanjan. The questionnaires were distributed randomly among 317 persons of statistical samples. The conceptual model of the research was fitted using the structural equation model in PLS software. Research findings have shown that transformational leadership and organizational innovation has an impact on improving environmental performance.
Anti-inflammatory effect of Algerian date fruit (Phoenix dactylifera)

ABSTRACT From ages, dates are consumed by humans for its beneficial health and nutritional values. The aim of this study was to evaluate anti-inflammatory effect of Algerian date fruit (Phoenix dactylifera). A quantity of 50 mg/kg of the P. dactylifera extract was analyzed in vivo using the formalin-induced paw edema test in mice. The inflammation level was detected by the measure of the edema size, also the dosage of C-reactive protein (CRP) and homocysteine levels in the blood. The results showed a highly significant decrease in the edema size and the level of the homocysteine in the blood (P = .000) and significant decrease in CRP values (P < 0.05) in the 50 mg/kg plant extract group compared to Control, Methionine 400 mg/kg and (Plant + Methionine) groups. The study suggests that the extract possesses enough potential to reduce inflammation by in vivo and directs the importance of further research and development of novel anti-inflammatory agents.
The resident participation in endogenous rural tourism projects: a case study of Kumbalangi in Kerala, India

ABSTRACT This study intended to explore the role of residents’ participation on their perceived benefits of endogenous rural tourism project in Kumbalangi in Kerala, India. Using data collected from registered voters in Kumbalangi, the study revealed that that participation in the planning phase was a significant factor of participation in the implementation phase. The finding also showed that resident participation in the implementation phase significantly influenced resident’s perceived benefits of rural tourism development in infrastructure, income, quality of life, and culture. Many practical implications are further discussed to encourage resident participation.
Genetic and non-genetic factors influencing birth weight in the Tuli cattle breed of Zimbabwe

Genetic and non-genetic factors were estimated for birth weight in the Tuli cattle breed of Zimbabwe. Performance records ( n = 1154) were obtained from the Livestock Identification Trust (LIT) for the period (2008–2014) for three farms; X ( n = 494), Z ( n = 143) and Y ( n = 517). We used the Restricted Maximum Likelihood (REML) for fitting the Sire model. The model used the farm, season, sex, year and dam age as fixed effects while the sire was fitted as a random variable. Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP) was used to predict breeding values (BVs). The mean birth weight was (30.89±0.128). Wet season had higher birth (31.62±0.27) weight than dry season (30.62±0.144); however, the difference was not statistically significant. The other factors, farm, sex, year and dam age had a significant effect (P <0.05) on birth weight. Heritability and repeatability estimates were 0.44 and 0.35, respectively. Based on the results, the high heritability estimate for birth weight suggests that the trait responds well to selection. Sire breeding values ranged from -4.400 to 6.845 with the majority of sires between -2 and 2, showing that there was stabilising selection over the years to minimise both overweights and underweights.
Hospital Closures and Short-Run Change in Ambulance Call Times

We measure one aspect of how access to emergency care through ambulance services changes for patients when a hospital closes. We empirically estimate the time needed to transport a patient to an emergency department in an ambulance in the period immediately after the hospital closes. We find urban patients in zip codes where a hospital closes have a small change in transportation time, where rural patients average an estimated 15.7 additional minutes – a 46% increase compared to the year before the closure. This increase is primarily the result of an almost 100 percent increase in the time it takes to transport a patient from the location of the incident to the hospital. The impact on rural Medicare-eligible patients is even larger. We find no change in the time it takes ambulances to arrive at an incident and only a small change in the time spent at the scene.
Influence of Patient Engagement Protocol on Health Outcomes and Medication Adherence of Patients with Metabolic Syndrome

Influence of Patient Engagement Protocol on Health Outcomes and Medication Adherence of Patients with Metabolic Syndrome by Angela H. McConnell MPA, Troy University, 1999 BS, University of Maryland University College, 1992 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Health Care Administration Walden University August 2016
Knowledge of Green Practices Adoption and Infusion among Employees’ of Selected Manufacturing Firms in Ogun State, Nigeria

This study investigates the knowledge of green practices adoption and infusion among employees of selected manufacturing companies in Ogun State, Nigeria. The study adopts a descriptive design in which qualitative (in-depth interview and key informant interview guide) and quantitative (questionnaire) methods were used for data collection. Multistage sampling techniques were employed in selecting respondents for the study. A total of 321 respondents were utilized in gathering the quantitative data while four (4) key informant interviews and eight (8) in-depth interviews were used for the collection of qualitative data. Descriptive statistics (frequency count and percentage distribution) and qualitative content analysis were deployed in analysing the data. The socio-demographic of the respondents showed that all had some level of formal education. The findings of the study also revealed that a majority (84.7%) of the respondents had some level of knowledge about green practices adoption and infusion in their organizations however a significant proportion (15.3%) of the respondents are still lacking sufficient understanding of green practices adoption and infusion as indicated in the study organizations. The study therefore concludes that improved awareness and education on every aspect of green practices infusion and adoption is still needed among employees of manufacturing companies in Nigeria in order to achieve the desired sustainable development goals by the year 2030.
Remote sensing estimation of the soil erosion cover‐management factor for China's Loess Plateau

The cover‐management factor (C‐factor) is used in the revised universal soil loss equation to represent the effect of vegetation cover and its management practices on hillslope erosion. Remote sensing has been widely used to estimate vegetation cover and the C‐factor, but most previous studies only used the photosynthetic vegetation (PV) or green vegetation indices (VI, e.g., normalized difference VI) for estimating the C‐factor and the important non‐PV (NPV) component was often ignored. In this study, we developed a new technique to estimate monthly time‐series C‐factor using the fractional vegetation cover (FVC) including both PV and NPV, and weighted by monthly rainfall erosivity ratio. The monthly FVC was derived from the moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer and LANDSAT data with field validation. We conducted the case‐study over China's Loess Plateau and analysed the spatiotemporal variations of FVC and the C‐factor and their impacts on erosion over the Plateau. Our study reveals a significant increase in total vegetation cover (TC) from 56 to 76.8%, with a mean of 71.2%, resulting in about 20% decrease in the C‐factor and erosion risk during the 17‐year period. Our method has an advantage in estimating the C‐factor from TC at a monthly scale providing a basis for continuously and consistently monitoring of vegetation cover, erosion risk and climate impacts.
Effects of the Marriage Migrant Women's Discriminatory Experience on the Physical and Mental Health

본 연구의 목적은 결혼이주여성의 차별경험과 그로 인한 스트레스가 그들의 정신적, 신체적 건강에 미치 는 영향을 검증하는데 있다. 연구대상자는 한국인 남성과 결혼한 결혼이주여성으로 C도의 다문화가족지원 센터를 이용하고 있는 545명에게 자기기입식 설문조사를 통해 자료를 수집하였다. 분석자료는 결혼이주여 성의 차별경험 빈도 및 스트레스 강도, 신체적 및 정신적 건강, 자기효능감, 사회적 지지, 한국어 능력 척도 를 사용하였다. 본 연구에서는 라자루스 외(Lazarus et al., 1984)의 스트레스인지이론을 바탕으로 차별경 험, 스트레스, 신체적 및 정신적 건강의 관련성을 구조방정식모형을 통해 검증하였다. 분석결과, 첫째, 모형 의 적합도는 χ2(df)=236.403(76), CFI=. 945, RMSEA=. 077이었고, 통계학적으로 허용 가능한 범위에 있었 다. 둘째, 변수 간 관련성을 살펴본 결과, 차별경험 빈도가 스트레스 강도를 경유하여 신체적, 정신적 건강에 영향을 미치고 있었다. 즉 결혼이주여성이 차별을 빈번하게 경험할수록 스트레스에 노출될 가능성이 높고, 이는 신체적, 정신적 건강을 악화시키는 것으로 나타났다. 이러한 결과는 다문화사회로 진입한 우리사회에 서의 이주민에 대한 차별 감소 대책 마련의 필요성을 시사한다.
Impact of primary (1{o}) tumor location on overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in patients (pts) with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC): Analysis of CALGB/SWOG 80405 (Alliance).

3504Background: 80405 found no OS or PFS difference when Bevacizumab (BV) or Cetuximab (Cet) was added to 1st-line FOLFOX or FOLFIRI in mCRC pts. As location of the 1° may affect mCRC outcome, we assessed the impact of 1° side (R v L) on OS and PFS in 80405 pts. Methods: 1° location was determined by chart review: 1137 pts w/KRAS wt (codons 12 and 13) in main cohort; 252 pts w/ KRAS mut tumors treated w/ BV or Cet pre-amendment. R-sided = cecum to hepatic flexure; L-sided = splenic flexure to rectum. Transverse (T) = hepatic to splenic flexure. PFS per investigator. Kaplan Meier and Cox regression methods used. Results: KRAS wt pts: Median age = 59; synchronous = 78%. 1° site: R – 280 (25%); L – 689 (61%); T- 62 (5%); unsure – 106 (9%). OS & PFS (Table) difference by side statistically significant if adjusted for age, gender, BV / Cet, chemotherapy, prior therapy. There was a significant 1° side by biologic interaction (P int = 0.003, PFS and OS) but not by chemo, gender or RAS. OS, L-sided: Cet v BV, sup.
Agriculture for All; Constraints to Youth Participation in Africa

Agriculture remains fundamental to poverty reduction and economic growth in the 21st Century (World Bank, 2008). However, 75% of the world’s poor are from rural areas and most are involved in farming, an activity which requires sustenance especially by the youth who are the leaders of tomorrow
The prognostic significance of sterile leukocyturia after kidney transplantation

A propos de 39 observations suivies pendant 3 ou 4 ans. Une leucocyturie apparaissant apres le 1er mois et durable sur plusieurs analyses, en l'absence d'une cause infectieuse correspond a une creatininemie elevee et a un mauvais pronostic quant a la fonction du greffon
Cellulose Nanoparticles Extracted from Sugarcane Bagasse and Their Use in Biodegradable Recipients for Improving Physical Properties and Water Barrier of the Latter

The present work firstly aimed to obtain cellulose from sugarcane bagasse by using alkaline methods in pulping/delignifying and, at bleaching stages, using sodium chlorite, glacial acetic acid, and hydrogen peroxide, associated to NaOH/KOH. The process was carried out at temperatures varying from 55°C to 110°C, under magnetic stirring in various steps lasting from 2 h to 12 h. The yields of the two cellulose extracted, SCB24-Na-I and SCB24-Na-II, were 37% and 41%, respectively, from samples of ca. 15 g of the bagasse. Secondly, it is to extract nanoparticles from the obtained celluloses via acid hydrolysis (with 77% H2SO4) to lately be tested as reinforcement in biodegradable packagings. Both celluloses and their respective nanoparticles were characterized by several techniques, among them ATR-FTIR, DSC-TGA, XRD, SEM, and TEM. Despite that the yields of cellulose nanoparticles have been low, the preliminary studies of their use in biodegradable films coated on biodegradable pots were promising.