Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pre-service EFL teachers’ readiness in computer-assisted language learning and teaching

ABSTRACT Digital technology plays a crucial role in modern second/foreign language education. Enormous changes in technology and the growing emphasis on 21st century skills raise a concern about English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers’ competencies in computer-assisted language learning (CALL) more than ever. In response to the mounting concern, this study investigates pre-service EFL teachers’ readiness in the use of CALL in the Hong Kong context. It explores the experiences and self-efficacy of participants with respect to the evaluation of the current English teacher education curriculum for CALL at a university in Hong Kong and factors affecting the participants’ acceptance and willingness to use CALL. In-depth interviews were conducted with six pre-service EFL teachers to reveal the reality of the teachers’ attitudes, perceptions and experiences regarding the use of technology. Findings provide insights into the significance of language teacher education in CALL and ways for fostering pre-service EFL teachers’ knowledge and skills in the implementation of CALL. Practical implications are made for effective teacher training for CALL in EFL contexts.
Transnational ties and performance of immigrant firms: evidence from Central Italy

The purpose of this study is to analyze the determinants of transnational business ties (i.e. ties with the country of origin) and to investigate their impact on the economic performance of immigrant firms. ,Based on the representative survey conducted among 259 foreign-born immigrant entrepreneurs in Marche region (Central Italy), the study investigates the determinants of having transnational ties with countries of origin. Then it compares the effect of transnational ties and the effect of alternative domestic ethnic business ties on the performance of immigrant firms. ,This study demonstrates that having transnational ties is more likely for individuals with former entrepreneurial experience in the home countries and with higher education acquired in Italy. The performance of immigrant firms in the 2014–2016 period (measured by the level of revenues) is positively related to transnational ties – this effect is very strong and significant. On the other hand, reliance on the domestic ethnic ties (i.e. ties with co-ethnic population in Italy) is one of the key factors that inhibits further growth of immigrant enterprises. ,This study advances the understanding of how immigrant entrepreneurs create transnational business ties with their home countries. Additionally, this research contributes to the existing literature on immigrant entrepreneurship, by explaining the role of heterogeneous business ties: transnational connections, domestic ties with co-ethnic partners and ties with individuals from native population (in this case: Italy) for the entrepreneurial performance. Consequently, it offers recommendations for policy-makers willing to encourage entrepreneurial activities of immigrants in host countries and to their counterparts in home countries, who are planning to use the advantage diaspora entrepreneurial potential for the benefit of their economies.
Caledophora (Diptera: Phoridae), a new genus from New Caledonia

ABSTRACT Caledophora gen. nov. is described based on two new species from New Caledonia, Caledophora irwini sp.nov. and Caledophora webbi sp.nov. This genus is similar to some genera from New Zealand, but can be differentiated from them by the combination of hypopygium not being expanded dorsoventrally, frons setation 4-4-4, light body colour and wing without vein R2+3. Its phylogenetic position is inferred to be within the Bothroprosopa-group of genera. www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:F6263E01-F2EF-4204-89D6-55BFD7A7AC00
Limitations on the Effectiveness of Monetary Policy Forward Guidance in the Context of the Covid-19 Pandemic

We examine the effectiveness of forward guidance at the effective lower bound (ELB) in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Survey evidence underscores the myopia of professional forecasters at the initial stages of the pandemic and the extraordinary dispersion of their recent forecasts. Moreover, financial markets are now practically certain that U.S. short-term nominal interest rates will remain at the ELB for the next several years; consequently, forward guidance would have to refer to a much longer time horizon than in previous experience. To analyze the effects of these issues, we consider a canonical New-Keynesian model with three modifications: (1) expectations formation incorporates the mechanisms that have been proposed for addressing the forward guidance puzzle; (2) the central bank has imperfect credibility in making longer-horizon commitments regarding the path of monetary policy; and (3) the central bank may not have full knowledge of the true structure of the economy. In this framework, providing substantial near-term monetary stimulus hinges on making promises of relatively extreme overshooting of output and inflation in subsequent years, and hence forward guidance has only tenuous net benefits and may even be counterproductive.
Effect of different plant growth retardants on plant growth, flowering and yield of African marigold (Tagetes erecta L). cv. Pusa Basanti

The field experiment entitled “Effect of different plant growth retardants on plant growth, flowering and yield of African Marigold (Tagetes erecta L). cv. Pusa Basanti” was carried out at Horticultural Experimental Field, Department of Horticulture, Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Deemed-to-be University, during rabi season of 2014-2015. Ten treatment combinations with one cultivar were tried in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. Treatment details were T0 (Control), T1 (CCC @ 750 ppm), T2 (CCC @ 1000 ppm), T3 (CCC @ 1250 ppm), T4 (Ethephon @ 250 ppm), T5 (Ethephon @ 500 ppm), T6 (Ethephon @ 750 ppm), T7 (MH @ 200 ppm), T8 (MH @ 300 ppm) and T9 (MH @ 400 ppm). On the basis of investigation, it may be concluded that treatment T2 with (CCC @ 1000 ppm) was found to be best treatment in terms of growth and flowering parameters observed viz., Plant height (46.87 cm), no. of branches per plant (5.78), plant spread (39.33), leaves per plant (679.13), days taken for first flower bud initiation (50.38), days taken for first flowering after transplanting (61.23), diameter of flower (5.94 cm), flower stalk length (8.84 cm). This treatment also showed maximum yield parameters viz., no. of flowers per plant (24.12), flower yield per plant (210.09 g), flower yield per ha (13.13 t/ha) and flower quality by observing fresh flower weight (12.67 g) in African marigold (Tagetes erecta L). cv. Pusa Basanti. The economics analysis reveals that maximum benefit cost ratio (1: 2.69), net income, gross income are maximum with this treatment.
A multiscale, hierarchical, ecoregional and floristic classification of arid and semi-arid ephemeral wetlands in New South Wales, Australia

Describing, classifying and quantifying vegetation communities is fundamental for understanding their current distribution, rarity, interrelationships and ecosystem functions. In the present study, we apply a consistent objective classification system for ephemeral wetlands of arid and semi-arid areas of New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Our approach uses a two-step statistically based, hierarchical, multiscale classification of environmental data at broad scales and floristics data at intermediate scales. At broad scales, ecoregionalisation methods were used to describe three wetland macrogroups. Within these groups, we performed unsupervised analyses of 640 floristic survey plots using the Bray–Curtis algorithm, clustering by group averaging and testing of clusters using similarity profile analysis (SIMPROF). From this we delineated 18 vegetation groups with class definition based on a combination of diagnostic and non-diagnostic similarity percentage analysis (SIMPER) outputs and dominant taxa. We show that a consistent classification system can be effectively created for subsets of vegetation that have adequate plot data within a general matrix that is poorly sampled if outputs are restricted to appropriate scales of resolution. We suggest that our approach provides a stable and robust classification system that can be added to as more data become available.
Sacral Stress Fracture in Pregnancy: Case Report and Review of Literature

Sacral stress fractures (SSF) are one of the rare causes of lumbar and hip pain during pregnancy. The purpose of this report is to present a case of SSF diagnosed in the second trimester of pregnancy along with its diagnosis and treatment as wells as the type of birth. A 27-year-old primigravid patient presented with lumbar and hip pain at 25 weeks of gestation. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed SSF. The patient was followed up with conservative treatment. She gave birth by caesarean section at 38 weeks of gestation. Bone mineral density analysis revealed pregnancy-related osteoporosis in the postpartum period. Two months later, the patient’s symptoms were completely resolved. SSF should be considered in the differential diagnosis of lumbar and hip pain during pregnancy, and it should be kept in mind that these fractures may also occur in the prepartum period. Pregnancy-related osteoporosis is a risk factor for SSF. Caesarean section can be recommended as the type of birth in the women with SSF while considering the possible displacement risk for the fracture. to the best of our knowledge, only three cases are reported during the prepartum period (1,4,8). SSF diagnosis can be delayed due to its rarity and unknown etiology and is included in the differential diagnosis of lumbar and hip pain in pregnant women. It is diagnosed via a vertical fracture line in the sacrum and edema in the surrounding bone as revealed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (4,9). Difficulties may be experienced in prepartum SSF treatment due to pregnancy; the question of which type of birth should be performed in these patients remains controversial (1,4). Herein, we present a case of prepartum SSF and discuss these patients with their treatment and type of birth. Abstract
The Colour of a Free Ride

We use a natural field experiment to estimate the causal effect of race on discretionary favours in the marketplace. Test customers are randomly assigned to board public buses with no money to purchase a fare, leaving the bus driver to voluntarily decide whether to offer them a free ride. Based on 1,552 transactions, we uncover strong evidence of racial bias: bus drivers were twice as willing to let white testers ride free as black testers (72% vs. 36% of the time). Signals of wealth and patriotism improve minority testers’ outcomes. Our results show that white privilege extends to unregulated daily interactions.
Fecundity and survival of Carpophilus hemipterus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) on alternative hosts

The tendency of the dried fruit beetle Carpophilus hemipterus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) to occur as pests in stores and fields has necessitated investigations on its fecundity and survival on some alternative food hosts such as groundnut, cocoa, cowpea and rice. Two copulating pairs of the adult beetle were introduced on fifty grammes of each food substrate in a no choice test at 28 °C ± 3 °C and relative humidity of 75% ± 5%. The number of eggs laid, emerged larvae, and enclosed adults were recorded. Weight loss of the food substrates was also recorded. Analysis of variance was performed on the data generated. Kaplan Meier analysis was carried out to determine the beetle survival rate on each host. Fewer eggs were deposited on rice compared to the other hosts; however, there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) between the percentage hatchability of the beetle on all the food hosts. As evidenced by the larvae emergence data, cocoa (4.28%) and groundnut (5.42%) suffered significantly higher (p < 0.05) levels of damage. However, based on the Kaplan Meier survival index (Px), it was noted that the adult enclosion and survival of the beetle was lowest on cocoa (0.27) and highest in cowpea (0.64). General Linear Model (GLM) revealed highly significant influence (p < 0.0001) of food substrate (S) on the fecundity of C. hemipterus (F3,320 = 464.099) and its larvae development (F3,199 = 345.042). It also showed the effect of Period (P) on number of eggs (F3,320 = 320.932) and larvae development (F3,199 = 188.167) to be highly significant (p < 0.001). Likewise, there was significant impact (p < 0.0001) of the interaction of food substrate x duration (S x D) on the oviposition of C. hemipterus (F9,199 = 5.167) and larvae development (F9,199 = 13.403). The ability of C. hemipterus to survive on less preferred food hosts is highlighted in this study.
A comparative study of efficacy, safety and compliance of oral iron versus intravenous iron sucrose in treatment of iron deficiency anaemia of pregnancy

Background: Iron deficiency anemia is the most common form of anemia and nutritional disorder worldwide. Oral iron therapy and blood transfusion has many drawbacks like noncompliance and risk of transmittable infections and transfusion reaction. The modern alternative therapy is treatment with intravenous iron. Present study compares the efficacy, safety and tolerability between intravenous iron sucrose and oral iron in iron deficiency anemia during 20-36 weeks of pregnancy.Methods: It was a randomized controlled study between December 2017 to September 2019. 200 patients attending antenatal OPD in Al Ameen Medical College, with haemoglobin levels between 7-9.9 gm/dl and serum ferritin of <15 ng/ml were enrolled. In intravenous group, 200 mg iron sucrose in 100ml normal saline was infused alternate day till the required dose was met. The oral group received 200 mg of oral iron ascorbate along with folic acid 1.5 mg per day for 6 weeks. Treatment efficacy was assessed by Hb and serum ferritin after 3 and 6 weeks.Results: Out of 200 patients, an increase in Hb was observed in both groups, rising from 9.7 g/dl to 10.3 g/dl and 10.9 g/dl after 3 weeks and 6 weeks respectively in oral group and from 8.6 g/dl to 9.8 g/dl and 10.8 g/dl after 3 weeks and 6 weeks respectively in intravenous group. Similar results were seen in ferritin levels. Rise in Hb and ferritin levels were greater in intravenous group than in oral group.Conclusions: Intravenous iron sucrose appears to be a better treatment option in comparison with oral iron, without serious side effects, better compliance and improved efficacy in correction of anaemia of pregnancy.
Taxonomy and biogeography of African fruit bats (Mammalia, Megachiroptera). 4. The genus Rousettus Gray, 1821

The concept of the genus Rousettus Gray, 1821 as established by Andersen (1912) is revised to accommodate R. madagascariensis Grandidier, 1929, R. obliviosus Kock, 1978 and R. spinalatus Bergmans & Hill, 1980, and to reflect the following mutations. Following Bergmans et al. (1988), the genus Boneia, Jentink, 1879 is treated as a synonym of Rousettus, which adds to that genus the species B. bidens Jentink, 1879. The subgenus Stenonycteris Andersen, 1912 is considered a synonym of Rousettus, and the subgenus Lissonycteris Andersen, 1912 a full genus, to be reviewed in the next part of this series. All African Rousettus species are characterized and their distributions, including many new records, and geographical variation are analyzed. Following Eisentraut (1960), R. egyptiacus (E. Geoffroy-St. Hilaire, 1810) is divided into four, geographically disjunct, subspecies: egyptiacus from southern Egypt northward to and along the Mediterranean coast, including Cyprus, into southern Turkey; leachii (Smith, 1829) from southern Sudan and Ethiopia through East Africa to the Cape; unicolor (Gray, 1870) from northwest Angola to the Mount Cameroun region and from there to Senegal; and the extralimital arabicus Anderson & de Winton, 1902 from the southern half of the Arabian Peninsula to southern Iran and Pakistan ( arabicus records from East Ethiopia are thought to be based on small-skulled leachii). All four subspecies are shown to vary geographically. The differences between arabicus and R. leschenaultii (Desmarest, 1820), which both inhabit Pakistan, are discussed at length. Notwithstanding several recent publications, Rousettus lanosus O. Thomas, 1906 is considered very distinct from Rousettus madagascariensis. Its scattered highland distribution has given rise to appreciable geographic variation. Three rough divisions are described but for the present no subspecies are recognized: East Zaire, adjoining Uganda and (probably) Rwanda; (probably) West Ethiopia, South Sudan, East Uganda and Kenyan highlands; and Northeast Tanzania to Malawi. The Malawi records are the first for that country. Of R. madagascariensis, many new specimens have come to light, and its diagnosis is adapted accordingly. Its association, as a subspecies, with R. lanosus by some recent authors is based on a misinterpretation of its original description and other literature, and rejected as untenable. Its differences from R. obliviosus are described in detail for the first time. Some previously unrecorded specimens of R. obliviosus are reported. It is suggested that sexual dimorphism may be at least partly responsible for the “geographic” variation noted by Kock (1978).
Effect of rutacea plant extract (ADD-X) on inflammatory biomarkers, cardiac LDL, troponin T and histological changes in ovariectomized rats fed with heated palm oil

Palm oil is chief vegetable oil usually consumed worldwide. The consumption of repeatedly heated palm oil produces detrimental effect that attributes to the development of cardiovascular diseases. This study was aimed to determine the effects of ADD-X and repeatedly heated palm oil mixed with 2% cholesterol diet on cardiac, inflammatory biomarkers and histogical changes in ovarectmized rats. Based on the administration of food, animals were divided into 7 groups with 6 rats each. All groups of the animals were ovariectomized except sham after anesthetized. The study was conducted for 6 months. Group ISham control fed with Normal rat chow (Sham); Group IIfed with Normal rat chow [Ovx (n)]; Group IIIfed with 2% cholesterol chow [Ovx (c)]; Group IVfed with 2% cholesterol chow mixed with five times heated palm oil (5HPO); Group Vfed with 2% cholesterol chow mixed with five times heated palm oil and ADD-X extract (5HPOX); Group VIfed with 2% cholesterol chow mixed with ten times heated palm oil (10HPO); Group VII fed with 2% cholesterol chow mixed with ten times heated palm oil and ADD-X extract (10HPO-X). The rats were sacrificed at the end of the study; blood was collected for cardiac and inflammatory biomarkers. The cardiac tissues of all groups were obtained for biochemical parameters and processed for histopathological examinations. Five times (5HPO) and ten times heated (10HPO) palm oil caused a significant (p<0.05) increase in the level of cardiac lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), troponin (Trp), serum C-reactive protein (CRP), Tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), free fatty acids and triglycerides with increase in cardiac weight compared to control. The changes in the biochemical parameters and cardiac weight were significantly (p<0.05) attenuated by ADD-X supplementation to the heated oil. The histological sections of the heart showed presence of cardiac necrosis in the 5HPO and 10HPO. These histological changes were reduced with ADD-X supplementation. The consumption of repeatedly heated palm oil increases LDL, troponin, CRP, TNFα, triglyceride, FFA, heart weight and cause cardiac necrosis in the post menopausal rat models. Those changes were attenuated by ADDX supplementation.
A computational model of hepatic energy metabolism: Understanding the role of zonation in the development and treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a highly prevalent condition associated with increased risk of liver failure, diabetes and numerous further conditions. In NAFLD, lipid build-up and the resulting damage occurs most severely in hepatocytes at the pericentral end of the capillaries (sinusoids) which supply the cells with blood [1-3]. Due to the complexity of studying individual regions of the sinusoids, the causes of this zone specificity and its implications on treatment have largely been ignored in previous research. In this study, a computational model of liver glucose and lipid metabolism was developed which includes zone-dependent enzyme expression. This model was then used to study the development of NAFLD across the sinusoid. By simulating insulin resistance and high intake diets leading to the development of steatosis in the model, we propose a novel mechanism leading to pericentral steatosis in NAFLD patients. Sensitivity analysis on the rate parameters in the model was then used to highlight key inter-individual variations in hepatic metabolism with the largest effect on steatosis development. Secondly, the model, in combination with cell culture experiments, was used to assess potential drug targets for clearing steatosis across the sinusoid without disrupting other aspects of metabolism. Adverse effects were highlighted when targeting (stimulating or inhibiting through altering the rate constants) for most processes in the model, and these were largely validated in the hepatocyte-like cell culture line through the addition of small molecule inhibitors. However, inhibition of lipogenesis combined with stimulation of β-oxidation was predicted to clear steatosis, reduce hepatic FFA levels, reduce excess ETC flux and increase hepatic ATP concentrations across the sinusoid without causing adverse effects elsewhere in metabolism. Furthermore, in the cell culture model, inhibition of lipogenesis combined with stimulation of β-oxidation using acetyl-CoA carboxylase inhibitor TOFA, resulted in clearance of steatosis, improved cell viability, reduced oxidative stress and increased mitochondrial function.
Unintended consequences of performance incentives: impacts of framing and structure on performance and cheating

ABSTRACT Setting specific, challenging goals motivates employees to exert greater effort in their jobs. However, goal-setting may have unintended consequences of also motivating unethical behavior. The present study explores these consequences in the context of other features of goal-setting in organizations, how goals are framed and rewarded, to determine the tradeoff between performance and ethical behavior. Undergraduate students were incentivized to complete math problems using different outcome frames and incentive structures and were also provided an opportunity to cheat. Findings demonstrate that when goals rewarded with piece-rate incentives are framed as a loss, performance increased, though cheating behavior increased as well.