Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relationship between Leadership Styles and Organizational Commitments among Lecturers in Public Universities: Job Satisfaction as Mediating Variable

s:This study investigated the relationship between leadership styles and organizational commitment. Besides, it endeavours to illuminate the role of job satisfaction as mediator on the relationship between leadership styles and organizational commitment. The structural equation model was utilized to break down information gathered from lecturers selected from various tertiary institutions in Nigeria. From the outcome it was shown that lecturers saw there, job satisfaction, organizational commitment and leadership styles at moderate level in the.tertiary establishments. And furthermore it was demonstrated that there is positive relationship between leadership styles and organizational commitment in tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Job satisfaction depends specifically on the level of organizational commitment being seen by the lecturers. Job satisfaction also significantly contributes to organizational commitment, and also mediates between leadership styles and organization commitment. Implications of the results concerning job satisfaction, leadership styles and organizational commitment are discussed, and implications for human resources development are given.
Integration of Least Recently Used Algorithm and Neuro-Fuzzy System into Client-side Web Caching

Web caching is a well-known strategy for improving performance of Web-based system by keeping web objects that are likely to be used in the near future close to the client. Most of the current Web browsers still employ traditional caching policies that are not efficient in web caching. This research proposes a splitting client-side web cache to two caches, short-term cache and long-term cache. Initially, a web object is stored in short-term cache, and the web objects that are visited more than the pre-specified threshold value will be moved to long-term cache. Other objects are removed by Least Recently Used (LRU) algorithm as short-term cache is full. More significantly, when the long-term cache saturates, the neuro-fuzzy system is employed in classifying each object stored in long-term cache into either cacheable or uncacheable object. The old uncacheable objects are candidate for removing from the long-term cache. By implementing this mechanism, the cache pollution can be mitigated and the cache space can be utilized effectively. Experimental results have revealed that the proposed approach can improve the performance up to 14.8% and 17.9% in terms of hit ratio (HR) compared to LRU and Least Frequently Used (LFU). In terms of byte hit ratio (BHR), the performance is improved up to 2.57% and 26.25%, and for latency saving ratio (LSR), the performance is improved up to 8.3% and 18.9%, compared to LRU and LFU.
Wilhelm Engström1,*, Philippa Darbre2, Staffan Eriksson3, Linda Gulliver4,†, Tove Hultman1,2, Michalis V.Karamouzis5, James E.Klaunig6, Rekha Mehta7, Kim Moorwood8, Thomas Sanderson9, Hideko Sone10, Pankaj Vadgama11, Gerard Wagemaker12, Andrew Ward8, Neetu Singh13,‡, Fahd Al-Mulla14,‡, Rabeah Al-Te

The aim of this work is to review current knowledge relating the established cancer hallmark, sustained cell proliferation to the existence of chemicals present as low dose mixtures in the environment. Normal cell proliferation is under tight control, i.e. cells respond to a signal to proliferate, and although most cells continue to proliferate into adult life, the multiplication ceases once the stimulatory signal disappears or if the cells are exposed to growth inhibitory signals. Under such circumstances, normal cells remain quiescent until they are stimulated to resume further proliferation. In contrast, tumour cells are unable to halt proliferation, either when subjected to growth inhibitory signals or in the absence of growth stimulatory signals. Environmental chemicals with carcinogenic potential may cause sustained cell proliferation by interfering with some cell proliferation control mechanisms committing cells to an indefinite proliferative span.
Analytic model of creep damage of interfaces for RCCD

The construction interfaces of RCCD have a distinctive influence on the deformation of dams. Based on the theory of damage mechanics, the characters and rules on deformation of construction interfaces were studied and the analytic model of anisotropic creep damage of construction interfaces was built as well. These models can reflect the elastic deformation, the attenuation creep deformation, the irreversible creep deformation and the accelerating creep deformation of interfaces. The example shows that the results of the proposed model can tally with that of monitoring in situ preferably, and verifies the validity of the model. The methods proposed and the analytic models can be generalized and applied to general concrete dams, especially to the analysis on deformation rules of fault and interlayer in dam base. © 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Recent Development of TiNi‐Based Shape Memory Alloys with High Cycle Stability and High Transformation Temperature

TiNi‐based shape memory alloys (SMAs) attract a lot of attention from engineering and biomedical fields because of their superior functional properties, such as their unique shape memory effect, superelasticity, and excellent biocompatibility. Most of the unique properties result from martensitic transformation, which can be thermally induced or stress induced. In recent years, with the development of understanding of martensitic transformation, significant progress has been made and several novel TiNi‐based SMAs have been developed, including alloys with slim hysteresis and stable functional properties and high‐temperature SMAs with extremely large recovery strain and stress. In this work, the most recent developments in TiNi‐based SMAs are presented in terms of a strategy to develop high‐performance alloys with particular microstructures, alloying effects, and functional properties.
Characterization and Value Enhancementof Some Nigerian Refractory Materialsfor Thermal Insulation

The characterization and value addition to some Nigerian clay deposits; Ijapo Estate, Akure in Ondo State, Ire Ekiti in Ekiti State and Ilesha in Osun State have been carried out. The characterization was done by employing four different techniques on the clays in the as-mined states. The relative proportions of the constituent elements, the morphology and the phase identification of the clays were determined by using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) analyses. The clays were prepared for the analyses by using the standard procedures and the results obtained were compared to confirm the consistency and reliability of the different methods employed. The results obtained revealed the various desirable (CaO, SiO2 and Al2O3) and deleterious (Fe2O3, K2O and MgO) compounds contained in the clays, in the various proportions. The clays were then purified hydrometallurgically at a predetermined condition; 1.2 mol/dm 3 at 30 °C for 30 min and 200 rev/min in order to remove the iron content which had been identified for being responsible for lowering the melting temperatures of the clays. The purified clays were again characterized using the TEM and XRF analyses to confirm the extent of iron removal. Purified Ire Ekiti clay which responded best to purification was formed into samples containing 5 – 40 % alumina cement, 1-5 % woodflour, fired at varying temperatures of 900 °C, 1100 °C, 1300 °C and 1500 °C and tested for some important insulating properties such as permanent linear change, modulus of rupture and permeability. Purified Ire Ekiti clay containing 10 % alumina cement and 3% woodflour exhibited a good combination of the required properties of a good thermal insulating material.
Business Structure of Indigenous Firms in the Nigerian Construction Industry

The roles of contracting firms in construction industry cannot be overemphasized and their structure is a function of performance and output in the industry. Sets of questionnaire were administered on construction professionals working within the contracting firms. Data obtained was analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The study found out that the firms were medium-size firms, engaged in building construction and cannot finance projects independently prior to client financial contribution (mobilization fee). Their activities were limited to their locality and rarely get bank loans. They do not have share capital and therefore could not fund project from company capital base.
Appendicitis Secondary to Cecal Cancer

Introduction: Appendicitis is nearly always a benign condition, but is rarely associated with cecal tumors. We present a case of a 79 year old male with signs and symptoms of appendicitis that was found to have a cecal mass on computed tomography scanning. On exploration he was found to have a cecal mass obstructing the appendiceal lumen which caused his appendicitis. A right hemicolectomy was performed and final pathology revealed a T3N0M0 adenocarcinoma. He has recovered without complication. Conclusion: Although rare, appendicitis resulting from a cecal mass does occur and requires a high index of suspicion especially in patients over 40 years of age. Colonoscopy should be considered in this patient group because the delay in diagnosis following appendectomy results in a lower fiveyear survival than other patients with colon cancer.
Socio-Economic Conditions of Atrai River Jolkor Fishermen Community in Naogaon District of Bangladesh

This study was conducted to assess the socio-economic condition of the fishermen community known as Atrai river jolkor located adjacent to Atrai and Raninagar thana of Naogaon district. The fishermen were about 40% young and 30 % middle aged, where the family size of the fishermen varied from 5-11 persons with an average of 6.56. 86 % were Muslims and only one sixth of the fishermen community was Hindus. Among them 46% were illiterate, 34% could sign their name, while 20% were educated. The fishermen in the surveyed area were mostly poor, annual income ranged between 35000-40000 BDT. 78% of their houses were huts made of bamboo with tin shed roof, 20 % were moderate –shacks, and only 2% were brick built buildings. 52% of the fishers families had no adequate sanitation system, where earthen and sanitary latrines at a rate of 40% and 8% respectively. About 70% of the fishermen had little access to pure drinking water. Only 26% of the fishing community had received training on fisheries related activities. The fishing community suffers from various problems such as extortion, lack of fishing gear, inadequate credit facilities, and ineffective marketing system.
Performance comparison of four kinds of straw/PLA/PBAT wood plastic composites

Utilizing four kinds of straw fibers (sorghum, rice, corn, and soybean) as filling fibers, polylactic acid (PLA) and poly (adipic acid)/polybutylene terephthalate (PBAT) in a mixture (7:3) were used as matrix to prepare composite materials by a hot pressing molding process. The mechanical properties, and thermal stability of the four fiber-filled composites were evaluated. The composites had high interfacial quality and no obvious voids. The soybean straw/PLA/PBAT composite had the best interfacial quality. PLA/PBAT-based composite materials were examined. The experimental results show that the soybean straw/PLA/PBAT composite had the best tensile strength, bending strength, and impact strength (14.3 MPa, 19.5 MPa and 3.23 KJ·m-2, respectively), which was 25.3%, 14.6%, and 27.8% higher than that of the corn straw/PLA/PBAT composite. The thermal stability of the corn straw/PLA/PBAT composite was the best, with an initial decomposition temperature of 286 °C, and the residual amount was 7.3%.
The Role of Households’ Borrowing Constraints in the Transmission of Monetary Policy

This paper investigates how the transmission of monetary policy to the real economy depends on the distribution of household debt. Using an original loan‑level dataset covering the universe of UK mortgages, we assess the effect of monetary shocks on aggregate consumption by exploiting time variation in a measure of the proportion of households close to their borrowing constraint. We find that monetary policy is most potent when there is a large share of constrained households. In contrast, we find no evidence that the average level of borrowing relative‑to‑income of the household sector affects the transmission of monetary policy.
Yield responses of bush bean varieties to different planting densities and rates of phosphorous fertilizer

Common bean is commonly grown by smallholder farmers under quite diverse farming systems and it is for both food security and income generation. The impact of plant density is important to bean growers for yield optimization and the inadequate source of phosphorus leads to low productivity due to its significant in growth and development. This study focused on determining optimal spacing of different bush bean varieties for enhancing productivity in relation to application rates of P-fertilizers. A field experiment was conducted at Selian Agricultural Research Institute during short and long rain cropping seasons of 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 respectively. Treatments comprised of three bush bean varieties (Lyamungu 90, JESCA and KATB1), three spacing options 50 cm x 20 cm; 40 cm x 20 cm and 30 cm x 20 cm and four levels of P-fertilizers of 0 kg ha-1; 20 kg ha-1; 40 kg ha-1 and 60 kg ha-1 replicated three times in randomized complete block factorial design. Both treatments and their interaction showed significant differences (p ≤ 0.05). The combination for spacing of 30 cm x 20 cm with planting density of 333,333 plants ha-1 and P-fertilizer rate of 60 kg ha-1 with productivity of 2580 kg ha-1 enhanced bean productivity compared to commonly used combinations with productivity of < 600 kg ha-1. Key words: Productivity, interactions, food security, plant density and yield responses.
Gruhne A Reflection on Using an Audience Response System to Teach Business Mathematics

In higher education, we are confronted with a number of challenges that will continue to grow in the near future. This includes an increasing diversity of students with respect to their basic knowledge, motivation and learning skills, just to mention a few. To overcome these challenges, we tried to change the instructional strategy from traditional lectures towards a more seminar-like format that actively engages students. The use of an audience response system helped to motivate students to get involved and to participate in the course. In this paper, we will report on difficulties that arose when implementing an audience response system in a first-semester business mathematics course. We will identify appropriate solutions from a practical point of view and will also give an insight into how we redesigned the traditional lecture in order to successfully launch this instructional strategy. In particular, we will show the extent of the benefit gained by combining an audience response system with a peer-instruction phase. We will discuss advantages and disadvantages of this approach.
Prevalence and Associated Factors of Thyroid Incidentaloma among Adult People Attending Gondar University Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia

Background Incidentally discovered thyroid lesions have become highly common in the development and more frequent utilization of highly sensitive imaging modalities, like ultrasound. However, little is known about its prevalence and associated factors in Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of thyroid incidentalomas and associated factors through ultrasound (US) among adults attending Gondar University Hospital. Methods A hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out on 290 adults aged 15 years and above. Out of the adults who visited the hospital during the study, those who neither had history of thyroid disease, thyroid surgery, nor clinically palpable thyroid nodules were involved in the investigation. The participants were examined using a high frequency linear-array transducer (7 MHz). For comparing men and women, the unpaired t-test was used. Binary logistic analysis was used to identify the associated factors, and a P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result The frequency of thyroid incidentaloma was found to be 33.4% (95% CI: 27.9, 38.9). Thyroid incidentaloma was detected in 42.4% of the females and 22.7% of the males (P<0.001). About 63% had single and 37% multiple thyroid nodules. About 25.8% had thyroid nodules greater than 1cm. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, increasing age (AOR=5.96; 2.34, 15.15) and female sex (AOR=3.01; 1.73, 5.26) were significantly associated with thyroid incidentalomas. Conclusion The frequency of thyroid incidentaloma (TI) was found to be high in this study and much higher among older women. Solitary and small sized thyroid nodules were commonly seen in the study.
Effect of different N: P: K ratios on the growth performance of Alternanthera sessilis (Var. Rubra): implications on ornamental aquatic plant industry

Alternanthera sessilis Var. Rubra is a colourful foliage plant which has a high demand in ornamental aquatic plant industry. This study investigated the best N: P: K ratio to obtain maximum growth performance of Alternanthera sessilis Var. Rubra in order to cater the demand by cost-effective application of fertilizer. As per the results obtained (p<0.05), plants treated with 2N: P: 2K fertilizer ratio show the highest growth performance in terms of shoot length, fresh weight of roots, total leaf area and number of leaves. The plants that were treated with 2N:2P: K fertilizer ratio showed the highest growth performance for the growth parameters of root length, fresh weight of shoots and number of new nodes. Most of the growth parameters that are important for ornamental aquatic plant industry such as shoot length, total leaf area and number of leaves were given by the 2N: P: 2K fertilizer ratio. Hence, 2N: P: 2K fertilizer ratio is the best for Alternanthera sessilis (Var. Rubra) to obtain optimum growth performance for ornamental aquatic plant industry.
Economic analysis of plantain processing industry in Akure south local government of Ondo State

This study examined the economics of plantain processing industries in Akure South Local Government of Ondo State of Nigeria for the purpose of assessing socio-economic characteristics of plantain processors, determining the cost and return of the plantain industries, the factors that affect level of profitability and highlight the problems encountered in the industry. The data was collected by use of structured questionnaires and analyzed by use of frequency, percentages, gross margin and regression analyses. The result revealed that, 68% of the respondents engaged in other activities, apart from plantain processing 73% obtained their capital from informal sources, 73% obtained their supplies on weekly basis and 70% sourced their supplies directly from farmers while the other 30% sourced their supplies from wholesalers and retailers, the result further revealed that the gross margin per annum was N192, 007.66; an average of N16, 000 per plantain seller per month. The regression result shows that the frequency of supply of plantain is significant at 5% level. The plantain processor submitted that they were faced with problem of inadequate storage facilities, bad road network, inadequate capital and price instability. It was recommended that government and other relevant agencies should encourage the plantain processor by providing credit facilities and basic infrastructures like storage facilities and good road network.
Early Blood Brain Barrier Traversal by Trypanosoma Brucei Brucei Strains: A Phenomenon of Laboratory Strains or Field Strains as Well?

Background: Trypanosoma brucei brucei in mice, the experimental model of African Trypanosomiasis, is known to begin crossing the blood-brain barrier between 9-13 days post-infection, which is also considered the commencement of the late stage of the disease. A few recent reports however, reported traversal as early as two hours to a few days. In these reports laboratory strains were used thus this study sought to find out if this early brain invasion is phenomenon of laboratory strains or also field isolates. Materials and methods: In this study the blood-brain barrier traversal of three Trypanosoma brucei brucei strains: A field strain, a laboratory strain and an uncharacterized strain, was compared. Three groups of mice were infected with each strain respectively, and then treated with Diminazene aceturate at 3, 6 and 9 days post-infection. When no parasites could be seen in the blood, mice brains were excised out, homogenized in Phosphate Saline Glucose and used to re-infect new groups of mice. The infectivity of the brain homogenate was used to determine the traversal time-point. Results: The data showed that all strains traversed the blood brain barrier much earlier than what was previously reported, with the earliest traversal time point being 3 days post-infection. Conclusion: Taken together these data indicate that early blood-brain barrier traversal is not just a phenomenon of laboratory strains but all strains and may have an implication on the control of African Trypanosomiasis.
Spatial upsampling of sparse head-related transfer function sets by directional equalization-Influence of the spherical sampling scheme

Many immersive audio applications rely on a dense set of head-related transfer functions (HRTFs). However, often only measurements on a specific sparse grid are available. To obtain dense HRTF sets from sparse measurements, one common approach is to apply spatial interpolation in the spherical harmonics (SH) domain. However, the SH representation of sparse HRTF sets is order-limited, leading to spatial aliasing and truncation errors. In a recent publication, we presented the so-called SUpDEq method (Spatial Upsampling by Directional Equalization) for spatial upsampling of sparse HRTF sets. The approach is based on a directional equalization of the sparse set prior to the spherical Fourier transform to remove direction-dependent temporal and spectral components. This significantly reduces the spatial complexity of the sparse set, allowing for an enhanced interpolation at reduced SH orders. In this study we investigate how different spherical sampling schemes affect the performance of common SH interpolation and the SUpDEq method. For this, we compare spatially upsampled HRTF sets originally based on sparse equiangular, Gaussian, Lebedev, and Fliege grids at various SH orders to a reference. The influence of the different grids are assessed spectrally, temporally, and with localization models.
An Empirical Comparison Of Supervised Learning Processes

Data mining as a formal discipline is only two decades old, but it has registered phenomenal development and has become a mature discipline in this short span. In this paper, we present an empirical study of supervised learning processes based on empirical evaluation of different classification algorithms. We have included most of the supervised learning processes based on different pre pruning and post pruning criteria. We have included ten datasets, collected from internationally renowned agencies. Different specific models are presented and results are generated. Issues related to different processes are analyzed suitably. We also present a comparison of our study with benchmark results of different datasets and classification algorithms. We have presented results of all algorithms with fifteen different performance measures out of a set of twenty three calculated measures, making it a comprehensive study.