Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tutoring support as a predictor of student retention in distance learning: The case of a University in Ghana

The tutor’s role in enhancing student retention in distance learning is paramount. This study aims to predict retention and not actual retention by investigating how tutoring support predicts student retention in distance learning at the University of Cape Coast in Ghana. Moore Transactional Distance Theory underpinned the theoretical framework of this study. The correlational research design was adopted for the study. The multistage sampling technique was used to sample 727 student participants from a sampling frame of 8731 out of which 625 was used for the analysis. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings of the study revealed that the respondents had a positive perception towards tutoring support offered at the University. However, at an alpha level of . 05 tutoring support made a non-significant contribution to prediction (p = .11). The findings further, revealed that a unit increase in tutoring support will improve student retention by 1.42 times. Implications of the study were also discussed.
EXPLORING THE INFLUENCE OF LEADERSHIP STYLES ON PROFESSIONAL MOTIVATION

The present study was an attempt to examine influence of leadership styles upon professional motivation of lecturers (PE). The population of this current research comprised of the Lecturers (PE) performing in all government public colleges in Punjab. No sampling technique was preferred due to the accessible population in a particular study. Two self-designed, Likert type scales (the leadership style and professional motivation) were used for collecting of the required data. Overall, 80% return response rate was recorded. The collected data were tabulated and analyzed using both the descriptive and inferential statistics. The formulated hypotheses were tested with a significant level of 0.5. The study results from regression show significant influence of leadership styles on the professional motivation of lecturers. Similarly, prediction of professional motivation through the leadership styles over stepwise regression also provides the information about the dominant role of the transformational leadership style as compared to other leadership styles.
Effectiveness of Preoperative Chlorhexidine Mouthwash on Pain After Lower Posterior Teeth Removal: A Randomized, Double-Blind Clinical Trial

Background: Pain is one of the most common complications after tooth extraction and pain control is a crucial part of the procedure. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of 0.2% (w/v) chlorhexidine (CHX) gluconate mouth rinse on the severity of post-extraction pain. Methods: A prospective, randomized, double-blind trial was conducted among 170 subjects. Subjects were instructed to rinse with 15 mL of CHX mouth rinse (study group) or placebo (control group) 0.5 to 1 hour before extraction. Post-operative pain was evaluated considering the number of taken rescue analgesics and using a visual analog scale (VAS) that each case completed 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours after the surgery. The Mann-Whitney U test was performed in this regard. Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding demographic variables (P>0.05). The preoperative use of CHX mouth rinse showed a better performance in mitigating the perceived pain. A significant difference in the pain level (P=0.001) was found only at the 6th hour postoperatively although there was no significant difference in the pain level between the two groups (P>0.05) at all other times (12th, 24th, 48th hours). The total number of analgesics that were taken by the study group was significantly lower compared to the control group (P=0.042). Conclusions: The preoperative CHX mouth rinse could be a beneficial choice for reducing pain after simple tooth extractions.
Pain in the Neonate: Acknowledgement to Action

With technological advancement and a better understanding of physiology, today there is irrefutable evidence that neonates do experience pain and even more so than their older counterparts. This pain sensitivity is further accentuated in preterm neonates as their pain modulating mechanism is under-developed. The hospitalized neonate is subjected to several procedures daily which result in pain of differing intensities. In the more premature neonates, even gestationally inappropriate procedures are perceived as noxious stimuli. Acute, prolonged and repetitive pain has been associated with both short and long term morbidities which result in not only delayed recovery but also neurodevelopmental and cognitive deficits in later life. As the sick and premature newborns neither verbalize nor mount vigorous behavioural responses to pain, it is often under recognized by the unpracticed healthcare provider. Several neonatal pain scales are available. However these are mostly validated for acute and not acute, repetitive or chronic pain which is the common problem faced by the sick newborns. Multidimensional pain assessment would include both physiological and behavioral parameters necessitating the use of multiple tools to complement each other. Several therapeutic options are available which include general measures which are neonatal friendly as well as non pharmacological and pharmacological measures. These used as combination therapy have been found to be more beneficial. Training of the healthcare providers so that the pain management protocol is appropriately implemented in the NICU as well as a continuous pain management quality improvement programmes with collaborative participation of all echelons would enable a more pain free and comfortable recovery of the neonates in hospital.
DIABETES MELLITUS IS A NEGATIVE PROGNOSTIC FACTOR FOR ACUTE PANCREATITIS

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and Acute Pancreatitis (AP) are usually perceived as two different types of pancreatic pathology. Even though, there is a growing evidence that there is a mutual influence between these two diseases.Our aim is to assess the risk of patients with T2DM to develop AP according to the three grades of severity of Atlanta 2012 Classification of AP. We consider the hypotheses that patients with T2DM have a greater risk of more severe forms of AP because they have a reduced resistance for acute illnesses. We analyzed all consecutive cases of Acute Pancreatitis admitted to Surgical Clinic during the entire year of 2014.
Swimming Pool Water in Mafraq City in Northern Jordan: Quality Evaluation

The objective of this study is to examine the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of swimming pool water in Mafraq city, north of Jordan and the overall quality of the used water. Three public swimming pools were selected from Mafraq city [Areef Pool (SW1), Teachers Club Pool (SW2) and Anakeel Pool (SW3)] to analyze the physical, chemical and biological properties of their water as well as determine their compliance with the Jordanian Standards for Swimming Pools Water. Sampling was carried out weekly for eight successive weeks between July and August 2019 before bathing (after disinfection) and after bathing and analysed in Al al-Bayt University and Ministry of Environment laboratories. The parameters used to evaluate the quality of water in swimming pools were temperature, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), dissolved oxygen (DO), residual chlorine (Cl2), total organic carbon (TOC), trihalomethanes (THM), major cations and anions, selected heavy metals, and total coliform bacteria, E. coli and Pseudomonas. Most of the physical and chemical parameters analysed were within the recommended limit except for pH and EC. Residual chlorine exceeded the permissible limits in SW3 before and after bathing, recording mean values of pH, EC (4.3 ± 0.25 4.33 ± 0.44), (2314 ± 343 2453 ± 460), respectively. The dissolved oxygen was less than the recommended limit. Total coliforms, E. coli and Pseudomonas counts were < 1 before and after bathing in all the samples.
Approaches to the Quantification of the Human Capital Efficiency in Enterprises

Organizational performance refers to an organization’s results, including operating results (productivity, quality, efficiency, etc.), market results (sales, market share, customer satisfaction, etc.) and financial results (costs, revenues, profits, etc.). There is considerable evidence that achieving expected organizational performance is determined by achieving desired employee performance that refers to employees’ working results and behaviour, determined by employees’ abilities (knowledge and skills to perform agreed work) and motivation (willingness to perform agreed work), which enable an organization to achieve expected goals [1]. The prerequisite for increasing the performance and competitiveness of the enterprise is, in particular, the efficient use of production inputs. The efficiency is a qualitative criterion, which involves such ways of the use of production factors, which compare the inputs and the effects achieved. Economic theory introduces, and there are united methodologies for the quantification and assessment of the efficiency of non-current assets, current assets and work in enterprise practice. However, this does not apply to human capital. Human capital is relatively a young production factor, and as it is closely related, and in some respects, it has similar features as a production factor of work, economic analyses and research works do not often make an explicit distinction among them. However, a different angle on the working activity of a man and currently increasing appreciation of the importance of quality human capital also require new, different types of indicators, which would express better the impact and mainly the benefits of the variable [2]. Qualitative nature of the human capital is difficult and many times does not allow easy quantification, an attempt to derive the partial relations and contexts, the modification of existing indicators, identification of new parameters as well as the proposal for a new methodology of new statistical surveys can contribute to a better understanding of the total impact of human capital on the company and the enterprise as well. The aim of the article is to identify and compare the different theoretical approaches to the measurement of the effective use of human capital for possible implementation in enterprise practice.
Why does task conflict influence team creativity? The role of team reflexivity

Although task conflict is usually seen to be beneficial to team creativity, the relationship is still unclear because of the mixed results. This research investigated why task conflicts resulted in some positive outcomes in terms of team creativity. Drawing on minority dissent theory, this study examined the conflict-creativity relationship by focusing on the mediating role of team reflexivity. We collected the sample data from 338 employees and 67 supervisors (67 teams) across three different sectors (banking, pharmaceuticals, and insurance) in Pakistan to support our hypotheses. We used bootstrapping analysis and the Sobel test to check for the mediation analysis. The results indicated that task conflict increases team reflexivity, team reflexivity facilitated team creativity, and thus, task conflict positively influenced team creativity via team reflexivity. The theoretical and practical implications of this study plus future directions are further discussed. © 2020 by the authors. Licensee BSC International Publishing, Istanbul, Turkey. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
MURABAHA ORIENTED AT SHARIA BANKS IN KENDARI

The proportion of murabaha financing in sharia banking is more dominant than profitsharing financing, so that Sharia banking behaves murabaha oriented. The study aims to determine whether the risk and the level of profit loss sharing financing have an effect on murabaha-oriented behavior in sharia banks. The research was conducted in Kendari City from January to April 2019 with four informants from the bank management. It is a descriptive quantitative research using percentage assistance. The results show that the risk factor for profit sharing financing is the most important consideration for sharia banks to choose murabaha financing, while the profit sharing rate received is a factor that is considered after the risk. The financing risk experienced by sharia banks in Kendari City is in the form of financing problems. Meanwhile, the profit sharing rate factor determines the murabaha oriented behavior which is driven by the lower rate of return for the results compared to murabaha financing.
Exploring the Efficiency of Topic-Based Models in Computing Semantic Relatedness of Geographic Terms

— Large number of semantic relatedness measures have been presented since the last decades. In spite of an extensive number of studies that have been conducted in this field, the understanding of their foundation is still limited in real world applications. In this paper, the state-of-the-art semantic relatedness measures are surveyed and in the following a unified topic-based models is proposed to highlight their equivalences and propose bridges between their theoretical bases. Presentation of a comprehensive unified approach of topic based models induces readers to have common understanding of them in spite of the complexities and differences between their architecture and configuration details. Moreover, it may underlie fundamental development of these models. Comprehensive experiments in application of semantic relatedness of geographic phrases have been conducted to evaluate topic based models in comparison to ontology-based models. Based on the obtained results, not only topic-based models in comparison to ontology-based models confront with fewer restrictions in real world, but also their performance in computing semantic relatedness of geographic phrases is significantly superior to ontology-based models.
The effect of soil acidity on some growth-related traits of soybean genotypes

Soybean is an important oil seed crop for both human and livestock nutrition. However, Soybean production and productivity are affected by biotic and abiotic stresses. Among those factors, Soil acidity is one of the limiting factors for production of soybean especially, in the study area Pawe, north western Ethiopia. Therefore, this experiment was done to determine the effect of soil acidity on growth-and growth-related traits of soybean genotypes. A pot experiment consisting thirteen soybean genotypes and four improved varieties was done using split plot design with three replications. Limed (pH 5.8) and acidic soil (pH 4.5) considered as main plot factor and varieties as sub plot factor at Pawe Agricultural Research Center lathouse in 2017. Analysis of variance revealed that there were highly significant differences between soil, genotypes and genotypes × soil interaction for, root dry weight, shoot fresh and dry weight plant -1 . The extents of soil acidity effects on growth related traits had significantly varies from genotype to genotypes. In general, Soil acidity was reduced root length, nodule dry weight, root fresh and dry weight, shoot dry weight and total dry biomass yield plant -1 by 10, 20, 27.9, 25.22, 20.9, and 22.17% respectively. Generally, this experiment was done under pot experiment. Therefore, to verify the findings from a pot, these genotypes better to be tested under a field condition in multiple environment trial at acidic prone areas of Ethiopia.
Total laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy in 26 patients: single surgeon experience

Periampullary carcinoma (PAC) accounts for 3-4% of gastrointestinal (GI) tract malignancies. It comprises of pancreatic head, ampulla of vater, distal common bile duct, and duodenal cancer. The incidence of PAC in India is low (0.5-2.4 per 100,000 in men and 0.2-1.8 per 100,000 in women). There are varieties of neoadjuvant and adjuvant treatment protocols but the potential curative choice for PAC is surgical resection. Gagner and Pomp in 1994 first introduced Total laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (TLPD/whipple procedure) since then with advancement in surgical instruments, innovation and surgeon’s learning curve TLPD though very challenging and advanced surgery is now considered feasible and safe. ABSTRACT
Prevalence of Schistosoma japonicum infection in water buffaloes in selected areas in Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro, the Philippines

Background and Aim: Schistosomiasis (SCH) japonica is a zoonotic disease that can infect several mammalian hosts. Bovines, particularly water buffaloes, are considered the most important reservoir hosts due to the high levels of schistosome eggs, they excrete into the environment. In the Philippines, the previous studies have revealed a high prevalence of SCH in bovines in selected provinces in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. However, there is a lack of studies on SCH in the Davao Region, Mindanao, where the infection remains a public health concern. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of SCH in water buffaloes in four barangays (villages) each in Braulio Dujali, Davao del Norte and Maragusan, Davao de Oro, Southeastern Mindanao, the Philippines. Materials and Methods: Fecal samples from 91 water buffaloes were collected intrarectally, processed using the formalinethyl acetate sedimentation technique, and examined microscopically to determine the prevalence of SCH. Results: A total of three water buffaloes (8.6%) in Maragusan were determined to be positive for Schistosoma japonicum, while none in Braulio Dujali. The prevalence of other parasites (Fasciola spp. [53.8%], Paramphistome spp. [20.9%], Amphistome spp. [16.5%], Strongyle spp. [11.0%], Balantidium spp. [9.9%], Eurytrema spp. [2.2%], and Gongylonema pulchrum [1.1%]) was also observed. Conclusion: The results of the study provide baseline data on the presence of S. japonicum in water buffaloes in the Davao Region, Mindanao. Strategies for controlling and eliminating SCH in animal reservoir hosts, especially in water buffaloes, are necessary for the long-term control and elimination of SCH in humans.
Resurrecting Nigeria’s groundnut pyramid

This study empirically reviewed the production trend of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) that was once the pride of Nigeria, with the aim to resurrecting the groundnut pyramid in the country. The study used FAO-sourced annual data that spanned throughout 1961 to 2017 and covered production, area, yield of the studied crop and prices of the studied and competing crops. Collected data were subjected to both descriptive and inferential statistics. The empirical evidence showed the production of groundnut to be affected by area risk and uncertainty- climate change consequence. Furthermore, the future trend of the crop cannot guarantee the food security of groundnut in the country as the annual yield contribution to the annual output will not yield desirable change in the annual output level. Therefore, it becomes imperative for policymakers to inject production and developmental finances into the sector as green alternative remains the best option to salvage the economy of the country which is staggering owing to dampening crude oil prices- a major source of revenue earning. Furthermore, groundnut is now a staple food in virtually all households’ diets in the country as it serves as food, oil and condiments, confectionaries, snakes etc., thus a drain on the country foreign reserve owing to the need to strike a balance between demand and supply.
The Relationship of Attitudes towards Profession, Work Motivation and Work Dis- cipline on Teacher Performance at State Junior High Schools in Hulu Sungai Ten-

The objectives to be achieved in this research are (1) Describing attitudes towards the profession, work motivation, work discipline, and teacher performance at State Junior High Schools in Hulu Sungai Tengah Regency, and (2) Analyzing the direct relationship between attitudes towards the profession, work motivation and work discipline with teacher performance. It is quantitative research with a causal relationship design. The population was 348 teachers of State Junior High Schools in the Hulu Sungai Tengah Regency. Sampling was carried out using the Proportionate Random Sampling technique to obtain a sample of 186 teachers. A questionnaire was used as the only means of collecting data. Data analysis to test hypotheses using Path analysis techniques. The results of this study are: (1) there is a direct relationship: (a) between attitudes towards the profession and the discipline of work of teachers; (b) between work motivation and work discipline of teachers; (c) between attitudes towards the profession and teacher performance; (d) between work motivation and teacher performance; (e) between work discipline and teacher performance; and (2) there is no indirect relationship: (a) between attitudes towards the profession and teacher performance through work discipline; (b) between work motivation and teacher performance through work discipline at State Junior High Schools in Hulu Sungai Tengah Regency. Based on the results of this study it is suggested that the school should conduct activities that can maintain and improve teachers’ attitude towards the professions, motivation, and discipline.
The Impact of Corporate Governance Mechanisms on Earnings Quality – Evidence from Egypt

This study investigates the impact of a number of corporate governance mechanisms on earnings quality of listed companies on the Egyptian Exchange (EGX) as one of the emerging markets before and after issuing and implementing the Egyptian Code of corporate governance used 634 firm-year observations during the period 2003-2010. Four models of ordinary least square regressions were performed to regress six corporate governance variables namely board size, board shareholding, board independence, board leadership, audit committee and external auditor on earnings quality, which was estimated using the modified Jones (1991). We found that four independent variables (board shareholding, board independence, audit committee and external auditor) are significantly associated with the earnings quality, while the others are not. As a main finding, we found that the issuance and implementation of the Egyptian Code of corporate governance decreased the earnings management practices and improved the earnings quality of listed companies on the Egyptian Exchange.