Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Investigation and Evaluation of the Impact of the Integrated Language Skills Approach on English Departments EFL Students Speaking Skill in UOD

Depending on the channel of communication, people use a variety of skills; particularly, listening and speaking. People often see the need to listen, understand and speak to one another in order to communicate successfully. For this reason, English learners are in need of learning the speaking skill effectively to be able to communicate successfully in real-life English situations. The study adopts theoretical and practical approaches to investigating and evaluating the impact of Listening and Speaking classes on the speaking skill of the students at the English Departments of the College of Languages and the College of Basic Education at the University of Duhok. The paper deals with teaching speaking skill and offers some activities on the speaking skill in the light of communicative language teaching (CLT) to assist the learners in communicating more efficiently in everyday English. The study adopts a mixed methods approach to evaluate the learners’ attitudes towards their speaking skill by constructing a questionnaire for the students, and interviewing them. The study concludes that the integration of the listening and speaking skills helps to improve the students’ speaking skill.
Sexual reproduction is not the only way for a lot of woody trees: Analysis of 875 cases. Introduction, table and bibliography

Woody species survive or regenerate using different ways which are not always well defined. The potentialities of vegetative regeneration of more than 875 woody species have been collected in the table. 360 (or 41 %) are common in Africa. More of 310 African species mentioned here produce root suckers. The root suckering process has been particularly studied. Terrestrial layer, basal sprout, collar sprout, root cutting (and not stem cutting), rhizome, stolon, lignotuber and some other particularities have been taken into account to a certain extent. This list includes both observations checked in the field, and simple facts without any new scientific arguments. Only six species can develop an independent root network and so, be independent from the mother-tree. The most important objectives of this article are to improve the knowledge of these potentialities and to exhort the scientific community to clarify the definitions of the observed phenomenon. Some extensive research in this field have been neglected until now, specially in Africa, and however, they are essential. In the daily practice, it would be necessary to take advantage of these processes. Tecnics in order to induce root suckering and terrestrial layering are very simple and cheap. Useful multipurpose trees could be propagated around the fields at low cost and at short scale by rural and unfortunate populations, which are often far from the urban nurseries.
How Can Organizational Justice Contribute to Job Satisfaction? A Chained Mediation Model

The maintenance of workers’ job satisfaction plays a central role among strategies supporting human capital, as it seems to be an important protective variable determining employees’ well-being and individual and organizational performances. Thus, the aim of the present research was to analyze the contribution of different dispositional and organizational variables that could affect individual job satisfaction, particularly focusing on the direct and indirect effects of acceptance of change with the mediation of organizational justice and its subdimensions. A total of 179 Italian workers (41% men, 59% women; mean age = 47 years old; SD = 10.87) completed the Acceptance of Change Scale, Job Satisfaction Scale and Organizational Justice Scale. Results showed a significant influence of acceptance of change on job satisfaction, also highlighting a partial mediation effect of organizational justice. Furthermore, when the latter was explored in depth by considering its subdimensions (procedural, distributive, informational, interpersonal justice) as mediators, a significant chained total-mediation model emerged. Such findings can provide useful indications for research and intervention to favor workers’ job satisfaction in several job contexts.
Mass Shootings and Routine Activities Theory: The Impact of Motivation, Target Suitability, and Capable Guardianship on Fatalities and Injuries

ABSTRACT This study uses the routine activities framework to identify motivation, target, and guardian characteristics influencing the severity of mass shooting fatalities and injuries. Significant findings indicate media-driven motivations, particularly fame-seeking perpetrators, produced more casualties. Open-spaces and schools provided more suitable targets, with open-spaces incurring more fatalities and schools incurring more injuries. Guardianship variables indicated perpetrators with a history of mental illness, as well as incidents involving rifles, more than one gun, and ending in the perpetrator’s death, all resulted in higher rates of victimization. A discussion of findings highlights targeted policy and security strategies aimed at reducing the victim-counts attributed to mass shooting attacks.
Apathy, convenience or irrelevance? Identifying conceptual barriers to safeguarding children’s data privacy

This article explores conceptual barriers to protecting children’s personal information in relation to online commercial data practices. It does this by using Vedder’s conceptual categories of privacy to identify and position parents’ and teenagers’ concepts of privacy within interpersonal, institutional and commercial data terrains. Drawing from qualitative interviews, the analysis shows that parents’ and teenagers’ conceptualise privacy in terms of the private/public dimension and that their conceptualisations of the consumer–corporate relationship, and corporations themselves, prohibited any concern for their decisional and informational privacy. As their conceptualisations of privacy harms were embedded within social rather than technological frames, this precluded motivation to protect children’s data privacy. This research argues that without a conceptual shift in the way we think about privacy and privacy harms, we need to question whether the logics of neoliberalism can effectively address children’s data privacy.
Working capital management, company performance, and funding barriers on Indonesian Firms

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between investment in working capital measured by trade credit and corporate performance in 463 companies in Indonesia between 2007 and 2017. This research confirms the non-linearity inverted U shape of the link between working capital and corporate performance. It suggests that there is an optimal point of investment that is beneficial for the company. This research also examines the impact of financial constraint and investment level on working capital. Our finding shows that companies that experience financial constraints have lower investment levels than those without financial constraints.
Role of the lamb in post-partum separation of ewes from twin lambs.

Observations made at lambing on several flocks indicate that twin-bearing Merino ewes are less able than ewes of other breeds to maintain contact with both lambs during the first 24h post-partum (Alexander et al. 1983). The result is permanent separation and subsequent death from starvation of many otherwise healthy twin lambs. The fault appears to lie largely with ewes that move from the birth site soon after birth and appear content if accompanied by only one lamb. This paper reports on the possible contribution by the lamb to the high incidence of twin separations among Merinos.
Sustaining the Family Business through Open Innovation: The Role of Technological Acquisitions in Shareholder Value Creation

Although technological acquisitions have attracted much attention as a prominent means of open innovation that allows firms to complement internal innovation, their shareholder value creation effects should be influenced by whether the acquiring family businesses can successfully realize technological synergies. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to investigate whether market participants perceive family businesses to create more value when undertaking technological acquisitions. Using a sample of 614 acquisitions by 71 family businesses between 2000 and 2014 in South Korea, an event study methodology is adopted. Empirical analysis yields strong support for the prediction that the stock market does not perceive family businesses to be able to create superior synergy through technological acquisitions compared to when they undertake nontechnological acquisitions. The competitive landscape also has implications for the shareholder value creation effects of technological acquisitions by family businesses. Overall, the findings of this paper provide insight into the shareholder wealth implications of technological acquisitions undertaken by family businesses.
Superposition of survival curves as a tool for epistasis analysis of longevity interventions

A long-standing problem in ageing research is to understand how different factors contributing to longevity should be expected to act in combination under the assumption that they are independent. Standard epistasis analysis compares the extension of mean lifespan achieved by a combination of interventions to the prediction under an additive or multiplicative null model, but neither model is fundamentally justified. Moreover, the target of longevity interventions is not mean life span but the entire survival curve. Here we formulate superposition principles that predict the survival curve resulting from a combination of two interventions based on the survival curves of the individual treatments, and quantify epistasis as the deviation from this prediction. We test the method on a published data set comprising survival curves for all combinations of 4 different longevity interventions in Caenorhabditis elegans. We find that epistasis is generally weak even when the standard analysis indicates otherwise.
Accurate identification and grouping of Rhizoctonia isolates infecting turfgrasses in MD and VA and their sensitivity to selected fungicides in vitro

Rhizoctonia blight (sensu lato) is a common and serious disease of many turfgrass species. The most widespread causal agent R. solani consists of several genetically different anastomosis groups (AGs) and subgroups. Though anastomosis or hyphal fusion reactions have been used to group Rhizoctonia species, they are time consuming and sometimes difficult to interpret. Anastomosis reactions are incapable of identifying isolates belonging to different AG subgroups within an AG. This study evaluated molecular techniques in comparison with traditional anastomosis grouping (AG) to identify and group isolates of Rhizoctonia. More than 400 Rhizoctonia isolates were collected from diseased turfgrass leaves from eight geographic areas in Virginia and Maryland. A random sample of 86 isolates was selected and initially characterized by colony morphology, nuclei staining and anastomosis grouping. Molecular identification was performed by analysis of rDNA-ITS region and DNA fingerprinting techniques universally primed PCR (UP-PCR) and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP). The cladistic analysis of ITS sequences and UP-PCR fragments supported seven clusters. Isolates of R. solani AG 1-IB (n=18), AG 2-2IIIB (n=30) and AG 5 (n=1) clustered separately. Waitea circinata var. zeae (n=11), and var. circinata (n=4) grouped separately. A cluster of six isolates (UWC) did not fall into any known Waitea group. Most of the binucleate Rhizoctonia-like fungi (BNR) (n=16) grouped separately. AFLP grouping also largely agreed with the above results. However, UWC isolates clustered into two groups. Molecular analyses corresponded well with traditional anastomosis grouping by clustering isolates within an AG or AG subgroup together. UP-PCR cross-hybridization could distinguish closely related Rhizoctonia isolates to their infraspecies level. Genetically related isolates belonging to the same AG subgroups cross-hybridized strongly, while isolates of different AGs did not cross-hybridize or did so weakly. Sequencecharacterized amplified region (SCAR) markers were generated from UP-PCR products to
Ecology, antibacterial activity and biofilm formation in marine Roseobacter strains

The dramatic growth in the aquaculture sector has emphasized the importance of fish disease control. Due to the risk of development and transfer of antibiotic resistance alternative disease control measures to use of antibiotics must be implemented. The use of probiotics, which are live microorganisms that confer a health benefit to the host, may be an alternative to antibiotics in some situations. Mostly, potential probiotic bacteria have been selected due to their ability to antagonise pathogenic microorganisms, however, the mechanism by which they confer a health benefit are not known. Most studies rely on in vitro data and in vivo data, such as challenge trials, are scarce. Several marine bacteria are capable of inhibiting other bacteria and some marine bacteria appear promising as probiotics in aquaculture. Roseobacter strain 27-4 a member of the Roseobacter clade, is a probiotic candidate. Roseobacter 27-4 was selected due to its strong anti Vibrio activity and it is capable of reducing mortality in turbot larvae infected with Vibrio anguillarum. It is hypothesized that the Roseobacter antibacterial activity, is an important mechanism underlying its probiotic effect. The purpose of this thesis has been to investigate factors influencing Roseobacter 27-4 production of antibacterial compounds and to elucidate the structure, regulation and biosynthesis of the active compound. The antibacterial activity of Roseobacter 27-4 was due to production of a sulphur containing compound, tropodithietic acid (TDA). TDA was also found in supernatants from Silicibacter TM1040, also a member of the Roseobacter clade. V. anguillarum did not become resistant to TDA even when continuously exposed to sublethal doses. Hence, production of TDA may have a persistent effect against this fish pathogen. Static growth conditions enhanced TDA production and favoured a thick biofilm of rosette shaped aggregated for both Roseobacter 27-4 and Silicibacter TM1040. It is suggested that rosette/biofilm formation and production of TDA are connected phenotypes in both bacteria. The mechanisms or reason behind Roseobacter rosette formation is not known, but it is suggested that the rosette formation, may be a way for the bacteria to avoid grazing by protozoan. This defence can be enhanced by biofilm formation and production of TDA, as TDA also act as an antiprotozoan compound. In this thesis it is hypothesised that colonization of surfaces can enhance the antibacterial effect of Roseobacter 27-4 and hence, create a stable long-term beneficial microbiota in
Produção e qualidade de frutos de maracujazeiro-amarelo provenientes do cultivo com mudas em diferentes idades

The factors influencing the final quality of the passion fruit are many, among them the quality of seedlings and the adequate management and farming practices stand out. So, the objective of this work was to evaluate the quality of yellow passion fruit cultivated with seedlings at different ages. For the establishment of the seedlings seeds of the yellow passion fruit cv were utilized. Redondo Amarelo, substrate composed of soil+sand+manure in the ratio of 3:1:1 and plastic bags for up to 8 kg of weight. The experimental design utilized was in randomized blocks (DBC) with five treatments made up of different ages (25, 50, 75, 100 and 125 days, after emergence) with four replications of twelve plants. The variables surveyed were: fresh mass of the fruit (g) longitudinal and transversal diameter of the fruit (mm), fruit shape index, skin thickness (mm), percentage of skin, juice and seed (%), total soluble solids, total titrable acidity and (pH). The use of seedlings aged 100 and 125 days after emergence in yellow passion fruit cultivation showed satisfactory results for all characteristics, deducing feasible to use. The cultivation of yellow passion fruit formed with younger seedlings, compared to other ages obtained a low productivity, lower fruit and less juice yield.
Resistance in South African maize inbred lines to the major ear rot diseases and associated mycotoxin contamination

Fusarium verticillioides is a common pathogen of maize, causing Fusarium ear rot worldwide. Aside from reducing yield and grain quality, F. verticillioides produces fumonisins, a group of mycotoxins which are harmful to both human and animal health. The planting of resistant cultivars can be an efficient approach to reduce ear rot diseases and minimize the risk of economic losses and mycotoxin accumulation in maize. The objective of this study, therefore, was to evaluate 11 genetically diverse maize inbred lines as potential sources of resistance to Fusarium ear rot and fumonisin contamination under different production systems and environmental conditions. Inbred lines were artificially inoculated with a cocktail of F. verticillioides isolates MRC 826, GCI 316 and GCI 790 just after anthesis, in field trials planted at Potchefstroom, Vaalharts, Cedara, Makhatini and Buffelsvallei in 2011 and 2012. Following harvest, maize ears were evaluated using visual disease severity rating, followed by the quantification of fungal concentration and total fumonisin (B1 + B2 + B3) content by means of quantitative real-time PCR and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, respectively. Genotype main effect and genotype by environment interaction (GGE), as well as additive main effects and multiplicative interaction analyses revealed a significant (P ≤ 0.01) genotype x environment interaction for visual symptoms, fungal biomass and toxin rating. Additionally, the GGE biplot technique was used to identify resistant inbred lines at target-environments. Inbred lines CML390, CML444, US2540W, and R0424W consistently showed low Fusarium ear rot severity (≤ 5%), fungal biomass (≤ 0.1 ng μl) and accumulated fumonisin levels (≤ 5 ppm) at most test locations. Moreover, inbred lines R0424W, CML390 and CML444 were well adapted under Makhatini and Cedara conditions while inbred line US2540W performed better at Vaalharts and Potchefstroom. These resistant lines could be included in local conventional breeding programmes to improve local maize genotypes’ resistance to F. verticillioides and the fumonisins it produces. Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za
Haemolytic activity and reactive oxygen species production of four harmful algal bloom species

Abstract Based on haemolytic activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production of Chattonella marina, Chattonella antiqua, Heterocapsa circularisquama, Alexandrium tamiyavanichii and Karenia mikimotoi, the species were categorized into four types. (1) H. circularisquama: haemolytic activity was detected in both cell suspension and cell-free culture supernatant, but with greater activity in cell suspension than in the supernatant suggesting the presence of both cell surface and secreted haemolytic agents. (2) A. tamiyavanichii: equal haemolytic activities were detected in both the cell suspension and cell-free culture supernatant suggesting the presence of only secreted haemolytic agents. (3) K. mikimotoi: haemolytic activity was detected only in the cell suspension, indicating haemolytic agents occur only on the cell surface. (4) C. marina and C. antiqua: no significant haemolytic activity was detected in either cell suspension or cell-free culture supernatant, but high ROS were detected in the cell suspensions. Heterocapsa circularisquama and K. mikimotoi showed lethal effects on rotifers (Brachionus plicatilis), whereas A. tamiyavanichii, C. marina and C. antiqua had no effect. Our results suggest that H. circularisquama, K. mikimotoi and A. tamiyavanichii produce haemolytic agents with distinct characteristics, whereas C. marina and C. antiqua have an extremely potent ability to produce ROS.
Complete sequence cloning and bioinformatics analysis of the chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar, Aves, Galliformes) in Guangxi base on mitochondrial genome

Abstract The objective of this study was to obtain the complete mitochondrial DNA sequence of chukar partridge, and to provide reference data for protection and utilization of these resources of chukar partridge. The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the China chukar partridge was measured by PCR-based methods and analysed in detail. Our research findings reveal that the entire mitochondrial genome of the chukar partridge is a circular molecule consisting of 16,688 bp (GenBank accession number: KY829450). The contents of A, T, C, and G in the mitochondrial genome were found to be 30.44%, 24.43%, 31.57%, and 13.56%, respectively. The complete mitochondrial genome of the chukar partridge has a typical structure, including 13 protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and one control region (D-loop region). This complete mitochondrial genome sequence provides essential information in understanding phylogenetic relationships among Galliformes mitochondrial genomes.
Predicting Drivers of Collective Soil Function With Woody Plant Encroachment in Complex Landscapes

Dryland (arid and semiarid) ecosystems are extensive, home to a third of the human population, and a major contributor to terrestrial net primary productivity and associated biogeochemical cycles. Many dryland systems are undergoing woody plant encroachment, which can substantially alter landscape‐scale soil nutrient dynamics via long‐recognized “islands of fertility” mechanisms. To effectively constrain soil biogeochemistry responses to woody plant encroachment, predictions are needed for microbial biomass and especially microbial activity in addition to existing predictions for soil nutrients—referred to collectively hereafter as “collective soil functioning. ” Here we evaluated whether collective soil functioning could be predicted from a suite of metrics including plant cover, precipitation, soil physiochemical characteristics, and topographic variables across complex landscapes undergoing woody plant encroachment by mesquite (Prosopis velutina). Plant cover alone predicted nearly half of the variability (R2 = 48.5%) in collective soil functioning and had a significant effect on each component of this index (soil nutrients, microbial biomass, and microbial activity). Prediction strength for collective soil functioning increased to 55.4%, and the error term decreased by 13.4% when precipitation, soil physiochemical characteristics, and topographic metrics were also included in models (plant and environment model). Besides the expected effects of plant cover, other significant predictors of collective soil functioning included state factors such as topography, precipitation, and parent material along with soil age and bulk density. These results illustrate that mesquites influence many components of soil functionality but the strength of this effect depends on which component is analyzed and which environmental variables are considered.