nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Influence of Performance Contracting on Customer Satisfaction in Public Universities, Kenya

The Government of Kenya introduced Performance Contracting (PC) in the public service as one of the tools to improve service delivery. The public service is confronted with many challenges that constrain customer satisfaction as an indicator of service delivery. The study was guided by the following objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of performance contracting on customer satisfaction in the public universities in Kenya, The study was based on the assumption that all the respondents were aware of the government policies on performance contracting in public universities. The study used descriptive survey research design and the target population for the study was 132,021 subjects comprising of 84,290 students, 15,937 academic staff, 31,789 non-teaching staff and 05 directors of performance contracting in the five public universities. For a population of 132,016 subjects, a normal sample size of 384 respondents was appropriate for the study but 507 respondents were used to take care of attrition. Purposive sampling was used to select the directors of performance contracting and simple random sampling and stratified sampling to select academic staff, nonacademic staff and students. Questionnaires for the staff and students and interview schedule for director performance were used for data collection. Piloting of the instruments was done in three public universities which had similar characteristics with the sampled universities. Reliability of the instruments results was tested using split half technique and Cronbach formula was used to compute reliability. Reliability coefficient of the academic staff, non-academic staffs, directors of performance contracting and students were found to be, 0.81, 0.78, 0.73 and 0.79 respectively. Data was analyzed with the help of Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 18. Descriptive statistics used for data analyses were mean and standard deviation and inferential statistics used was Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation and regression analysis. The study achieved a response rate of 93%. The study established a positive correlation between the effectiveness of performance contracting and customer satisfaction with r= 0.588 from the staff respondents and r= 0.468 from students respondents. Therefore, the study concludes that there is a strong positive association between performance contracting and customer satisfaction in the public universities in Kenya. The study recommended that the public universities should reward staff that performs well as part of customer satisfaction. The findings of the study could be significant to policy makers in performance contracting to come up with improved models of improving customer satisfaction in public sector and public universities. The study could also provide university management with data that can help strengthen customer satisfaction in universities.  Performance Contracting, Customer Satisfaction

Field of study: Education
Critical current enhancement by neutron irradiation of rapidly textured Bi/sub 2/Sr/sub 2/CaCu/sub 2/O/sub 8/

The authors have investigated the effect of fast neutron irradiation on c-axis-aligned Bi/sub 2/Sr/sub 2/CaCu/sub 2/O/sub 8/ (Bi2212) produced using a new technique. Amorphous Bi2212 was crystallized under 20 MPa uniaxial stress at 870 degrees C for 6 h. DC superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) shows a transition onset of 90 K. Material was cut into 2*2*0.150 mm slabs, sealed in quartz ampules, and irradiated at fluences of 10/sup 16/, 5*10/sup 16/, 2.5*10/sup 17/, and 7*10/sup 17/ n/cm/sup 2/. DC SQUID results show that critical current density, J/sub c/, is increased by a factor of 2.5 at 10 K for fluences of 7.2*10/sup 17/ for H parallel to c-axis for fields less than 3 T. The higher the fluence, the lower the dependency of J/sub c/ on applied field and temperature. Critical temperature, T/sub c/, decreased by 1 K for a fluence of 2.5*10/sup 17/ n/cm/sup 2/ with an additional 2 K drop for 7.2*10/sup 17/ n/cm/sup 2/. The increase in the width of the high field hysteresis loops for increasing fluence is more pronounced for samples measured normal to the c-axis.<<ETX>>

Field of study: Physics
Changes in sedimentary patterns of coastal and deep-sea successions from the North Atlantic (Portugal) linked to Early Cretaceous environmental change

Coastal mixed carbonate-siliciclastic and carbonate deposits of Late Barremian to Early Aptian age from the Lusitanian Basin (Portugal) are compared with a deep-sea succession (ODP 641) off the coast of Portugal. The coastal deposits show an abrupt cessation of rudist-dominated carbonate deposition marked by an emersion horizon and followed by the deposition of orbitolinid-rich marls during the Early Aptian. The subsequent development of the carbonate platform during the Late Aptian is masked by a hiatus. For this time interval shallow-water debris deposits of the deep-sea succession ODP 641 indicate that carbonate production in shallow-water areas resume in the early Late Aptian. Carbon-isotope stratigraphy in combination with available biostratigraphic data is used for intrabasinal correlation and for the correlation of the Portuguese with shallow-water successions from Switzerland, France, Oman and the Pacific. The correlation reveals that during the Early Aptian similar changes in their sedimentary patterns occur at the beginning of a marked negative shift of carbon-isotope values associated with the global deposition of organic rich black shales in the deep sea (OAE 1a). In all compared sections rudist-dominated carbonate deposition is stopped and followed either by orbitolinid-rich deposits, the deposition of microbial carbonates or by the drowning of the carbonate platform. The comparison shows that the deterioration for carbonate platform growth conditions during the Early Aptian occurred essentially simultaneously at the various localities. During this episode the ocean waters were in a preconditioned state of acidification stressing biocalcifying organisms. Sea level change combined with local effects like elevated nutrient levels and higher temperatures, were probably determining the nature of sedimentary change in shallow-water environments during the carbonate crisis. In the sections studied in Portugal the high abundance of orbitolinids overlying rudist limestones indicates that increased nutrient input may have played an important local role among the factors that caused an overall deterioration for carbonate producers during the late Early Aptian.

Field of study: Environmental science, Geography
Designing a behavioral program for a barrio in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

Health in Housing initiated a behavioral program of education and skills training for children and adults in a community of 30,000 persons living in substandard conditions in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. To measure achievement in the long-range project, 21 families of Flor del Campo participated in a preliminary three-part survey of their (a) health, (b) housing and the environment, and (c) family history. Doctors, designers, and educators worked with Honduran personnel in the first survey. Following functional analyses of the home and surrounding environment and the physical status of the individuals living there, procedures provide the family with treatment and training for home and environment improvement. Graphic, verbal, and numerical data, incorporated into a master computerized system, record events of each family member: training programs experienced, health care delivery courses taken, medical treatments, growth of children, literacy changes, educational courses completed, kinds and amounts of foods eaten, household and building materials purchased. Ongoing functional analysis and a long-range evaluation are made of the progress of each participating individual in a family. Teams revisit each house to observe and record any changes in the physical and environmental facility and the health and life-styles, and to report any indications of new health problems or recurrences.

Field of study: Biology, Psychology
Continental Shelf Sediments off Eastern Newfoundland: A Preliminary Investigation

Surficial sediment samples from the continental shelf off eastern Newfoundland were analyzed for grain-size distribution (302 samples) and CaCO3 content (257 samples). The results were compared with those of previous investigations.Gravel covers the inner Grand Banks. Clean, well-sorted sand covers most of the outer banks, but significant quantities of gravel (greater than 10%) are present locally. Biogenic carbonate sand is irregularly distributed on the Grand Banks.The presence of gravel as far seaward as the shelf break indicates the Pleistocene ice sheet once extended across the Grand Banks and the sediments are relict. Other lines of evidence that indicate the sediments are relict include: a radiocarbon date of 17 000 yrs. B.P. on biogenic sand, the occurrence on parts of the shelf of littoral sand now in 90 m of water as well as glacially derived residual sediments, the presence of moraines and a Quaternary shelf sedimentary section 20–200 m thick, and the presence of relict sediments on continental...

Field of study: Environmental science
Issues on Disciplinary Construction in Local Higher Institutions

Disciplinary construction is the core competence on which universities survive and develop.Disciplinary development must meet with the local economic development and social development.It must also fit the institution’s integral positioning and the goal of its development strategy,as well as take into account the institution’s status.Scientific design on disciplinary development,innovations in administration mechanism,enhancing the academic team development and grasping opportunities are the key issues in improving the efficiency in local higher institution’s disciplinary development and ensuring its development in better and quicker way.

Field of study: Education
Review of results from the EROS microlensing search for massive compact objects

We present the results of the EROS2 search for the hidden galactic matter of the halo through the gravitational microlensing of stars in the Magellanic clou ds. Microlensing was also searched for and found in the Milky-Way plane, where foreground faint stars are expected to lens background stars. A total of 67 million of stars were monitored over a period of about 7 years. Hundreds of microlensing candidates have been found in the galactic plane, but only one was found towards the subsample of bright ‐well measured‐ Magellanic stars. This result implies that massive compact halo objects (machos) in the mass range 10 −7 M⊙ < M < 5M⊙ are ruled out as a major component

Field of study: Physics
The Effects of AS160 Modulation on Fatty Acid Transporters Expression and Lipid Profile in L6 Myotubes

AS160 is a key intracellular regulator of energy utilization in cells. It was shown to regulate GLUT4 translocation from intracellular depots to the plasma membrane, with subsequent changes in facilitated glucose uptake into the skeletal muscles. Similarly, also free fatty acids (FFAs) transmembrane transport seems to be largely protein-mediated. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the effects of moderate AS160 depletion (-82% mRNA, -25% of protein content) on the expression of fatty acid transporters and subsequent changes in lipid profile in L6 myotubes.  Surprisingly, moderate down regulation of AS160 expression was followed by increased AS160 phosphorylation (∼40%). These resulted in a greater expression of fatty acid transporters, namely FABPpm and FAT/CD36, with subsequently increased FAs cellular influx. No changes in the expression of FATP1 and 4 were noticed. Accordingly, we have observed a reduction in total TAG content. This was mainly caused by a significant changes in TAG fatty acids composition favouring a decrease in the amount of palmitic and stearic fatty acid moieties. In contrast, our experimental intervention led to distinctively increased total content of DAG and PL, but concomitantly decreased the content of all measured sphingolipids, e.g. SFA, SA1P, CER, SFO and S1P, in the AS160 knockdown group.  Modulation of AS160 level and activity led to significant increase in the concentration of DAG and PL, which was associated with changes in FAs composition and expression of fatty acid transporters. Interestingly, the intervention also simultaneously decreased the content of sphingolipids.

Field of study: Biology, Chemistry
The cryogenic behaviour of metal-oxide-semiconductor transistors fabricated in high-resistivity silicon substrates

This paper discusses the static device operation of pMOSTs fabricated in high-resistivity (HR) Si substrates at cryogenic temperatures. It is shown that the anomalies observed at room temperature, i.e. the subthreshold leakage and the parasitic bulk conduction in saturation, are still present at 77 K and at 4.2 K, although considerable improvement of the subthreshold behaviour is observed. Furthermore, unlike MOSTs fabricated in standard substrates, little hysteresis is observed in the I-V characteristics down to liquid-helium temperatures. The observations are discussed in view of an analytical model adapted for HR-Si devices, which is extended for low-temperature operation. Finally, the effect of a reverse substrate bias, which is important for nuclear-radiation detection applications, and of the substrate contact on the device characteristics is demonstrated and discussed.

Field of study: Materials science
Active mechanisms of dysfunction in the process of aging

: Current views on the causes and mechanisms of aging are discussed. Evidence for active mechanisms which are regulatory in their origin and operate at the body and its systemic levels is presented. These mechanisms are believed to be capable of inducing changes in the organism thus bringing its functioning to the level which is characteristic of old age. Such phenomena have been observed in the immune and reproductive systems, connective tissue, skin, and liver. Examination of heterochronic parabionts revealed that these mechanisms affect the general viability of a young organism paired to an old one causing a marked reduction of the young parabiont's life-span up to the life limit of his old partner. This suggests a possible role played by aging in a species' adaptation to the environmental conditions.

Field of study: Medicine
Female Mechanical Engineering Students’ Career Decisions and Development: A Case Study of University Undergraduate Students

Mechanical engineering is one of the popular university majors for engineering students, particularly female students. However, due to the social stereotypes and social stigma, female mechanical engineering students and professionals may face difficulties and discriminations due to their gender. Although women are always encouraged to apply for mechanical engineering programmes, only approximately 20% of the mechanical engineering student populations are women. There is a need to increase the student population, particularly for women students. Based on the Social Cognitive Career Theory, this study sought to understand why women would decide to join the mechanical engineering study and join the field for long-term development. The results indicated that the personal, academic, and career interests in engineering and science always drive their decision-making process. This study’s results enable engineering school leaders and department heads to reform their curricula and instructions for female students and their internship directions for students, from multiple perspectives. 
  
 9 February 2021  30 March 2021 / Published: 10 May 2021

Field of study: Education, Sociology
An Upper Limit for the Probability of Nuclear Excitation by Electron Transition in 235U

We have attempted to observe nuclear excitation by electron transition (NEET) in 235U with Mo K X-ray irradiation and off-line radioactivity measurement. Nuclear excitation of the 13-keV level was measured through the isomer radioactivity. An upper limit for the NEET probability was obtained as P < 9 × 10−10.

Field of study: Chemistry
Organizational Level and Job Attitudes

Previous research has shown that organizational level is significantly related to need satisfactions, self-perceptions, and contrasting definitions of career success. In the present study it is demonstrated that organizational level is also correlated significantly with three job attitudes, namely, interest in work innovation, job motivation, and willingness to disagree with supervisors. It is not associated significantly with acceptance of job changes and identification with the organization. Ss were 237 government employees.

Field of study: Psychology
Breadmaking Performance and Keeping Behavior of Cocoa-soluble Fiber-enriched Wheat Breads

The effects of increasing amounts (from 0 up to 8%) of soluble dietary fiber preparations from cocoa shell samples obtained at different pH, on fresh and stored wheat bread performance were investigated, and results were compared with those provided by addition of a `hidden' fiber inulin. Flour addition with dietary fibers from cocoa shell — natural (ACSF) and alkalinized treatment (BCSF) — significantly modify visual properties, specific volume, and sensory perception of breads thereof as well as textural profile and staling kinetics during storage of fiber-supplemented breads. At 6% of addition, an increase in specific volume with respect to control samples was achieved by breads with ACSF (+5%), whereas BCSFcontaining loaves showed reduced specific volume (-5%). None of the cocoa shell fiber-supplemented breads scored higher than control without fibers and/or inulin-enriched breads but were sensory acceptable at all dosages used except for those at 8% of addition in terms of overall acceptability and taste. ACSF-supplemented breads were as acceptable as the control breads concerning appearance and aroma when added up to 4%, had taste and overall acceptability up to 2%, and texture up to 8%. BCSF-enriched breads deserved the same scores as ACSF at the same/lower percentage of incorporation into doughs. On increased dosage of addition cocoa-soluble fibers provided an initial softening effect. Dietary fibers from cocoa shell added up to 6% can be used to design technologically feasible, sensory acceptable, and long-term stored innovative fiber-enriched wheat bread formulations.

Field of study: Agricultural and Food sciences
Expression of c-kit and kit ligand at the human maternofetal interface.

Kit ligand, or stem cell factor, is a recently identified growth factor, which binds to and activates the c-kit proto-oncogene, and which has been shown to act synergistically with other haematopoietic growth factors in the bone marrow. We have previously shown that several isoforms of kit ligand, which arise due to alternative splicing, are expressed in human placenta. In order to elucidate the role of c-kit and its ligand during human placental development we have investigated the expression of c-kit and kit ligand in human first trimester and term placenta as well as in pregnant and non-pregnant endometrium, by immunocytochemistry and flow cytometric analysis. In non-pregnant endometrium no expression of kit ligand was seen. By contrast, in first trimester decidua, kit ligand was strongly expressed by the arterial media of maternal blood vessels. Kit ligand was also expressed throughout pregnancy by invasive fetal extravillous trophoblast, and by fetal fibroblasts within the placental villi. c-kit was found to be expressed on Hofbauer cells within the chorionic villi, and by decidual macrophages at all stages in pregnancy. c-kit was also detected on the small CD56dim subset of uterine large granular lymphocytes which form the major leukocyte population in human first trimester decidua. Our results suggest that kit ligand may be involved in the regulation of fetal macrophages, and in particular in signalling between invading extravillous trophoblast which expresses kit ligand, and maternal leukocytes bearing the c-kit receptor.

Field of study: Medicine
Coherence length modulation of a multimode laser diode in a dual Michelson interferometer configuration.

The use of a multimode (compact-disk type) laser diode in a dual Michelson interferometer arrangement is investigated, both theoretically and experimentally, by using the technique of coherence length modulation. A reproducible way of shifting the interference regions is considered for the potential use of the technique in optical sensors, for flow or distance measurement.

Field of study: Physics
A comparison of early stage hot carrier degradation behaviour in 5 and 3 V sub-micron low doped drain metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors

This paper reports the early stage of dc hot carrier degradation behaviour of n-channel low doped drain metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors in a range of deep sub-micron technologies. A deviation from the normally observed power-law expression tn at short time scales is revealed. In addition, under VG=VD condition, anomalous behaviour characterised by a saturation in the transconductance degradation prior to the power-law regime is observed. The factors contributing to the damage evolution are analysed by extraction of the parasitic source–drain series resistance and the effective mobility. Depending on the voltage rating of the technology, the relative contributions of these two underlying causes, at various times, to the total degradation are different. For the 5 V technologies, both the series resistance and the mobility play significant roles, with the early stage dominated by an increase in series resistance. On the other hand, the series resistance has a negligible influence relative to the mobility on the degradation mechanism of the 3 V technologies.

Field of study: Engineering
Tree community structure, dynamics, and diversity partitioning in a Bornean tropical forested landscape

Human-modified forested landscapes are prevalent in the tropics, and the role of complex mosaics of diverse vegetation types in biodiversity conservation remains poorly understood. Demographic traits and the spatial pattern of biodiversity are essential information when considering proper forest management and land use strategies. We compared the tree community structure (stem density, basal area, tree diversity, abundance of rare, endemic, and upper-layer trees, and species composition) and the forest dynamics (mortality, recruitment rate, and increments of basal area, and above- and below-ground biomass) of 39–46 plots among five dominant forest types: young and old fallows, rubber plantations, and fragmented and old-growth forests in Sarawak, Malaysia. We also explored how tree diversity was distributed across different spatial scales using additive partitioning of diversity. Swidden cultivation and rubber plantations showed decreased stem density, basal area, tree diversity, abundance of rare, endemic, and upper-layer trees, and increments of above- and below-ground biomass, which affected tree mortality, dominant trees, and species composition. Little distinction in species composition was observed among young and old fallows and rubber plantations, indicating a relatively quick recovery of the tree community in the early stages. The highest diversity was found among forest types, indicating that the whole forested landscape comprises a suitable scale for tree biodiversity conservation in the region. Our results suggest that although fragmented and old-growth forests have an irreplaceable role and a high priority in conserving biodiversity and sustaining the function of the forest ecosystem, secondary forests may also have a reinforcing role in maintaining tree diversity in the region, especially under the current circumstances in which a large portion of the landscape is human-modified and faces an increasing threat from the expansion of oil palm plantations.

Field of study: Environmental science