Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
DIVERSIFICATION OF RICE-BASED CROPPING SYSTEMS TO IMPROVE SOIL FERTILITY, SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTIVITY AND ECONOMICS

Experiment on rice based cropping systems to improve soil fertility and sustainable crop productivity was conducted at Rice Research Institute, Kala Shah Kaku, Sheikhupura, Pakistan during 2007-08 in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Seven cropping patterns viz; rice-berseem, rice-lentil, rice-canola, rice-wheat-mungbean, ricewheat-cowpeas, rice-sunflower and rice-wheat-sesbania (rostrata) were compared with commonly practiced rice-wheat cropping pattern. Three crops viz; sesbania (dhancha) , mungbean and cowpeas were sown in the 4 week of April just one week after the harvest of succeeding wheat crop and their crop residues incorporated into the soil by rotavator before puddling for transplanting of rice crop. Berseem, lentil and canola were sown in the 3 week of November after the harvest of rice crop (super basmati) while sunflower was sown in the 3 week of February. The cropping systems were evaluated for their productivity & to assess their effect on the soil organic carbon contents and available soil NPK. The results revealed that the green manuring and leguminous cropping patterns gave higher paddy yield as compared to commonly practiced rice-wheat cropping pattern. The maximum paddy yield of rice (3.73 t/ha) was obtained from ricewheat-sesbania cropping pattern where sesbania was sown and incorporated in the soil as green manuring crop just before rice transplanting. This increase in paddy yield was statistically at par with the paddy yields received from ricewheat-mungbean (3.57 t/ha) and rice-berseem (3.52 t/ha) cropping pattern. The yield of succeeding wheat crop was also higher in case of green manuring (sesbania) and leguminous crops (mungbean and cowpeas) which yielded 2.81, 2.69 and 2.63 t/ha respectively. The yield in case of rice-wheat cropping pattern was only 2.59 t/ha. As regards cost benefit ratio, the highest ratio was received in case of rice-lentil (1:2.38) cropping system followed by rice-canola (1:1.96) and rice-wheat-mungbean (1:1.78) as against the existing cropping pattern (rice-wheat) which gave the ratio (1:1.56). The results further indicated that introduction of green manuring or leguminous crops in the existing rice-wheat system not only increased grain yields but also improved the physio-chemical properties, organic matter contents and nutrients availability in the soil. Increase of NPK over initial soil fertility was N (0.12 %), P (2.8 ppm), and K (52 ppm). Soil pH lowered from 8.2 to 7.8 and organic carbon increased from 0.67 % to 0.72 %.
Preparedness and Cognitive Legitimacy as Antecedents of New Venture Funding in Televised Business Pitches

This research addresses the question of what specific entrepreneurs’ behavior increases the propensity for resource acquisition. Within the context of business “pitches,” we explore subtleties in the process via a theoretically derived model linking entrepreneurs’ preparedness behavior, perceived cognitive legitimacy, and amount of funding received. We test this model using data coded from two sources: 14 episodes of the television show “Shark Tank” that aired in 2009, as well as 84 episodes of “Dragons Den” that aired from 2005 to 2010. Within these episodes, we specifically examine the 113 individual business pitches that received funding. Overall, results suggest the relationship between entrepreneurs’ preparedness behavior and the amount of funding received is mediated by cognitive legitimacy. Specifically, entrepreneurs’ increased preparedness behavior was positively related to increased cognitive legitimacy. Cognitive legitimacy, in turn, was positively related to amount of funding received. We offer thoughts regarding implications from both theoretical and practical perspectives.
ONLINE MARKETING USE: SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SMEs) EXPERIENCE FROM KENYA

This study aimed at exploring insight on small and medium enterprises’ (SMEs) experiences on have in online marketing use, using evidence from cases of SMEs in Kenya. The study employed a case study design to inquiry. In-depth interviews with a total of 110 informants that included small business owners, IT experts and government authorities (MSEA) were engaged in data collection. The data were subjected to qualitative analysis and interpretations within and across sectors. Findings showed that online marketing use is popularly known to most SMEs. Presence of online platforms like OLX.co.ke, Cheki.co.ke and Jumia.co.ke are common to most small business owners. It was also found that majority of small businesses do not use full potential of these platforms because most have insufficient budget for IT investment, cannot accommodate IT personnel, lack access to IT constructed infrastructures, some are unaware whether or not there are customers online and legal status to online payment as well as registrations are issues experienced by most SMEs in going online. The study recommended for SMEs to have proper selection of online platforms, develop a good social network plan and get involved by taking the lead or being active.
Experimental UWB propagation channel path loss and time-dispersion characterization in a laboratory environment

The knowledge of the propagation channel properties is an important issue for a successful design of ultrawideband (UWB) communication systems enabling high data rates in short-range applications. From an indoor measurement campaign carried out in a typical laboratory environment, this paper analyzes the path loss and time-dispersion properties of the UWB channel. Values of the path loss exponent are derived for the direct path and for a Rake receiver structure, examining the maximum multipath diversity gain when an all Rake (ARake) receiver is used. Also, the relationship between time-dispersion parameters and path loss is investigated. The UWB channel transfer function (CTF) was measured in the frequency domain over a channel bandwidth of 7.5 GHz in accordance with the UWB frequency range (3.1–10.6 GHz).
Impact of a Lifestyle Modification Program on Menstrual Irregularity among Overweight or Obese Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.

PURPOSE This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a lifestyle modification program on menstrual irregularity among overweight and obese women with polycystic ovarian syndrome. METHODS A quasi experimental research design was used to conduct this study on 82 women with polycystic ovarian syndrome at the Gynecology and Obesity clinics of Mansoura University Hospital, Egypt. Two groups were included; the study group received a lifestyle modification program for 48 weeks, while the control group was not subjected to this program. Data collection was done for the following variables, a structured interview questionnaire was used to assess the women's general characteristics, menstrual patterns, and 24-hour dietary recall and the researcher took anthropometric measurements and assessed hirsutism by the Ferriman-Gallwey scale. RESULTS After one year of lifestyle modification, the number of menstrual cycles significantly increased from 2.7+/-1.6 to 6.9+/-1.5 (t=12.26, p<.001) in the study group compared to insignificant minor changes among the control group (t=0.69, p=.488). Additionally, 58.5% were menstruating regularly compared to none in the control group (chi2=33.93, p<.001). CONCLUSION Participating in a lifestyle modification program was effective in reducing menstrual cycle's irregularity among overweight and obese women with PCOS. Thus, it is recommended to motivate the nurses in counseling the PCOS women on lifestyle modifications.
MINIMALITY AND DUALITY OF TAIL-BITING TRELLISES FOR LINEAR CODES

OF DISSERTATION MINIMALITY AND DUALITY OF TAIL-BITING TRELLISES FOR LINEAR CODES Codes can be represented by edge-labeled directed graphs called trellises, which are used in decoding with the Viterbi algorithm. We will first examine the well-known product construction for trellises and present an algorithm for recovering the factors of a given trellis. To maximize efficiency, trellises that are minimal in a certain sense are desired. It was shown by Koetter and Vardy that one can produce all minimal tail-biting trellises for a code by looking at a special set of generators for a code. These generators along with a set of spans comprise what is called a characteristic pair, and we will discuss how to determine the number of these pairs for a given code. Finally, we will look at trellis dualization, in which a trellis for a code is used to produce a trellis representing the dual code. The first method we discuss comes naturally with the known BCJR construction. The second, introduced by Forney, is a very general procedure that works for many different types of graphs and is based on dualizing the edge set in a natural way. We call this construction the local dual, and we show the necessary conditions needed for these two different procedures to result in the same dual trellis.
Implementation of neural network-based maximum power tracking control for wind turbine generators

In this study, the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) of a permanent magnet synchronous generator used in a wind generator system is realized by a prototype installed in a laboratory environment. The installed prototype is modeled in a MATLAB/Simulink environment. The MPPT is realized by an artificial neural network (ANN). The obtained simulation and experimental results are compared. The maximum power estimation at various windmill speeds (rpm) of the trained ANN in determined reference speeds is analyzed. The zero crossing points of the phases are determined by a digital signal peripheral interface controller and the system is operated according to the triggering angles obtained from the ANN-based control algorithm at the maximum power points.
Transition of nuptiality and fertility onset in the Czech Republic since the 1990 s – the role of women ’ s education and its expansion MPIDR WORKING PAPER WP 2007-017 APRIL 2007

In this article we argue that social and economic changes in the past fifteen years have influenced distinct socio-economic categories of women differently. We show that the transition of family formation behaviours was not uniform but rather dependent on the educational level of women. We found wide differences between educational categories in terms of the changes in level, timing and sequencing of first birth and first marriage, using the techniques of nuptiality and fertility life tables and the hazard modelling of first marriage and first conception. Two different types of “trendsetters” were identified in Czech society. The trendsetters of non-marital fertility are women with primary education, who tend to be lone mothers or to cohabit even after childbirth. The second group of trendsetters are more highly educated women, who postpone their fertility onset until their 30s, but who still place their first childbirth traditionally inside marriage. The number of possible reasons for the family formation transition is manifold, ranging from the changing economic roles of women through actual setting of family policy to the post-modern value change, all further reinforced by educational expansion since the 1990s. There is no general explanation of the transitional behaviour, as women of different education levels are reacting differently to the social and economic changes.
A review of some common Indo-Malayan and western Pacific species of Chthamalus barnacles (Crustacea: Cirripedia)

The type specimens of the common tropical intertidal barnacles Chthamalus malayensis and C. moro, were re-investigated and compared with other specimens of Chthamalus from the Indian Ocean, Indo-Malaya, northern Australia, Vietnam, China and the western Pacific, using ‘arthropodal’ as well as shell characters. Chthamalus malayensis occurs widely in Indo-Malayan and tropical Australian waters. It ranges westwards in the Indian Ocean to East Africa and northwards in the Pacific to Vietnam, China and the Ryukyu Islands. Chthamalus malayensis has the arthropodal characters attributed to it by Pope (1965); conical spines on cirrus 1 and serrate setae with basal guards on cirrus 2. Chthamalus moro is currently fully validated only for the Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan, the Xisha (Paracel) Islands, the Ryukyu Islands, the Mariana Islands, the Caroline Islands, Fiji and Samoa. It is a small species of the ‘challengeri’ subgroup, lacking conical spines on cirrus 1 and bearing pectinate setae without basal guards on cirrus 2. It may be a ‘relict’ insular species. Chthamalus challengeri also lacks conical spines on cirrus 1 and has pectinate setae without basal guards on cirrus 2. Records of C. challengeri south of Japan are probably erroneous. However, there is an undescribed species of the ‘challengeri’ subgroup in the Indian Ocean, Indo-Malaya, Vietnam and southern China and yet more may occur in the western Pacific. The subgroups ‘malayensis’ and ‘challengeri’ require genetic investigation. Some comments are included on the arthropodal characters and geographical distributions of Chthamalus antennatus, C. dalli and C. stellatus.
The Effect of Using Fun Activities on Learning Vocabulary at the Elementary Level

The current study investigated the effect of using fun activity on learning vocabulary at the Elementary level in Ahvaz. The participants were 40 female students who were selected among 80 learners. They were studying English at an English institute. Their age was ranging from 8 to15. In order to have homogeneous groups, the learners were given an Oxford Quick Placement Test to determine their proficiency level. The teacher made test based on Hill's book given to them as the pre-test. Then they were divided into two equal groups of experimental and control groups. The experimental group received instruction and the control group was taught in the traditional way of teaching vocabulary including the uses of both groups 12 sessions of treatment, each 45 minutes with the same materials; and then they took a post-test at the end of the course. Data were analyzed through Independent and Paired samples test. Results showed that the experimental group outperformed the control one (p<0). Implications of the study suggest learners using fun activity on learning vocabulary to provide them with effective learning.
Construction of a mid-crustal thermal aureole of Cerro Toro , Sierra de Famatina , NW Argentina

A sheeted tonalite complex at Cerro Toro in western Sierra de Famatina, Argentina, was emplaced in the middle crust during an early phase of the Ordovician Famatinian orogeny. The intrusion produced a large-scale thermal aureole that provoked significant melting of the host rocks and hybridization of the anatectic melts with the tonalitic magmas. Three zones were distinguished in a cross-section: (1) an external zone consisting of metatexitic gneisses, amphibolites and minor tonalites, (2) an intermediate zone formed by screens of highly melted gneisses and amphibolites lying between the tonalite sheets: stoped blocks of gneisses within the tonalite sheets, small bodies of metagabbro and hybrid rocks are common in this zone, (3) an internal zone formed almost exclusively of massive tonalite. Incongruent melting of biotite in gneisses of the intermediate zone produced abundant cordierite and garnet; anatectic granitoids developed in the innermost part at 750–800oC and ca. 5kbar. High water activities within this zone eventually promoted significant melting of plagioclase + quartz in the gneisses. Pooling of anatectic magmas resulted in allochthonous bodies of variable size either concordant or discordant to the regional structural grain, and part were retained in or close to the residuum. Allochthonous granitoids did not reach isotopic equilibrium with the source protolith probably due to fast extraction of the melts. The Cerro Toro contact aureole shows that assimilation of metasedimentary rocks through partial melting can be an important mechanism during emplacement of tonalitic magmas at middle crust levels. Thus the chemistry of cordilleran magma can be modified as they rise through the crust.
Gender Comparison of Emotional Intelligence of University Students

Emotional intelligence is a contributing construct to learning and other personal and career developments. It is a perplex notion involving many conceptions which resulted in various tools of emotional intelligence. University education is a terminal stage when young people are ready to enter the job arena and are expected to be emotionally sound. Numerous studies have been carried out on the differentiation of emotional intelligence of the learners, particularly at graduate and post-graduate levels. This study is an attempt to investigate emotional intelligence of the university students. Since there are differences in the findings of various studies in terms of gender; therefore, this study also considers to explore the discrepancy of the emotional cognizance of the male and female learners at university level. The target participants of this investigation were the students of all five faculties of a university in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa, a province in Pakistan. The Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale (WLEIS) developed by Wong and Law (2002) was used for data collection. The outcomes of the investigation showed that female learners were ahead of male in emotional intelligence. Further, the learners of business and economics had superior level of emotional intelligence, while students of Arts and Humanities had inferior level of emotional intelligence. The study put forward some valuable suggestions, particularly through curricula enhancement and for further research activities.
Financial Constraints, Dividend Policy and Financial Crisis of Firms

Since the main objective of firms is to gain earnings and maximize the shareholders’ wealth, one of the factors affecting it is firm’s dividend policy. Dividend policy issue has been always one of the most important proposed financial issues. The aim of implementing such a policy is determining the role of this policy in maximizing the shareholders’ wealth. Therefore, the firms’ being in financial constraints may affect the firms’ dividend policy. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relation of financial constraints with dividend policy and financial crisis in firms listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange. To achieve this goal, a sample, consisting of 115 firms listed in Tehran Stock Exchange during the five-year period from 2008 to 2012 has been investigated. To verify the research hypotheses, multiple regression test has been used. The results of the hypotheses testing show that by the change in the amount of financial restrictions based on KZ index, earnings per share, dividend per share and the risk of financial crisis will change.
Combined Teaching Method: An Experimental Study.

The search for the best approach to business education has led educators and researchers to seek many differentteaching strategies, ranging from the traditional teaching methods to various experimental approaches such as activelearning techniques. The aim of this experimental study was to compare the effects of the traditional and combined(traditional plus active learning) teaching methods in the process of knowledge formation among future primaryschool teachers. Participants were randomly selected from available Ukrainian 5th year students. After they werepre-tested, randomly divided into two equal groups. The participants in the experimental group were instructedthrough combined teaching methods, while those in the control group were only taught through traditional lecture.Following the completion of the course, both groups were received their post-test. The results of both groups wereequal at the beginning of experiment. An investigation on the post-test indicated that both teaching methodsincreased the students’ post-test scores significantly. Also, the result of post-test scores in the experimental groupincreased statistically significant than that the control group. This study concluded that active learning plus thetraditional teaching method is a feasible alternative to the traditional teaching method only format.
Authentic Auralization of Acoustic Spaces Based on Spherical Microphone Array Recordings

Many approaches for the capture and auralization of real acoustic spaces have been proposed over the past century. Limited spatial resolution on the capture side has typically been the factor that caused compromises in the achievable authenticity of the auralization. Recent advancements in the field of spherical microphone arrays provide new perspectives for both headphone-based and loudspeaker-based auralization. It has been shown that a bowling-ball-size spherical array of around 90 microphones allows for creating signals at the ears of the listener that are perceptually almost indistinguishable from the ear signals that arise in the original space. Head-tracked headphone auralization, i.e. playback that adapts to the instantaneous head orientation of the listener, has been shown to provide the best results. In the present contribution, we provide an overview of the technology and demonstrate the latest research advancements and remaining challenges.
Near‐Extinction of Porcupines by Mountain Lions and Consequences of Ecosystem Change in the Great Basin Desert

In North America’s Great Basin Desert changes in plant communities that occurred after the introduction of domestic livestock in the late 1800s resulted in the irruption of mule deer (Ocodoileus hemionus) and expansion of mountain lions ( Felis concolor). We report on a situation in which mountain lion predation caused the near‐extinction of another native species, porcupines ( Erethizon dorsatum). We used demographic information collected over 8 years on an individually identified population and long term climatic data in a stochastic population model to examine the hypothesis that predation and not weather‐induced starvation or random population fluctuations threatened the persistence of a naturally small population of porcupines. Whether drought‐related reductions in mule deer densities induced mountain lions to prey on porcupines is unclear, but our results suggest predation and not climatic conditions caused the decline of a once robust population of over 80 to <5 animals in only 3 years. These data represent an unusual case in which predation by a native predator caused the near‐extinction of a native prey species, suggesting that one unforeseen consequence of ecosystem change in western North America may be the impending loss of small, native vertebrate populations.
Stop Trying to Delight Your Customers

The idea that companies must “delight” their customers has become so entrenched that managers rarely examine it. But ask yourself this: How often does someone patronize a company specifically because of its over-the-top service? You can probably think of a few examples, such as the traveler who makes a point of returning to a hotel that has a particularly attentive staff. But you probably can’t come up with many.