Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spatiotemporal characteristics and assessment of historical drought in Korea

This study investigated the drought climatology over Korea based on long-term precipitation data from 1908 to 2008. Drought intensity was quantified by using the Effective Drought Index (EDI). Korea has been divided into four drought sub-regions (central, southern and east coast regions and Jeju Island) based on the similarity of drought characteristics (i.e., onset dates, duration, and severity). After that, the long-term drought maps have been prepared, which allow to indentify the spatiotemporal distribution of droughts for 101 years at a glance. It has been found that a total 63 droughts occurred with periodicities of 5, 14 and 33 years. 5 year periodicity was dominant over all the regions, while the periodicity of 14 and 33 years was observed over the southern region and the east coastal region, respectively.
Expertise-Based Training: Getting More Learners Over the Bar in Less Time

This article introduces expertise-based training (XBT) as an instructional design theory that draws on the theories, findings, and methods of expertise research in order to create instructional strategies that can hasten the development of advanced learners into experts. The central tenants of XBT are: 1) Key cognitive sub-skills that underlie expert performance can be revealed through expert-novice research, 2) Instructional activities can be designed, often by repurposing expertise-novice research tasks, to systematically train key cognitive sub-skills, and 3) Targeted training of key cognitive sub-skills can hasten learners along their individual paths to expertise. XBT targets apparently “intuitive” aspects of expert decision-making, such as pattern recognition and situation awareness, with drills based on the detection, categorization, and prediction tasks used in expert-novice research. XBT contrasts with, and thus compliments, holistic instructional methods such as ProblemBased Learning and simulator-based training that are associated with professional education and training.
Correlates of long-term land-cover change and protected area performance at priority conservation sites in Africa

SUMMARY The loss of natural habitats is a major threat to biodiversity, and protected area designation is one of the standard responses to this threat. However, greater understanding of the drivers of habitat loss and of the circumstances under which protected areas succeed or fail is still needed. We use visual assessment of satellite images to quantify land-cover change over periods of up to 30 years in and around a matched sample of protected and unprotected Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) in Africa. We modelled the annual survival of forests and other natural land covers as a function of a range of environmental and anthropic predictors of plausible drivers. The best-supported model indicated that survival rates of natural land cover were highest in steeper areas, at higher altitudes, in areas with lower human population densities and in areas where the cover of natural habitats was already higher at the start of the period. Survival rates of natural land cover in protected areas were, on average, around twice those in unprotected areas, but the differences between them varied along different environmental gradients. The overall survival rates of both protected and unprotected forests were significantly lower than those of other natural land-cover types, but the net benefit of protection, in terms of the absolute difference in rates of loss between protected and unprotected sites, was higher in forests. Interaction terms indicated that as slope and altitude increased, the natural protection offered by topography increasingly nullified the additional benefits of legislative protection. Furthermore, protected area designation offered reduced additional benefits to the survival of natural land cover in areas where rates of conversion were higher at the start of the observation period. Variation in the impacts of protected area status along different environmental gradients indicates that targets to improve the world's protected area network, such as Aichi Target 11 of the Convention on Biological Diversity, need to look beyond simple area-based metrics. Our methods and results contribute to the development of a protocol for prioritizing places where protection is likely to have the greatest effect.
Why are Some Subsidiaries of Multinationals the Source of Novel Practices While Others are Not? National, Corporate and Functional Influences

It has frequently been argued that multinational companies are moving towards network forms whereby subsidiaries share different practices with the rest of the company. This paper presents large-scale empirical evidence concerning the extent to which subsidiaries input novel practices into the rest of the multinational. We investigate this in the field of human resources through analysis of a unique international data set in four host countries – Canada, Ireland, Spain and the UK – and address the question of how we can explain variation between subsidiaries in terms of whether they initiate the diffusion of practices to other subsidiaries. The data support the argument that multiple, rather than single, factor explanations are required to more effectively understand the factors promoting or retarding the diffusion of human resource practices within multinational companies. It emerges that national, corporate and functional contexts all matter. More specifically, actors at subsidiary level who seek to initiate diffusion appear to be differentially placed according to their national context, their place within corporate structures and the extent to which the human resource function is internationally networked.
Usability Survey of Educational Software Used by Children at Schools MOAYAD TAIBAH

The main focus of educational software today is the content it delivers, but little to no care is given to the usability of such software. Interfaces are made colorful and attractive to children only to fail in providing a truly fun and usable experience. The purpose of this paper is to provide the designers with an understanding of the child users of educational software, who are substantially different from adults. In addition, it addresses the school environment where the software is mostly used and provides a better understanding of the educational goals, including several ways the goals can be conveyed and delivered via a computer system. Finally, the paper includes a discussion of the different interface paradigms and what they offer for educational software, specifically, the potential idiomatic interfaces possess for children’s mental and physical developmental levels.
Morphogenesis in pastures of Coastcross-1 and Tifton 85 mixed with forage peanut, submitted to cutting management

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the presence of forage peanut (Arachis pintoi Krap. and Greg.) on the morphogenesis characteristics of two cultivars of Cynodon (Tifton 85 and Coastcross-1). The experimental design was factorial (three factors), in randomized blocks, having as factors the cultivars (2), the occupancy area of forage peanut (4) and the seasons (3), with three replications, established in plots. There were three assessments during the study, in spring, summer and autumn, in which the total number of tillers, the culm and leaf elongation, the senescence rate and leaf emergence, the phyllochron, the leaf lifespan, the leaf number and the height of culm and canopy were evaluated. The number of green leaves, number of elongating leaves and senescence rate were similar among cultivars, but cv. Coastcross-1 showed higher number of expanded leaves and leaf emergence rate, and lower phyllochron and leaf lifespan. We observed lower rates of senescence and higher leaf emergence in spring, and lower rates of leaf elongation in autumn. The increasing participation of forage peanut in the pastures did not affect the calculated morphogenetic variables, but decreased the number of grass tillers. A lower average daily thermal accumulation decreased the development of both grasses in this study, with a more pronounced effect in cv. Tifton 85. The Coastcross-1 cultivar has higher elongation rate and leaf emergence, coupled with lower phyllochron and leaf lifespan, indicating a need for shorter rest periods when compared to cv. Tifton 85.
"Neonatal Sepsis due to Klebsiella: Frequency, Outcome and Antibiotic Sensitivity"

is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in neonates. The most common pathogens of bacterial sepsis and antibiotic sensitivity patterns vary in different parts of the world. The aim of this study was to determine the most common pathogens and outcome of neonatal sepsis and also antibiotic sensitivity patterns of Klebsiella species. A retrospective descriptive study was carried out. The study was performed at a neonatal care unit in Kashan between October 2000 to October 2003.Only those neonates with positive blood culture were included. Patients with Klebsiella septicemia were categorized into two groups of early and late-onset sepsis. Patterns of the antibiotic resistance of the bacterial isolates were studied by disc diffusion technique. Frequencies and Fisher's Exact test was used to compare the early-onset outcome versus late -onset outcome. One hundred and thirty -six neonates had positive blood cultures out of 453 cases. The most common pathogens were Pseudomonas, Klebsiella and coagulase negative Staphylococci respectively. Overall crude mortality rate was 39% (Pseudomonas was the predominant cause). All Klebsiella species were resistant to ampicillin. Twenty-three percent of Klebsiella species were multiresistant considering our most common etiologic pathogens of bacterial sepsis and the significant number of resistant bacteria to ampicillin and gentamicin; it seems prudent to consider revising the present choice of empirical antibiotic treatment.
The Role of Speculative Trade in Market Efficiency: Evidence from a Betting Exchange

Does speculative trade reduce mispricing and help create efficient markets or does it drive prices further from fundamentals? We analyze betting exchange trading on 9,562 UK horse races in 2013 and 2014 to find out. Crucially, as each race is run, the fundamental value of bets is unambiguously revealed. We find that the volume of trade is predictive of fundamentals, suggesting that speculative trade is on average conducive to market efficiency. However, much of this effect is concentrated in the in-running period during races when, even without trade, asset fundamentals would be revealed seconds later.
Assessing consequences of low‐cost sourcing in China

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to develop a framework for low‐cost sourcing assessment and to explore the consequences of low‐cost sourcing in China for a European manufacturer.Design/methodology/approach – The low‐cost sourcing framework generated from literature and the consequence analysis is based on a case study of a European company that has outsourced part of its casting processes to Chinese suppliers.Findings – Characteristics of low‐cost sourcing are based on a literature review divided into three categories: country characteristics, supply network structure, and supply network relationships and the case study shows that these three categories of characteristics jointly create negative effects. A two‐directional cause and effect relationship is proposed between the characteristics and the operational supply chain performances. The presented low‐cost sourcing assessment framework should be a good starting point for low‐cost sourcing assessment, including mapping a firm's total characteristi.
Time evolution of high-altitude plasma bubbles imaged at geomagnetic conjugate points

Abstract. Temporal and spatial evolution of two high-altitude plasma bubbles (evening and midnight) was observed on 4 April 2002, at geomagnetic conjugate points at Sata, Japan (magnetic latitude 24° N), and Darwin, Australia (magnetic latitude 22° S), using two 630-nm airglow imagers. The apex height of the bubbles reached ~1500km. The upward velocity of the evolution was faster in the evening (~170m/s at 20:00-21:00 LT) than around midnight (~28m/s at 23:00-00:00 LT). Bifurcating features of the bubbles into a smaller scale size of ~50km were clearly seen for both the evening and midnight bubbles, showing fairly good conjugacy between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
Onset of Hydrothermal Instability in Liquid Bridge. Experimental Benchmark

The experimental results from nine benchmark test cases conducted by five different groups are presented. The goal of this study is to build an experi- mental database for validation of numerical models in liquid bridge geometry. The need arises as comparison of numerical results with a single experiment can lead to a large discrepancy due to specific experimental conditions. Perfectly conduct- ing rigid walls and, especially, idealized boundary conditions at the free surface employed in numerical studies are not always realized in experiments. The experi- mental benchmark has emphasized strong sensitivity of the threshold of instability to the liquid bridge shape. A clear distinction should be made between results belonging to the different disturbance patterns, i.e. different wave numbers. The results of benchmark contributors are in a satisfactory agreement when they are associated with the stability branch with an identical wave number. In this case the discrepancy of the results for determination of the critical parameters is about 15% 18% and they can be used for the validation of numerical models.
Macroecology of live-bearing in fishes: latitudinal and depth range comparisons with egg-laying relatives

We examine how fishes with contrasting reproductive modes (egg-laying versus live-bearing) differ in geographic range size and distribution. One hypothesis based on dispersal suggests that egg-laying taxa should occupy a wider range of latitudes than live-bearing, whereas the opposite prediction has been derived from the idea that enhanced maternal input and a ‘safe harbor’ during development will enable live-bearers to occupy a wider range of latitudes and depths than egg-layers. Cross-species analysis supports the first hypothesis for teleosts, with egg-layers living in a wider range of latitudes than live-bearers but at lower latitudes, across a narrower depth range and at shallow depth. However, elasmobranchs show the opposite pattern, live-bearers having wider latitudinal ranges. Phylogenetic paired comparisons of sister egg-laying and live-bearing taxa confirm these contrasting patterns between teleosts and elasmobranchs. However, depth range, maximum latitude and depth do not differ with reproductive mode. Latitudinal range size increases with body size among all taxa. However, only teleosts have a positive relationship between body size and maximum latitude, depth and depth range, but this does not differ between reproductive modes. Egg-laying elasmobranchs have low dispersal, but live-bearers have not extended their maximum latitude or depth, despite the benefits of sheltered offspring. The differences in range size between egg-layers and live-bearers and the distinction between teleosts and elasmobranchs is consequence of contrasting mechanisms of dispersal and benefits of maternally buffered transport of developing offspring.
An Alternative Dynamic SBM Measure: A Case of the information Technology Sector in Turkey

Performance measurement is important in the comparison among enterprises. These comparisons provide the opportunity to compare strong and weak aspects of enterprises with each other that have same work structure producing similar products. Through the comparisons, enterprise aims to make its performance better by taking the best, good or average performing enterprises operating in its field as references to itself. In this study, information technology (IT) companies in Turkey are taken into consideration for effectiveness and performance measurement at the end of multiple time periods. To do this, we developed an alternative dynamic slack based model (DSBM) based on the slack based model (SBM) proposed by Tone (2001) and the dynamic data envelopment analysis (DEA) model proposed by Lotfi and Poursakhi (2012). The paper suggests that the alternative DSBM captures efficiency better than SBM.
TREE PHENOLOGY IN CENTRAL AMAZONIAN FLOODPLAIN FORESTS: EFFECTS OF WATER LEVEL FLUCTUATION AND PRECIPITATION AT COMMUNITY AND POPULATION LEVEL

The large rivers in central Amazonia show annual water level fluctuations of about 14 m. The life cycles of the trees growing in this environment are closely linked to the periodicity of the hydrological regime, but there are differences depending on tree position in the flooding gradient. To study the effect of flooding and precipitation on tree reproductive phenology at community and population level, we surveyed the phenological events of 29 species in a black water floodplain forest in Central Amazonia, Brazil. At community level, peak of number of trees with flowers occurred in the falling river phase and dry season, while the peak of fruiting occurred in the period of rising river level and rainy season. At population level, 72% of the species had their flowering periods significantly related with the variation of water level or precipitation, and 85% had their fruiting periods significantly related with the variation of water level or precipitation . In both cases, the trigger of reproduction was more correlated with precipitation level than with the variation of the water level. For some species there were individual variations of the onset of flowering and fruiting, and of mean flowering or fruiting periods in relation to tree position in the flooding gradient. This can indicate that the beginning of flooding – as related to the position in the flooding gradient – is one very strong trigger to explain variation.
Cytotoxic Activity Against Cancer Cells of Pistacia vera

Pistacia vera fruit, one of the leading products of today's sweet and snack sector, which has been seen in the history of the kingdom, are able to support daily nutritional needs and treatment of many diseases due to the phenolic and flavonoid content in the literature. Especially the studies on colon cancer and breast cancer are remarkable potential antitumoral activity of pistachio examined. The aim of this study is to examine in more detail the P. vera plant, in which we have previously tested the methanol-hexane extracts of the seed and the test and obtained positive results. As well as observing the cytotoxic activities of the plant extracts and active ingredients obtained from different parts on the lung cancer cells. After counting A549 and HUVEC cell lines which replicated in the medium, were added on 96 well plate. Then, different part of plants extract and 2 major active ingredients also added. Then MTT dye was applied and measured spectrophotometrically. P. vera extracts and active ingredients which studied cytotoxic activity research were found to be effective in all cell lines in general. Particularly P. vera 's remaining after the fruit parts, methanol extract which obtained from waste containing leaf and stem parts and PVK-1 active agent showed selective activity on normal cells and cancer cells, therefore we consider that it has a high therapeutic index. We believe that this plant should be imparted to sciences and health sector with further studies.
Social factors, alcohol expectancy, and drinking behavior: A comparison of two college campuses

ABSTRACT Background: Though college students have high rates of heavy drinking, few studies have examined the various pathways through which risks affect drinking and whether this varies by institution. We examined whether alcohol expectancy mediates the relationship between social factors (i.e., hooking up, friends drinking, Greek affiliation, entitlement) and drinking behavior comparing college students from one Midwestern and one Southeastern university. Methods: In the 2013–14 academic year, 1,482 college students (51% female) enrolled in undergraduate courses at two public universities completed a paper and pencil survey of attitudes and experiences about dating, sexuality, and substance use. Multiple group path analysis was used to compare two institutions. Results: Drinking behavior was positively associated with hooking up more often, Greek affiliation, being male, having close friends who consume more alcohol, and greater alcohol expectancies. We found unique differences in the mediating pathways for the two campuses. Conclusion: This study provides a more nuanced understanding of risk factors for heavy drinking. Moreover, it adds to the scarce body of literature concerning entitlement and drinking and the unique pathways between two college campuses. Finally, the results could lead to the development of more specific intervention strategies to reduce risky drinking among U.S. college students.
ANTIDIABETIC ACTIVITY OF C INNAMOMUM MACROCARPUM HOOK . F . LEAVES ON ALLOXAN-INDUCED DIABETIC SWISS ALBINO MICE

The effect of ethanolic extract of Cinnamomummacrocarpum (CM) leaves on the functions of hyperglycemia, protein and serum marker enzymes were evaluated in Alloxan induced diabetic male Swiss Albino mice. After 15 days of administration of CM extract at an oral dose of 100 mg/kg body weight, significant increase in the levels of blood glucose in group II and decrease in the blood glucose level in group III, IV and V were observed. A decrease in the activities of serum protein, HDL and triglycerides in group II diabetic mice and these levels were increased in CM treated group III and IV. The marker enzymes SGPT, SGOT and ALP levels were significantly increased in group II animals and decreased in Alloxan treated groups and compared to normal. The groups treated with CM extracts showed significant decrease in the serum marker enzymes. The antidiabetic effect of CM extract was compared with the standard antidiabetic drug, glibenclamide.
Estimation of health effects (morbidity and mortality) attributed to PM10 and PM2.5 exposure using an Air Quality model in Bukan city, from 2015-2016 exposure using air quality model

Background: Air Quality software is a useful tool for assessing the health risks associated with air pollutants. Quantifying the effects of exposure to air pollutants in terms of public health has become a critical component of policy discussion. The present study purposed to quantify the health effects of particulate matters on mortality and morbidity in a Bukan city hospital from 2015-2016. Methods: Information regarding coordinates, exposed population, number of stations used in profiling, mean and maximum concentrations (annual, winter, and summer), annual 98th percentile, baseline incidence (BI) per 100 000 per year, and relative risk was needed for use with the software. Results: The average particulate matter concentration was higher in summer than in winter. The concentrations of PM10 in summer and winter were 84.37 and 74.86 μg m-3, respectively. The Air Quality model predicted that total mortality rates related to PM10 and PM2.5 were 33.3 and 49.8 deaths, respectively. As a result, 3.79% of the total mortality was due to PM10. In Bukan city, 2.004% of total deaths were due to cardiovascular mortality. The Air Quality model predicted that the deaths of 92.2 people were related to hospital admissions for respiratory disease. Conclusion: The continual evaluation of air quality data is necessary for investigating the effect of pollutants on human health.