Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Control of white yam (Dioscorea rotundata) rot pathogen using peel extract ofwater yam (Dioscorea alata)

Antimycotic effects of water yam peel extract using ethanol and methanol as extractants at different concentration on post harvest pathogenic fungi were investigated. Pathogenicity test revealed that Fusarium oxysporum, Rhizopus stolonifer, Botryodiplodia theobromae and Trichoderma viride were the causal organisms of deteriorations in the white yam tuber. Gentamicin, ethanol and methanol extracts were effective in controlling the establishment of the test pathogens in vitro and in vivo. Ethanol extract exhibited the highest potency in inhibition with increase in concentration, followed by ethanol extract. This was attributed to the inherent biochemical constituents of water yam peel extracts that was found to contain alkaloids, tannins, flavanoids, saponins and sterols. Gentamicin, though a known strong antibiotic had the minimum total inhibition. The possibilities that these peels extracts used can serve as source of alternatives to chemical control of yam rot is quite obvious
Modelling biomass of young and dense Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) dominated mixed forests in northern Sweden

Biomass models for the biomass of above-ground tree components of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) and birch (Betula pendula Roth and Betula pubescens Ehrh.) in young dense Scots pine dominated forest stands in northern Sweden were constructed. Destructive above-ground biomass sampling was conducted in naturally generated young, dense, Scots pine dominated mixed stands. Three sampling campaigns were undertaken, the first in 1997 and 1998. The second was six years later (2003), and the last 13 years after the first (2010). In total, 280 trees (126 Scots pine, 68 Norway spruce and 86 birches) were sampled from six different stands in northern Sweden. The sampled trees’ diameter at breast height (dbh) was in the range 1–22 cm (Scots pine), 1–21 cm (Norway spruce) and 1–11 cm (birch). Biomass predictions were tested using our models and the widely used biomass models originally constructed for managed stands. The results showed that the biomass allocation to tree components is different in unmanaged and managed young stands; higher foliage biomass and lower stem and branch biomass were detected in the unmanaged stands. The overall conclusion is that the biomass models for managed stands did not produce satisfactory biomass estimates in unthinned, dense, young stands.
Singular torsion points on elliptic curves

Let k be a perfect field and k an algebraic closure of k. We write Γk for the Galois group of k over k. Let G be a commutative algebraic group over k. We write the group law of G additively and denote the origin of G by O. For each integer n we denote by [n] the multiplication-by-n map on G, by G[n] the subgroup of points of G(k) of order dividing n, and by G[n]∗ the subset of G(k) of points of order n. We write Gtors for the group of all torsion points of G(k). If Ω is a set of prime numbers, we let GΩ denote the subgroup of Gtors consisting of points whose order is divisible only by primes in Ω. We now recall the definition of a singular torsion point on an elliptic curve E over k, as given in [5]. Suppose the characteristic of k is not 2, and that n ≥ 1 is an integer. We say that P ∈ E[n] is a singular n-torsion point if for any local parameter t at O satisfying [−1]∗t = −t, any function fP ∈ k(E) (defined up to constant multiples) with divisor n(P −O) has a Laurent expansion at O of the form fP = a tn + O ( 1 tn−2 ) , a = 0,
Self-Thinning Exponent Correlated with Allometric Measures of Plant Geometry

The —3/2 power rule of self—thinning, which describes the course of growth and mortality in crowded, even—aged plant stands, predicts that average mass is related to plant density by a power equation with exponent —3/2. The rule is widely accepted as an empirical generalization and quantitative rule or law. Simple geometric models of space occupation by growing plants yield a power equation, but the exponent can differ from —3/2 when realistic assumptions about the allometric growth of plants are considered. Because such deviations conflict with the empirical evidence for the —3/2 value as a law—like constant, the geometric model have not produced an accepted explanation and the thinning rule remains poorly understood. Recent studies have concluded that thinning exponents can deviate more widely from —3/2 than previously thought, motivating the present re—evaluation of the geometric explanation. I extend the simple models to predict the relationships of the thinning exponent to allometric exponents derived from commonly measured stand dimensions, such as height, average mass, average bole diameter at breast height (DBH), and average bole basal area. If the form and exponent of the thinning equation arise from the geometry of space filling, then thinning exponents should be systematically related to the exponents of allometric equations relating average height to average mass, average height to average DBH, and average height to average basal area. I also predict some values for the slopes and intercepts of regression lines relating thinning exponents to the allometric exponents. The predictions are verified by statistically comparing the thinning exponents and allometric exponents of self—thinning populations. The expected negative correlations are present and statistically significant (P ≤ .05), and the slopes and intercepts of linear regressions relating thinning exponents to allometric exponents are near the predicted values. These results support the hypothesis that the thinning equation arises from the geometry of space filling, but recognition that thinning exponents differ from —3/2 as predicted by simple geometric considerations weakens the case for a quantitative rule or law.
Technical Inefficiency Effects in Agriculture—A Meta-Regression

A number of studies have examined the effect of study characteristics on mean technical efficiency as the dependent variable. This article departs from these earlier studies by using second-stage inefficiency covariates as key exploratory variables and study characteristics as control variables in a meta-regression. Unlike the vote count method of quantitative review, the parameters of the key variables have desirable properties and enable statistical inferences to be drawn. Additionally, the dependent variable employed is mean technical inefficiency. This is demonstrated using data on technical inefficiency of primary studies in Ghanaian agriculture, fitted to fractional regression models. The appropriate functional form of the fractional regression model is discussed with policy implications.
Effects of Feeding Dried Leftover Food on Growth and Body Composition of Broiler Chicks

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding dried leftover food (DLF) on growth, body composition and feed conversion of broiler chicks. One hundred ninety-six of one-day old Ross broiler chicks were assigned to 7 treatments in a completely randomized design. Each treatment had four replications with seven chicks per replication. The treatments groups included control without DLF, dietary 10% level of DLF, dietary 20% level of DLF and dietary 30% level of DLF, 5% higher protein level of diet containing 10% DLF, 10% higher protein level of diet containing 20% DLF and 15% higher protein level of diet containing 30% DLF than control diet. Body weight gain was slightly higher in control group than that of DLF-fed groups. However, there were no significant differences in body weight gain among those groups fed diets containing different levels of DLF. In general, increasing dietary level of DLF resulted in decreasing feed conversion. Content of crude protein in whole broiler body was slightly higher in control group although any significant difference was not found among treatments (p>0.05). Content of crude fat in whole broiler body was lowest in groups fed diets containing 30% DLF with 15% higher protein level than control diet, showing significant difference from groups fed diets containing 20% DLF (p0.05). Fatty acid contents in broiler meat were higher in the order of oleic acid, palmitic acid and linoleic acid without significant differences among treatments. Content of DHA in broiler meat was higher in groups fed diets containing DLF than that of control group although there were no significant differences among treatments (p>0.05).
Multifactor Models and Their Consistency with the APT

We examine the consistency of several prominent multifactor models from the empirical asset pricing literature with the arbitrage pricing theory (APT) framework. We follow the APT-related literature and estimate the common factor structure from a rich cross-section (associated with 42 major CAPM anomalies) by employing the asymptotic principal components method. Our benchmark model contains six statistical factors and clearly dominates, in both economic and statistical terms, most of the empirical multifactor models proposed in the literature by a good margin. These results represent a critical challenge to the current workhorse models in terms of explaining large-scale equity risk premiums. (JEL G10, G12) Received December 27, 2019; editorial decision October 20, 2020 by Editor Thierry Foucault. Authors have furnished an Internet Appendix, which is available on the Oxford University Press Web site next to the link to the final published paper online.
Exploring Culture Theory Global Leadership and Organizational Behaviour Effectiveness in Cross-cultural Communication in Asian Business Negotiations

While certain In international business negotiations, having the knowledge of cross-cultural communication is essential especially in global business environments and thus, many researchers have spent numerous years to investigate how culture influences Asian business negotiation which has contributed to negotiation outcome. This article provides critical insight into the theoretical link of cultural dimensions of culture for international business negotiations. The proposed model suggested in this study helps to identify effective communicative behaviours in business negotiations which are useful insights for international business practitioners.
Study of prevalence and pattern of peripheral neuropathy in patients with liver cirrhosis

Background: Peripheral neuropathy is not an uncommon complication of liver cirrhosis but it is not given much clinical relevance. The pattern and prevalence of peripheral neuropathy has also not been studied extensively. Alcohol use, coexisting diseases and nutritional deficiency have been postulated as factors responsible for neuropathy. The aim of this study was to define the pattern and prevalence of neuropathy in cirrhosis and to determine any etiologic correlation. Methods: 85 patients of cirrhosis of liver were studied. Apart from routine investigations, serum vitamin B12 estimation was also done in these patients. Electrophysiological studies were done in 46 patients. Results: Alcohol was the most common etiology of cirrhosis (57.6%). Hepatitis B related (11.8%) and Hepatitis C (4.7%) were other etiologies. The prevalence of peripheral neuropathy by electrophysiological studies was found to be 67.39% in cirrhosis of any etiology, of which 43.5% had sensorimotor type and the predominant pattern of peripheral neuropathy was mixed axonal degeneration and demyelination. The peripheral neuropathy was significantly more (p=0.01) in child class C than other child classes. Prevalence of neuropathy had no significant difference (p=1.00) between alcoholic and non-alcoholic cirrhosis. No correlation was present with either serum vitamin B12 levels or blood glucose levels. Conclusions: Peripheral neuropathy is present in more than half of cirrhosis patients and is unrelated to etiology and nutritional status but related to the severity of cirrhosis.
Optimal Behavior in a Reinsurance Market - An Actuarial Viewpoint

In this paper we examine a reinsurance market where a number of companies co- operate in order to minimize the total premium. The analysis is carried out in the context of the classical Cramer-Lundberg model of collective risk theory and it is assumed that each company determines its premium based on its attitude towards risk which is expressed via a fixed, infinite horizon ruin probability, as specified by the model. We formulate this problem as a variational problem in which ruin proba- bilities (as represented by the corresponding adjustment coecients) are treated as constraints and the sum of the premium rates charged by insurer and reinsurers is minimized. Within this framework, the optimal solution is proportional reinsurance. Connections are also made with classical studies of the reinsurance market, such as Borch (1962).
Internal Consistency in Event-Related Potentials associated with the Eriksen Flanker Experiment

In the present psychiatric literature, average Event-Related Potentials (ERPs) are often linked to psychiatric disorders. After awareness of making an error, the brain will react. Average ERPs are derived by averaging these brain reactions over all errors. However, if only a few errors are available, the average ERP can be unreliable. Recent studies show attention for examining the reliability of ERPs. These studies try to find the number of errors that makes ERPs reliable, or, internal consistent. Olvet and Hajcak (2009), Marco-Pallares et al. (2011), Pontifex et al. (2010), Meyer et al. (2013), Rietdijk et al. (2014) use Cronbach's α to measure internal consistency. However, this gives two problems. First, of all errors made by a participant, only some errors are used to obtain α, while taking another set of errors could give another value for α. Secondly, one of the main assumptions underlying Cronbach's α is violated. This assumption states that precisely the same trials need to be used over participants. Nevertheless, it is quite unlikely that participants fail exactly the same trials. The main goal of this research is to investigate whether these problems bias the number of errors that these studies find. Furthermore, having reliable average ERPs depends on whether brain activity is independent of error trials. Therefore, another goal is to justify averaging over all error trials, that is, to show independency of brain activity over error trials. To meet the goals, we examine a random parameter model, empirical distributions of Cronbach's α, and a simulation study. Data containing brain activity values of 37 participants in a Eriksen Flanker experiment is used. It turns out that ERPs are independent of error trials and that taking a specific set of errors to compute α can significantly bias the number of errors needed for internal consistency.
The effects of partial acquisitions on stock performance of target firms

This study analyzes the returns to target stockholders for partially acquired firms surrounding the acquisition announcements through one year after the announcements. A sample of fifty-three Canadian firms partially acquired by domestic firms from 1993 through 1999 is considered. The examination of the return behaviour found significant positive abnormal returns from event-day t = 2 through t = + 1. No significant abnormal returns are realized thereafter. The findings imply that the announcements positively affect the surrounding returns. The lack of significant positive abnormal returns thereafter suggests that the announcement does not have a positive impact on the stockholder returns one year later.
Using Storybooks as a Character Education Tools.

This study aims to investigate the views and implementations of preschool teachers in “giving character education through picture storybooks”. Descriptive review method was used in the research and supported with focus group interviews. For this reason data were took from two study groups (for the descriptive study group n=245, for the focus group n=24 teachers). Study results show that character education is the important for the teachers, teachers use picture storybooks that support character education, however they find themselves partly competent in giving character education with picture storybooks, and think story books useful and effective in terms of character education, believe that teachers should be a role model in character education, and methods like drama, play, question-answer, and brainstorming are much preferred for an effective character education. Upon these results, enhancement of books that support character education in children’s literature and courses aimed at character education in preschool teaching departments can be suggested.
The Key Success Female Entrepreneurs Batik Jonegoro in Indonesia

The success of female entrepreneurs Batik need hard work, self-efficacy, innovation and ambition behavior. The purpose of this research is to find out the role of self-efficacy and innovative behavior towards the success of female entrepreneurs Batik in Bojonegoro. This research uses descriptive and quantitative analysis research design. The population in this research are all female batik entrepreneur in Bojonegoro. The sample collection technique has been carried out by using non-probability sampling in which samples are determined based on certain criteria in accordance with the research purpose. The numbers of samples are 32 respondents. The Data collection techniques has been done by using questionnaires and conducting interviews. The obtained data are analyzed by using Partial Least Square (PLS) which is the equation model of Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) which is based on components or variants. The results of the research show that: self efficacy gives influence to the success of female batik entrepreneurs. Self-efficacy gives influence to the innovative behavior of female batik entrepreneur. Innovative behavior gives influence to the success of female batik entrepreneurs, Self-efficacy gives indirect influence to the success of female entrepreneurs through the mediator i.e. innovative behavior.
Endophytic bacteria with potential for bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbons and derivatives

Endophytic microorganisms live inside plants and show no apparent damage for the host. They often assist in plants’ survival and facilitate their growth, or they can metabolize organic contaminants. This study aimed to isolate and identify the endophytic bacteria of plants present in impacted areas, as well as to test their ability in petroleum and their derivatives’ degradation. Plant samples were collected in an asphalt mud impacted area, and then they were superficially disinfected. After maceration and fragmentation, they were incubated at 30°C for about 72 h, when growth of microorganisms was observed in culture media. The verification of petroleum and derivatives degradation capacity was performed in ELISA plates, thereby exposing the bacteria to a solution of minimal medium, the dye DCPIP solution (2,6-dicloroindofenol sodium salt) and the petroleum or derivative tested (burning oil, lubricating oil, diesel oil and gasoline). A positive reading for degradation was observed by discoloration of DCPIP. Among nine bacteria tested, three showed degradative activity in different fractions of petroleum, diesel oil and gasoline, and others showed different profiles. Some isolates were identified from the sequencing of 16S DNA, after which they were diagnosed as Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus pasteuri and Pseudomonas sp. The endophytic bacteria isolated from Cerrado plants confirmed their potential for application in bioremediation processes. Key words : Endophytic microorganisms, petroleum, bioremediation, Cerrado.
The critical threshold for Bargmann–Fock percolation

In this article, we study the excursions sets $\mathcal{D}\_p=f^{-1}([-p,+\infty[)$ where $f$ is a natural real-analytic planar Gaussian field called the Bargmann-Fock field. More precisely, $f$ is the centered Gaussian field on $\mathbb{R}^2$ with covariance $(x,y) \mapsto \exp(-\frac{1}{2}|x-y|^2)$. In [BG16], Beffara and Gayet prove that, if $p \leq 0$, then a.s. $\mathcal{D}\_p$ has no unbounded component. We show that conversely, if $p>0$, then a.s. $\mathcal{D}\_p$ has a unique unbounded component. As a result, the critical level of this percolation model is $0$. We also prove exponential decay of crossing probabilities under the critical level. To show these results, we develop several tools including a KKL-type result for biased Gaussian vectors (based on the analogous result for product Gaussian vectors by Keller, Mossel and Sen in [KMS12]) and a sprinkling inspired discretization procedure. These intermediate results hold for more general Gaussian fields, for which we prove a discrete version of our main result.
Difficulties associated with the implementation of the preferential procurement policy in conjunction with a low-cost housing programme : a South African contextualisation

The south African government makes extensive use of a procurement policy to provide goods and services to its citizens. In this article, the use by the government of the preferential procurement policy to deliver low-cost housing is discussed. In addition, the way in which this practice exacerbates the existing housing backlog is explored. The article contends that the Provincial Departments of Local Government and Housing in south Africa are largely incompetent when it comes to implementing the preferential procurement policy. Consequently, the question of how the implementation of this policy could be improved is considered. In the process, the difficulties encountered in implementing the preferential procurement policy in conjunction with the low-cost housing programme are examined.
The Determinants Of Equity Based Compensation: A Bidimensional Validity Of The Agency Theory

Previous studies have tried to make a comparative analysis between the market-oriented system and the mixed governance system on the determinants of stock option awards for managers; however, these studies exhibit some failures that must be overcome. In addition, we note the absence of studies addressing the validity of the agency theory on the determinants of equity-based compensation in times of instability or crisis. We used a sample of 159 French companies and 203 US companies for the period spanning 2002 to 2010. The results of the present study support the conclusion that the variables measuring the size of the firm, growth opportunity, debt, management and control functions, size of the board, and ownership concentration explain the decision to grant equity-based compensation, regardless of the sample and period considered. Using a variable representing the presence of institutional investors, we show that this type of investor is only involved in controlling the leader in the French case, during a period of financial instability.
Transitioning to Online Course Offerings: Tactical and Strategic Considerations

Much has been written about the effectiveness of face-to-face (F2F) versus online (OL) courses, and comparisons of learning and retention across both media, but less has been targeted toward important tactical and strategic considerations. Having little formal guidance to manage the transition to offering a portion of their university courses and programs online, administrators and universities appear inadequately positioned to execute their OL foray effectively. This paper outlines strategic and tactical points to help administrators better manage the transition to offering university courses online.