Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intrahousehold Decision Making And Implications On Food Security Among Smallholder Farmers In Chepalungu Constituency, Bomet County, Kenya

Food insecurity is still prevalent in many parts of the world. Despite several research attempts to alleviate food insecurity in Kenya, estimates indicate that approximately 50% of Kenyans are food insecure with 10% in constant need of food relief. One of the causes of food insecurity as it has been reported by other scholars is gender inequality. Women, especially in developing countries have been reported to significantly contribute to food production compared to men while in decision making they are often subordinate to men. However, the role of intra-household decision making in influencing food security remains unclear. This study therefore sought to examine the implication of intra-household decision making on household food security among the smallholder farmers in Chepalungu constituency, Bomet County Kenya. Multistage sampling method was used to obtain a sample of 150 smallholder farmer households. Structured questionnaires and interviews were used to obtain the information. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics, Logit and Poisson models with the use of SPSS and STATA computer programs. The results indicated that majority (52.7%) of the households were food insecure signifying high level of food shortages in the area. Male headed households were found to be food insecure as compared to their female counterparts. The logistic regression results revealed that age, gender, land size, household size, years of education and income significantly influenced household food security. The results also revealed the probability of household being food secure is high when consumption decisions are made by women than when they are made by men. The study proves that intra-household decision making has an important role to play in influencing household food security. Therefore, gender based resource allocation and women empowerment policies should be encouraged in order to ensure that households are food secure.
Elasmobrânquios capturados pela pesca artesanal na costa sul do Paraná e norte de Santa Catarina, Brasil

This study was done in the South coast of Parana State and North coast of Santa Catarina State, Brazil, in two artisanal fishermen communities. Between July, 2001 and March, 2003 the fishing activities were observed aiming to: report the elasmobranchs caught species; report which species are commercialized; observe the seasonal occurrence of the species in the landings; estimate the frequency of capture by different fishing gears; and infer about the reproductive biology of the species. During the studied period were captured: Carcharhinus falciformis, Galeocerdo cuvier, Rhizoprionodon lalandii, R. porosus, Sphyrna lewini, S. zygaena, Squatina guggenheim, Narcine brasiliensis, Rhinobatos percellens, Zapteryx brevirostris, Rioraja agassizii, Dasyatis americana, D. guttata, D. hipostigma, Gymnura altavela, Myliobatis goodei, Rhinoptera bonasus and R. brasiliensis. It was observed that all sharks and only two ray species (R. percellens and Z. brevirostris) are commercialized. In the landings, elasmobranchs were more frequent during winter and spring. Most catches were done by gillnets, while just a few captures were done by shrimp trawls. The data indicated that the studied area is used by G. cuvier, R. lalandii, R. porosus, S. lewini, N. brasiliensis and R. agassizii to give birth; by all species for growing; and during the gestation of R. percellens and Z. brevirostris. It is suggested that actions aiming to protect the species must be taken, without harming and conflicts for the fishermen communities.
Pareto improving price regulation when the asset market is incomplete 123

Incomplete asset markets cause competitive equilibria to be constrained suboptimal and provides scope for Pareto improving interventions. In this paper, we examines how intervention in prices in asset or spot commodity markets serve this purpose. We show that, if fix-price equilibria behave sufficiently regularly near Walrasian equilibria, Pareto improving price regulation is generically possible. An advantage of price regulation, contrasted with interventions in individuals’ asset portfolios, is that it operates anonymously, on market variables.
Algorithm Development for the Optimum Rainfall Estimation Using Polarimetric Variables in Korea

In this study, to get an optimum rainfall estimation using polarimetric variables observed from Bislsan radar which is the first polarimetric radar in Korea, rainfall cases for 84 hours caused by different conditions, which are Changma front and typhoon, Changma front only, and typhoon only, occurred in 2011, were analyzed. And rainfall algorithms were developed by using long period drop size distributions with six different raindrop axis ratio relations. The combination of the relations between and , , and , , and and with different rainfall intensity would be an optimum rainfall algorithm if the reference of rainfall would be defined correctly. In the case the reference is not defined adequately, the relation between and , , , and and , , can be used as a representative rainfall relation. Particularly if the qualified is not available, the relation between and , , can be used as an optimum rainfall relation in Korea.
Adaptive Finite-Time Consensus Tracking for Nonstrict Feedback Nonlinear Multi-Agent Systems With Unknown Control Directions

This paper investigates the finite-time consensus tracking problem for nonstrict feedback nonlinear multi-agent systems with unknown dynamics and control directions. Firstly, the backstepping scheme based on command filter and fractional power control law is proposed, which can not only solve the problem of computational explosion, but also ensure that the state of each agent can follow the leader’s output within a finite time. Then, the error compensation signals are designed to compensate the error caused by filtering. The unknown nonlinear dynamics are approximated by the fuzzy logic system. The state variables problem in the non-strict feedback system is well solved through the scaling of inequalities. By introducing the Nussbaum function, the intermediate input signal and control input signal based on adaptive control law are designed respectively, and the problem of unknown control directions is solved. Simulations are given to show the effectiveness of the presented method.
On fluctuations and the exponential statistics of return times

This paper presents some facts related to the exponential statistics of return times. We first investigate the question of computing the speed of convergence to this limiting law. We show that this speed carries some information concerning the system under consideration, while via a local analysis we can relate it to some combinatorial property of some orbits. Next, we prove that for an arbitrary dynamical system, the existence of an exponential statistic for the return times implies the equivalence between the fluctuations of the empirical entropies and the repetition times.
Investigation of the Impact of School Climate and Teachers’ Self-Efficacy on Job Satisfaction: A Cross-Cultural Approach

The purpose of this study is twofold: (a) To confirm the mediating role of teachers’ self-efficacy between the relation of school climate and teachers’ job satisfaction and (b) to tease apart any cross-cultural effects of the association of self-efficacy and job satisfaction by comparing teachers’ responses. Drawing upon the publicly available TALIS 2018 (June 2019) database, a representative sample of 51,782 primary school teachers from 15 countries was used for the analyses. Structural equation modeling was implemented to test for mediation effects of teachers’ self-efficacy at the individuals’ level and a general linear model (GLM) MANOVA was applied to compare the participants’ scores in self-efficacy and job satisfaction across cultures. Results indicate, in accordance with previous research, that self-efficacy is a mediating variable of the relation between school climate and job satisfaction at the individuals’ level across cultures. Moreover, the GLM revealed statistically significant cross-cultural differences among teachers’ responses in job satisfaction and self-efficacy. These findings have implications for teachers’ wellbeing and resilience.
CO and Dust Properties in the TW Hya Disk from High-resolution ALMA Observations

We analyze high angular resolution ALMA observations of the TW Hya disk to place constraints on the CO and dust properties. We present new, sensitive observations of the 12CO J = 3 − 2 line at a spatial resolution of 8 au (0.″14). The CO emission exhibits a bright inner core, a shoulder at r ≈ 70 au, and a prominent break in slope at r ≈ 90 au. Radiative transfer modeling is used to demonstrate that the emission morphology can be reasonably reproduced with a 12CO column density profile featuring a steep decrease at r ≈ 15 au and a secondary bump peaking at r ≈ 70 au. Similar features have been identified in observations of rarer CO isotopologues, which trace heights closer to the midplane. Substructure in the underlying gas distribution or radially varying CO depletion that affects much of the disk’s vertical extent may explain the shared emission features of the main CO isotopologues. We also combine archival 1.3 mm and 870 μm continuum observations to produce a spectral index map at a spatial resolution of 2 au. The spectral index rises sharply at the continuum emission gaps at radii of 25, 41, and 47 au. This behavior suggests that the grains within the gaps are no larger than a few millimeters. Outside the continuum gaps, the low spectral index values of α ≈ 2 indicate either that grains up to centimeter size are present or that the bright continuum rings are marginally optically thick at millimeter wavelengths.
Miniaturised wearable UHF-RFID tag with tuning capability

By carving a 'square-smile'slot profile over a folded patch, a miniaturised UHF-RFID tag is obtained, having a convenient two-step tuning mechanism (coarse and fine). This is useful to adapt the same tag to European and US frequencies and to make on-site corrections. The antenna is half the size of a credit card and can be read up to 5m when attached onto the body. The flexible and lightweight EPDM foam substrate makes the tag suited to be integrated in badges, wallets, pockets, plasters, wristbands and various garments.
Effective Vaccine Management: The Case of a Rural District in Ghana

Background The Effective Vaccine Management (EVM) initiative provides the platform needed to monitor and assess the vaccine supply chain system to identify strengths and weaknesses of the system at all levels to enhance the development of improvement plan to strengthen the system. This valuation was carried out in the Tolon District of the Northern Region, Ghana. Methods A descriptive valuation of vaccine management was carried out in six vaccine stores in the Tolon District of Northern Ghana. We employed World Health Organization (WHO) assessment tools and procedures which consisted of desk reviews and interviews of cold chain managers to assess vaccine management practices in the district. Five out of the nine global assessment criteria were assessed and a minimum target level required for all criteria to meet the WHO standard was 80%. Results None of the facilities assessed met the WHO benchmark of 80% for all but one criteria assessed. With regards to temperature control, the scores ranged from 42% at Kasuliyili CHPS Centre to 77% at the district store with an average district score of 60%. Stock management ranged between 11% at Wantugu Health Centre and 75% at Nyankpala Health Centre with district average score of 32%. Effective vaccine distribution scores ranged between 13% at Kasuliyili CHPS and 46% at Nyankpala Health Centre with an average district score of 27%. Only Nyankpala Health Centre had an acceptable score of 84% for vaccine management, whereas the lowest score for this indicator was 5% at Tolon Health Centre store with district average score of 53%. Information management and supportive functions scores ranged from 0% at Tolon Health Centre to 26% at the district store with the district average score of 16%. Nineteen (90.5%) of vaccine users had poor knowledge regarding temperature control and vaccine distribution. Conclusion Effective vaccine management knowledge and practices are poor at Tonlon district and calls for urgent and pragmatic approaches such as training and re-training of vaccine users at all levels.
Quantifying Physical Properties of Three Sphagnum‐Based Growing Media as Affected by Drying–Wetting Cycles

Core Ideas 3D imaging and conventional observations revealed growing media physical properties. Decomposition degree controlled porosity and pore‐size distributions. Aeration was typically low when the amount of easily available water was sufficient. Materials shrunk when desorbed but mostly recovered their structure during wetting. It was shown how moisture retention, aeration, and shrinkage were interlinked.
Dissecting the IRX - $β$ dust attenuation relation: exploring the physical origin of observed variations in galaxies

The use of ultraviolet (UV) emission as a tracer of galaxy star-formation rate (SFR) is hampered by dust obscuration. The empirical relationship between UV slope, $\beta$, and the ratio between far-infrared and UV luminosity, IRX, is commonly employed to account for obscured UV emission. We present a simple model that explores the physical origin of variations in the IRX - $\beta$ dust attenuation relation. A relative increase in FUV attenuation compared to NUV attenuation and an increasing stellar population age cause variations towards red UV slopes for a fixed IRX. Dust geometry effects (turbulence, dust screen with holes, mixing of stars within the dust screen, two-component dust model) cause variations towards blue UV slopes. Poor photometric sampling of the UV spectrum causes additional observational variations. We provide an analytic approximation for the IRX - $\beta$ relation invoking a subset of the explored physical processes (dust type, stellar population age, turbulence). We discuss observed variations in the IRX - $\beta$ relation for local (sub-galactic scales) and high-redshift (normal and dusty star-forming galaxies, galaxies during the epoch of reionization) galaxies in the context of the physical processes explored in our model. High spatial resolution imaging of the UV and sub-mm emission of galaxies can constrain the IRX - $\beta$ dust attenuation relation for different galaxy types at different epochs, where different processes causing variations may dominate. These constraints will allow the use of the IRX - $\beta$ relation to estimate intrinsic SFRs of galaxies, despite the lack of a universal relation.
A Distributed Network Intrusion Detection System for Distributed Denial of Service Attacks in Vehicular Ad Hoc Network

Security assurance in Vehicular Ad hoc Network (VANET) is a crucial and challenging task due to the open-access medium. One great threat to VANETs is Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack because the target of this attack is to prevent authorized nodes from accessing the services. To provide high availability of VANETs, a scalable, reliable and robust network intrusion detection system should be developed to efficiently mitigate DDoS. However, big data from VANETs poses serious challenges to DDoS attack detection since the detection system require scalable methods to capture, store and process the big data. To overcome these challenges, this paper proposes a distributed DDoS network intrusion detection system based on big data technology. The proposed detection system consists of two main components: real-time network traffic collection module and network traffic detection module. To build our proposed system, we use Spark to speed up data processing and use HDFS to store massive suspicious attacks. In the network collection module, micro-batch data processing model is used to improve the real-time performance of traffic feature collection. In the traffic detection module, the classification algorithm based on Random Forest (RF) is adopted. In order to evaluate the accuracy of detection, the algorithm was evaluated and compared in the datasets, containing NSL-KDD and UNSW-NB15. The experimental results show that the proposed detection algorithm reached the accuracy rate of 99.95% and 98.75%, and the false alarm rate (FAR) of 0.05% and 1.08%, respectively, in two datasets.
Online shopping: Factors that affect consumer purchasing behaviour

Abstract The objective of this paper is to determine factors that affect the consumers’ willingness to purchase product from the online store. We evaluated the criteria based on which users make decisions when purchasing online. We conducted principal components analysis to reduce the number of these criteria and created seven factors. To confirm factors are accurate, we executed confirmatory factor analysis that proved that model consisting of the newly created factors fits the data well.
Mesoscale distribution patterns of Amazonian understorey herbs in relation to topography, soil and watersheds

1 Many authors have suggested that topography and soils are the major determinants of species distributions and community patterns at small or regional scales, but few studies addressed the patterns at mesoscales. We used Reserva Ducke (100 km2) as a model to analyse the effects of soil, topography and watersheds on the variation of the herb community composition, and to determine the relative importance of the environmental factors on species composition. 2 Taxonomic groups are frequently used as surrogates in studies of biodiversity distribution and complementarity, but their efficacy is controversial. We therefore studied the correlations between the distributional patterns of three different herb groups (Marantaceae, pteridophytes and ‘others’) and their responses to environmental predictors. 3 Terrestrial herbs were sampled in 59 plots of 250 × 2 m, systematically distributed over the reserve. Plots followed isoclines of altitude, to minimize the internal variation of soil. Composition of the total herb community and of the three herb groups was summarized with PCoA. 4 Soil structure, represented by PCA axes, was the main determinant of the variation in herb composition for all groups, but slope affected only pteridophytes. Soil and topography explained less than one‐third of the variance in community data. Herb composition was significantly different between watersheds, but watersheds differ only slightly in soil parameters. Our results indicate high turnover in species composition, on spatial scales of 5–10 km in central Amazonia, which is not necessarily associated with soil change. 5 Compositional patterns of the three groups analysed were significantly correlated, but with low values for the correlation coefficient. Although composition was correlated, the responses to environmental predictors differed among groups, and the use of one group as a surrogate will miss around 50% of the variation in other groups. 6 Although important, soil and topography alone cannot predict herb community structure. Knowledge of geographical, historical or other landscape features, such as watershed morphology, may therefore be necessary to predict the turnover patterns over mesoscales. Moreover, the same factors may not have the same effectiveness as predictors of the structure of seemingly similar biological groups.
DNA fragmentation and apoptosis caused by gasoline inhalation, and the protective role of green tea and curcumin

This study aimed to investigate the toxic effects of gasoline on DNA in spleen and liver, on the other hand, studying the protective and the ameliorative role of some natural products on these toxic effects of gasoline. Green tea extract and powdered curcumin were chosen as antitoxicity natural products. CD1 mice were taken as an experimental model. Mice were exposed to gasoline vapor 2hours/day for 3 weeks in inhalation chamber. The concentration of gasoline is 9375 ppm and the concentration of benzene is 100 fold less than gasoline in equilibrium with pure benzene being 93.75 ppm. Green tea extract was provided to mice as their sole source of drinking water, and powdered curcumin was added to the diet, these were taken before starting inhalation with one week and along the time of experiment till sacrificing the animals. The study concluded that DNA fragmentation occurred as a result of gasoline toxicity in spleen and liver, these were protected by green tea and curcumin.
Accretion from a clumpy massive-star wind in supergiant X-ray binaries

Supergiant X-ray Binaries (SgXB) host a compact object, often a neutron star (NS), orbiting an evolved O/B star. Mass transfer proceeds through the intense line-driven wind of the stellar donor, a fraction of which is captured by the gravitational field of the NS. The subsequent accretion process onto the NS is responsible for the abundant X-ray emission from SgXB. They also display peak-to-peak variability of the X-ray flux by a factor of a few 10 to 100, along with changes in the hardness ratios possibly due to varying absorption along the line-of-sight. We use recent radiation-hydrodynamic simulations of inhomogeneities (aka clumps) in the non-stationary wind of massive hot stars to evaluate their impact on the time-variable accretion process. For this, we run 3D hydrodynamic simulations of the wind in the vicinity of the accretor to investigate the formation of the bow shock and follow the inhomogeneous flow over several spatial orders of magnitude, down to the NS magnetosphere. In particular, we show that the impact of the wind clumps on the time-variability of the intrinsic mass accretion rate is severely tempered by the crossing of the shock, compared to the purely ballistic Bondi-Hoyle-Lyttleton estimation. We also account for the variable absorption due to clumps passing by the line-of-sight and estimate the final effective variability of the column density and mass accretion rate for different orbital separations. Finally, we compare our results to the most recent analysis of the X-ray flux and the hardness ratio in Vela X-1.
Peer relations and academic achievement in early elementary school

The primary focus of the current study was to examine the relations between y involved a secondary , 585 families nerally 52% of the children were male, 19% were of a minority or ethnic background, and 26% lived with single parents. The current study analyzed data collected over a four year period btained using hypotheses s between hesis stated that associations between peer relationships and academic performance also will be found when averaging across kindergarten through third grade. Analyses computed in this study r acceptance, aging over the fouretween rformance and a research question asked if the associations described in the hypotheses generalized to boys and girls. Results indicate that girls, but not boys, perform better academically in the years in which they have more friends and are not rejected by their classmates. children’s peer relationships and academic performance. This stud analysis of data provided by children, parents, and teachers. In all participated in the study. The sample is predominately middle class, ge representative of the geographical regions, and demographically diverse; beginning when the children were enrolled in kindergarten. Data were o classroom-based sociometric interviews and teacher questionnaires. Three were tested. The first hypothesis stated that there are concurrent association peer relationship experiences and academic performance. The second hypot indicate that better academic performance was associated with greater pee more friends, and less rejection by peers in each grade and when aver year period. The third hypothesis stated that there are positive associations b yearly changes in peer relationships and academic pe