Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of two modelling approaches for an integrated crop economic model

Integrated crop models with biophysical and economic component models were developed in order to support decisions on agricultural land productivity assessments in northern Thailand. Over the past few decades, efforts to produce higher crop yield focussed on extending crop land to increase crop yield per capita. This process included considerations of land and water quality, improved land and water use efficiency and greater involvement of farmer communities in the planning process. In order to support the planning process, decision makers needed a tool to assist in assessing the complex production system, focusing on the beginning of the cropping production process to leaving the farm. Such a tool should also support the dynamic assessment of economic land suitability for the 19 major economic crop types used in northern Thailand. The Land Development Department (LDD) in Thailand framework provides a guide to the suitability of different crop types to a range of land quality attributes. Two modelling approaches were used to develop an integrated crop-economic model based on the framework of the LDD. The first model type is a mechanistic model, which estimates crop yields using soil and climate information and estimates economic returns. To introduce uncertainty into the model, fuzzy sets were used. The second approach used a Bayesian network model. The Bayesian network was used to estimate the probability of achieving a crop yield given climate and soil input data. Economic returns in the Bayesian network were estimated using utilities. The LDD framework is used in the models to estimate crop yield and economic returns using available biophysical and economic information. This paper will introduce both models and assess the constraints that influenced the construction of the models. A set of criteria will be used to evaluate the models in order to examine their usefulness, representativeness and robustness. The comparison of models will focus on the: data type, technique, and model outcomes. The results of this comparison will help in evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of each of the modelling approaches, and based on these outcomes, recommendations on methods for building cropeconomic models will be made.
Three new species of Xiphidorus from Argentina, with comments on Xiphinema sandellum Heyns, 1966

SUMMARY Three new species of Xiphidorus are described. X. balcarceanus sp. nov. differs from the type species X. yepesara Monteiro, 1976 in shape of amphids, tail shape and in reproducing parthenogenetically. It differs from X. parthenus Monteiro, 1981 in having a longer spear, a more anterior vulva, and a larger number of lateral body pores. X. tucumanensis sp. nov. resembles most closely X. balcarceanus sp. nov. but is a gonochoristic species ; it also resembles X. yepesara, but has differently shaped amphids and tail, and longer spicules. X. saladillensis sp. nov. differs from the other species in its smaller size, shorter spear and shorter pharyngeal bulb ; it further differs from X. yepesara and X. tucunzanensis sp. nov. in shape and length of the spicules and smaller number of supplements. The generic diagnosis is amended. Reexamination of the holotype and some paratypes of Xiphinema sandellum Heyns, 1966 revealed the faint but slit-like apertures of the amphids, the peculiar odontostyle base, the Xiphidorus-like guiding apparatus and pharyngeal gland pattern. The differences in amphid structure, odontostyle base and odontophore base exclude X. sandellum from Xiphidorus as at present defined. The inclusion of the species in Breuinema Stegarescu, 1980 is accepted, but not its synonymy with B. pisi.
Seismic Design Value Evaluation Based on Checking Records and Site Geological Conditions Using Artificial Neural Networks

This study proposes an improved computational neural network model that uses three seismic parameters (i.e., local magnitude, epicentral distance, and epicenter depth) and two geological conditions (i.e., shear wave velocity and standard penetration test value) as the inputs for predicting peak ground acceleration—the key element for evaluating earthquake response. Initial comparison results show that a neural network model with three neurons in the hidden layer can achieve relatively better performance based on the evaluation index of correlation coefficient or mean square error. This study further develops a new weight-based neural network model for estimating peak ground acceleration at unchecked sites. Four locations identified to have higher estimated peak ground accelerations than that of the seismic design value in the 24 subdivision zones are investigated in Taiwan. Finally, this study develops a new equation for the relationship of horizontal peak ground acceleration and focal distance by the curve fitting method. This equation represents seismic characteristics in Taiwan region more reliably and reasonably. The results of this study provide an insight into this type of nonlinear problem, and the proposed method may be applicable to other areas of interest around the world.
Shock persistence in output and the role of stochastic population growth

This paper illustrates both analytically and empirically that stochastic long-memory in economic growth arises due to the presence of a long-memory in population growth. Specifically, we show that the long-run conditional mean and variances of economic growth are functions of stochastic long-memory in demographic system. This is well-supported by an empirical example.
The Influence of Mediating Variables on Market Orientation during Organizational Change

This study examines the relationship between organizational change initiatives and market orientation. Considering the strategic approach to organizational change, a number of key behavioral variables can be affected, which in turn affect market orientation. Data were collected from 253 mid-level managers in marketing-related positions. The results suggest that convergent change or classic downsizing had no significant effect on market orientation or the mediating variables. Change initiatives directed reorienting affected market orientation in a positive way, though mediated by organizational commitment, trust and internal communication.
GROWTH, MORTALITY AND FECUNDITY IN SUCCESSIVE GENERATIONS OF HELIX ASPERSA MULLER CULTURED INDOORS AND CROWDING EFFECTS ON FAST-, MEDIUM- AND SLOW-GROWING SNAILS OF THE SAME CLUTCH

This paper examines the optimum conditions for edible snails Helix aspersa to be cultured indoors successfully in successive generations (originating from the crossing of snails coming from different clutches of a previous generation), and the effect of crowding on growth and reproduction in fast-, medium-, and slow-growing snails coming from the same clutches. The time needed for the snails to reach marketable size (25-32mm) varied from 2.5 to 5 months up to the 7th generation. The time needed for the snails to mature and reproduce from 4 to 7 months until the fifth generation. After the F5 x F5 generation, the final size of the snails decreased. The number of eggs did not differ statistically among the different generations but the reproductive success (how many snails reproduced/cage) increased from Fl = Fl generation onwards to F5 x F5. In F6 X F6 only three (out of 26) snails reproduced and in F7 x F7 none, although the snails remained under controlled conditions for 15 more months. Mortality in the different generations varied from 0-10% up to F5 X F5 but from F6 X F6 onwards increased and reached 25%. Concerning the origin of snails, it was found that larger snails (originating from Kyparissia, Peloponnesos) lay statistically more eggs (138.40 ± 29.60, N =5) than smaller ones (77.38 ± 40.42, N=4) (originating from Hania, island of Crete). Hatching success was greater, too.
Optimized Selection of Satellite Subsets for a Multi-Constellation GBAS

In the next generation of Ground Based Augmentation System (GBAS) corrections and integrity parameters for two frequencies and multiple constellations will be provided. However, the capacity of the VDB (VHF Data Broadcast) link providing those parameters to users is strongly limited. Thus providing all those new corrections and parameters would either require a longer update rate of corrections or a limitation on the number of satellites to which corrections are provided. In this paper we propose a new satellite selection method which allows fast selection of a variable sized, quasi-optimal subset of all visible GNSS satellites. The proposed selection heuristic bases on a strong correlation between the third (i.e. vertical) component inside the S-matrix for each satellite and the probability of the related satellite being part of a subset which provides a favorable vertical protection level. Utilizing this correlation we design an algorithm which converges fast and leads to optimal results for a majority of constellations. As the selection can be performed for an arbitrary number of satellites and the complexity is not exponentially scaling with the number of available satellites, as an exhaustive search (brute-force) does, the heuristic is flexible and suitable for different applications even beyond GBAS’s. In the context of GBAS these subsets still provide reliable protection levels as the contribution to the accuracy is dropping with every additional satellite. We show the feasibility of using for instance only 14 satellites in global protection level simulations. In a multi-frequency multi-constellation GBAS architecture the approach of selecting only an optimal subset allows to keep the current 2 Hz update rate. This could mitigate problems with VDB capacity or remove the necessity of additional, more frequent integrity messages.
Wind Flow Simulation in the Vicinity of Tall Buildings Through CFD

WIND FLOW SIMULATION IN THE VICINITY OF TALL BUILDINGS THROUGH CFD A. K. Mittal, D.Ghosh, S. Behera, I. A. Siddiqui, D. S. Dharmshaktu 1 Principal Scientist, CSIR-Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee, India, akmittal@cbri.res.in M.Tech Student, CSIR-Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee, India, debdutta001@gmail.com Scientist, CSIR-Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee, India, siddharth@cbri.res.in 4 Tech. Off. , CSIR-Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee, India, ias@cbri.res.in 5 Tech. Asstt. , CSIR-Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee, India, deepak@cbri.res.in
Observing Unexpected Patterns in Cross-National Research: Blame Data, Theory, or Both? Attitudes toward Redistributive Taxation in Thirty-Three Countries

This article examines the relationships between socioeconomic status and attitudes toward redistributive taxation across 33 countries using the complete International Social Survey Programme (ISSP) 2006 data set. We apply a simple rational-choice-inspired homo-economicus hypothesis proposing that those better off in the socioeconomic hierarchy should have less reason to support state-organized economic redistribution compared to those situated at lower levels in the socioeconomic hierarchy. The empirical results demonstrate substantial cross-country variation regarding the correspondence between empirical observations and theoretical expectations. When faced with such tremendous cross-national variation in response patterns, a common strategy among researchers is to question the quality of the data collection procedures for those countries deviating strongly from theoretical expectations. The strategy chosen in this study is, however, different. The main argument is that an observed lack of fit between theory and empirical observations may be rooted in problems related to theory rather than the quality of data collection procedures. Building on previous research, two “cultural distance” hypotheses are formulated, both of which argue that the correspondence between the homo-economicus theory and empirics should indeed vary systematically across countries. The first focuses on the role of the welfare state and the second on the level of economic affluence and associated scientific dominance. Both hypotheses receive considerable empirical support. The relationship between socioeconomic status and support for redistributive taxation is substantially stronger in the wealthy Western welfare states—particularly among those of Northern Europe—than in the poor non-Western countries lacking any institutional design reminiscent of a welfare state.
A decision theory perspective on complexity in performance measurement and management

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to apply the aspects of decision theory (DT) to performance measurement and management (PMM), thereby enabling the theoretical elaboration of volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity in the business environment, which are identified as barriers to effective PMM. Design/methodology/approach – A review of decision theory and PMM literature establishes the Cynefin framework as the basis for extending the performance alignment matrix. Case research with seven companies explores the relationship between two concepts under-examined in the performance alignment matrix – internal dominant logic (DL) as the attribute of organisational culture affecting decision making, and the external environment – in line with the concept of alignment or fit in PMM. A focus area is PMM related to sustainable operations and sustainable supply chain management. Findings – Alignment between DL, external environment and PMM is found, as are instances of misalignment. The Cynefin framework offers a deeper theoretical explanation about the nature of this alignment. Other findings consider the nature of organisational ownership on DL. Research limitations/implications – The cases are exploratory not exhaustive, and limited in number. Organisations showing contested logic were excluded. Practical implications – Some organisations have cultures of predictability and control; others have cultures that recognise their external environment as fundamentally unpredictable, and hence there is a need for responsive, decentralised PMM. Some have sought to change their culture and PMM. Being attentive to how cultural logic affects decision making can help reduce the misalignment in PMM. Originality/value – A novel contribution is made by applying decision theory to PMM, extending the theoretical depth of the subject
Thermally Induced Changes in Quality of Chicken Breast Meat Protein Fractions

Functional properties of chicken breast meat are affected by heat treatments and the condition of meat, i.e., normal or pale, soft exudative (PSE) meat. The two main fractions of meat proteins, myofibrillar and sarcoplasmic are affected differently by the treatments and the condition of the meat. The aim of this study was to extract myofibrillar and sarcoplasmic proteins from the chicken breast meat and determine differences in protein extractability between normal and PSE meat, and determine temperature transitions in whole muscle and its constituent proteins. The protein concentration of sarcoplasmic protein was less than that of myofibrillar protein in chicken breast muscle. It was also found that the protein solubility differed in normal and PSE muscle. The PSE muscle showed lower protein solubility as compared to the normal muscle which was assumed to be due to the denaturation of some of the protein fractions in PSE muscle. The results of SDS-PAGE did not show much variance in the protein profiles of the PSE and normal samples indicating that the solubilized protein in PSE and normal samples was similar. Thermal denaturation determined using differential Scanning Calorimeter, identified thermal transition peaks which could be of value in the design a scheduled heating sequence for cooking of chicken breast.
A Contextual Approach to Teaching Sustainability

The goal of this project is to research sustainability across contexts (environmental, economic, social, technical, and individual) in order to determine the best methodologies for teaching these contexts across academic disciplines (in our case: engineering, integrated science and technology, psychology, education, English, and communication studies). We are working to determine the most effective ways in which to assess these methodologies using behaviors as educational outcomes. This research has focused on creating cognitive dissonance by demonstrating to students the difference between their stated values and behaviors across sustainability contexts. Key studies have focused primarily on individual sustainability, but smaller catalyst studies have also focused on the self-knowledge that informs decision making and problem solving, cultivating mindfulness as an approach to sustainable living, understanding the self as a sustainable system, promoting sustainable student and reader behaviors in literature, and changes in metacognitive strategies and exam performance by attribution status (among others). The final deliverable will be the first iteration of a low-cost scalable and transferable global model for instructional integration that will allow students and faculty to engage in meaningful and intentional self-development of behaviors in specific sustainability content areas.
The effect of parasitism by Aphidius ervi on development and reproduction of the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum

The effect of parasitism by Aphidius ervi Haliday (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae) on development, survival and reproduction of pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), of different ages was studied in the laboratory. Aphids parasitised when 1 and 2 days old (1 st and 2 nd instar) died at the 4th instar. However, those parasitised when 3 to 6 days old (3 rd and 4 th instar) could reach the adult stage following parasitism and those that were parasitised after 4 days old (late 3 rd instar) were still able to produce progeny. In comparison with the unparasitised aphids, the parasitised aphids had a signifi cantly shorter reproductive period and produced significantly fewer progeny, and thus had significantly lower intrinsic rates of increase, net reproductive rates, shorter generation time and longer doubling time. The potential impact of the parasitoid on host population growth is discussed.
Growth and Yield Responses of NERICA Rice Varieties to Different Sources of Organic Fertilizer in Transitory Rainforest Zone of Nigeria

Abstract Two field studies were conducted to investigate growth and yield responses of NERICA rice cultivars to organic fertiliser sources, at the Teaching and Research Farm of Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) between May 31 and September 30 of 2009 and OgbeEruku Village (OEV), Owode - Egba, Ogun State, Nigeria between July 7 and November 30 also in 2009. FUNAAB is a transition between rainforest and a derived savanna whereas OEV is in a rainforest zone. The experiment was a 10 × 3 × 2 factorial in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) replicated three times. The treatments were three rice varieties (NERICA 1, NERICA 2, and Ofada) and three application rates of different manure types (poultry manure at 0 t/ha-1, 10 t/ha-1 and 20 t/ha-1; cow dung at 0 t/ha-1, 7 t/ha-1 and 14 t/ha-1; swine manure at 0 t/ha-1, 3.5 t/ha-1 and 7 t/ha-1). These levels are equivalent to 0 kg N/ha-1, 45 kg N/ha-1, and 90 kg N/ha-1. The results indicated significant (P < 0.05) varietal variability on dry matter accumulation at maturity in the order NERICA 1 > Ofada > NERICA 3. Inorganic fertiliser source at recommended rate recorded significantly (P < 0.05) higher effect on all growth parameters compared to organic sources. Growth characters were significantly higher at FUNAAB than OEV, conversely grain yield was significantly higher at OEV, where NERICA 1 at higher application rates of poultry and swine manure recorded grain yield comparative to inorganic fertiliser at recommended rate.
The Diurnal and Semidiurnal Patterns of Rainfall and its Correlation to the Stream Flow Characteristic in the Ciliwung Watershed, West Java, Indonesia

Based on the data analysis of 16 years of TMPA dataset, the common patterns of rainfall over the Ciliwung River Basin are diurnal and semidiurnal. Those patterns can be associated by a stationary or moving rainstorm with different magnitude and direction. Based on hydrological model simulations, both the pattern and movement have a significant role to the discharge. At the downstream area, the discharge that triggered by semidiurnal pattern of rainfall can produces higher peak discharge and longer flood duration than diurnal pattern. This result open possibility to improve our prediction on design discharge.
On Directional Immunization and Exact Matching

The rigorous version of Redington's theorem by Montrucchio and Peccati [12] is shown to be valid in a multivariate framework. It provides necessary and sufficient conditions for immunizing a fixed-income portfolio of assets and liabilities against a fixed non-parallel shift direction of the term structure of interest rates. As a consequence, immunization against all possible shift directions leads necessarily to an exact matching strategy.
The effect of early-life kidney bean lectin administration on pig performance in the peri-weaning period – a safety study

The present study aimed to assess the safety issues of supplying kidney bean lectin extract early in life to piglets. Four litters totalling or 30 piglets were used. On postnatal day (PD) 10-11, thirty piglets were divided into 3 experimental groups (T1, T2, and T3), each consisting of 10 animals. On PD 10 or 11, group T1 (control) received water. Groups T2 and T3 received, respectively, a dose of 640 (recommended) and 6400 haemagglutination/piglet (10 x recommended) of kidney bean extract orally in a water suspension. On PD 42, all of the pigs were euthanized, and 6 piglets from each group were randomly taken for necropsy, sampling tissue for histology and bacteriological analyses of the lower gut. Blood was withdrawn before euthanasia for haematology and biochemistry. There were no significant differences in mortality, feed intake or body weight gains among the groups. All examined blood parameters were within the physiological range. No significant effects of the two doses of kidney bean extract on tissue morphology were observed in the post mortem inspection and histology. No significant differences among the groups in the number of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria were found. Concluding, a one-month tolerance study with the recommended and 10-fold recommended dose of kidney bean extract revealed no negative effects on piglet health or performance.
Evidence that Astroglia Influence Dendrite Morphogenesis and Synaptogenesis Independently in the Vertebrate Central Nervous System

In the absence of external spatial cues, dendritic arbors of neurons grown in vitro approximate those observed in situ. Absent, however, from these culture models is patterned orientation of dendritic trunks, and variation of branch geometry that provide identifiable characteristics of the cytoarchitecture of the intact brain. Although astroglia are present during key stages of dendritic development in vivo, little is known about whether local interactions with glia shape dendritic growth. Astroglial cells are good candidates for this kind of regulation because they can exert control over the formation of synapses, an event correlated with the maturational state of the dendrite. The present review highlights some key findings from vertebrate model systems offering evidence that astroglia can contribute to the shape, and growth, of the dendritic arbor. Drawing from our recent work using a co-culture system composed of neurons growing in differential contact with astroglia, we discuss findings that suggest: 1) growth of dendrites, and addition of synapses, can be independent; further, while astroglia promote synapse formation, they inhibit dendritic growth; 2) astroglia mediate dendrite growth through both paracrine, and contact-dependent mechanisms; and 3) astroglia appear to impose pattern by constraining the growth of dendrites within their zones of influence.