Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Block-diagonal representation of a dualistic agricultural economy and its application in formal modelling: the case of Bulgaria

The paper discusses some of the problems of subsistence agriculture in countries in transition and proposes a methodology for analysis. It demonstrates that approaches which ignore the dualistic agriculture structure cannot provide consistent estimates of the behavioural parameters of the total agricultural sector. The bias is analysed using stochastic simulation and it is concluded that the subsistence agricultural sector has to be explicitly modelled alongside commercial agriculture. This is achieved using the principle of a block diagonal representation of dualistic agriculture, which is then applied to Bulgaria. This allows efficient decomposition of the different effects and provides a reliable representation of the process of agricultural commercialisation. The effects of subsistence farming on overall agricultural performance are presented and interpreted within a Structural Change Agricultural Policy Analysis Model (SCAPAM). The place of subsistence agriculture in transition economies is found to be compatible with optimisation principles and it is concluded that subsistence agriculture plays the role of market clearing. Some extensions of the methodology are discussed.
AVIAN INFLUENZA DYNAMICS IN WILD BIRDS WITH BIRD MOBILITY AND SPATIAL HETEROGENEOUS ENVIRONMENT

In this paper, we propose a mathematical model to describe the avian influenza dynamics in wild birds with bird mobility and heterogeneous environment incorporated. In addition to establishing the basic properties of solutions to the model, we also prove the threshold dynamics which can be ex- pressed either by the basic reproductive number or by the principal eigenvalue of the linearization at the disease free equilibrium. When the environment fac- tor in the model becomes a constant (homogeneous environment), we are able to find explicit formulas for the basic reproductive number and the principal eigenvalue. We also perform numerical simulation to explore the impact of the heterogeneous environment on the disease dynamics. Our analytical and nu- merical results reveal that the avian influenza dynamics in wild birds is highly affected by both bird mobility and environmental heterogeneity.
Computational Analysis for Motions of Rugby Balls Interacting with Air Flows

Modern rugby strategies incorporate kicks of many kinds, which serve important roles in winning matches. They are such an important factor in rugby competition because it is difficult to break an advanced system’s defensive line merely using simplified attacks involving runs and passes. Particularly, it is difficult for small Japanese teams to win against large European teams and teams from the Southern Hemisphere. Their members are typically larger than Japanese players. Because rugby football requires forceful impact of players’ bodies, the strategic kick is especially valuable for teams with players of shorter builds and lesser physical ability. Teams with larger players can also use strategic kicks according to game circumstances. Concomitantly with the development of rugby football, kicks of many kinds have become increasingly important in matches. In addition to advancing a team’s position, they have been used to reduce enemy pressure and to get the ball again. Furthermore, kicking accuracy has come to be regarded as an important aspect of play through introduction of Experimental Law Variations (ELV) in recent years. Especially, using the screw kick to gain distances, low accuracy can instead produce unfavorable situations. In rugby football, kicking and ball control depend on players’ experience. It cannot be said that they are explainable scientifically. Nevertheless, this study simulated motions of rotating rugby balls and surrounding airflows using fluid-structure interaction analysis. Based on these results, we seek to determine optimal conditions of rugby football kicking.
Modelling the water balance of Lake Victoria (East Africa) – Part 2: Future projections

Abstract. Lake Victoria, the second largest freshwater lake in the world, is one of the major sources of the Nile river. The outlet to the Nile is controlled by two hydropower dams of which the allowed discharge is dictated by the Agreed Curve, an equation relating outflow to lake level. Some regional climate models project a decrease in precipitation and an increase in evaporation over Lake Victoria, with potential important implications for its water balance and resulting level. Yet, little is known about the potential consequences of climate change for the water balance of Lake Victoria. In this second part of a two-paper series, we feed a new water balance model for Lake Victoria presented in the first part with climate simulations available through the COordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX) Africa framework. Our results reveal that most regional climate models are not capable of giving a realistic representation of the water balance of Lake Victoria and therefore require bias correction. For two emission scenarios (RCPs 4.5 and 8.5), the decrease in precipitation over the lake and an increase in evaporation are compensated by an increase in basin precipitation leading to more inflow. The future lake level projections show that the dam management scenario and not the emission scenario is the main controlling factor of the future water level evolution. Moreover, inter-model uncertainties are larger than emission scenario uncertainties. The comparison of four idealized future management scenarios pursuing certain policy objectives (electricity generation, navigation reliability and environmental conservation) uncovers that the only sustainable management scenario is mimicking natural lake level fluctuations by regulating outflow according to the Agreed Curve. The associated outflow encompasses, however, ranges from 14 m3 day−1 (−85 %) to 200 m3 day−1 (+100 %) within this ensemble, highlighting that future hydropower generation and downstream water availability may strongly change in the next decades even if dam management adheres to he Agreed Curve. Our results overall underline that managing the dam according to the Agreed Curve is a key prerequisite for sustainable future lake levels, but that under this management scenario, climate change might potentially induce profound changes in lake level and outflow volume.
PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE AND ECONOMIC GROWTH: TIME-SERIES PROPERTIES AND EVIDENCE. IN: TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE

This paper examines whether economic growth is generated endogenously or exogenously, and aims to estimate the externality effects due to private and public capital, respectively. Applying a multivariate stochastic cointegration method to U.S. data, the authors find that the evidence is unfavorable to the endogenous growth model with public infrastructure. The estimated elasticity of output with respect to public capital is 0.11, smaller than typical values obtained in single-equation regression studies. Conversely, if the share of capital income is taken to be 33%, then the spillover effect due to private capital is positive but may be as low as 0.10.
Overwintering of Vaccinium vitis-idaea in two sub-Arctic microhabitats: a reciprocal transplantation experiment

Northern plants have to cope with a wide range of overwintering conditions, as the depth and physical properties of snow show high spatial variation in the Arctic. The overwintering of lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) was studied in a reciprocal transplantation experiment between two sub-Arctic microhabitats in northern Finland. The experiment was set up in the autumn, and physiological traits related to overwintering were measured at the time of snowmelt in the following spring. The origin of the plants was not a significant source of variation for most of the traits measured, whereas major differences were observed between the two sites. Plants that overwintered at an exposed site above the treeline showed high relative winter damage, assessed by the electrolyte leakage of the leaves. No severe winter damage was observed in the plants that overwintered under a moderate snowpack at a sheltered birch forest site. These plants were able to maintain their photosynthetic capacity through the winter. A low capacity of photosystem II and a very low capacity of CO2 uptake were characteristic of the exposed site, where low temperatures and high irradiation predominate during late winter. However, photosynthetic capacity was recovered within a few days when the plants were kept under favourable conditions after the field experiment. The content of nonstructural carbohydrates was low, probably because of high respiratory losses under the snow. This short-term study suggests that lingonberry, which occupies a wide range of microhabitats in the present climate, may thrive even if the overwintering conditions change as a result of climatic warming.
Classroom Interaction in Teaching English as Foreign Language at Lower Secondary Schools in Indonesia

The aim of this study was to develop a deep understanding of interaction in language classroom in foreign language context. Interviews, as major instrument, to twenty experienced English language teachers from eight lower secondary schools (SMP) were conducted in Jakarta, completed by focus group discussions and class observation/recordings. The gathered data was analyzed according to systematic design of grounded theory analysis method through 3-phase coding. A model of classroom interaction was formulated defining several dimensions in interaction. Classroom interaction can be more comprehended under the background of interrelated factors: interaction practices, teacher and student factors, learning objectives, materials, classroom contexts, and outer contexts surrounding the interaction practices. The developed model of interaction for language classroom is notably to give deep descriptions on how interaction substantially occurs and what factors affect it in foreign language classrooms at lower secondary schools from teachers’ perspectives.
Groundwater-dependent ecosystems: recent insights from satellite and field-based studies

Groundwater-dependent ecosystems (GDEs) are at risk globally due to unsustainable levels of groundwater extraction, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. In this review, we examine recent developments in the ecohydrology of GDEs with a focus on three knowledge gaps: (1) how do we locate GDEs, (2) how much water is transpired from shallow aquifers by GDEs and (3) what are the responses of GDEs to excessive groundwater extraction? The answers to these questions will determine water allocations that are required to sustain functioning of GDEs and to guide regulations on groundwater extraction to avoid negative impacts on GDEs. We discuss three methods for identifying GDEs: (1) techniques relying on remotely sensed information; (2) fluctuations in depth-to-groundwater that are associated with diurnal variations in transpiration; and (3) stable isotope analysis of water sources in the transpiration stream. We then discuss several methods for estimating rates of GW use, including direct measurement using sapflux or eddy covariance technologies, estimation of a climate wetness index within a Budyko framework, spatial distribution of evapotranspiration (ET) using remote sensing, groundwater modelling and stable isotopes. Remote sensing methods often rely on direct measurements to calibrate the relationship between vegetation indices and ET. ET from GDEs is also determined using hydrologic models of varying complexity, from the White method to fully coupled, variable saturation models. Combinations of methods are typically employed to obtain clearer insight into the components of groundwater discharge in GDEs, such as the proportional importance of transpiration versus evaporation (e.g. using stable isotopes) or from groundwater versus rainwater sources. Groundwater extraction can have severe consequences for the structure and function of GDEs. In the most extreme cases, phreatophytes experience crown dieback and death following groundwater drawdown. We provide a brief review of two case studies of the impacts of GW extraction and then provide an ecosystem-scale, multiple trait, integrated metric of the impact of differences in groundwater depth on the structure and function of eucalypt forests growing along a natural gradient in depth-to-groundwater. We conclude with a discussion of a depth-to-groundwater threshold in this mesic GDE. Beyond this threshold, significant changes occur in ecosystem structure and function.
Correlation between maximum dry density and cohesion of remoulded Nsukka clays

Due to the ever increasing cost of laboratory equipment to determine soil parameters such as cohesion and maximum dry density and the enormous time and energy dissipated in such experiment, this research work was attempted in order to investigate the possi ble correlation between cohesion and maximum dry density. Thirty remoulded clay samples obtained from Nsukka were used for this investigation. The clay samples were categorized into clay of low plasticity (CL), medium plasticity (CI) and high plasticity (C H) after preliminary tests have been carried out on them. To determine the correlation between cohesion and maximum dry density, unconsolidated undrained triaxial test and compaction tests were conducted on all samples and their cohesion and maximum dry de nsity values determined appropriately. Using regression analysis, correlations were developed for the various categories of clay soils. The correlation coefficient, R, obtained for the CL, CI and CH soils were 57.8%, 67.9% and 93% respectively. Based on th is correlation coefficient, it is safe to suggest that for preliminary estimates of soils, the correlations obtained for these soils will suffice. Keywords : Cohesion, Compaction, Correlation, Maximum dry density, Nsukka Clays, Triaxial compression test
IMPACT OF THERMODYNAMIC NON-IDEALITIES AND MASS TRANSFER ON MULTI-PHASE HYDRODYNAMICS

Considering the non-ideal behavior of uids and their e ects on hydrodynamic and mass transfer in multiphase ow is very essential. Simulations were performed that take into account the e ects of mass transfer and mixture non-ideality on the hydrodynamics reported by Bozorgmehry et al. In this paper, by assuming the density of phases to be constant and using Raoult's law instead of EOS and the fugacity coecient de nition, respectively, for both liquid and gas phases, the importance of nonideality e ects on mass transfer and hydrodynamic behavior was studied. The results for a system of octane/propane (T = 323 K and P = 445 kPa) also indicated that the assumption of constant density in simulation had a major role to diverse from experimental data. Furthermore, comparison between obtained results and previous reports indicated signi cant di erences between experimental data and simulation results with more ideal assumptions.
Pollinium development in Spiranthes sinensis (Pers.) Ames.and Cymbidium pendulum SW: a comparative study

Comparative studies on the early anther development, anther wall differentiation, pollinium development and pollen grains surface features in Spiranthes sinensis (Pers.) Ames. (a terrestrial orchid) and Cymbidium pendulum Sw. (an epiphytic orchid) using light and scanning electron microscopy were described. Anther primordium initiated as a homogenous mass of meristematic cells which developed two thecae, each with a group of archesporial cells of dense cytoplasmic contents. The sporogenous cells of the hypodermal layer formed the anther wall which was 4-5 layered in S. sinensis and 7-layered in C. pendulum . The rare feature of 2-layered endothecium in S. sinensis and a 2-layered tapetum in C. pendulum was reported. Papillate epidermis was observed in C. pendulum . A complete septum of sterile cells in S. sinensis and partial in C. pendulum was observed. Pollen grains were mono-aperturate, reticulate and shed as tetrads in S. sinensis while either monoaperturate or inaperturate, tectate pollen grains and dispersed as hard pollinia in C. pendulum . This is a see-through information for accurate classification and phylogenetic reconstructions of orchid species. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3329/bjb.v42i2. 18035 Bangladesh J. Bot. 42 (2): 307-314, 2013 (December)
Robust fuzzy-neural sliding-mode controller design via network structure adaptation

A robust fuzzy-neural sliding-mode control (RFSC) scheme for unknown nonlinear systems is proposed. The RFSC system is composed of a computation controller and a robust controller. The computation controller containing a self-structuring fuzzy-neural network (SFNN) identifier is the principle controller, and the robust controller is designed to achieve L 2 tracking performance. The SFNN identifier uses the structure- and parameter-learning phases to perform the estimation of the unknown system dynamics. The structure-learning phase consists of the growing of membership functions, the splitting of fuzzy rules and the pruning of fuzzy rules, and thus the SFNN identifier can avoid the time-consuming trial-and-error tuning procedure for determining the network structure of fuzzy neural network. Finally, the proposed RFSC system is applied to three nonlinear dynamic systems. The simulation results show that the proposed RFSC system can achieve favourable tracking performance by incorporating SFNN identifier, sliding-mode control and robust control techniques.
IMPLEMENTING INTERNATIONAL MONETARY COOPERATION THROUGH INFLATION TARGETING

This paper presents a two-country dynamic general equilibrium model with imperfect competition and nominal price rigidities in which productivity shocks coexist with markup shocks. After analyzing the features of the optimal cooperative solution, we show that this allocation can be implemented in a strategic context through inflation-targeting regimes. Under these regimes, each monetary authority minimizes a quadratic loss function that targets only domestic targets, namely, GDP inflation and the output gap.
Investigating the Relationships among E-Service Quality, Perceived Value, Satisfaction, and Behavioral Intentions in Taiwanese Online Shopping

As the online shopping market gradually grows in Taiwan, it is important to understand the diversity in various aspects of consumer behavior among Internet users. This paper examines the relationships among e-service quality, perceived value, satisfaction, and behavioral intentions for Taiwanese online shoppers. Based on a sample of 428 undergraduate students, a two-step structural equation modeling procedure is applied to perform an empirical test of the comprehensive model. The testing results show that, for the direct path, electronic service quality has a significant, positive influence on perceived value, satisfaction, and behavioral intentions. Also, perceived value directly influences customer satisfaction and behavioral intentions and satisfaction is an antecedent of behavioral intentions. For the indirect path, electronic service quality has a significant, positive influence on behavioral intentions through satisfaction and perceived value. Perceived value indirectly influences behavioral intentions via satisfaction. Managerial implications of these results are discussed.
Internal Loads, but Not External Loads and Fatigue, Are Similar in Young and Middle-Aged Resistance-Trained Males during High Volume Squatting Exercise †

Little is known about the internal and external loads experienced during resistance exercise, or the subsequent fatigue-related response, across different age groups. This study compared the internal (heart rate, OMNI ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), session RPE) and external loads (peak velocity and power and volume load) during high volume squatting exercise (10 × 10 at 60% one-repetition maximum (1RM)) and the fatigue-related response (maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), voluntary activation (VA), resting doublet force, peak power, and blood lactate) in young (n = 9; age 22.3 ± 1.7 years) and middle-aged (n = 9; age 39.9 ± 6.2 years) resistance-trained males. All internal load variables and peak velocity illustrated unclear differences between groups during exercise. Peak power and volume load were likely higher in the young group compared to their middle-aged counterparts. The unclear differences in MVC, VA and blood lactate between groups after exercise were accompanied by very likely greater decrements in resting doublet force and peak power at 20 and 80% 1RM in the middle-aged group compared to the young group. These data indicate that internal load is not different between young and middle-aged resistance-trained males, though certain external load measures and the fatigue response are.
Perspectives on Supply Chain Management in the Healthcare Industry

In order to address the perspectives of healthcare supply chain management, the current literature was reviewed comprehensively. Major managerial issues were identified and discussed, including healthcare supply chain performance, cost reduction, inventory management, bullwhip effect, quality and security, and supply chain innovation. Some research methods were also discussed. Value chain analysis is valuable to case studies. System dynamics models or other supply chain reference models are useful for systematic analysis. The study also indicates a potential of application of healthcare supply chain management in developing countries.
Differences in Alpha and Beta Diversities of Epigeous Arthropod Assemblages in Two Ecoregions of Northwestern Argentina

Ecoregions are regional-scale biodiversity units. Several of them converge in Salta Province, Argentina, where Puna and Monte are priority conservation areas for different reasons. The aims of our research were to (1) analyze the inventory obtained by determining the alpha and beta diversities of the arthropod communities in the ecoregions; (2) attempt to establish the most likely factors responsible for the distribution patterns of the epigeous communities present in the Monte and Puna take off; and (3) show the main changes in abundance and species richness of the most diverse arthropod groups recorded over space. Pitfall traps were used to collect epigeous arthropods. Several soil variables were measured in the field in addition to climatic variables. The total inventory and data by sites were evaluated using nonparametric estimators. Observed and estimated diversity values were used to compare epigeous arthropod communities between ecoregions. Beta diversity was assessed by different methods. The abundance-based Morisita index was used to investigate the degree of association between ecoregions and sampling sites. We used a non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis to show the ordination of the studied sites following the similarity of arthropod assemblages and possible relationships with environmental variables that could explain it. Species richness differed between ecoregions, and the true diversity showed that Puna was 1.30-times more diverse than Monte de Sierras y Bolsones. The inventory completeness was adequate (78%), and differed between sites. Species turnover was high with a clear ecoregional faunal separation. The most diverse arthropods orders were spiders, coleopterans, and hymenopterans, which exhibited differences in abundance and species richness between ecoregions. Different factors of soil heterogeneity and climate, which are important in arid environments, exerted an influence on the assemblages of epigeous arthropods obtained.