Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
RESTORATION OF SALT MARSHES

This thesis focuses on the restoration of salt marshes in north-west Europe. Salt marshes are important habitats that need to be conserved. Not only do they provide a suitable environment for different plant and animal species, many of which are restricted to saline habitats, but they also function as a natural flood defence, reducing wave energy before the tidal water reaches constructed embankments.
Agro-Industrial Formations as Economic Agents: The Influence of Education on the Economic Performance of the Agro-Industrial Enterprise

The agro-industrial complex is an important object in the agrarian economy of Kazakhstan. In the state programme for the agro-industrial complex development, the development of clusters as an economic agent is a priority. In our research we have examined to what extent the innovative direction in the formation of prospective national clusters of the Republic of Kazakhstan was realized (completed until 2020). The research showed that the technological policy lags behind the planned programme. For example, there was no increase in the innovative activity within the business sector. We also studied how the residual knowledge of the graduates of profession-oriented institutions affects the economic indicators of the agro-industrial complex. With the help of autocorrelation regression analysis (Pearson correlation coefficient -0.94), it was established that the low level of graduates' competence in 2008 was one of the factors of the total GDP decrease in agricultural output in 2012. At the same time, the improvement of the expertise level positively influenced the GDP– a positive trend was observed from 2015 to 2017.
Moderating Effect of Interest Rates on Relationship Between Foreign Exchange Rate Fluctuation and Performance of Nairobi Securities Exchange Market

Performance of Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) market has remained unpredictable. This could have led to past investor losses. If this situation continues, it could lead to continued loss of investor confidence in NSE market. However, literature links foreign exchange rates fluctuation and interest rates with NSE performance. In Kenya, exchange market is active. Further, stable interest rates attract investors. Despite this, exchange rates fluctuation and interest rates have not been considered as influencing securities market performance. Moreover, reviewed literatures have left theory building impoverished due to contradiction. The study attributed this to possible moderation of the relationship between foreign exchange rates fluctuation and securities market performance by interest rates. The study sought to determine the moderating effect of interest rates on the relationship. Corelational design on secondary data between January, 2006 and December, 2010 was utilized. Hierarchical regression established significant change in R 2 of 0.085 confirming moderation. The study concludes that interest rates moderate the relationship and recommends that policies governing the regulations of interest rates should be formulated since it moderates the relationship. Future researchers can adopt other techniques in the same area of study. In advancing a model and revealing moderation the study contributes to theory building.
The Descriptive Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Malignancies

• Esophageal adenocarcinoma and carcinoid tumor incidence rates continue to increase remarkably, while the rates for gastric cancer is declining worldwide, and that for colorectal cancer is declining in the United States. • Liver cancer incidence continues to rise, though some predict that it will decline in the coming years as hepatitis B is addressed with vaccination and novel therapies for hepatitis C become available. • Mortality trends for pancreatic cancer have shifted, with declining rates among African Americans and increasing rates among Caucasians, which is a reversal from a decade earlier.
Possible Impacts of Global Warming on Typhoon Activity in the Vicinity of Taiwan

Typhoons are one of the most extreme natural events over the western North Pacific–East Asian (WNP–EA sector). Typhoons often affect the spatial distribution of regional precipitation in summer since they are a major source of rainfall over this region. For example, in 2004, 10 typhoons occurred in Japan and brought more than usual precipitation, causing widespread damage, whereas drought occurred in the Philippines and southern China (Kim et al., 2005; Levinson et al., 2005; Wu et al., 2005). Typhoon-related climate studies often focus on the variation of typhoon intensity, frequency, and track in multitemporal scales ranging from intraseasonal to interdecadal (Chan, 1985, 2000; Chia and Ropelewski, 2002; Chu, 2004; Ho et al., 2006; Matsuura et al., 2003; Wang and Chan, 2002). In recent years, the influence of global warming on the intensity of tropical cyclones has received much attention. Emanuel (2005), Hoyos et al. (2006), and Webster et al. (2005) found increasing trends in the western Pacific and Atlantic based on some available besttrack datasets. Chan and Liu (2004) and Klotzbach (2006) found small or no trends using alternate analysis techniques. Other studies (e.g., Landsea et al., 2006) have shown opposite trends to those found by Emanuel in the west Pacific by examining other best-track datasets. Besides observations, model simulations also show that intense tropical cyclones will be more frequent in the future warmer climate, while the total number of tropical cyclones tends to decrease (Bender et al., 2010; Emanuel et al., 2008; Zhao et al., 2009). In addition to the increase in tropical cyclone intensity, one study also found a detectable shift of the typhoon track over the WNP–EA in the past four decades (Wu et al., 2005). Such a change also affects regional precipitation (Ren et al., 2006). For a future climate projection, the typhoon track over the WNP–EA region may potentially be affected by global warming (Wu and Wang, 2004). In our study, we also focus on the variation of typhoon tracks, 5
Ethnocentrism among Iranian Consumer with Different Consumption Habits

This study seeks to understand consumer ethnocentrism (CE) among Iranian consumers and investigates its relationship with some consumption habits such as need for uniqueness, role-relaxed consumption, consumer susceptibility to interpersonal influence, attention to social comparison information and status consumption. The study analyzed findings gathered from 723 students of University of Isfahan. Results indicate that the consumer need for uniqueness, role-relaxed consumption and status consumption are negatively related to CE but surprisingly Consumer susceptibility to interpersonal influence was positively related to CE and relation between attention to social comparison information and CE was not significant. Also women compared with men and younger consumers compared with the elder consumers exhibit greater CE. Consumer tendency toward ethnocentrism also varies between different cultural groups.
A unified mathematical modelling and simulation for cathodic blistering mechanism incorporating diffusion and fracture mechanics concepts

A novel mathematical model has been developed to understand the mechanism of blister initiation and propagation. The model employs a two-part theoretical approach encompassing the debondment of a coating film from the substrate, coupled with the design components incorporating diffusion and fracture mechanics, where the latter is derived from equi-biaxial tensile loading. Integrating the two components, a comprehensive mathematical design for the propagation of blister boundaries based on specific toughness functions and mode adjustment parameters has been developed. This approach provided a reliable and efficient prediction method for blister growth rate and mechanisms. The model provided a foundation for holistic design based on diffusion and mechanic components to enable better understanding of the debondment of thin elastic films bonded to a metallic substrate.
Granger Causality Analysis on Ghana’s Macro-Economic Performance and Oil Price Fluctuations

Oil has had an exclusive position in the world’s economic system. It is an essential source of energy, an irreplaceable transport fuel, and a vital raw material in many manufacturing processes. Despite the incredible role oil plays in socio-economic development and most industrial activity, studies on oil price-economy relationship seems to have received little attention from the perspective of developing economies. Although a colossal volume of literature exist on oil prices effects on economic performance, majority of these studies are concentrated on rather developed markets. As Ghana continues her quest to grow into a middle-class economy, it is imperative to secure a reliable supply of energy largely from imports, which is vital for fueling economic growth and development. Consequently, guaranteeing the supply of this all-important resource brings verification of the interconnection between oil price fluctuations in the global market and Ghana macroeconomic performance. Considering the fact that most developing economies are oil dependent for economic growth and industrial productivity, a formal studies on oil price fluctuations and Ghana economy will better position policy makers in taking energy policy issues to address impacts of oil price fluctuations. Against this backdrop, we employ an empirical modelling technique using Granger Causality test to investigate the direction of causation between oil price fluctuations and the Ghanaian economy. The empirical findings of this study suggest that oil price variations have adverse impact on Ghana’s macroeconomic performance. We also observe that a uni-directional causality runs from oil price fluctuations to output and economic growth in Ghana. Thus, we recommend that policy action be formulated to expand and refurbish the nation’s refinery hub, thereby allowing for home production of finished crude oil products which drains the nation’s budget during periods of oil price spikes. Keywords : Oil price, Ghana, Granger Causality, Macroeconomy.
Phytoremediation of metal mine waste.

Phytoremediation is a group of technologies that us e plants to reduce, degrade, or immobilize environmental toxins, primarily those of anthropoge nic origin, with the aim to clean-up contaminated areas. In this review paper, different types of phy toremediation processes, typical plants used and th eir application for clean-up of metal contaminated site s were reviewed. Plant responses to heavy metals an d mechanisms of metal uptake and transport were also discussed. Phytoremediation of Pb, Zn, Cu and Fe tailings and mine spoils were carried out by grasse s, herbs and shrubs, which could be categorised as As accumulator ( Paspalum , Eriochloa, Holcus, Pennisetum Juncus, Scirpus and Thymus), Pb accumulator (Brassica juncea, Vetiveria, Sesbania, Minuartia, J uncus, Scirpus and Thymus), Cu accumulator (Ammania baccifera, Scleranthus) Zn and Cd accumulator (Vetiveria, Sesbania, Viola, Sedum, Rumex). The research work showed that, bioavailability and metal uptake by plants could be accomplished by ameliorating pH, addition of organic amendment, fer tiliser and chelating agents. Further research is required to develop fast growing high biomass plant s with improved metal uptake ability, increased translocation and tolerance of metals through genet ic engineering for effective phytoremediation of me tal mine wastes.
Nephroprotective effect of ethanolic leaf extract of Thaumatococcus danielli (benth.) in streptozotocin induced diabetic Rats

Background: The leaves of Thaumatococcus danielli (Benth.) have been traditionally used in folk medicine to treat malaria in Nigeria. However, there is no report on whether these leaves contain Nephroprotective activity. Thus, the ethanol leaf extract was investigated for Nephron-protective activity in Streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Methods : First, the LD 50 of the leaf was determined using standard procedure. Rats were assigned to 5 groups (A-E) of five rats. Except for the control group, each group was made diabetic using Streptozotocin (65 mg/kg/b.wt. i p). The treated groups received 0.5 ml of glibenclamide (25mg/kg/b.wt, o.p), 250 and 500 mg/kg/b.wt, o.p of Thaumatococcus danielli respectively. After 14 days of treatment, animals were sacrificed under light anaesthesia. Data were expressed as Means ± S.D (n=5) and were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnet’s test, values were considered significant at p<0.05. Results : The plant showed a LD 50 greater than 5000 mg/kg/b.wt in albino rats observed for 72 hours. A significant (p<0.05) decreased in serum Na + , Cl - , HCO - 3 , total protein, and an insignificant increase in K + , urea and creatinine level were observed in the diabetic group when compared with the normal group. Oral administration of plant extract and glibenclamide significantly (p<0.05) restored the electrolytes to near normal. Histological alterations such as glomerulonephritis, and tubules infiltration by inflammatory cells observed in diabetic control were also reversed. Conclusion : This study suggests renal protective ability of the plant against impairment due to hyperglycemia. Keywords : Streptozotocin, Thaumatococcus danielli , Nephroprotective, Glibenclamide, serum electrolytes.
Corporate Ethical and Social Responsibility and Relationship Marketing: A Content Analysis of the Websites of Moroccan Commercial Banks

The purpose of this work is to determine the role of relationship marketing in the success of the corporate ethical and social responsibility (CESR) by taking the case of Moroccan commercial banks. For this, we were used, as working methodology, the content analysis of the information published on the websites of Moroccan banks and the multiple regression model. The main results of this work is that ethics is used by banks to manage its relationships with internal stakeholders, while CSR support the actions of ethics internally and acts externally through the management of the bank relations with the environment, society and customers. This approach is reinforced by relationship marketing, which through its tools and dimensions (communication, commitment, trust and satisfaction) participates in the effective management of the relationships between banks and their internal and external stakeholders
A COMPREHENSIVE COMPILATION OF CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ENTERPRISE RESOURCE PLANNING (ERP) INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) has emerged as a common and necessary platform among small and medium scale enterprises to remain competitive in the global business. Critical Success Factors (CSFs) have been used to determine the level of success of ERP implementation, thus comprehensive compilation of research related to CSFs and their identification in small and medium sized enterprises in developed countries is the main purpose of this research. Studies of the success of ERP implementation have generally been conducted in relatively large economies organizations. Further analysis would shed more light on the importance and determination of critical success factors in small and developing economies to Provides framework that can serve as a valid toll for ERP vendor as well as SME owner-managers and to help them in providing better position before the implementation of an ERP system. The results found indicated more than twenty two factors involved in ERP success and top management was found to be a key factor influencing the success of ERP implementations Keywords-Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Critical Success Factors (CSF), Small to Medium Sized Enterprise (SMEs), Integration, Top management support, Information Technology (IT), Lebanon.
Coxeter Groups are not higher rank Arithmetic Groups

Let W be an irreducible finitely generated Coxeter group. The geometric representation of W in GL(V) provides a discrete embedding in the orthogonal group of the Tits form (the associated bilinear form of the Coxeter group). If the Tits form of the Coxeter group is non-positive and non-degenerate, the Coxeter group does not contain any finite index subgroup isomorphic to an irreducible lattice in a semisimple group of R-rank greater or equal to 2.
Extrinsic spin Hall effects measured with lateral spin valve structures

The spin Hall effect (SHE), induced by spin-orbit interaction in nonmagnetic materials, is one of the promising phenomena for conversion between charge and spin currents in spintronic devices. The spin Hall (SH) angle is the characteristic parameter of this conversion. We have performed experiments of the conversion from spin into charge currents by the SHE in lateral spin valve structures. We present experimental results on the extrinsic SHEs induced by doping nonmagnetic metals, Cu or Ag, with impurities having a large spin-orbit coupling, Bi or Pb, as well as results on the intrinsic SHE of Au. The SH angle induced by Bi in Cu or Ag is negative and particularly large for Bi in Cu, 10 times larger than the intrinsic SH angle in Au. We also observed a large SH angle for CuPb, but the SHE signal disappeared in a few days. Such an aging effect could be related to a fast mobility of Pb in Cu and has not been observed in CuBi alloys.
Gomphocalyx and Phylohydrax (Rubiaceae): sister taxa excluded from Spermacoceae s.s., featuring a remarkable case of convergent evolution

The genera Gomphocalyx and Phylohydrax (Rubiaceae) have been invariably placed in the tribe Spermacoceae s.s. based on the uni-ovulate ovary locules and pluri-aperturate pollen grains. Sequence data from the rps16 intron and the rbcL gene here presented exclude Gomphocalyx and Phylohydrax from Spermacoceae s.s. The two genera are closely related and their nearest relatives are found among members of the former tribe Hedyotideae. This position may be surprising at first, because the growth form of Phylohydrax is similar to some observed in Spermacoceae s.s. A detailed survey of morphological and anatomical characters shows, however, that the character states of the two genera are largely consistent with the here-proposed position in Hedyotideae. The creeping growth form, the uni-ovulate ovaries and the pluri-colporate pollen grains of Gomphocalyx and Phylohydrax are the result of convergence between this pair of genera and Spermacoceae s.s. The taxonomic position of Lathraeocarpa, sometimes considered closely related to Gomphocalyx, is also discussed.
Dietary patterns and feeding problems of Turkish children with intellectual disabilities and typically developing children

This study aimed to determine whether dietary patterns and feeding problems differ among children with intellectual disabilities (ID) and typically developing children (TDC) in Turkey. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 220 (112 children with ID and 108 TDC) 7-12 aged children in Konya, Turkey. We assessed usual dietary intakes by a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and gathered information on the children’s problems about feeding by a feeding assessment survey. Children with ID were found to consume significantly more daily servings of Juice and sweetened non-dairy beverages (2.3 versus 1.2, p = 0.02) and desserts (4.2 versus 2.8, p = 0.01) and significantly fewer daily servings of vegetables (0.8 versus 1.8, p = 0.008) than TDC. The most common problems of children with ID were limited food variety, eating fast and eating too much. We found that limited food variety and food refusal problems are common in children with ID but not in TDC. Other problems, difficulty swallowing and skipping dinner, are less common in both groups. Keywords: Children with intellectual disability, Dietary patterns, Feeding problems.
Macroprudential Policies in a Commodity Exporting Economy

Colombia is a small open and commodity exporter economy, sensitive to international commodity price fluctuations. During the surge in commodity prices, as income from the resource sector increases total credit expands, boosting demand for tradable and nontradable goods, appreciating the currency and shifting resources from the tradable sector to the nontradable. Although this adjustment is efficient, the presence of financial frictions in the economy exacerbates the resource allocation process through credit. In this phase, as total credit expands, the appreciation erodes the net worth of the tradable sector and boosts the nontradable one, and thus credit gets concentrated in that sector. A sudden reversal of commodity prices causes a rapid adjustment of resources in the opposite direction. However, the ability of the tradable sector to absorb the freed resources is limited by its financial capacity. In this scenario, macroprudential policies may help to restrain aggregate credit dynamics and thus prevent or act prudently in anticipation to the effects of large oil price shock reversals. In this work we write a model that accounts for these facts and quantify the role of three policy instruments: short term interest rate, FX intervention and financial regulation. We explore this issues in a DSGE model estimated for the Colombian economy and find that both FX intervention and regulation policies complement the short-term interest rates in smoothing the business cycle by restraining credit, raising market interest rates and smoothing economic activity. However, these additional instruments have undesirable sectoral implications. In particular, the use of these policies implies that credit to the tradable sector dries and becomes more expensive, weakening its financial position, which in turn implies a sharper fall of this sector during the price reversal and a longer recovery. These effects, nonetheless, appear to be quantitatively small according to the estimated model.
On the occurrence and identification of Abudefduf saxatilis (Linnaeus, 1758) in the easternmost Mediterranean Sea.

Specimens of Abudefduf sp. collected in the Levantine region were previously assumed to be the Lessepsian-immigrant Indo-Pacific sergeant Abudefduf vaigiensis (Quoy and Gaimard, 1825). Using phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial genes cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) and 16S rRNA probed in 10 individuals sampled in the Mediterranean Israel and on 10 individuals sampled in the Red Sea, we established that Atlantic-origin sergeant major Abudefduf saxatilis (Linnaeus, 1758) now occurs along the eastern Mediterranean in shallow coastal rocky habitats. This study showed that misidentifications resulting from phenotypic plasticity and conservative morphological analysis may lead to wrong conclusions regarding the biogeography of studied species. In this respect, molecular tools are necessary to rule between the Lessepsian and Atlantic origin of non-indigenous cryptic species.
First notice of Phytophthora stem base rot on Syringa vulgaris in a Polish field nursery

Phytophthora citrophthora was isolated from grafted lilac (Syringa vulgaris). Showing browning of leaf blade edge and necrosis spreading on all leaves. On the stem bases, beginning from the grafted place, necrosis had even spread 20 cm upward, whereas root stock shoots and roots were healthy. Using rhododendron leaves as the bait, Phytophthora citrophthora was isolated from soil where growing plants showed stem base rot symptoms. Isolates of Phytophthora which were from the stem base, shoot tip of lilac, and soil, colonized leaves, stem parts and roots of lilac. Necroses spread about twice faster on leaf blades than on stem parts. Three isolates of Phytophthora colonized also Forsythia intermedia and Ligustrum vulgare.