Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of yield and advantage indices of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) and mungbean (Vigna radiate L.) intercropping systems

Intercropping is considered for increasing and stability of yield per unit. In order to study the effects of different intercropping arrangements on sorghum and mungbean yield and to find the land use advantage in the intercropping system, an experiment was carried out based on a randomized complete block design with seven treatments and three replications at the Research Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz in 2013. The treatments were as follows: sole cropping of sorghum, sole cropping of mung bean and five intercropping patterns of sorghum: mungbean with replacement ratios ((1:1), (2:1), (3:1), (1:2), (1:3)) respectively. The results showed that the maximum grain yield was obtained from both species in monoculture treatment. The highest intercropping advantage (3.22) was related to treatment (1:3). Also, the highest value of RYT was observed 1.36 in treatment (1:1). Land equivalent ratio (LER) in all evaluated treatments was more than one. Thus, according to economic evaluation indices, sorghum and mungbean intercropping was economically justified in comparison with their sole cropping in Tabriz.
Comparing the determinants of fund flows in domestically managed Malaysian Islamic and conventional equity funds.

Purpose This paper aims to provide an empirical evidence on the fund flows-past return performance relationship by also considering the management expense ratio, the portfolio turnover, the fund size and the fund age of Islamic equity funds (IEF) investors in comparison with conventional equity funds (CEF) investors. Design/methodology/approach By using panel data, the sample of Malaysian domestic managed equity funds is considered which comprises 20 individual funds from IEF and CEF from 2011 to 2013. Findings The results provide evidence that IEF investors have different factors when choosing funds in comparison with CEF investors. The study finds that the key factor influencing the fund flows of IEF is the management expense ratio, compared to the CEF which is fund size. This study also shows that all the fund characteristics of IEF and CEF are positively or negatively related to the fund flows. Research limitations/implications The present study may be extended by considering other fund categories such as the money market fund, the balanced fund, the bond fund and the fixed income fund. Practical implications The empirical findings of this paper clearly call for fund managers and investors to review their investment policy. The results could also provide better information and guidance for investors as well policy makers on the factors that affect the fund flow for Malaysian Islamic funds and CEF. Originality/value This paper is among the earliest empirical evidence studies on the fund flows-past return performance relationship by focusing in a comparative manner on IEF investors and CEF investors in Malaysia.
Influence of evenness on the litter-species richness–decomposition relationship in Mediterranean grasslands

Aims Human impacts on natural ecosystems induce changes in their functioning through alterations in species richness, composition and evenness of plant communities. Most litter diversity–decomposition processes studies have only manipulated species richness, ignoring the role of evenness. Here, results from a field litterbag experiment are presented to test whether changes in evenness of species distribution in litter mixtures affected the strength of the litter-species richness–decomposition relationship. Methods Ten herbaceous species abundant in Mediterranean grassland communities and representative of different genera and functional groups were used. Species richness was directly manipulated to produce litter mixtures of three and six plant species, as well as litter of each individual species used. Each level of species richness was replicated several times such that each repeat had a different species composition. Three- and six-species litter mixtures were also treated to vary in evenness (three levels). Decomposition rate was assessed by percentage dry weight loss over the 90 days of the experiment. Important Findings Decomposition rate was positively related to the linear increase in litter-species richness and was affected by the composition of the litter-species mixture. Decomposition rates differed significantly between evenness treatments and moreover, the strength of the positive relationship between litter-species richness and decomposition rate decreased notably in the low-evenness treatment. The effects of evenness on decomposition rate, at different richness levels, were partially explained by the differences in the initial litter mixture’s carbon-to-nitrogen ratio within them. This study reveals that shortterm decomposition rate is positively affected by both components of Mediterranean grassland litter-species diversity.
Dose‐Optimal Vaccine Allocation over Multiple Populations

Vaccination is an effective way to prevent an epidemic. It results in immunity for the vaccinated individuals, but it also reduces the infection pressure for unvaccinated people. Thus people may actually escape infection without being vaccinated: the so‐called “herd effect. ” We analytically study the relation between the herd effect and the vaccination fraction for the seminal SIR compartmental model, which consists of a set of differential equations describing the time course of an epidemic. We prove that the herd effect is in general convex‐concave in the vaccination fraction and give precise conditions on the epidemic for the convex part to arise. We derive the significant consequences of these structural insights for allocating a limited vaccine stockpile to multiple non‐interacting populations. We identify for each population a unique vaccination fraction that is most efficient per dose of vaccine: our dose‐optimal coverage. We characterize the solution of the vaccine allocation problem and we show the crucial importance of the dose‐optimal coverage. A single dose of vaccine may be a drop in the ocean, but multiple doses together can save a population. To benefit from this, policy makers should select a subset of populations to which the vaccines are allocated. Focusing on a limited number of populations can make a significant difference, whereas allocating equally to all populations would be substantially less effective.
Strategic Vertical Market Structure with Opaque Products

This paper studies the strategic introduction of an opaque channel by incumbent rms. We endow a circular city model with an intermediary that sells lotteries (opaque products) over goods produced by upstream rms. Compared to the benchmark model (Salop, 1979), opaque intermediation creates value (welfare) by increasing the intensity of price competition and expanding industry sales, but the eect on the value captured by the rms is ambiguous. We show that rms can use the opaque intermediary as a
'The Way in Which an Experiment is Conducted is Unbelievably Important': On the Experimentation Practices of Economists and Psychologists

To discuss experimental results without discussing how they came about makes sense when the results are robust to the way experiments are conducted. Experimental results, however, are – arguably more often than not – sensitive to numerous design and implementation characteristics such as the use of financial incentives, deception, and the way information is presented. To the extent that economists and psychologists have different experimental practices, this claim is of obvious practical and interpretative relevance. In light of the empirical results summarized below, it seems warranted to say that it does not make sense to report experimental results without reporting the design and implementation choices that were made.
The Effects of Prior Outcomes on Risky Choice: Evidence from the Stock Market

How do prior outcomes affect the risk choice? Research on this can help people to understand investors’ dynamic decisions in financial market. This paper puts forward a new value function. By analyzing the new value function, we find that the prior gains and losses have an impact on the form of value function and the current investors’ risk attitude. Then the paper takes the behavior of the whole stock market as the research object, adopts aggregative index number of 14 representative stocks around the world as samples, and establishes a TVRA-GARCH-M model to investigate the influences of prior gains and losses on the current risk attitude. The empirical study indicates that, at the whole market level, prior gains increase people’s current willingness to take risk assert; that is to say, the house money effect exists in the market, while people are more risk aversion following prior losses.
An Empirical Analysis of Stock Price Synchronicity in Emerging and Developed Economies

The paper examines the stock markets of 41 countries over a 10 year period from January 1996 to December 2005 using the classical stock synchronicity measure developed by Morck et al. (2000). The study finds evidence that stock markets in emerging economies are more synchronous than in developed financial market. In a separate panel data analysis there is evidence that countries with higher stock synchronicity have higher levels of inflation and lower levels of government accountability and corporate transparency. It is also apparent that in civil law countries stock synchronicity is more closely associated with the level of corporate governance than is apparent in common law countries.
The Export Performance of Countries within Global Value Chains (GVCs)

The growing importance of global value chains (GVCs) in the international organisation of production increasingly challenges the traditional way of measuring countries’ export performance and hence international competitiveness. As a result of growing production fragmentation, a country’s export bundle nowadays incorporates imports of intermediate goods representing a (large) part of its value. In this case, simply looking at the evolution of exports may misrepresent the international competitive position of a country. This paper discusses the export performance of countries along the value chain by distinguishing upstream activities (i.e. the production of intermediate inputs) and more downstream activities (e.g. the final assembly of products). The empirical analysis first shows how imports of intermediates increasingly determine the export competitiveness of countries in final products. Second, the paper analyses the developments at the intensive and extensive margins of trade and studies how structural changes in terms of geographical and sectoral composition, largely outside the influence of national policies, have contributed to countries’ export performance. L'importance croissante des chaines de valeur mondiales (CVM) dans l'organisation internationale de la production remet en question la facon traditionnelle de mesurer la performance a l’exportation et par consequent la competitivite internationale des pays. De nos jours, en raison de la fragmentation de la production, les exportations d'un pays integrent des importations de biens intermediaires qui representent une partie (importante) de leur valeur. Dans ce cas, regarder exclusivement l'evolution des exportations peut biaiser la position concurrentielle internationale d'un pays. Ce document de travail examine la performance a l’exportation des pays au long des CVM, en distinguant les activites en amont (a savoir la production d'intrants) des activites en aval (par exemple l'assemblage final des produits). L'analyse empirique montre d'abord que les importations de biens intermediaires determinent de plus en plus la competitivite des exportations des biens finaux des pays. Deuxiemement, le document de travail analyse les developpements au niveau des marges intensive et extensive du commerce, et examine comment les changements structurels en termes de composition geographique et sectorielle des exportations, qui sont en grande partie hors de l'influence des politiques nationales, ont contribue a la performance a l’exportation des pays.
Accounting for Endogenous Search Behavior in Matching Function Estimation

We show that equilibrium matching models imply that standard estimates of the matching function elasticities are exposed to an endogeneity bias, which arises from the search behavior of agents on either side of the market. We offer an estimation method which, under certain assumptions, is immune from that bias. Application of our method to the estimation of a basic version of the matching function using aggregate U.S. data from the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) suggests that the bias is quantitatively important.
Heavy flavor production in heavy ions with the CMS detector

We review recent results relating to beauty production in heavy-ion collisions, in both the closed and open heavy flavor sectors, from the CMS experiment at the LHC. The sequential suppression of the Υ states in PbPb collisions is thought to be evidence of the dissociation of quarkonia bound states in deconfined matter. Data from pPb collisions demonstrate that while cold nuclear effects appear to be subdominant in minimum bias collisions, there exists a non-trivial dependence on collision multiplicity that remains to be understood. The suppression of high pT particles in heavy-ion collisions, relative to the expectation from pp collisions, is typically interpreted in terms of energy loss of hard scattered parton in the dense nuclear medium. The flavor dependence of the energy loss may be accessed via measurements of b hadrons and b-tagged jets. Measurement of B mesons, via non-prompt J/ψ , at relatively low pT indicate a smaller suppression factor than D meson or inclusive charged hadrons. Data on b jets at larger values of pT show no significant difference between the suppression factors of b jets and inclusive jets. In both cases a number of other potential effects need to be precisely understood before the flavor dependence of parton energy loss can be understood in detail.
Strength and porosity evolution of two cement mortar submerged in pig slurry

Pig slurry is an agricultural by-product used chiefly to fertilize cultivated fields. The demand for fertilizer depends on crop cycles. So, the slurry must be stored over long periods of time. In Spain, the lagoons of different depths generally used for such storage are made of brick covered with plain or reinforced concrete. Also, the slurry is in contact with other precast concrete structural members. The degradation of these structures may entail substantial economic loss, in patterned flooring especially, where deterioration-induced collapse can cause severe injury to the animals. The paper presents two aspects related to the durability of the mortar cements. In it addresses the variations observed in porosity and flexural and compressive strength in two types of cement mortar when submerged in pig slurry. The tests were conducted in a 100 m3 experimental lagoon. The mortars were exposed to three types of environments for 36 months: one outside the test lagoon and two submerged in it, at two different depths. Bending and compression measurements were taken after 3, 12, 24 and 36 months. In addition, 3, 24 and 36 month specimens were tested for total porosity and pore-size distribution.
Evaluation Study for Sustainable Development in Hotels in Some Tourist Areas in Egypt

This research aims to present an overall approach for exploring the concept of Sustainable Development (SD) and to highlight the importance of its practices in hotels. The current study adopted a quantitative approach using the questionnaire strategy as a method for data collection. The target population of the current study was the hotel mangers working in the Egyptian hotels in (Cairo, Alexandria and Hurghada hotels in Egypt). Random sampling was chosen as the most appropriate sampling technique to achieve the study objectives. The selected sample size was 121 hotels from the three areas. A total of 121 questionnaires were distributed to the hotel managers of the sampled hotels. The valid questionnaires for analysis were 56, with a valid response rate estimated to be 46.28%. Mixed methods of data analysis were performed. The collected data were processed and analysed through some statistical tests using SPSS and Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA). This research highlighted the importance of the composite view of the SD concept and its 79 indicators. A key contribution is to enrich the literature of hotel SD through providing a theoretical model. This model identified 79 practices, which organized into 10 dimensions. The collected SD practices in this research provide the hoteliers with a checklist that can be used to assess their current situations. IPA model provides hotel managers with useful recommendations. Depending on the position of each SD practice in this model, it is expected that hoteliers will be able to find out attributes that are doing well and those that need to be improved. Keywords: Sustainable Development Practices; Importance-Performance Analysis; Egyptian hotels.
Factors Affecting Learning Mathematics in the Case Assosa University Collage of Natural Science

This paper was intended to access factors affecting teaching and learning mathematics in Assosa University faculty of Natural and Computational Science (NCS) students. The research method used for study was descriptive survey and supported by qualitatively. The respondents the study were all NCS students (except Biology and Sport science students) and all mathematics instructors. The main purpose of the study was to determine the factors that affect teaching and learning mathematics. Some instruments like questionnaire, focus group discussion (FGD) and interview were employed for data collection. The questionnaires were filled by 80 students and 16 instructors. Furthermore, the researcher held FGD with all one-to-five network group leaders of each section students and all instructors. For interview, 7 students (representatives of each section) and 5 instructors were interviewed. Thus, the findings indicate that demographic, instructional strategies and methods and individual factors affect teaching and learning mathematics. Among these factors instructional strategies and methods was the first most influential factor in teaching and learning mathematics. The second and the third most influential factors are individual and demographic factors respectively. Most respondents have a problem of language, income, arithmetic ability, background knowledge and confidence to understand mathematical concepts. The other main finding was there are no enough materials and facilities in the university for teaching and learning mathematics. But, availability of enough materials and facilities in the university were a factor for teaching and learning mathematics. Finally, based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that students need to be equipped with necessary background knowledge, arithmetic ability and they should developed confidence in mathematics. So, concerned bodies of the university should give a valve able support concerning each factor to increase students’ performance in teaching and learning mathematics.
Religion Education as Praxis: Voices and Narratives on Teaching and Learning Experiences

The increasing importance of Religion in Education (RiE 1 ) is reflected in many national and international forums and research projects. Many teacher education students have to traverse the boundaries of their own religious, cultural and social contexts to participate in liberal academic discourses and explore the distinctive field of study of and research in RiE. This article presents the original and full narratives of two postgraduate students of their paradigmatic transformation as a result of becoming acquainted with the epistemology of teaching and learning religion in education 2
Impact of potassium rates and their application time on dry matter partitioning, biomass and harvest index of maize (Zea mays) with and without cattle dung application.

Two field experiments were conducted to study the response of maize (Zea mays L., cv. Azam) to potassium (K) levels (30, 60, 90 kg ha-1) and K application time (T1 = full at sowing, T2 = full at V9 stage (many ear shoots were easily visible upon dissection), and T3 = 50% each at sowing and V9 stage with and without cattle dung. One experiment was carried out in the field where 5 t ha-1 cattle dung was applied (15 days before sowing), while the field under second experiment received no cattle dung (0 t ha-1). The research was carried out at the Agronomy Research Farm of The University of Agriculture Peshawar during summer 2014. The experiments under both treatments were laid out in randomized complete block design using three replications. The results revealed that the K treated plots (rest) under both treatments had produced more number of leaves plant-1 and mean leaf area, partitioned more dry matter into various plant parts (leaf, stem and ear), and produced more biomass yield and harvest index than control (K not applied). Cattle dung was found more beneficial in terms of more number of leaves plant-1, higher mean leaf area, partitioning of more dry matter into leaf, stem and ear, and producing higher biomass yield and harvest index as compared to the treatment that received no cattle dung. Increasing the rate of K increased number of leaves plant-1 and mean leaf area, partitioned more dry matter into various plant parts (leaf, stem and ear), produced more biomass yield and harvest index and vice versa (90 kg K ha-1 > 60 kg K ha-1 > 30 kg K ha-1). Increase in number of leaves plant-1, mean leaf area, dry matter partitioning into various plant parts (leaf, stem and ear), biomass yield and harvest index was observed when K was applied in two equal splits (50% each at sowing and V9 stage > 100 % at sowing > 100 % at V9 stage). It was concluded from this study that application of K at the highest rate of 90 kg ha-1 in two equal splits (50% at sowing + 50% at V9 stage) along with cattle dung (5 t ha-1) could improve number and area of leaves, dry matter partitioning, biomass yield and harvest index under limited irrigation condition.
Prediction of Mathematics Learning Strategies on Mathematics Achievement among 8th Grade Students in Jordan

The study aimed to examine the extent of the student’s Mathematics Learning Strategy (MLS) factors such as mathematics attitude, mathematics motivation, mathematics self regulation, mathematics self efficacy and mathematics anxiety contribution to mathematics achievement (MA). The respondents of the study were 360 students from eight public middle schools in Jordan selected through stratified random sampling. The study used 65 items to assess the MLS. Moreover, the mathematics test (MAT) comprises 30 items. The results of multiple regression analysis showed that mathematics attitude, mathematics motivation, mathematics self regulation, mathematics self efficacy significantly contributed to MA, with the exception of mathematics anxiety that was found to have an insignificant effect on MA. Educators, principals and teachers should focus on most MLS factors in classes and students should be motivated to understand that the subject could be studied and passed just like other subjects, and to appreciate that it is an essential tool and a prerequisite for further education in many vocations.