Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Outreach and Financial Sustainability of Microfinance Banks in Southwest Nigeria

Microfinance Banks (MFBs) in Nigeria are still a far cry from meeting their potentials as instrument of genuine economic development through the empowerment of the economic active poor whose core economic activities are located along the agricultural value chains. We examined the outreach and financial sustainability of MFBs to ascertain how well they have contributed to the financial intermediation process and also provide insight into their readiness as catalyst for the financial inclusion strategy. We measured outreach through technical efficiency and financial sustainability through economic efficiency using Data Envelopment Analysis for the activities of 86 MFBs in South-West, Nigeria. We observed a mean annual technical efficiency score of 0.464 and 30.23% of the sampled MFBs had technical efficiency score estimates of between 0.61 and 1.0. The mean economic efficiency score was 0.055 with a maximum of 2 MFBs on the economic efficiency score range of 0.81 and 1.0 over the study period. The mean economic efficiency of MFBs located in commercial areas was 0.0712 greater than the mean economic efficiency of their counterparts in the agrarian areas. Overall, the study depicted the Nigerian Microfinance sub-sector to be at its infancy (stage) and hence needs to be nurtured to achieve its potentials.
The Effect of Fiscal Policy on Economic Growth in Nigeria

This study investigated the effect of fiscal policy on economic growth in Nigeria. The main objective is to analysis how various components of fiscal policy have contributed to the growth rate of the Nigerian economy. This study uses secondary data which were obtained from the Statistical Bulletin of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) covering the period from 1985 to 2015. Descriptive statistics and the ordinary least square (OLS) multiple regression analytical method was used for the data analysis after ensuring data stationarity. The results from the analysis revealed that total government expenditures is significantly and positively related to government revenue, with expenditures climaxing faster than revenue. Investment expenditures were much lower than recurrent expenditures evidencing the poor growth in the country’s economy. Consequently, it is recommended that government should formulate and implement viable fiscal policy options that will stabilize the economy. This could be achieved through the practice of true fiscal federalism and the decentralization of the various levels of government in Nigeria.
MODELING OF MODELING OF MODELING OF MODELING OF RESERVOIR IN RESERVOIR IN RESERVOIR IN RESERVOIR IN ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORK ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORK ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORK ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORK

the three hydropower reservoirs in Nigeria were the three hydropower reservoirs in Nigeria were the three hydropower reservoirs in Nigeria were the three hydropower reservoirs in Nigeria were modelmodelmodelmodeledededed usingusingusingusing eural Network (ANN) eural Network (ANN) eural Network (ANN) eural Network (ANN). The model revealed positive relationship between the The model revealed positive relationship between the The model revealed positive relationship between the The model revealed positive relationship between the with values of correlation coefficient of 0.57, 0.84 and 0.92 for Kainji, Jebba and with values of correlation coefficient of 0.57, 0.84 and 0.92 for Kainji, Jebba and with values of correlation coefficient of 0.57, 0.84 and 0.92 for Kainji, Jebba and with values of correlation coefficient of 0.57, 0.84 and 0.92 for Kainji, Jebba and
Wage Differentials of Males and Females in Same-Sex and Different-Sex Couples in Canada, 2006-2010

This paper utilizes five cycles of the General Social Survey in consecutive years from 2006 through 2010 to address the issue of differential wages amongst members of same-sex couples compared to their counterparts in different-sex couples. We find that men in gay couples have wages that are statistically indistinguishable from those of males in heterosexual relationships. By contrast, a sizeable and statistically significant earnings premium exists for lesbians in same-sex couples.
Performance of intraspecific hybrids (Kouillou x Robusta) of Coffea canephora Pierre

The experiment was carried out in 2005 in the municipality of Ouro Preto do Oeste at the experimental station of Embrapa Rondonia. 256 genotypes were evaluated, from nine hybridizations among parents of Kouillou (Cpafro 121, Cpafro 194, Cpafro 199 and Emcapa 03) and Robusta (Robusta 1675, Robusta 2258 and Robusta 640). The experimental design was a randomized complete block design, where each cross was represented by a maximum of 32 plants, distributed in four replications. The spacing used was 3.5 x 1.5 m. The average of six harvests and the yield of hulled coffee was 74.90 bags ha-1. Highlight for progeny is Emcapa 03 x Cpafro 194 with average yield of 97.71 bags ha-1. The estimated heritability observed for yield of coffee benefited, was 78.96%. The evaluation of six production seasons was allowed to verify the reliability of the genetic parameters in each set of crops. It was possible to observe that only the evaluation of the 1st and 2nd crops would be enough to estimate the genetic parameters with efficiency, with a coefficient of determination (R2) of 79.10%. With the inclusion of the 3rd crop, R2 estimates rose to 81.10%. The individual evaluations (per plant) carried out in 2006/2007, 2007/2008 and 2008/2009 crops showed the superiority of the plants from crosses 7, 8 and 9. In relation to resistance of orange rust, most of the genotypes were resistant to disease, and 75% of the genotypes did not present any type of infection symptoms. Among the susceptible genotypes, there was a variation between 1 and 15% in the degree of lesion intensity.
Modeling equations to predict the mixing behaviours of Al−Fe liquid alloy at different temperatures

Redlich−Kister (R−K) polynomials have been associated with the extended regular associated solution model to predict and explain the thermodynamic properties and structural properties of Al−Fe liquid alloy at 1873 K, 1973 K, 2073 K and 2173 K; 1873 K being its melting temperature. The thermodynamic properties, such as free energy of mixing and activities of free monomers ( and ) and structural properties, such as concentration fluctuation in long wave length limit, chemical short range order parameter and ratio of diffusion coefficients ( have been predicted at above stated temperatures. Renovated Butler model has been employed to predict the surface tension and surface segregation of the alloy at stated temperatures with the help of thermodynamic properties. Theoretical findings prevail that the tendency towards compound formation of the liquid alloy decreases with increase in its temperature beyond melting temperature. Eventually, its surface tension decreases and there is gradual exchange of atoms between the surface and bulk regions to maintain equilibrium at elevated temperatures. The liquid alloy under investigation thus shows ideal behaviours at higher temperatures. BIBECHANA 15 (2018) 60-69
Nutrient management in soybean: A review

Soybean (Glycine max) contains 40-42% protein and 20-22% oil and it is one of the major rainy season cash crop and its cultivation is fast spreading in India. Still the productivity of the crop is very low in India (1079 kg ha). Nutrition imbalance is one of the important constraints for low productivity soybean in India. Proper nutrient management is one of the ways to enhance the soybean productivity. Nutrient management plans document available nutrient sources, production practices, and other management practices that influence nutrient availability, crop productivity and environmental stewardship. Integration of organic manures, inorganic fertilizers and biological sources and their efficient management has shown promise in not only sustaining the productivity and soil health but also in meeting part of crops nutrients requirement.
Host range testing and biology of Abia sericea (Cimbicidae), a candidate for biological control of invasive teasels (Dipsacus spp.) in North America

Invasive teasels (Dipsacus spp., Dipsacaceae) are widespread in the USA, being present in 43 states and listed as noxious in five. The cimbicid sawfly Abia sericea (Linne, 1767) is under evaluation as a potential agent for classical biological control of teasels. The host range, biology, and life history of this insect were studied under laboratory conditions and in common garden experiments from 2006–2010 at the Agricultural University of Plovdiv, Bulgaria in order to determine if this biocontrol candidate justified the expense of further testing under quarantine conditions in the USA. In the laboratory, potted plants from twelve plant species belonging to seven families were tested in choice tests of oviposition and feeding. Eggs were laid only on D. laciniatus and D. fullonum plants with only one exception, on Valeriana officinalis, although the larvae that hatched from the latter did not feed on that plant. Larval feeding was observed only on D. laciniatus, Knautia arvensis, and Scabiosa ochroleuca, all in the family Dipsacaceae, which has no species native to the New World nor any of economic importance. In common garden tests into which adults and third- and fourth-instar larvae were released in separate tests, eggs were laid and larvae fed only on D. laciniatus. The results of these experiments indicate that A. sericea has a narrow host range, most likely limited to Dipsacus species, and a few other Dipsacaceae and that further pre-release studies in a US quarantine are warranted.
Intestinal digestibility of enriched-protein fodders measured by mobile bag incubated with or without pepsin-HCl and three-step techniques

Ruminal, intestinal and total tract digestibility of dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) of leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala), Madras thorn (Pithecellobium dulce) and moringa (Moringa oleifera) fodders were measured in this study, using nylon bag and mobile bag techniques. Three cattle were fitted with permanent rumen and duodenal cannulae. Intestinal digestibility was measured using the mobile nylon bag (MNB) technique with or without incubation in a pepsin-HCl solution, and a three-step in vitro technique. The rate of ruminal disappearances of DM and CP, and the potential degradation of CP from nylon bags of both Madras thorn and moringa fodders were significantly higher than that for leucaena fodder. Potential degradation (A+B) values of CP were 45.6%, 54.2% and 52.8% for leucaena, Madras thorn and moringa fodders, respectively. Average DM and CP digestibility in the intestine and total tract for both Madras thorn and moringa fodders were significantly higher than for leucaena fodder. Average digestibility of DM and CP in the intestine and total tract measured using MNB without pepsin-HCl solution was significantly lower than with pepsin-HCl and with the three-step methods. These data suggest that the results of in vivo and in vitro methods for estimating intestinal digestibility are similar, though in all methods the incubation in a pepsin-HCl solution is necessary.
Pengkajian Kesalahan Penalaran Analogi Siswa Pra-Kuliah dalam Memecahkan Masalah Berdasarkan Komponen Penalaran Analogi

Kemampuan pemecahan masalah matematika dapat meningkat apabila siswa melakukan penalaran analogi dengan benar. Penalaran analogi terdiri dari empat komponen proses yaitu 1. identifikasi masalah sumber, 2. pemahaman struktur masalah sumber, 3. identifikasi kesesuaian struktural antara masalah target dengan masalah sumber, dan 4. adaptasi struktur masalah sumber untuk pemecahan masalah target. Kesalahan penalaran analogi banyak terjadi pada komponen kedua, ketiga dan keempat. Pada komponen kedua, siswa tidak dapat menentukan struktur masalah sumber dengan benar. Pada komponen ketiga, siswa tidak dapat menemukan kesesuaian antara struktur masalah sumber dengan struktur masalah target dan hanya fokus pada kemiripan permukaan (surface similarity) antara masalah sumber dengan masalah target. Pada komponen keempat, siswa melakukan kesalahan karena menggunakan kemiripan permukaan (surface similarity) untuk memecahkan masalah target.
Does academia disfavor contextual and extraverted students

This article is downloaded from www.idunn. no. © 2015 Solve Saebo, Trygve Almoy og Helge Brovold. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), allowing third parties to copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format and to remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially, provided the original work is properly cited and states its license.
Multi-variant execution environments

Memory corruption vulnerabilities are a common problem in software implemented in C/C++. Attackers can exploit these vulnerabilities to steal sensitive data and to seize or disrupt the system on which the software is executed. Memory safety techniques can, in principle, eliminate these vulnerabilities [Nagarakatte et al. 2009, Nagarakatte et al. 2010] but are prohibitively expensive in terms of runtime overhead [Szekeres et al. 2013]. Instead, modern operating systems and compilers deploy exploit mitigations such as Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) [PaX Team 2004a], Data Execution Prevention (DEP, a.k.a.W.X) [PaX Team 2004b], and stack canaries [Cowan et al. 1998]. These exploit mitigations incur minimal performance overhead, but are limited in scope.often only defending against one particular type of exploit.and can be bypassed with only modest effort. Up-and-coming exploit mitigations, such as control-flow integrity [Abadi et al. 2005a, Tice et al. 2014], require more effort to bypass [Göktas et al. 2014a, Davi et al. 2014, Carlini et al. 2015e, Evans et al. 2015, Schuster et al. 2015], but, similar to the aforementioned defenses, they defend only against attacks of one particular type: code reuse. The ubiquity of multi-core processors has made Multi-Variant Execution Environments (MVEEs) an increasingly attractive option to provide strong, comprehensive protection against memory corruption exploits, while still incurring only a fraction of the runtime overhead of full memory safety. MVEEs have been shown to successfully defend against several types of attacks, including code reuse [Volckaert et al. 2015], information leakage [Koning et al. 2016], stack buffer overflows [Salamat et al. 2009], and code injection [Cox et al. 2006]. The underlying idea is to run several diversified instances of the same program, often referred to as variants or replicas, side by side on equivalent program inputs. The MVEE's main component, the monitor, feeds all variants these equivalent inputs and monitors the variants' behavior. The diversity techniques used to generate the variants ensure that the variants respond differently to malicious inputs, while leaving the behavior under normal operating conditions unaffected. The MVEE monitor detects the diverging behavior and halts the execution of the variants before they can harm the system. This implies that the variants must, to some extent, be executed in lockstep: potentially harmful operations in a variant are only executed when the consistency with the other variants has been validated. In recent years, over half a dozen systems have been proposed that match the above description. While most of them show many similarities, some authors have made radically different design choices. In this chapter, we discuss the design of MVEEs and provide implementation details about our own MVEE, the Ghent University Multi-Variant Execution Environment, orGHUMVEE, and its extensions. GHUMVEEhas been open sourced and can be downloaded from http://github.com/ stijn-volckaert/ReMon/.
The Competitive Response of Panicum virgatum Cultivars to Non-Native Invasive Species

It is important to use the most appropriate plant cultivar in restoration or biofuel trials especially when plantings are likely to be invaded by undesirable species. In this study, the competitive response of two lowland and three upland cultivars of the dominant C4 grass Panicum virgatum to three invasive species (Bromus inermis, Schedonorus phoenix, and Poa pratensis) was tested using a simple pair-wise greenhouse experiment. Response variables (height, number of leaves, tiller density, and biomass of P. virgatum ) and resources (soil moisture and light intensity) were measured over a seven-month period. Performance of the different P. virgatum cultivars were differentially reduced by the three invasive species, especially the performance of the Kanlow (lowland) and Blackwell (upland) cultivars. Low soil moisture reduced the performance of P. virgatum in the presence of only one invasive (Bromus inermis) irrespective of cultivar source. Root, shoot, and total biomass depended on cultivar and did not show an interaction with invasive species identity. The results of this greenhouse study suggest that the P. virgatum cultivars differentially responded to the invasive species and that the cultivar used should be considered carefully in planning prairie restorations or biofuel trials in the context of likely invasive species.
Institutional Subsystems and the Survival of Democracy: Do Political and Civil Society Matter?

How do two central institutional subsystems of democracy – party systems and civil society – affect the persistence of democratic regimes? Despite the ability of each of these institutions to provide sources of countervailing power that make politicians accountable and thus responsive, distributionist accounts of democratic breakdown provide few insights on how such institutions may encourage parties to reach accommodation. We argue that these institutions provide credible threats against anti-system activities that would otherwise threaten the democratic compromise. We test our argument with newly available data from the Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) project by analyzing all episodes of democratic breakdown from 1900-2001. Using a split population event history estimator, we find evidence that these institutions not only forestall the timing of breakdowns among transitional democracies but also that a strong party system is critical to setting democratic regimes on the path of consolidation.
An active vibration control strategy for a flexible link using distributed ionic polymer metal composites

Ionic polymer metal composites are a class of electro-active polymers that are gaining importance as smart actuators due to their large bending deflection. The property of generating high strains with low actuation voltage makes ionic polymer metal composites (IPMC) suitable for applications requiring large motion such as in large deflection vibration suppression. In this paper we propose an application of IPMC as an active damper for large deflection vibration control of a flexible link. The modes of vibration for a long flexible link are derived using the modal approach and two IPMC patches are placed to suppress the vibration. A distributed PD controller is designed to suppress the vibration of the flexible link for the desired positioning of the tip. Simulations are first done to demonstrate effective vibration suppression and the results proved that the proposed method can suppress vibration effectively. Experiments are conducted to verify the application of IPMC for active vibration suppression. The performance of the proposed distributed PD controller is also found to be better than a single PD controller loop.
Mechanisms of northern North Atlantic biomass variability

Abstract. In the North Atlantic Ocean north of 40∘ N, intense biological productivity occurs to form the base of a highly productive marine food web. SeaWiFS satellite observations indicate trends of biomass in this region over 1998–2007. Significant biomass increases occur in the northwest subpolar gyre and there are simultaneous significant declines to the east of 30–35∘ W. These short-term changes, attributable to internal variability, offer an opportunity to explore the mechanisms of the coupled physical–biogeochemical system. We use a regional biogeochemical model that captures the observed changes for this exploration. Biomass increases in the northwest are due to a weakening of the subpolar gyre and associated shoaling of mixed layers that relieves light limitation. Biomass declines to the east of 30–35∘ W are due to reduced horizontal convergence of phosphate. This reduced convergence is attributable to declines in vertical phosphate supply in the regions of deepest winter mixing that lie to the west of 30–35∘ W. Over the full time frame of the model experiment, 1949–2009, variability of both horizontal and vertical phosphate supply drive variability in biomass on the northeastern flank of the subtropical gyre. In the northeast subpolar gyre horizontal fluxes drive biomass variability for both time frames. Though physically driven changes in nutrient supply or light availability are the ultimate drivers of biomass changes, clear mechanistic links between biomass and standard physical variables or climate indices remain largely elusive.
Behavioral Consequences of Reward Regarding Employee Absenteeism in an Industrial Setting an Operant Conditioning Approach

An attempt was made to alter the behavioral responses of twenty-one hourly industrial employees regarding their work attendance. This quasi-experiment provided a lottery incentive plan over a ten week period. Re- suits were analyzed in terms of absenteeism, production, and improvement in quality of life at work. In each area of evaluation, a positive result ensued. Reactions to behavioral implementation within the industrial setting are discussed.
Compact H II Regions: What Lies Within?

This paper presents both stellar mass and H II region diagnostics based on dusty, radiation-pressure-dominated photoionization models for compact and ultracompact H II regions, and compares these with observational constraints. These models successfully reproduce the observed relationship between the density and the thickness of the ionized layer. The absorption of ionizing photons in the dusty ionized plasma makes denser ionized regions thinner than simple photoionization models would predict, improving the fit with the observations. The models provide a good fit to observed diagnostic plots involving ratios of infrared emission lines, all accessible with the IRS instrument of the Spitzer Space Telescope. These give the effective temperature to an accuracy of about 2500 K and the mass of the ionizing star to a precision of about ±30%. The S IV/S III ratio is sensitive to foreground extinction as well as to stellar effective temperature or mass. From this ratio, we determine that the mean extinction to observed compact H II regions is typically AV ~ 30 mag. The electron temperature depends on the chemical abundances, the pressure, and the effective temperature of the exciting star. We use these models to rederive the slope of the Galactic abundance gradient, with the result that d log(O/H)/dRG = 0.06 ± 0.01 dex kpc-1, bringing the Galactic abundance gradient derived from compact H II regions into closer agreement with those based on other techniques. The shape of the far-IR SED of compact H II regions can be used to constrain the mean pressure or density in the H II region. The Spitzer MIPS instrument should be very helpful in this regard.