Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Salvation Army’s Contribution to Economic Empowerment of Women in Bungoma County, Kenya

Economic empowerment of women through women of worth (WORTH) village banking program is part of the holistic ministry of the Salvation Army (SA). However, since the inception of the WORTH village banking program in 2006 in Bungoma County, Kenya, the economic impacts of the program have not been clearly established. Thus, this study aimed at investigating the contribution of the SA to the economic empowerment of women in the study area. The study is significant in assisting the SA in and outside the study area as well as other Christian denominations interested in coming up with sustainable economic empowerment initiatives for women and other vulnerable groups in the society. The study employed the Holistic Christian Transformation Theory to reinforce the importance of the SA in acting as the agent of change because of her ability to mobilize women for change. A total of 82 questionnaires were used to collect quantitative data while two focused group discussions (FGDs) and 42 interview sessions were used to gather qualitative data. The study findings unraveled that WORTH village banking played a critical role in economically empowering women. After investing in income-generating activities (IGAs), women were able to acquire property and other assets using the income generated from their businesses. Others afforded to pay school fees for their schooling children. Married women could stock their households and unmarried women catered for their needs without overly relying on their parents. The study recommended that the management committee of WORTH groups should explore forming linkages with formal micro-finance institutions (MFIs) and Uwezo Fund, a low-interest Kenyan government fund targeting women entrepreneurs, with a view of increasing the loan capital which they can borrow at a low interest rate and then lend it to members. Members would then invest and repay the loans as a group. <br><br><br><br>
Polyploidy variation in some species of the genus Artemisia L. (Asteraceae) in Iran

Abstract Mitotic chromosome numbers are reported for thirty-three populations representing four species of Artemisia. In A. incana, chromosome numbers were varied from 2n = 2x = 16, 18 to 2n = 3x = 24. In A. fragrans eight diploid populations (2n = 2x = 18) and three populations with both diploid and tetraploid chromosome number (2n = 2x = 18, 36) were identified. In A. scoparia six populations with chromosome number (2n = 2x = 16) and two populations with different chromosome number (2n = 2x = 16, 18) were found. The highest variation in chromosome number was observed in A. spicigera. In this species; different chromosome numbers (2n = 2x = 18, 2n = 3x = 27, 2n = 4x = 36, 2n = 5x = 45, 2n = 6x = 54 and 2n = 8x = 72) were identified in different populations that collected from different parts of Iran. Polyploidy is confirmed as the most significant evolutionary trend in chromosome number within the genus.
Morphological and molecular evidence converge upon a robust phylogeny of the megadiverse Holometabola

We present the largest morphological character set ever compiled for Holometabola. This was made possible through an optimized acquisition of data. Based on our analyses and recently published hypotheses based on molecular data, we discuss higher‐level phylogeny and evolutionary changes. We comment on the information content of different character systems and discuss the role of morphology in the age of phylogenomics. Microcomputer tomography in combination with other techniques proved highly efficient for acquiring and documenting morphological data. Detailed anatomical information (356 characters) is now available for 30 representatives of all holometabolan orders. A combination of traditional and novel techniques complemented each other and rapidly provided reliable data. In addition, our approach facilitates documenting the anatomy of model organisms. Our results show little congruence with studies based on rRNA, but confirm most clades retrieved in a recent study based on nuclear genes: Holometabola excluding Hymenoptera, Coleopterida (= Strepsiptera + Coleoptera), Neuropterida excl. Neuroptera, and Mecoptera. Mecopterida (= Antliophora + Amphiesmenoptera) was retrieved only in Bayesian analyses. All orders except Megaloptera are monophyletic. Problems in the analyses are caused by taxa with numerous autapomorphies and/or inapplicable character states due to the loss of major structures (such as wings). Different factors have contributed to the evolutionary success of various holometabolan lineages. It is likely that good flying performance, the ability to occupy different habitats as larvae and adults, parasitism, liquid feeding, and co‐evolution with flowering plants have played important roles. We argue that even in the “age of phylogenomics”, comparative morphology will still play a vital role. In addition, morphology is essential for reconstructing major evolutionary transformations at the phenotypic level, for testing evolutionary scenarios, and for placing fossil taxa. © The Willi Hennig Society 2010.
ESTIMATION OF THE NUTRITIVE VALUE OF SILAGES

Forty-eight wethers were used to determine voluntary intake and digestibility of eight silages made from pure swards of legumes and grasses. Chemical and physical characteristics of silages were measured and related to dry matter intake, digestibility coefficients and digestible nutrient intakes by means of simple correlation and linear regression analyses. Intakes of dry matter (DM), digestible energy, digestible protein and total digestible nutrients were correlated negatively with percentage cell walls (r = −0.87) and positively with crude protein (r = 0.92). Lignin and the logarithm of (lignin × 100/acid detergent fiber) were highly correlated to cell walls digestibility (r = 0.98). There was a close relationship between protein digestibility and crude protein content (r = 0.99). Dry matter digestibility was accurately estimated by a summative equation (r = 0.74). The physical characteristics (packed volume and water solubility) of the silages were not well correlated to either digestibility coefficie.
INSTITUTIONALIZATION PROPOSALS OF ATTENTION TO DIVERSITY AT UNIVERSITY FROM THE VISION OF LEADERS

This paper outlines a descriptive and interpretative qualitative research project that is framed within a larger study, the general aim of which is to diagnose university policies and practices in order to propose an Institutionalization Plan to Address Diversity in Higher Education. We have investigated the vision of university leaders as a key part of this process. To this end, 26 institutional leaders from the University of Córdoba (Spain) have been interviewed, selected intentionally in accordance with the following criteria: leadership level (Vice-Chancellor, Department Director, Dean, Director of Specific Services, President of the Student Council, Representatives of Administration and Services Staff), representation of the entire university community (Teaching and Research Staff, Students, and Administration and Services Staff), encompassing all areas of knowledge, and gender balance. Discourse analysis was used to code all the information produced deductive and inductive -, followed by recoding and categorization, with code validation by means of intercoder agreement and expert judgment. The findings highlight existing "good practices" but also recognize difficulties. Proposals for institutionalization pertain to the following areas: management (policies and strategies, infrastructure, recognition, external entities and resources); education (awareness and sensitization, training and specific measures for students from protected groups); innovation, research and transfer, dissemination, evaluations and culture. The discourse of these leaders highlights training, awareness and dissemination as fundamental lines of action. In addition, we found certain intergroup differences between the different levels of leadership. The conclusions coincide with previous studies with regard to some of the proposals. However, in this case, a greater volume of more specific categories and subcategories is obtained. Consequently, this study contributes greater applicability and functionality to the context studied with a greater possibility for transference. Furthermore, unlike the international studies developed that focus on the body responsible for addressing or dealing with diversity, this paper takes into account all levels of organizational leadership and sectors of the community. This is important if we intend to address or manage diversity as an integral part of university life.
Escape rooms as tourist attractions: Enhancing visitors’ experience through new technologies

Purpose: This paper aims to assess the impact of new technologies on escape room visitors’ experience based on the analysis of online reviews. Over the last five years, real-life escape rooms have become popular tourist attractions in many European cities. Growing competition stimulates the escape room providers to search for new experience design strategies. One of the new strategies assumes the active use of new technologies, including special effects and virtual reality technologies opting. Methods: The present study is based on the evidence from Claustrophobia, one of the leading European technologically advanced escape room providers. The empirical part of the study includes a semi-structured interview with the company’s co-founder and an analysis of 746 visitors’ reviews posted on TripAdvisor. Results: The results show that technologically sophisticated escape rooms create a more authentic tourist experience with a deeper immersion in the escape room theme. At the same time, technical failures and bugs can reduce visitors’ satisfaction. Implications: These results suggest that high-tech escape rooms could become more attractive tourist attractions only if their owners can invest substantial funds in maintaining the technical level and staff training. High-tech escape room providers need to maintain high expenditures for technical support and staff training in order to build a sustainable positive visitors’ experience.
Microvariations de diamètre de tige pour le pilotage de l'irrigation

Des travaux recents, Garnier (1985) et Huguet (1985), ont montre sur arbres fruitiers qu'il est possible d'utiliser la mesure des microvariations de diametre des tiges pour piloter leur irrigation. Le but de ce travail est de montrer sur aubergine que les microvariations de diametre de tige varient de maniere synchrone avec la resistance stomatique, la photosynthese nette et les conditions microclimatiques de la serre. Il est ainsi confirme que cette mesure est un bon critere qui justifie son utilisation pour piloter le declenchement de l'irrigation. Une relation lineaire entre la croissance en diametre de la tige et la photosynthese de la plante est mesuree tant que le fruit n'est pas noue
The Forum for Research on Eastern Europe and Emerging Economies (FREE) is a network of academic experts on economic issues in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union at BEROC (Minsk), BICEPS (Riga), CEFIR (Moscow), CenEA

This policy brief summarizes the results of our research on factors influencing preferences for democracy in transition countries. The aim of this work was to detect which macroeconomic and individual factors impact the choice of supporting democracy. The results showed that the performance of the country, described by level of GDP, unemployment, level of corruption and economic growth, has a serious impact on an individual’s perception of democracy. At the same time, individual factors like education and age also influence people’s choice of support of democratic authorities.
Supplementations of dl‐Methionine and Methionine Dipeptide in Diets are Effective for the Development and Growth of Larvae and Juvenile Red Sea Bream, Pagrus major

Growth trials for larvae and juvenile red sea bream, Pagrus major, were conducted to elucidate the efficacy of two molecular forms of methionine; dl-methionine (dl-Met) and methionine dipeptide (Met-Met). For the larvae experiment, five experimental diets were formulated and fed to fish (42 mg) for 30 days. A diet which has 15% soy protein isolate served as the control diet. Similarly, test diets supplemented with dl-Met and Met-Met at 0.5%, which were either precoated by zein or intact, were also formulated. For the juvenile experiment, five experimental diets were formulated wherein the control diet contained 25% soy protein isolate. Test diets were supplemented with dl-Met and Met-Met at 0.75%, which were either coated by carboxymethycellulose or intact and fed to juveniles (0.75 g) for 56 days. The results of two feeding trials showed both dl-Met and Met-Met can be equally utilized by red sea bream larvae and juveniles. Coating the amino acid significantly improved both fish larval and juvenile growth performance. The development of digestive protease activity of larvae was significantly influenced by coating the amino acid, but the type of methionine was not a factor in changing the protease activity of larvae.
Extending Opinion Polls through the Combination of Analytical and Simulation Models

This paper describes a method for extending the accuracy of opinion polls by combining a simulation model with text analysis. Opinion polls are an important tool for gauging how societies interpret issues ranging from elections and policy to uprisings and regime change. While such polls produce detailed data, they are also costly and take time to field. The “Arab Spring” uprisings highlight the challenges this lag creates when governments collapse more quickly than the time required for polling and analysis. In relation to this rapid change is the rise of social networking and the instantaneous information it provides. Yet research indicates that opinions expressed in social media are often not representative of societies as a whole. To integrate these two very different data sources, we use events extracted from media to perturb a simulation of representative agents that were initialized using a prior poll. Agents update opinions using equations developed in a system dynamics model of social identity theory’s bounded confidence. We then evaluate the model’s performance using longitudinal opinion studies. Preliminary results suggest that the integrated results offer improvements over the sources used in isolation, which may help leaders do better at anticipating important societal changes. Introduction: Limitations of polls and social media analysis For over sixty years traditional surveys have been the gold standard in opinion research. These opinion polls represent a detailed description of how a population perceives the state of the world and thus provide insights into how the public may behave given certain situations. From the purchases of specific goods, to votes in an election, to activism for policy or regime change, opinion polls have played a key role in anticipating the outcomes of such events. These polls, however, can only capture a static snapshot of a population living in a world that is changing ever faster. As soon as a survey is completed, the accuracy to which it represents the current state of the population quickly begins to decay. Events, such as competitor product releases, debates, protests, attacks, or even natural disasters, can drastically affect opinions. As such, surveys conducted just a few months past may often be an unreliable representation of the affected population. This is especially true in regions facing conflict or other situations of high volatility. To help fill these gaps, a significant amount of attention is being given to the growing popularity of social media and twenty-four hour news coverage. For instance Asur and Humberman (2010) was able to “use the chatter from Twitter.com to forecast box-office revenues for movies” and “show that a simple model built from the rate at which tweets are created about particular topics can outperform market-based predictors. ” Other studies have shown noteworthy results in estimating a variety of other population states including flu prevalence (Corey et al., 2009) and the personality of an individual (Golbeck et al., 2011).
Guanomyces, a new genus of ascomycetes from Mexico.

A new genus is described to accommodate a species isolated from bat dung. This fungus forms a membranous ascoma with a long neck that is or- namented with lateral glandular hairs and terminal aglandular hairs; filamentous, septate paraphyses and deliquescent asci with hyaline, unicellular ascospores are formed in the base of the centrum. In order to analyze the systematic position of this ascomycete, its morphological characters and 18S rDNA sequences were studied and compared with superficially similar species. Based on morphological and phylogenetic analysis of 18S rDNA sequences, this fungus belongs in the Sordariales and is close to but separate from Chaetomium. The hyaline ascospores, without a germ pore, and the possession of an ascoma with a long neck ornamented with lateral glandular hairs is in contrast to other genera of the Chaetomiaceae. For these reasons, the new genus Guanomyces is proposed to accommodate the new species G. polythrix in the Chaetomiaceae of the Sordariales.
GRACE: Generating Concise and Informative Contrastive Sample to Explain Neural Network Model's Prediction

Despite the recent development in the topic of explainable AI/ML for image and text data, the majority of current solutions are not suitable to explain the prediction of neural network models when the datasets are tabular and their features are in high-dimensional vectorized formats. To mitigate this limitation, therefore, we borrow two notable ideas (i.e., "explanation by intervention" from causality and "explanation are contrastive" from philosophy) and propose a novel solution, named as GRACE, that better explains neural network models' predictions for tabular datasets. In particular, given a model's prediction as label X, GRACE intervenes and generates a minimally-modified contrastive sample to be classified as Y, with an intuitive textual explanation, answering the question of "Why X rather than Y? " We carry out comprehensive experiments using eleven public datasets of different scales and domains (e.g., # of features ranges from 5 to 216) and compare GRACE with competing baselines on different measures: fidelity, conciseness, info-gain, and influence. The user-studies show that our generated explanation is not only more intuitive and easy-to-understand but also facilitates end-users to make as much as 60% more accurate post-explanation decisions than that of Lime.
Sliding-Window Thompson Sampling for Non-Stationary Settings

Multi-Armed Bandit (MAB) techniques have been successfully applied to many classes of sequential decision problems in the past decades. However, non-stationary settings— very common in real-world applications—received little attention so far, and theoretical guarantees on the regret are known only for some frequentist algorithms. In this paper, we propose an algorithm, namely Sliding-Window Thompson Sampling (SW-TS), for nonstationary stochastic MAB settings. Our algorithm is based on Thompson Sampling and exploits a sliding-window approach to tackle, in a unified fashion, two different forms of non-stationarity studied separately so far: abruptly changing and smoothly changing. In the former, the reward distributions are constant during sequences of rounds, and their change may be arbitrary and happen at unknown rounds, while, in the latter, the reward distributions smoothly evolve over rounds according to unknown dynamics. Under mild assumptions, we provide regret upper bounds on the dynamic pseudo-regret of SW-TS for the abruptly changing environment, for the smoothly changing one, and for the setting in which both the non-stationarity forms are present. Furthermore, we empirically show that SW-TS dramatically outperforms state-of-the-art algorithms even when the forms of non-stationarity are taken separately, as previously studied in the literature.
Allozyme homozygosity and phally polymorphism in the land snail Zonitoides nitidus (Gastropoda, Pulmonata)

Genetic variation in the pulmonate land snail Zonitoides nitidus was examined by means of allozyme electrophoresis in 17 European populations. We observed no heterozygotes, indicating that Z. nitidus consists of several homozygous multilocus genotypes (strains) probably produced by self-fertilization. Nine strains were detected. Strains appeared not to be equally distributed over the regions considered. One strain was strongly differentiated from the others, which is suggestive of a taxonomic differentiation. Anatomically, two major phally types were distinguished: euphallics, with well-developed male reproductive organs, and hemiphallics, with weakly developed male reproductive organs. Both phally types were found together in natural populations, but euphally ratios were very low (0‐19%; overall mean = 7.79%) and differed between geographical regions (Belgium, Germany, and Sweden). In some populations, hemiphallic individuals were smaller compared to euphallic individuals although the difference is small and its biological significance remains to be established. We found no clear relation between phally type and allozyme data.
Irrigation of turfgrass with secondary sewage effluent. I, Soil and leachate water quality

(.) The objective of this field experiment was to evaluate the effect of secondary treated municipal effluent irrigation on soil and leachate properties under a turf groundcover during the first 16 mo of irrigation. Research plots were irrigated identically with either effluent or potable water using a leaching fraction of approximately 20%. Effluent irrigation resulted in significant changes in soil properties after a relatively short period of time (.)
A study of Platyplectrus Ferrière (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) in mainland China

This paper reviews the Chinese species of Platyplectrus Ferrière. Twelve valid species are recognized from mainland China and a key to species is provided. Trichoplectrus Erdös (1951) is newly synonymized with Metaplectrus Ferrière (1941) and three new combinations are proposed: Metaplectrus szepligetii (Erdös) from Platyplectrus, Platyplectrus bussy (Crawford) from Euplectrus and P. politus (Lin) from Metaplectrus. Four species of Platyplectrus were known previously from China: P. politus (Lin), P. odontogaster (Lin), P. papillata Lin and P. medius Zhu and Huang. Six species, P. bussyi (Crawford), P. laeviscuta (Thomson), P. natadae Ferrière, P. orthocraspedae Ferrière, P. pannonica (Erdös) and P. viridiceps (Ferrière) are newly recorded from China and re-described. Five new species, P. pulcher, P. setulosus, P. peculiaris, P. obtusiclavatus and P. variflagellum are described and compared with related species. Several species are also newly recorded from other regions: P. orthocraspedae Ferrière from the Afrotropical region, P. bussyi (Crawford) and P. laeviscuta (Thomson) from the Australian/Pacific region, P. laeviscuta (Thomson) from the Oriental region and P. viridiceps from the Palearctic region.