Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Determinants Influencing the Adoption of Rice Intensification System among Smallholders in Mwea Irrigation Scheme, Kenya

Rice farming has received considerable attention in developing countries and particularly in Kenya due to its impact on smallholders’ income and food security. Irrigated rice is the largest consumer of water, and its sustainability is threatened by water shortage. This has necessitated the development of alternative irrigation water technologies, such as the system of rice intensification (SRI), which are efficient in water use with improved yields. This study analyzed the determinants of adoption of SRI in the Mwea Irrigation Scheme where stratified sampling was used to obtain 364 smallholder rice farmers. A semistructured questionnaire was used to collect primary data, which was then analyzed using a binary logistic regression model. The results showed that age (−0.3%) was significant but with a negative effect on adoption of SRI. Farm size (2.499%), household size (1.895%), distance from the canal (1.354%), off-farm work (3.953%), access to credit services (8.714%), access to extension services (7.809%), and years in rice farming (0.409%) were found positively and significantly influencing factors to the adoption of SRI. Therefore, this study concludes that smallholders attempt to improve rice productivity through adoption of SRI should give a special priority to all significant factors.
The Caribbean and 1.5 °C: Is SRM an Option?

The Caribbean, along with other small island developing states (SIDS), have advocated for restricting global warming to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels by the end of the current century. Solar radiation management (SRM) may be one way to achieve this goal. This paper examines the mean Caribbean climate under various scenarios of an SRM-altered versus an SRM-unaltered world for three global warming targets, namely, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 °C above pre-industrial levels. Data from the Geoengineering Model Intercomparison Project Phase 1 (GeoMIP1) were examined for two SRM scenarios: the G3 experiment where there is a gradual injection of sulfur dioxide (SO2) into the tropical lower stratosphere starting in 2020 and terminating after 50 years, and the G4 experiment where a fixed 5 Teragram (Tg) of SO2 per year is injected into the atmosphere starting in 2020 and ending after 50 years. The results show that SRM has the potential to delay attainment of the 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 °C global warming targets. The extent of the delay varies depending on the SRM methodology but may be beyond mid-century for the 1.5 °C goal. In comparison, however, the higher temperature thresholds are both still attained before the end of century once SRM is ceased, raising questions about the value of the initial delay. The application of SRM also significantly alters mean Caribbean climate during the global warming target years (determined for a representative concentration pathway 4.5 (RCP4.5) world without SRM). The Caribbean is generally cooler but drier during the 1.5 °C years and similarly cool but less dry for years corresponding to the higher temperature targets. Finally, the mean Caribbean climate at 1.5 °C differs if the global warming target is achieved under SRM versus RCP4.5. The same is true for the higher warming targets. The implications of all the results are discussed as a background for determining whether SRM represents a viable consideration for Caribbean SIDS to achieve their “1.5 to stay alive” goal.
A Method of Fast Segmentation for Banana Stalk Exploited Lightweight Multi-Feature Fusion Deep Neural Network

In an orchard environment with a complex background and changing light conditions, the banana stalk, fruit, branches, and leaves are very similar in color. The fast and accurate detection and segmentation of a banana stalk are crucial to realize the automatic picking using a banana picking robot. In this paper, a banana stalk segmentation method based on a lightweight multi-feature fusion deep neural network (MFN) is proposed. The proposed network is mainly composed of encoding and decoding networks, in which the sandglass bottleneck design is adopted to alleviate the information a loss in high dimension. In the decoding network, a different sized dilated convolution kernel is used for convolution operation to make the extracted banana stalk features denser. The proposed network is verified by experiments. In the experiments, the detection precision, segmentation accuracy, number of parameters, operation efficiency, and average execution time are used as evaluation metrics, and the proposed network is compared with Resnet_Segnet, Mobilenet_Segnet, and a few other networks. The experimental results show that compared to other networks, the number of network parameters of the proposed network is significantly reduced, the running frame rate is improved, and the average execution time is shortened.
Advancing accounting education using LEGO® Serious Play simulation technique

ABSTRACT This paper investigates the impact of the LEGO® Serious Play simulation technique on accounting students’ learning outcomes. Data is from a stratified random sample of undergraduate accounting students at a leading higher education institution in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) emerging market. This paper uses parametric statistical analysis techniques to test the study hypothesis. The empirical findings indicate significant differences between LEGO® Serious Play simulation and traditional learning techniques on students’ learning outcomes. More specifically, the use of LEGO® Serious Play simulation significantly improves accounting students’ higher-level learning outcomes, such as Analysis skills. In comparison, the traditional teaching technique attains a significant positive impact on accounting students’ lower-level learning outcomes such as Knowledge and Application skills. The Comprehension learning skills showed no significant difference between the two teaching methods. This paper highlights the importance of alternative instructional approaches to enhance accounting students’ learning outcomes and support accounting educators teaching activities.
Is Voluntary Disclosure Value Relevant? Evidence from Top Listed Firms in India

In view of ongoing reforms in India with emphasis on improving transparency of corporate, the present study aims to examine the influence of voluntary disclosure on the market value of India’s top-listed firms. To this end, the study uses a sample of top 100 non-financial and non-utility firms listed at Bombay Stock Exchange based on market capitalization over a 5-year period (2014–2018). To control potential endogeneity in the relationship between voluntary disclosure and firms’ market valuation, fixed effect panel data model and two-stage least squares model of estimation have been employed. The result obtained from the analysis suggests that enhanced level of voluntary disclosure significantly improves the market value of sample firms. The study further undertakes additional analysis by categorizing voluntary disclosure into its sub-components wherein the findings reveal that three components of voluntary disclosure such as corporate and strategic disclosure, forward looking disclosure and corporate governance disclosure make positive contribution towards market value of firms, while the remaining components of voluntary disclosure such as human and intellectual capital disclosure and financial and capital market disclosure do not appear to have any significant influence on the same. Overall, the finding suggests that voluntary disclosure made by sample firms is considered relevant by investors. However, value relevance of different components of voluntary disclosure varies with the nature and extent of information disclosed. The study offers some important policy implications.
The Long Expansion and the Profit Squeeze: Output and Profit Cycles in Brazil (1996–2016)

The present paper argues that the recent Brazilian crisis was related to a cyclical profit squeeze that took place between 2009 and 2014, following the long expansion that started in 2003. To do so, the cyclical trajectories of the output and the profit rate in the Brazilian economy for the period between 1996 and 2016 are examined by resorting to the framework established by Weisskopf (1979). The results indicate that profit squeezes are rare in the Brazilian economy, possibly due to the truncated character of the business cycles’ expansions. However, a profit squeeze did take place in the last cycle, partly as a result of the commodities boom, which attenuated the foreign vulnerability of the economy and allowed for a longer than usual expansion. JEL classification: B50, B51,E32
Sustainable Virtual Teams: Promoting Well-Being through Affect Management Training and Openness to Experience Configurations

A disruptive digitalization recently occurred that led to the fast adoption of virtual teams. However, membership diversity and team virtuality threaten members’ well-being, especially if faultlines appear (i.e., subgroups). Considering the job demands–resources model and the role of group affect in shaping members’ perceptions of well-being, we test the effectiveness of a short-term affect management training for increasing members’ eudaimonic well-being. Moreover, based on the trait activation theory and the contingent configuration approach, we draw on the personality composition literature to test how different openness to experience configurations of team level and diversity together moderate the effect of the training. Hypotheses were tested using a pre–post design in an online randomized controlled trial in an educational context in Spain, with a sample of 52 virtual teams with faultlines. Results show that affect management training increased eudaimonic well-being. Furthermore, there was a moderation effect (three-way interaction) of openness to experience configurations, so that the training was more effective in teams with high levels and low diversity in openness to experience. We discuss implications for training, well-being, and personality composition literature. This study helps organizations develop sustainable virtual teams with engaged members through affect management training and selection processes based on the openness to experience trait.
International Capital Flows When Safe Assets Scarcity Matters

In an open multi-country economy, the safe assets supply shapes the pattern of international capital flows. A higher productivity growth rate raises the net capital inflows for economies with abundant safe assets, but reduces the net capital inflows for economies with scarce safe assets. The cross-section analysis on a sample of 170 economies over 1980–2013 confirms the theory. The evidence is robust for instrument-variable (IV) analysis method. JEL Classifications: F15, F36, F43
Illiquidity, duration and momentum profits: evidence from the Korean stock market

This paper examines the role of illiquidity and duration factor in understanding the momentum profit in the Korean stock market. We find that the foreigner/institutional illiquidity factor explains the momentum effect. In addition, this paper finds that duration factor defined as the difference in returns of short-duration and long-duration stocks captures well the momentum profits. That is, a two-factor model with the market and duration factor performs much better than competing asset pricing models in explaining the momentum effect. Finally, when controlling for the duration factor, the explanatory power of the foreign/institutional illiquidity factor on the momentum profits disappears. In sum, our empirical finding indicates that the duration factor is the most important ingredient in understanding the momentum effect in the Korean stock market.
Water-Resistant Latex Coatings: Tuning of Properties by Polymerizable Surfactant, Covalent Crosslinking and Nanostructured ZnO Additive

This paper deals with the development of acrylic latexes providing high-performance water-resistant coatings. For this purpose, mutual effects of anionic surfactant type (ordinary and polymerizable), covalent intra- and/or interparticle crosslinking (introduced by allyl methacrylate copolymerization and keto-hydrazide reaction, respectively) and ionic crosslinking (provided by nanostructured ZnO additive) were investigated. The latexes were prepared by the standard emulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate, butyl acrylate and methacrylic acid as the main monomers. The addition of surface-untreated powdered nanostructured ZnO was performed during latex synthesis, resulting in stable latexes comprising dispersed nanosized additive in the content of ca 0.9−1.0 wt. % (based on solids). The coating performance with emphasis on water resistance was evaluated. It was determined that the application of the polymerizable surfactant improved coating adhesion and water-resistance, but it wasn′t able to ensure high water-resistance of coatings. Highly water-resistant coatings were obtained provided that covalent intra- and interparticle crosslinking together with ionic crosslinking were employed in the coating composition, forming densely crosslinked latex films. Moreover, coatings comprising nanostructured ZnO additive displayed a significant antibacterial activity and improved solvent resistance.
Hybridity and Ethnic Invisibility of the “Chitty” Heritage Community of Melaka

Migration has produced many ethnic minority communities worldwide owing to sea-borne trade, religious evangelicalism, and colonialism. For centuries, these communities have existed alongside other cultures, creating multiethnic societies. However, changes in political, economic, and sociocultural conditions have caused these communities, typically with varying degrees of social alignment and sociocultural adaptation, to re-strategize their inter-ethnic interactions. One such minority community is the “Chitty” of Melaka, a distinct Tamil community that migrated to Melaka, a coastal port city that has flourished in trade and commerce since the late 14th century. This paper investigates the historiography, its hybridity and adaptation, and the concerns of ethnic invisibility faced by this community throughout its 700-year history. Through historical analysis and ethnographic observations, the study finds that the Chitty community has contributed significantly to the sociocultural, economic, and political fabrics of Melaka in different periods of history. Secondly, the Chitty’s hybridity nature enabled them greater dexterity to socioculturally adapt to the changing surroundings and dynamics in Melaka for the last seven centuries. Thirdly, the study finds that due to their marginality in numbers and the mass arrival of new Indian migrants, the ethnic visibility of the Chitty has diminished in the new Malaysian demographic.
Evaluating coagulant activity of locally available Syzygium cumini , Artocarpus heterophyllus and Moringa oleifera for treatment of community drinking water, Uganda

Most rural communities in Africa are without access to treated water and therefore use the readily available unsafe water sources exposing them to water borne diseases. This calls for the need for action to search for affordable and simple solutions. This research therefore examined the effectiveness of readily available natural coagulants Syzygium cumini (Javaplum), Artocarpus heterophyllus (Jackfruit) and Moringa oleifera (Moringa) using ‘Jar Test’. Water turbidity and coliforms removal from community drinking water by seeds extracts of natural coagulants was examined. Turbidity removal increased with coagulants concentration in (solvents extracts water and NaCl). Optimal turbidity removal occurred at 40 mg/l coagulant concentration with low and medium turbidity raw water for both solvents extracts and at 60 mg/l for Na Cl extract with high turbidity water. Compared to alum [KAl (SO 4 ) 2 . 12(H 2 O)], the turbidity removal effectiveness was: alum> Moringa oleifera > Artocarpus heterophyllus > Syzygium cumini , except for 1MNaCl extract where it was: alum> Artocarpus heterophyllus > Moringa oleifera > Syzygium cumini . Optimal turbidity removal was: Moringa oleifera 97.7%, Artocarpus heterophyllus 95.8% and Syzygium cumini 94.1%. The seed extracts were also effective as water disinfectants (Moringa>Jackfruit>Java plum). The use of Jackfruit and Java plum and Moringa, for water treatment is recommended. © 2015 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved. Keywords: Coagulant activity, Artocarpus heterophyllus , Moringa oleifera , Syzygium cumini , community drinking water treatment, turbidity removal
Basin-Wide Connections of Upper-Ocean Temperature Variability in the Equatorial Indian Ocean

In this paper, the interannual variability of upper-ocean temperature in the equatorial Indian Ocean (IO) and its basin-wide connections are investigated using 58-year (1958-2015) comprehensive monthly mean ocean reanalysis data. Three leading modes of an empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis dominate the variability of upper-ocean temperature in the equatorial IO in a wide range of timescales. A coherent interannual band within the first two EOF modes identifies an oscillation between the zonally tilting thermocline across the equatorial IO in its peak phases and basin-wide displacement of the equatorial thermocline in its transitional phases. Consistent with the recharge oscillation paradigm, this oscillation is inherent of the equatorial IO with a quasi-periodicity around 15 months, in which the wind-induced off-equatorial Rossby waves near 5°S-10°S provide the phase-transition mechanism. This intrinsic IO oscillation provides the biennial component in the observed IOD variations. The third leading mode shows a nonlinear long-term trend of the upper-ocean temperature, including the near-surface warming along the equatorial Indian Ocean, accompanied by cooling trend in the lower thermocline originating further south. Such vertical contrary trends may lead to an enhanced stratification in the equatorial IO.
Association of fear of COVID-19 and preventive behaviors (PB) against COVID-19 in Iran

The world is currently experiencing a pandemic of COVID-19. The pandemic can impact on physical health and psychological health. Therefore, we conducted a web based cross-sectional study to evaluate Fear of COVID-19 and preventive behaviors against COVID-19 in a volunteer population of Golestan province, Iran, in May and June 2020. An online questionnaire, including Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) and preventive behaviors against COVID-19, was used to evaluate fear and preventive behaviors in population. The data were presented by mean and frequency. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with Fear of COVID-19 at a significant level of 0.05 in Stata 14. A total of 734 of 900 contacted individuals completed the survey, with a participation rate of 81.5%. A total the mean age of the participants was 33.97±10.68 years and 375 (51.9%) females. The mean Fear of COVID-19 score in the participants was 19.69±5.96. There was a significant positive correlation between Fear of COVID-19 and preventive behaviors (r=0.19, p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed participants with perceived threat of COVID-19 higher, female, married participants, health worker staffs and with underlying diseases in participants were associated with Fear of COVID-19. The fear of COVID-19 in Iranian society is high, which indicates the need to pay attention to the mental health in pandemic conditions. Appropriate interventions can be designed and implemented according to the factors affecting fear. In addition, it should be noted that people with less fear are less likely to observe the COVID 19's preventative behaviors. These findings would need to be verified in larger population studies.
DIY radio-collar attachment for small macropods

There is currently a paucity of publications reporting different ways of minimising stress in collared mammals. We describe the construction of a DIY (do-it-yourself; i.e. self-made) radio-collar attachment that can improve the animal welfare outcomes of radio-tracking surveys for small macropods. The flexible collar is light, designed for long-term wear, and can stretch to allow a snagged animal to free itself without choking. We present our findings using capture and radio-collaring data from a population of an endangered macropod. Of 39 DIY radio-collars, 25 remained attached for over four months, 4 fell off naturally after 9–15 weeks, and 10 were unattached by other mechanisms (e.g. a predation event). Adverse reactions were uncommon, and we present recommendations for future radio-collaring studies.
Robust Estimation of Conditional Risk Measures for Crude Oil and Natural Gas Futures Prices in the Presence of Outliers

Abstract In this study, we address three key goals. First, we investigate the existence of outliers in commodity futures price data. Second, using an innovative and robust unsupervised machine learning outlier identification algorithm (UMLA), we investigate intervention models to filter the outlier effects. Third, using the specified UMLA models, we assess the impact of outliers on risk metrics of commodities and the improvement of the inference capabilities of these models. Our results show the importance of investigating and controlling for potential outlier effects because of the impact on risk metrics. We illustrate how risk metrics based on raw data can lead to higher than expected actual losses. Our research demonstrates that it is crucial to include intervention parameters to address outlier impacts in order to obtain robust and coherent risk metrics from which more informed decisions are made in regards to risk and credit management, governance, and compliance activities.
Understanding unmet aged care need and care inequalities among older Australians

Abstract In Australia, numerous reviews and inquiries have documented concerns about inadequate access to, and the quality of, aged care. Despite those concerns, research is yet to appraise fully how care needs are assessed, prioritised, and met or left unmet. This paper asks two interrelated questions: (1) How should we conceptualise and measure unmet care need and care inequalities among older people? (2) What are the policy parameters for assessing needs, prioritising access to support and monitoring quality in aged care in Australia? Key insights from academic literature are used to critically review Australian policy documents describing rights, assessments, prioritisation, quality standards and performance indicators for the aged care sector. Using the concepts of care inequalities and care poverty, the paper develops a framework for understanding and measuring needs and unmet needs in aged care, and for encompassing fundamental and valued aspects of life for older people, their carers and their care network. The paper argues that the concept of care poverty opens the space to discuss what level of unmet need and inequality in access to aged care in any society may be considered intolerable.
Pre-service Chinese language teachers’ conceptions of assessment: A person-centered perspective

Teachers’ conceptions of assessment are a significant indicator of teacher assessment literacy. This study contextualized pre-service teachers’ conceptions of assessment in Chinese second language education. An exploratory factor analysis generated eight first-order factors and the following confirmatory factor analysis found a hierarchical model, reflecting a noticeable influence of prior learning experiences and official assessment regimes on conceptions. A follow-up latent profile analysis showed three profiles. Improvement-oriented was the most prevalent profile, but more than 40% of the participants were categorized as negative. The study substantiated the need to develop an integrative and balanced understanding of assessment in teacher education to prepare pre-service teachers for teaching in international contexts.