Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genotype × environment interaction and grain yield stability in Chinese hybrid rice

Multi-environment testing helps to identify stable genotypes. The objective of this study was to evaluate Chinese hybrid rice varieties for their grain yield and yield stability at different environments. The multilocation rice evaluation trials were conducted during summer seasons of 2017 and 2018 at five different environments, namely, Hardinath (Dhanusha), Kabre (Dolakha), Parwanipur (Bara), Khumaltar (Lalitpur) and Dhakaltar (Tanahun) in Nepal. Four hybrid rice varieties namely LPNBR1618, LPNBR1615, LPNBR1628 and LPNBR1632 (Standard check variety) were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with four replications in each location. The results indicated a significant (p<0.05) variation in grain yield among the genotypes at Hardinath, Khumaltar, and Kabre whereas they were non-significant for grain yield at Dhakaltar and Parwanipur. The combined analysis of variance indicated significant (p<0.05) effects of environment and genotype × environment (G x E) interactions on grain yield. The pooled data over locations and years showed that LPNBR1632 produced the highest grain yield (7.5 tons/ ha) followed by LPNBR 1618 (6.3 tons/ ha) in terai region (Hardinath and Parwanipur). Similarly, LPNBR1618 gave the highest grain yield (10.3 tons/ ha) followed by LPNBR1615 (9.5 tons/ ha) in mid hills region (Kabre, Khumaltar and Lumle). The genotypes LPNBR1615 (b=1.13), LPNBR1618 (b=1.19) and LPNBR1628 (b=1.15) had more than unity regression indicating the genotype’s suitability towards favorable environments. GGE biplot showed genotype LPNBR1615 was stable genotype among all genotypes. This study suggests that LPNBR 1615 can be grown for higher grain yield production in terai and mid hills of Nepal.
(Mis)match of Students’ Country of Origin and the Impact of Collaborative Learning in Computer Science

Considerable research has demonstrated the educational efficacy of active and collaborative learning in various postsecondary contexts. However, group composition and intergroup dynamics have the potential to shape the quality of student experiences and the outcomes of collaborative learning. Previous studies have extensively examined the impact of interactions across some forms of difference (e.g., race/ethnicity), but very little research has explored the role of college students’ country of origin or language in collaborative learning contexts. This issue is particularly important within increasingly international and multicultural societies throughout the world. Therefore, the present study randomly assigned partners to students for participation in pair programming, which involves close collaboration to complete a computer science coding task. Within a sample of 819 responses from 369 undergraduates in the United States (US), non-US citizens benefitted from having a partner from another country (primarily the US) in terms of the amount of lab assignment completed, belief that the assignment was virtually error-free, and confidence in quality of the submitted assignment; however, these students were also less involved in writing code during pair programming when they had a partner from a different nation than from their own nation. In contrast, the national origin of US citizens’ partners generally did not affect their outcomes. These findings support the use of mixed-nationality partners in pair programming and potentially other collaborative learning contexts, which diverges from prior studies that suggest facilitating similarity between partners in terms of demographics, personality, and prior programming experience.
Using simultaneous x-ray diffraction and velocity interferometry to determine material strength in shock-compressed diamond

We determine the strength of laser shock-compressed polycrystalline diamond at stresses above the Hugoniot elastic limit using a technique combining x-ray diffraction from the Linac Coherent Light Source with velocity interferometry. X-ray diffraction is used to measure lattice strains, and velocity interferometry is used to infer shock and particle velocities. These measurements, combined with density-dependent elastic constants calculated using density functional theory, enable determination of material strength above the Hugoniot elastic limit. Our results indicate that diamond retains approximately 20 GPa of strength at longitudinal stresses of 150–300 GPa under shock compression.
Assessing the Impacts of Climate Change and Land Use/Cover Change on Runoff Based on Improved Budyko Framework Models Considering Arbitrary Partition of the Impacts

Various models based on Budyko framework, widely applied to quantify the impacts of climate change and land use/cover change (LUCC) on runoff, assumed a fixed partition used to distinguish the impacts. Several articles have applied a weighting factor describing arbitrary partitions for developing a total differential Budyko (TDB) model and a complementary Budyko (CB) model. This study introduces the weighting factor into a decomposition Budyko (DB) model and applies these three models to analyze runoff variation due to the impacts in the upper-midstream Heihe River basin. The Pettitt test is first applied to determine a change point of a time series expanded by the runoff coefficient. The cause for the change point is analyzed. Transition matrix is adopted to investigate factors of LUCC. Results suggest the consistency of the CB, TDB, and present DB models in estimating runoff variation due to the impacts. The existing DB model excluding the weighting factor overestimates the impact of climate change on runoff and underestimates the LUCC impact as compared with the present DB model. With two extreme values of the weighting factor, runoff decrease induced by LUCC falls in the range of 65.20%–66.42% predicted by the CB model, 65.01%–66.57% by the TDB model, and 64.83%–66.85% by the present DB model. The transition matrixes indicate the major factors of LUCC are climate warming in the upstream of the study area and cropping in the midstream. Our work provides researchers with a better understanding of runoff variation due to climate change and LUCC.
Social Wasps in Exotic Forest Planting and Atlantic Rainforest in the Neotropical Region

Social wasps play an important role in communities, whether in natural or agricultural ecosystems, performing pollination and/or predation on other organisms, especially caterpillars, which reveals their potential for biological control. We register species of predatory wasps found in a eucalypt reforested area compared with a native rainforest. Five species of social wasps were found: Agelaia myrmecophila (Ducke), Mischocyttarus punctatus (Ducke), Polistes carnifex (Fabricius), Polybia liliacea (Fabricius), and Polybia striata (Fabricius), with higher numbers in the eucalypt monoculture than in the Atlantic rainforest, suggesting no negative impact of the monoculture on the population of that natural enemies.
Ecosystem attributes of trophic models before and after construction of artificial oyster reefs using Ecopath

The deployment of artificial reefs (ARs) is currently an essential component of sea ranching practices in China due to extensive financial support from the government and private organizations. Blue Ocean Ltd. created a 30.65 km(2) AR area covered by oysters in the eastern part of Laizhou Bay, Bohai Sea. It is important for the government and investors to understand and assess the current status of the AR ecosystem compared to the system status before AR deployment. We provide that assessment, including trophic interactions, energy flows, keystone species, ecosystem properties and fishing impacts, through a steady-state trophic flow model (Ecopath with Ecosim). The model estimated values of 4721.2 and 4697.276 t km(-2) yr(-1) for total system throughput and 534.74 and -519.9 t km(-2) yr(-1) for net system production before and after AR deployment, respectively. After AR deployment, sea cucumber and oyster showed the same trophic level (TL = 2.0) while veined whelk Rapana venosa had TL = 3.0. The mean TL of catches was 2.484 after AR deployment and the primary production required to support fisheries (PPR) was 1104 t km(-2). Detritus production dominated over primary production and represented 73.82% (2530.82 t km(-2)) of total primary production required. The sea cucumber showed the lowest PPR/catch value (5.6) among functional groups, indicating that fishing catch biomasses were close to primary production values. The total primary production to total respiration and total primary production to total biomass ratios showed higher system maturity after AR deployment. The trophic flow diagram showed 1 grazing and 2 detritus food chains. Pelagic and bottom fish and different benthic organisms, including large crustaceans and zoobenthos, were the dominant community before AR deployment. Zoobenthos was the key functional group, followed by large crustaceans and Gobiidae, which were the most important prey for top predators after AR deployment. We draw the following conclusions for the management of this area: (1) AR deployment contributes to the maturity of the improved ecosystem; (2) the artificial oyster system is similar to a natural reef system; (3) the enhancement and release of benthic animals in the AR area benefit the ecosystem; and (4) low TL catches do not cause the system to collapse.
Effect of high pressure processing on the microbiological, physicochemical and enzymatic properties of jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus L.) bulb

The effect of high pressure processing (HPP) on the microbiological, physicochemical and enzymatic properties of jackfruit bulbs at different pressures and holding times was studied. The pressure and holding time used in this study were 300, 400, 500 and 600 MPa at 3, 5, 10 and 15 min, respectively. The aforementioned treatments significantly (p<0.05) reduced the microbial load to non-detectable level. However, the HP-treated samples exhibited no significant differences (p>0.05) in terms of the proximate composition and ∆E indicator of total colour difference. HPP significantly (p<0.05) increased the hardness and chewiness of the treated samples. In terms of enzymatic property, polygalacturonase (PG) and pectin esterase (PE) contents were significantly (p<0.05) reduced by HPP. These results suggested that HPP had successfully inactivated the vegetative microorganisms and at the same time, retained the physicochemical properties of the jackfruit bulbs.
The TMA Shallow-Water Spectrum Description and Applications

Abstract : Recent advances have been made in the specification of a shallow- water self-similar spectral form. This spectral form, referred to as the TMA spectrum, substitutes an expression for the shallow-water equilibrium range into the JONSWAP equation for spectral energy density. The JONSWAP parameters are empirically defined through examination of over 2,800 wind sea spectra obtained at various depths and locations. This spectral form is intended to describe single-peaked wind seas which have reached a growth equilibrium in finite depth water. The purposes of this report are to summarize the recent advances, to discuss the range of practical usage, and to provide engineering examples using these new formulations.
Evaluation of Comprehensive Dental Treatment under General Anesthesia in Healthy and Disabled Children. (Retrospective Study)

Background: Children with extensive dental problems and unable to cooperate, their dental treatment has to be completed with general anesthesia (G.A.). Differences in dental treatment under G.A. in healthy and disabled children are rarely reported. Purpose: This retrospective study evaluates and compares the different treatment modalities performed under G.A. in pediatric dental patients (healthy and disabled children). Subjects & Methods: Pediatric Dentistry, King Saud Hospital, Patients’ records under 15yrs treated under GA, between Sept 08–Dec 13, were retrospectively reviewed and divided into two Groups : (Group s) Special-health care needs, (Group π) Healthy but extremely uncooperative, both groups with substantial dental needs. Comprehensive treatment under GA provided using modalities of simple filling, crowns, pulp therapy, fissure sealant and extraction were statistically analyzed and compared between s & π using t-test. Results: 756 patients treated under G.A, (π) 641 and (s) 115. With insignificant differences in ages, sex & total number of treated teeth in both groups, p>0.001. 59% of π and 40.9% of s (< 6yrs) had significant differences in treatment modalities, with P0.05. Conclusions: Underlying medical or mental conditions may influence dental condition and treatment modality provided.
Attractiveness of infested and uninfested whole wheat grain and coarse wheat meal odors to coleopteran storage insect pests

Using a two-way olfactometer, the effects of the whole wheat grains and coarse wheat meal odors on the primary Sitophilus granarius (L.), S. oryzae (L.) and S. zeamais (Motch.) and secondary Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) and T. confusum (Du Val) stored-product pests behavior were examined. Whole wheat grains and coarse wheat meal were used in uninfested and infested form. Whole wheat grains were infested with S. oryzae adults and coarse wheat meal with T. castaneum adults. The odors of infested wheat grains depending on the insect species were 1.9 to 3 times more attractive than the uninfested wheat grains odors, except for the T. castaneum for whome the odors of infested and uninfested grains were equally attractive (p = 0.641). The greatest difference in the attractiveness of the infested and uninfested wheat grains odors was found for T. confusum (3 times longer in the arm with the odors of infested grain), and the smallest for S. granarius (1.9 times). We found that all primary and secondary stored-product pests, depending on the species, were 1.4 2.4 times more attracted to the odors of infested compared to the odors of uninfested wheat meal. The greatest difference in the atraction of infested and uninfested coarse wheat meal odors was recorded for the T. confusum, whose adults were 2.4 times longer in the arm with the odors of infested coarse wheat meal than in the arm with odors of uninfested wheat meal, while the smallest difference (1.4 times) was recorded for S. oryzae. The results of this study give a significant contribution to a better understanding of the storage insects behavior, which could be used in the design of new methods of monitoring of their presence in stored products.
Safeguarding Children in the Developing World—Beyond Intra-Organisational Policy and Self-Regulation

Safeguarding in the context of development and humanitarian assistance has received heightened international attention since 2018. Emerging literature has not yet investigated the extent to which responses are evolving in the best interests of the child, in line with the treaty-based rights of children. This article makes a unique contribution to scholarship by applying a child rights lens to safeguarding efforts in the aid sector with a focus on the least developed countries in Africa. The article first reviews the safeguarding landscape—providing a snapshot of self-regulatory and standard setting initiatives by non-government organisations (NGOs) and bilateral government donors. Next, the article examines the relevant standards in the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and respective Committee observations to enrich the safeguarding discussion. Finally, the article discusses key dilemmas and remaining challenges for safeguarding children in the developing world. The article suggests that a rights-based approach provides for a more nuanced and contextualised response, avoiding the temptation of ‘tick-box’ exercises driven by reputational management and ‘programming siloes’ imposed by humanitarian and development actors. To support sustained and consistent progress, efforts should go beyond intra-organisational policy and sectoral self-regulation. Child rights law monitoring mechanisms can be leveraged to encourage effective government oversight of NGOs in contact with children, as part of national frameworks for child protection. Donor governments should also consider and increase investment in national and local child protection systems to address risk factors to child abuse and ensure appropriate responses for any child that experiences harm.
Degradation of textile dye reactive navy - blue Rx (Reactive blue-59) by an isolated Actinomycete Streptomyces krainskii SUK - 5

The isolated Actinomycete, Streptomyces krainskii , SUK -5 was found to decolorize and degrade textile dye Reactive blue–59.This azo dye was decolorized and degraded completely by Streptomyces krainskii SUK–5 at 24 h in shaking condition in the nutrient medium at pH 8. Induction in the activity of Lignin Peroxidase,and NADH-DCIP Reductase and MR reductase represents their role in degradation . The biodegradation was monitored by TLC, UV vis spectroscopy, FTIR. and GCMS analysis. Microbial and phytotoxicity studies of the product were carried out.
Reflections on the progress in accounting for people and some observations on the prospects for a more successful future

The paper celebrates the fiftieth anniversary of the publication of Flamholtz’s seminal paper on the Human Resource Accounting approach to taking people into account, providing a critical review of its progress since that time and offering some thoughts on how the project might now be beneficially shaped. ,The paper provides an authoritative review of the progress of the accounting for people project to date. ,The continuing exploration of how it might be possible to take people into account is identified to be entering a new and exciting phase. ,The authors readily acknowledge that what the paper provides is an account of the evolution of the accounting for people field, which they argue is currently extending into a new and important phase relating to employee health and wellbeing. ,The paper’s principal contribution lies in bringing together three authors who have made significant contributions to the topic of accounting for people over the past 50 years.
Flux Pinning Enhancements of YBa2Cu3O7-x with Nanosize Magnetic Additions

Different methods of flux pinning are being tested world-wide to enhance critical currents (Ics) of high temperature superconductor YBa2Cu3O7-x (YBCO) coated conductors exposed to high magnetic fields. Magnetic materials are interesting to consider as flux pinning additions because of their potential for very strong pinning strength. To our knowledge, there have been limited demonstrations of magnetic pinning additions to YBCO conductors. This paper describes the study of different M magnetic phase additions to YBCO including M = BaFe12O19, La0.67Ca0. 33MnO3, and other oxide phases. Nanosize additions were incorporated by depositing multilayer (M/YBCO)N films to minimize degradation of Tc, and testing volume % additions of M phase from 0.5 % to 5%. Results indicate that Tc onsets are depressed with magnetic additions, however in some cases interestingly without degrading the transition width. With optimization of magnetic additions a 50% increase of critical current density has been obtained, for low magnetic fields of < 10,000 Oe at 65K to 77K. Microstructural and superconducting properties are summarized, including SEM analysis.
Plant Disease Detection with Deep Learning and Feature Extraction Using Plant Village

Nowadays, crop diseases are a crucial problem to the world’s food supplies, in a world where the population count is around 7 billion people, with more than 90% not getting access to the use of tools or features that would identify and solve the problem. At present, we live in a world dominated by technology on a significant scale, major network coverage, high-end smart-phones, as long as there are great discoveries and improvements in AI. The combination of high-end smart-phones and computer vision via Deep Learning has made possible what can be defined as “smartphone-assisted disease diagnosis”. In the area of Deep Learning, multiple architecture models have been trained, some achieving performance reaching more than 99.53% [1]. In this study, we evaluate CNN’s architectures applying transfer learning and deep feature extraction. All the features obtained will also be classified by SVM and KNN. Our work is feasible by the use of the open source Plant Village Dataset. The result obtained shows that SVM is the best classifier for leaf’s diseases detection.
Innovation heterogeneity in family firms: Evidence from the date industry in Saudi Arabia

Researchers have argued that family firm innovation is paradoxical in nature, in that family firms often display less innovation than their nonfamily counterparts, yet they are able to be more innovative. The aim of this article is to unpack this paradox by exploring how differences in family firms’ ability (discretion and resources) and willingness (economic and noneconomic) affect their innovation activities. We adopt a qualitative, interpretive methodology based on four case studies of Saudi family firms operating in the indigenous date industry. Our findings emphasize the importance of having all four sources of ability and willingness in order for innovation to occur and how, when the new generation enters the business, the family firm’s innovation posture changes to either ‘lagging’ or ‘reviving’. By exploring innovation in the date sector in Saudi Arabia, we contribute to the ability–willingness paradox by distinguishing between the different sources of ability and willingness and add to an emerging narrative that acknowledges the integration of past knowledge with new innovative practices as an important and unique mechanism by which family firms can harness innovation.
Use of microhabitat and activity patterns of two lizard species from a seasonal dry forest in northern Colombia

In this work, the microhabitat use and activity patterns of two lizard species with sympatric distribution were evaluated in a dry forest fragment within the department of Sucre, northern Colombia. Data was collected in May, June, September and October of 2017, using the active search method limited by time (7:00 and 19:00 hours). Substrates used, spatial distribution and time of capture were recorded for individuals of the species Loxopholis rugiceps (Cope 1869) and Lepidoblepharis sanctaemartae (Ruthven 1916). Complementarily, environmental and physical parameters were recorded, which allowed us to characterise the microhabitats of the species. A total of 276 lizards were recorded, 177 belonging to the species Loxopholis rugiceps and 99 to Lepidoblepharis sanctaemartae. The results showed similar resource use by the two species for the spatial dimension, with both exploiting different terrestrial elements mainly from the interior forest, followed by the riverbed stream and forest edge. Differences were found in the daily activity patterns between species, with individuals of L. sanctaemartae more frequently recorded in the morning hours and L. rugiceps in the afternoon hours. The activity patterns did not differ by age groups: juveniles and adults. Both species were more frequently found in the litter substrate within the forest, followed by rocks and bare ground. Our results indicate that both species are tolerant to matrix conditions, however, they require internal forest conditions to exploit food resources and refuge.