Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Forecasting of Sporadic Products: Practical and Theoretical Considerations

This paper focuses on forecasting of products with sporadic demand. The demand for such products is not continuous but diffused seemingly at random, with a large proportion of zero values in the analyzed time series. The sporadic character of demand patterns actually means that the information available on the demand for previous selling periods is patchy, resulting in lower quality of data available. Under such circumstances demand forecasting is a challenging task. We present the results of a case study, where forecasting practice of a pharmaceutical wholesaler firm –we call it Pharma– is analyzed and developed. We present state-of-the-art knowledge related to demand forecasting of sporadic products and test suggestions related to them. We show that these suggestions can only partly be backed. We extend therefore the suggested product classification scheme and recommend using the concept of demand data aggregation. This will reduce sporadicity and result in higher quality forecasting. Aggregation also helps to specify the recommended forecast period, the length of time recommended to calculate the forecast for. The managerial consequences of these suggestions are also discussed, and future research directions are highlighted.
Environmental and benthic habitat factors structuring the spatial distribution of a summer infralittoral fish assemblage in the north-western Mediterranean Sea

Patterns of distribution of a Mediterranean fish assemblage, with special attention to juvenile labrids, were studied at different depths on the basis of their relationships with environmental and benthic habitat features on a rocky coast at Marseille, south-eastern France. Fish species were distributed according to depth, with juveniles and small individuals being found in shallow waters, whereas larger individuals were found in deeper waters. However, depth by itself was not a significant factor in explaining fish species pattern, whereas sandy bottom habitat was significant. The most significant factors explaining fish species distribution were small and large blocks, and rock cover. Juvenile labrids, such as the most abundant ones Coris julis and Symphodus ocellatus, were only rarely observed deeper than 10 m, and the distribution of these juveniles was mainly correlated with a cover of macroalgae, rubble and small blocks. Fish density and fish biomass were higher in shallow than in deeper waters, although some species displayed an opposite pattern, such as the adult of C. julis and Diplodus sargus. The most significant factors explaining the fish density pattern found were the presence of macroalgae, Posidonia oceanica sea grass and sand cover. Among environmental factors assessed in this study, exposure to dominant winds was never significant, either for the whole fish assemblage or for juvenile labrids, or for the communities at any of the depth strata investigated. Depth was a significant factor influencing the distribution of juvenile labrids, whereas its significance in explaining fish density was lower. Bottom slope was generally more significant than depth, and thus constituted the most significant environmental factor. Benthic habitat characteristics were all significant, except for rubble cover, in explaining both fish species and fish density distributions. However, the amplitude of the relationships between substrate variables and fish assemblages was dependent on the descriptor studied (i.e. species distribution, including considerations of fish sizes, and fish density), suggesting that extrapolation of a particular relationship to other components of a fish assemblage would most likely be unfounded. Our results as a whole indicate that benthic habitat use by fish on Mediterranean rocky infralittoral coast is clearly non-random, and suggest that differences in habitat and/or environmental characteristics have significant effects at a small spatial scale on these fish assemblages.
Newly identified Fusarium strains (olowILH1 and olowILH2) causing ear rot of maize and their control using Glomus clarum and G. deserticola

Abstract This study focused on characterization of common Fusarium strains causing ear rot disease of maize and potentials of controlling them using arbuscular mycorrhiza (Glomus clarum Nicol. & Sch. and G. deserticola Trappe, Bloss & Menge). Maize ear showing rot symptoms were obtained from ten (10) different farms in Osun State, Nigeria using random sampling technique and subjected to fungal isolation. The two dominant and most virulent strains (olowILH1 and olowILH2) were further characterized based on morphological and molecular ITS-amplification methods. Responses of maize varieties PVASYN8F2, T2LCOMP1STRSYN-W-1 and T2LCOMP.4 from different agro-ecological zones to selected Fusarium ear rot pathogens and biocontrol efficacy of mycorrhizal fungi were further assessed on growth, yield, and symptoms observed. Selected ear rot pathogens were identified as Fusarium napiforme, they exhibited varying inhibitory effects on tested maize varieties compare to the control (uninfected plant) which had better growth characteristics. T2LCOMP4 was more susceptible to both fungal strains as compared to the other maize varieties (T2LCOMP1STRSYN-W-1 and T2LCOMP4). It was further observed that treatment of most susceptible maize variety (T2LCOMP4) with both arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in-vivo yielded better suppression of ear rot disease, although Glomus clarum had higher antagonistic/control effect on these pathogens as compared to G. deserticola.
A Regime-Switching Factor Model for Mean-Variance Optimization

We formulate a novel Markov regime-switching factor model to describe the cyclical nature of asset returns in modern financial markets. Maintaining a factor model structure allows us to easily derive the asset expected returns and their corresponding covariance matrix. By design, these two parameters are calibrated to better describe the properties of the different market regimes. In turn, these regime-dependent parameters serve as the inputs during mean–variance optimization, thereby constructing portfolios adapted to the current market environment. Through this formulation, the proposed model allows for the construction of large, realistic portfolios at no additional computational cost during optimization. Moreover, the viability of this model can be significantly improved by periodically re-balancing the portfolio, ensuring proper alignment between the estimated parameters and the transient market regimes. An out-of-sample computational experiment over a long investment horizon shows that the proposed regime-dependent portfolios are better aligned with the market environment, yielding a higher ex post rate of return and lower volatility than competing portfolios.
Habitat use and growth of juvenile ornate rock lobsters, Panulirus ornatus (Fabricius, 1798), in Torres Strait, Australia

Habitat use and growth of juvenile (8–90 mm carapace length, or CL) ornate rock lobsters, Panulirus ornatus, were described with the aid of information from field surveys in Torres Strait and from a laboratory growth experiment. In north-western Torres Strait, small juveniles (<40 mm CL) sheltered in solution holes in the seabed that matched their body size. Most shelters were in limestone pavement and near macroalgae. Larger juveniles sheltered in both solution holes and crevices. Juveniles were found at all depths sampled (3–21 m), and densities of juveniles were uniform over this depth range. The average density of juveniles in the study area in 1992–93 was 63 ha-1. Size distributions of juveniles sampled during August 1992 to March 1993 showed that early growth was 1·4 mm CL week-1. A laboratory trial to examine the effect of temperature on growth showed that juveniles grew 31% faster at 30°C (0·88 mm CL week-1) compared with growth at 26°C (0·67 mm CL week-1) as a result of shorter moult intervals in large juveniles. Size distributions of juveniles sampled at mid year between 1990 and 1995 showed that 10–20% reach legal size (75 mm CL) about one year after settlement.
Study on the Vibration Isolation Performance of Composite Subgrade Structure in Seasonal Frozen Regions

Silty clay modified by fly ash and crumb rubber is a kind of sustainable subgrade filler that has good freeze–thaw resistance stability, but weak vibration isolation performance. The objective of this study was to improve the vibration isolation of the modified soil and investigate the vibration isolation effect of the composite subgrade structure of extruded polystyrene (XPS) plates and the modified soil by the indoor impact test. First, the vibration isolation performance of silty clay, modified soil, and composite subgrade structure was respectively evaluated. Second, the effect of the XPS plate’s thickness and vibration intensity on the vibration performance of the composite subgrade structure were evaluated. Third, the vibration isolation performance of the test groups under the condition of freeze–thaw cycles was assessed. The results show that the vibration isolation performance of the subgrade can be effectively improved by setting XPS plates. The composite subgrade structure has a certain vibration isolation effect, especially in the vertical direction. Considering the vibration isolation performance and costs, 5 cm was the optimum XPS plate thickness. The composite subgrade structure showed a great vibration isolation performance under the condition of freeze–thaw cycles, so it is suitable for application in road subgrade in seasonal frozen regions.
Experience with methyl salicylate affects behavioural responses of a predatory mite to blends of herbivore‐induced plant volatiles

Many natural enemies of herbivorous arthropods use herbivore‐induced plant volatiles to locate their prey. These foraging cues consist of mixtures of compounds that show a considerable variation within and among plant–herbivore combinations, a situation that favours a flexible approach in the foraging behaviour of the natural enemies. In this paper, we address the flexibility in behavioural responses of the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias‐Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae) to herbivore‐induced plant volatiles. In particular, we investigated the effect of experience with one component of a herbivore‐induced volatile blend: methyl salicylate (MeSA). We compared the responses of three groups of predatory mites: (1) those reared from egg to adult on Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) on lima bean plants (Phaseolus lunatus L. that produces MeSA), (2) those reared on T. urticae on cucumber (Cucumus sativus L. that does not produce MeSA), and (3) those reared on T. urticae on cucumber in the presence of synthetic MeSA. Exposure to MeSA during the rearing period (groups 1 and 3) resulted in an attraction to the single compound MeSA in a Y‐tube olfactometer. Moreover, exposure to MeSA affected the choice of predatory mites between two volatile blends that were similar, except for the presence of MeSA. Predators reared on lima bean plants preferred the volatile blend from T. urticae‐induced lima bean (including MeSA) to the volatile blend from jasmonic‐acid induced lima bean (lacking MeSA), but predators reared on cucumber preferred the volatile blend from the latter. Predatory mites reared on cucumber in the presence of synthetic MeSA did not discriminate between these two blends. Exposure to MeSA for 3 days in the adult phase, after rearing on cucumber, also resulted in attraction to the single compound MeSA. We conclude that a minor difference in the composition of the volatile blend to which a predatory mite is exposed can explain its preferences between two odour sources.
Freshwater Mussel Bed Habitat in an Alluvial Sand-Bed-Material-Dominated Large River: A Core Flow Sediment Refugium?

Habitat degradation, organismal needs, and other effects influencing freshwater mussel declines have been subject to intense focus by conservationists for the last thirty plus years. While researchers have studied the physical habitat requirements and needs of mussels in small- to medium-sized rivers with variable levels of success, less research has been conducted on mussel habitat in larger non-wadeable rivers, especially at the reach scale, where core flow environmental conditions provide and maintain habitat for freshwater mussels. We designed a quasi-experimental observational field study to examine seven hydrologic energy and material variables laterally and longitudinally at Current and Extirpated mussel bed habitat reaches in lower White River, Arkansas, a large non-wadeable, sand-bed-material-dominated river. As expected, lateral and longitudinal hydrologic variable differences were identified within a reach. Mean velocity, bed velocity, the Froude number, and stream power were all significantly lower at Current mussel bed habitat stations within a sampling reach. Energy regime differences in shear stress and, marginally, stream power were higher at Extirpated mussel bed habitat reaches. Several factors emerged as important to mussel habitat in the White River. First, bed velocity warrants further exploration in terms of both flow strength and flow direction. Second, bedload appears to be the primary contributor to mussel habitat but requires additional exploration within the context of core and secondary flow pathway interactions. The combined empirical evidence from our study supports the flow refugium concept identified for mussel habitats in smaller systems but expands the concept to large non-wadeable streams and includes reach-scale refuge from sediment transport conditions.
Nutrient cycling in relation to decomposition and organic-matter quality in taiga ecosystems

A variety of evergreen and deciduous forests in the taiga of interior Alaska were studied over a 5-year period to examine how the chemical quality of forest-floor organic matter affected its rate of decomposition and mineral cycling within and outside the tree vegetation. Litterbag and respiration studies were used to monitor decomposition. Natural forest-floor substrates and others altered by addition of N, P, and K fertilizer and glucose as a carbon source were studied in the laboratory and field for rates of weight loss and O2 consumption. Forest floors differing in C/N ratios, including those deficient in N, were used to measure substrate quality influences on seedling growth, nutrient content, and tannin content. Microbial (bacteria and fungi) biomass was measured across a range of forest types along with pH, base saturation total pool sizes of N and P, and annual mineralization of organic matter per square metre. Under identical moisture and temperature conditions average respiration rates in evergr.
Ethical Standards and Public Service Delivery in South East, Nigeria

Public service is responsible for the execution of governmental programmes and provision of social services such as transportation, rural electrification, water etc. However, these services are not adequately provided despite the enormous resources allocated to the MDAs in southeast, Nigeria. It is on these shortcomings that necessitated various reforms in Nigeria and institutionalisation of ethical standards, culture of work ethics, yet output is poorly delivered. The study adopted Descriptive research design. The population was the public service in Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states, Nigeria. The three states were purposively selected with numerical population of 51,102. Stratified and simple random sampling techniques were used to select three MDAs (Ministry of Works and Infrastructure/Transport, Civil Service Commission and Water Corporation). The sample size was 786. Questionnaire was the major instrument of data collection complemented by interview guide. Reliability test of the instrument yielded Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for the construct ranging from 0.77 to 0.82. The response rate was 87%. Data collected were tabulated, while mean as well as standard deviation were calculated, and content analysed. Findings revealed that nonadherence to ethical principles for effective operation, lack of commitment and low sense of integrity leading to conflict of interest, corrupt practices and undue award of contracts to associates as well as recruitment not based on merit were observed in the public service of the three states. State governments of Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo should legislate policies and practices that encourages sense of integrity and commitment, encourage consistent on the job training and development, motivation of public servants to encourage ethical behaviour. Keywords: Ethical Standard, Public Service, Service Delivery, Culture, Commitment.
Mecanismos de abertura do sulco e adubação nitrogenada no cultivo do feijoeiro em sistema plantio direto

ABSTRACT FURROWS OPENING MECHANISM FOR NITROGEN FERTILIZER APPLICATION INCOMMON BEAN CROP UNDER NO-TILLAGE Some crops have shown no adaptation to no-tillage system as a function of compaction soilsuperficial layer. In way, the mechanism used in seeder to open furrows for deposition of fertilizer canhave great importance to facilitate the penetration of roots. This experiment was carried in Selviria (MS),with the objective to evaluate the winter common bean crop yield under no-tillage system, as functionof fertilizer distribution opening mechanisms in sowing (chisel and coulter blade) and sidedressingnitrogen application (0, 25, 50, 75, 100 and 125 kg ha -1 ). The experimental design was a randomized block,arranged in a 2 x 6 factorial scheme, constituted by fertilizer distribution opening mechanisms in sowing(chisel and coulter blade) and sidedressing nitrogen doses (0, 25, 50, 75, 100 and 125 kg ha -1 ), with fourreplications. It is recommended the use of chisel as mechanism to open furrows for fertilizer depositionfor the winter common bean crop cultivation. The sidedressing nitrogen application provides incrementto the winter common bean crop yield.
Novel management to enhance spider biodiversity in existing grass buffer strips

1 Grass buffer strips have been widely sown to mitigate against intensive agricultural management practices that have negatively impacted on invertebrate and plant biodiversity in arable farming systems. Typically, such strips are floristically species poor and are dominated by grasses. In the present study, we developed management practices to enhance the floristic and structural diversity of these existing strips for the benefit of spiders, a key provider of natural pest control in crops. 2 Across three UK arable farms, we investigated the benefits of: (i) scarification to create germination niches into which wildflower seeds were sown and (ii) the effect of graminicide applications to suppress grass dominance. Spiders were sampled twice per year (July and September) during 2008 and 2009. 3 The combination of scarification with wildflower seeds, as well as graminicide, resulted in the greatest wildflower cover and lowest grass cover, with a general trend of increased abundance of adult and juvenile spiders. The abundance of Pachygnatha degeeri, Bathyphantes gracilis and juvenile wolf spiders of the genus Pardosa was positively correlated with wildflower cover, probably reflecting increased prey availability. Sward structure was negatively correlated with Erigone atra, Oedothorax fuscus and juvenile Pardosa abundance. 4 Management that utilizes existing commonly adopted agri‐environment options, such as grass buffer strips, represents a potentially important conservation tool for increasing the quantity and quality of invertebrate habitats. This can maximize opportunities for the provision of multiple ecosystem services, including pest regulation by predators such as spiders. These management practices have the potential to be incorporated into existing U.K. and European agri‐environment schemes.
Adaptation of Winter Wheat Cultivars to Different Environments: A Case Study in Poland

A proper understanding of cultivar adaptation to different environments is of great relevance in agronomy and plant breeding. As wheat is the most important crop in Poland, with a total of about 22% of the total sown area, the study of its performance in environments with different productivity levels for consequent cultivar recommendation is of major importance. In this paper, we assess the relative performance of winter wheat cultivars in environments with different productivity and propose a method for cultivar recommendation, by considering the information of environmental conditions and drought stress. This is performed in the following steps: (1) calculation of expected wheat productivity, depending on environmental factors, (2) calculation of relative productivity of cultivars in the environments, and (3) recommendation of cultivars of a specific type and range of adaptation. Soil and weather conditions were confirmed as the most important factors affecting winter wheat yield. The weather factors should be considered rather in shorter (e.g., 10 day) than longer (e.g., 60 day) time periods and in relation to growth stages. The ANCOVA model with genotype and management intensity as fixed factors, and soil and weather parameters as covariates was proposed to assess the expected wheat productivity in particular environments and the expected performance of each genotype (cultivar). The recommendation of cultivars for locations of specified productivity was proposed based on the difference between the expected cultivar yield and the mean wheat productivity, and compared with the Polish official cultivar recommendation list.
Wire mask assisted rolling as a cost-effective method for high-throughput surface micro-texturing

Micro-dimples are a specific class of surface textures that are ubiquitous in a wide range of applications where functionalities such as wetting, hydrodynamic drag reduction, and sliding friction reduction are needed. However, fabrication of the micro-dimples through the existing manufacturing techniques involves the use of complex equipment and requires relatively long cycle times. Consequently, we report here proof-of-concept of a method that enables in fabricating micro-dimples in a facile and fast manner. The industrial sieve wire masks were employed to deform metallic sheets at discrete locations by the cold rolling process. The geometry of projections on the wire masks allowed the formation of ellipsoid shaped micro-dimples in two distinct patterns on metallic sheets. The finite element modelling of process-material interactions was accurately predicted the formation of micro-dimples under different reduction ratios. We also demonstrate that the micro-dimples can be easily replicated on polymer surfaces using textured metallic moulds, which facilitates low-cost mass production in microfluidic applications. The presence of micro-dimples on polymer surfaces has led to an increase in water contact angles and resulted in a substantial drag reduction in microchannels. From the tribological viewpoint, the obtained patterns and surface area fractions of the micro-dimples are attractive. These findings provide a promising way to create textured surfaces in an economical manner, with functionalities suitable for microfluidic and tribological devices.