Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The role of exchange rate in remittance inflows: Evidence from Indonesia

This paper attempts to analyze the economic importance of the exchange rate in Indonesia based on the question of whether the exchange rate determines the remittance inflows. Estimation of quarterly time series data for 2005(1)-2018(4) presents that remittance inflows and exchange rate are co-integrated and bi-directional Granger-causality. The results of ARDL present that remittance inflows are pro-cyclical both in the short- and the long-run, implying that remittance inflows are motivated by altruism or family arrangement. However, the home currency depreciation induces overseas workers to send more money. Asymmetrically, when the home currency appreciates, the overseas workers do not reduce their remit. Given the huge flows of remittance to Indonesia, the impact of remittances on the supply of foreign exchange should be a major concern for monetary authority. To stabilize the exchange rate and to maintain sufficient international reserve, improving the competitiveness of migrant workers should be an integral part of the macroeconomic policy.
Assessment of genetic variability in advance breeding lines of wheat

A set of sixty pre-released promising genotypes of wheat were used to study variability, correlation and path coefficient analysis for yield and yield contributing traits in wheat. The high magnitude of genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation were observed for ear weight, grain yield/plant, biological yield/plant, peduncle length, sedimentation value, number of effective tillers/plant, number of ear/plant and ear length. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percentage of mean was observed for grain yield/plant, biological yield/plant, ear weight, peduncle length and sedimentation value, indicating that heritability may be due to additive gene action and simple selection based on these traits may be effective. Grain yield/plant revealed significant positive association with biological yield/plant, number of effective tillers/plant, ear weight, ear length, number of ear/plant, 1000 grain weight, harvest index and plant height. Hence, improvement of grain yield can be achieved by improving these traits. Biological yield/plant exerted high positive direct effect on grain yield/plant, followed by number of spikelets/spike, harvest index, ear length, number of ear/plant, peduncle length and ear weight. It indicated that these characters had a high association with grain yield/plant and selection for these traits would lead to increase in yield.
Analysis of the Capacity of Radar Time Series Data for Crop Mapping in the Context of the Sahel: Case of Groundnut, Millet and Maize in Senegal

— Monitoring agricultural areas, using remote sensing, has been a major issue in the Sahel region, due to the small size of farm plot compared to satellite spatial resolution. The main goal is to develop a methodology based on radar data for mapping crops in Senegal. Training plots were used to analyse temporal dynamics of radar signals. The result shows that the possibility to separate agricultural area from other land cover at the beginning of the rainy season. The radar signal of the three crops are confused at the beginning but we note a strong difference at the end of the growing season, where peanut crops signal is marked by a sharp fall. Variance analysis allowed to select images which are able to discriminate these cultures. The Classification And Regression Trees (CART) model used is able to identify peanut plots with more than 82% of accuracy, but confuse maize crop (accuracy less than 70%). This result means the resulting inability to separate the two types of maize crops (one which is sown early and harvested in mid-season, another sown in mid-season and harvested at the end of the season). So, in this area, the use of radar permit to improve crop mapping considering agricultural practice of cereals.
Easy synthesis of bismuth iron oxide nanoparticles as photocatalyst for solar hydrogen generation from water

Multiferroic materials such as bismuth iron oxide (BiFeO3/BFO) have strong potential for solar hydrogen generation. In this paper, we have described a sol-gel method using urea and polyvinyl alcohol at low temperature to synthesize high purity BFO nanoparticles of size 50- 60 nm. A complicated and high temperature process is usually employed to synthesize BFO. It is observed that the material has an energy band gap of 2.1 eV which makes it a potential material towards solar applications. Photoelectrochemical (PEC) and photocatalytic tests are conducted to evaluate BFO's performance towards hydrogen generation by splitting of water using simulated solar light. PEC generation of hydrogen using fabricated electrodes (BFO nanoparticles coated on titanium foil) shows that the material is photoactive and can evolve hydrogen from water using a visible light. Photocatalytic tests for hydrogen generation are also performed using the nanoparticles in 1(M) KOH solution under simulated solar light. Upon analysis of the evolved gases by gas chromatography (GC), hydrogen and oxygen are detected. Furthermore, it is also observed that BFO generates three times more hydrogen than commercial titania P25 catalyst under similar experimental conditions.
Variability studies in Crossandra (Crossandra infundibuliformis)

The present investigation was under taken to study the genetic parameters such as, heritability, genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation (GCV, PCV) for ten characters of different crossandra genotypes. The highest phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation, heritability and genetic advance as percent of mean was noticed for number of spikes per plant, yield per plant, rachis length, number of leaves, number of flowers per spike, plant height, primary branches and 100 flower weight.
Firms' Attributes and Auditors' Reporting Lag In Nigeria Deposit Money Banks

Timeliness is one of the qualities of financial report without which relevance cannot be attained. A relevant but untimely financial reporting has no use and it is capable of causing market imperfection. Thus, the study analyzed the effect of firms’ attributes on auditors’ reporting lag in Nigeria deposit money banks. Ten listed banks were selected purposively based on size and relevant data were obtained from the financial reports of the sampled banks from 2008 to 2017. The study used dynamic generalized method of moment involving fixed effect to test the effect of firms’ attributes on audited reporting lag. Findings showed that age has significant positive effect on auditors’ reporting lag of the sampled banks while size has no significant positive effect. However, profitability was found to exert negative but no significant effect on auditors’ reporting lag. The study concluded that age is the contributing factor for the delay in audited report implying that the older a company is, the more the delay in its audited report. Arising from this, the study recommended that banks should have robust internal control system and accounting system and also comply with all regulations including accounting standards, so as to reduce auditors’ reporting lag in Nigeria. This study is limited to banking sector; future studies can address this limitation by focusing non-financial sector.
"Knuckles and Fingerprints: A Comparison and Case Study"

When a person flexes the hand to make a fist, the dorsalside skin near the knuckles tightens. When the fist is relaxed, the skin may fold, creating lines variously called wrinkles and creases.1 In a recent case, these lines were the evidence that was used to try to identify a defendant. The charges against the defendant, Devin Whitfield [1], included child pornography. Part of the evidence consisted of an image taken on a cell phone that included the dorsal side of knuckles. The prosecution called a qualified fingerprint analyst. In light of her expertise in fingerprint analysis, it is useful to review the similarities and differences between knuckle creases and fingerprints.
Affinity, Trust, and Information

Mutually beneficial trades often rely on both trust and trustworthiness. In exchanges where no history of behavior is observable, however, where does trust come from? Recent evidence suggests that the level of affinity parties in an exchange feel for each other positively affects trustworthiness and can, therefore, affect trust. We propose a simple model that predicts a positive relationship between trust beliefs, affinity, and trustworthiness and a negative relationship between the dispersion of trust beliefs and affinity level. Furthermore, the model suggests that trust should be slower to update after a shock to trustworthiness when affinity is high. We show that the model's predictions are supported by data from two unrelated datasets-a proprietary survey of Italian entrepreneurs and an extensive international survey (Eurobarometer). Finally, using data on international trade, we show that, in line with our model, adverse shocks to trustworthiness cause a reallocation of trade from low-affinity to high-affinity partners, and especially so in trust-intensive industries.
The Relationship between Mobile Retail Service Quality, Customer Satisfaction and Behavior Intentions

This research investigated relationships between service quality, customer satisfaction and behavior intentions in the context of mobile retailing in China. Specifically, we explored relationships between four dimensions of mobile retail service quality (i.e., contact, responsiveness, fulfillment and efficiency), customer satisfaction and three types of behavior intentions (i.e., repurchase intentions, word-of-mouth and price sensitivity). Data were collected by surveying nearly 500 consumers who have at least three months of mobile shopping experience. Findings suggest that the fulfillment dimension has the largest positive effects on customer satisfaction, followed by efficiency and responsiveness. The contact dimension had only a marginally significant effect on customer satisfaction. Customer satisfaction was found to be a positive predictor of behavior intentions, such as making repurchases and sharing word-of-mouth, and a negative predictor of price sensitivity. The findings generated by this research provide theoretical and practical insights about the role of service quality in mobile retailing.
Knowledge, attitude, practice and prevalence of traditional cauterization among patients in Massawa Hospital, Eritrea: a cross-sectional study

Introduction use of traditional cautery for the treatment of varied ailments is one of the most ancient and harmful traditional medical practices that is still in use. This study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude, practice and to estimate the prevalence of traditional cautery among patients visiting Massawa hospital. Methods a hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Massawa hospital from February 20 to April 20, 2019. The study enrolled all patients aged >18 years, non-critical and willing to participate. Results a total of 900 participants were enrolled in the study. The study was dominated by Muslims (81.4%) with a median age of 42 years (IQR: 20). Self-reported prevalence of traditional cauterization was found to be 43.6% and 63% of them did their latest cautery between 2011 and 2019. Metal rods were used as cauterant in 92.3% and 47.9% reported that traditional practitioners used the same cauterant for different people. One-third of the respondents reported that it is a safe practice and 47% had the understanding that it cannot transmit communicable diseases. Moreover, 90.4% of the study participants reported that they knew someone who did cautery. Respondents with poor knowledge (AOR=6.45, 95% CI: 4.69-8.87) and attitude (AOR=8.68, 95% CI: 6.31-11.95) were more likely to practice cauterization compared to those with good knowledge and attitude. Conclusion the practice of cauterization in visitors of Massawa hospital was rampant which is mainly associated with poor knowledge and attitude of the respondents, limited access to health facilities and religious/cultural conviction.
Dietary Supplementation with Microencapsulated Lutein Improves Yolk Color and Lutein Content in Fresh and Cooked Eggs of Laying Hens

This study was conducted to compare the efficacy of diet supplemented with non-microencapsulated lutein (NL) and microencapsulated lutein (ML) in laying hens. A total of 270 Hy-line Brown laying hens (54 weeks old) were allocated to three groups with six replicates of 15 hens and were adapted to a wheat-soybean meal basal diet for two weeks. Next, the control birds were fed the basal diet, and the test birds were fed the basal diet supplemented with 600 mg/kg NL (12 mg/kg available lutein) or 90.1 mg/kg ML (10 mg/kg available lutein) for 35 days. Supplementation of lutein did not affect the productive performance of laying hens, but improved (P<0.05) the yolk color and red/green value (a*), with eggs from the ML group displaying improved color and a* values from the 15th day of the experimental period. The blue/yellow value (b*) for the yolk showed an increase (P<0.05) through both NL and ML supplements. The yolk color of fried and boiled eggs and a* value of the yolk in fried eggs were improved (P<0.05) only through ML supplemented diet. Both NL and ML supplements resulted in lower (P<0.05) lightness and higher (P<0.05) a* values of yolk in boiled eggs, as well as higher (P<0.05) b* values in fried and boiled eggs. Yolk lutein content in fresh, fried, and boiled eggs was increased (P<0.05) in NL and ML groups with the latter being higher. In conclusion, ML improved yolk pigmentation and lutein retention in laying hens better than NL.
Modelling the electronegative discharge

A one-dimensional particle-in-cell simulation incorporating Monte Carlo collisions (PIC-MCC) has been utilized to investigate a model Ar/O2 discharge. This benchmarking study is unique in many respects, but most notably in the size of the parameter space it encompasses. In total, data from more than fifty self-consistent kinetic simulations, covering a wide range of conditions in terms of collisionality, electronegativity, and negative ion destruction mechanism, has been compiled. This data conveys a unique perspective of the complex charge species dynamics associated with electron attaching discharges. Under certain discharge conditions quasi-neutrality violating double layer structures are observed. A largely unappreciated negative ion heating mechanism is identified, and negative ion temperatures greatly exceeding those of the surrounding gas are observed. A generic global, or volume-averaged, plasma chemistry model has also been developed. We utilize the benchmark simulations to critically evaluate the performance of such models over a wide range of parameters. It is found, as expected, that the most significant limitation appears to be the oft-used assumption of a Maxwellian electron energy distribution. Accounting for this deficiency is shown to improve model-simulation efficacy considerably. Although many works have been published which endeavor to incorporate the effects of self-consistent electronegative plasma segregation into models exploring the primary discharge parameters and scaling laws, it is found that the conventional global model formulation is quite robust to the occurrence of such complex state-variable profiles.
Experiment-Based Approach to Teach Optimization Techniques

This article proposes an approach based on experiments to teach optimization technique (OT) courses in the Systems Engineering curricula at undergraduate level. Artificial intelligence techniques in terms of nature-inspired optimization algorithms and neural networks are inserted in the lecture and laboratory parts of the syllabus. The experiments are included in the laboratory part of the syllabus by first involving controlled process analysis and modeling, control structures and algorithms, real-time laboratory experiments, and their assessment. These experiments are focused on the representative case of the pendulum–cart system control, and the genetic algorithm-based optimal tuning of proportional–integral–derivative and state-feedback controllers is carried out. The laboratory part of the syllabus deals next with the development of neural network-based models for the prediction of financial time series. An analysis of the grades obtained by representative groups of students that attended the OT course at the Politehnica University of Timisoara, Romania, and their effects on the process control structures and algorithms course, which continues the OT course in the next semester, is performed. The analysis also discusses the situation prior to using the proposed approach. The results of this analysis demonstrate the efficiency of our approach based on complex systems optimization, modeling, and control targeting real-world practical applications, and a numerical outcome of the approach is given. This allows students to gain a better understanding of the theoretical aspects acquired during the lectures in comparison with the situation prior to using the proposed approach.
Adjustment and early retirement intentions of the older workers in the Croatian public sector

Croatian population and, consequently, Croatian labour force is rapidly ageing. With ageing comes the change in abilities e.g. decreasing productivity and declining cognitive ability. In the modern world, new applications of technologies transform requirements of jobs, thus workers have to adjust to those novelties. The problem is that older workers are ‘digital immigrants’ who started using a Personal Computer (PC) later in their lives, often during employment, so they had to change their approach to work i.e., they had to adjust to different requirements of today’s jobs. Required adjustments accompanied by decreasing abilities may lead to early retirement. The authors have investigated the influence of 1) the need to adjust to the requirements of today’s jobs (approximated by requirements to use a PC) and 2) the ability to adjust to the requirements of today’s jobs (approximated by ratings of PC skills) on early retirement intentions of population aged 50+ employed in the Croatian public sector. A logistic regression model in the context of complex samples was created by the authors, whereby both analysed variables were found to be related to the early retirement intentions. Finally, those who were required to use a PC and thus to adjust to changes were more likely to want to retire early than employees who did not have the same obligation. Those with low PC skills, i.e. employees whose ability to adjust was low, were also more likely to retire early than those who have adjusted better. early retirement, Personal Computer (PC) related requirements and skills, public sector, early retirement intentions and decisions
Multimodal Multiobjective Evolutionary Optimization With Dual Clustering in Decision and Objective Spaces

This article suggests a multimodal multiobjective evolutionary algorithm with dual clustering in decision and objective spaces. One clustering is run in decision space to gather nearby solutions, which will classify solutions into multiple local clusters. Nondominated solutions within each local cluster are first selected to maintain local Pareto sets, and the remaining ones with good convergence in objective space are also selected, which will form a temporary population with more than <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${N}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> solutions (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${N}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> is the population size). After that, a second clustering is run in objective space for this temporary population to get <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${N}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> final clusters with good diversity in objective space. Finally, a pruning process is repeatedly run on the above clusters until each cluster has only one solution, which removes the most crowded solution in decision space from the most crowded cluster in objective space each time. This way, the clustering in decision space can distinguish all Pareto sets and avoid the loss of local Pareto sets, while that in objective space can maintain diversity in objective space. When solving all the benchmark problems from the competition of multimodal multiobjective optimization in the IEEE Congress on Evolutionary Computation 2019, the experiments validate our advantages to maintain diversity in both objective and decision spaces.
Regional differences in Kemp’s ridley sea turtle growth trajectories and expected age at maturation

For species of conservation concern, somatic growth and age at maturation are key parameters in models used to evaluate population dynamics, as spatial and temporal variability in growth rates may be particularly important for predicting population recovery. Following an oceanic juvenile developmental stage, endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles Lepidochelys kempii occupy neritic habitats in 2 primary regions, the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) and along the US Atlantic coast. Results of prior studies suggest that somatic growth rates differ between these groups, which has the potential to influence maturation trajectories and relative reproductive contributions. To determine the nature and extent of potential regional differences, we conducted skeletal growth mark analysis (skeletochronology) with complementary annual bone growth increment-specific stable nitrogen isotope analysis that allowed delineation of oceanic-to-neritic habitat shifts for turtles stranded from 1993 to 2016. Results demonstrate that in the GoM, the oceanic-to-neritic habitat transition is associated with younger ages and faster somatic growth rates than in US Atlantic waters. Overall, US Atlantic somatic growth response was depressed relative to that in the GoM throughout all juvenile life stages, and this disparity persisted for more than 20 yr. This discrepancy translated into regional divergence in size-at-age relationships and maturation trajectories, with the prediction that US Atlantic Kemp’s ridleys would mature on average 2 to 3 yr later than their GoM counterparts. These analyses provide important baseline information on somatic growth rates and predicted age at maturation that can facilitate the evaluation of factors contributing to recent fluctuations in reproductive output for this endangered population.
Cell Weighting and Gate Inductive Peaking Techniques for Wideband Noise Suppression in Distributed Amplifiers

This paper presents a noise suppression method to improve noise figure (NF) performance of a distributed amplifier (DA) in a broad frequency range. In the proposed DA topology, the input matching resistor, which remarkably increases the NF, is replaced by a common-gate (CG) stage. The noise contribution of the CG terminating network is suppressed by employing a cell weighting plan in conjunction with a gate-inductive peaking technique. Analytical methods and a circuit implementation in a $0.18~\mu \text{m}$ CMOS technology verify that the proposed noise suppression technique provides lower NF compared with the conventional DA (CDA) topology in the entire frequency range. This is in contrast to other reported low-noise DA topologies which decrease the noise contribution of the input matching element only in a limited range of frequencies. The measurement results demonstrate an average gain of 9.5 dB in 1-20 GHz frequency range, a noise figure less than 4 dB and 5.8 dB up to 16 GHz and 20 GHz, respectively, and an average IIP3 of 5.3 dBm. The chip occupies an area of 1.2 mm2, including pads, and consumes a current of 24 mA from 1.8 V supply.