Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessment of regions using an index for a location’s attractiveness for business development

Abstract A system of 36 regional-level indicators is selected to create a new index measuring a location’s attractiveness for business development (the LA-index), on the criteria of intelligence, networking and infrastructure, sustainability, digitalisation, learning, agility, innovativeness and knowledge. Business establishment is defined by nine indicators. Overall, the research data include 5,170 observations. The methodology presented is suitable for assessing the attractiveness of any region if the necessary data are available. We use correlation analysis and the Granger causality test to analyse the impact of business attractiveness on the establishment of new businesses. The main findings reveal that attractiveness for business development has a positive impact on the establishment of new businesses, but the determinants and time lags of this impact vary depending on the level of economic development of the region. The paper contributes to the regional economic development literature by exploring the concept of a location’s attractiveness using the smartness approach, and by discovering the time lags of the impact of this on the establishment of new businesses. The paper provides original empirical evidence, which helps policy makers to develop more accurate strategies and decision-making process based on smartness determinants and delayed effect (impact over time).
A previously established divergent lineage of the hybrid fungal pathogen Verticillium longisporum emerges as stem striping pathogen in British oilseed rape

Population genetic structures illustrate evolutionary trajectories of organisms adapting to differential environmental conditions. Pathogen populations are typically shaped by co-evolution with their hosts through genetic co-structuring. Verticillium stem striping was mainly observed in continental Europe, but has recently emerged in other countries including the United Kingdom. The disease is caused by the hybrid fungal species Verticilliumlongisporum that originates from at least three separate hybridization events, yet strains from the hybridization event between Verticillium progenitor species A1 and D1 are mainly responsible for Verticillium stem striping. By using multi-locus genotype analysis, we reveal a hitherto un-described dichotomy within V. longisporum lineage A1/D1 that correlates with the geographic distribution of the isolates with an “A1/D1 West” and an “A1/D1 East” cluster according to their relative location in Europe. Genome comparison between representatives of the A1/D1 West and East clusters confirmed mutual common origin, excluding distinctiveness through separate hybridization events. The A1/D1 West population is responsible for the sudden emergence of Verticillium stem striping in the UK. Remarkably, this emergence is caused by a British V. longisporum population that is genetically more diverse than the entire A1/D1 East cluster. Conceivably, V. longisporum has previously established in the UK, but remained latent or undiagnosed as an oilseed rape pathogen until recently. This finding illustrates that a recent introduction is not a prerequisite for a pathogen to emerge, as environmental factors and cultural practices can also play a pivotal role in outbreaks of novel diseases.
Spatial food‐web structure in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean based on compound‐specific nitrogen isotope analysis of amino acids

The effective evaluation of trophic interactions in pelagic food webs is essential for understanding food web ecology, conservation biology, and management. We tested the applicability of compound‐specific isotope analysis of amino acids (CSIA‐AA) for (1) characterizing trophic positions (TPs) of nine species from four trophic groups (tunas, squids, myctophids, and euphausiids) within a pelagic food web in the eastern tropical Pacific (ETP) Ocean, (2) evaluating trophic discrimination factors (TDFs) of each trophic group, and (3) detecting spatial changes in TPs and food chain length across a region with heterogeneous productivity. Although δ15N values of bulk tissues generally increased from south‐to‐north, CSIA‐AA revealed that trophic positions were uniform throughout our study area. These results suggest that variability in δ15N values were largely driven by nitrogen cycling dynamics in the ETP, which highlights the importance of these processes for the interpretation of δ15N values in food web studies. Absolute TP estimates were unrealistic for higher‐level species, and TDFs (tunas: 4.0‰, squids: 4.6‰, myctophids: 5.0‰, and euphausiids: 7.0‰) were lower than a widely used ecosystem TDF. We used remotely sensed oceanographic data to evaluate the physical oceanography and biological productivity throughout our study area and found significant relationships between δ15N values, nitrate concentrations, and SST across our study area. We did not find a gradient in phytoplankton cell size co‐occurring with an expected productivity gradient across our sampling region, which substantiated our isotope results indicating non‐significant spatial changes in TP and food chain length across the ETP.
Studies on pH, Conductivity, and Moisture Retention Capacity of Coir Pith for Its Application as the Plant Growing Medium

ABSTRACT Coir pith, a biomass residue, is generated as a byproduct during extraction of coir fiber from coconut husk. It is considered as a waste in coir industry. Larger quantity production of coir pith may cause environmental pollution because of improper management of the coir pith which is not naturally degradable. Present paper deals with the utilization of the coir pith as a plant growing medium. Different parameters such as pH and conductivity of the coir pith were tested to confirm the source of micronutrient in it for the plants. These parameters were controlled by washing in subsequent stage. The retentivity of the coir medium was also tested to check water holding capacity of the medium. The obtained results showed that the parameters are not only depending on the washing but also on the size of the coir pith particle.
Trichogramma ostriniae (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) response to relative humidity with and without host cues

ABSTRACT Trichogramma ostriniae is a parasitoid wasp species that is used as a biological control for several lepidopteran agricultural pests. Our study examined the effects of relative humidity (RH) on the behaviour of female T. ostriniae. In Y-tube RH choice assays, wasps generally chose higher RH over lower RH but the latency time taken to make a choice displayed no clear patterns that could be ascribed to the magnitude of the RH difference between arms of the Y-tube. In trials conducted in glass arenas with fixed humidities, the conditional probabilities of transition from searching to interacting with the leaf disk, and from interacting with leaf disks to antennal egg drumming and oviposition, were not significantly different among the RH levels, nor were there differences in latency times. These findings suggest that the level of RH may influence habitat choice but have little effect on search efficacy.
Corporate Governance and Cost of Capital: Evidence from Emerging Market

This study used a researcher self-constructed corporate governance index as a proxy to measure the firm-level corporate governance compliance and disclosure with the 2002 Pakistani Code of Corporate Governance, to examine the relationship between corporate governance and cost of capital. We found a negative and significant association between the Pakistani Corporate Governance Index (PCGI) and block ownership with the firm-level cost of capital. On average, better-governed Pakistani listed firms tend to be associated with a lower cost of capital than their poorly governed counterparts are. As an emerging market, good corporate governance practices are mainly related to minimise corporate failure and assist firms in attracting capital at a lower cost.
Analysis of the Effect of Hedge Fund Activism on Target Firm’s CEO Compensation

Inspired by recent academic advancement as well as real-world cases on hedge fund activism, the main purpose of this paper is to verify the potential effects of hedge fund activism on target firm’s CEO compensation. We used Propensity Score Matching and Difference-in-Differences approach to conduct the statistical analysis based on 835 analyzed samples. We found that the difference between the previous CEO pay level before hedge fund’s intervention and the post CEO pay level after hedge fund’s intervention for target firms is smaller compared to that for non-target firms. The result provides new evidence for the argument that the hedge fund’s intervention can be effective in suppressing the increase in CEO pay in hedge fund’s target firm. The study reveals a possibility that the hedge fund’s involvement in target firm can be viewed as a solution to adjust the executive pay to the reasonable level and make the executive compensation structure more based on company performance.
Recurring Patterns and Blueprints of Industrial Symbioses as Structural Units for an IT Tool

Industrial Symbiosis (IS) deals with the set-up of advanced circular/cascading systems, in which the energy and material flows are prolonged for multiple material and energetic (re-)utilization within industrial systems. To facilitate the technology-enabling environment of IS systems, this work deals with the identification of recurring patterns in IS systems of specific IS case studies and deduction of elementary blueprints and structural units, setting an initial cornerstone to pool and synthesize existing IS knowledge and to deploy this knowledge base in an Information Technology (IT)-supported IS tool, which would remarkably advance the scope of action and development of IS systems. An explorative cross-case analysis was conducted by investigating 80 IS case studies in depth in order to illuminate recurring (key) patterns in IS systems by generalizing and abstracting IS main structures, compositions, resource exchange activities and measures. It has been shown that similar IS sectoral partnerships and resource exchanges have recurrently formed in different regions and hence, generalizable patterns can be deduced. This study identified common IS compositions, sector clusters and key/core/anchor entities and synthesized a content basis for a database of an IS resource exchange catalog based on existing/available IS information, which can be used in an IT-supported IS tool. It contains information of specific IS resource exchanges, broken down by industrial sectors, differentiating providing and receiving sectors and which respective exchanged waste flows were processed into which secondary material/product. Once this fundamental information/data base is incorporated and applied in an IT-supported IS tool, it enables the facilitated recommendation of potential IS partners and IS actions to optimize existing IS cases or to initiate IS development. Especially, first IS germ cells of (key) entities can be derived and connected to each other considering individual circumstances and (geographical) business environments.
Eruptive history and 40Ar/39Ar geochronology of the Milos volcanic
field, Greece

Abstract. High-resolution geochronology is essential to determine the growth-rate of volcanoes, which is one of the key factors to establish the periodicity of explosive volcanic eruptions. However, there are less high-resolution eruptive histories (> 106 years) determined for long-lived submarine arc volcanic complexes than for subaerial complexes, since the submarine volcanoes are far more difficult to observe than subaerial ones. In this study, high-resolution geochronology and major element data are presented for Milos Volcanic Field (VF) in the South Aegean Volcanic Arc, Greece. The Milos VF has been active for over 3 Myrs, and the first two million years of its eruptive history occurred in a submarine setting that has emerged above sea level nowadays. The long submarine volcanic history of the Milos VF makes it an excellent natural laboratory to study the growth-rate of a long-lived submarine arc volcanic complex. This study reports twenty-one new high-precision 40Ar/39Ar ages and major element compositions for eleven volcanic units of the Milos VF. This allows us to refine the volcanic evolution of Milos into nine phases and five volcanic quiescence periods of longer than 200 kyrs, on the basis of age, composition, volcano type and location. Phase 1–5 (~ 3.34–1.60 Ma) contributed ~ 85 % by volume to the Milos VF, whereas the volcanoes of Phase 6–9 only erupted small volumes (2–6 km3 in DRE) rhyolitic magmas. Although there are exceptions of the felsic cone volcanoes of Phase 1–2, in general the Milos VF becomes more rhyolitic in composition from Phase 1 to Phase 9. In particular, the last three phases (Phase 7–9) only contain rhyolites. Moreover, the high-resolution geochronology suggests that there are at least three periods of different long term volumetric volcanic output rate (Qe). In the Milos VF, the Qe varies between 0.2 and 6.6 × 10−5 km3 yr−1, 2–3 orders of magnitude lower than the average for rhyolitic systems and continental arcs.
Scarlett Letter: A study based on experience of stigma by COVID-19 patients in quarantine

Background and Objectives: Stigma around COVID-19 is a major barrier in global efforts to control the COVID 19 pandemic. Limited data is available regarding stigma faced by COVID-19 patients in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). The aim of the current study was to explore the stigma experienced by hospitalized patients with COVID-19 illness in Lahore, Pakistan. Methods: Following Institutional Review Board approval and informed consent, patients were assessed using modified HIV short form stigma scale and open-ended questions. Questions focused on experiences, feelings, and opinions as to how patients feel and how they were treated prior to and during the hospitalization. Data analysis for quantitative data was performed using SPSS-20, while qualitative responses were interpreted by content analysis method. Results: One hundred and fourteen patients were interviewed (Mean age 38.8 years + 15.3) with 53.5% being males. Widespread experience of stigma was reported by patients particularly for concerns about public attitudes (7.43 + 1.43) & disclosure (6.89 + 1.45). Main themes which emerged from the qualitative responses were social stigma and rejection, humiliating behaviour of others, breach of confidentiality, loss of trust/ respect, and impact of COVID-19 diagnosis on their business. Conclusions: Existence of significant stigma among COVID-19 patients isolated in a tertiary care hospital in a LMIC highlights the need for culturally sensitive strategies to address it.
High‐Energy Surf Zone Currents and Headland Rips at a Geologically Constrained Mesotidal Beach

We analyze Eulerian and Lagrangian measurements of wave-induced circulation collected during a 3-week field experiment at a high-energy mesotidal barred beach with the presence of a 500-m headland and a submerged reef. Small changes in wave and tide conditions were found to largely impact circulation patterns. Three main regimes were identified depending on offshore wave obliquity: (1) Under shore-normal configuration, the flow was dominated by cross-shore motions, except for moderate waves at low tide, with the presence of a quasi-steady circulation cell on the reef. (2) Under shadowed configuration, an onshore-directed current flowing away from the headland and a weak oscillating eddy were present outside and inside the shadow region, respectively. (3) Under deflection configuration, a deflection rip flowing against the headland and extending well beyond the surf zone was present, with activity maximized around low tide for moderate waves. Under 4-m oblique waves, the deflection rip was active regardless of the tide with mean depth-averaged velocities up to 0.7 m/s 800-m offshore in 12-m depth, with energetic low-frequency fluctuations. Our results emphasize the ability of deflection rips to transport materials far offshore, suggesting that such rips can transport sediment beyond the depth of closure. This study indicates that a wide variety of wave-driven circulation patterns can occur and sometimes coexist on beaches with prominent geological settings. Changes in the dominant driving mechanism can occur as a result of small changes in wave and tide conditions, resulting in more spatially and temporally variable circulation than along open sandy beaches. Plain Language Summary Most field experiments about wave-induced circulation patterns have been conducted along open sandy beaches, while experiments in geologically constrained environments are scarce. We performed intensive field measurements at a high-energy beach with the presence of a 500-m headland and a submerged natural reef. Three main circulation patterns were identified depending on the offshore wave obliquity. For shore-normal waves, cross-shore motions dominated the nearshore region, while oblique wave configurations resulted in more complex horizontal circulation. In particular, under intense headland-directed longshore current, the flow was deflected seaward against the headland. This deflection resulted in an intense seaward flowing jet (deflection rip) extending well beyond the surf zone edge, particularly during storm conditions. Such findings highlight the ability of these deflection rips to dominate water and sediment exchanges between the nearshore and the inner shelf region. Our study further outlines the more spatially and temporally variable circulation patterns occurring along geologically constrained beaches compared to open sandy beaches, ranging from small recirculating cells across the reef to a large deflection rip extending hundreds of meters beyond the surf zone.
Analysis of the Attitudes of Physical Education Teachers towards Gifted Education According to Certain Variables

The purpose of this research is to identify the attitudes of physical education teachers regarding the education of gifted students. Physical education teachers working in Kirsehir province participated in the research on a voluntary basis. Sample selection is not made. Measurement tools were delivered to all teachers, but data collected from 91 teachers were processed. Relational screening method was used in this research. "Personal Information Form" and "Attitude Scale for Teachers on Gifted Education" were used in the data collection process of the research. Testing of the research data was performed at 0.05 significance level. In the analysis of the data, the items pertaining to the sub-problem were grouped and independent t-test and ANOVA techniques were used together with descriptive statistics such as frequency (f), percentage (%), weighted average (X) and standard deviation (SD). Cohen's d and eta-square (η2) were used to calculate the effect size of the significant difference. Research results showed that the attitudes of physical education teachers towards gifted education are highly positive in general. The attitudes of physical education teachers towards gifted education significantly differ according to the variables of department of graduation and years of service in the dimension of resistance to objections. However it was determined that there was statistically no significant difference concerning the variables of gender, type of school served and years of service.
The breeding history and commercial development of the Korean native chicken

The Korean native chicken (KNC) is believed to have existed in the Korean Peninsula more than 1,400 years ago. Since then, KNC have been bred only by private farmers in rural areas of Korea. In 1994, a KNC conservation program was established by the Korean government and, as a result, five lines were restored. KNC are considered to have a unique taste and texture that is more attractive to Korean consumers than meat from commercial broilers. However, the price of KNC is relatively high, which is mainly due to the breed's low growth rate, hence the limitations for industrial applications. In addition, their unique taste and texture in comparison with that of other broilers has been evaluated by scientists over the past few years. The general composition, physiochemical traits, content of taste-active and endogenous bioactive compounds and sensory quality of KNC meat, as well as breeding history are reviewed in this paper. The information from this review can be used for the development of commercial KNC breeds and can be applied to models for the commercialisation of native chicken breeds in developing countries.
Influence of Cutting Date on Phenotypic Variation in Fatty Acid Concentrations of Perennial Ryegrass Genotypes from a Breeding Population

Breeding forages for increased fatty acid (FA) concentrations has the potential to improve the FA profile of ruminant products (meat and milk). Twenty perennial ryegrass genotypes from an “experimental” breeding population and four genotypes from a “benchmark” mapping population were used to assess genotypic variation in FAs across a growing season. Mean total FA (TFA) concentration for cuts one through five were 29.0, 31.7, 31.1, 34.4 and 42.0 g kg−1 DM, respectively. Six main individual FAs, namely palmitic acid (C16:0), trans-3-hexadecenoic acid (C16:1Δt3), stearic acid (C18:0), oleic acid (C18:1Δc9), linoleic acid (C18:2Δc9,12) and α-linolenic acid (C18:3Δc9,12,15), accounted for between 90% to 96% of TFA. Population means differed (p < 0.001) for TFA and all individual FAs, expect for C18:2Δc9,12 (p = 0.106). “Benchmark” mapping population on average had 8–44% higher FA concentrations compared to the “experimental” breeding population, except for C18:0 where the mapping population had lower concentrations. Individual genotypes from each population differed for all individual FAs and TFA (p < 0.05), with differences between the lowest and highest concentrations ranging from 8% to 23% amongst the mapping population genotypes and between 20% and 39% for the breeding population genotypes. Cutting date had a strong effect on population and genotype means (p < 0.001) with an overall trend for FA concentrations to increase through the season. However, several significant population and genotype × cutting date interactions were also found highlighting the need for further investigations to strengthen our knowledge and understanding of how genetics and environment interact for this particular trait. Nevertheless, candidate “high-lipid” genotypes were able to be identified using multivariate analysis which could be taken forward into a breeding program aimed at increasing forage FAs.
Update on Tagalomantis manillensis (Saussure), with description of the female and comments on its systematic placement and life history (Insecta: Mantodea: Deroplatyinae)

Abstract The female and the ootheca of the Philippine endemic Tagalomantis manillensis (Saussure, 1870) are described and illustrated for the first time. The male is re-described in detail. The species was so far only known from the island of Luzon, but also occurs in suitable habitats on Panay. Although locally relatively abundant, it is confined to primary and old secondary rainforests and threatened by habitat loss. The life history of Panay populations is outlined. The name Euchomenellini Giglio-Tos, 1916 is proposed for the oriental members of Angelinae (Euchomenella, Indomenella and Tagalomantis). The tribus is placed among Deroplatyinae due to morphological and genital characters. Cotigaonopsis Vyjayandi, 2009 is transferred to Rivetinini. A key to the genera of Deroplatyinae is provided.