Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Digital Financial Inclusion and Sustainable Growth of Small and Micro Enterprises—Evidence Based on China’s New Third Board Market Listed Companies

The United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development aims to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth and encourage the formalization and growth of micro, small, and medium enterprises through access to financial services. This study examines the impact and mechanism of the digital financial inclusion on the sustainable growth of small and micro enterprises in China. For this purpose, it uses the data from China’s New Third Board Market listed companies from 2011 to 2018 and the digital financial inclusion index of Peking University. The results show that the development of digital financial inclusion helps promote the sustainable growth of small and micro businesses, particularly in private, high-tech industries, and competitive markets. The impact mechanism of this development prevents any financial crisis caused by the capital structure imbalance and capital liquidity problems of small and micro enterprises by alleviating the financing constraints, thus promoting their sustainable growth. The research results show that, under the background of high-quality development of China’s economy, continuous promotion of digital financial inclusion and reshaping of the ecological pattern of the financial industry can provide steady financial support for the sustainable growth of small and micro enterprises, and realize the healthy development of micro enterprises and macro economy.
Seasonal Energy Budget of Brook Trout in Streams: Implications of a Possible Deficit in Early Winter

Abstract The seasonal diet and energy budget of brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis were investigated in three southern Ontario streams in 1983–1984. Stomach analyses were performed and the calculated energy value of prey items was compared with the calculated energy required for maintenance metabolism (both sets of calculations were based on literature values). Brook trout continued to feed throughout the winter, consuming a variety of prey species, especially insect larvae. Condition (weight˙length-3) declined markedly from late summer (August) to early winter (November-December) and remained low until spring (May), indicating a depletion of reserves despite the continued feeding. It appeared that low winter temperatures restricted the rate of food consumption (due perhaps to a direct effect on gastric evacuation rates) which thereby limited energy intake. This restriction is believed to be responsible for the metabolic deficit condition when minimal costs of maintenance metabolism could not be offset by .
The impact of microfinance on energy access: a case study from peripheral districts of Lomé, Togo

ABSTRACT This study seeks to understand the impact of microfinance on energy access in the peripheral districts of Lomé in Togo. We use descriptive statistics, multiple regression, propensity score matching and treatment effect models, involving 639 microfinance client and non-client households for the analysis. Our results show that microfinance reduces energy vulnerability, with microfinance clients having higher energy poverty indices and energy expenditures than non-client households. Based on the impact of microfinance on energy poverty reduction, we argue that it is important for policymakers to implement strategies that promote and create greater access to microfinance, as this has the potential to alleviate energy poverty and improve access to good quality, modern energy services in Togo.
Mutual Information as a General Measure of Structure in Interaction Networks

Entropy-based indices are long-established measures of biological diversity, nowadays used to gauge partitioning of diversity at different spatial scales. Here, we tackle the measurement of diversity of interactions among two sets of organisms, such as plants and their pollinators. Actual interactions in ecological communities are depicted as bipartite networks or interaction matrices. Recent studies concentrate on distinctive structural patterns, such as nestedness or modularity, found in different modes of interaction. By contrast, we investigate mutual information as a general measure of structure in interactive networks. Mutual information (MI) measures the degree of reciprocal matching or specialization between interacting organisms. To ascertain its usefulness as a general measure, we explore (a) analytical solutions for different models; (b) the response of MI to network parameters, especially size and occupancy; (c) MI in nested, modular, and compound topologies. MI varies with fundamental matrix parameters: dimension and occupancy, for which it can be adjusted or normalized. Apparent differences among topologies are contingent on dimensions and occupancy, rather than on topological patterns themselves. As a general measure of interaction structure, MI is applicable to conceptually and empirically fruitful analyses, such as comparing similar ecological networks along geographical gradients or among interaction modalities in mutualistic or antagonistic networks.
THE PERFORMANCE OF DAIRY AND FEEDLOT CATTLE FED SULFUR DIOXIDE-TREATED HIGH-MOISTURE BARLEY

Two experiments were conducted to determine the influence of feeding sulfur dioxide (SO2)-treated high-moisture barley (HMB) on the performance of lactating dairy cows and feedlot cattle. High-moisture barley was ensiled or treated with 1% (wt/wt) liquid SO2. In exp. 1, 36 lactating Holstein cows were assigned to three treatments for a 6-wk trial. Diets contained 35% rolled barley on a dry matter (DM) basis and differed only in the type of barley fed: dry barley, ensiled HMB or SO2-treated HMB. While no differences (P > 0.05) were observed in DM intake, milk yield, milk composition, milk taste or odour, cows fed SO2-treated HMB tended to have lower milk yield (21.7 kg d−1) than those fed ensiled (22.6 kg d−1) or dry barley (24.6 kg d−1). In experiment 2, 64 steers were allotted to four dietary treatments: (1) dry barley, (2) ensiled HMB, (3) SO2-treated HMB, and (4) SO2-treated HMB plus sodium bicarbonate. All diets contained 85% barley (DM) and were supplemented with thiamin (5.5 mg kg−1 DM). The results.
Prediction of Heteranthera reniformis competition with flooded rice using day–degrees

Summary In field studies carried out in 1992 and 1993, several durations of growth of Heteranthera reniformis Ruitz et Pavon were established in flooded rice (Oryza sativa L.) to evaluate weed influence on crop yield using day-degree predictive models for weed growth. H. reniformis was allowed to emerge at 7-day intervals from rice emergence until 49 days later. Weeds that emerged with the rice accumulated 403 day-degrees during the first 49 days. Weeds allowed to utilize 308 day-degrees had a dry weight reduction of 20% compared with plants that emerged with the rice. With the loss of all 403 day-degrees dry weight was reduced by about 95%. Maximum leaf area index (LAI) was 2.8, reached at 308 day-degrees. Weed density ranged from 48 to 5 plants m-2 when all 403 day-degrees were accumulated or lost by the plant respectively. When the weed lost only 95 day-degrees out of the possible 403 (1 week's delay in emergence) rice yield was 34% and 39% lower in 1992 and 1993 respectively. When the weed was allowed to accumulate ail 403 day-degrees yield reduction reached 62% in 1992 and 68% in 1993, very similar to the control plot, which were maintained weedy throughout (64% and 70.5%). After an accumulation of 403 day-degrees the weed reduced the number of rice panicles by 45% in 1992 and 38% in 1993.
Infection by Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands of Roots of Eucalyptus calophylla R.Br. and Eucalyptus marginata Donn. ex Sm

On lateritic podzolic soils in Western Australia Eucalyptus calophylla is resistant to Phytophthora cinnamomi whereas Eucalyptus marginata is susceptible and eventually killed by the pathogen. On loam soils both eucalypts are resistant. Possible mechanisms for resistance of E. calophylla in lateritic soil and the inhibitory action of loam soils were investigated. Aseptically raised eucalypt seedlings succumbed to infection in liquid culture tubes. The mechanism of infection was compared by light and electron microscopy which showed similar fungal invasion and penetration into roots of both eucalypt species. Vegetative hyphae initially penetrated intercellularly and proliferated rapidly within cortical and stelar tissue. Intracellular invasion of these tissues occurred 48hr after initial infection through dissolution of the host cell wall. Chlamydospores were formed within a number of cortical cells. Unsuberized roots of mature trees produced aseptically showed reactions to invasion similar to those of the eucalypt seedling roots. Suberized roots were not invaded. The addition of small quantities of lateritic soil to sterile sand so as to introduce soil micro-organisms without altering the chemical and physical status of the sand, and subsequent inoculation of the sand with P.cinnamomi, resulted in a reduction of root damage on both eucalypts when compared with seedlings raised in sterile sand. Roots of E.calophylla were less severely damaged than those of E.marginata. The addition of small quantities of loam soil significantly reduced root damage in seedlings of both species. These results parallel both pot experiments and field observations, and suggest that microorganisms of the rhizosphere may be an important factor in the resistance of E.calophylla to infection, and in the inhibitory effect of loam soil on P.cinnamomi.
Interactions between Liometopum microcephalum (Formicidae) and other dominant ant species of sympatric occurrence

Interactions of Liometopum microcephalum with other two territorial ants also nesting in or foraging on trees, Lasius fuligi-nosus and Formica rufa. were studied in South Moravia (Czech Republic), at the northwestern border of its range, in 2005–2009. L. microcephalum defends its nest and foraging trees. Its distribution area is fragmented and in the north restricted to river floodplains. We investigated whether competition by other behaviourally dominant ant species could limit its distribution. We found six sites where nests of potential competitors were situated close to a L. microcephalum nest tree. We studied the partitioning of space (occupancy of foraging trees) between the species by observation and by lines of pitfall traps placed between nest trees of L. microcephalum and L. fuliginosus. These species avoided each other; the territory border changed over time. Worker interactions, including combats between L. microcephalum and F. rufa colonies, were observed in the field. Aggressive behaviour occurred close to the nest, on trails, foraging trees, and occasionally at food baits. In such situations, L. microcephalum took advantage of worker cooperation. Encounters of single workers were observed in laboratory experiments. L. microcephalum. attacking primarily by biting, lost almost all combats with L. fuliginosus. being paralysed by its secretions. One-on-one encounters with F. rufa led less frequently to combat and chances were more even, but F. rufa prevailed more often. We confirmed the territorial behaviour of L. microcephalum. In the rare situations, in which its colonies occurred together with other territorial species, we observed conflicts but no total displacement of one species by another.
Isolation and Structural Elucidation of Hemolysin from the Phytoflagellate Prymnesium parvum

Hemolysin in the phytoflagellate Prymnesium parvum was separated into six components by thin layer chromatography. The major component named hemolysin I was isolated and identified as a mixture of l′-O-octadecatetraenoyl-3′-O-(6-O-β-D-galactopyranosyl-β-D-galactopyranosyl)-glycerol (1) and 1′-(O-octadecapentaenoyl-3′-O-(6-O-β-D-galactopyranosyl-β-D-galactopyran-osyl)-glycerol (2).
Dispositions of agency as explanatory mechanisms of employees’ satisfaction with retention practices

This study explored the explanatory power of psychological dispositions of agency (i.e. employability attributes and organisational commitment) in relation to employees’ satisfaction with organisational retention practices. Participants were a convenience sample of employees from a higher education academic institution in South Africa (N = 311; females = 61%, black = 46%; age range = 31 to 45 years). The employees completed a biographical questionnaire, the Employability Attributes Scale (EAS), the Organisational Commitment Questionnaire (OCQ), and the Retention Factor Scale (RFS). A multivariate canonical correlation analysis showed that affective and normative commitment significantly explained the variance in satisfaction with compensation, training and development, and career opportunities. Career self-management and sociability attributes significantly explained satisfaction with career opportunities. Employee retention strategies that took into account dispositions of agency and retention practices satisfaction appear to prime employees for higher levels of organisational commitment.
Sperm competition games: individual assessment of sperm competition intensity by group spawners

A distinction is made between sperm competition risk (where there is typically a low probability of competition between two ejaculates) and sperm competition intensity (where typically two or more ejaculates compete). The relation between sperm competition intensity and sperm expenditure can be radically different across species from that within a species. Across species, the average ejaculate expenditure will increase with the average intensity of sperm competition. But within a species, the reverse trend is generally predicted for greater than two males competing for the same set of eggs. These effects are demonstrated with three sperm competition game models. They are devised mainly for externally fertilizing group-spawning species such as many fish, in which males group around a female and ejaculate when the female sheds her eggs. Fertilization is assumed to be instantaneous and each male gains a proportion of the eggs equal to his sperm number divided by the total sperm. In the first model, males cannot assess the number of competitors, and their ejaculate effort is shaped by the average number of males for the species or locally isolated deme. The proportion of reproductive effort expended on the ejaculate is predicted to increase as ( N — 1) / N, where N = the mean number of competing males present at a spawning. Thus if N is large, ejaculate expenditure dominates reproductive effort. In the second model, males can estimate whether there are more or less than average numbers of competitors present at a spawning, and in the third model, males can assess the number of competitors exactly. As in the first model, these models confirm that the mean ejaculate effort should increase with the mean number of competitors for the species. However, they predict that males should decrease their sperm expenditure as the estimated number of competitors present at a given spawning increases above two. These conclusions do not apply to sperm competition risk: there is thus no conflict with earlier models based on risk.
Genetics and resistance / Génétique et résistance Phenotypic association of adult-plant resistance to leaf and stripe rusts in wheat

Association of resistance to multiple diseases is of interest to plant breeders as it simplifies the breeding process. Phenotypic association of adult-plant resistance to leaf and stripe rusts, caused by Puccinia triticina and Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici, respectively, was studied in F5 wheat lines derived from a diallel cross involving one susceptible and five resistant genotypes. Resistance in the parental genotypes was formerly identified as being conditioned by the Lr34/Yr18 linkage on chromosome arm 7DS, in addition to at least two to three genes with additive effects. Adult-plant resistance to leaf rust was found to be closely associated with resistance to stripe rust in the wheat genotypes examined in this study. Results indicated that genes other than Lr34/Yr18 were also either linked or pleiotropic for resistance to both diseases. This linkage or pleiotropic effect, however, did not seem to occur in every instance. Resistance genes other than Lr34/Yr18 were estimated to have contributed to 40% and 43% reductions in severity of leaf and stripe rusts, respectively, while lines with a phenotype of leaf-tip necrosishad, on average, 30.5% and 20.8% less severity for leaf and stripe rusts, respectively.
An Improved Logarithmic Multiplier for Energy-Efficient Neural Computing

Multiplication is the most resource-hungry operation in neural networks (NNs). Logarithmic multipliers (LMs) simplify multiplication to shift and addition operations and thus reduce the energy consumption. Since implementing the logarithm in a compact circuit often introduces approximation, some accuracy loss is inevitable in LMs. However, this inaccuracy accords with the inherent error tolerance of NNs and their associated applications. This article proposes an improved logarithmic multiplier (ILM) that, unlike existing designs, rounds both inputs to their nearest powers of two by using a proposed nearest-one detector (NOD) circuit. Considering that the output of the NOD uses a one-hot representation, some entries in the truth table of a conventional adder cannot occur. Hence, a compact adder is designed for the reduced truth table. The 8×8 ILM achieves up to 17.48 percent saving in power consumption compared to a recent LM in the literature while being almost 8 percent more accurate. Moreover, the evaluation of the ILM for two benchmark NN workloads shows up to 21.85 percent reduction in energy consumption compared to the NNs implemented with other LMs. Interestingly, using the ILM increases the classification accuracy of the considered NNs by up to 1.4 percent compared to a NN implementation that uses exact multipliers.
Reflections of destination quality on destination image: A case of Kuşadasi

The image of a tourism destination is assembled on various resources including past encounters and marketing communications. However, the utmost important factor in increasing tourist arrivals is creating a high quality of service at a destination in a sustainable manner. The main purpose of this study is to analyze both what image the tourists have about Kuşadası as exemplified in the 15,047 reviews on TripAdvisor through content analysis, and what image the stakeholders have in their minds through interviews. The importance of this study is that it sheds light on the destination image that is stimulated through tourists’ user-generated content based on the destination quality attributes.
Exploring Decision-Making Complexity in Major Infrastructure Projects: A Case Study From China

The goal of this study is to identify, classify, explore, and understand decision-making complexity elements in major infrastructure projects (MIPs). This article puts forward systematic definitions of decision making, decision-making quality, and decision-making complexity. Based on literature reviews and an in-depth case analysis of Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB), a comprehensive framework of decision-making complexity is developed, which divides the elements into six dimensions: technical, social, financial, legal, organizational, and time. The links between different dimensions are also illustrated. This article is expected to deepen our current understanding of decision-making complexity and to provide a fundamental point of reference in the front-end phase of MIPs.
CYTOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF ANTHURIUM ANDRAEANUM (ARACEAE), ITS RELATED TAXA AND THEIR HYBRIDS

Karyotypes and meiotic configurations of Anthurium andraeanum and closely related taxa were analyzed. The karyotypes of A. andraeanum, A. caperatum, A. formosum, A. kamemotoanum, A. lindenianum, A. roseospadix, A. cf. sanctifidense, A. subsignatum, A. garagaranum, and an unidentified Anthurium sp. commonly consisted of four large metacentric or submetacentric chromosomes, two fairly large acrocentric chromosomes, two satellite chromosomes, and 22 smaller chromosomes. Variation in the karyotypes of A. nymphaeifolium and A. ochranthum suggested chromosomal rearrangement in the genus. All taxa showed 15 pairs of chromosomes at prometaphase I of meiosis in pollen mother cells. Four large chromosomes appeared as ring bivalents, and the rest of the chromosomes appeared as either ring or rod bivalents. Regular bivalent formation at prometaphase I of meiosis in pollen mother cells of species hybrids suggested close genomic relationships among parental taxa. On the other hand, reduction of pollen fertility estimated by pollen stainability in those hybrids suggested genetic divergence of species.
Diallel Analysis of Winter Wheat at Two Nitrogen Levels

Price reduction and environmental concerns advocate a lower use of nitrogen (N) fertilizer on the wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crop. It is a common hypothesis that hybrids would be more valuable in stressed environments such as limited fertilizer conditions. The objective of this study was to assess heterosis and combining ability at two N levels. Seven winter wheat cultivars were used to produce a 7 × 7 diallel cross without the reciprocals. The 21 F1 hybrids and parental lines were tested in replicated plots over 2 yr without N fertilizer (NO) or with 150 kg N ha -1 (N+). The diallel analysis was conducted according to Griffing with year, genotype, and treatment as fixed effects. Mid-parent heterosis for grain yield was +12.2%** at NO and +8.9%** at N+ in 1997 and +1.7% ns at NO and -0.4% ns at N+ in 1998. This was directly related to high mid-parent heterosis for above-ground dry weight in 1997 (+11.2%** at NO and +10.9%** at N+) and low heterosis in 1998 (+1.2% ns at NO and + 0.0% ns at N + ). General (GCA) and specific (SCA) combining ability effects were always significant. The GCA/SCA ratio ranged from 3.6 to 14.8. The GCA x N level interaction was generally significant indicating different parental contributions at low or high N levels. The SCA x N level interaction was never significant. There was a tendency toward higher GCA/SCA ratio at NO than at N+. The choice of parents will be dependent upon the N level under which the new hybrids will be grown.
Genetic variation in the emblematic Puya raimondii (Bromeliaceae) from Huascarán National Park, Peru

Puya raimondii, the giant Peruvian and Bolivian terrestrial bromeliad, is an emblematic endemic Andean species well represented in Huascaran National Park in Peru. This park is the largest reserve of puna (high altitude plateau) vegetation. The objective of this study is to report on genetic variation in populations of P. raimondii from Huascaran and neighboring areas. AFLP profiles with four selective primer combinations were retrieved for 60 individuals from different zones. Genetic variability was estimated and a total of 172 bands were detected, of which 79.1% were polymorphic loci. The results showed genetic differentiation among populations, and gene flow. A cluster analysis showed that individuals of P. raimondii populations located in different mountain systems could be grouped together, suggesting long distance dispersal. Thus, conservation strategies for P. raimondii have to take into account exchange between populations located far apart in distance in order to preserve the genetic diversity of this showy species.