Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Simplex Lattice Strength Optimization of Lime-micro Silica Stabilized Coir Fiber-reinforced Soil

ABSTRACT The current study aimed at using a simplex lattice mixture design in designing the experiments, evaluating the results, and optimizing the contents of lime, micro silica, and coir fiber for enhancing the strength property of a residual soil. The effect of the independent variables (lime content, micro silica content, and coir fiber content) on the strength property (unconfined compressive strength (UCS)) was investigated by analysis of variance. Besides, strength optimization was carried out using the desirability function approach to determine the optimum additive combinations in achieving maximum strength. The results showed that the fitted model demonstrated a high determination coefficient (98.61%). The optimization of the variables illustrated that utilizing 7.10% micro silica, 2.32% lime, and 0.59% coir fiber produced an optimum UCS of 827.93 kPa with a designated maximum desirability function of (D = 1.00). Also, the predicted optimum combinations were experimentally tested to check the accuracy and dependability of the optimized conditions. The findings show a good correlation between the experimental values and the predicted optimized values by the developed model. Therefore, the developed model is rationally accurate for forecasting the UCS of the lime-micro silica stabilized coir fiber-reinforced soil.
Flash drought development and cascading impacts associated with the 2010 Russian heatwave

The 2010 western Russian heatwave was characterized by historically high surface temperatures that led to devastating impacts on the environment, economy, and society. Recent studies have attributed a quasi-stationary upper level ridge, sensible heat advection, and land-atmosphere temperature coupling as the primary components for the development of the heatwave event. The results in this study reveal that rapid drought intensification occurred prior to the extreme atmospheric conditions associated with the heatwave. The flash drought event developed from a lack of rainfall coupled with enhanced evaporative demand and resulted in rapid desiccation of the land surface. The region that underwent rapid drought intensification acted to prime the land-atmosphere interactions necessary to supplement the excessive surface temperatures experienced during the heatwave event. This area also provided a source region for the advection of warm, dry air to promote heatwave development downwind of the flash drought location. As such, the hydrometeorological extremes associated with the precursor flash drought and heatwave resulted in cascading impacts that severely affected ecosystems, agriculture, and human health. Given the findings from this research, we conclude that flash drought impacts should be expanded beyond vegetative and agricultural applications and should be viewed as a possible precursor and direct forcing for heatwave events and associated impacts.
LANSKAP MODERASI KEGAMAAN SANTRI, REFLEKSI POLA PENDIDIKAN PESANTREN

Abstract. Positioning a pesantren in a series of continuum lines between liberals and conservatives, based on critical interpretations of religious texts as opposed to rigid and liberal understandings, is a misunderstanding of the landscape of religious moderation. This article elaborates on the complex process of Islamic boarding school understanding and practice in the midst of a religious shift towards a conservative direction. Through literature study based on a reading model based on maslahah on religious texts and the essence of religious texts based on the plurality of views of the schools of thought conducted by the Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor. This article concludes that through preserving values through Pancajiwa and the motto of the pesantren, the integration between formal and informal curricula places Gontor's position as a moderate educational institution.Keywords: Islamic Moderation, Maslah, curriculum, PMDG, Indonesia. Abstrak. Memposisikan sebuah pesantren dalam rangkaian garis kontinum antara liberal dan konservatif, berdasarkan penafsiran kritis atas teks keagamaan sebagai lawan pemahaman kaku dan liberal, menjadi salah upaya memahami lanskap moderasi keagamaan. Artikel ini mengelaborasi proses kompleks pemahaman dan praktik keagamaan pesantren di tenggah pergeseran keagamaan ke arah konservatif. Melalui studi pustaka berdasarkan model pembacaan berdasarkan maslahah atas teks-teks keagamaan dan inti dari teks keagamaan berdasarkan pluralitas pandangan madzhab yang dilakukan oleh Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor. Artikel ini menyimpulkan bahwa nilai-nilai dilestarikan melalui pancajiwa dan motto pesantren, intergrasi antara kurikulum formal dan informal menempatkan posisi Gontor sebagai lembaga pendidikan yang moderat. Kata Kunci: Moderasi Islam; Maslahah; Kurikulum; PMDG; Indonesia.
New radiometric data from the South Maradi Pan-African formations, southern Niger

Abstract The Pan-African Province (PAP) of South Maradi (Niger) corresponds to the northeastern part of the Benin–Nigerian Shield. In this framework, schist belts outcrop in NE–SW bands of mylonitic gneiss, associated with granitoid intrusions. This study focuses on geochronological dating of the South Maradi PAP formations. Four samples were dated by K–Ar on a MI-1201 IG mass spectrometer and two of them were re-dated by U–Pb on a inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. The Dan Issa porphyritic gneiss indicated two weighted average U–Pb zircon ages: 638.3 ± 3.0 Ma (MSWD = 5.4) and 589.6 ± 1.9 Ma (MSWD = 0.39). Dating of the Maraka schist using the U–Pb on zircon method gave a weighted average age of 617.9 ± 2.8 Ma (MSWD = 2.3), while the same sample recorded a K–Ar age (whole rock) of 505 ± 15 Ma. The Rourouka porphyroid granite gave a K–Ar (whole-rock) age of 508 ± 10 Ma. The Fiawa-Garin Wali mylonitic gneiss indicated ages of 491 ± 10 Ma (K–Ar on feldspar) and 475 ± 10 Ma (K–Ar on whole rock). These preliminary radiometric data reveal the polycyclic character of the Pan-African remobilization which ranges from the Neoproterozoic to the early Paleozoic.
Differential metallothionein isoform expression as biomarkers of cadmium exposure in human urothelium

The metallothionein (MT) superfamily consists of 11 genes whose proteins bind to and sequester metals within cells. Although the presence of so many isoforms raises the possibility of differing metal specificities and functions, they have rarely been discriminated in the literature. This thesis investigated the expression and inducibility of MT isoforms in normal human urothelium with the aim of determining whether specific MT isoforms represent discriminatory biomarkers of cadmium exposure, which has been increasingly linked to the development of urothelial cancer (UC) in recent years. Specialised techniques already established were used for the cell, tissue and organ culture of normal human urothelium. These cultures were exposed to cadmium concentrations reflective of in vivo human exposure and analysed using isoform-specific primers and antibodies. The results revealed the extent of differential expression of the MT isoforms, including preferential metal activation; for example, zinc could highly induce MT-1G transcript expression but could only cause minimal transcript induction of MT-1M. This demonstrates the importance of distinguishing between all known isoforms when determining MT expression. The discriminatory approach used in this thesis allowed the identification of two MT-1 isoforms, MT-1A and MT-1M, whose protein induction was highly specific to cadmium exposure. Although isoform transcript induction was observed to be transient, the protein expression of MT-1A persisted for at least 6 weeks post exposure, consistent with a metal sequestration role. Investigation using spectroscopic techniques additionally suggested that cadmium could penetrate the protective urothelial barrier and enter the underlying urothelial cells, where it may be sequestered by MT within these long-lived cells, thus serving as a long-term source for chronic exposure. Overall the results suggest that MT-1 isoforms may be useful as urothelial biomarkers of cadmium exposure, potentially allowing the identification of individuals ‘at risk’ of developing UC and additionally, stratifying a subset of cadmium-induced UC.
Production and profitability of a beef herd on transitional Cymbopogon-Themeda veld receiving three levels of lick supplementation

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of three levels of lick supplementation on the production and reproduction of cows grazing transitional Cymbopogon-Themeda veld. The study was conducted over three years (2011–2014). A total of 150 Drakensberger cows were randomly allocated to three supplementary treatment groups. These supplementation formulations are available commercially and are typical of levels used under farming conditions. In summer Treatment 1 (T1) consisted of a supplement containing 50 g phosphate (P)/kg and 150 g crude protein (CP)/kg. T2 and T3 both consisted of supplements containing 60 g P/kg and 0 g CP/kg. In winter, T1 consisted of a supplement containing 367 g CP/kg, 77.5% non-protein nitrogen (NPN) and metabolizable energy (ME) content of 5.25 MJ/kg. T2 had 466 g CP/kg, 88.7% NPN and a ME content of 4.4 MJ/kg. T3 had 475 g CP/kg, 95.9% NPN and an ME content of 2.4 MJ/kg. Traits were calf birth weight, 100-day and weaning weights of calves, cow weight at weaning, inter-calving period (ICP), conception rate and body condition score (BCS) of cows. Calf birth weight was affected by supplementation treatment only in year 3 and 100-day weight in year 2. However, weaning weight and reproductive performance were not influenced by treatment. It was concluded that the level of supplementation of each treatment group enabled the cows to operate within their target weight range; however, it was more profitable to use the T3 supplementation option. Keywords: Cymbopogon-Themeda veld, cows, performance
Compatibility Studies of Trichoderma harzianum Isolate with Fungicides used against Soil Borne Disease in Coorg Mandarin-Pepper-Coffee Plantations

Biological plant protection strategies includes using bio-control agents such as antagonists, beneficial micro-organisms etc. Bioagents reduces excessive use and misuse of synthetic fungicide and development of fungicide resistance in pathogen. Combination of fungicides and bioagents together can form an important component in effective and safe disease management strategies. Among the fungal biocontrol agents, Trichoderma spp. has acquired much importance (Papavizas, 1985; Sreenivasaprasad and Manibhushanrao, 1990). Major mechanisms used by Trichoderma against plant pathogens are mycoparasitism, antibiosis and competition nutrient and space and high reproduction rate. Trichoderma has been found to be effective against major soil borne diseases such as pre and post-emergence damping-off, caused by Pythium, Phytophthora and Rhizoctonia species, root rot, stem rot caused by Phytophthora, Sclerotinia, Sclerotium including, vascular wilts caused by Fusarium, Verticillium, and nematodes. In recent period International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 6 Number 8 (2017) pp. 346-354 Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas. com
International Performance of SMEs’ International Strategic Groups

The present research focuses on whether the different combinations of the micro, small and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs) international scale and scope affect their international performance differently. The major purpose of this research is to study the paramount relationship between the SMEs’ international strategies and international performance. With a sample composed of 307 international SMEs, our empirical analysis defines three different strategic groups regarding the scale and scope of internationalization, that is, a high, medium and low international exposure of the firms. The scope, as an important international strategic dimension, is taken from two angles, the number of countries and the number of regional blocs where the firms operate. We assessed the strategic groups’ implications on the firms’ international performance. The latter was taken as a multidimensional construct composed of the financial, strategic and overall international performance respectively. We used the hierarchical regression analysis to test our hypotheses, and major results emerged. Higher levels of commitment with the international markets lead to better financial, strategic and overall international performances. These results are of utmost importance from the theoretical point of view and for the strategic decision-making of SMEs, opening new avenues for future studies.
Brand Equity, Earnings Management, and Financial Reporting Irregularities

Owning valuable brands enhances the financial well-being of firms not only through increased revenues and profitability but also by mitigating agency problems, earnings management, and financial reporting irregularities. Firms with high brand equity are less likely to have income-inflating discretionary accruals, announce earnings restatements, or experience SEC investigations. Brand equity reduces the likelihood of manipulation through incentive and opportunity channels, which we capture in CEO characteristics and compensation, and corporate governance measures. Brand equity reduces the likelihood of financial reporting irregularities more for durable goods firms and firms with shorter-tenured CEOs, as the latter are most vulnerable to performance pressures. (JEL G31, G34, M31, M37, M41, M42) Received September 28, 2019; editorial decision May 27, 2020 by Editor Isil Erel.
Revisiting portfolio flows – exchange rate nexus in emerging markets: a Markov Regime Switching MGARCH approach

ABSTRACT This paper focuses on the role of exchange rate uncertainty on the net portfolio flows using a bilateral monthly data for the US vis-à-vis six emerging countries (E-6) (India, Brazil, Mexico, Russia, Indonesia and Turkey) over the period 1993:01–2017:12. Employing Markov Regime Switching CCC GARCH model, the results suggest that exchange rate volatility affects both net bond and net equity flows for whole sample. The correlation evidence between net portfolio flows and exchange rate uncertainty is stronger in the cases of Brazil and Mexico, in terms of supporting these countries’ bond and equity home bias in high volatility regime.
Injuries and Rapid Weight Loss in Elite Adolescent Taekwondo Athletes: A Korean Prospective Cohort Study

Abstract Objectives To report injury patterns associated with training activities of elite adolescent Taekwondo athletes who are expected to represent South Korea in the future. Methods Beginning in 2019, we prospectively collected data on elite adolescent Taekwondo athletes at the Korean Training Center. The athletes were assessed by sports medicine doctors, and data were stratified according to sex, weight class, injury location, injuries during the weight loss period, and weight loss method. We used χ2 tests were used to compare groups. Injury rates were expressed as Poisson rates with 95% confidence intervals. Results There were 117 male and 102 female elite adolescent Taekwondo athletes. The mean weight loss among athletes was 3.37 (±1.23) kg, and the mean duration of weight loss was 7.53 (±3.40) days. In general, all athletes used similar weight loss methods. We recorded 846 injuries (annual average, 3.98 injuries/athlete). In general, female athletes had higher injury rates than their male counterparts. Additionally, the athletes had significantly higher injury rates during weight loss periods than during other periods of training. When all athletes were considered, most injuries occurred in the lower extremities (63.2%), followed by the trunk (14.2%), upper extremities (16.3%), and the head and neck area (6.3%). The injury severity significantly influenced the body regions in weight categories. Conclusion Rapid weight loss is related to the incidence of sports damage in athletes. Most injuries occur during weight loss periods in South Korean elite adolescent Taekwondo athletes. Moreover, the injury rate and injury severity depends on weight class.
Validating the relationship between beginning students’ transitional challenges, well-being, help-seeking, and their adjustments in an Australian university

ABSTRACT To date, research has focussed on understanding how various contextual factors facilitate students’ adjustments to university as they begin their studies. However, there seems to be limited or no research and instruments that have specifically conceptualised and measured students’ adjustments, considering their transitional challenges, emotional wellbeing, and barriers to seeking help. Incorporating these factors, we previously developed a model of students’ adjustments, titled Transition, Wellbeing, Help-seeking and Adjustments (TWHAS). Building on this model, this paper aims to empirically validate the hypothesised TWHAS model using a validated survey and data collected from 306 first-year students transitioning to an Australian university. The strength of the predictive relations among the selected variables was tested by the significance of the path coefficients of the model. Our findings show a good fit to the theoretical model developed and demonstrate how students’ sociodemographic barriers to seeking help and moods (e.g. anxiety) can create a psychological barrier (e.g. lack of openness to seeking help) and how psychological barriers can further inhibit students’ overall adjustments to university. These findings have important implications for higher education policymakers, staff as well as administrators, counselling and support services future research on promoting students’ the positive adjustments to transition to university.
The Impact of Workaholic Leaders on Followers’ Continuous Learning

Leaders play an important role in guiding team members’ learning—expecting them to increase their skills and knowledge and giving them time to learn on the job. However, some leaders may unwittingly discourage followers’ desire to learn. This chapter draws on several theories to consider the effects leaders who are workaholics may have on followers’ learning on the job. Guided by resource theory, affective event theory, and social information processing theory, we propose that workaholic leaders may actually decrease their followers’ informal learning. Having a workaholic leader who expects team members to do the same may decrease their desire to go beyond the boundaries of their position to engage in learning activities that could result in an even higher work overload. This may depend on the followers’ core self-evaluation and job autonomy, such that followers who have a higher self-evaluation and feelings of job autonomy will be less influenced by their leader’s workaholic tendencies and will be less worried about limiting their learning that could expand their work load. The chapter contributes to the emerging theory on informal field-based learning and recognizes the effects that team leaders may have on their team members’ continuous learning. The authors conclude by suggesting what organizations can do to counteract the possible negative effects workaholic leaders may have on team members’ learning.
Forecasting seeing for the Maunakea Observatories

Optical turbulence greatly impacts the range and quality of astronomical observations. Advanced knowledge of the expected atmospheric optical turbulence provides important guidance that helps astronomers decide which instrument to schedule and enables them to optimize the adaptive optics technology that improves image resolution. Along with forecasts of weather conditions, prediction of the optical observing quality on the Maunakea summit has been a goal for the Maunakea Weather Center (MKWC) since its inception more than 20 yr ago. Forecasting optical turbulence, and its derivative, ‘seeing’, has proven to be quite challenging because optical turbulence is too small and complex to directly capture with a regional weather model. Fortunately, the permanent installation of a Differential Image Motion Monitor (DIMM) and Multi-Aperture Scintillation Sensor (MASS) at the summit of Maunakea has made seeing observations available during the last decade, providing valuable feedback to the MKWC. This paper summarizes the experience at MKWC in anticipating optical turbulence for the summit of Maunakea accrued through years of daily operational forecasting, and continuous comparison between MKWC official forecasts, model guidance, and observational measures of seeing. Access to a decade seeing observations has allowed quantification the factors that impact seeing, including wind shear, atmospheric stability patterns, and optical turbulence, and to document the seasonal and intra-seasonal variations in seeing. Consequently, the combination of experience gained, and custom model guidance has led to more accurate seeing forecasts (rms errors averaging <0.25 arcsec since 2012) for the Maunakea astronomical
Revisiting transitory and chronic unemployment in South Africa

ABSTRACT This study comprehensively explores the nature and extent of transitory and chronic unemployment using the data from the first four waves of the National Income Dynamics Study (NIDS) conducted in 2008–15. The empirical findings revealed that the transitorily and chronically unemployed individuals shared highly similar characteristics: African female individuals with incomplete secondary education, residing in urban areas of the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng provinces. Both groups of unemployed individuals were more likely to come from the youth cohorts (25–34 and 35–44 years, in particular the former cohort), with their households being composed of about five members on average. Lastly, upon examining all employed individuals at the time of wave 4 of NIDS, those who worked across all four waves earned nearly three times as much as those who experienced unemployment of some duration in the first three waves (R11 300 versus R3800 per month, in 2019 December prices).
Short food chains, high connectance and a high rate of cannibalism in food web networks of small intermittent estuaries

: Small intermittent estuaries are a common feature in some parts of the world. They are recognized as important refuge and nursery areas for several marine species. However, their biological dynamics are still poorly known. In fact, the network structure of their food webs remains undescribed. Highly resolved food webs were compiled for 23 small intermittent estuaries in the Northeast Atlantic, Mediterranean, Southwest Indian Ocean, and South Pacific. The structural network properties of these food webs were compared with those of larger open estuaries, lakes, and rivers, as well as marine and terrestrial ecosystems. The most important conclusion is that the network properties of these systems are different from those of larger open estuaries and more like other non-estuarine ecosystems. They also stand out from all other ecosystems, including larger open estuaries, in terms of omnivory, which was found to be remarkably high (83−92%), probably due to the prevalence of opportunistic feeding. Nevertheless, all other properties were well within the ranges reported for other ecosystems; thus, the general organization rules of food web networks also apply to small intermittent estuaries. It was concluded that general rules applied to the management of estuaries should be looked at carefully when managing these smaller intermittent systems, since they have shorter chain lengths, higher connectance, and more cannibalism. Shorter chain length implies that disturbance is more likely to rapidly affect many food web components through predator−prey links, which may be counterbalanced by the effect of high connectance. These systems should, thus, not be looked at simply as smaller versions of larger open systems.