Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Farmers’ Use of Social Media and its Implications for Agricultural Extension: Evidence from Thailand

Social media are viewed as having potential for agricultural extension. This study therefore surveyed social media use by farmers in a developing country, and their role as a source of agricultural information. To this end, 365 farmers in Chiang Mai, Thailand, were sampled and interviewed using a questionnaire. The findings revealed that the majority of respondents (81.92%) did not adopt social media and, these remained marginal as a source of agricultural information for farmers. Those using social media (18.08%) employed certain applications, i.e., LINE, Facebook and YouTube, mainly for communication, new updates and entertainment. Younger farmers and farmers with a higher formal education related to social media use significantly. To fully harness the potentials of social media for agricultural extension, more farmers need to be encouraged to use them, while relevant agencies also are required to provide support for this effort, such as staff training in social media use, and enabling a social media policy.
Oral Toxicity of Pseudomonas protegens against Muscoid Flies

The bioinsecticidal action of Pseudomonas protegens has so far been reported against some target insects, and the mode of action remains unclear. In this study, the pathogenicity potential of a recently isolated strain of this bacterial species against fly larvae of medical and veterinary interest was determined. Preliminary experiments were conducted to determine the biocidal action by ingestion against Musca domestica and Lucilia caesar larvae, which highlighted a concentration-dependent effect, with LC50 values of 3.6 and 2.5 × 108 CFU/mL, respectively. Bacterial septicaemia was observed in the body of insects assuming bacterial cells by ingestion. Such rapid bacterial reproduction in the hemolymph supports a toxin-mediated mechanism of action involving the intestinal barrier overcoming. In order to gain more information on the interaction with the host, the relative time-course expression of selected P. protegens genes associated with virulence and pathogenicity, was determined by qPCR at the gut level during the first infection stage. Among target genes, chitinase D was the most expressed, followed by pesticin and the fluorescent insecticidal toxin fitD. According to our observations and to the diversity of metabolites P. protegens produces, the pathogenic interaction this bacterium can establish with different targets appears to be complex and multifactorial.
Human β-Defensin 2 and Its Postulated Role in Modulation of the Immune Response

Studies described so far suggest that human β-defensin 2 is an important protein of innate immune response which provides protection for the human organism against invading pathogens of bacterial, viral, fungal, as well as parasitical origin. Its pivotal role in enhancing immunity was proved in infants. It may also be considered a marker of inflammation. Its therapeutic administration has been suggested for maintenance of the balance of systemic homeostasis based on the appropriate composition of the microbiota. It has been suggested that it may be an important therapeutic tool for modulating the response of the immune system in many inflammatory diseases, offering new treatment modalities. For this reason, its properties and role in the human body discussed in this review should be studied in more detail.
Expected profitability, the 52-week high and the idiosyncratic volatility puzzle

We investigate the joint ability of fundamental-based and market-based news to explain the anomalous underperformance of stocks with high idiosyncratic volatility (high IVOL). An out-of-sample prediction of future profitability is adopted as a proxy for fundamental–based news while market-based news is represented by the 52-week high price ratio. A sample of UK stocks over the period January 1996 to December 2017 is analysed. The empirical results indicate that both the fundamental-based projected profitability and the 52-week high price ratio are important in explaining the IVOL anomaly. In contrast, individually, neither variable fully accounts for the anomaly. This relation is more pronounced following a period of high sentiment and during an upmarket. Further results suggest that underreaction lies at the heart of this explanation.
Higher order PMD canceller

We studied a higher order PMD mitigation scheme, aiming at suppressing depolarized components of a compensated signal, the higher order canceller. It is composed of a simple compensator followed by a polarization controller and a polarizer. We experimentally verified that it performs better than its first stage alone. Using simulation, we addressed its impact on system to more relevant outage probability and better feedback signals. We prove, that, for a cumulative probability of CP=10/sup -5/ at (PMD)=30 ps, it can reduce by nearly 1 dB the power penalty of a simple compensator, reaching then the 2 dB outage margin. Finally, it should be emphasized that this mitigation technique is already implemented in polarization dependent receiver and has been so far overseen as an advantage of such a structure.
Eye-tracking for detection of driver fatigue

In this paper, we describe a system that locates and tracks the eyes of a driver. The purpose of such a system is to perform detection of driver fatigue. By mounting a small camera inside the car, we can monitor the face of the driver and look for eye-movements which indicate that the driver is no longer in condition to drive. In such a case, a warning signal should be issued. This paper describes how to find and track the eyes. We also describe a method that can determine if the eyes are open or closed. The primary criterion for the successful implementation of this system is that it must be highly nonintrusive. The system should start when the ignition is turned on without having the driver initiate the system. Nor should the driver be responsible for providing any feedback to the system. The system must also operate regardless of the texture and the color of the face. It must also be able to handle diverse conditions, such as changes in light, shadows, reflections, etc.
Using Social Network Analysis to Explore Communication among Members of an Integrated Project Delivery Team

ABSTRACT Due to the contractual obligations of Integrated Project Delivery (IPD), participants are intrinsically motivated to collaborate with each other. This paper presents the findings of an ethnographic case study exploring the communication structures among members of an IPD team. Direct observational data were collected from three different types of team meetings over a period of 3 months. The data were coded and analyzed using social network analyses (SNA). Findings highlighted the characteristics of each type of communication network and the relation between them. While participants affiliated with the owner, designers, general contractor, and trade partners were members of the integrated team, members representing the general contractor emerged to take central positions in both formal and informal networks acting as the primary channel of information exchange and social relationships. Further, quadratic assignment procedure multiple regression (QAP-MR) revealed that informal communications among the team members could significantly predict the strength of formal communications. The graphical visualizations and the empirical evidence provide insights for formal and informal communication structures with their distinctive features and their interrelationships.
Review of Fishery Oceanography of the Early Stages of Loliginidae (Cephalopods: Myopsida): Paralarvae along the Continental Southeast Platform of Brazil between the Cape of São Tomé (Rio de Janeiro) and Cananeia (São Paulo) (22º-25ºS)

Cephalopod fishing in Brazil has been on the rise as a result of the growing demand for high quality food. Therefore, for the sustainable exploitation of this resource, adequate evaluation and scientifically supported management strategies are necessary. Notably, the squid which belongs to the family Loliginidae are fishery resources of increasing importance in the marine ecosystem of the Continental Shelf Southeast and South of Brazil. However, information about stock status, knowledge of life history, ecology and the distribution of the early stages of its life cycle is still very insufficient. The present review analyzed more than 100 scientific articles, related to the history of life and ecology, the identification of the occurrence of cephalopods of the Loliginidae family in the region between Cabo de São Tomé (RJ) and Cananeia (SP), the patterns of family distribution to oceanographic processes that were identified from horizontal and vertical maps of abundance, temperature and salinity in plankton sampling collected by 11 oceanographic cruises conducted by the Oceanographic Institute of the University of São Paulo (USP) and published in 2013. Respectively, Generalized Linear Models (GLM) were used to detect the factors that would explain the occurrence and abundance of Loliginidae, which indicated the depth and sea surface temperature (SST), height of the sea surface (HSS), salinity of the sea surface (SSS), chlorophyll-a concentration Sea Surface Temperature (SST) and plankton density (PD). Also, a Redundancy Analysis (RDA) revealed the main distribution patterns observed for the three main species of Loliginidae in relation to the oceanographic variables. Doryteuthis sanpaulensis predominated in the northern region of the sampling area, associated with cold waters and resurgence events. Doryteuthis pleii occurred mainly in the southern region of the study area in warmer waters. Lolliguncul brevis was found only in the estuarine region of Santos, i.e in the shallow and less saline waters. The results obtained represents a relevant contribution to sustainable management for the exploitation of these resources and also contributes to the knowledge about squid fishing oceanography in the regional marine ecosystem.
Older or Wiser? Age and Experience Trends in 20 Years of Olympic and World Swimming Championships Open Water 10-km Races

The aims of the present research were to estimate the age of peak performance (APP) and to examine the role of previous experience at the world-level open water race performances. Finishing positions and age of swimmers (639 females and 738 males) in the 10-km events of World Championship (WCH) and Olympic Games (OG) from 2000 to 2019 were obtained from the official results websites. Years of previous experience were computed using the number of previous participations in WCH or OG. APP was estimated using quadratic models of the 10th percentile top race positions and resulted in 28.94 years old for males (R2 = 0.551) and 27.40 years old for females (R2 = 0.613). Regression analysis revealed an improvement of 1.36 or 8.19 finishing positions for each additional year of age or experience, respectively (R2 = 0.157). However, significant differences (p < 0.001) between age and experience showed that the swimmer’s age became less relevant for performance as years of experience increased. These results, in terms of age, are in line with other mass-start disciplines of similar duration (≈2 h) and, in terms of experience, confirm the importance of previous participation in improving tactical decision making during open water races.
Chasms of Communicative Language Teaching: Perils of Pupils in Primary Schools of Bangladesh

The success of the Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) approach at primary schools of Bangladesh has recently been questioned seriously. No measures have yet been taken to remedy the apprehended failure of CLT programs in the country. This inquiry focuses on the perils of pupils in the forms of shaming, failure, and fear for the tyranny of the current CLT curriculum. A mixed research method was used to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the learners’ situation through a questionnaire survey with participation of 211 CLT practitioners, an FGD with 12 participants and semi-structured interviews with 15 English learners. Along with lack of teacher empowerment mechanisms, other challenges for young learners (YLs) included problem of enduring class rules, their inability to cope with difficult texts, fear of failure in lessons, tests, and physical and psychological sufferings inflicted on them during, before and after the delivery of the lessons. The findings reveal the need of a modified CLT curriculum with provisions for innovative pedagogy, learner care and learner empowerment. Provisions for use of L1 Bangla in lesson delivery, inclusion of learner culture and local context in the teaching-learning of English are recommended to ensure expected outcomes.
Acupuncture Treatment is Associated with a Decreased Risk of Dementia in Patients with Depression: A Propensity Score-Matched Cohort Study

Background Depression is one of the most disabling disorders, which causes long-term complications such as neurodegenerative disorder and cerebrovascular disease. Some patients with depression seek acupuncture treatment. We aimed to investigate the association between acupuncture treatment and the risk of dementia in patients with depression from the perspective of real-world evidence. Methods Patients over 18 years old and newly diagnosed with depression between 1997 and 2010 were selected from the Taiwanese National Health Insurance Research Database and followed up until the end of 2013. Propensity score was used to match equal numbers of patients 1:1 (N = 16,609 per group) into acupuncture and non-acupuncture cohorts based on characteristics including sex, age, baseline comorbidity and drug use. The outcome measurement was the comparison of dementia incidence in the two cohorts. Results Compared with the non-acupuncture cohort, patients who received acupuncture treatment had a decreased risk of dementia (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 0.54; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.50–0.58, P < 0.001) after adjustment for age, sex, comorbidities and drug use. Compared with depression patients who did not receive acupuncture, the aHR of vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease incidences for patients who had acupuncture therapy was 0.59 (95% CI 0.48–0.71) and 0.51 (95% CI 0.39–0.67), respectively. The cumulative incidence of dementia was significantly lower in the acupuncture cohort than in the non-acupuncture cohort (Log rank test, p < 0.001). Conclusion The present study from real-world data revealed that acupuncture reduced the risk of dementia in depression patients, which supports healthcare decisions in clinical practice.
Recontextualizing Barstool Sports and Misogyny in Online US Sports Media

This critical qualitative case study interrogates the roles Barstool Sports and its founder, Dave Portnoy, serve in reaffirming the narrative power of conservative cultural ideology in mainstream US sports media. Portnoy’s targeted harassment of female journalists is analyzed as examples of how the outlet alienates critics of heteronormative, hypermasculine discourse within relevant cultural arenas in digital sports media. To examine how the company deflects criticisms of misogyny, we explore Barstool Chicks—an alternative version of the company’s website targeting female audiences. Resultantly, Barstool and Portnoy undermine the potential for feminist-driven narratives in sports media and contribute to the normalization of repressive conditions within cultural industries that perpetuates the continued dominance of conservative ideology.
Reliability and Validity of Functional Capacity Evaluations: An Update

Abstract Functional capacity evaluations (FCEs) and other work-related assessments continue to be used in occupational rehabilitation to determine the capacity of injured and disabled workers to either return to their preinjury jobs, or to determine what they are capable of doing in a work context. New instruments have been developed and others refined. There is a continuing call however for these systems to demonstrate acceptable reliability and validity. Comprehensive reviews of reliability and validity of work-related assessments were published and included information up to the end of 1997. This study updates that information by examining research conducted on five FCEs over the subsequent 8-year period (January 1998–March 2006). The Isernhagen Work Systems (IWS) FCE had the most comprehensive coverage of all aspects of reliability and validity, while the Progressive Isoinertial Lifting Evaluation (PILE) was also extensively researched. Newer FCEs show promise and should continue to be investigated. Clinicians and others are encouraged to be informed consumers of the evidence that exists for the reliability and validity of FCEs and other work-related assessments.
Yield and performance issues in fault-tolerant WSI array architectures

In this paper, a simple but efficient reconfiguration algorithm and placement algorithm are proposed to enhance the manufacturing yield of WSI array processors at low performance degradation. The low performance degradation is significant for high-performance WSI arrays. The objective of our reconfiguration strategy is to achieve better utilization of good spares, while also ensuring that the restructured inter-PE communication links do not become so long as to significantly degrade the performance. Monte Carlo simulation is performed to estimate the array yield and to obtain the performance degradation probability distribution for fault patterns with both PE and switch faults. The simulations conducted indicate that the computational time of the algorithms is quite low, therefore the proposed scheme may also be very suitable for certain run-time fault tolerance.
Depuration Kinetics and Growth Dilution of Caribbean Ciguatoxin in the Omnivore Lagodon rhomboides: Implications for Trophic Transfer and Ciguatera Risk

Modeling ciguatoxin (CTX) trophic transfer in marine food webs has significant implications for the management of ciguatera poisoning, a circumtropical disease caused by human consumption of CTX-contaminated seafood. Current models associated with CP risk rely on modeling abundance/presence of CTX-producing epi-benthic dinoflagellates, e.g., Gambierdiscus spp. , and are based on studies showing that toxin production is site specific and occurs in pulses driven by environmental factors. However, food web models are not yet developed and require parameterizing the CTX exposure cascade in fish which has been traditionally approached through top-down assessment of CTX loads in wild-caught fish. The primary goal of this study was to provide critical knowledge on the kinetics of C-CTX-1 bioaccumulation and depuration in the marine omnivore Lagodon rhomboides. We performed a two-phase, 17 week CTX feeding trial in L. rhomboides where fish were given either a formulated C-CTX-1 (n = 40) or control feed (n = 37) for 20 days, and then switched to a non-toxic diet for up to 14 weeks. Fish were randomly sampled through time with whole muscle, liver, and other pooled viscera dissected for toxin analysis by a sodium channel-dependent MTT-based mouse neuroblastoma (N2a) assay. The CTX levels measured in all tissues increased with time during the exposure period (days 1 to 20), but a decrease in CTX-specific toxicity with depuration time only occurred in viscera extracts. By the end of the depuration, muscle, liver, and viscera samples had mean toxin concentrations of 189%, 128%, and 42%, respectively, compared to fish sampled at the start of the depuration phase. However, a one-compartment model analysis of combined tissues showed total concentration declined to 56%, resulting in an approximate half-life of 97 d (R2 = 0.43). Further, applying growth dilution correction models to the overall concentration found that growth was a major factor reducing C-CTX concentrations, and that the body burden was largely unchanged, causing pseudo-elimination and a half-life of 143–148 days (R2 = 0.36). These data have important implications for food web CTX models and management of ciguatera poisoning in endemic regions where the frequency of environmental algal toxin pulses may be greater than the growth-corrected half-life of C-CTX in intermediate-trophic-level fish with high site fidelity.
Insight into the factors affecting the safety of take-off and landing of the ship-borne helicopter

Despite the important role and highly frequent appearance of the helicopter in modern ship operations, the flight mission with take-off and landing of helicopters to ships, especially ships with small-sized decks, could be very challenging and potentially hazardous. Many researches on ship-helicopter dynamic interface (DI) have been conducted, and significant progress has been made. In this paper, a comprehensive and systematical review of the factors affecting the flying qualities of ship-borne helicopter and pilot workload during taking off and landing is derived from these efforts to date. The factors from two aspects, including the ship environment and the pilot-helicopter interface, are covered to address how these factors affect the helicopter handling qualities and pilot workload, primarily focusing on aerodynamic issues. The insight into these factors is not only of great significance for conducting take-off and landing tasks safely but also helpful to establish suitable fidelity criteria and guidelines for the modelling and simulation of the ship-helicopter DI environment.
Blind ISI and MAI cancellation based on periodically time-varying transmitted power

For multiple transmitters, with over-sampling and multiple antennas at the receiver, an algorithm is presented to achieve blind mitigation of both intersymbol interference (ISI) and multiple access interference (MAI) by selectively periodically varying the transmitted power of each user. In addition, the permutation ambiguity of many source separation algorithms is overcome.
Company financial performance: Does board size matter? Case of the EUROSTOXX50 index

[EN] This study analyzes the relationship between board size and economic-financial performance in a sample of European firms that constitute the EUROSTOXX50 Index. Based on previous literature, resource dependency and agency theories, and considering regulation developed by the OECD and European Union on the normative of corporate governance for each country in the sample, the authors propose the hypotheses of both positive linear and quadratic relationships between the researched parameters. Using ROA as a benchmark of financial performance and the number of members of the board as measurement of the board size, two OLS estimations are performed. To confirm the robustness of the results the empirical study is tested with two other similar financial ratios, ROE and Tobin s Q. Due to the absence of significant results, an additional factor, firm size, is employed in order to check if it affects firm performance. Delving further into the nature of this relationship, it is revealed that there exists a strong and negative relation between firm size and financial performance. Consequently, it can be asseverated that the generic recommendation one size fits all cannot be applied in this case; which conforms to the Recommendations of the European Union that dissuade using generic models for all countries.