Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
UvA-DARE ( Digital Academic Repository ) Ecological restoration of rich fens in Europe and North America : from trial and error to an evidence-based approach

Fens represent a large array of ecosystem services, including the highest biodiversity found among wetlands, hydrological services, water purification and carbon sequestration. Land-use change and drainage has severely damaged or annihilated these services in many parts of North America and Europe; restoration plans are urgently needed at the landscape level. We review the major constraints on the restoration of rich fens and fen water bodies in agricultural areas in Europe and disturbed landscapes in North America: (i) habitat quality problems: drought, eutrophication, acidification, and toxicity, and (ii) recolonization problems: species pools, ecosystem fragmentation and connectivity, genetic variability, and invasive species; and here provide possible solutions. We discuss both positive and negative consequences of restoration measures, and their causes. The restoration of wetland ecosystem functioning and services has, for a long time, been based on a trial-and-error approach. By presenting research and practice on the restoration of rich fen ecosystems within agricultural areas, we demonstrate the importance of biogeochemical and ecological knowledge at different spatial scales for the management and restoration of biodiversity, water quality, carbon sequestration and other ecosystem services, especially in a changing climate. We define target processes that enable scientists, nature managers, water managers and policy makers to choose between different measures and to predict restoration prospects for different types of deteriorated fens and their starting conditions.
The perceived value of scuba diving tourists at a marina destination

The purpose of this chapter is to determine the perceived value of a tourism experience, in this case, for the scuba diving tourists at the marine destination, Sodwana Bay, South Africa. Tourism value can be seen as the value that customers experience and can be defined from the separate perspectives of money, quality, benefit and social psychology. Tourists, in this case scuba divers, experience value through scuba diving activities and the environment in which they take place. Assessing and understanding these values will help scuba diving destinations gain a competitive advantage and enable a more customised product that will improve the value experienced. A survey, the first of its kind in South Africa, was conducted at Sodwana Bay and 402 questionnaires were suitable for analysis. A factor analysis supported the modified model of
A Predefined-Time Consensus Algorithm of Multi-Agent System for Distributed Constrained Optimization

This article proposes a multi-agent system with predefined-time consensus to solve distributed optimization problem subject to inconsistent constraint sets. Under some derived conditions, the predefined-time consensus of multi-agent system is guaranteed. Meanwhile, the states of agents are convergent with consensus to an optimal solution of the distributed constrained optimization. Compared to the system with finite time consensus, the proposed system has a fixed time consensus that can be estimated in advance. The suggested system for distributed constrained optimization not requires objective functions have a specific form and smooth. It suitable for the problem with bounded sub-differential of objective function and unbound gradient of objective function. Simulation results validate the theoretical analysis.
AN EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH CONTRIBUTION TO THE USE OF CARBON NANOTUBES IN CEMENT COMPOSITES

Indeed, cement is the second most widely used material after water, with annual global cement production exceeding 4 billion tons in each of the last ten years. Cementitious composites are favored in construction because of their high compressive strength, low cost of preparation, simple manufacturing method, and ease of usage. However, these composites have several drawbacks, including a low tensile capacity, poor deformation performance, and a high cracking tendency, all of which impact the long-term durability of constructions. Carbon nanotubes can reinforce at the nanoscale, which was not possible before. Experimental work was conducted, and specimens of cement pastes and mortars were cast toward testing the carbon nanotubes’ dispersion within the matrix. Carbon nanotubes are known for being very cohesive in their raw form and difficult to disperse into the water. Using ultrasonic energy (bath sonication) along with incorporating a polycarboxylate high-range water-reducing agent to disperse the multiwalled carbon nanotubes helped to achieve about an 18% gain in compressive strength for cement pastes compared to plain cement pastes. This observed gain in strength was evidence of reinforcement. Several aspects explain the restricted work of carbon nanotubes on the industrial scale, including the high price of carbon nanotubes, the absence of standards and confirmations, and the complexity of dispersions, mixing, transporting, casting, and sufficient curing procedures. However, these practical difficulties could be partially resolved by improving the dispersion method or using pre-dispersed carbon nanotubes, which would be encouraging and useful for further exploration at the laboratory scale and the industry floor.
The nutrition and immunity (nutrIMM) study: protocol for a non-randomized, four-arm parallel-group, controlled feeding trial investigating immune function in obesity and type 2 diabetes

Introduction Individuals with obesity and/or type 2 diabetes are at higher risk of infection and have worse prognoses compared to healthy individuals. Several factors may influence immune responses in this population, including high adiposity, hyperglycemia, and unhealthy dietary habits. However, there is insufficient data on the independent or clustered contribution of these factors to obesity-related immune dysfunction, especially accounting for dietary intake. This study aims to establish the independent contribution of obesity and hyperglycemia to immune dysfunction independent of diet in adults with and without obesity with or without type 2 diabetes. Methods The Nutrition and Immunity (nutrIMM) study is a single-centre, non-randomized, four-arm, parallel-group, controlled feeding trial. It will enroll adults without obesity (Lean-NG) and with obesity and three metabolic phenotypes of normoglycemia, glucose intolerance, and type 2 diabetes. Participants will be assigned to one of four groups and will consume a standard North American-type diet for 4 weeks. The primary outcomes are plasma concentration of C-reactive protein and concentration of ex-vivo interleukin-2 secreted upon stimulation of T cells with phytohemagglutinin. Discussion This will be the first controlled feeding study examining the contribution of obesity, hyperglycemia, and diet on systemic inflammation, immune cell phenotype, and function in adults of both sexes. Results of this clinical trial can ultimately be used to develop personalized dietary strategies to optimize immune function in individuals with obesity with different immune and metabolic profiles. Clinical trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT04291391.
Dynamique et bilan des éléments traces métalliques (ETM) dans des écosystèmes forestiers français. Modélisation, spéciation et charges critiques

Les Elements Traces Metalliques (ETM : Cd, Co, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Sb et Zn) sont disperses dans l'atmosphere a la suite de processus naturels et anthropiques. Les ecosystemes forestiers, meme eloignes de sources de pollutions aigues, sont sous l'influence d'apports atmospheriques. Leur interaction importante avec l'atmosphere les rend sensibles a cette pollution. Ils font l'objet d'une protection vis-a-vis de la pollution atmospherique par la definition de charges critiques. L'impact potentiel des ETM dans les ecosystemes forestiers est fortement lie a leur dynamique aux interfaces atmosphere/vegetation et sol/solution. En effet, le couvert forestier modifie les apports atmospheriques et la solution de sol est le vecteur principal des ETM vers la biosphere et les eaux de surface et souterraines. Ce travail a consiste en l'analyse des ETM (teneurs et speciation) dans differents compartiments de l'ecosysteme (apports atmospheriques hors et sous couvert forestier, sols et solution de sol, vegetation) au niveau de six placettes forestieres francaises. Les resultats obtenus ont permis d'etudier et de mettre en relation la partition des ETM entre les phases totales, extractibles et en solution des metaux dans les sols avec des parametres du sol. Le pH du sol est le parametre le plus significatif pour la prediction de l'extractabilite et de la solubilite des ETM en solution. La complexation en solution par des colloides organiques controle la solubilite de certains elements (Cu, Pb). Les apports atmospheriques actuels sont moderes et montrent une influence regionale plus marquee dans le nord-est de la France. Le couvert forestier modifie significativement les apports atmospheriques. Certains flux (Cd, Ni, Cu et Zn) sont diminues du fait de l'assimilation des elements par le couvert au moment du depot. D'autres flux sont augmentes (Cr, Pb, Sb) sous le couvert forestier, du fait de l'accumulation de depot sec. Le bilan des ETM a l'echelle de la placette (accumulation ou perte) depend du type de sol, de la solubilite de l'element considere dans la solution de sol et de sa mobilite dans la vegetation. Les limites et charges critiques ont ete determinees et la comparaison avec les concentrations dans les solutions de sol et les apports actuels n'ont pas montre de depassement.
Association of fertility diet score with endometriosis: a case–control study

Background and aims Different factors, such as environmental, epigenetic, genetic and immunological, have been identified as potential risks for developing endometriosis. However, the correlation between dietary patterns and endometriosis is currently unknown. The aim of this study was to explore the potential link between fertility diet score and the odds of endometriosis. Methods This study was a hospital-based case–control study that took place in a gynecology clinic in Tehran, Iran, between February 2021 and January 2022. A total of 107 newly diagnosed endometriosis cases and 210 controls were included. The participants' habitual diets were evaluated using a food frequency questionnaire, and their fertility diet score was estimated using a point system based on Chavarro et al.'s criteria. The logistic regression was utilized to calculate the odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results The study found that women who adherence to fertility diet have a lower odds of endometriosis. This was observed in both the base model and the adjusted model, with a significant decrease in odds of endometriosis by 66% (OR = 0.44, 95%CI = 0.27–0.71, p = 0.001) and 54% (aOR = 0.46, 95%CI = 0.23–0.90, p = 0.022), respectively. Additionally, consuming vegetable proteins and multivitamins were also associated with lower odds of endometriosis. On the other hand, consuming animal proteins, heme iron, and having a high glycemic load were associated with significantly higher odds of endometriosis. Conclusion Our research supports the hypothesis that following a fertility diet may decrease the odds of endometriosis in Iranian women. However, these findings should be verified through extensive, prospective studies.
Women’s Status in Refusing Marital Rape and Its Associated Factors in Ethiopia

Human right instruments underscore that wives have the right to refuse marital rape. This stu dy was aimed to assess women’s status in refusing marital rape and its associated factors. The study used data from the 2016 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) of Ethiopia. The sample (n=8,695) was limited to married women. To examine associated factors, socio-demographic variables were computed using logistic regression. The finding revealed that the majority (53.73%) of married women did not refuse marital rape. Education and economic status of women were positively associated with women’s status in refusing marital rape. Women whose age 35-49 years old (AOR=.277;95%CI=.088,.876), being a housewife (AOR=.839;95%CI=.757,.929), and women who got their marriage by others decision (AOR=.761;95%CI=.682,.849) were less likely refuse marital rape. Women who drink alcohol (AOR=1.232;95%CI=1.053,1.442) were more likely to refuse marital rape. In conclusion, women’s status in refusing marital rape is low. Accordingly, addressing its associated hindering factors is necessary.
The Quality of School-Based Practices in Enhancing Secondary School Students’ National Examination Achievement in Ethiopia

This research dealt with identifying the predictive quality of secondary school students’ classroom achievement on national examination results. A correlation survey design with a concurrent mixed approach to data was used. Data were obtained from existing school archives through careful identification of subjects where the 25 top achievers in each one of the four sampled schools were considered (n=100). Moreover, references were made to key-informant principals (n=2), officers (n=2) and secondary school teachers (n=40) for complementary purposes. The findings revealed that students’ school-based achievements were strong predictors of the national examination results in some schools (r2=.82) whereas they were weak predictors in others (r2 =.29). In that, there was a significant difference between public and private schools on the level of prediction. There was also a significant difference in the level of prediction among private schools themselves. Findings showed a shortage in classroom arrangements and facilities, weak experiential exchanges and guidance services, and a shortage in identifying model skills among teachers and students to have been the bottleneck issues in enhancing the quality of school-based preparation for the national examination.
Antimicrobial Assessment of Curcuma longa L Against Streptococcus mutans Growth

Background. Streptococcus mutans is the most common oral endogenous microorganism found at the beginning of plaque formation until the formation of dental caries. If not handled properly, caries can lead to odontogenic infections. Increased resistance to antimicrobial drugs has made herbal ingredients an alternative treatment because they are more effective and do not cause side effects. This turmeric leaf contains active antimicrobial compounds of flavonoids, tannins, and phenolics. Objective. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of turmeric leaf extract (Curcuma longa. L) as an antimicrobial on the growth of Streptococcus mutans bacteria. Materials and Methods. This study uses a post-test-only control condition approach in a laboratory setting. The concentration of turmeric leaf extract tested was 10%, 15%, and 20% with the positive control (Chlorhexidine 0,2% mouthwash) and negative control (DMSO) with five repetitions. Antibacterial effectiveness test using serial dilution method. Results. The data analysis using the Oneway ANOVA test showed a p-value 0.05, meaning that the number of Streptococcus mutans bacterial colonies in both the treatment and control groups had a significant difference in number. The antibacterial effect at a 10% concentration of turmeric leaf extract (Curcuma longa. L) with an average and standard deviation of 45.20 ± 3.83, at a 15% concentration of 43.80 ± 3.11, at a 20% concentration of 23.60 ± 12.30. Conclusion. This study concludes that turmeric leaf extract (Curcuma longa. L) has antibacterial effectiveness against Streptococcus mutans bacteria.Keywords: Curcuma longa L, Turmeric Leaf, Streptococcus mutans, Antibacterial
User Perception on Disclosure: A Comparative Analysis of Public and Private Banks in Ethiopia

This study investigates the views and perceptions of users on disclosure and the extent of disclosure by the Ethiopian banking sector. The data collected from 509 respondents in different groups of information users were analyzed using percentage, mean and kruskal-wallis H test. The result shows that most of the user groups regard annual reports as the most important source of information and income statements as an important section of annual reports. The majority of the user groups attached the highest ranking for the relevant attribute for the annual reports and delay in publishing annual reports as the most serious problems. The users of information perceive that a public bank discloses more information with better quality than private banks and the analysis of annual reports also disclose the same results. The Kruskal-wallis H test shows that there was a significant difference among user groups on the frequency of annual report usage, purposes of annual reports, sources of information, the significance of the problems, and sections of annual reports.
The Consequences of the Covid-19 Pandemic on the Ghanaian Financial Markets and the Effectiveness of Government Policy Responses

This study analysed the consequences of COVID-19 on Ghanaian financial markets and further profiled and assessed the effectiveness of government policy interventions to contain its incidence. Using a qualitative documentary analytic approach combined with available time series data from financial market regulators between 2015 and 2021, empirical evidence shows that key profitability (ROA and ROE) measures of banks, gross insurance premium and capital market indicators were negatively affected. The containment and stringency of government policies in the wake of the pandemic do not match in equal potency with the rise in occurrences. Policy recommendations were provided.
Applying Symbolic Execution to Semantic Code Clone Detection (S)

Many approaches have been proposed to detect code clones, which are basically similar code fragments. Most approaches are based on textual similarity. These approaches cannot detect semantic code clones, which are clones that have the same functionality but implemented with different syntax. Two functions can be considered to have the same functionality, when the output is the same given the same input. In order to appropriately generate inputs, we propose applying symbolic execution to semantic code clone detection. These functions are executed to obtain outputs, which are compared to determine if function pairs are clones. Our approach also does not limit output to return values; we also handle arrays and pointers as output, as the execution of the function may cause changes in their values. Furthermore, we classify types to enable cases where the types of inputs and/or outputs are not exactly the same. We evaluate our approach on SemanticCloneBench.
The Acute Effects of Schoolbag Loading on Posture and Gait Mechanics in 10- to 13-Year-Old Children: A Cohort from the North West Province

Most schoolchildren carry schoolbags, of which a substantial proportion carry loads that exceed 15% of their body mass. Although the effects of loading have been investigated to varying degrees, the status of schoolbag loading and the acute affects thereof on gait and posture have not been thoroughly investigated within the South African context. A total of 60 participants in the 10–13-year age range volunteered for the present study. Significant differences were evident for relative load carriage (χ2(3) = 14.54, p < 0.001), forefoot and heel forces (Mdiff = 17.05–34.86 N, p < 0.001), force ratios (Mdiff = 0.02, p = 0.029), and gait speed (Mdiff = −0.18 km/hr, p = 0.016), but not for any postural angles (Mdiff = −3.37–6.08 deg, all p > 0.052). Those who exceeded 15% BM were ~9 times more likely to report pain than those below 15% BM. The children in the current study carried significantly heavier relative loads (p < 0.001) compared to similarly aged children from other countries. Loading leads to acute changes in posture and gait that are likely not meaningful. However, excessive loading (>15% BM) leads to significantly higher perceptions and reporting of pain in 10–13-year-old children.
Cotton production in rotation with summer legumes.

Sunn hemp (Crotolaria juncea) is a fast growing tropical legume that can accumulate large amounts of biomass and N in a relatively short period of time during the summer in the southeast US. This study was conducted to evaluate the potential of using this legume as an N source for cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). A field study was conducted in 2004-2005 and 2006-2007. Treatments were summer legume [sunn hemp, cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata), and summer fallow] and fertilizer N rate applied to cotton (0, 45, 90, and 135 kg N ha-1). The summer legumes were planted in mid-summer (July) and cotton was planted the following spring (May). Sunn hemp N accumulation at the first freeze in the fall was 204 kg ha-1 in 2004 and 98 kg ha-1 in 2006. Cowpeas accumulated 57 kg ha-1 in 2004 and 87 kg ha-1 in 2006. Soil NO3-N was higher in the surface 90 cm following sunn hemp than either cowpeas or summer fallow during the winter in both years. Shortly after cotton planting in May, however; there was no difference among the three summer legume treatments in soil NO3-N. Nitrogen concentrations of uppermost fully expanded leaves were greater in cotton following the legumes than following summer fallow at seven of nine weekly sampling dates in 2005, but there were no differences in 2007. In 2005, seedcotton yield following cowpeas and summer fallow increased with N rate, but seedcotton yield following sunn hemp was not significantly affected by fertilizer N. Drought conditions in 2007 limited cotton yield, and yield decreased with increasing N rates due to the severe stress conditions. Sunn hemp has the potential for providing substantial biomass and N for cropping systems on the low organic matter soils of the southeast US. Further research is needed on the fate of the N in the residues during the winter for cotton rotations.
The Impact of Human Capital on Entrepreneurship Quality and Quantity at the Aggregate Level

Based on human capital theory and entrepreneurship literature, we propose that a country’s capital profiles including education level, industry experience, entrepreneurial experience, and immigration experience are positively related to its entrepreneurship quality. On the contrary, we hypothesize that these four dimensions are negatively associated with the quantity of entrepreneurship. These hypotheses are empirically examined on a sample of 86 countries obtained from Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) and 1,858,444 participants in a 10-year period, from 2007 to 2016. We utilize the Generalized Estimating Equations (GEEs) for the main hypothesis testing and the Random Effects Model for robustness analysis. The findings support most of the hypotheses. We then discuss theoretical implications drawn from the study and provide suggestions for policy makers. Our paper emphasizes that the investment in human capital may not simultaneously result in both high entrepreneurship quality and high entrepreneurship quantity at the aggregate level.