Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Determinants of Economic Growth in Southern Africa Development Community: The Role of Institutions

The study focuses on economic growth in SADC by examining the role of institutional variables; determining the key drivers and finding out the strength of the marginal effects of institutional quality. The study used a GMM estimator by Arellano and Bond (1991) and annual country data covering the period 1996-2010. Good quality institutions have an indirect impact on growth by working through trade openness, gross fixed capital formation, financial openness, human capital and savings ratio. Government stability, improved government effectiveness and absence of conflicts have direct effect on economic growth. High inflows of foreign direct investment are beneficial in the presence of low levels of political violence. The generic determinants of economic growth are necessary but not sufficient in explaining economic growth. Thus any reforms meant to enhance economic growth in SADC should give priority to putting in place good quality institutions which are a vital precondition.
Tipping point of a conifer forest ecosystem under severe drought

Drought-induced tree mortality has recently received considerable attention. Questions have arisen over the necessary intensity and duration thresholds of droughts that are sufficient to trigger rapid forest declines. The values of such tipping points leading to forest declines due to drought are presently unknown. In this study, we have evaluated the potential relationship between the level of tree growth and concurrent drought conditions with data of the tree growth-related ring width index (RWI) of the two dominant conifer species (Pinus edulis and Pinus ponderosa) in the Southwestern United States (SWUS) and the meteorological drought-related standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI). In this effort, we determined the binned averages of RWI and the 11 month SPEI within the month of July within each bin of 30 of RWI in the range of 0–3000. We found a significant correlation between the binned averages of RWI and SPEI at the regional-scale under dryer conditions. The tipping point of forest declines to drought is predicted by the regression model as SPEItp = −1.64 and RWItp = 0, that is, persistence of the water deficit (11 month) with intensity of −1.64 leading to negligible growth for the conifer species. When climate conditions are wetter, the correlation between the binned averages of RWI and SPEI is weaker which we believe is most likely due to soil water and atmospheric moisture levels no longer being the dominant factor limiting tree growth. We also illustrate a potential application of the derived tipping point (SPEItp = −1.64) through an examination of the 2002 extreme drought event in the SWUS conifer forest regions. Distinguished differences in remote-sensing based NDVI anomalies were found between the two regions partitioned by the derived tipping point.
Modelling and forecasting monthly swordfish catches in the Eastern Mediterranean

In this study, we used the X-11 census technique for modelling and forecasting the monthly swordfish ( Xiphias gladius ) catches in the Greek Seas during 1982-1996 and 1997 respectively, using catches reported by the National Statistical Service of Greece (NSSG). Forecasts built with X-11 were also compared with those derived from ARIMA andWinter’s exponential smoothing (WES) models. The X-11 method captured the features of the study series and outperformed the other two methods, in terms of both fitting and forecasting performance, for all the accuracy measures used. Thus, with the exception of October, November and December 1997, when the corresponding absolute percentage error(APE) values were very high (as high as 178.6%) because of the low level of the catches, monthly catches during the remaining months of 1997 were predicted accurately, with a mean APE of 12.5%. In contrast, the mean APE values of the other two methods for the same months were higher (ARIMA: 14.6%; WES: 16.6%). The overall good performance of X-11 andthe fact that it provides an insight into the various components (i.e. the seasonal, trend-cycle and irregular components) of the time series of interest justify its use in fisheries research. The basic features of the swordfish catches revealed by the application of the X-11 method, the effect of the length of the forecasting horizon on forecasting accuracy and the accuracy of the catches reported by NSSG are also discussed.
Processing and Characterization of a Polypropylene Biocomposite Compounded with Maleated and Acrylated Compatibilizers

Polypropylene (PP) biocomposites containing 20 wt. % sunflower hull as a particulate reinforcement were compounded and tested under tensile, flexural, and impact loadings. The incorporation of the sunflower hull without compatibilizer resulted in diminished tensile strength and impact energy absorption but increased flexural strength and both tensile modulus and flexural modulus when compared to neat PP. Formulations containing three different chemical compatibilizers were tested to determine their effectiveness in improving the interfacial adhesion between the fiber surface and PP chains. Maleic anhydride grafted with PP (MA-g-PP) achieved greater improvements in tensile strength but reduced impact strength in comparison to an acrylic-acid-grafted PP compatibilizer (AA-g-PP). The molecular weight, graft level, and the ability to affect strength, modulus, and absorbed impact energy were also investigated for the compatibilizers. A MA-g-PP having high molecular weight and low graft level was most effective in improving the investigated properties of a sunflower hull-reinforced polypropylene biocomposite.
Using blockchain against cyber attacks on smart grids

The conventional grid and power system infrastructure is monitored using a centralized approach. Wherein remote terminal units are governed using a master control facility. In the wake of dispersed generations where every consumer is also becoming a producer with solar powered PV panels or wind, managing power is becoming a difficult task. This situation can become unmanageable in an event of cyber-attack on a smart grid.The objective of this paper is to use Block Chain Technology (BCT) to manage data of a power system. Initially, we will consider an attack on a switch of SMIB and issues arising out of it. Then we model two more cases where, BCT will aid in management of power.
Residue addition frequency influences respiration, microbial biomass and nutrient availability in soil amended with high and low C/N residue

In previous studies, we showed that the C/N ratio of the first residue added influences soil respiration, microbial biomass and nutrient availability after the second residue addition which we refer to as legacy effect. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of residue addition frequency on microbial activity and nutrient availability, and the legacy effect. In Part A, the effect of high C/N residue (H) addition frequency in the first 16 days (d) was studied by adding H to soil once (d0), twice (d0, 8) or four times (d0, 4, 8, 12) followed by 10 g kg-1 low C/N residue (L) on day 16. The influence of L addition rate was assessed in Part B by adding H once on day 0 followed by L added once (d16), twice (d16, 24) or four times (d16, 20, 24, 24, 28). Cumulative respiration, microbial biomass C, N and P, N and P availability from d0 to d15 were higher with L than H. Particularly with L, cumulative respiration, microbial biomass and nutrient availability compared to single addition were lower on d7 with residue added twice or four times, but higher on d15. In Part A, H added twice or four times from d0 to d15 compared to a single H addition followed by a single L addition on d16 increased cumulative respiration, microbial nutrient uptake and reduced N and P availability on d23, but had no effect on d32. In Part B, frequent L addition after d16 enhanced microbial nutrient uptake on d23 but reducing nutrient availability compared to single L addition. It can be concluded that residue addition frequency strongly influences soil respiration, microbial biomass and nutrient availability after addition of low C/N residue.
DETECTION OF CHANGE IN NON-LINEAR DYNAMICS BEHIND THE PERIODIC TIME SERIES AND ITS APPLICATION TO SOLAR CYCLE PREDICTION

Abstract: This paper proposes a method for detecting a change in nonlinear dynamics behind periodic time series. In order to develop this method, we define the smoothed pseudo determinacy function (SPDF) based on the theory of KM2O-Langevin equations. Because SPDF has information about non-linear dynamics, the proposed method detects a change in non-linear dynamics in comparison to previous methods such as Time-Frequency Analysis and Wavelet Analysis. We confirmed its practicality by applying the method to monthly sunspot number. The result shows that one of the changes in nonlinear dynamics at year 2004 is detected and the dynamics is changing into the same as “Dalton Minimum” from year 1790 to 1820. From this result, we suggest that maximum of the next cycle will be as same as “Dalton Minimum”. This result supports some previous works.
5 ParadisEO-MOEO : A Software Framework for Evolutionary Multi-Objective Optimization

This chapter presents ParadisEO-MOEO, a white-box object-oriented software framework dedicated to the flexible design of metaheuristics for multi-objective optimization. This paradigm-free software proposes a unified view for major evolutionary multi-objective metaheuristics. It embeds some features and techniques for multi-objective resolution and aims to provide a set of classes allowing to ease and speed up the development of computationally efficient programs. It is based on a clear conceptual distinction between the solution methods and the problems they are intended to solve. This separation confers a maximum design and code reuse. This general-purpose framework provides a broad range of fitness assignment strategies, the most common diversity preservation mechanisms, some elitistrelated features as well as statistical tools. Furthermore, a number of state-of-the-art search methods, including NSGA-II, SPEA2 and IBEA, have been implemented in a user-friendly way, based on the fine-grained ParadisEO-MOEO components.
Climatic Feedbacks and Desertification: The Mediterranean Model

Abstract Mesometeorological information obtained in several research projects in southern Europe has been used to analyze perceived changes in the western Mediterranean summer storm regime. A procedure was developed to disaggregate daily precipitation data into three main components: frontal precipitation, summer storms, and Mediterranean cyclogenesis. Working hypotheses were derived on the likely processes involved. The results indicate that the precipitation regime in this Mediterranean region is very sensitive to variations in surface airmass temperature and moisture. Land-use perturbations that accumulated over historical time and greatly accelerated in the last 30 yr may have induced changes from an open, monsoon-type regime with frequent summer storms over the mountains inland to one dominated by closed vertical recirculations where feedback mechanisms favor the loss of storms over the coastal mountains and additional heating of the sea surface temperature during summer. This, in turn, favors Medite.
Entrepreneurial activities and institutional environment in China

Abstract This article aims to examine the relationship between the quality of an institutional environment and the characteristics of entrepreneurial activities within the context of China. An event study was conducted to investigate the impacts of the announcement of the Forbes China Rich List on prices of the shares associated with entrepreneurs on the list. This article concludes that the quality of an institutional environment is greatly negatively related to unproductive entrepreneurial activities.
DO LOCAL FINANCIAL AND LEGAL SYSTEMS AFFECT SMES CAPITAL STRUCTURE

This paper investigates the role of institutional differences at the local level as determinants of firms’ capital structure. Specifically, its aim is to empirically assess whether and to what extent SMEs’ financial decisions are affected by local financial development – evaluating this influence both ceteris paribus, and by allowing it to be conditional on different levels of legal enforcement inefficiency. Controlling for debt inertia, firms’ heterogeneity and endogeneity problems, we find that local financial development may be an important determinant of SMEs’ capital structure, and that firms appear to have better access to financial debt in areas characterized by a higher quality of the legal system. Thus, despite the international process of capital markets integration, local financial institutions do not seem to become irrelevant for SMEs, which are in need of well developed institutions at local level to gain easier access to external financial resources.
How Experts Search Different than Novices – An Evaluation of the Divexplore Video Retrieval System at Video Browser Showdown 2018

We present a modern interactive video retrieval tool, called diveXplore, that has been used for several iterations of the Video Browser Showdown (VBS) competition with great success – 2nd place for the last two years in a row. The tool provides novel video content search and interaction features (e.g., a semantic map-search & browsing feature with similarity arrangement and a highly efficient sketch-search, optimized for mobile touch-interaction) that make it perfectly suited for flexible video retrieval in large video collections. With the help of a user study we show that the diveXplore system can be used very efficiently by both type of users: novices and experts. Our evaluation results do also show that the interaction statistics of novices and experts differ in terms of used features. The details of our insights can be used to further optimize interfaces of video retrieval tools for non-experts.
Improvement of some physiological responses of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) under in vitro salt stress using Triadimefon

This study was carried out to investigation the possibility of using Triadimefon (TRD) in order to decrease the adverse effects of salt stress on Medicago plant. Triadimefon is a member of Triazol compounds which enhances stress tolerance through physiological processes. Two cultivars of Medicago sitiva including Hamedani and Yazdi were used in this study. Plants were treated with 1, 2 and 4 mg/l TRD and 0, 100 and 140 mM NaCl. Salinity reduced fresh and dry weight of plants in both cultivars with the result of higher reduction in cv. Hamedani significantly. Salt stress also increased proline, MDA and H2O2 contents and also the activity of SOD and P5CS, and the level of P5CS ranscripts, while decreased the activity of CAT and POX in both cultivars. When plants were treated with TRD and NaCl, less proline, MDA and H2O2 accumulation occurred. Interaction of NaCl and TRD increased SOD but reduced P5CS and CAT activity. Both NaCl and TRD treatments increased P5CS transcription in cultivar Yazdi while showed less effect in Hamadani cultivar. Interaction of TRD and NaCl alleviated the negative effects of salt stress on plant growth, especially at 2 mg/l TRD. The results of the present study showed that 2 mg/l TRD was the most effective level to alleviate the negative effects of NaCl treatment on Medicago sativa plants.
THE NUTRITIVE VALUE OF TWO SORGHUM CULTIVAR

The study was conducted to investigate chemical composition, protein fractions, mineral profile, tannin content, in vitro protein digestibility, and amino acids content of two Sudanese sorghum cultivar (namely feterita and dabar). Chemical composition of the two sorghum cultivars was determined. Feterita cultivar showed significantly (p<0.05) high moisture, ash, protein, fiber, and fat while dabar cultivar was significantly higher (P<0.05) in carbohydrate contents. The proteins in sorghum were classified into five fractions based on their solubility in different solutions. Feterita showed significantly (p<0.05) high globulin and glutelin contents while dabar showed significantly (p<0.05) high albumin and residual content. Prolamin (kafirins) represented a considerably greater fraction in both cultivars. Cupper, calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, and sodium were determined for the two cultivars. Results revealed that, feterita was significantly higher (P<0.05) in cupper, iron, and sodium while dabar was significantly higher (P<0.05) in phosphorus, calcium and potassium content. Tannin content in feterita was significantly (P<0.05) higher compared to dabar. Regarding in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD), dabar (non-tannin) significantly (P<0.05) high IVPD compared to feterita (tannin). Inverse relationship was detected between tannin content and IVPD for both cultivars. The essential amino acids content results of both cultivar showed that dabar had the higest amount of threonine, metheonine, valine, tyrosine, and lysine, respectively. While Feterita had the highest amount of isoleucine, leucine, and phenylalanine. Amino acid analysis revealed that both sorghum cultivars protein is rich in glutamic acid, leucien, alanine, and proline, but deficient in lysine similar to other cereal.
MIGRATING SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT PROCESS ONLINE: A STUDY IN MALAYSIAN COMPANIES.

There has been an increasing trend for companies to migrate their Supply Chain Management (SCM) online. In Malaysia however, many companies have not or are reluctant to invest in IT to improve their SCM. In order for companies to successfully migrate their SCM online, companies need to solve both technical and business issues that are involved during and after the migration. One example for solving the technical issues is that of the Rosettanet Standards. Rosettanet promised to solve the integration issues of online SCM in particular by allowing companies to communicate in the same e-business standards. However, there are few taker for this and there is a need to study the problems of migrating SCM online. A framework is needed for Malaysian companies to successfully migrate their SCM online and using the Rosettanet standards. This paper presents an on-going study supported by Infineon Technologies Malacca.
Drought reduced monoterpene emissions from the evergreen Mediterranean oak Quercus ilex: results from a throughfall displacement experiment

Abstract. The effects of water limitations on the emission of biogenic volatile organic compounds are not well understood. Experimental approaches studying drought effects in natural conditions are still missing. To address this question, a throughfall displacement experiment was set up in a natural forest of Quercus ilex, an evergreen Mediterranean oak emitting monoterpenes. Mature trees were exposed in 2005 and 2006 either to an additional drought, to irrigation or to natural drought (untreated control). In both years, absolute monoterpene emission rates as well as the respective standard factors of the trees exposed to normal and additional drought strongly declined during the drought periods. Monoterpene emissions were lower in year 2006 than in year 2005 (factor 2) due to a more pronounced summer drought period in this respective year. We observed a significant difference between the irrigation and additional drought or control treatment: irrigated trees emitted 82% more monoterpenes during the drought period 2006 than the trees of the other treatments. However, no significant effect on monoterpene emission was observed between normal and additional drought treatments, despite a significant effect on leaf water potential and photochemical efficiency. During the development of drought, monoterpene emissions responded exponentially rather than linearly to decreasing leaf water potential. Emissions rapidly declined when the water potential dropped below −2 MPa and photosynthesis was persistently inhibited. Monoterpene synthase activities measured in vitro showed no clear reduction during the same period. From our results we conclude that drought significantly reduces monoterpene fluxes of Mediterranean Holm oak forest into the atmosphere due to a lack of primary substrates coming from photosynthetic processes.
Incremental Spatial Clustering for Spatial Big Crowd Data in Evolving Disaster Scenario

Spatial clustering of the events scattered over a geographical region has many important applications, including the assessment of needs of the people affected by a disaster. In this paper we consider spatial clustering of social media data (e.g., tweets) generated by smart phones in the disaster region. Our goal in this context is to find high density areas within the affected area with abundance of messages concerning specific needs that we call simply as “situations”. Unfortunately, a direct spatial clustering is not only unstable or unreliable in the presence of mobility or changing conditions but also fails to recognize the fact that the “situation” expressed by a tweet remains valid for some time beyond the time of its emission. We address this by associating a decay function with each information content and define an incremental spatial clustering algorithm (ISCA) based on the decay model. We study the performance of incremental clustering as a function of decay rate to provide insights into how it can be chosen appropriately for different situations.
Effects of leaf powder of Citrus aurantifolia and Senna occidentalis on the development of maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky, Coleoptera Curculionidae)

The present investigation was to study the effects of leaf powders of Citrus aurantifolia and Senna occidentalis on development of Sitophilus zeamais (Motsch) in Entomology laboratory Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto. The mortality of S. zeamais in maize treated with Citrus aurantifolia were observed to be high, actellic dust (0.5g/100g) and were significantly (P<0.05) higher from the untreated (control). Effects of plant powder on the emergence of adult S. zeamais was significantly (p<0.05) higher. The highest emergence (25.07±0.67) was observed from the grains treated with 2.0g of Senna occidentalis and least (4.00±0.58) was 6.0g of Citrus aurantifolia. This result indicated that the Citrus aurantifolia and Senna occidentalis can be use in protecting the maize from maize weevil infestation
Improving Traffic Forecasting for 5G Core Network Scalability: A Machine Learning Approach

5G is expected to provide network connectivity to not only classical devices (i.e., tablets, smartphones, etc.) but also to the IoT, which will drastically increase the traffic load carried over the network. 5G will mainly rely on NFV and SDN to build flexible and on-demand instances of functional networking entities via VNFs. Indeed, 3GPP is devising a new architecture for the core network, which replaces point-to-point interfaces used in 3G and 4G by producer/consumer-based communication among 5G core network functions, facilitating deployment over a virtual infrastructure. One big advantage of using VNFs is the possibility of dynamic scaling, depending on traffic load (i.e., instantiate new resources to VNFs when the traffic load increases and reduce the number of resources when the traffic load decreases). In this article, we propose a novel mechanism to scale 5G core network resources by anticipating traffic load changes through forecasting via ML techniques. The traffic load forecast is achieved by using and training a neural network on a real dataset of traffic arrival in a mobile network. Two techniques were used and compared: RNN, more specifically LSTM; and DNN. Simulation results show that the forecast-based scalability mechanism outperforms the threshold-based solutions, in terms of latency to react to traffic change, and delay to have new resources ready to be used by the VNF to react to traffic increase.