Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The impact of point-of-sale data in demand planning in the South African clothing retail industry

Background: In modern days’ dynamic consumer markets, supply chains need to be value driven and consumer oriented. Demand planning allows supply chain members to focus on the consumer and create optimal value. In demand planning, Point-of-Sale (POS) data are an essential input to the process thereof; however, literature suggests that POS-based demand planning is often overlooked by demand planners in practice. Objective: The main purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which South African clothing retailers use POS data in demand planning. Method: This study followed the grounded theory approach based on the collection of qualitative data. The data collected was analysed following the grounded theory analysis using codes that resulted in various categories which then developed into themes. Findings: Findings suggest that companies within the clothing retail industry make considerable use of POS data and is a fundamental input factor in the demand planning process. However, this study also found that POS data cannot be applied in the planning for all types of clothing products, and that there are variables other than POS data that form a critical part of the demand planning process. Conclusion: POS data plays a fundamental role is the demand planning process and should be accurately collected and used with other qualitative and quantitative factors as an input factor to the demand planning process. The role of POS data in demand planning is expected to grow as customers are becoming increasingly demanding concerning customer service levels.
Long- and short-term impact of temperature on snake detection in the wild: further evidence from the snake Hemorrhois hippocrepis

Global change is causing an average temperature increment which affects several aspects of organisms’ biology, especially in ectotherms. Nevertheless, there is still scant knowledge about how this change is affecting reptiles. This paper shows that, the higher average temperature in a year, the more individuals of the snake Hemorrhois hippocrepis are found in the field, because temperature increases the snakes’ activity. Furthermore, the quantity of snakes found was also correlated with the temperature of the previous years. Our results suggest that environmental temperature increases the population size of this species, which could benefit from the temperature increment caused by climatic change. However, we did not find an increase in population size with the advance of years, suggesting that other factors have negatively impacted on this species, balancing the effect of increasing temperature.
The Impact of Information Technology on Family Values Transformation

This research explains the impact of Contemporary Information Technology Application Progress (CITA-P), WhatsApp/WA application, in transforming the family values from face-to-face contact (Emotional and Personal Value or EPV) to non-personal contact (Pragmatic Value or PV). It uses quasi-experimental design conducted by pre-test, treatment, and post-test in Hagen lineage (HaL) as Experiment Group (EG). Then it compares by Control Group (CG) with the Limited-Treatment (L-T) by phone, Short Message Service/SMS, and Facebook/Fb in Sumer lineage (SuL). Data were collected by sending the Eid messages. Respondent consisted of HaL and SuL members. Contemporary treatment is manipulated by CITA-P at the HaL member. Findings showed that CITA-P has positive impact to transform the EPV toward PV, as indicated by significant increase in the larger IT-P score in the EG than the L-T effect in CG before and after implementing it.
Laser thermoelastic generation in metals above the melt threshold

An approach is presented for calculating thermoelastic generation of ultrasound in a metal plate exposed to nanosecond pulsed laser heating, sufficient to cause melting but not ablation. Detailed consideration is given to the spatial and temporal profiles of the laser pulse, penetration of the laser beam into the sample, the appearance and subsequent growth and then contraction of the melt pool, and the time dependent thermal conduction in the melt and surrounding solid throughout. The excitation of the ultrasound takes place during and shortly after the laser pulse and occurs predominantly within the thermal diffusion length of a micron or so beneath the surface. It is shown how, because of this, the output of the thermal simulations can be expressed as axially symmetric transient radial and normal surface force distributions. The epicentral displacement response to these force distributions is obtained by two methods, the one based on the elastodynamic Green's functions for plate geometry determined by .
How Close to Reality is the „as-is” Business Process Simulation Model?

Abstract Background and Purpose: Business process simulation (BPS) model is based on real-life data form sources like databases, observations and interviews. It acts as “as-is” business scenario can used for reengineering. The main challenge is to gather relevant data and to develop simulation model. Research aims to elaborate BPS model and to systematically assess how close to reality it is. Design/Methodology/Approach: The research has been performed in Polish telecommunications company. Authors investigate technical process of expanding cellular network. After elaborating “as-is” model, authors use ADONIS simulation tool to run a series simulations and confront simulation results with actual historical events. After this, assessment whether computer simulation model can precisely map real-life business process - and consequently act as credible basis for process improvement - is made. Results: The simulation model has been constructed with data from the WfMS database, observations, staff knowledge and their experience. Fully equipped simulation model is found to allow reconstructing the historical execution of business activity with low margin for error. Some limitation were identified and discussed. Conclusion: BPS is not a popular approach for process reengineering and improvement yet. Data collection issues for BPS that require adopting process mining techniques and additional information sources are among the reasons for that. In our study, computer simulation outputs are compatible with historical events. Hence the model reflects the business reality and can be taken as a reference model while redesigning the process.
Amplitude–phase dynamics near the locking region of two delay-coupled semiconductor lasers

We investigate the dynamical properties of two mutually delay-coupled semiconductor lasers that are coupled via their optical fields. Because a semiconductor laser is an oscillator that features strong coupling between its amplitude and phase, this system serves as a prototype model of coupled amplitude–phase oscillators. Our main interest here is in the dynamics near and within the locking region where the two lasers emit light of the same frequency. We present experimental observations that give evidence for four qualitatively different dynamical regimes: stable continuous wave emission, oscillations at the laser's characteristic relaxation oscillation frequency, oscillation related to the frequency difference between the two lasers and more complicated dynamics. We characterize and identify these dynamical regimes and analyse them by means of a bifurcation analysis of the corresponding rate equation model with delay. Specifically, we present the underlying bifurcation structure, where the detuning and the pump current are the main bifurcation parameters. The combination of experiment and bifurcation analysis shows how changes in the dynamics arise from the presence of local and global bifurcations near the locking region.
Regression Anatomy, Revealed

The regression anatomy theorem (Angrist and Pischke, 2009, Mostly Harmless Econometrics: An Empiricist's Companion [Princeton University Press]) is an alternative formulation of the Frisch–Waugh–Lovell theorem (Frisch and Waugh, 1933, Econometrica 1: 387–401; Lovell, 1963, Journal of the American Statistical Association 58: 993–1010), a key finding in the algebra of ordinary least-squares multiple regression models. In this article, I present a command, reganat, to implement graphically the method of regression anatomy. This addition complements the built-in Stata command avplot in the validation of linear models, producing bidimensional scatterplots and regression lines obtained by controlling for the other covariates, along with several fine-tuning options. Moreover, I provide 1) a fully worked-out proof of the regression anatomy theorem and 2) an explanation of how the regression anatomy and the Frisch–Waugh–Lovell theorems relate to partial and semipartial correlations, whose coefficients are informative when evaluating relevant variables in a linear regression model.
DISTRIBUTED AND CONCURRENT OPERATIONS ON ENCRYPTED CLOUD

— Cloud computing is computing in which large groups of remote servers are networked to allow centralized data storage and online access to computer services or resources. Data sharing is an important functionality in cloud storage. Cloud storage is a model of data storage where the digital data is stored in logical pools, the physical storage spans across multiple servers (and often locations), and the physical environment is typically owned and managed by a hosting company. Placing critical data in the hands of a cloud provider should come with the guarantee of security and availability for data at rest, in motion, and in use. Several alternatives exist for storage services, while data confidentiality solutions for the database as a service paradigm are still immature. A novel architecture is proposed that integrates cloud database services with data confidentiality and the possibility of executing concurrent operations on encrypted data. This supports geographically distributed clients to connect directly to an encrypted cloud database, and to execute concurrent and independent operations including those modifying the database structure. This eliminates intermediate proxies that limit the elasticity, availability, and scalability properties that are intrinsic in cloud-based solutions
An agent-based parking choice model

Parking choice is an essential part of individual transportation, but many travel demand and traffic simulations do not include parking. This paper proposes a simple parking model and describes how this model has been implemented into an existing agent-based traffic simulation. The parking model provides feedback to the traffic simulation so that the overall simulation can react to spatial differences in parking demand and supply. Simulation results of a scenario of the city of Zurich demonstrate that the model is able to capture key elements of parking, including parking capacity and pricing and is able to provide help for designing parking focused transport policies. The paper also discusses possible future work, such as micro-simulation of parking search for large scale scenarios.
Infrared Moving Multi-Target Tracking Based on Particle Filter and FCM

An efficient approach based on particle filter and FCM is presented to realize moving infrared multi-target tracking under Island shore background. Some possible targets can be obtained and saved by processing IR data through denoising by median filter, extracting edge, identifying and eliminating sea-sky line, morphological filtering and etc. Data association and robust multi-target tracking can be realized by the proposed particle filter and FCM algorithm. The proposed approach is validated to track multi-target effectively by using actual infrared image sequences with Island shore background. Experiment results indicate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method.
Robust Method for Deforestation Analysis of Satellite Images

The aim is to design a robust method for tracking real time deforestation in a local area under satellite observation. Deforested areas are obtained by a procedure of differentiating between two successive images (temporal). The resulting method proves to be robust, the analyzed satellite image having multiple alterations: cutting (minus 3-10%), translation (5-10%), rotation (2-10 degrees), parasite random noise (5-15%), different brightness and contrast (5-10%) and cloudy areas (15-20%).
The bidirectional relation between parental controlling behavior and child anxiety

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What can nonlinear Taylor rule say about the Egyptian monetary policy conduct

Using monthly data of Egypt over the period from 2008:M6 to 2013:M1, we extend the linear Taylor rule to a regime-switching framework, where the transition from one regime to another occurs in a smooth way, using a logistic smooth transition regression (LSTR) approach. We find that the nonlinear Taylor rule improves its performance with the advent of special events, such as the global financial crisis in 2008 and the general political instability defined by outbreaks of revolution.In particular, our results show that the adoption of a nonlinear speci? cation instead of a linear one leads to a reduction in errors of 90 basis points in 2008 and 20 basis points in 2012.
A Community Driven ICT Development Approach to Empower a Community in Tension (CiT)

The development of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) solutions for community empowerment has seen an increased interest from various stakeholders. Such solutions present challenges specifically in the area of identifying the appropriate ICT community development approaches. This paper suggests a community-driven approach for the development of an ICT solution to support a Community in Tension (CiT) due to the scourge of drug abuse amongst its citizens. The CiT used skills and resources available in the community as part of its development approach. The result of this collaboration was the Drug Advice Support (DAS) system which uses mobile and web technologies. DAS was co-created by the community who needed the system to aid them with the social issues they are facing due to the substance abuse problem. It concludes by indicating how the community-driven systems development approach could be used to aid other communities who require localised solutions.
Soil Specific Surface Area Determination by Visible Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

The soil specific surface area (SSA) affects soil physical and chemical properties. Numerous studies applied visible near-infrared spectroscopy (Vis–NIRS) to estimate clay content (particles < 2 µm). Since SSA is better defined and more directly related to particle size distribution and mineralogy than clay content, predictions of SSA from Vis–NIRS are expected to be better than that for clay. Thus, the aims of this study were to (i) test the feasibility of using Vis–NIRS for SSA determination, (ii) compare the predictive ability of Partial Least Squares (PLS) model of SSA with that of clay, (iii) identify important wavelengths using interval Partial Least Squares (iPLS) regression, and to test if the application of iPLS improves the predictive ability of the models. A total of 550 soil samples with a wide range in SSA (3–437 m² g–¹) and clay content (1–83%) was divided into a calibration and a validation set. The PLS models had similar predictive ability for SSA (ratio of performance to interquartile range, RPIQ = 1.7) and clay content (RPIQ = 1.6). Utilizing iPLS led to only limited improvement in the prediction accuracy (RPIQ of 1.8 and 1.7 for SSA and clay content, respectively), yet decreased the number of relevant wavelengths and indicated a higher specificity of SSA over the broader spectral response of clay. The important wavelengths for SSA and clay predictions were indicative of the organo-mineral content and its interactions, including spectral response from not only iron oxides and minerals but also organic matter due to masking effect of the non-complexed organic carbon on the mineral phases of some of the soils.
Creation of an online virtual Cisco router learning environment.

Online learning environments are an important aspect to many University courses. They allow flexibility in student approaches, and permit students from a range of backgrounds to take part in education. This paper considers an online learning environment which provides a VLE (Virtual Learning Environment) style approach teaching Cisco router configuration techniques, such as might be required in a course teaching the CCNA curriculum.
Introduction: Migrant Worlds, Material Cultures

While much scholarly work exists on both migration and material culture, there is remarkably little literature explicitly concerned with how these areas of study converge. In this introduction we suggest a number of points of departure for the exploration of the relationships between ’migrant worlds‚ and ’material cultures‚ and we link these points with the contributions to this Special Issue. We hope thereby to shift the theoretical framing of migrancy into some areas of concern that have been of long-standing importance within anthropology (the gift, temporality, translation), but have not necessarily been those raised most frequently in relation to migration studies.
Take Care of Home and Family, Honey, and Let Me Take Care of the Money - Gender Bias and Credit Market Barriers for Female Entrepreneurs

We identify the causal effect of gender bias on access to finance. We extract an exogenous measure of gender bias from survey responses by descendants of US immigrants on questions about the role of women in society. We then investigate a detailed dataset on small business firms from 17 countries and find that the inherited component of gender bias is associated with gender-based discrimination in the credit market of the immigrants' country of origin. In particular, in countries with higher gender bias, female-owned firms are more frequently discouraged from applying for bank credit and are more reliant on informal finance.
Soil C:N stoichiometry controls carbon sink partitioning between above-ground tree biomass and soil organic matter in high fertility forests

Abstract: The release of organic compounds from roots is a key process influencing soil carbon (C) dynamics and nutrient availability in terrestrial ecosystems. Through this process, plants stimulate microbial activity and soil organic matter (SOM) mineralization thus releasing nitrogen (N) that sustains gross and net primary production (GPP and NPP, respectively). Root inputs also contribute to SOM formation. In this study, we quantified the annual net root-derived C input to soil (Net-Croot) across six high fertility forests using an in-growth core isotope technique. On the basis of Net-Croot, wood and coarse root biomass changes, and eddy covariance data, we quantified net belowground C sequestration. Belowground C accumulation and GPP were inversely related to soil C:N, but not to climate or stand age. Soil C content and C:N were also related to soil texture. At these high fertility sites, biomass growth did not change with soil C:N; however, biomass growth-to-GPP ratio significantly increased with increasing soil C:N. This was true for both our six forest sites and for another 23 high fertility sites selected at a global scale. We suggest that, at high fertility sites, plant N demand interacts with soil C:N stoichiometry and microbial activity, resulting in higher allocation of C to above ground tree biomass with increasing soil C:N ratio. When C:N is high, microbes have a low C use efficiency, respire more of the fresh C inputs by roots and prime SOM decomposition, thereby increasing N availability for tree uptake. Soil C sequestration would therefore decrease, whereas the extra N released during SOM decomposition can promote tree growth and ecosystem C sink allocation in aboveground biomass. Conversely, C is sequestered in soil when low soil C:N promotes microbial C use efficiency and new SOM formation and stabilization on clay particles.
Reflection and Refraction of Plane Harmonic Waves at an Interface Between Elastic Solid and Magneto-thermoelastic Diffusion Solid with Voids

The problem of the reflection and refraction phenomenon due to longitudinal and transverse waves incident obliquely at a plane interface between uniform elastic solid half-space and magneto-thermoelastic diffusive solid half-space with voids has been studied. It is found that the amplitude ratios of various reflected and refracted waves are functions of the angle of incidence and frequency of the incident wave. The amplitude ratios and energy ratios have been computed numerically for a particular model. The variations of energy ratios with angle of incidence are shown graphically.
An Advanced Framework for Verbal Communication and Nonverbal Gestures in Parent¨Cchild Interactions

A key issue in interpersonal communication is the interrelation of verbal communication and nonverbal gestures (VCNGs). This study expands the theoretical framework for VCNGs by presenting an advanced framework for VCNGs in parent¨Cchild interactions. The study explored both parents and children and explains the effect of a wide range of social and situational contexts: childi¯s sex, parenti¯s sex, socioeconomic status, and task difficulty on VCNGs. Parent¨Cchild interactions (n=160) in structured joint game sequences were filmed in their homes and analyzed using a mixed multivariate design. Findings exposed unexpected VCNGs interrelations and reciprocal patterns for parents and children. Social and situational contexts effected VCNGs significantly. The study contributes composite theoretical accounts for VCNGs from receptive and expressive perspectives.
Early Staged Cyber Incidents Detection in Critical Infrastructures

The aim of the research is to create cyber incidents early detection model based on network traffic and OS-based system analyses. Developed cyber attacks detection model is based on anomalies measurements. With the 11 selected parameters and measurement software for real-time data traffic analyze, anomalies in traffic observed during cyber-attack simulation process. For OS-based system similar approach used with 4 selected parameters and Neural-networks classification method. This measurement solution detects anomalies in parameters sets and indicates cyber incidents.
AN EMPIRICAL EXAMINATION OF THE IMPACT OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DISCLOSURE ON FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

The Indian corporate governance relationships have evolved over time as a result of both formal and informal stakeholder interactions, with changes to Clause 49 triggering a further evolutionary move in Indian corporate governance towards global benchmarks. This study seeks to gain insights into how the regulatory changes impacted corporate governance (CG) practices in India by measuring their effect on performance. We construct a "CG Compliance Index" using three important governance mechanisms for the year 2008. The analysis reveals that majority companies have complied by the regulations depicted by high CG compliance score and have a significant positive relationship between CG Compliance Index and the market measure of financial performance of companies.