Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Study on the Correlation between Consumer Ethnocentrism and Demographic Factors in Ch ina Based on a Broader Samples Including Rural Population

Many scholars examined CE measured with CESCALE among different countries and their antecedents and consequences, but the prior researches neglected the people living in countryside which restricted applicability of their research findings. This paper focuses on researching the correlation between consumer ethnocentrism level of Chinese people and the demographic segmentation variables adopting samples from the whole Shandong province including the people living in cities and countryside. The paper put forward five hypotheses and tested them accordingly. Two independent samples test and One-way ANOVA technique were applied. Hypothesis1 tested the reliability and validity of CESCALE and found it was valid and reliable to use the CETSCALE to make further analysis. Hypothesis2 through Hypothesis5 tested the correlations between consumer ethnocentrism and gender, age, income and educational level respectively and the findings revealed that gender and income had no correlation with CE, age had positive correlation with CE and educational level had negative correlation with CE in China. But on the variables of age and educational level, the people in some groups did have differences, but the differences were not significant. International marketers should be cautious on deciding segmentation variables and application of these variables. Keywords-consumer ethnocentrism; demographic factors; CETSCALE; rural samples; market segmentation
Designing a Framework for Network Security Protection

— As the Internet continues to grow at a rapid pace as the primary medium for communications and commerce and as telecommunication networks and systems continue to expand their global reach, digital information has become the most popular and important information resource and our dependence upon the underlying cyber infrastructure has been increasing significantly. Unfortunately, as our dependency has grown, so has the threat to the cyber infrastructure from spammers, attackers and criminal enterprises. In this paper, we propose a new machine learning based network intrusion detection framework for cyber security. The detection process of the framework consists of two stages: model construction and intrusion detection. In the model construction stage, a semi-supervised machine learning algorithm is applied to a collected set of network audit data to generate a profile of normal network behavior and in the intrusion detection stage, input network events are analyzed and compared with the patterns gathered in the profile, and some of them are then flagged as anomalies should these events are sufficiently far from the expected normal behavior. The proposed framework is particularly applicable to the situations where there is only a small amount of labeled network training data available, which is very typical in real world network environments.
Bacterial ACC Deaminase Activity in Promoting Plant Growth on Areas Contaminated with Heavy Metals

The objective of this study was to explore the possible improvement of plant growth using the activity of the bacterial enzyme ACC (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate) deaminase (endophytes and rhizobacteria). The beneficial effect of ACC deaminase activity was tested on the plants growing under stress conditions (high concentrations of heavy metals: cadmium, lead, zinc in the soil). The bacteria were isolated from three plants species: Festuca rubra L. , Agrostis capillaris L. , Arabidopsis thaliana L. Heynh, acquired from the area contaminated with heavy metals. The strains with the highest ACC deaminase activity were used to prepare a bacterial consortium and inoculate the plants. It has been shown that inoculation of plants with ACC producing bacteria has a positive effect on their growth under stress conditions. The bacterial entophytes strains showed a higher activity of ACC deaminase, which resulted in a higher biomass growth of inoculated plants. The PGPB bacteria may limit the toxicity of harmful ions and thus the increase the adaptive properties of plants. Moreover, it was discovered that the bacteria mainly belonging to genus Bacillus and Pseudomonas had the highest ACC deaminase activity in the environment contaminated with multiple heavy metals. The use of selected microorganisms and plants will provide results in an increasing efficiency of phytoremediation.
Exciton-migration and three-pulse femtosecond optical spectroscopies of photosynthetic antenna complexes

A theory for four-wave-mixing signals from molecular aggregates, which includes effects of two-exciton states, static disorder, and coupling to a phonon bath with an arbitrary spectral density, is developed. The third-order polarization is rigorously partitioned into a coherent and a sequential contribution. The latter is given by a sum of an exciton-hopping and a ground state (bleaching) terms, both expressed using the doorway-window representation. Applications are made to photon-echo and pump-probe spectroscopies of the B850 system of the LH2 antenna in purple bacteria.
Compressible simulation of high-speed hydrodynamics with phase change

The present paper focuses on a numerical approach based on the Riemann problem to simulate liquid flows with phase changes. Thereby, the flow properties include velocities from O(1) m/s to O(100) m/s and pressures from p approx 0 bar to O(1000) bar. The thermal and caloric behavior of liquid and vapor will be described by suitable equations of state that keep the considered governing equations hyperbolic in time. This enables us to study single-phase as well as two-phase wave propagation phenomena, which can have strong effects on the performance of dynamic systems, e.g. on high-speed hydrodynamics in injection nozzles or in high pressure valves. Our physical model is based on the assumption that the two-phase regime can be described as a homogeneous mixture that remains in thermodynamic and mechanical equilibrium. This model provides a macroscopic description of the phase change and is independent of empirical parameters. Subsequent to the description of the mathematical model and the numerical method, computations are carried out to demonstrate the accuracy and applicability of the numerical scheme to liquid flows for a large variety of industrial problems. Finally, the simulation results of the time-dependent cavitating flow through a 3-D injection nozzle will be presented.
Restructuring the agri-food value chains in post-socialistic Balkans

Like most of the Western-Balkan countries, the Former Yugoslav Republic (FYR) of Macedonia experienced significant difficulties in adapting and modernizing its agricultural production in accordance to the highly competitive regional and EU markets. By examining the dairy value chain of the FYR Macedonia, this thesis presents the challenges and changes in the organizational and institutional setting of the agri-food value chains in post-socialist Balkan countries. Various theoretical approaches are applied to assess the competitiveness levels on each segment in the industry, as well as to characterize the institutional environment, the governance and the organizational structure, and the overall level of development and competitive prospects. A general conclusion of this thesis is that the dairy industry in FYR Macedonia is still under its competitive potentials. The institutional setting and governance, as well the organization of the chain, and the market structure and level of modernization, indicate that the dairy industry in the country requires further modernization and consolidation in order to reach its competitiveness potentials on both domestic and international markets. The findings of this study are valuable for the actors in the dairy supply chain, since they provide information of each actor’s position in the supply chain, the market structure, and the development of the chain in general. Two main contributions of this study are the analysis of contracts and the social network, both based on primary data collected from farmers in the FYR Macedonia. The analysis of contractual arrangements with dairies shows that transaction costs are main determinants of the choice of contracts. The analysis of the Social Network, in which the patterns of activation of social capital can contribute to finding a solution to the problems with the functioning of the farm associations and cooperatives in countries with similar socialistic background. The conclusions of these studies can be extended to other countries wedged in a long transition, and could easily transfer to the experiences in the countries from the Western Balkan region.
Standardized Architecture for Conversational Agents a.k.a. ChatBots

— The emergence of new technologies, such as Siri, Alexa, Cortana and Google Now which are powered by natural language processing and speech recognition programs, are driving users away from mobile-first to voice-first interactions. Also, due to the rise of so many platforms including Facebook Messenger, WeChat, Skype, LINE, Viber, Telegram, Slack, Google Home and Amazon Echo, it is evident, that this disruptive technology of ChatBots will soon become omnipresent and we cannot avoid it. So the sooner we standardize the architecture and frameworks used to implement the ChatBot solutions, the better it would be for the benefit of all. This paper describes and proposes, a generic standardized architecture for design and implementation of custom ChatBot solutions.
Evaluating the Effects of the Oasis Enrichment Model on Gifted Education: A Meta-Analysis Study

The current study aimed at evaluating the effects of enrichment programs based upon the Oasis Enrichment Model (OEM) on various dimensions of gifted education in Saudi Arabia. The researchers reviewed 35 studies selected according to the following criteria: (A) the enrichment programs were based upon the Oasis Enrichment Model, (B) the studies were published between 2009 to 2011, (C) the studies dealt with the primary, intermediate, or secondary grades, (D) the studies used pull-out method or summer enrichment programs for gifted students, (F) the studies included experimental and control groups or experimental groups only, (G) males and/or females, and (H) studies that reported effect sizes or provided data which allowed the researchers to calculate the effect size in their results. The studies included 2048 (1719 male and 329 female) students. Participants were from three stages: 644 students from the primary stage, 721 students from the intermediate stage, and 683 students from the secondary stage. The results indicated that enrichment programs based on the OEM had statistically significant positive effects on the variables of analytical abilities, creative abilities, thinking skills, critical thinking, future problem solving, attitude to learning, motivation, decision making, content of knowledge, classroom performance, and personal and social traits, while there was no statistically significant effect of these programs on the variable of integrated science processes.
A new differentially weighted operator splitting Monte Carlo method for aerosol dynamics

Monte Carlo method is a stochastic scheme which replicates the formation, transport and dynamic behaviour of simulation particles with stochastic method. It is based on probabilities rather than solving directly the general dynamic equation. Differentially weighted Monte Carlo method is quite efficient and more practical than using the concept of each simulation particle being equally weighted with a number of real particles. In the present study, a new differentially weighted operator splitting Monte Carlo (DWOSMC) method is developed. In order to increase the computational efficiency of simulating the aerosol processes (i.e., nucleation, coagulation and condensation), an operator splitting technique is used to combine stochastic and deterministic methods. This new DWOSMC method is fully validated through four typical cases considering different aerosol dynamic processes. The results obtained from DWOSMC method agree well with the analytical solutions, which proves very high computational efficiency and accuracy of using DWOSMC method in solving simultaneous aerosol dynamic processes.
LINKAGES AMONG CORPORATE GOVERNANCE,MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING PRACTICE AND ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE: EVIDENCE FROM A SOUTHEAST ASIAN COUNTRY

This paper applies a Difference-in-Difference method and Sobel’s procedure to examine the complex relationships among corporate governance, management accounting practice and organizational performance, and finds out that the organizations with the majority of independent directors and the leadership separation most likely adopt management accounting practices and as a result achieve the most enhanced performance. In contrast, those with the minority of independent directors and the leadership combination least likely adopt management accounting practices, which leads to the least enhanced performance. Furthermore, it also offers evidence on the mediation of adopting management accounting practices in the effect of corporate governance on organizational performance. The findings can help business managers with building effective management accounting systems, which fit their firm’s structures of corporate governance, so that they can achieve the possible best success.
DETECTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF MICROBES CAUSING STUNTED GROWTH IN COMMERCIAL BROILERS

The study was conducted to isolate and characterize the microbes causing stunted growth in commercial broilers from Vai-Vai Poultry Farm (Kornai, Katapara, Dinajpur), Israfil Poultry Farm (Basherhat, Dinajpur), Guljar Poultry Farm (North Sibrampur, Dinajpur) and Maa Poultry Farm (Nayanpur, Dinajpur), during the period from January 2011 to July 2011. A total of 158 samples comprising dead birds, sick birds, litter, droppings, poultry feed and drinking water were collected among them 56 (n= 56) positive samples were isolated for this study from commercial broilers and subjected to primary isolation by propagating in nutrient broth followed by culture on selective media Brilliant Green Agar, Salmonella-Shigella Agar, Eosin Methylene Blue Agar and Sabourauds Dextrose Agar media. Gram's staining techniques were performed. Biochemical properties of the isolates were studied and reaction in TSI agar slant was also observed. Among the 56 positive isolates 9 isolates were found positive for Fungi, 37 isolates were found positive for E. coli and 26 isolates were found to be positive for Salmonella spp. that are the casual factors for stunted growth in commercial broilers. Among them 16 isolates were found mixed infection with Salmonella spp. and E. coli also included in both prevalence. The prevalence of Fungi, E. coli and Salmonella spp. were recorded as 16.07%, 66.07% and 46.42% respectively. Among the microbes isolated Escherichia coli was determined as predominant bacteria (66.07%) causing stunted growth in commercial broilers than Salmonella spp. (46.42%) and Fungi (16.07%). Litter and dropping samples were the highest sources of contamination than tracheal swabs. Fungal samples were isolated from feed, litter and drinking water samples and the prevalence of Fungi were recorded as lowest (16.07%) than other microbes causing stunted growth than Escherichia coli (66.07%) and Salmonella spp. (46.42%). DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3329/bjvm.v10i1-2.15643
VALIDITY ISSUES IN ACCOMMODATING READING TESTS

National Assessments seeks to include all students in the sampling frame from which students are selected to participate in the assessment. However, some students with disabilities (SWD) are either unable to take tests under standard testing conditions or are unable to perform at their best under standard testing conditions. In many testing situations, accommodations to standard testing conditions are given to SWD to improve measurement of their knowledge, skills and abilities. This practice is in the pursuit of more valid test score interpretation; however, it produces the ultimate psychometric oxymoron – an accommodated standardized test. In this paper, I review validity issues related to test accommodations and summarize some empirical studies in this area. The focus of the paper is on accommodations for reading tests because some types of accommodations on these tests are particularly controversial. The specific accommodations emphasized in this review are extended time and oral (read-aloud) accommodations. A review of professional standards, validity theory, and recent empirical research in this area suggests that extended time accommodations may be appropriate for reading tests, but read-aloud accommodations are likely to alter the construct measured. Suggestions for determining when to provide accommodations and how to report scores from accommodated test administrations are provided.
Aqueous extract of Bowdichia virgilioides stem bark inhibition of allergic inflammation in mice

This study evaluated the anti-allergenic properties of the aqueous extract of the stem bark from Bowdichia virgilioides (AEBv). Oral administration of AEBv inhibited the plasma protein leakage at 30 min post allergenic challenge in Swiss mice actively sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA). AEBv inhibited OVA-induced histamine release in vitro in tissues obtained from sensitized mice. AEBv-treated mice exhibited a lower influx of neutrophils and eosinophils in allergen-induced pleurisy 24 h post OVA-challenge. This treatment also reduced tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α content in the pleural effluent. Furthermore, AEBv treatment drastically inhibited the high levels of interleukin (IL)-5 and CC chemokine eotaxin (CCL11) mRNA expression in pleural leukocytes after OVA-challenge. Preliminary toxic effects were assessed, and a qualitative phytochemical profile was performed. The extract contained condensate tannins, flavonoids, saponins, and steroids but not triterpenes and alkaloids. Oral treatment with AEBv did not induce signs of systemic toxicity or genotoxic effects. These results demonstrated that AEBv is a potent inhibitor of contributors to the allergic inflammatory response, supporting its use in folk medicine to treat allergic conditions. Key words: Bowdichia virgilioides, allergy, inflammation, natural product.
Competitive reactions to personal selling : the difference between strategic and tactical actions

A recurring question facing managers is how (if at all) to react to competitive actions. In this research the authors distinguish between reactions to competing strategic and competing tactical actions, different from prior homogeneous definitions of competitive actions. Using a unique, single-source dataset of personal selling interactions between firms and customers covering fourteen drug categories, the authors shows that substantial differences in reactions exist. In particular, strategic actions elicit competitive responses with stronger short- and long-term consequences compared to tactical actions. Furthermore, while the decision to react to competing strategic actions is always warranted, this is not the case for a substantial amount of tactical actions, where firms retaliate with an ineffective marketing instrument, or accommodate with an effective marketing instrument. This divide between actions is further exacerbated in the strength of the reactions that we observe: stronger or weaker reactions to strategic actions occur in line with theoretical expectations, whereas reactions to tactical actions often are not. Based on these findings, the authors suggest directions to improve decision maker’s reactions to competing tactical actions
Development of Tools to Calculate the Vibroacoustic Performance of Electrical Machines in Lift Installations

Improper operation of the traction machine of a lift installation causes energy waste, vibrations and noise. The design of the machine must be optimum if energy efficiency and comfort specifications have to be satisfied. The vibrations and noise frequency spectra of electrical machines present manifest peaks at certain frequencies, multiples of the fundamental electrical frequency, that depend on the machine topology and its rotation velocity. Changes in its topology or in its mechanical properties (geometry, size, materials…) must be done in order to reduce the magnitude of peaks at certain excitation frequencies or to locate the excitation frequencies far from the natural frequencies of the structure or the lift installation. Machine designers need tools to calculate their vibroacoustic response once a certain design has been proposed, so they can modify it before a prototype is built in case the response is not acceptable. Numerical and analytical models to calculate the vibroacoustic response of electrical machines have been developed and experimentally validated. In this paper, the authors summarise the state of the art in modelling the vibroacoustic performance of electrical machines, provide some guidelines regarding the values to be assigned to the machine componets, and show some of the results obtained in their research work.
An analysis of ambiguity detection techniques for Software Requirements Specification (SRS)

Ambiguity is the major problem in Software Requirements Specification (SRS) documents because most of the SRS documents are writ-ten in natural language and natural language is generally ambiguous. There are various types of techniques that have been used to detect ambiguity in SRS documents. Based on an analysis of the existing work, the ambiguity detection techniques can be categorized into three approaches: (1) manual approach, (2) semi-automatic approach using natural language processing, (3) semi-automatic approach using machine learning. Among them, one of the semi-automatic approaches that uses the Naive Bayes (NB) text classification technique obtained high accuracy and performed effectively in detecting ambiguities in SRS.
Characterization and correction of relative humidity measurements from Vaisala RS80-A radiosondes at cold temperatures

Abstract Radiosonde relative humidity (RH) measurements are known to be unreliable at cold temperatures. This study characterizes radiosonde RH measurements from Vaisala RS80-A thin-film capacitive sensors in the temperature range 0° to −70°C. Sources of measurement error are identified, and two approaches for correcting the errors are presented. The corrections given in this paper apply only to the Vaisala RS80-A sensor, although the RS80-H sensor is briefly discussed for comparison. A temperature-dependent correction factor is derived from statistical analysis of simultaneous RH measurements from RS80-A radiosondes and the NOAA cryogenic frostpoint hygrometer. The mean RS80-A measurement error is shown to be a dry bias that increases with decreasing temperature, and the multiplicative correction factor is about 1.3 at −35°C, 1.6 at −50°C, 2.0 at −60°C, and 2.4 at −70°C. The fractional uncertainty in the mean of corrected measurements, when large datasets are considered statistically, increases from 0.06.
AN IDEAL GAS FINITE ELEMENT FOR INSULATING GLASS UNITS

The structural behaviour of the insulating glass units (IGU) subjected to external and internal loads is complicated and not very well modelled in practice because of the complex interaction between the glass plates and the gas trapped inside the unit. The complexity is enhanced further when IGU with different shapes and curved glasses are used. There are no efficient methods for their stress analysis and the most of the conventional FEA programs are not suitable for solving the problem. The aim of this work is to develop efficient computational model for IGU calculations with complex geometry under transverse loading. The glass layers are in bending, so that some plate theory can be applied in a plate finite element. The gas in the cavity is in hydrostatic pressure and obeys Clapeyron’s ideal gas law. It does not resist shear deformations and a linear model for the volumetric strain can be used to describe its behaviour. The element is proposed for static loading and can be used for modelling of triple IGU.