Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Monitoring and Forecasting Kenya’s Fluctuating Hydroclimate

This study reviews Kenya’s fluctuating hydroclimate (3°S–4°N, 35°–40°E) and evaluates products that describe its area-averaged daily rainfall during 2008–18, monthly evaporation during 2000–18, and catchment hydrology via gauge, satellite, and model hindcast/forecast. Using the correlation of rainfall as a metric of skill we found daily satellite versus model hindcasts achieved 75%, while model forecasts at 2–6-day lead achieved 55%–58%. The daily satellite versus model soil moisture had a significant correlation (84%), and model runoff versus gauge streamflow reached 61%. A 2-day delay was noted between rainfall and streamflow response in recent flood events; however, long-range predictability was found to be poor (35%). These outcomes were considered at a local workshop, and ways to sustainably improve the real-time reporting of key hydroclimate parameters for operational data assimilation were suggested as steps toward better monitoring and forecast services in Kenya.
What Teacher Librarians Need to Know about Science Information Literacy and Second Language Learners

Science is considered a critical area within the curriculum and instruction by teachers alone is not enough to ensure success for all students. School librarians must be considered in delivering science information to students, particularly those who are second language learners. This two-year study examined the effect of teacher and librarian collaboration (TLC) on inquiry-based science information literacy of Latino students in the United States. Although no significant gains were found between Control and Intervention classes, qualitative data indicated that TLC was successful in motivating students, improving inquiry and information literacy, and understanding of science concepts. The implication is that that test scores alone do not provide a complete assessment of student learning. Factors limiting student gains included reduced science and library time, and state policies that removed second language learners from regular classroom instruction. Continued advocacy for TLC is recommended to provide students needed tools for long-term academic success.
Role of Emotions in Fine Dining Restaurant Online Reviews: The Applications of Semantic Network Analysis and a Machine Learning Algorithm

ABSTRACT This study attempts to investigate basic emotions incorporated in online reviews of fine dining Cantonese restaurants in Hong Kong and to investigate antecedents and consequences according to each emotion. This study adopts semantic network analysis and a machine learning algorithm to achieve its research objectives. A total of 2,118 reviews were used for the analysis. Five emotions – joy, sadness, disgust, surprise, and anger – accounted for 72% of prediction accuracy. Given that the five types of emotions in this study were closely associated with service, food, and reputation, the three components are considered the core elements of a fine dining restaurant experience. Results of this study imply that restaurants should understand customers’ emotion based on big data analysis. The integration of emotion theory and practical implications can provide meaningful evidence on how to capitalize on big data.
EXPERIMETAL AND NUMERICAL INVESTIGATION OF CONVECTION HEAT TRANSFER IN AN ENCLUSURE WITH A VERTICAL HEATED BLOCK AND BAFFLES

In this study, the natural and forced convection heat transfer in an enclosure with vertical heated block and baffles are experimentally and numerically investigated. The enclosure walls are kept as adiabatic, and the heating block contains extended baffles and receives heat flux. The effect of heat flux, Reynolds number and baffle configuration on the heat transfer characteristics and flow behaviour inside the enclosure is examined. The configuration parameter for natural and forced convection involves three heating block models, namely, block without baffle (plain), block with baffles and block with partially cut baffles. The widths of baffles are 2.5, 5 and 10 cm for the block with baffle case, and the width of partially cut baffle is 5 cm. The heat flux (q) ranges from 240 w/m 2 to 1425 w/m 2 for all the models. The Reynolds number (Re) ranges from 5650 to 15950 for forced convection heat transfer. In the numerical part, a finite volume method (via Ansys Fluent) is used to solve the governing equations. Result shows that the increase in baffle width has no remarkable effect on the heat transfer, and the partially cut baffles provide an enhancement of approximately 30% compared with the plain heating block. The baffle cases have an evident effect in reducing the block surface temperature by approximately 11% compared with the plain case at Re = 0 and q = 240 w/m 2 . Empirical correlations for the block with baffles are obtained for each heat flux to predict the average Nusselt number.
A nearest-neighbor-based ensemble classifier and its large-sample optimality

ABSTRACT A nonparametric approach is proposed to combine several individual classifiers in order to construct an asymptotically more accurate classification rule in the sense that its misclassification error rate is, asymptotically, at least as low as that of the best individual classifier. The proposed method uses a nearest neighbour type approach to estimate the conditional expectation of the class associated with a new observation (conditional on the vector of individual predictions). Both mechanics and the theoretical validity of the proposed approach are discussed. As an interesting byproduct of our results, it is shown that the proposed method can also be applied to any single classifier in which case the resulting new classifier will be at least as good as the original one. Several numerical examples, involving both real and simulated data, are also given. These numerical studies further confirm the superiority of the proposed classifier.
Coating performance of hexagonal boron nitride and graphene layers

The shrinking size and compact structure of modern precision equipment require ultra-thin but reliable functional coating. Few layers of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) and graphene have a dense hexagonal lattice, distinguished electrical conductivity, good lubricity, excellent thermal and chemical stability, and can be both fabricated in large area with high quality, making them ideal candidates for atomically thin multifunctional coatings. In this review, we summarize the performance of h-BN and graphene coatings from four aspects, anti-corrosion and anti-oxidation, wetting, lubrication and electromagnetic interference shielding. Possible failure routes for their long term protection against oxidation and corrosion are comprehensively discussed, accompanying with the optimization routes. We further suggest prospects for developments of h-BN and graphene coatings.
Determination of metformin in plasma samples by HPLC-DAD based on plasma derivatization and precipitation with acetic anhydride

A simple procedure is presented based on simultaneous plasma deproteinization and derivatization with acetic anhydride for the determination of metformin in human plasma by liquid chromatography. The analyte and the internal standard (methyl biguanidine) remained unchanged after the derivatization reaction, and are soluble in the final supernatant. An ion-pair mechanism was applied for their separation and ultraviolet detection was carried out at 232 nm. Elution was achieved with a mobile phase consisting in 21% acetonitrile and 79% aqueous component (containing 0.01 moles/L sodium octanesulphonate brought to pH = 2.5 with H 3 PO 4 ), at a flow-rate of 1 mL/min. A double end capped, 5 microns particle size Inertsil ODS-2 stationary phase (150 mm length, 4.6 mm internal diameter column) was used. Detection limit of 32.5 ppb was obtained. The procedure was applied to a bioequivalence study (22 healthy volunteers) of two drugs containing 850 mg metformin.
Simulation of autonomous truck for minimizing asphalt pavement distresses

The improvement of the pavement performance by different means is essential for the smooth movement of autonomous trucks (ATs). This study focuses on minimising the pavement distress by controlling vehicular loading distribution pattern (wander), traffic distribution on lanes (lane sharing) of a road, and limiting the running duration of AT to low-temperature time only. Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Software, AASHTOWare, was incorporated in this research to analyze and then minimise the generation of asphalt pavement distress from autonomous truck loading. Different loading distribution patterns and traffic distribution of autonomous trucks were devised in AASHTOWare using the load equivalency factor (LEF) and lane distribution factors. Using multilayer elastic theory, LEFs were calculated for fatigue cracking and rutting separately. The acquired performances clearly showed significant improvement in pavement distress for a small increase of standard deviation of wheel wander and uniform distribution of traffic loading and for equally distributed ATs on the road lanes. In addition, an attempt has been made to optimise pavement distress in putting all ATs in a low-temperature duration of a day. Placing all ATs in a certain period of a day is beneficial for reducing asphalt pavement distresses and can bring a fruitful solution to prevent the early deterioration of the pavements.
Does intergenerational leadership hinder the realization of innovation potential? A resource orchestration perspective

ABSTRACT This study examines the impact of intergenerational leadership on innovative capability and business performance. Applying a resource orchestration perspective to data from 531 family businesses in China, the results suggest that innovative capability is positively related to growth performance of family businesses. Furthermore, family businesses in solo control by one generation demonstrate a higher positive relationship between innovative capability and performance than those jointly controlled by two generations. This suggests that intergenerational leadership hampers the realization of the potential of innovation.
Effects of loading rate, applied shear strain, and magnetic field on stress relaxation behavior of anisotropic magnetorheological elastomer

Abstract Experimental research and numerical computation of stress relaxation behavior of an anisotropic magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) have been conducted in this paper. The anisotropic MRE has been formed from silicone matrix and micro-sized carbonyl iron particles under a magnetic field. Stress relaxation response of the anisotropic MRE was examined by single- and multi-step relaxation tests in shear mode using double-lap shear specimens. The effects of loading rate, applied constant strain, and external magnetic field on the stress relaxation behavior of the anisotropic MRE were studied. Experimental results showed that the stress relaxation of the anisotropic MRE was slightly dependent on the loading rate, but strongly depended on the constant strain level and the magnitude of external magnetic field. When increasing the constant strain level the shear stress of the anisotropic MRE in the single-step relaxation enhanced, while the relaxation modulus declined. The shear stress and modulus of the anisotropic MRE in the relaxation periods increased with increasing the magnetic field intensity. The four-parameter fractional derivative Zener model was used to describe the stress relaxation behavior of the anisotropic MRE. The presented model was fitted well to experimental data of the anisotropic MRE in both single- and multi-step relaxation tests. The fittings of relaxation modulus and shear stress with long-term predictions for the anisotropic MRE are in a very good agreement with the experimental ones. The maximal relative error of the fitted curves compared with measured data for both relaxation modulus and shear stress is less than 5.0%. As a result, the presented model is applicable to predict the long-term stress relaxation behavior of the anisotropic MRE.
An integrated framework for supplier selection and performance evaluation for apparel retail industry

Supplier evaluation, including supplier selection and performance evaluation, has become a critical issue for apparel retailers within the apparel supply chain dealing with severe competition in the global market. An effective evaluation of suppliers requires considering both the quantitative and qualitative performance aspects and integrating the efficiency measurement. In an attempt to address this issue, this study proposes an integrated framework that can handle supplier selection and overall performance evaluation in a comprehensive but feasible manner. The proposed integrated framework customized for apparel retailers combines the current techniques having specific capabilities: data envelopment analysis (DEA), analytical hierarchy process (AHP), and the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS). DEA has been used to make the overall performance evaluation, whereas AHP and TOPSIS have been used in combination to provide the quantitative data required by DEA. The proposed integrated framework was implemented and verified using numerical data gathered from a global apparel retailer. The findings revealed that suppliers can be more successful when they put a balanced effort into improving their performance in regards to the important criteria instead of concentrating on only the most important criterion. Moreover, the overall performance evaluation can be much more convenient and rewarding for apparel retailers in terms of finding out the true potential of suppliers when quantitative and qualitative data and efficiency measurements are taken into account at the same time.
Phylogenetic, phenotypic and host range characterization of five Fusarium species isolated from chickpea in Alberta, Canada

Abstract Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is an important food legume worldwide, providing a source of high-quality protein. Fifteen chickpea samples showing leaf yellowing and root rot were obtained from southern Alberta, Canada, in 2018. Twenty single-spore Fusarium isolates were obtained from those samples. Based on the morphological characteristics, five species of Fusarium were identified, with F. redolens as the predominant species (11 isolates), followed by F. culmorum (3), F. sporotrichioides (3), F. oxysporum (2) and F. equiseti (1). The identification of each isolate was confirmed using partial sequences of the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (EF-1α) gene. Each EF-1α sequence displayed 99.54% to 100% similarity to sequences for each corresponding species in the GenBank database. The Fusarium isolates were tested for pathogenicity on chickpea ‘CDC Frontier’ in a greenhouse. Isolates recovered from inoculated plants were confirmed as the respective Fusarium species, fulfiling Koch’s postulates. Selected isolates of each Fusarium species were able to infect common crops including barley, corn, canola, and lentil in Alberta. This is the first report of F. redolens on chickpea in Alberta, F. equiseti on chickpea in Canada, and F. culmorum and F. sporotrichioides on chickpea in the world.
Furfurylation of tropical wood species with and without silver nanoparticles: Part I: Analysis with confocal laser scanning microscopy and FTIR spectroscopy

ABSTRACT This work focused on the upgrading of non-durable tropical wood species originating from fast-growing plantations of Costa Rica. Modification of such tropical woods with furfuryl alcohol, although has not been broadly studied up to date, offers a potential way to increase their low durability. The purpose of this research was to investigate the modification effects on cell wall, vessels wall, radial and axial parenchyma using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) as well as the changes in the bands of chemical composition using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). In fact, nine tropical wood species such as Cedrela odorata, Cordia alliodora, Enterolobium cyclocarpum, Gmelina arborea, Hieronyma alchorneoides, Samanea saman, Tectona grandis, Vochysia ferruginea and Vochysia guatemalensis were treated with plain furfuryl alcohol (FA), and furfuryl alcohol combined with silver nanoparticles (FA-NPsAg). Furfurylation effects were also assessed by the weight percentage gain (WPG) of wood. Results showed that WPG varied from 14.4% to 44.3% with the FA treatment, and from 12.9% to 44.5% with the FA-NPsAg treatment. In the species which exhibited a WPG over 25% with the FA treatment, fluorescence at 600 nm band occurred mostly in the cell walls of fibres, while the furfurylation degree in radial and axial parenchyma was limited. Moreover, furfurylation occurred in lesser extent in wood species with high abundance of axial parenchyma as revealed by fluorescence. Wood species such as Vochysia ferruginea, Vochysia guatemalensis, Cedrela odorata, Samanea saman, Enterolobium cyclocarpum, which showed WPGs>25%, evidenced considerable changes in the lignin structure as observed in the FTIR spectra. In particular, with the FA treatment, the changes were observed in the bands of 1711, 1652, 1561, 889, 796 and 733 cm–1, whereas, with the FA-NPsAg treatment, the changes occurred in the bands of 1711, 1505, 1426, 1370, 1224 and 1016 cm–1. Overall, no significant difference was found in FTIR spectra and anatomical fluorescence between the FA and FA-NPsAg treatment, probably because the NPsAg concentration was insufficient for a change to occur in the bonds.
THE IMPACT OF RISK INDICATORS ON SUSTAINABILITY(ESG) AND BROAD-BASED INDICES: AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS FROM GERMANY, FRANCE, INDONESIA AND TURKEY

This study aims to provide empirical insights into how sustainability (ESG) and broad-based indices are affected by risk indicators such as VIX, CDS, and FX volatility index. Germany ESG-X, CDAX, France ESG-X, CAC All, Indonesia SRI-KEHATI, IDX Composite, BIST (Borsa Istanbul) Sustainability, and BIST All price indices have been examined. The daily data between November 4, 2014, and December 5, 2019 are used. Vector autoregression (VAR), Granger causality and impulse response test are employed in the analysis. The results of the study revealed that companies which are included in the Germany ESG-X, France ESG-X, and SRI-KEHATI are affected by shocks less than the companies included in broad-based indices of each country. In contrast to this result, BIST Sustainability is affected more by the shocks than BIST All. Stocks with higher ESG exposure in terms of quantity, quality, and credibility tend to have a lower risk. Causality test results revealed that VIX causes broad-based and ESG indices more than any other risk indicators.
Wheat Root and Rhizosphere Microbiome Structures and Functions Along Plant Growth

Background Roots select their associated microbiome and affect its composition and activities through exudates that provide a nutrient-rich environment based on distance from the root. Root-exudation patterns depend on the plant's developmental stage. We followed field-grown wheat from emergence to spike maturation and compared the structure and functions of the microbiomes in two niches: adjacent, root-associated bacteria and the rhizosphere. The effects of growth stage on root-associated and rhizospheric communities structure and functions were investigated to enhance our understanding of plant–microbe interactions. Results A significant impact of wheat developmental stage during the transition from vegetative growth to spike formation was observed on structure and functions of both root-associated and rhizosphere microbiomes. On the root surface, abundance of the well-known wheat colonizers Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria decreased and increased, respectively, during spike formation, whereas abundance of Bacteroidetes was independent of spike formation. Three microbiome functional clusters were specifically associated with root proximity: (1) biofilm and sensorial movement; (2) antibiotic production and resistance; and (3) carbon biosynthesis, degradation and transporters, and amino acid biosynthesis and transporters. Interestingly, in the root-associated microbiome, genes related to all of these functions were influenced by spike formation. Abundance of genes related to nine other functions (lipopolysaccharide transporter and biosynthesis, beta-lactam resistance, metabolism of methane, alanine-aspartate-glutamate and arginine-proline, and biosynthesis of peptidoglycan, lysine and enediyne antibiotics) was significantly influenced by spike formation in both roots and rhizosphere. All of these genes were abundant in the rhizosphere, more so before spike formation when root exudation is high, supporting the notion that some of the root exudates are not fully utilized by the root-associated bacteria and subsequently diffuse into the surrounding soil, creating the rhizosphere. Conclusions We demonstrated functional division in the microbiome of the wheat root zone in both time and space: pre- and post-spike formation and root-associated vs. rhizospheric niches. The responses of the root microbiome were driven by both the plant and the microbial physiology and activities, both of which respond to environmental cues. These findings shed light on the dynamics of plant–microbe and microbe–microbe interactions in the root zone.
A Longitudinal Study of the Bladder Cancer Applying a State-Space Model with Non-Exponential Staying Time in States

A longitudinal study for 847 bladder cancer patients for a period of fifteen years is presented. After the first surgery, the patients undergo successive ones (recurrences). A state-model is selected for analyzing the evolution of the cancer, based on the distribution of the times between recurrences. These times do not follow exponential distributions, and are approximated by phase-type distributions. Under these conditions, a multidimensional Markov process governs the evolution of the disease. The survival probability and mean times in the different states (levels) of the disease are calculated empirically and also by applying the Markov model, the comparison of the results indicate that the model is well-fitted to the data to an acceptable significance level of 0.05. Two sub-cohorts are well-differenced: those reaching progression (the bladder is removed) and those that do not. These two cases are separately studied and performance measures calculated, and the comparison reveals details about the characteristics of the patients in these groups.
Why Am I the Only One You’re Talking to, Talk to Them, They Haven’t Said a Word?

Abstract Children with conduct disorders are at risk of being positioned in the family therapy as ‘the problem’. This study describes how the difficulties were talked about and how the child coped in this situation. The results showed: the parents produced symptom-oriented problem talk about the child’s behavior, rendering systemic reformulation of the problem challenging. The negative interaction made the climate unsafe and impaired consideration of the child’s behavior as a meaningful way for the child to become seen and heard. This study enriches understanding of the therapeutic challenge therapists face with high-risk families from the very beginning of the treatment.