Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Human Resource Management Practices as an Antecedent of Employee Performance

The practitioners and academicians in the business arena are highly concern about the enhancement of employee performance in this competitive age for achievement of business goals. Considering the issue, this study aimed to measure the influence of Human Resource Management (HRM) practices on the performance of employees. The data of this study have been collected from 392 on-the-job operational level employees using survey method who are working at different garment factories in Bangladesh. The collected data are analyzed through structural equation modeling to partial least square method. The study empirically proves that employee training and development, promotion opportunity, and job security has significant influence on the employees’ performance. Theoretically, this study proves that training and development, job security and promotion opportunity together influence on the performance of employees in the developing economy. The practitioners and policy makers of the organizations are expected to make necessary adjustments in their existing HRM practices based on the findings of this study in the context of Bangladesh for enhancing the employees’ performance level so that their whole-hearted efforts can be gained for the achievement of business goals.
Coordination between Radio and Computing Schedulers in Cloud-RAN

Cloud Radio Access Network is a promising mobile network architecture. It is based on decoupling Base Band Units (BBUs) from Radio Remote Units (RRUs) and on centralizing the baseband processing of many Radio Remote Heads (RRHs) in a BBU pool. Such architecture paves the way for many improvements in mobile networks such as increased flexibility, increased energy efficiency, reduced operational costs, and better user experience. However, as computing resources are shared among the RRHs connected to the BBU pool, it becomes increasingly challenging to schedule the processing of users’ data, especially on overloaded BBU pools, while respecting the time constraints imposed by the Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) mechanism. In fact, the amount of time required to process users’ data is heavily dependent on radio parameters such as Modulation Coding Scheme index (MCS). In this paper, we propose to enable the coordination between radio and computing resources schedulers; such coordination allows the radio scheduler to adjust users’ MCS indexes (i.e., which in turns adjusts the processing time), so that the computing resources scheduler can also schedule the processing of users’ data on the BBU pool while respecting the HARQ-deadline. We propose three Integer Linear Programming (ILP)-based schemes and three low-complexity heuristics, and we evaluate the performance with respect to different performance metrics. The simulation results reveal the benefits of coordination solutions; especially, in terms of reducing the wasted transmission power. They also indicate for each metric the best coordination scheme that can be adopted.
A Novel Contribution for Resilient Buildings. Theoretical Fragility Curves: Interaction between Energy and Structural Behavior for Reinforced Concrete Buildings

The paper introduces a new semi-probabilistic methodology for the definition of energy fragility curves suitable for a macro-classification of building stock inspired to and coupled with the widely adopted method of seismic fragility curves. The approach is applied to the reinforced concrete residential buildings of the Italian stock. Starting from a classification according to the climatic zone and the construction period, some reference buildings in terms of building envelope typologies have been defined and simulated by means of dynamic modeling tools. Then, cumulative distributions of the probability that the primary energy consumption for heating was comparable with certain threshold values are defined according to the climatic conditions expressed with the heating degree days, which constitute the intensity measure for the fragility curves. Finally, by focusing on the interaction points between structural and energetic aspects, it is shown how these curves can be useful for decision-makers with regards to definition of importance and or the level of intervention to be made to the building envelope for improving its seismic safety and the energy quality. Indeed, non-integrated interventions are more expensive and less efficient.
NEEDED: Grassroots Leaders to Lead Systems Change Efforts that Reduce Infant Mortality

The death of an infant devastates a mother, family and community. The United States has one of the highest infant mortality rates among the world’s high income nations. Infant mortality is a key indicator of a population’s health and societal well-being, yet interventions aimed at improving societal well-being are rarely a priority when devising infant mortality reduction strategies. Historically, grassroots movements have been critical in advancing social change to improve women’s health and empowerment in marginalized communities. Understanding strategic and infrastructure elements of these grassroots movements is a critical first step to efficiently growing USA grassroots movements to address social systems associated with poor birth outcomes. We provide an analysis of the diverse array of grassroots structures and strategies utilized to improve maternal and child health outcomes. It is time for grassroots movements to form and be recognized as vital players in efforts to sustainably reduce infant mortality in the United States. It is essential to foster grassroots leaders and movements that improve long standing social structures that contribute to poor birth outcomes. The personal and community knowledge of these leaders and community members are desperately needed to save women and infants in our nation.
Modelling of the selected mechanical properties of the modern double-drum cards for manufacturing of spunlace nonwovens

Abstract The production of high-quality nonwovens, composed of polyester and viscose, depends to a large extent on the carding process of both components. Due to the complexity of the operations carried out, in the mixing, unifying and stretching of the raw materials, this process is one of the most important and is carried out on machines called carding machines. Today, carding machines are manufactured by many manufacturers and their complexity is increasing. In this article, two modern carding machines, consisting of two main drums coupled to five carding-doffer assemblies, but differing in the transmission of the fibre deck between the main drums and the mechanical performance of the operation, were submitted for comparative analysis. To this end, mathematical models of the carding process were developed and the stabilisation and delay times of the fibres in the carding process were determined; the absorption coefficients between each pair of co-working drum pairs in the carding analyses were also determined. On this basis, numerical simulations were conducted and are presented and discussed here.
‘The road less travelled’: grade-level acceleration in inclusive schools

ABSTRACT Students with high academic ability have unique educational needs. Like all students with special needs, they require evidence-based interventions to develop their potential. One recommended intervention is educational acceleration; however, some educators express concerns about this intervention, often due to worries about potential social issues. Little is known about educational acceleration in inclusive schools, where social inclusion is fostered. In this phenomenological study, we describe the experiences of young people between 17 and 28 years of age, who undertook grade-level acceleration in inclusive schools. The purpose of our study was to describe the experiences of students who moved into classes with older classmates and explore their attitudes towards grade-based acceleration. We also gathered their insights on factors to consider when deciding on acceleration. Participants expressed positive opinions about access to accelerative interventions; they emphasised the need for personalised choices and thoughtful decision making. Important considerations include the school's social climate, supports available to students, and the educational needs of the individual student.
FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IN TIMES OF COVID-19: CHILLING EFFECT IN HUNGARY AND SERBIA

New technologies have opened several risks to safety of journalists. More importantly, in the state of emergency caused by the Covid-19 outbreak, journalists and media actors have shifted their activities online more than ever, which also made them more prone to digital threats and attacks. In some regimes there are even organized intimidation campaigns against political opponents causing chilling effect and self-censorship, and jeopardizing freedom of expression in general. Hungary as a member of the European Union since 2004 and Serbia as a leading candidate to join the EU are two countries where the problems and concerns about media freedom is growing every day. The fear from the unknown during the international pandemic gave opportunity to some governments to hide their real political agendas and cover their desire for the 'good-old-fashioned' censorship. The number of countries where some kind of censorship could be found is growing every day. The authors will show two country-case-studies from Hungary and Serbia, where the leaders and the political situations are very similar and could show a (good or bad) example to other countries that would like to follow the illiberal views on media issues.
Impact of Transformer Turns Ratio on the Power Losses and Efficiency of the Wide Range Isolated Buck–Boost Converter for Photovoltaic Applications

In this paper, the impact of transformer turns ratio on the performance of the quasi-Z-source galvanically isolated DC-DC converters is studied. Embedded buck–boost functionality enables these converters to regulate the input voltage and load in a wide range, which makes them suitable for such demanding application as photovoltaic microconverters. The isolation transformer here plays a central role as its turns ratio defines the point of transition between the boost and buck modes and overall capability of the converter to regulate the input voltage in a wide range at high efficiency. The studied quasi-Z-source galvanically isolated DC-DC converter is benchmarked in terms of power loss of components and weighted power conversion efficiency for three different turns ratios of isolation transformer to achieve the best and optimized turns ratio lead to the efficient operation. Operation in a wide range of input voltage at high efficiency is the main criterion for assessing the effect of turns ratio on the efficiency of the converter. The proposed loss model and theoretical predictions of the efficiency were validated with the help of a 300 W experimental prototype of the photovoltaic microconverter based on the quasi-Z-source galvanically isolated DC-DC converter topology.
Effect of Corporate Sustainability on Corporate Reputation and Firm Performance of Companies in Thailand

This research analyzes the contribution of corporate sustainability practice on corporate reputation and firm performance of companies in Thailand. This research is based on the Triple Bottom Line framework which conceptualizes sustainability into three dimensions: environmental, social, and economic. The data were obtained from a total of 196 firms through online questionnaires surveys. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used for the data analysis. The results show that all three dimensions of corporate sustainability positively and significantly determine corporate reputation. Corporate reputation also positively and significantly determines firm performance. Lastly, corporate reputation is also found to mediates the linkage between all three dimensions of corporate sustainability practice and firm performance.
Bone cutter versus plastibell device in neonatal circumcision: A randomized trial

Background: Several techniques and devices have been described for circumcision each with its own pros and cons. The objective of this study was to compare the outcome of neonatal circumcision between bone-cutter and plastibell devices at our institution. Methods: This is a randomized trial (unregistered) conducted at the Pediatric Surgical Unit of a tertiary teaching hospital situated in a semi-urban setting, between January 2019 and December 2019. The uncircumcised neonates underwent circumcision by either bone-cutter or plastibell device. Demographic characteristics, operative time, estimated blood loss, and postoperative complications were compared. A p-value of <0.05 was considered significant. Results: The age ranged between 7 days and 30 days with a mean of 15.9±5.5 days. The mean age and weight of both groups were well matched (p >0.05). The operative time in the bone cutter technique was 4.2±0.9 minutes compared to 5.8±1.2 minutes in the plastibell device method (p 0.05). Conclusion: Operative time and blood loss were less with bone cutter compared to plastibell device. However, the complication rate, penile perception score, and Hollander wound evaluation scores were similar.
Artificial weathering of heat-treated pines from the Iberian peninsula

Samples from the two most common pines grown in Portugal (Pinus pinaster Ait) and Spain (Pinus radiata, D. Don) were heat-treated in industrial facilities in accordance with ThermoWood ® class D. For both species, the variation in surface properties, of untreated and heat-treated wood after artificial weathering from 75 to 750 h, is presented. The analysis included the determination of color, roughness, gloss, and wettability before exposure and after each artificial weathering period. Untreated woods became darker faster, while in heat-treated woods, lightness remained approximately constant until 750 h of artificial weathering. Both untreated and heat-treated wood became more reddish in the beginning of the weathering process, turning greener for longer exposure times. Untreated woods became yellower in the beginning, turning into blueish tones later. Heat-treated wood turned slightly yellower until 750 h of weathering. Gloss decreased for untreated wood with no significant changes in heat-treated wood. Despite the changes, the gloss of both untreated and heat-treated wood converged to similar values. Roughness increased for both untreated and heat-treated woods. Artificial weathering increased the wettability of heat-treated wood.
Accrual adjustment: applying the Modified Jones model to selected companies listed on the stock exchanges in Poland and Chile

Purpose: Information from the accounting system should secure the proper development o f business and the capital markets. On the other hand, fraud in the accounting sphere significantly distorts the image of an economic unit, which directly affects the level of social trust, as the trust of the interests of the recipients of financial statements is violated. On a global scale, such activities are developing rapidly. The aim of the article is to try to identify accrual adjustments as an accounting tool using the modified Jones model in Polish and Chilean listed companies. Methodology/approach: A modified Jones model was used to study accrual adjustments. The research sample consisted of 30 selected business entities listed on the stock exchange in Poland and Chile that published financial statements in accordance with IAS/IFRS between 2013 and 2017. In total, 60 listed companies were surveyed. Findings: Poland makes accrual adjustments to lower its operating result, while Chilean economic operators rely on accrual adjustments to increase their operating results. Chilean economic operators show a greater dispersion of discretionary accrual adjustments. Therefore, they show more cases of accounting manipulations than Polish companies. Research limitations: The main limitation of the study was the number of companies and the period covered by the study. Originality/value: In the authors' opinion, no studies have been conducted that compare the two countries, Poland and Chile.
Why Is the Terrestrial Water Storage in Dryland Regions Declining? A Perspective Based on Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Satellite Observations and Noah Land Surface Model With Multiparameterization Schemes Model Simulations

Drylands cover over 40% of the global land area and are home to more than 2 billion humans. Here, we use the terrestrial water storage (TWS) anomaly data derived from GRACE satellites to assess water storage changes globally and find that drylands lost ~15.9 ± 9.1 mm of water between April 2002 and January 2017. The TWS trends are more significant and apparent in dry regions than in humid regions. The decrease in TWS occurred mainly in hyperarid and arid regions. Exact causes to the observed declines in TWS remain elusive due to anthropogenic water withdrawals, atmospheric demand (potential evapotranspiration, PET) in contrast to supply (precipitation, P) caused by the warming, and terrestrial ecohydrological responses. Therefore, we use a process‐based model forced by climate data to interpret the causes over three selected dryland regions showing the strongest drying trends. We find that the modeled TWS without considering anthropogenic water withdrawals explains most of the declining GRACE TWS over the southwestern North America (NA) and Middle East but underestimates the drying trend over North China. This suggests that TWS declines in the southwestern NA and the Middle East were primarily driven by the contrast between atmospheric demand and supply, whereas anthropogenic water withdrawals may have played a relatively more dominant role in TWS declines over North China. Additional model experiments indicate that terrestrial ecohydrological processes that help extract deep substrate water are critical for providing water supply additional to precipitation to sustain ET in the drying drylands at decadal scales.
Dietary supplementation with manganese and selenium offer protection against cadmium-induced oxidative damage to rat liver and kidney

The present study determined the effect of pre-supplementation with manganese (Mn) and selenium (Se) on biomarkers of oxidative stress in the liver and kidneys of rats exposed to a mild dose of cadmium. Sixteen Male Wistar strain rats (180-200 g b. wt) were divided into four groups (control, Cd alone, Mn + Se + Cd and Mn + Se). The rats used as the control received a normal rat diet and tap water throughout the study while the Cd alone rats received a normal rat diet and then exposed to a single daily oral dose of cadmium (3 mg CdCl2/kg) in drinking water for three days. Mn + Se + Cd rats were pretreated with Mn (3 mg MnCl2/kg/day) and Se (3mg SeO2/kg/day) for seven days and thereafter received a single daily oral dose of cadmium (3 mg CdCl2/kg) in drinking water for three days while Mn + Se rats were exposed to only Mn (3 mg MnCl2/kg/day) and Se (3mg SeO2/kg/day) for seven days. At the end of the experiment tissue cadmium concentration, membrane lipid peroxidation, glutathione content, and activities of antioxidant enzymes catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase were determined in the liver and kidney samples. The results showed that pretreatment with Mn and Se effectively countered Cd-induced cadmium accumulation, membrane lipid peroxidation, depletion of the non-enzymic antioxidant, glutathione, and induction of the antioxidant enzymes catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in the liver and kidney. It can be concluded that pre-supplementation with Mn and Se significantly reversed Cd-induced deleterious alterations in the liver and kidney tissue of the rats.
Evaluation of High-Resolution Precipitation Products over Southwest China

The evaluation of gridded high-resolution precipitation products (HRPPs) is important in areas with complex topography, because rain gauges that are unevenly and sparsely distributed over an area cannot effectively reflect the spatial variabilities of the precipitation and related extremes in detail. In this study, the applicability of six satellite-based precipitation products (TMPA 3B42V7, IMERG, GSMaP-Gauge, CMORPH-CRT, PERSIANN-CDR, and GPCP) and five gauge-based precipitation products (APHRODITE, CN05.1, GPCC-D, GPCC-M, and CRU) over southwest China from 1998 to 2016 is evaluated by performing a comparison with meteorological station observations. The results show that GPCC-M exhibits the best performances for annual, seasonal, and monthly precipitation, which is supported by the lowest root-mean-square errors (RMSEs) for annual and seasonal precipitation and the lowest normalized root-mean-square error (NRMSE) for monthly precipitation. According to the NRMSE and critical success index (CSI), CN05.1 outperforms the other HRPPs at detecting daily precipitation; however, CN05.1 tends to overestimate the frequencies of light precipitation and underestimate the frequencies of heavy precipitation, which is reflected by the probability density function (PDF) for daily precipitation. The bias ratio (BIAS) and extreme precipitation indices show that IMERG shows numerous advantages over the other HRPPs in detecting extreme precipitation and estimating the precipitation intensity. Such results are helpful for future research on precipitation/extremes and related hydrometeorological disasters that occur throughout southwest China.
Identification of the Conditions for Organic Agriculture Development in Polish Districts—An Implementation of Canonical Analysis

Organic farming in Poland has been developing dynamically since the accession to the EU. However, there are considerable differences in the level of organic farming development in particular regions. Therefore, it is vital to identify the primary factors and conditions for this development and their importance considering their spatial distribution. The presented paper aims to estimate the relationships between the level of organic agriculture development and selected conditions of financial and environmental character. The investigation is based on primary data for 2017 retrieved from the Local Data Bank of the Main Statistical Office and Agricultural and Food Quality Inspection database for all Poland districts. In order to achieve this objective, a multivariate statistical analysis method—the canonical correlation was applied. The analysis was preceded by constructing the composite indices of organic agriculture development and its conditions based on a Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method and correlation analysis between the indices developed by the authors. The performed canonical analysis showed two statistically significant canonical variables with relatively high values of the canonical correlation (0.74 and 0.59). It proves that the degree of explaining the variability of one set of variables through linear relationships (referring to the level of organic farming development), by the second input data set (describing the determinants of the development), by successive pairs of canonical variables is high. This means that the created model describes relatively well the considered data sets.