Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Macro-level Differences in Participation in Sharing Economy

Different countries embrace the sharing economy with differing enthusiasm and effects due to factors ranging from the development level to government policies and society’s cultural values. This research measures the participation of Asian countries in this phenomena through their contributions to a global sharing economy platform—Wikipedia. This study uses language as a proxy for each country, which allows for a macro-scale comparison of factors related to participation in sharing economy. The study finds that in addition to expected factors related to the global digital divide and the country’s development level, other factors such as country’s size, dominant language, and cultural factors also play a significant role. Lower development levels, multi-ethnic (multi-language) and smaller populations can be a severe impediment to the development of the sharing economy. Government policy (China) or unique Internet structure (South Korea) can create significant outliers. Contributing to the sharing economy is also more common in countries located near the self-expression and rational-secular ends of the Inglehart-Welzel model, and the uncertainty avoidance, masculinity, and long-term orientation dimensions of the Hofstede model.
Social uncertainties related to stable iodine intake in a nuclear emergency

Intake of stable iodine intake is considered as an effective countermeasure for reducing the risk of thyroid cancer in an eventual release of radioactive iodine following nuclear accident. However, there are a number of value and social uncertainties that are likely to impact on accident management. These include differences in public response as well as decisions made by emergency management actors during an actual incident. In order to explore these sources of uncertainty, this paper explored social uncertainties related to the potential administration of stable iodine. First, public understanding and compliance with the advice of authorities was studied by surveys, showing that less than half of the public knew when iodine tablets should be taken, or understood their protective role. There were also country specific differences in the level of expected compliance with authorities’ advice. Second, social uncertainties were identified through observations of emergency exercises; these were revealed to be mainly related to timing, public response, communication, effectiveness, cross-border issues and first responders. Third, studies on factors influencing communication about stable iodine were carried out and showed that public understanding and compliance with advice could be improved by communicating numerical and narrative information. Overall, the results indicate that enhanced focus on social uncertainties during the preparedness phase may improve the effectiveness of stable iodine administration in case of an emergency.
Producing Urban Aerobiological Risk Map for Cupressaceae Family in the SW Iberian Peninsula from LiDAR Technology

Given the rise in the global population and the consequently high levels of pollution, urban green areas, such as those that include plants in the Cupressaceae family, are suitable to reduce the pollution levels, improving the air quality. However, some species with ornamental value are also very allergenic species whose planting should be regulated and their pollen production reduced by suitable pruning. The Aerobiological Index to create Risk maps for Ornamental Trees (AIROT), in its previous version, already included parameters that other indexes did not consider, such as the width of the streets, the height of buildings and the geographical characteristics of cities. It can be considered by working with LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) data from five urban areas, which were used to create the DEM and DSM (digital elevation and surface models) needed to create one of the parameters. Pollen production is proposed as a parameter (α) based on characteristics and uses in the forms of hedges or trees that will be incorporated into the index. It will allow the comparison of different species for the evaluation of the pruning effect when aerobiological risks are established. The maps for some species of Cupressaceae (Cupressus arizonica, Cupressus macrocarpa, Cupressus sempervirens, Cupressocyparis leylandii and Platycladus orientalis) generated in a GIS (geographic information system) from the study of several functions of Kriging, have been used in cities to identify aerobiological risks in areas of tourist and gastronomic interest. Thus, allergy patients can make decisions about the places to visit depending on the levels of risk near those areas. The AIROT index provides valuable information for allergy patients, tourists, urban planning councillors and restaurant owners in order to structure the vegetation, as well as planning tourism according to the surrounding environmental risks and reducing the aerobiological risk of certain areas.
Conditional conservatism under mandatory IFRS around the world: An examination of institutional quality and Big 4 audits

Using a large sample of firms that report under mandatory IFRS from 51 countries, this study examines the association between conditional conservatism, institutional quality, and Big 4 audits. We hypothesize and find that the degree of conditional conservatism is higher in countries with better institutional quality. In contrast to popular belief, we provide evidence that Big 4 audits are not associated with the degree of conditional conservatism. Finally, we show that reporting differences between high and low institutional countries have not diminished over time. Thus, our findings suggest that the implementation of IFRS remains predictably uneven. These findings have implications for investors, standard-setting bodies, and corporate governance.
New species and new records of Menegazzia (Parmeliaceae, lichenized ascomycetes) from Malaysia and Indonesia

The genus Menegazzia (Parmeliaceae, lichenized ascomycetes) in Malaysia and Indonesia is studied. Some specimens from Papua New Guinea are also included. The great majority of available specimens are from Kinabalu Park, State of Sabah, Malaysia. Three species are described as new to science, namely the two sorediate species M. capitata (from Sabah and Pahang in Malaysia) and M. sabahensis (from Sabah), and the fertile, primary species M. monospora (from Sabah and Papua New Guinea). M. asahinae , M. dissoluta , and M. efflorescens are reported for the first time from Malaysia, and M. subsimilis is reported for the first time from Malaysia and Indonesia. The subgenus Megamenegazzia is newly described to accommodate the large, broad-lobed species with numerous perforations on the lower surface. M. efflorescens is selected as the type species for the new subgenus. Notes are also provided on the type specimens of Hypogymnia pectinatula , a species originally considered as belonging to Menegazzia
Effects of a predator control experiment on Grey-winged Francolin (Scleroptila africanus) populations

One of the key findings of the Grey-winged Francolin Research Project conducted on the Stormberg Plateau, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa during 1988–1992 was that predation, particularly by small mammals on incubating female Greywinged Francolin Scleroptila africanus and their nests, was a major cause of mortality. To assess the response to this predation, small mammal predators were trapped intensively during the francolin breeding season in two 500ha plots, one on the farm Buffels Fontein and one on the farm Boschoff's Kraal. Trapping was not simultaneous on the two plots, but rather during 1992–1994 on Buffels Fontein and during 1995 and 1996 on Boschoff's Kraal. The Yellow Mongoose Cynictis penicillata was the most commonly trapped predator species (83%) in both plots. Grey-winged Francolin numbers during trapping in the plot at Buffels Fontein declined less during a drought than those in the untrapped control plot at Boschoff's Kraal. This suggests that the control of predators may buffer the negative effects of drought on Grey-winged Francolin reproductive success. However, the increases of populations in both plots during a period of higher-than-average rainfall indicate that Grey-winged Francolin can withstand predation during normal rainfall years.
Conceptualizing Formative Blended Assessment (FBA) in Saudi EFL

This chapter sets out a conceptual framework for the design and use of ‘blended assessments' that seek to create formative activities that can be characterized by shifting modalities of presentation, variations in time and action, and moves from individual to group work. The study's framing is built upon longitudinal participatory action research based on the research questions. In addition to auto-ethnographic observations, 13 Saudi participants—three course coordinators, seven instructors, and three students—were asked to participate in focus groups and individual interviews. Using qualitative data analysis software, three core characteristics of formative blended assessment were identified: (1) multi-modal activities, flexibility, and peer encouragement, for example, were seen to be an ‘advantage'; (2) alignment of pedagogies and assessment tasks were perceived in a ‘compatibility' theme; and (3) the possibility of dishonest behaviors and administrative challenges were classed under ‘complexity'.
Decreasing Big Data Application Latency in Satellite Link by Caching and Peer Selection

Although satellite communications have attracted wide attention in 6 G integrated space-air-ground networks, the link delay between the satellite and the satellite base station is a major issue with the advent of the era of big data. Considering this problem, this paper proposes cooperative strategies between peers in order to decrease the transmission latency for both downlink and uplink, respectively. In the downlink, we establish social relationship to find peer nodes who can cache contents and design a caching placement algorithm based on greedy methods to configure the cache. The approximation ratio of the solution obtained by the cache placement algorithm is no less than $1-1/e$ of the optimal solution. In the uplink, when channel conditions are severe, some users can be selected as relays to ensure the quality of communication. Such that another social relationship is established to prevent the disclosure of privacy in the process of data forwarding. We establish a dynamic optimization model, and propose a peer selection algorithm. Simulation results show that the performance of cache placement algorithm is more efficient other algorithms in the aspect of average latency and hit ratio in the downlink, and the peer selection algorithm outperforms other algorithms in terms of average channel rate and handover ratio in the uplink.
Physiological and ultrastructural effects of fumonisin on jimsonweed leaves

The physiological and ultrastructural effects of fumonisin B1, a phytotoxin obtained from Fusarium moniliforme, on jimsonweed (Datura stramonium L.) were studied. When fumonisin B1 was applied at concentrations of 3 to 1000 μg/mL (4.1 to 1388 μM) to jimsonweed leaves, effects such as electrolyte leakage, autolysis, and photobleaching of tissues were noted in less than 12 h after exposure to light (480 μmol∙m−2∙s−1, PAR) at 25 °C. The degree of damage was directly proportional to the concentration and duration of exposure in all cases. Chlorophyll reduction from 5 to 73% occurred after 48 h in the light. In darkness, electrolyte leakage above control levels was noted only in treated samples after 72 h. However, when these dark-treated samples were subsequently placed in the light, electrolyte leakage occurred in 12 h. Ultrastructural damage in mesophyll palisade cells exposed to 500 μg/mL fumonisin B1 began at 6 h and intensified after 12 h. Cytoplasmic degeneration occurred first, followed by disruption o.
An evaluation of camera traps for inventorying large‐ and medium‐sized terrestrial rainforest mammals

Mammal inventories in tropical forests are often difficult to carry out, and many elusive species are missed or only reported from interviews with local people. Camera traps offer a new tool for conducting inventories of large‐ and medium‐sized terrestrial mammals. We evaluated the efficiency of camera traps based on data from two surveys carried out at a single site during 2 consecutive years. The survey efforts were 1440 and 2340 camera days, and 75 and 86% of the 28 large‐ and medium‐sized terrestrial mammal species known to occur at the site were recorded. Capture frequencies for different species were highly correlated between the surveys, and the capture probability for animals that passed in front of the cameras decreased with decreasing size of the species. Camera spacing and total survey area had little influence on the number of species recorded, with survey effort being the main factor determining the number of recorded species. Using a model we demonstrated the exponential increase in survey effort required to record the most elusive species. We evaluated the performance of different species richness estimators on this dataset and found the Jackknife estimators generally to perform best. We give recommendations on how to increase efficiency of camera trap surveys exclusively targeted at species inventories.
Sexual Size Dimorphism and Mating Pattern in the Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala)

Abstract Sexual size dimorphism (SSD) occurs in the vast majority of birds, although explanations for its existence are controversial. We studied SSD in the Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala), a large wading bird, by recording copulating birds on a video camera and obtaining measurements of tibia, tarsus, bill, body length and body depth, on each individual in a pair. Field studies were conducted in the natural heronries of the Delhi Zoo in North India. For quantifying the dimensions of various body parts we improvised upon a microscopic software (MOTIC IMAGES) and developed a protocol for obtaining the dimensions of body parts in metric units. Males were larger than the females in all of the 100 pairs recorded during the study period. A PCA performed on the available data set of male and female independently showed a significant difference in the first PC scores, which were highly correlated with body length in both sexes. A tendency towards positive assortative mating was observed by plotting the male and female values of different variables. There were no significant differences in the median body lengths of individuals recorded copulating early and late in the nesting season. However, early male birds were recorded to have significantly larger tarsus, compared to later birds. The methodology used in this field study has wide applicability for studying the SSD and mating patterns in various groups of waterbirds.
Investigation and performance optimization of mesh networking in Zigbee

The aim of this research paper is to perform a detailed investigation and performance optimization of mesh networking in Zigbee. ZigBee applications are open and global wireless technology that are based on IEEE 802.15. 4 standard, it is used for sense and control in many fields like, military, commercial, industrial and medical applications. Extending ZigBee lifetime is a high demand in many ZigBee networks industry and applications, and since the lifetime of ZigBee nodes depends mainly on batteries for their power, the desire for developing a scheme or methodology that support power management and saving battery lifetime is of a great requirement. In this research work, a power sensitive routing Algorithm is proposed Power Sensitive Ad hoc On-Demand (PS-AODV) to develop protocol scheme and methodology of existing on-demand routing protocols, by introducing an algorithm that manages ZigBee operations and construct the route from trusted active nodes. Furthermore, many aspects of routing protocol in ZigBee mesh networks have been researched to concentrate on route discovery, route maintenance, neighbouring table, and shortest paths. PS-AODV routing algorithm is used in two different ZigBee mesh networks, with two different coordinator locations, one used at the centre and the other one at the corner of the networks. The extracted results conclude a better network operation for the coordinator located at the centre with an increase in the network lifetime around 20% percentage, and saved about 32.7% of delay time compare to AODV.
Sparse Low-Rank Tensor Decomposition for Metal Defect Detection Using Thermographic Imaging Diagnostics

With the increasing use of induction thermography (IT) for nondestructive testing in the mechanical and rail industry, it becomes necessary for the Manufacturers to rapidly and accurately monitor the health of specimens. The most general problem for IT detection is due to strong noise interference. In order to counter it, general postprocessing is carried out. However, due to the more complex nature of noise and irregular shape specimens, this task becomes difficult and challenging. In this article, a low-rank tensor with a sparse mixture of Gaussian (LRTSMoG) decomposition algorithm for natural crack detection is proposed. The proposed algorithm models jointly the LRST pattern by using a tensor decomposition framework. In particular, the weak natural crack information can be extracted from strong noise. Low-rank tensor based iterative sparse MoG noise modeling is carried out to enhance the weak natural crack information as well as reducing the computational cost. In order to show the robustness and efficacy of the model, experiments are conducted for natural crack detection on a variety of specimens. A comparative analysis is presented with general tensor decomposition algorithms. The algorithms are evaluated quantitatively based on signal-to-noise-ratio along with the visual comparative analysis.
assessment of genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance for agro-morphological and some in-vitro related traits in durum wheat.

Heidari, Sh. , Heidari, P., Azizinezhad, R. , Etminan, A. & Khosroshahli, M. (2020). Assessment of genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance for agro-morphological and some in-vitro related-traits in durum wheat. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 26(1) 120–127 Sixteen advanced durum wheat breeding lines were evaluated under rain-fed and supplementary irrigation conditions in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications on seventeen agro-morphological characters to examine genetic value of yield and yield-related traits. Most traits revealed the highest coefficients of variation (CV). Results showed that the maximum phenotypic variance (PCV) of traits were generally higher than genotypic coefficients of variance (GCV) under both conditions. Obtained heritability accompanied with high genetic advance for several traits indicates that most likely the heritability is due to additive gene effects and selection may be effective in early generations for these traits. These parameters were estimated for a number of traits in vitro cultures as well. Mean comparisons demonstrated that the lines G6 and G9 achieved higher levels of callus size and relative water content under the both optimal and stress conditions, while maintaining this ability in stress condition compared to other lines. Moreover, the lines G4 and G16 had the minimum difference between fresh and dry weights in optimal and stress conditions. So, these lines had the higher genetic potential for response to drought stress in vitro environments.
Meaning of ornament in architecture (Case study: Contemporary Architecture Batak Toba)

Ornaments have been an element in architectural design, since prehistoric times until now. This study aims to analyze the meaning of ornaments in architecture with a case study of the Toba Batak Contemporary Architecture with a semiotic approach. The population in this study is the entire Toba Batak Contemporary Architecture, and the research sample is 2 residential houses that use traditional ornament models, the first is a residential house in the Toba area as a place of origin (bona pasogit), and the second a houses in Medan as overseas areas (pangarantoan) Toba Batak community. The method used in this study is descriptive qualitative. Where ornamentation as a sign vehicle (signifier) to the cultural system (signified) is described in accordance with 3 categories of ornament functions from the results of literary studies, namely the prestige function, aesthetic functions and religious functions. As a result of this study to answer the ornamental function of what still exists from the two research samples and at the same time describe the meaning of ornaments in contemporary architecture.
The Ephemeroptera of Øvre Heimdalsvatn

The species composition, distribution, seasonal variations in abundance, life cycles, emergence periods, length-weight relationships and biomass of the Ephemeroptera of Ovre Heimdalsvatn were investigated. Detritus was a significant factor in explaining the variation in total ephemeropteran numbers around the lake. Numbers in the exposed zone reached a maximum during July due to emergence activity. The ephemeropteran biomass at emergence, to which Leptophlebia vespertina (L.), L. marginata (L.) and Siphlonurus lacustris Eaton were the main contributors, was estimated to be 0 02g dw m−2. Other species recorded from the lake were Baetis macani Kimmins, B. rhodani Pictet, Siphlonurus aestivalis Eaton and Ameletus inopinatus Eaton. All species were univoltine, but differences in ability to grow during ice cover and in life cycle timing resulted in a succession in emergence during the ice free period.
Hybrid VNS-TS heuristics for University Course Timetabling Problem

Goal: Propose hybrid heuristics combining VNS and Tabu Search (TS) for adding adaptability to University Course Timetabling Problem (UCTTP) resolution. Design / Methodology / Approach: VNS and TS metaheuristics were used isolated and in combination in order to verify which shape acquired the best solutions. Those heuristics were verified using constraints found at two undergraduate courses of Federal Fluminense University. Effectiveness is verified by comparing them with solutions manually elaborated by undergraduate course coordinators. Results: The computational results showed the efficiency of the hybrid VNS-TS heuristics, with emphasis on the heuristic VNS-TS1, which uses tabu search as local search method. Limitations of the investigation: This research was applied using data from two undergraduate courses of Federal Fluminense University. New experiments on data from other universities will soon be carried out. Practical implications: The hybrid heuristic VNS-TS1 has been in use since the first half of 2019 by some of UFF undergraduate courses coordinations. Even though each university has specific constraints on its timetable, the use of the proposed heuristics is possible because it has been developed using the framework FINESS that allows for the easy insertion and removal of constraints. Originality / Value: We have the following innovative contributions: Development of heuristics with a high degree of adaptation to the needs of educational institutions; Two proposed VNS-TS heuristics; Proposed VND-TS improvement method.