Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ANALYSIS OF SPATIAL-TEMPORAL VARIATION OF LAND SURFACE TEMPERATURE, VEGETATION AND SNOW COVER IN LAR NATIONAL PARK OF IRAN

Changes in land surface reflectance measured by remote sensing data can be useful in climate change studies. This study attempts to analyze the spatial-temporal extent change of vegetation greenness, Land Surface Temperature (LST), and Normalized Difference Snow Index (NDSI) in late spring at the Lar National Park of Iran using Landsat data. Vegetation indices (VIs), LST, and NDSI maps were calculated for each date (1985, 1994, 2010, and 2015). All VIs have shown an increasing trend from 1985 to 2015 which depicted increase of vegetation. Spectral reflectance of all bands is declining from 1985 to 2015 except in near-infrared (NIR) bands. High reflectance in NIR bands is due to increased vegetation greenness. The reduction was seen in the visible bands that show increased vegetation photosynthetic activity. In the short-wave infrared bands (SWIR) were observed reduced trend from 1985 to 2015 which is indicate increased vegetation. Also, in the mid-wave infrared (MWIR) bands were observed a declining trend which is the result of decreasing soil fraction from 1985 to 2015. LST has increased from 23.27 °C in 1985 to 27.45 °C in 2015. Snow patches were decreased over the study period. In conclusion, VIs and surface reflectance bands are considered the main tool to display vegetation change. Also, high VIs values showed healthy and dense vegetation. The results of our study will provide valuable information in preliminary climate change studies.
An Empirical Investigation on Behavioral Determinants of Perceived Investment Performance; Evidence from Karachi Stock Exchange

The study aims to explore behavioral determinants of perceived investment performance from Karachi Stock Exchange. Risk perception is mediating the process while financial literacy has moderation role in this study. Data are collected from the sample of 150 perceived investors of Karachi Stock Exchange. For the purpose of data collection study uses adopted questionnaire. Results are indicating that both framing and herding effects have a positive significant relationship with perceived investment performance. Mediation is not established and financial literacy shows moderating relationship with framing effect and perceived investment performance. Keywords: Behavioral determinants, Risk Perception, Financial Literacy, Perceived Investment Performance, Pakistan
Photogrammetric analysis of a heritage ceiling

Conservation of the painted ceiling at the historic Hampton Court Palace requires the condition of the ceiling to be monitored for signs of formation of cracks and flakes in the surface. Miniature monochrome cameras and LED lights were mounted on a horizontal bar, and raised by a telescopic mast to 60 cm below the ceiling. Images from the cameras were captured simultaneously by purposedeveloped software in a laptop computer at floor level. A series of image pairs was acquired at each location, rotating the mast between each pair. Images were enhanced in local contrast by a modified Wallis filter. From the image set a dense and accurate point cloud was generated, using a photogrammetric bundle adjustment procedure, from which 3D surface details could be visualised.
between Climate Performance: Evidence

The last decade witnessed growing academic evidence suggesting that HR practices are an important predictor of organisational performance. However, the reality is that we know very little about the intermediary mechanisms through which HRM impacts upon performance. If the logic about obtaining sustainable competitive advantage holds, it suggests that we should turn to exploring the role of HRM in fostering the climate of creativity and innovation deemed necessary for competitive success. Drawing on a survey of the top 2,000 performing firms in Ireland, this paper explores these linkages. The findings indicate a significant positive relationship exists between HRM systems, creativity climate and organisational performance outcomes. One HRM practice in particular; communication and involvement was found to be particularly significant in creating a climate of creativity. The paper therefore serves as a useful first step in charting a course through the explanatory void that exists between HRM and organisational performance. effect of business strategy on HPWS, creativity climate and performance?
THE IMPACT OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DIMENSIONS ON FINANCIAL STRUCTURE OF THE COMPANIES IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Corporate governance represents a current topic for academic community and practitioners, in the context of globalization and crisis, especially in case of developing countries. The main purpose of this paper is to analyze which dimensions of corporate governance are able to exercise a significant impact on the companies’ financial structure, using a dataset with 77 developing countries from Africa, Asia, Latin America and Central and Eastern Europe. The data are provided from World Bank Enterprise Survey website and the variables are grouped in two directions: corporate governance and financial structure variables. In this regard, using principal components analysis approach, we grouped firstly the variables related to financial structure and then variables related to the main four dimensions of corporate governance, such as ownership structure and management quality, transparency, environment and corruption. The impact of corporate governance dimensions on companies’ financial structure was analyzed in a generalized linear model framework and the main result of this paper consists in the fact that, for analyzed countries, companies’ financial structure is significantly influenced by several dimensions of the governance like transparency, environment or corruption.
Microemulsion Route for the Synthesis of Nano-Structured Catalytic Materials

Owing to their unique properties, use of microemulsion‐based synthetic techniques for the generation of shape‐controlled nanocatalyst is an area of great current interest. Nanocatalysts of any specific shape, morphology, surface area, size, geometry, homo‐ geneity and composition are widely being prepared using the soft techniques of micro‐ emulsion. Easy handling, inexpensive equipment and mild reaction conditions make microemulsion an attractive reaction medium. Herein, a nanosized precursor reactant can be incorporated, leading to the formulation of a highly monodispersed metal nanoag‐ glomerate with controlled size, shape and composition. Several factors such as presence of electrolyte, molar ratio of water to surfactant, nature and concentration of surfactant and solvent, size of water droplets and concentration of reducing agents influence the size of the nanoparticles. The reverse micelle method can be used for the fabrication of several nanosized catalysts with a diverse variety of suitable materials including silica, alumina, metals (e.g. Au, Pd, Rh, Pt), metal oxides, etc. The morphology, size distribution and shape of the nanocatalysts make them useable for a wide range of applications, for example, fuel cells, electrocatalysis, photocatalysis, environmental protection, etc. The recovery of nanoparticles from the reaction mixture is a challenge for the researchers. This chapter discusses the preparation of nanoparticles using microemulsion techniques, widely being used for the synthesis of nanocatalysts from a wide range of materials.
Expected Generosity in One-shot Interactions

What do we expect of others? Do we expect people to be generous? If so, can we attribute this expected generosity to wishful thinking? Are our expectations, to some extent, related to our personal involvement in the outcome or the size of the stakes? This study investigates expectations on generosity by means of a series of controlled experiments. A total of 205 subjects were recruited and their expectations about the dictator's behavior in the dictator game were elicited. Despite differences in the roles, involvement in the game, the degree of social distance or the variation of stakes, the results are conclusive: subjects seldom predict that dictators will behave selfishly, and the majority of subjects expect that dictators will choose the equal split. This, in turn, implies that generous behavior is not only observed in the lab, but also expected by subjects.
The Challenges of Implementing Gold Dinar in Kelantan: An Empirical Analysis

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the challenges of adopting the gold dinar as a currency in Kelantan, Malaysia. This is one of the earliest works to empirically investigate the challenges of using gold dinar currency since its introduction in Kelantan in August, 2010. The paper looks at both the internal and external challenges to the adoption of the new currency. The researchers came up with a model and a survey to validate the model. Structural equation modelling technique was employed to test if the data collected fits the model. It was found out that while the effects of both external and internal challenges were not statistically significant, they are significant in practical terms. All our measurement items were also found to be practical. Though the findings of the study indicate the challenges are not statistically significant, they nevertheless must be addressed if gold dinar is to be adopted in the future.
Energy-Efficient Scheduling for Tasks with Deadline in Virtualized Environments

Data centers, as resource providers, take advantage of virtualization technology to achieve excellent resource utilization, scalability, and high availability. However, large numbers of computing servers containing virtual machines of data centers consume a tremendous amount of energy. Thus, it is necessary to significantly improve resource utilization. Among the many issues associated with energy, scheduling plays a very important role in successful task execution and energy consumption in virtualized environments. This paper seeks to implement an energy-efficient task scheduling algorithm for virtual machines with changeless speed comprised of two main steps: assigning as many tasks as possible to virtual machines with lower energy consumption and keeping the makespan of each virtual machine within a deadline. We propose a novel scheduling algorithm for heterogeneous virtual machines in virtualized environments to effectively reduce energy consumption and finish all tasks before a deadline. The new scheduling strategy is simulated using the CloudSim toolkit package. Experimental results show that our approach outperforms previous scheduling methods by a significant margin in terms of energy consumption.
Phenotypic variation associated with an anti- phagocytic factor in the bacterial fish pathogen

Enterococcus senohc~da is the causative agent of an enterococcal Infection in yellowtail Seriola q~llnqueradlata and IS antigen~cally classified into 2 phenotypes KG+ and KGPhenotypic variation from K G to KG+ occurs readily on an artihcial medium The surface morphoIogies of the K G and KG+ phenotypes were differentiated by scanning electron microscopy KGcells were more hydroph~lic than KG+ cells and were resistant to phagocytos~s by yellowtail head kidney phagocytes The chem~lum~nescen t response of these phagocytic cells was lower with the KGphenotype than with the KG+ phenotype The immune responses of yello.ruta11 f o l l o ~ ~ i n g injection of the 2 phenotypes differed h ~ g h e r agglutinating titers were o b t a ~ n e d with the KG+ phenotype compared to the KGphenotype Thus, the cell surface may function as an anti-phagocytic factor in E seriolic~da and apparently affects ~ t s immunogeniclty
Efficacy of Anger Management Skills on Reducing Aggression and Improving Adjustment in Addicts Treating with Methadone in Sari-Iran

Background: Aggression and lack of adjustment are important issues in incidence and recurrence of addiction. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of anger management skills training on modifying these variables among addicts treating with methadone. Methods: In the present experimental study all patients referred to four private addiction treatment centers supported by Sari University of Medical Sciences in north of Iran in 2015, to receive methadone treatment, completed Bell Adjustment Questionnaire and Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire. Sixty-four men scored high on aggression questionnaire and low on the Bell were identified. Among them forty were selected randomly and were replaced in two groups (twenty in case groups and twenty in control group). Nine sessions anger management skills training was performed in case group and both groups completed questionnaire again. Data were analyzed using covariance in SPSS-20.Findings: Training anger management skills reduced aggression and increased personal and social adjustment among addicts treating with methadone, significantly (p<0.001). Conclusion: Given the benefits of anger management skills as a non-pharmacological and effective approach, using this strategy as a part of a comprehensive treatment for addicts recommended. Keywords: Anger management therapy, Aggression, Personal-social adjustment, Methadone , Drug users.
Phylogenetic relationships of the Emmericiidae (Caenogastropoda: Rissooidea)

The phylogenetic relationships of the monogeneric rissooid family Emmericiidae Brusina, 1870 are unclear. The single genus Emmericia Brusina, 1870 occurs along the Adriatic coast from NE Italy to southern Croatia. It is characterised by the peculiar anatomy of the male genitalia (tri-lobed penis, bifurcate flagellum and penial gland). Mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences, analysed together with nuclear 18S ribosomal RNA gene sequences, showed Bithyniidae and Bythinellidae as the sister taxa of the Emmericiidae, and confirmed the homology of the flagellum and penial gland in the Emmericiidae, Bythinellidae, Amnicolidae and Bithyniidae.
Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation of Fonio (Digitaria exilis (L.) Stapf)

Fonio (Digitaria exilis) is a crop grown in Africa for its excellent culinary and nutritional properties and is a valuable source of income for smallholder farmers. Its improvement has long been neglected by scientists because the crop was one of the lost crops of Africa. Recent advances in Fonio research are centered on its evolution, nutritional and economic values. The lack of a transformation and other biotechnology protocols developed for Fonio has greatly hindered genetic improvement of this crop. In this study, Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation was developed for two genotypes of D. exilis (‘Agyong’ and ‘Churiwe’). Three-weeks-old callus derived from stem segments were co-cultivated with Agrobacterium tumefaciens for 3 days. After selection on Hygromycin B medium, plants were regenerated on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 0.5 mg l-1 BA and 0.1 mg l-1 gibberellic acid. Regenerated shoots were rooted on hormone-free MS medium. Histochemical gus assay and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmed the presence of the gus gene in transformed tissues. The transformation frequency was 2.1 and 2.7% for “Agyong” and “Churiwe”, respectively. The transgenic plants were phenotypically normal. This protocol would provide useful platform for genetic improvement of this crop. Key words: Digitaria exilis. Transfomation efficiency, β-glucuronidase (GUS) assay, Agrobacterium tumefaciens.
Interval‐based statistical validation of operational seasonal forecasts in Spain conditioned to El Niño–Southern Oscillation events

[1] As opposed to the tropics, operational seasonal forecasting systems have shown little or no skill in European midlatitudes. In this paper we explore the potential source of predictability in this region given by El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events; in particular we analyze winter rainfall in Spain. First, we apply a simple statistical method to assess the teleconnections between rainfall records in 123 gauges over Spain and ENSO events during the last 40 years. A significant teleconnection for dry winter episodes is found associated with La Nina events, extending the results obtained in previous studies. Then, we adapt the statistical method to perform operational seasonal forecasts validation conditioned to ENSO events; in particular we consider a state-of-the-art operational model, the System2 from ECMWF. The validation method defines a forecast interval to account for the ensemble spread, and applies a simple skill measure based on the proportion of hits (observations falling into the forecast interval) compared with a random forecast. As a result, we uncover the significant skill of operational seasonal predictions for reproducing the dry winter episodes associated with La Nina events (a window of opportunity for operational seasonal forecast in midlatitudes). Finally, the results are improved using statistical downscaling methods and some sensitivity studies are conducted. The analysis presented in this paper can be extended to other regions under the influence of any seasonal predictability-driving factor.
Driver Fatigue Detection based on Eye State Analysis

In this paper, we present an effective vision-based driver fatigue detection method. Firstly, the interframe difference approach binding color information is used to detect face. If exists, the face area is segmented from the image based on a mixed skin tone model. Then we simulate the process of crystallization to obtain the location of eyes within face area. Later, eye area, average height of the pupil and width to height ratio are used to analyze the eye’s status. Finally, the driver fatigue is confirmed by analyzing the changes of eye’s states. The experimental results show validity of our proposed method.
Usability and Interaction Design in West Africa

praxis for interaction design is needed. Usability and interaction design have however emerged and established itself in a North European and US context. The ICT industry in Africa do not have the same resources in the field of interaction design as in the developed world. While good usability and good user experiences are important to all users of ICT, the question is whether the methods and techniques that were mainly developed in Scandinavia, Europe and US are suitable for ICT development in Africa? Can ideals for user-involvement and participatory design be directly transferred? How can interaction design and usability be cared for in African ICT development context, given the resources available? This paper aims to initiate a discussion of the conditions for interaction design and usability in West Africa, with a specific aim at the dissemination of knowledge in field of interaction design both in an academic context, as well as among practitioners. More specifically the paper discusses how interaction design knowledge can be disseminated in West Africa, particularly in Higher Education.
Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy in the Treatment of Driving Phobia

A growing number of researches has appeared on virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) to treat anxiety disorders. The purpose of this article was to review some evidences that support the VRET efficacy to treat driving phobia. The studies were identified through computerized search (PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, and Scielo databases) from 1984 to 2007. Some findings are promising. Anxiety/avoidance ratings declined from pre to post-treatment. VRET may be used as a first step in the treatment of driving phobia, as long as it may facilitate the in vivo exposure, thus reducing risks and high costs of such exposure. Notwithstanding, more randomized/controlled clinical trials are required to prove its efficacy.
Feeding of six fish species in Jiqui Lagoon, eastern coast of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

This paper presents the study of the stomach content of six fish species of Jiqui lagoon (5o55’00’’S and 35o11’28”W ), located in the municipality of Parnamirim, Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil. A total of 261 specimens, collected monthly between March 1994 and February 1995 were examined. The relative importance of the diet components was measured through the frequency of occurrence, method of the dots and the use of the feeding index proposed by Kawakami and Vazzoler (1980). The specimens were found to feed mainly on fish, insects, crustaceans, mollusks, and organic matter. This suggests that the trophic habit of those specimens takes place in the pelagic area of the lagoon.
A Comparative Study Based on Different Control Algorithms for Suppressing Multistage Gear Transmission System Vibrations

A modal analysis (MA) was preconsidered to determine a novel active vibration control (AVC) structure of multistage gear transmission system (MGTS) and an appropriate actuating position for the piezoelectric actuator (PZT); the results of the calculating method and the finite element method (FEM) were compared to validate the reliability of MA. The controllers based on different control algorithms were designed to drive the PZTs to output the control force for suppressing the host structure vibrations. To analyze the feasibility of the applied control schemes and discuss the control effects dominated by the different control algorithms, a series of active vibration control numerical simulations were studied. The cosimulation results validate the practicability of the proposed control schemes and provide a forcible guidance for the further experimental works.
Variation in the susceptibility of tomato (Lycopersicon solanum L.) genotypes to tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCVD) infections at coastal savannah and forest zones of Ghana

Little information is available on the resistance level of tomato genotypes to tomato yellow leaf curl virus disease (TYLCVD) and vector. Thirty-six genotypes representing the current available and accessible tomato germplasm in Ghana were evaluated in RCBD with three reps, under Coastal savannah condition at the University of Cape Coast (UCC). Five genotypes (K005, K100, K213, K116 and K042) selected for mild severity (ms); two genotypes (K027, K202) selected for severe symptom (SS) and one genotype (LC) selected for moderate severity (MoS) were re-evaluated under RCBD in three reps at UCC and forest condition at “Asuansi”. Genotypes K005, K100 and K213 were observed to maintain ms TYLCVD expression across locations but K116 and K042 had ms at UCC and MoS at Asuansi indicating respective stable and unstable host plant tolerance to TYLCVD across climatic zones. PCR test with two primer pairs for Asuansi samples revealed that PTYv787/PTYc1121 primer had amplified TYLCV DNA in all the eight genotypes. AV494/AC0148 primer had amplified TYLCV DNA in all the genotypes except in LV and K213, suggesting that TYLCVD expression in LV and K213 observed morphologically could come from different viral strains. The whitefly population was significantly affected by genotype by environment interaction indicating variation of whitefly population from location to location. Received 4 May 2016; Revised 10 January 2017; Accepted 13 January 2017.
Influence of ammonium zirconium carbonate on properties of poly(vinyl alcohol)/xylan composite films

A series of composite films were prepared using poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and xylan as degradable raw materials under the addition of glycerol and ammonium zirconium carbonate (AZC). The influences of AZC on the mechanical properties, water-resisting properties, thermal stability, solubility (S), andwater vapor permeability of PVA/xylan composite filmswere comparatively discussed. The results showed that AZC had a positive impact on improving the water resistance and mechanical properties of composite films especially for elongation at break (EAB). With increasing the AZC amounts from 0%to 15%, EAB increased rapidly from 18.5% to 218.0%, and the S values decrease from 11.64% to 8.64%. When the AZC amount reached 15%, the tensile strength still performed well (22.10 MPa). The great compatibility of components in composite films was also observed. Moreover, the addition of AZC had great influences on the thermal stability of composite films and the degradation in soil.