Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interprétation des données belges de baguage de la foulque macroule, Fulica atra

Les donnees de reprises des Foulques baguees en Belgique jusqu'en 1989 (250 reprises) ainsi que des reprises en Belgique de Foulques baguees a l'etranger sont analysees. En migration, tant printaniere qu'automnale, ces foulques suivent essentiellement la voie cotiere : cotes baltiques, mer du Nord, Manche, cote atlantique, quelques individus en Espagne, un en Algerie. La plus grande partie des migrations hivernales issues de Belgique ou la traversant aboutit en France du Nord Ouest. Les hivers aux temperatures moyennes normales, un tiers de la population baguee d'avril en aout en Belgique n'effectue pas de deplacement de plus de 50 kms.
Predicting cause-related marketing patronage intentions based on Schwartz's theory of human values: a large-scale sample study anchored on female fashion leadership

PurposeBusinesses embark on cause-related marketing (CRM) initiatives as a marketing strategy to fortify consumers' behavioural intentions. Prior research indicates that human values could be tapped to understand the consumers' responses to perceived organizational motives behind undertaking social cause initiatives. This research employs Schwartz's theory of human values to examine consumers' patronage intentions towards CRM-linked fashion products. Moreover, fashion leaders play a crucial role in the diffusion of the latest fashion and fashion trends. This research investigates by integrating human values and fashion leadership, offering insights into CRM-linked fashion consumption motives.Design/methodology/approachThe overarching goal was to investigate the complex interplay between human values and female fashion leadership to predict CRM patronage intention (CPI). Hence, a large-scale research study on 2,050 samples was undertaken by adopting threefold partial least squares–multigroup analysis–artificial neural network (PLS-MGA-ANN) to establish and empirically test a comprehensive model.FindingsThis study is unique as it establishes and validates the relative or normalized importance placed on human values by fashion leaders, thereby predicting CPIs. The results revealed that women with high-fashion leadership and specific value types (benevolence, universalism, self-direction) are more likely to patronize CRM-linked fashion retailers. In addition, the findings validated that women with low-fashion leadership and specific value types (tradition, security, conformity) are more likely to patronize CRM-linked fashion stores.Originality/valueThe findings provide a valuable rationale to non-profit marketers, fashion marketing experts and practitioners to design customer value-based profiling and manage crucial CRM decisions.
Energy from Iceland : the feasibility of exporting electricity from Iceland to the United Kingdom

v List of Figures . ix List of Tables . x Chapter 1 Introduction. 1 1.1 The Problem . 1 Chapter 2 Background to the Topic . 3 2.1 Iceland. 3 2.1.1 History . 3 2.1. 2 Market Structure . 5 2.1. 2.1 Production. 5 2.1. 2.2 Consumption . 6 2.1. 2.3 Distribution . 8 2.2 The United Kingdom . 9 2.2.1 UK Electricity Market Structure. 9 2.2.2 UK Renewable Energy Policy . 11 2.3 Possible Benefit of an Interconnector . 12 2.4 The Criteria . 14 2.4. 1 Power Cable and Converter Stations . 15 2.4. 2 Power Plants . 15 2.4. 3 Electric Power Transmission . 16 Chapter 3 Literature Review . 17 3.1 Brief Review of Interconnector Studies . 17 3.2 Research Question and Hypothesis . 20 Chapter 4 Data and Methods . 21 Chapter 5 LIBEMOD . 23 5.1 Description of the Numerical Model LIBEMOD . 23 5.1.1 Consumer Choice . 23 5.1. 2 Prices and Quantities . 24 5.1. 3 Elasticities . 25 5.1. 4 Electricity Production . 26 5.1. 5 Hydropower . 27 5.1. 6 International Transmission of Electricity . 28 5.2 Main Scenarios . 31
The Role of Innovation as Mediation from the Influences of Knowledge Sharing and Strategic Location towards Competitive Advantage in SMEs Southeast Sulawesi Province

The current research aims to examine the influence of knowledge sharing (KS) and strategic locations on innovation and competitive advantage (CA) of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). The present research aims to analyze and empirically examine the influence of KS and strategic location on CA through the mediating role of innovation. The sample size of this study was 99 managers of SMEs in Southeast Sulawesi Province. The analytical tool used in testing the research hypotheses is SEM-PLS. These findings indicate that KS and strategic locations has a significantly positive influence on innovation. Similarly, strategic locations and innovation significantly positive effect towards CA. However, KS does not have a significant influence on CA. The main findings in this research show that of innovation has a role as mediation in the relationship between KS and strategic locations to improve CA in SMEs. The findings of this research indicate SMEs must be able to take strategic decisions in determining locations and have the ability to share knowledge through innovation to improve CA.
Efficient Vehicular Edge Computing: A Novel Approach With Asynchronous Federated and Deep Reinforcement Learning for Content Caching in VEC

Vehicular Edge Computing (VEC) technology holds great promise, but also poses significant challenges to the limited computing power of in-vehicle devices and the capacity of Roadside Units (RSUs). At the same time, the highly mobile nature of vehicles and the frequent changes in the content of requests from vehicles make it critical to offload applications to edge servers and to effectively predict and cache the most popular content, so that the most popular content can be cached in advance in the RSU. And also considering protecting the privacy of vehicle user vehicular users (VUs), traditional data-sharing methods may not be suitable for this work, so we use an asynchronous Federated learning (FL) approach to update the global model in time and at the same time can protect the personal privacy of VUs. Unlike the traditional synchronous FL, asynchronous FL no longer needs to wait for all vehicles to finish training and uploading local models before updating the global model, which avoids the problem of long training time. In this paper, we propose an in-vehicle edge computing caching scheme based on asynchronous federated learning and deep reinforcement learning(AFLR), which prefetches possible popular contents in advance and caches them in the edge nodes or vehicle nodes according to the vehicle’s location and moving direction while reducing the latency of the content requests. After extensive experimental comparisons, the AFLR scheme outperforms other benchmark caching schemes.
Complex Background Removal Method for Video of an Inclined Cable Based on UAV Detection of Structural Vibration Frequencies

The safety of inclined cables is fundamental to the integrity of cable-stayed bridges. The vibrational frequencies of these cables form the foundation for assessing the cable force. Traditional contact measurement methods necessitate the installation of sensors on each cable, incurring substantial costs. In scenarios where camera placement adjacent to an inclined cable is impractical, noncontact approaches such as video capture via unmanned aerial vehicles prove effective. However, unmanned aerial vehicle-captured videos present a challenge due to their complex background, impeding cable feature recognition. In our study, we initially utilized the Region Growing algorithm for background subtraction. To enhance this method, we integrated it with the unique structural characteristics of cables, leading to the creation of the RGv2 algorithm. This novel algorithm offers increased processing speed and improved accuracy. Furthermore, we combined our method with empirical mode decomposition for effective detection of cable frequency characteristics. We also implemented a hybrid method, combining the K-Means and line segment detector algorithms with empirical mode decomposition. Compared to deep learning techniques for background subtraction, our proposed method demonstrates superior computational efficiency and promising potential for measuring vibrational frequencies of inclined cables.
Students’ academic performance before, during, and after COVID-19 in F2F and OL learning: The impact of gender and academic majors

The main purpose of this study was to investigate students’ academic performance (SAP) before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic in face-to-face (F2F) and online learning (OL) instructions. The study also attempted to determine the impact of gender and academic major on students’ academic performance. For the results of semester grade point average (SGPA), the findings of the study showed better SAP in F2F learning as compared to OL learning, while the results of grade point average (GPA) indicated better SAP in OL learning than in F2F learning. The findings supported the stated hypotheses by indicating the positive impact of gender and academic major on SAP in F2F and OL learning, before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The regression analysis revealed that the demographic variables can predict up to 18% variations in the student’s academic performance. These findings offer valuable insights for practical strategies to improve SAP in F2F and OL learning.
Fine sediment and the insecticide chlorantraniliprole inhibit organic‐matter decomposition in streams through different pathways

Intensive agriculture drives an ongoing deterioration of stream biodiversity and ecosystem functioning across the planet. Key agricultural stressors include increased deposited fine sediment and insecticides flushed from adjacent land into streams. The individual and combined effects on aquatic biota are increasingly studied, but the functional consequences of biodiversity loss associated with agricultural stressors remain poorly understood. We addressed this knowledge gap by examining the effects of fine sediment and different concentrations of the insecticide chlorantraniliprole on organic‐matter decomposition. We conducted an outdoor stream mesocosm experiment. Mesocosms contained a standardised organic‐matter assay (the cotton‐strip assay), which was used to assess organic‐matter decomposition rates (as tensile‐strength loss of the fabric) and microbial respiration of the cotton strips. The decomposition rate of strips buried under fine sediment was inhibited, a result we attribute to the limited accessibility for invertebrate feeding and microbial activities, as well as the limited nutrient and dissolved oxygen exchange. The insecticide also inhibited decay rates, a finding we relate to reduced invertebrate grazing and associated excessive algal growth. In contrast to decomposition rates, we did not observe stressor effects on microbial respiration. An interaction between fine sediment and chlorantraniliprole was not identified. Our results suggest that stressors induced by agriculture affect functions of stream ecosystems through a variety of pathways and operate by modifying habitats and biotic interactions. By examining a combination of stressors and responses that have not been addressed before, this study gives important insights into the effects of agricultural practices on streams. Understanding the effects of chlorantraniliprole is especially important since it is likely to become more widely used in future agricultural practice due to the increasing ban on neonicotinoid insecticides. Furthermore, most experimental studies address multiple stressor effects on biota. For a comprehensive understanding of complex stressor effects on ecosystems, ecosystem functions also need to be studied, such as the organic‐matter decomposition within streams.
Dinámicas socio-espaciales y previsiones demográficas en la cuenca Internacional del río Duero

In the last decades an intensive process of urbanization has taken place in the global scale, giving place to a heterogeneous distribution of the population on the geographical space and propitiating territorial imbalances. The spatial intensity and speed of recent changes in Spain and Portugal provides a paradigmatic example of the rapid shift to a new system of urban-rural relationship in the Duero river international basin. The aim of this research is to analyze the changes in the population distribution of the municipalities located in the Duero river international basin. This is an investigation of a quantitative nature, in its methodological approach, through the use of population census data covering the period 2001-2011. In the study of the municipalities in the Duero river international basin, population size categories are applied. Likewise, the structure of the current population is examined and a predictive model of the population evolution will be performed to enable us to anticipate rationally future trends in the populations analyzed.
Progress in the eradication of Mikania micrantha from Australia

Mikania micrantha Kunth (Mikania vine) was first discovered near Mission Beach in north Queensland in 1998 and this species was included in the nationally cost-shared ‘National Tropical Weeds Eradication Program’ when it commenced in late 2003. The progress that is being made towards the eradication of this serious tropical weed is prompting decisions about the type and duration of program resources deployed to survey areas with continuous records of plant absence. Issues still remain in detecting this vine amongst a backdrop of green vines and rainforest trees, the longevity of the seed soil seed bank and preventing the occasional reproductive relapse. Research and field observations have identified that control prior to July each year should prevent seed production, but canopy disturbance from cyclones increases emergence and growth rates.
Breast Reconstruction Using the Extended Latissimus Dorsi Myocutaneous Flap – A Long Term Follow-Up Utilizing BREAST-Q

The latissimus dorsi (LD) flap is a commonly used method for breast reconstruction after mastectomy. In this study we present a long-term follow up and effects of refining surgery on patient satisfaction and quality of life after breast reconstruction with the extended LD flap, using the BREAST-Q questionnaire. The main aim of this study was to investigate the patient-reported long-term results after breast reconstruction with the extended latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap. A retrospective cohort study of adult patients (n=101) who were operated on using the extended LD flap for breast reconstruction at the Linköping University Hospital during 1997-2012 was made using data retrieved from medical records. The patients were asked to complete the BREAST-Q questionnaire at two different postoperative time points. Eighty-three patients replied to the first questionnaire, and 56 patients also replied to the second. Mean follow up was 11.7 years. Higher age and living together with someone correlated to higher BREAST-Q results, while postoperative infection, bilateral LD flaps, smoking and prior breast surgery had a negative impact on the results. Overall BREAST-Q results increased over time. No independent effect of refining surgery could be shown. Patient satisfaction after breast reconstruction with the LD flap as measured with the BREAST-Q questionnaire is high and in line with other studies. The overall satisfaction with the reconstruction method seems to increase with time, but no further increase in satisfaction after refining surgery could be established.
Depth Image Completion through Iterative Low-Pass Filtering

This study introduces a spatial-modulated approach designed to recover missing data in in-depth images. Typically, commercial-grade RGB-D cameras utilize structured light or time-of-flight techniques for capturing scene depth. However, these conventional methods encounter difficulties in acquiring depth data from glossy, transparent, or low-reflective surfaces. Additionally, they are prone to interference from broad-spectrum light sources, resulting in defective areas in the captured data. The generation of dense data is further compromised by the influence of noise. In response to these challenges, we implemented an iterative low-pass filter in the frequency domain, effectively mitigating noise and restoring high-quality depth data across all surfaces. To assess the efficacy of our method, deliberate introduction of significant noise and induced defects in the generated depth images was performed. The experimental results unequivocally demonstrate the promising accuracy, precision, and noise-resilient capabilities of our approach. Our implementation is publicly available on the project’s webpage.
Survey methods for red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) in olive groves in southern Spain

Nous avons compare trois methodes de denombrement (cartographie des nids, comptages en battue, transects parcourus en voiture) et quatre estimations ou indices de la densite de perdrix rouges, Alectoris rufa, dans une oliveraie, Olea europaea, de 9,5 km 2 a Malaga (au sud de l'Espagne), pendant trois periodes d'etude (fevrier-mars, aout et octobre) en 1996, 1997 et 1998. La cartographie des nids n'a pu etre effectuee qu'en fevrier-mars. Elle a consiste en une recherche intensive des nids sur une zone echantillon de 1,3 km 2 , et en celle des oiseaux non apparies sur l'ensemble de l'oliveraie. Trente a cinquante personnes ont participe aux comptages en battue qui ont ete effectues sur la zone echantillon. Les transects ont ete parcourus par 2 personnes en voiture tout au long de 19 km a travers l'oliveraie. Les estimations des densites obtenues par les comptages en battue (entre 13,2 et 36,0 perdrix au km 2 en fevrier-mars, et entre 44,4 et 81,3 en aout/octobre) n'ont pas ete differentes de celles obtenues par les comptages effectues le long des transects. Malgre cela, la methode du transect parcouru en voiture s'est averee etre la meilleure en termes de precision et d'effort (7,4 ± 1,2 heures x personnes par periode etudiee vs 70 ± 4,4 pour la methode de comptage en battue, et 308 ± 12 pour la methode de cartographie des nids), mais elle demande un niveau de competence qui n'est pas celui des gestionnaires andalous de la faune (gardes-chasse, chasseurs ou proprietaires terriens). Pour ces personnes, la methode la plus pratique est celle de l'indice kilometrique d'abondance standard (IKA = nombre d'animaux vus par kilometre le long d'un transect lineaire parcouru en voiture), qui donne la densite absolue D par l'equation D = 20,11 + 9,93 IKA (R 2 = 0,87, p = 0,006). Cette relation ne peut etre utilisee que dans les oliveraies et dans la fourchette des densites sus-mentionnee.
The Relationship Between Service Quality and Student Retention in Private Higher Education Institutions in Malaysia

Attrition in education is a major issue in higher education. Globalization has increased the mobility of international students, prompting higher global competition. HEIs must prioritize improving services to compete in higher education. The study aims to understand international students' learning needs, expectations, and experiences comprehensively. This study seeks to examine the link between service quality and student retention in private higher education institutions in Malaysia. In this study, SERVQUAL service model with compliance dimension is used. This research employed a positivist ontology, empirical epistemology, and quantitative methods. This study explores the link between service quality and student retention. Data for this study will be collected from China students studying at private universities in West Malaysia. To measure the service quality's impact on student retention in private higher education institutes in Malaysia, the study analysed the necessity of improving higher education services for retaining China students. The respondent for this study is China students who studying in private higher education institutions in Malaysia. The sample size is generated from G*Power software. An online survey will be conducted. The data will be processed and analysed by IBM SPSS version 29 and Smart-PLS version 4-3 to construct relationship and predictive power of the structural model.
Investigation of electrochemical detection of nitrite and nitrate in water for environmental application

: This paper is about electrochemical investigations of nitrite (NO 2− ) and nitrate (NO 3− ) detection in water. Herein, a study based on functionalization of carbon screen-printed electrodes (CSPE) with chitosan and tetrasulfonated copper (II) phthalocyanine nanocomposite (Chit/Ts-CuPc). Cyclic voltammetry (CV) surveys were carried out with ferri/ferrocyanide probe and analytes for preliminary investigations to confirm the efficacity of the electrode’s functionalization. Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) measurements then were performed for more precise and sensitive detection with different analytes concentrations. Further studies regarding pH optimization, electrodes kinetics and calibration curve will be performed to calculate the sensor’s figures of merits. As well as a real sample test is to be done to prove that the developed sensors are very promising for effective nitrite and nitrate detection.
Balancing food security and environmental safety: rethinking modern agricultural practices

Agriculture has played an important role in human life, both for sustaining life and livelihood. The population explosion has necessitated huge agricultural production. Consequently, there has been modernisation of agriculture not only in farming practices, but also in introducing improved agricultural implements, irrigation, chemical fertilisers, synthetic pesticides, and high-yielding seeds. Agricultural intensification and monoculture make it possible to increase crop production, to a large extent gaining food security, but paying no or little attention to environmental well-being. Intensive tillage leads to soil erosion, nutrient loss, and soil organic carbon loss, which affects the soil biota. Extraction of underground water for irrigation causes groundwater levels to drop and hinders aquifer recharge. Monoculture and the cultivation of high-yielding crops lead to the loss of many indigenous crop varieties and the prevalence of pests and pathogens. Extensive chemical fertiliser application can cause soil acidification, eutrophication, and nitrate contamination in groundwater through leaching. Indiscriminate use of pesticides is a potential threat for non-target organisms, including humans. The agriculture sector contributes a considerable portion of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Therefore, the only way to protect our mother earth and create a healthy environment is through sustainable agriculture to ensure food safety and security.