Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of warming climate on barley and tomato growth and photosynthetic pigments

One of the major issues of global concern today is rapidly increasing levels of CO2 in the atmosphere and its potential to change the world climate. It is important to understand how different agricultural cultivars will respond to different projected future levels of elevated CO2 and its association with increasing temperatures. In this experiment, there were examined single and combined effects of different CO2 levels (ambient 350 ppm, 700, 1 500 and 3 000 ppm) and elevated temperature (ambient +4 °C-day/5 °C-night) on barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. ‘Aura’) and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. ‘Svara’) growth characteristics. Experiments were conducted in the closed environment-controlled chambers. The results showed that the current ambient level of atmospheric CO2 concentration was a growth limiting factor for the investigated agricultural species. Under single CO2 effect the greatest biomass accumulation of both plants was observed at 1 500 ppm concentration. However the highest investigated concentration of CO2 (3 000 ppm) significantly stimulated only biomass of barley. The highest biomass accumulation was detected under combined effect of elevated CO2 and temperature, when the increases were 43.0 and 37.6% (p < 0.05) for barley and tomato respectively, compared to reference treatment. The factorial Anova analysis of all measured indices of investigated plants showed that the prior climate factor for barley was elevated CO2 (700 ppm) while the effect of increased temperature (ambient +4 °C-day/5 °C-night) was much weaker. Whereas for tomato, which is considered as warmthloving plant, substantial climate factor was elevated temperature, and the effect of 700 ppm CO2 had a markedly weaker input.
Assessing the Vulnerability of Social-Environmental Systems

▪ Abstract In this review, we highlight new insights into the conceptualization of the vulnerability of social-environmental systems and identify critical points of convergence of what otherwise might be characterized as disparate fields of research. We argue that a diversity of approaches to studying vulnerability is necessary in order to address the full complexity of the concept and that the approaches are in large part complementary. An emerging consensus on the issues of critical importance to vulnerability reduction—including concerns of equity and social justice—and growing synergy among conceptual frameworks promise even greater relevancy and utility for decision makers in the near future. We synthesize the current literature with an outline of core assessment components and key questions to guide the trajectory of future research.
Importance of Knowledge Management in Establishing Organization Strategy: Study on Saudi Arabian Airlines HR Division, Jeddah

This study was aimed at determining the awareness of the Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) human resources (HR) division employees about the role of knowledge management in the company. In addition, their understanding of the concept of knowledge management was also evaluated. Further, the degree to which knowledge management processes were practically employed by the HR employees in the company was also determined. A descriptive and analytical course was employed as a proper method in this study. The study sample was selected from Saudi employees working in Jeddah; owing to their large number, a random sample of 60 employees was chosen. The questionnaire method was employed in this study, and several results were obtained. Some of the main results are as follows. The system encouraged the participants to follow the best practices of other organizations and ensure that managers understand that successful knowledge depends on organizational culture. Further, knowledge management is considered as information management, and study participations agreed to some extent to the knowledge management concept for HR employees. In addition, it was pointed out that good and creative ideas for improving competitive advantage are supported and an individual and group initiative culture is spread between employees.
MICROGEOGRAPHIC SONG DIALECTS IN THE ORANGE-TUFTED SUNBIRD (NECTARINIA OSEA)

(Acc. 3-VIII-2000) Summary In a study of male song in the orange-tufted sunbird ( Nectarinia osea ) in an urban neighborhood in Ramat-Aviv, Israel, we discovered the occurrence of song variation on a microgeographic scale in the form of two distinct dialects with a sharp boundary between them. The main distinction between the two song dialects is the frequency of the trill, which comprises the terminal part of the song. A large difference of 2-3 kHz in the peak frequency of the trill was discovered between the two dialects, which could be easily distinguished by ear. Thirtyseven males were recorded singing the ‘ low’ dialect and 21 birds sang the ‘ high’ dialect. Four other birds sang both dialects or ‘ hybrid’ songs. Along the boundary that separated the two dialect populations, neighboring birds sang different dialect songs, although they were only 20-30 meters apart. All four ‘ bilingual’ birds occupied territories near the dialect boundary. The historical processes leading to the formation of this dialect system may result from the pattern of human settlement at the time of the establishment of this neighborhood in the early 1950’s. The spatial distribution of the two sunbird dialect populations, and the apparent low dispersal rates of birds from their natal dialect area, suggest the existence of a mechanism, which currently maintains these dialects at the current boundaries.
Value of Collective Effort: Redevelopment Timing Options of Enbloc Sale Sites in Singapore

AbstractThis paper applies the discrete-time binomial tree option-pricing framework proposed by Cox, Ross and Rubinstein (1979) to evaluate redevelopment options embedded in collective sale sites in Singapore. Based on 30 collective sale transactions recorded in 1999, our empirical results showed that the average redevelopment option premium was estimated at S$12.24 million or 9.65% of the gross development value. By adding the redevelopment-timing premium to the developer’s profit and returns of 15%, the developer would expect a premium of 24.65% of gross development value if he were to exercise his option to redevelop now. Otherwise, it will be more valuable to keep the redevelopment option “alive. ” The regression results further showed that the option premiums are positively and significantly related to the size and the price of the collective sale sites. Sensitivity analyses were also conducted and the results showed that the redevelopment option premiums increase when the price volatility, which is m.
THE IMPACT OF HETEROGENEITY ON THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF INTERSTITIAL CYSTITIS

Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a disease for which the etiology remains unknown. IC is one of the most bothersome conditions in urological practice and it commonly affects females, presenting with symptoms of pain on bladder filling and urinary frequency. IC is a heterogeneous syndrome and frequently divided into two subtypes. Compared to the classic IC, the nonulcer type of IC is appears different concerning symptomatic, endoscopic and histological findings, as well as the response to various forms of treatment. This review gives an introduction to the IC syndrome, concerning clinical characteristics and diagnostic criteria. A variety of treatment modalities have been suggested throughout the years and are reviewed and assessed herein, such as hydrodistension of the bladder, intravesical instillation therapy, oral medication, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, transurethral resection of diseased bladder tissue, supratrigonal cystectomy followed by enterocystoplasty and urinary diversion.
Exports, Gender Wage Gaps, and Poverty in Honduras

This paper identifies and estimates the reduction in poverty attributable to the improved opportunities that international trade integration offered to women in Honduras. The expansion of the export-oriented maquila sector has brought gender equality both in terms of employment and labour earnings. A simulation exercise shows that, at a given point in time, poverty in Honduras would have been 1.5 percentage points higher had the maquila sector not existed. Of this increase in poverty, 0.35 percentage points is attributable to the wage premium paid to maquila workers, 0.1 percentage points to the wage premium received by women in the maquila sector, and 1 percentage point to employment creation.
Labor as a Payment Vehicle for Valuing Soil and Water Conservation Practice: An Application of Contingent Valuation Method in Abaro- Toga Watershed, Southern Ethiopia

This paper examines the determinants of farmers' willingness to pay (WTP) for soil and water conservation (SWC) practices applied Contingent Valuation Method in terms of labor contribution in Abaro-Toga Watershed. The paper is based on analysis of data collected from 150 randomly selected households through face to face interview. Descriptive statistics and econometrics logit models were applied. Results of the study showed that most respondents were WTP for SWC practices because of severity of soil erosion problem. Response to the hypothetical scenario revealed that sampled households expressed their mean WTP to be 36.01 labor days per year with an aggregate benefit of 1334247 labor days per year which is equivalent to 23349329.8 Birr. While, from the open ended elicitation methods total WTP was computed at mean of 32.21 labor days per year with an aggregate benefit of 1193449.3 labor days per year which is equivalent to 20885362.76 birr (1 US$=20.8 birr). This indicated that the total WTP from double bound elicitation format is greater than the WTP from open ended question. Hence, policy makers should target double bounded elicitation method than open ended elicitation method to eliciting the WTP for SWC practice. The results of logistic regression analysis also show that farmers' decisions to participate in SWC practices are influenced by a host of factors (Age, HH size, education, income, sex, slop of land, number of livestock holding, perception, labor shortage, and bid value). The implication is that taking these factors into account while planning SWC measures enables policy makers to come up with projects that win acceptance by the local people. Keywords : Determinants ,Soil and water conservation, Logit, Contingent valuation, willingness to pay
Predictors of Recurrent Child Maltreatment

The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between child maltreatment recurrence and several predictor variables in 7 rural counties in central Illinois, an under-studied population in the child maltreatment literature. Additionally, factors that contributed to the decision by Illinois Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) to provide post-investigative services were also examined. Data were obtained from an integrated database maintained by Illinois DCFS. All indicated cases of maltreatment occurring between January 1, 2000 and March 31 of 2001 were examined for a 12-month period following the initial indicated report for child revictimization or perpetrator recidivism. The final sample consisted of 34 7 victims of child maltreatment. Of these initial maltreatment cases, 49 cases were indicated for recurrent abuse or neglect and 51 cases were opened for postinvestigative services. Results indicated that female perpetrators, multiple victims and neglect were associated with recurrent child maltreatment. The findings also suggested that the combination of having multiple victims and a female perpetrator enhanced the risk of reabuse and reneglect. Factors related to the decision to open a case for services were younger female victims, younger perpetrators, female perpetrators, younger female perpetrators, and neglect. Moreover, cases with a combination of multiple perpetrators and female perpetrators enhanced the likelihood that cases would be opened for post-investigative services. A surprising finding was that although cases with multiple victims were at more risk for recurrence, cases with multiple perpetrators were more likely to be opened for post-investigative services. Suggestions for future research as well as further DCFS policy recommendations are discussed. Recurrent Child Maltreatment Ill
Discrepancies in the Prevalence of Known Frailty Scales: Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Study

Background The identification of frailty is considered an effective means of enhancing healthy aging. The definition of frailty affects its prevalence and associated institutionalization and mortality. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of frailty among community-dwelling older Korean adults according to different frailty scales. Methods This cross-sectional study based on the Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Study represents a population of 1,318 people aged 70 years and older. Discrepancies in the prevalence of frailty were evaluated among six validated assessment tools. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the prevalence of frailty according to its predictors (age, sex, and socioeconomic status). Results The mean age of the participants was 76.1 (standard deviation, 3.9) years, and females comprised 51.0%. The prevalence of frailty varied from 2.5% to 12.4% using the Study of Osteoporotic Fracture frailty index and the Korean version of the Fatigue, Resistance, Ambulation, Illnesses, and Loss of Weight scale, respectively. The prevalence of frailty was higher among women and frailty rates increased with age on all scales. The risks of prefrailty and frailty were increased among participants with a low education level after adjusting for age, sex, residence, and income level. Conclusion In this study, the prevalence of frailty was found to vary depending on the scale used. Efforts aimed at screening and providing intervention for frailty and frail adults at risk, respectively, are needed to improve health outcomes considering the characteristics of each frailty scale and the determined prevalence.
A Novel Secure Multiparty Algorithms in Horizontally Distributed Database for Fast Distributed Database

The proposed a protocol for protected mining of association rules in horizontally distributed database. The current leading set of rules is that of Kantarcioglu and Clifton. Our procedure, like theirs, is based on the Fast Distributed Mining (FDM) algorithm of Cheung et al. which is an unsecured spread version of the Apriori algorithm. The main ingredient in our procedure are two novel secure multi-party algorithms. One that computes the union of private subsets that each of the interacting group of actors hold, and another that tests the inclusion of an element held by one actor in a subset held by another. Our protocol offers improved separation with respect to the protocol. In addition, it is simpler and is extensively more efficient in terms of announcement rounds, announcement cost and computational cost.
Sexual selection on locomotor performance

Questions: Does sexual selection operate on locomotor performance? Which taxa are likely to have locomotor performance influenced by sexual selection? Methods: We reviewed recent literature. Conclusions: Theory and empirical evidence support the hypothesis that sexual selection operates on locomotor performance, but tests of alternative hypotheses are rare. We provide a general framework for developing testable hypotheses. Many animal taxa show potential for sexual selection as a strong force acting on locomotor performance. These include species with male aerial display or territory defence, such as numerous bird species, gliding lizards, and flying insects, but also terrestrial ones, among which lizards have been studied the most. Locomotor performance may be an important component of female choice via its direct or indirect benefits to females.
Validating Measurements of Perceived Ease Comprehension and Ease of Navigation of an Online Learning Technology: Improving Web Based Learning Tool Adoption and Use

Many universities are realizing that the implementation and use of online learning tool become a competitive advantage to address the actual learning needs. The purpose of this study is to determine the factors that influence users’ perceived ease of use of Webct an online learning tool. We administrated a questionnaire to undergraduate students from an university in Quebec, Canada. The results tend to corroborate that ease of comprehension and ease of navigation are the key factors which influence the perceived ease of use of WebCT. More specifically, the terms used in educational web applications must be as simple and relevant as possible. Jargon and technical terms in the wording of text used for links should be carefully avoided. This research is extending the finding of IT adoption studies by specifying what make an online tool easy to use.
Social Security Mechanism(System): Theories, Design and Practice

Living through hunger and physical hardship from infancy to premature old age; living through economic shifts that close factories and strip currency of its value in an instant; living through social turmoil, political upheaval, and war; through it all, poor men and women in communities around the world keep coming back to their deep longing for a better future for their children. And despite an age of unprecedented global prosperity and the existence of a worldwide network of poverty-reduction institutions, poverty persists and is intensifying among certain groups and in certain regions around the world. Again, while the 2008 financial crisis is global in nature, it is likely to have heterogeneous welfare impacts within the developing world, with some countries and some people more vulnerable than others. It also threatens to have lasting impacts for some of those affected, notably through the nutrition and schooling of children in poor families. These features point to the need for a differentiated social policy response, aiming to provide rapid income support to those in most need, while preserving the key physical and human assets of poor people and their communities. This paper therefore argued that attempts should be made in developing countries to establish institutions and financing mechanisms to assure permanent measures to insure against normal life-cycle contingencies. And for those countries considering alternative social protection measures, the choice should depend on the nature of contingencies experienced and on their administrative and financing capacities. Perhaps, prayer to Almighty God remains the key solution given the spiritual dimension of the social problem under consideration (and since righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a reproach to any nation of the world).
OUTSOURCING INFORMATION SYSTEMS:AN ALTERNATIVE FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT

In the current era of high-tech computer systems and rapidly changing technology, many organizations are finding it difficult to keep pace. To meet the myriad technological challenges facing them, many organizations are turning to outsourcing to find economic relief, access to world class technology, and help with integrating new technology with existing systems. Local government agencies are no exception. This paper explores the pros and cons of outsourcing, examines the idea of IS as a value center rather than a cost center, and offers an alternative to outsourcing for local government.
CONCEPTUAL REFLECTIONS ON EURATLANTIC ACCESSION : THE SECURITY IMPLICATIONS OF THE ENLARGEMENT DYNAMIC

The post-Cold War international relations have emphasized an increase in the importance of internationally promoted norms and rules as well as an increased dynamic of their promotion. These processes have gone beyond the traditional understandings of regime theory operationalization and have suggested the revival of the notion of security communities. The argument, then, is that the stateinteraction of the former Eastern Bloc countries with Euratlantic organizations (principally the EU and NATO) leads the latter to propagate norms on accepted practices to East European states. These processes of socialization, in turn, can encourage inter-state cooperation by the applicant states and this can encourage the development of a regional security community.
Effects Analysis Leaf Extract Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis (Park.) Fosberg) Against Insulin Resistance in Rat (Rattus norvegicus) Obese Study on Cell Morphology of Langerhans Island

The state of obesity is closely related to insulin resistance that leads to type 2 diabetes incidence of exposure to high concentrations of glucose cause increased apoptosis of pancreatic Langerhans Island. A. altilis plants have traditionally been used by the people of Indonesia for treating diabetes mellitus. The objective of this study was to determine the concentration of leaf extract of A. altilis which can improve insulin resistance in rats (Rattus norvegicus) who are obese by looking at the morphology of Langerhans islet cells. The method used is eksperimntal laboratory to study design Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT). Rats were divided into five groups, with each group consisting of 5 rats, then given a high-fat meal (open source) for fattening or obese. -----------------------------------------------------------------------* Corresponding author. International Journal of Sciences: Basic and Applied Research (IJSBAR) (2017) Volume 31, No 1, pp 313-318 314 Weight measurement to assess that the rats had been obese and the fasting blood sugar (GDP) by using the tool GlukoDR tests to ensure that the mice had increased blood glucose and insulin resistance. Group I as a negative control group, the group II as a positive control group using metformin HCl, group III as 5% of the test group, Group IV as the test group, 10% and V as a test group of 15%. HE staining was done to see the number of islets of Langerhans cells of each group. Data analysis was performed using One Way Anova to see the differences between the groups with 95% confidence level. All data were analyzed with SPSS version 21.0 (SPSS, Inc. Chicago, IL). Results revealed that no difference in the number of Langerhans islet cells in the negative control with extracts of A. altilis 5%, 10% and 15%. (P = 0.000) in which 10% extract has the same effect with metformin and extract 15% had a greater effect of metformin (p = 0.000). In conclusion, the extract A. altilis can increase the number of Langerhans islet cells in obese mice. So it can be taken into consideration A. altilis use in the prevention of insulin resistance.
Implementation of B-Format Encoding and Decoding

New software tools are presented, which enable a standard PC equipped with a multichannel sound board to be used both for the creation of B-format signals, and for their playback over a suitable array of loudspeakers. The encoding of B-format signals is obtained by convolution of each original soundtrack with a proper B-format impulse response, obtained from measurement in existing spaces or from computation by a room acoustics software. The decoding is made thanks to a small dedicated program, which can be set to emulate a standard Ambisonics decoder (with fixed-gain shelf filters), or a new, wider class of decoders based on the recent theory about Energetic Analysis of Sound Fields. The decoder includes convolution with inverse filters which compensate for the irregularities of the loudspeakers. The system was developed mainly as an analysis tool and as a support for subjective listening tests in the automotive field and in the room acoustics field.