Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of water deficit stress on fruit yield, antioxidant activity and some physiological trait of four Iranian melon genotypes

To evaluate the effect of water-deficit stress on the yield, antioxidant activity, and physiological traits of four Iranian melon genotypes (“Khatooni,” “Suski-Sabz,” “Zarde-Tabriz,” and “Shiari”), an experiment was conducted. The irrigation levels were: (1) control (100%ETc); (2) deficit irrigation 66% (66%ETc); and (3) deficit irrigation 33% (33%ETc). The results showed that the yield and relative water content (RWC) significantly decreased in response to an increase in water-deficit stress. The highest yield reduction (60.7%) was measured in Khatooni under 33% ETc deficit irrigation. Water deficit had no significant effect on the Vitamin C content. Among genotypes, the highest value of Vitamin C was seen in Suski-Sabz. Water-use efficiency (WUE) increased under water-deficit stress conditions with higher WUE values recorded in the Suski-Sabz and Shiari genotypes. Significant proline accumulation was detected with increasing water-deficit stress and the highest value of proline was obtained in Shiari under 33%ETc deficit irrigation. The increase in water-deficit stress resulted in higher catalase and peroxidase activities in all genotypes. According to the results, the Suski-Sabz and Shiari genotypes showed the lowest yield reduction respectively, related to high antioxidant enzyme activity and proline accumulation under water-deficit conditions.
Cyberbullying Victimization in Context: The Role of Social Inequalities in Countries and Regions

The phenomenon of cyberbullying is gaining ever more attention by media and policy makers in many countries. Theoretical frameworks using a socio-ecological approach emphasize the importance of contextual explanatory factors located at the societal level. It has been suggested that in addition to cross-national differences, the analysis of smaller units of more adjacent cultural contexts (i.e., regions) might yield more explanatory power. Leaning on previous findings and theory, the current article aims to identify and compare contextual explanatory factors associated with social inequality (i.e., crime rates, gross domestic product [GDP], life expectancy, and population density) for variation in cyber- and face-to-face bullying victimization rates within one sample. Moreover, corresponding explanatory factors are investigated across national and regional levels. Cyber- and face-to-face bullying victimization of 15,813 nine- to sixteen-year-olds (50% female) from the cross-national survey data of EU Kids Online were linked with contextual variables of 18 countries and 179 regions obtained from data of the European Social Survey (ESS). Hierarchical multilevel-modeling analyses, adding first regional and then country-level contextual predictors for bullying victimization, were performed. Against expectations, differences for cyber- and face-to-face victimization between regions within countries were smaller than differences between countries. Regional-level life expectancy showed a negative and crime rates showed a marginal positive relation with both cyber- and face-to-face victimization. Population density showed a negative and GDP a positive relationship with cyber- but not face-to-face victimization. Adding the same predictors on the country level did not improve model fit. Possible research and policy implications are discussed.
Focusing, implicational scaling, and the dialect status of New York Latino English1

This study examines the status of New York Latino English (NYLE) as a focused systematic dialect versus an unsystematic menu of features, what Benor(2008,2009,2010)callsan‘ethnolinguisticrepertoire. ’Systematicity isassessedthroughimplicationalscaling,underwhichhighdegreesofscaling are assumed to represent high levels of systematicity. Data from 20 young Latino New Yorkers are examined with respect to five variables presenting variants of presumed substrate origin. Results are initially contradictory. Depending on the form of scaling used, NYLE can be seen as only marginally systematic or highly so. The paradox can be resolved in two findings. First, non-substrate factors obscure substrate effects at low frequencies, particularly in variables that tend to relatively low substrate-variant-usage rates. Second, individuals show different degrees of systematicity in variable usage. These findings are neutral about the eventual outcome of NYLE as fitting best a dialect or repertoire model. However, the results further imply that if systematicity is developing in NYLE, then it may follow a pattern of leaders and followers in its organization.
A study of the mechanical design engineer's strategies and tactics during the later phases of the engineering design process

This paper presents the results of an explorative study on the strategies and tactics applied by the mechanical designer during the later phases of the design process. The method chosen for this study is experiment-based, which is appropriate for an in-depth examination of the designer's activities. Six experiments have been run based on three dimensions: 1) the carrying out of basic design tasks consisting of the designer's strategies and tactics; 2) use of rules, principles and guidelines; and 3) consideration of additional factors. The analysis of the experiments is based on the verbal protocol analysis method. Although the designers individually showed different approaches, the strategies adopted by the experts presented a similar pattern. Some powerful tactics but also some weaknesses have been identified: the experts reasoned very early in the process in terms of concrete parts and components and thus rapidly solved interface problems; on the other hand, the evaluation and check activities were often considered as secondary. (Less)
Current Conflicts in General Relativity: is Einstein's Theory Incomplete?

A review of refutations of general relativity commonly found in today’s literature is presented, with comments on the status of Einstein’s theory and brief analyses of the arguments for modified gravity. Topics include dark matter and the galactic rotation curve, dark energy and cosmic acceleration, completeness and the equation of state, the speed of gravity, the singularity problem, redshift, gravitational time dilation, localized energy, and the gravitational potential. It is conjectured that the contemporary formalism of general relativity offers an incomplete description of gravitational effects, which may be the most compelling reason for seeking new theories of gravity.
A Noise Reduction Study on Flow-Permeable Trailing-Edges

This paper summarizes the results of an experimental study on flow-permeable comb-type trailing-edges which have the potential to effectively reduce turbulent boundary-layer trailing-edge noise. Basic design rules are presented with respect to a future use of such devices as suitable add-on solutions for a wide range of technical applications. These are e.g. the high-lift devices of current passenger aircraft, the blades of cooling fans or wind turbines which represent strong trailing-edge noise radiators. The noise reduction potential of several trailing-edge modifications, applied on a flat plate and on a two-dimensional NACA0012-like airfoil, was measured by a directional microphone in the open-jet anechoic Aeroacoustic Wind Tunnel Braunschweig. Additional knowledge of the incident boundary-layer flow properties was gained by application of hot-wire anemometry and unsteady surface pressure measurements. Within the range of parameters tested so far, comb design optimization appears mainly determined by geometric details of the comb itself than being dependent on specifics of the incident flow. Comb devices show the same (velocity)^5-scaling behaviour of farfield trailing-edge noise intensity as solid edges, however, on a significantly reduced level (-2 to -10 dB), and based on a constant scaling length. A minimum device length (in the order of the turbulent boundary-layer thickness or more) and a narrow slit width (of about the viscous sublayer thickness) were identified as the major design requirements. Flexibility of the comb material was found beneficial, but not essential to achieve a noise reduction.
The Relationship between Iranian EFL Learners' Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary Size and Lexical Coverage of the Text: The Case of Narrative and Argumentative Genres

This study explored the relationship between EFL learners’ vocabulary size, lexical coverage of the text and reading comprehension texts (narrative & argumentative genres). To this end, 120 male and female out of 180 students studying at Talesh Azad University were selected based on their performance on the Nelson Proficiency Test. A Nelson reading proficiency test was also administered in order to check the homogeneity of the learners in their reading proficiency. After that, the researcher administered reading comprehension tests with narrative and argumentative genres in order to find the lexical coverage and vocabulary size for such reading tests. Learners' Vocabulary size was measured by the Levels Test, while their lexical coverage was measured by the newest version of Vocabulary Profile. In order to probe any significant relationship between the variables of the study, Pearson Correlationwas run. Results of the study showed that there was a strong relationship among vocabulary size, text coverage, and reading comprehension test at different genres.
Family characteristics and entrepreneurship among immigrants in the Netherlands

This study analyses the family characteristics of entrepreneurs among immigrants. This study discusses first what entrepreneurship is with its functions and determinants. Next, it describes differences between entrepreneurship in the total population and entrepreneurship among immigrants. A historical overview is given of recent immigration streams in the Netherlands. The empirical analyses of this study focus on the association of marital status and children with entrepreneurship (compared to all other possible occupations) among immigrants in general. The differences between the associations of marital status and children with entrepreneurship among first- and second generation immigrants are also researched separately. The analyses are based on a sample of 1,557 immigrants living in the Netherlands that participated in the Immigrant Panel of the LISS Database. The empirical analyses show no significant associations of marriage and divorce with entrepreneurship among immigrants and among first- and second-generation immigrants separately. No significant evidence is found for having children in the household, having young children (in the age 0-6 years) and children older than 18 years being associated with entrepreneurship among immigrants or among first- and second-generation immigrants separately. This study further discusses possible explanations for the absence of significant results.
Urban effects on the diurnal temperature cycle in Phoenix, Arizona

Empirical estimations of urban effects on the diurnal temperature cycle were carried out for Phoenix, Arizona, through a framework capable of estimating the mean urban effect on air temperature. The analysis of pre-urban and urban differences in hourly temperature data at Sky Harbor International Airport during dry tropical conditions in June and January revealed a significant urban influence. Minimum temperature was most influenced by urbanization with the mean minimum temperature during the urban period exceeding that of the pre-urban period by 4.4°C (2.4°C) in June (January). A significant urban heat sink in January maximum temperatures was evident as the mean maximum temperature during the pre-urban period exceeded that of the urban period by 1.5°C. The greater thermal inertia due to urban growth around the airport and the growth of the airport itself has also had an effect on nocturnal cooling rates. Pre-urban January minimum temperatures typically occurred between 06:00 and 07:00 local standard time (LST) in the pre-urban period and between 07:00 and 08:00 LST in the urban period. Similarly, in June, the minimum temperature occurred on average around 05:00 LST during the pre-urban period and between 05:00 and 06:00 LST during the urban period. This apparent decrease in cooling rates was modeled well by the first harmonic fit to the average hourly temperature data.
Gene Editing in Adult Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Over the last years, an important development has allowed the scientific community to address a precise and accurate modification of the genome. The first probe of concept appeared with the design and use of engineered zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs), which was expanded later on with the discovery and engineering of meganucleases and transcrip‐ tion activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) and finally democratized and made easily available to the whole scientific community with the discovery of the clustered regular‐ ly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 nuclease combination technol‐ ogy. The availability of these tools has allowed a precise gene editing, such as knockout of a specific gene or the correction of a defective gene by means of homologous recombi‐ nation (HR), taking advantage of the endogenous cell repair machinery. This process was already known and used but was inefficient—efficiency that has been increased more than 100-fold with the addition of the mentioned specific nucleases to the process. Apart from the proper design of the nucleases to recognize and cut the selected site in the cell genome, two main goals need to be adequately addressed to optimize its function: the delivery of the tools into the desired cells and the selection of those where the gene editing process has occurred correctly. Both steps can be easily solved when the source of cells is extensive or can be expanded and manipulated in vitro extensively, such as immortal‐ ized cell lines or pluripotent stem cells (embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells). However, both steps are critical in the case of primary cells, replenishment of all hematopoietic cells for the lifespan of the animals by means of two fundamental properties: self-renewal and multipotency. HSC population is then the ideal target for the correction of hematopoietic genetic diseases and also for the knockout of the responsible genes to in vitro and in vivo model those hematopoietic diseases. This rare population cannot be expanded and its in vitro manipulation and culture negatively affects their fundamental properties of self-renewal and multipotency. These factors challenge the application of gene editing to HSCs. Important efforts are now ongoing trying to optimize the protocols of gene delivery and selection for HSCs. This chapter will review and discuss how researchers are trying to solve them, all attempts that are ongoing and the potential application of the technology to the patients affected with hematopoietic genetic diseases.
Using the WRF Regional Climate Model to Simulate Future SummertimeWind Speed Changes over the Arabian Peninsula

The normal surface pressure distribution in the Middle East includes high pressure over the eastern Mediterranean Sea and low pressure over the southeastern Arabian Peninsula. The resulting west-east pressure gradient leads to summertime northerly or northwesterly shamal winds across the Arabian Peninsula, which typically result in many days per month with substantial lofted dust, leading to considerable human health and transportation impacts. It would be helpful to understand how the regional pressure gradient may change in the future, as the strength of this gradient exerts predominant control over the strength of the shamal wind. One factor possibly leading to changes in the strength of the pressure gradient is climate variability. We have simulated the regional climate under a presentday scenario (2006-2010) and a mid-century scenario (2056-2060) using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. Our results indicate a weakening of the regional pressure gradient by mid-century, resulting in lower average wind speeds and fewer days conducive to dust storms across the Arabian Peninsula.
Evaluation of a global model of ionospheric slab thickness for foF2 estimation during geomagnetic storm

This study aims to evaluate the performance of the global model of ionospheric slab thickness (GMIST) in terms of F2 layer critical frequency (foF2) estimation during geomagnetic disturbed conditions. Hourly values of foF2 as obtained from ionosonde stations located at equatorial, low- and mid-latitude regions are compared with the corresponding GMIST and IRI-STORM modeled values. For this purpose, the correlation coefficient, daily mean, root mean square error and improvement percentage are calculated at different regions and geomagnetic disturbance levels. The results show that GMIST is more accurate than IRI-STORM model in terms of foF2 estimation at low- and mid-latitude regions, while at equatorial areas GMIST is less accurate during geomagnetically disturbed and quiet conditions.
How Can We Increase the Quality of Private Schools in Bangladesh from the Perspectives of Students and Managers

This paper examines factors that determine students’ choices of private universities for tertiary study in Bangladesh. Tertiary study in private schools in Bangladesh is relatively a recent development in business. The study is fascinating in that, this new industry has been growing remarkably over the years and can potentially contribute to economic growth. Factor analysis was used to determine important factors in choosing a private university. The results suggest that endogenous factors such as fee structure, mode of payment, quality education and physical environment are significant in influ encing choice variables while advertisements, logistics, credit transfer facilities and influence of peer group tend to have less influence. The main implication of this study is that despite diversity in the socio-economic set-up across different countries, certain variables such as fee structure, quality education and physical environment are likely to potentially influence students’ choice of private schools globally.
Statistical Analysis of Corrosion Inhibition of Water Hyacinth on Mild Steel in an Acidic Medium

This present work investigated surface response modeling and optimization of corrosion inhibition of water hyacinth on mild steel surface in an acidic medium. This was achieved using the central composite design (CCD) experimental design. Response Surface Methodology was used to assess the effects of experimental process variables that influenced rate of corrosion, and for searching of optimum combinations of factors. The rate of corrosion on mild steel surface was study using weight loss method. The optimum process variables obtained from the quadratic model developed were 1.50 g/l inhibitor’s concentration, 8 hours exposure time, and temperature of 60°C with a predicted inhibitor’s efficiency value of 82.89%. The experimental result obtained from optimum value validation was 81.5% and the predicted optimum value was adequately represented. The mild steel corrosion inhibition was achieved through the double bond adsorption of carbonyl group existing in the inhibitor phytochemical constituent.
EVOLUTION OF CORONAL MASS EJECTION MORPHOLOGY WITH INCREASING HELIOCENTRIC DISTANCE. II. IN SITU OBSERVATIONS

Interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) are often observed to travel much faster than the ambient solar wind. If the relative speed between the two exceeds the fast magnetosonic velocity, then a shock wave will form. The Mach number and the shock standoff distance ahead of the ICME leading edge is measured to infer the vertical size of an ICME in a direction that is perpendicular to the solar wind flow. We analyze the shock standoff distance for 45 events varying between 0.5 AU and 5.5 AU in order to infer their physical dimensions. We find that the average ratio of the inferred vertical size to measured radial width, referred to as the aspect ratio, of an ICME is 2.8 ± 0.5. We also compare these results to the geometrical predictions from Paper I that forecast an aspect ratio between 3 and 6. The geometrical solution varies with heliocentric distance and appears to provide a theoretical maximum for the aspect ratio of ICMEs. The minimum aspect ratio appears to remain constant at 1 (i.e., a circular cross section) for all distances. These results suggest that possible distortions to the leading edge of ICMEs are frequent. But, these results may also indicate that the constants calculated in the empirical relationship correlating the different shock front need to be modified; or perhaps both distortions and a change in the empirical formulae are required.
Plankton-benthos coupling on a Caribbean fringing reef

Trophodynamic processes on coral reefs are complex and poorly understood. Near Discovery Bay, Jamaica, the nitrogen isotopic composition of diverse zooxanthellate cnidarians was depleted in 15 N relative to other reef animals. 13 C values for zooplanktivores, herbivores, and carnivores were generally explicable on the basis of their diet, as were 15 N values for zooplanktivorous herring and herbivores. Demosponges (and perhaps other suspension-feeders) were more enriched than expected in 13 C. Suspension-feeders, non-zooxanthellate scleractinians, and predatory barjacks were far less enriched in 15 N than anticipated. Exudates from zooxanthellate cnidarians and/or cyanobacteria (or endosymbiotic cyanobacteria in some demosponges) are possible sources of 15 N-depleted/ 13 C-enriched organic materials for benthic suspension feeders. Benthic algae and zooxanthellate cnidarians on the fore reefs were depleted in 15 N relative to congeners collected within Discovery Bay. Microbial reactions occurring within fine-grained Bay sediments can explain 15 N enrichment as an alternative to imported anthropogenic nitrogen.
Corporate Transparency and Bond Liquidity

To answer the question what causes an asset to be illiquid, we analyze the impact that transparency of corporate accounting information has on the liquidity of its traded bonds. In particular, we focus on how this relationship depends on aggregate liquidity and the financial state of the firm. We use an extensive panel data set comprising more than 40,000 quarterly bond observations between 2004Q4 and 2012Q4. We find a statistically and economically significant impact of transparency on bond liquidity. This relationship becomes stronger during times of financial distress. We also find that the impact of transparency on liquidity is much larger than the influence of credit risk. Finally, we also find that transparent accounting information has a strong effect on liquidity risk.