Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Germination and Emergence Characteristics of Annual Ground Cherry ( Physalis divaricata )

Recently, annual ground cherry Physalis divaricata (P. divaricata) has become a very serious damaging weed in a wide range of summer annual crops and some minor crops in western Iran. However, data regarding the seed germination and seedling emergence behavior of this weed are limited. Therefore, laboratory experiments were conducted in Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran during 2013 to evaluate the effect of temperature, KNO3, GA3, light, burial depth, pH, osmotic and salt stresses on seed germination and emergence of P. divaricata collected from Kermanshah, IslamabadeGharb, Sarpole-Zahab. Results indicated that the seeds of P. divaricata germinated over a relatively wide range of temperatures. Though, the greatest germination occurred under the alternating temperature regime of (20/35°C 16 h low and 8 h high). Generally, light had a stimulatory effect on seed germination of P. divaricata. Emergence of P. divaricata decreased with the increase in burial depth. The highest emergence percentage was recorded for seeds buried at soil depth of 0 and 1 cm (75 and 55, respectively). The seeds failed to emerge when they were buried deeper than 4 cm. The salt concentration 46.09 mM NaCl resulted in 50% inhibition of seed germination. An osmotic potential of 0.43 MPa led to the inhibition of seed germination by 50%. Germination positively responded to increasing pH level. The maximum percentage of seed germination was shown at pH 10. Overall, germination increased when GA3 and KNO3 were added to the germination media. The results revealed that P. divaricata has the potential to become a noxious weed in further areas in Iran. Using cultivation, especially conducted during night, to deprive photoblastic seeds of P. divaricata from light would be beneficial in reducing its seed germination and removing newly established seedlings.
Explaining the difference in leverage between banks and nonbanks : Evidence from Bank-Oriented Countries

Banks have higher leverage levels than non-banks. Previous research has shown that in the United States the higher bank leverage is explained by the safeness of the banks’ assets. There is no sign of misuse of the government bank safety net, which is commonly mentioned as reason. However, the USA is a market-oriented country, with low bank power and influence. This paper researches if these findings also hold in bank-oriented countries, where bank power is higher and the safety net might be more certain. I find that the leverage that is unexplained by the model is even negative in bank-oriented countries due to the safer bank assets. I thus find no evidence suggesting misuse of the safety net. The capital predicting variables predict leverage levels of above 100%, which would make the bank bankrupt. Banks seem to cap their leverage at levels around 95% to hold a buffer against unforeseen negative shocks, even though the model and Basel regulations would allow higher leverage. These findings are tested with several robustness tests and hold under all these circumstances.
Validity , Reliability and Turkish Norm Values of the Clock Drawing Test for Two Different Scoring Systems Saat

Objective: The clock drawing test (CDT) version with the pre-drawn circle has been widely used in research and clinical practice without standardized Turkish norms. The present study aimed to standardize CDT scores according to the most frequently used scoring methods in the literature (Manos-Wu and Shulman) and to estimate the validity and reliability of both methods. Materials and Methods: The norm determination phase of the study was performed with 244 healthy individuals in the age range of 50-92 years. The effects of age, education, and sex on the CDT scores were examined and normative data stratified by age and education were derived. Test-retest reliability, inter-rater reliability, and concurrent validity and criterion validity of the two scoring methods were tested. Criterion validity was assessed using the ROC analysis to examine the extent to which the CDT scores could distinguish among healthy individuals, patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Results: In the Manos-Wu method, age and education had significant effects on CDT scores of healthy individuals; however, in the Shulman method, only an education effect was found. Both methods had high test-retest reliability (Manos-Wu, 0.81; Shulman, 0.72) and inter-rater reliability (Manos-Wu, 0.98; Shulman, 0.96) and showed high correlations with each other and with other cognitive screening tests. The area under the ROC curve had high values only in discriminating between healthy individuals and AD, and healthy individuals and MCI. Conclusion: In the present study, detailed normative data for individuals aged 50 and older were established. Age and education levels should be taken into account when interpreting CDT scores. Both scoring methods provided similar results in terms of high test-retest and inter-rater reliability, as well as high concurrent and criterion validity.
EARED TURTLE USING THEIR FECES SAMPLES

Exploratory environmental DNA, eDNA analysis was performed to investigate plantfeeding habits of the red-eared turtle using their feces samples. This turtle species nonnative to Japan appears to be causing feeding damage to lotus roots in several rural areas as a pest, although the reality is still unproven scientifically. The feces samples were collected from five turtles inhabiting agricultural canals surrounding lotus root paddies in Tokushima Prefecture where feeding damage has arisen. After eDNA extraction from the feces samples and polymerase chain reaction, PCR amplification, electrophoresis and sequencing analysis of the amplified PCR products were carried out to confirm whether chloroplast DNA fragments of seven targeted plant species including the lotus were detected from the eDNA samples. From the results, the DNA fragments of six plant species were detected from all eDNA samples, hence, this eDNA analysis appeared to be successful. It suggested that the number of the detected plant species differed between young and adult turtles. Different habitats of the detected plant species indicated that the turtles migrated between the lotus root paddies and the canals. The lotus DNA fragments were found in all turtles. Therefore, our eDNA analysis helps to more definitely prove the feeding damage of the lotus root by this turtle.
Measuring design innovation for project-based design assessment: considerations of robustness and efficiency

Instructional approaches that support the acquisition of innovation design process skills for engineering and other design students are critical to developing design competencies. Resources that enable efficient and valid evaluation of design outcomes are needed; however current evaluation methods do not apply well to the heterogeneous projects found in authentic project-based design classes such as capstone design. We develop a robust and efficient measure of design outcome innovation and validate our measure with a large and diverse set of design outcomes from a project based design class. The measure is based on expert judgments of designconcepts’ value and functionality derived from a set of importance-weighted design requirements. In the context of an engineering design class, the innovation score was a statistically significant predictor of success in terms of implementation status by the client. Thus, the measure’s validity was supported by its ability to predict design concepts’ implementation by clients in the context of a product realization class. New design outcome assessment measures in the context of authentic project-based design environments, such as the one developed in the present study, should interface with process-based metrics to create higher-quality input into the overall assessment of design team performance.
Determinants of Economic Growth in Africa with Emphasis on the Role of Financial Intermediaries Using Bayesian Averaging of Classical Estimates

This paper examines variables, which significantly determine longrun growth in Africa. Emphasis is put on financial intermediaries. The study used 37 countries and 14 variables. It employed an approach, which was introduced by Sala-i-Martin and D. Miller (2000) called Bayesian Averaging of Classical Estimates (BACE). This method constructs estimates by averaging Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) coefficients across models and weights given to individual regressions have a Bayesian justification similar to the Schwarz model selection criterion. Results vary from period to period but the most recent evidence shows that determinants of growth in Africa are Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and population growth. Of 14 explanatory variables, FDI shows the strongest evidence. Unexpectedly, all used three financial intermediary indicators were not significant except for Liquid liabilities/ GDP (llgdp), which was significant from 1992 to 1998.
Performance , body composition , and physiological response of tambaqui fed diet with green tea extract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the performance, body composition, and physiological state of tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) fingerlings fed diets containing different levels of green tea (Camellia sinensis) extract (GTE). A completely randomized design was used with five treatments, different levels of GTE (0.00, 0.05, 0.30, 0.55, and 0.80 g kg-1) and three replicates. The diets were offered to fingerlings twice a day, for 90 days. The increase of dietary GTE levels promoted a positive quadratic effect on body lipids, hepatic lipids, retention of body lipids, glucose, and total triglycerides, and the minimum values of these variables were estimated with 0.61, 0.54, 0.73, 0.60, and 0.30g kg-1 GTE in the diet, respectively. There was a negative quadratic effect of the extract on body protein and hemoglobin with the increased GTE dietary level, and the maximum values of these variables were estimated with 0.59 and 0.46 g kg-1 GTE dietary level, respectively. Total cholesterol levels showed a linear reduction with increased GTE dietary level. The inclusion of GTE in the diet, although not affecting performance, decreases body and hepatic fat; reduces the levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose; and promotes the increase of body protein of tambaqui fingerlings, improving fish health conditions, during cultivation, and the quality of the final product.
Estimation of Dosimetric Parameters based on KNR and KNCSF Correction Factors for Small Field Radiation Therapy at 6 and 18 MV Linac Energies using Monte Carlo Simulation Methods

Background: Estimating dosimetric parameters for small fields under non-reference conditions leads to significant errors if done based on conventional protocols used for large fields in reference conditions. Hence, further correction factors have been introduced to take into account the influence of spectral quality changes when various detectors are used in non-reference conditions at different depths and field sizes. Objective: Determining correction factors (KNR and KNCSF) recommended recently for small field dosimetry formalism by American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) for different detectors at 6 and 18 MV photon beams. Methods: EGSnrc Monte Carlo code was used to calculate the doses measured with different detectors located in a slab phantom and the recommended KNR and KNCSF correction factors for various circular small field sizes ranging from 5-30 mm diameters. KNR and KNCSF correction factors were determined for different active detectors (a pinpoint chamber, EDP-20 and EDP-10 diodes) in a homogeneous phantom irradiated to 6 and 18 MV photon beams of a Varian linac (2100C/D). Results: KNR correction factor estimated for the highest small circular field size of 30 mm diameter for the pinpoint chamber, EDP-20 and EDP-10 diodes were 0.993, 1.020 and 1.054; and 0.992, 1.054 and 1.005 for the 6 and 18 MV beams, respectively. The KNCSF correction factor estimated for the lowest circular field size of 5 mm for the pinpoint chamber, EDP-20 and EDP-10 diodes were 0.994, 1.023, and 1.040; and 1.000, 1.014, and 1.022 for the 6 and 18 MV photon beams, respectively. Conclusion: Comparing the results obtained for the detectors used in this study reveals that the unshielded diodes (EDP-20 and EDP-10) can confidently be recommended for small field dosimetry as their correction factors (KNR and KNCSF) was close to 1.0 for all small field sizes investigated and are mainly independent from the electron beam spot size.
Robust Data Center Network Design using Space Division Multiplexing

With the ever-increasing demand for data transmission in our generation where Internet and cloud concepts play a vital role, it has become very essential that we handle data in a most efficient way. A possible solution to overcome the capacity crunch problem which is so evident in future, is applications of Space Division Multiplexing, where we explore the remaining unused domain that is the spatial domain. Space Division Multiplexing using multi-core fibers (MCFs), and few-mode fibers (FMFs) has been studied in our work to enhance the data-carrying capacity of optical fibers, while minimizing the transmission cost per bit. The objective of our work is to develop a path protection scheme to handle communication requests in data center (DC) networks using elastic optical networking and space division multiplexing (SDM). Our approach to this problem is to 1) determine a dedicated primary and backup path, 2) possible allocation of spectrum using the flex-grid fixed-SDM model, 3) choose the best possible modulation format to minimize the number of sub carriers needed for data transfer, 4) measure the cost of the resources required to handle the new requests. We propose to evaluate the developed Integer Linear Programming (ILP) formulation based on this scheme, considering the possibility of disasters. We study the impact of the design on the cost of the solution, hence explore whether it promotes significant resource savings.
More than one Author with different Affiliations

In regression, a predictive model which is able to anticipate the output of a new case is learnt from a set of previous examples. The output or response value of these examples used for model training is known. When learning with aggregated outputs, the examples available for model training are individually unlabeled. Collectively, the aggregated outputs of different subsets of training examples are provided. In this paper, we propose an iterative methodology to learn linear models from this type of data. In spite of being simple, its competitive performance is shown in comparison with a straightforward solution and state-of-the-art techniques. A real world problem is also illustrated which naturally fits the aggregated outputs framework: the estimation of marine litter beaching along the south-east coastline of the Bay of Biscay.
TOLERANCE OF HONEY BEE COLONIES TO VARROA DESTRUCTOR ( ANDERSON AND TRUEMAN ) AND THE ECONOMIC THRESHOLD OF THE PARASITE IN THE CENTRAL REGION OF KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA [ 19 ]

Experiments were carried out on honey bee colonies (Apis mellifera) during the winter of 2008 and spring of 2009 using colonies wintered with five levels of varroa infestation (0.0, 3.8, 9.0, 13.1 and 22.9%) in the Central Region of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The goal of the present work is to determine varroa treatment thresholds and colony collapse level. Response variables examined included varroa mite infestation level (%), cm of brood number of frames of brood, number of frames covered with adult honey bees and mites recovered on sticky boards. The data obtained reveled that no significant differences were noticed in cm of brood, number of frames of brood, and number of frames of bees in colonies (range of 0.0 to 9.0% varroa infestation or 0.0 – 0.9 mites/bee). Colonies with 13.1% infestation (0.13 mites/bee) exhibited a significant reduction in all measures of performance. The present results suggested that honey bee colonies can tolerate a level of 9.0% varroa infestation (0.9 mites/bee) during the winter without evidence of colony injury. It also suggested that 13.1% infestation (0.13 mites/bee) is the colony collapse or economic injury threshold in the Central Region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Also colonies with 12.3 or more mites falling on sticky boards after 48-hour period were likely to have lower populations of bees and brood the following spring. INTRODUCTION Fluvalinate has been used to control varroa mites for approximately 20 years. This single treatment option has become a matter of concern in light of recent evidence indicating the Varroa destructor populations in Europe (Lodesani et al 1995; Colin et al 1997; Trouiller, 1998); UK (Helen et al 2002) and the USA (Baxter et al 1998; Elzen et al 1999) have developed resistance to Apistan®. In addition to the risks of contaminating hive products, especially honey (Gamber, 1990; Slabezki et al 1991; Wallner, 1995) and wax (Slabezki et al 1991; Wallner, 1995), residue problems provide additional incentive to seek alternative control strategies based on natural products and integrated pest management to reduce the risk of hive product contamination. The detection of resistance to miticides used to control varroa (Lodesani et al 1995 and Baxter et al 1998) supports the need to develop economic thresholds to reduce the frequency of miticide treatments whenever possible (Hood and Delaplane, 2001). Delaplane et al (2005) conducted a study on the integrated pest management of Varroa destructor to reduce colony mite levels and the frequency of treatment. Le Conte et al (2007) compared the mortality of collected Varroa surviving bee (VSB) stock with that of miticide-treated Varroasusceptible colonies. Varroa infestation did not induce mortality in the VSB colonies. Their results concluded that untreated local honey bee colonies can survive the mite, which may be the basis for integrated Varroa management.
On line ) EFFECT OF LOW-PROTEIN IN ISO-ENERGETIC DIETS ON PERFORMANCE , CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS , DIGESTIBILITIES AND PLASMA LIPIDS OF BROILER CHICKENS

This study was conducted to determine the effect of low or high protein diets with constant ME on growth performance, carcass characteristics, digestibilities and blood parameters of Cobb Avian 48 broilers from 1 to 34 d of age. A total number of 2080 one-day-old chicks were housed randomly in 16 pens and divided into two experimental groups, each group divided into 8 replicates and each replicate has 130 birds/ pen. All birds were fed pre-starter diet (CP, 23% and ME, 2950 kcal/kg) for 4 days then the birds were divided into two experimental diets which were formulated to have 2 levels of CP respectively, in each phase: 22 and 21% CP with 3050 kcal/kg in the starter phase (5 to 10 d); 20 and 19% CP with 3100 kcal/kg in the grower phase (11 to 25 d); and 19 and 18% CP with 3180kcal/kg in the finisher phase (26 to 34 d). Digestible Lysine was maintained at 1.22, 1.12, and 0.96% of the diet in the starter, grower, and finisher periods, respectively. Body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion as well as thigh and liver weights were not influenced by changing protein level in the diets. However, carcass weight and breast muscle weight were increased significantly (P≤ 0.05). On the other hand, abdominal fat weight was deceased (P≤ 0.05) by feeding low protein diet. Although, dry matter and crude fat utilization were not affected, while, crude protein and crude fiber utilization were improved by feeding low protein diets. Plasma GOT, GPT and total cholesterol were not changed, while; plasma HDL was increased by feeding low protein diets. Furthermore, it was observed a decrease in muscle and liver MDA by feeding low protein diets, indicating the improving of the anti-oxidative activities by decreasing the protein content in broiler diets. Economic efficiency was improved by feeding low protein diets compared to high protein diets. In conclusion, feeding Cobb Avian 48 broilers on 1% lower protein diets than the strain recommendation, at constant ME, with the same amino acids levels had not adversely affected the growth performance, carcass parameters and liver functions, while; dietary crude protein and crude fiber utilization were improved.
NATURE SOUNDS IN A HYPERMARKET A case study on the modified soundscape of commercial spaces in Finland

You’re only in the parking lot when you can already hear the music, and it gets somewhat louder when you approach the sliding doors of the hypermarket. After crossing the hallway, you enter the interior goods section through the automatic swing gate, which clatters when the gate collides with the pole. Suddenly, the music mixes with another piece playing from the car stereo aisle, and only a few metres away, there is a loud digital display unit playing music and dialogue, advertising a lawnmower. At one point, you hear all the three different pieces of music concurrently. Leaving the cacophony behind and strolling ahead towards the produce section, you unexpectedly hear the familiar sound of a bird singing cuc-koo, cuc-koo, cuc-koo. As you are walking towards the fruit and vegetables section, you are suddenly surrounded by the sounds of a humming forest. (Recorded listening walks 16.9.2016.)
Electromagnetic functional brain mapping in the presurgical evaluation of refractory focal epilepsy

Background: Electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetoencephalography (MEG) are neurophysiological methods used to investigate non-invasively the spatial, temporal and spectral dynamics of human brain functions. Objectives: This paper reviews data about the use of EEG and MEG for presurgical functional brain mapping in patients with refractory focal epilepsy. Focus is on the localization of the primary sensorimotor (SM1) cortex as well as the verbal language and episodic memory functions. Material and Methods: The English literature was reviewed based on PubMed search. Relevant references within the selected papers were also included. Results: Presurgical MEG functional localization of SM1 cortex generally overlaps with intracranial mapping. MEG allows for determination of hemispheric verbal (receptive and expressive) language dominance in neurosurgical patients with a high degree of concordance with the intracarotid amobarbital test. MEG represents an interesting technique to assess postoperative memory outcome in patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. Very few studies have evaluated the yield of EEG in these three clinical indications. High-density EEG might be a promising technique that needs further validation. Conclusions: MEG is a validated and robust technique for non-invasive functional mapping of SM1 cortex and verbal language hemispheric dominance in patients with refractory focal epilepsy. Data also suggest that MEG is a promising technique to assess the hemispheric dominance of memory function. Further studies are needed to assess the clinical added value of high-density EEG in these clinical indications. hemisphärischen Sprachdominanz bei Patienten mit refraktären fokalen Epilepsien. Die Studienlage weist zudem darauf hin, dass die MEG eine vielversprechende Technik zur Bestimmung der hemisphärischen Gedächtnisdominanz darstellen könnte. Der zusätzliche Nutzen der High-Density EEG im Rahmen dieser Indikationen erfordert weitere Untersuchungen.