Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of irrigation with reclaimed water on leaf content and physiological aspects of carnation

This study examined the feasibility of using reclaimed wastewater as irrigation water for the cultivation of carnation plants. The effect of three different qualities of treated wastewater on the growth of this important ornamental plant was investigated in comparison with tap water and tap water enriched with fertiliser. Growth characteristics in plants irrigated with reclaimed wastewaters were equal or higher than those of plants irrigated with tap water. Nitrogen and phosphorus content in leaves increased for plants irrigated with primary, secondary and tertiary treated wastewater in comparison with plants irrigated with tap water while Ca and Mg accumulation in leaves showed no significant difference. Micronutrient (Cu, Fe, Zn) content in leaves increased in plants irrigated with primary and secondary treated wastewaters. Maximum efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm) and leaf SPAD measurements indicates the absence of photoinhibition and of chlorophyll loss in plants irrigated with reclaimed wastewaters.
Locoregional recurrences in patients with non-advanced endometrial cancer

We present the literature review regarding treatment outcomes and prognostic factors in patients with non-advanced (FIGO I i II) endometrial cancer primary treated with surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy and recurred locoregionally. We concluded that distant survival rate in these patients does not exceed 20-30% and independent prognostic factors are recurrent free interval and location of relapse.
Automatic segmentation and labeling of human brain tissue from MR images

This work presents a technique for automatic tissue labeling of 2-D magnetic resonance (MR) images of the human brain. This technique consists of two components: an unsupervised clustering algorithm and a knowledge-based technique. The knowledge-based technique contains information on the cluster distribution in feature space and tissue models. This approach also provides a first step toward classification of normal and abnormal images.
EFFECT OF BEAM AXIAL DEFORMARION ON COLUMN SHEAR IN REINFORCED CONCRETE FRAMES

A computer program for nonlinear analyses of reinforced concrete frames was developed, in which beam axial deformations due to nonlinear cyclic loading were incorporated. The beam model was verified in detail through beam tests specially conducted with axial restraint force applied in proportion to the beam axial elongation. Nonlinear pushover analyses of reinforced concrete frame structures with different parameters, such as beam depth, number of spans, and number of stories, were carried out with and without considering beam axial deformations. Effects of beam elongation on column shear were investigated both analytically and theoretically. A simple and practical method for estimating magnification of the column shear due to the beam axial deformation was presented.
Skin and Soft Tissue Infections Caused by Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus USA 300 Clone

reus (MRSA) has caused predominantly healthcare-associated infections. We studied MRSA infections and overall skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) in outpatients receiving care at the Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center Emergency Care Service during 2001–2005. We found an increase in MRSA infections, from 0.2 to 5.9 per 1,000 visits (p<0.01); most were community-associated SSTIs. Molecular typing showed that >80% of MRSA infections were caused by USA300. In addition, SSTI visits increased from 20 to 61 per 1,000 visits (p<0.01). The proportion of SSTI cultures that yielded MRSA increased from 4% to 42% (p<0.01), while the proportion that yielded methicillin-sensitive S. aureus remained the same (10% to 13%, p = 0.5). The increase in community-associated MRSA infections and the overall increase in SSTIs in our population suggest that USA300 is becoming more virulent and has a greater propensity to cause SSTIs.
Louis Working Paper Series On the Theoretical Efficacy of Quantitative Easing at the Zero Lower Bound

We construct a monetary economy in which agents face aggregate demand shocks and heterogenerous idiosyncratic preference shocks. We show that, even when the Friedman rule is the best interest rate policy, not all agents are satiated at the zero lower bound. Thus, quantitative easing can be welfare improving since it temporarily relaxes the liquidity constraint of some agents, without harming others. Moreover, due to a pricing externality, quantitative easing may also have beneficial general equilibrium effects for the unconstrained agents. Lastly, our model suggests that it can be optimal for the central bank to buy private debt claims instead of government debt.
UTILIZATION OF CASSAVA FOLIAGE FOR LARGE SCALE PRODUCTION OF ERI SILK

A study was undertaken with seven cassava varieties viz. CO2, CO3, CO(TP)4, H165, H226, MVD1 and Kunguma Rose to find out the feasibility of utilizing the foliage available at the time of removal of weak side branches at 6 th month after plantation (6MAP) and tuber harvest (10 MAP) for eri silkworm (Samia cynthia ricini Boisduval) rearing. The cassava varieties MVD1 and H226 where found superior in total foliage yield (11.269 & 9.921 MT/ha) and rearing capacity of eri silkworm was recorded as 1408 & 1240 dfls respectively per crop while variety CO2 recorded least values with foliage yield of 2.083 MT/ha and rearing capacity of 260 dfls. Among the varieties, highest nutrient contents viz. leaf moisture crude protein, total carbohydrate, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and total minerals and low values in anti nutritional contents i.e. tannin and HCN were recorded with MVD1 which was closely followed by H226. The CO2 variety however exhibited least in nutritional levels while recorded higher values of anti-nutrient contents. The economic traits of eri silkworm viz. ERR, cocoon yield, shell yield, SR %, fecundity and hatching % were found superior in MVD1 followed by H226 whereas poorest economic traits were observed in variety CO2. The results obtained from the pooled data of all varieties revealed that the cassava farmer could generate @ 633.556 kg of eri cocoon at an average cocoon yield of 66.56 kg/100 dfls from one hectare of cassava plantation by rearing 952 dfls utilizing the total available foliage of 7.619 MT per crop.
Mobile Data Service Demographics in Urban China

Mobile data service (MDS) is very popular in China due to the country's huge cell phone user base and large mobile communication networks. Replicating the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), this paper explored the moderating effects of personal characteristics on the decision pattern of 3G MDS acceptance. The study applied SEM model comparisons and hierarchical multiple regression procedures to the survey data collected from 1,432 urban participants in China. The results showed that age, experience, and location had strong moderating effects on the MDS acceptance model in urban China. This study also revealed that gender and income exert evident confounding effects over MDS acceptance decisions. Important results and implications were also discussed.
Constructivism

Constructivist approach has been a new revolution in conceptions of teaching and learning. The term Constructivism refers to an idea that individual, through their interaction with the environment, constructs their own knowledge and meaning. The present paper explains the importance of constructivism in developing science process skills and science curiosity in Biological science among secondary school students.
Architectural factors in fl uencing the sense of home in nursing homes : An operationalization for practice

EGM architecten, Wilgenbos 20, 3311 JX Dordrecht, The Netherlands Maastricht University, CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Department of Health Services Research, Duboisdomein 30, 6229 GT Maastricht, The Netherlands Vitalis WoonZorg Groep, Vitalis Brunswijck, Generaal Bradleylaan 1, 5623kM Eindhoven, The Netherlands Fontys University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Allied Health Professions, Dominee Theodor Fliednerstraat 2, 5631 BN Eindhoven, The Netherlands Fontys University of Applied Sciences, Fontys EGT – Centre for Health Care and Technology, Dominee Theodor Fliednerstraat 2, 5631 BN Eindhoven, The Netherlands
Review of ecological perspectives on climate change in Nigeria

A review has been carried out on the ecological per spectives on climate change in Nigeria. The country is one of the leading producer s of crude oil and a major contributor of greenhouse gases that cause climate change. The current and future consequences of climate change have been discussed with local examples of ecological effects. Efforts to control climate chan ge are highlighted at local and global scales since the effects are not restricted within national boundaries. It is recommended that greenhouse gas emissions should be reduced through efficient energy use, diversification of energy sources away from fossil fuels and safe agricultural practises.
A Unified Measure of Fed Monetary Policy Shocks

Identification of Fed monetary policy shocks is complex, in light of the distinct policymaking regimes before, during, and after the ZLB period of December 2008 to December 2015. We develop a heteroscedasticity-based partial least squares approach, combined with Fama-MacBeth style cross-section regressions, to identify a US monetary policy shock series that usefully bridges periods of conventional and unconventional policymaking and is effectively devoid of the central bank information effect. Our series has moderately high correlation with the shocks identified by Nakamura and Steinsson (2018), Swanson (2018), and Jarocinski and Karadi (2018), but has crucially important differences. Following both the Nakamura-Steinsson and Jarocinski-Karadi empirical tests, we find scant evidence of the information effect in our measure. We attribute the source of these different findings to our econometric procedure and our use of the full maturity spectrum of interest rate instrume nts in constructing our measure. We then present evidence confirming an hypothesis in the literature that the information effect can lead to the result that shocks to monetary policy have transmission effects with signs that differ from traditional theory. We find that shocks to series that are devoid of (embody) the information effect display conventionally-signed (perverse) impulse responses of output and inflation. This provides evidence of first-order importance to staff at central banks undertaking quantitative theoretical modeling of the effects of monetary policy.
Policy or Perception ? Women ’ s Political Liberalization and Sex-selection in India ∗

This paper investigates the impact of female representation in political office on girls’ survival outcomes in India. In a society where the marginalization of women extends to the elimination of girls in utero and early childhood, female participation in a male dominated public sphere may raise the status of women. Using a panel of births to 500,000 mothers, I examine if changes in the gender composition of elected representatives in the district affect the probability of a female birth and girls’ postnatal survival. To mitigate endogeneity concerns from unobserved voter preferences, I exploit the quasi-randomness of female victories in close man-woman elections using a regression discontinuity design. Overall, an increase in elected female representatives in the district lowers the probability of a female birth but improves postnatal survival of girls relative to boys. While the former effect is primarily driven by fertility declines in the presence of son preference, the latter ensues from a potential substitution between prenatal and postnatal survival. In addition, I find that the effect of female electoral success reverses after political reform or policy favoring girls is introduced, suggesting the impact of individual victories depends on a broader based commitment to raise the status of women. The analysis reveals that the policy regime for girls both affects and is affected by the political process. Finally, I argue that the effects of women’s political voice on girls operate through the dual channels of policy and perception. JEL codes: D72, I14, J13, O12 ∗I would like to thank Christopher Cornwell, Laura Zimmermann, David Mustard, Meghan Skira and Josh Kinsler for their valuable comments that have significantly improved the paper up to its current draft. This paper has also benefited from funding provided by Poverty and Social Impact Analysis Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) for participation at the global conference on Prosperity, Equality and Economic Sustainability (PES) held at New Delhi, India. I would also like to thank the discussants and conference participants at the Southern Economic Association meetings and the Population Association of America meetings and the PES conference jointly organized by the World Bank and the Institute of Human Development, New Delhi. †Department of Economics, Marshall University, WV 25755, Email:biswas@marshall.edu
Comparative Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Molecular Basis Underlying Fast Growth of the Selectively Bred Pacific Oyster, Crassostrea gigas

Fast growth is one of the most desired traits for all food animals, which affects the profitability of animal production. The Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas, is an important aquaculture shellfish around the world with the largest annual production. Growth of the Pacific oyster has been greatly improved by artificial selection breeding, but molecular mechanisms underlying growth remains poorly understood, which limited the molecular integrative breeding of fast growth with other superior traits. In this study, comparative transcriptome analyses between the fast-growing selectively bred Pacific oyster and unselected wild Pacific oysters were conducted by RNA-Seq. A total of 1,303 protein-coding genes differentially expressed between fast-growing oysters and wild controls were identified, of which 888 genes were expressed at higher levels in the fast-growing oysters. Functional analysis of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) indicated that genes involved in microtubule motor activity and biosynthesis of nucleotides and proteins are potentially important for growth in the oyster. Positive selection analysis of genes at the transcriptome level showed that a significant number of ribosomal protein genes had undergone positive selection during the artificial selection breeding process. These results also indicated the importance of protein biosynthesis and metabolism for the growth of oysters. The alternative splicing (AS) of genes was also compared between the two groups of oysters. A total of 3,230 differential alternative splicing events (DAS) were identified, involved in 1,818 genes. These DAS genes were associated with specific functional pathways related to growth, such as “long-term potentiation,” “salivary secretion,” and “phosphatidylinositol signaling system. ” The findings of this study will be valuable resources for future investigation to unravel molecular mechanisms underlying growth regulation in the oyster and other marine invertebrates and to provide solid support for breeding application to integrate fast growth with other superior traits in the Pacific oyster.
Physical and Morphological Properties of Periwinkle Shell-Filled Recycled Polypropylene Composites .

Physical and morphological properties of periwinkle shell-filled recycled polypropylene composites were studied. Periwinkle shells used in this study were processed and sieved to three particle sizes of 150, 300 and 425 μm respectively. Filler loadings of 0 to 25 wt% were used in compounding the composites in an injection moulding machine and the resulting composites were extruded as sheets. Some physical and morphological properties were determined. Results showed that the incorporation of periwinkle shell powder into the recycled polypropylene matrix increased the specific gravity of the composites. Increase in filler loading resulted to increase in specific gravity probably due to enhanced dispersion of fillers. However, increase in filler particle size led to decreased specific gravity due to poor filler dispersion and consequent filler agglomeration. Water sorption was found to increase with increase in both filler loading and filler particle size due to the hydrophilic nature of the filler and enhanced porosity created by large particles. Flame propagation was found to decrease with increase in both filler loading and filler particle size due to the evolution of COR2R in the combustion process, which suppresses the burning rate. There was increase in solvent sorption with increase in both filler loading and filler particle size. It was also noticed that solvent sorption was most pronounced in benzene, followed by toluene and lastly xylene. This is in accordance with the order of closeness of their solubility parameters with that of polypropylene. Morphological analysis revealed enhanced spherulization and dispersion with smaller particle sizes but enlarged spherulization and consequent agglomeration at larger particles sizes. Based on these results, periwinkle shell can be considered suitable for the production of recycled polypropylene composites.
Knowledge Sharing And Teacher Acceptance Of Web Based Learning System

In response to the challenges of the knowledge society, many organisations understand the importance of knowledge sharing among their employees. They are eager to introduce knowledge management paradigm to facilitate the sharing of knowledge in their organisations. However little is known about the determinants of the individual’s knowledge sharing behavior. Taking the knowledge management as an approach to e-learning, the purpose of this case study is to develop an initial understanding of the factors of knowledge sharing behavior through the investigation of individual’s acceptance to a web based learning system in a teacher training program. This study also examines the interactions in an e-learning platform in order to explore the motivators and inhibitors of the knowledge sharing process involved.
The lacewing Ceraeochrysa caligata as a potential biological agent for controlling the red palm mite Raoiella indica

Background Compared to chemical control, the use of naturally occurring biological agents to control invasive pests is less threatening to the environment and human health. Objectives Here, we assessed the ability of immature stages of the lacewing Ceraeochrysa caligata (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) to prey upon different developmental stages of the red palm mite Raoiella indica (Acari: Tenuipalpidae), one of the most destructive invasive pests of palm trees in Neotropical regions. Methods Increasing densities of three stages of R. indica (eggs, immature stages, and adult females) were offered to C. caligata in coconut leaf arenas. The immature stages of C. caligata were less than 24 h old and were starved before being transferring to the arenas. The amount of prey consumed was recorded 6 h after releasing the C. caligata. Results Our results indicated that the ability of C. caligata to feed upon R. indica increased with the larval development of the predator. Higher feeding levels and shorter handling times were recorded for the first and second instars of C. caligata when preying upon the eggs and immature stages of R. indica. Furthermore, C. caligata individuals of different stages exhibited differential functional responses according to prey type (i.e., eggs, immatures, or adult females of R. indica). Ceraeochrysa caligata second instar individuals exhibited a sigmoid increase in consumption rate with increasing prey availability (i.e., a type III functional response) when preying upon immature stages of R. indica. However, when preying upon R. indica adult females, C. caligata second instar individuals exhibited a type II functional response (i.e., an increase in consumption rate with increasing prey availability, before reaching a plateau). Predator individuals of the first and third instar stages exhibited a type II functional response for all prey types. Conclusions Collectively, our findings demonstrate that C. caligata, especially at the second instar stage, has potential as a tool for ecological management of the red palm mite.
Energy efficient design of an adaptive switching algorithm for the iterative-MIMO receiver

An efficient design dedicated for iterative-multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) receiver systems is now imperative in our world since data demands are increasing tremendously in wireless networks. This puts a massive burden on the signal processing power especially in small receiver systems where power sources are often shared or limited. This thesis proposes an attractive solution to both the wireless signal processing and the architectural implementation design sides of the problem. A novel algorithm, dubbed the Adaptive Switching Algorithm, is proven to not only save more than a third of the energy consumption in the algorithmic design, but is also able to achieve an energy reduction of more than 50% in terms of processing power when the design is mapped onto state-of-the-art programmable hardware. Simulations are based in at lab^^ using the Monte Carlo approach, where multiple additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) and Rayleigh fading channels for both fast and slow fading environments were investigated. The software selects the appropriate detection algorithm depending on the current channel conditions. The design for the hardware is based on the latest field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) hardware from ~ilinxBs,p ecifically the Virtex-5 and Virtex-7 chipsets. They were chosen during the experimental phase to verify the results in order to examine trends for energy consumption in the proposed algorithm design. Savings come from dynamic allocation of the hardware resources by implementing power minimization techniques depending on the processing requirements of the system. Having demonstrated the feasibility of the algorithm in controlled environments, realistic channel conditions were simulated using spatially correlated MIMO channels to test the algorithm's readiness for real-world deployment. The proposed algorithm is placed in both the MLMO detector and the iterative-decoder blocks of the receiver. When the final full receiver design setup is implemented, it shows that the key to energy saving lies in the fact that both software and hardware components of the Adaptive Switching Algorithm adopt adaptivity in the respective designs. The detector saves energy by selecting suitable detection schemes while the decoder provides adaptivity by limiting the number of decoding iterations, both of which are updated in real-time. The overall receiver can achieve more than 70% energy savings in comparison to state-of-the-art iterative-MIMO receivers and thus it can be concluded that this level of 'intelligence' is an important direction towards a more efficient iterative-MIMO receiver designs in the future.