Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reduction of Speckle Noise in Ultrasound Images using Various Filtering techniques and Discrete Wavelet Transform- Comparative Analysis

Speckle noise becomes a dominating factor in degrading the image visual quality and perception in medical images. Speckle noise is a particular kind of noise which affects all coherent imaging systems including medical ultrasound images and astronomical images. It is essential to keep the useful data in the exact original form. So we need to process the data by applying transformations. DWT (Discrete wavelet transform) is the latest and best technique for image denoising. This paper presents study of various techniques for removal of speckle noise from biomedical images such as Spatial and frequency domain filter and a modified algorithm for speckle noise reduction using wavelet based Multiresolutional analysis and combined filtering techniques with wiener and median filters. A comparative analysis of three methods: DWT with wiener filtering, DWT with median filtering and DWT with both wiener and median filtering techniques has been presented. Results are compared in terms of PSNR, Mean squared Error and processing time.
Explaining the Psychological Symptoms in Students Based on the Gray’s Biological Models of Personality

Background: Gray`s Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (RST) presupposes individual differences in the sensitivity of basic brain systems that respond to punishing and reinforcing stimuli. These differences are thought to underlie the personality dimensions of anxiety and impulsivity, and to have relevance for psychopathology. The present study aims at studying the relationship between behavioural inhibition/activation systems and psychological symptoms. Methods: In this regard, 361 students (205 boys-156 girls) in Tabriz University were selected by cluster sampling method and then tested by symptom Check List -90-R (SCL-90-R) and Inventory of behaviour inhibition/ activation systems. The data were analyzed using by software SPSS-16 and Pearson Correlation coefficient and hierarchical regression. Results: The results show that Behavioural inhibition system has a significant relationship with all the 9 symptoms (P < 0.05). Also, regression results shows that 0/01 of experience of symptoms were explained by Behavioural inhibition system (BIS). Conclusion: It seems that the behavioural inhibition/activation systems (BIS/BAS) are one of the important components in explaining psychological symptoms, especially in youth.
In praise of athletic beauty

By the hundreds of millions we show up, stand in line, turn on, and tune in to watch, mesmerised, as athletes perform. And yet this experience, so widely craved and intensely felt, we commonly dismiss as 'only a game'. A book that looks beyond the usual explanations of why sport fascinates, "In Praise of Athletic Beauty" also strives for a language that can frame - even enhance - the pleasure we take in watching athletic events. The vicarious thrill, anxiety release, competitive spirit: in place of these traditional answers to the mystery of sports' allure, Hans Ulrich Gumbrecht proposes a more powerful and provocative alternative. The fascination with watching sports, he argues, is probably the most popular and potent contemporary form of aesthetic experience - in the classic, very literal sense of this concept. In exploring this idea, Gumbrecht develops a lucid reflection on the pleasures of sports spectatorship and the nature of athletic beauty. Where we might readily pronounce certain athletic moves and plays 'beautiful', this book gives us the means to explore, understand, and enjoy even more acutely the aesthetic experience that our words-in-passing barely suggest. With a new perspective on the appreciation of - and, indeed, a new tone of praising - sports, Gumbrecht also offers a new way of narrating the history of athletics and a fresh vocabulary for analysing various sports. Exploring athletic beauty, this book makes us understand the widespread passion sport inspires as an untamed form of aesthetic fascination.
EFFECT OF MULTI-SPECIES GRAZING ON LEAFY SPURGE INFESTED RANGELAND USING TWICE-OVER ROTATION AND SEASONLONG GRAZING TREATMENTS (A Five-Year Summary)

Multi-species grazing, the concurrent use of rangeland by more than one kind of animal, has been advocated to maximize animal production on native rangeland (Merrill and Miller 1961). It is an important concept in rangeland management because rangelands usually consist of one or more classes of vegetation (Merrill et al. 1966). However, no published reports have documented the potential use of sheep and cattle in a multispecies grazing approach to improve graminoid species use, increase plant species richness and diversity, and to control leafy spurge on leafy spurge infested rangeland.
Effect of sugar and water contents on non-expanded cassava flour extrudates

Foram estudados os efeitos da sacarose e da agua de mistura no processamento de farinha de mandioca por extrusao. As variacoes de sacarose (0-20% p/p) e agua (28-42% p/p) foram estudadas empregando-se metodologia de superficie de resposta. O processo de extrusao foi conduzido em uma extrusora de dupla rosca acoplado a um reometro de torque. A energia mecânica especifica (SME) dissipada no final da extrusora foi calculada. As amostras extrusadas foram analisadas quanto aos indices de absorcao de agua (WAI) e de solubilidade em agua (WSI), e quanto as propriedades de pasta durante o ciclo de gelatinizacao/retrogradacao usando-se um analisador rapido de viscosidade (viscosidade a frio (CV), pico de viscosidade (PV), breakdown e setback). SME e WSI diminuiram em funcao dos teores de agua e acucar. WAI e as propriedades de pasta foram influenciadas pelo teor de agua. Nao foi observado o efeito antiplastificante da sacarose nas propriedades de pasta, indicando que a adicao de acucar na mistura de farinha de mandioca nao reduziu a capacidade da agua em gelatinizar o amido durante o processo de extrusao. A natureza do ponto otimo para o WAI, PV e BD foi uma sela, enquanto que para SME foi maximo e para CV e SB foi minimo. Estes resultados podem ser usados na fabricacao de produtos extrusados nao expandidos de farinha de mandioca contendo acucar com desejaveis propriedades funcionais para fins especificos.
Characterization of Antimicrobial Resistance Mechanisms of Multidrug Resistant Gram Negative Bacterial Wound Infections and their Clinical Epidemiology from a Tertiary Care Hospital in Karnataka, India

Background: Extended spectrum beta lactamases, AmpC and Metallo-betalactamases in GNB isolates are a common occurrence in most Indian hospitals. The presence of these antimicrobial resistance mechanisms contributes to prolonged hospital stay, poor quality of life, increased morbidity and mortality among patients with these infections. The aim of the study was to analyse the antimicrobial resistance mechanisms of multidrug resistant Gram negative bacterial wound infection and their clinical epidemiology. Methods: A prospective study was conducted for one year among 100 patients of Kasturba Medical College, Manipal admitted with MDR GNB wound infections. The antibiogram and phenotypic resistance mechanisms of the bacterial isolate from these infections were identified using phenyl boronic acid and ethyl diacetate. The empirical therapy, specific therapy and clinical outcome of the patients were also analyzed. Results: Out of 100 study patients, 152 MDR GNB isolates were obtained. 73% patients were admitted in the surgical wards. 43% patients had diabetes. Ulcers (27%) and abscess (25%) were the most common diagnosis. Escherichia coli (39%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (24%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (19%) were the most common isolates. Maximum number of ESBL was seen among Enteric Gram negative bacilli (36%), MBL was seen among Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter species (55% each), AmpC was seen among enteric GNB (10%) and Acinetobacter species (18%). Cefaperazone sulbactam, amikacin and meropenem were the most common antibiotics given as specific therapy. Clinical response was observed among 93% patients. Conclusions: The determination of the antimicrobial resistance mechanisms of GNB isolates from wound infections plays a major role in establishing an antibiotic policy for the treatment of these infections.
Alignment of fluvio-tidal point bars in the middle McMurray Formation: implications for structural architecture of the Lower Cretaceous Athabasca Oil Sands Deposit, northern Alberta

The northern Athabasca Oil Sands Deposit accumulated on sub-Cretaceous structure partially configured by multistage pre-Cretaceous salt dissolutions in Prairie Evaporite (Middle Devonian) substrate that continued concurrent with deposition of McMurray Formation (Aptian) strata. Dissolution fronts only 250 m below advanced along NW- and NE-oriented fracture–fault lineaments that coalesced into larger salt removal areas. This structural grain was transmitted to the overlying dissected Upper Devonian karst topography draped by lower McMurray braided rivers along a lattice-like channel network. The dominant NW structural grain continued during middle McMurray deposition, with fluvial-estuarine point bars aligned along subparallel tidal channels. Regional salt removal fronts concurrent with middle McMurray deposition migrated north of the Bitumount Trough, resulting in the 200 km2 central collapse. The northern Athabasca Deposit area was configured as a funnel-shaped lower estuary structure consisting of align.
Seasonal contributions of phytoplankton and fecal pellets to the organic carbon sinking flux in the North Water (northern Baffin Bay)

The downward export of organic material was assessed during the productive period (late spring to early autumn) in the North Water polynya area (NOW; northern Baffin Bay). Free- drifting short-term particle interceptor traps were deployed at 3 depths below the euphotic zone (50, 100 and 150 m) for 12 to 24 h at 19 stations from June to July in 1998 and at 12 stations during August and September in 1999. The sinking material was analyzed for particulate organic carbon (POC) and pigments (chlorophyll a and pheopigments), and for phytoplankton and fecal pellet enumerations. POC and pigment sinking fluxes at 50 m averaged 337 and 8 mg m -2 d -1 , respectively. The maximum sinking fluxes of organic matter (ca. 554 mg C m -2 d -1 and 14 mg pigments m -2 d -1 ) were observed in June, after which they decreased and remained relatively constant (ca. 219 to 240 mg C m -2 d -1 and 3.9 to 4.1 mg pigments m -2 d -1 ). Phytoplankton carbon flux decreased while fecal carbon flux increased during the study. In June, intact diatom cells and fecal pellets made up 50 and 4% of the total POC sinking flux, respectively. During the following months, they made up ≤10% (diatoms) and 30 to 50% (fecal pellets) of the total POC flux. A rapid increase in sinking cell numbers and fecal pellets at the end of the sampling season points to a late summer-early autumn bloom in the NOW. The dominant pathway of carbon cycling changed during the study, from export in spring to reten- tion afterwards. From July on, the retention of particulate organic matter in the upper 100 m of the water column was favored by the low sinking velocities of POC and chlorophyll a, which averaged ≤1. 3md -1 . Over the whole sampling period, 35% of the particulate phytoplankton production was exported through sinking, while 65% was recycled or remained suspended in the euphotic zone. The organic carbon produced in the euphotic zone was, thus, mainly available to pelagic grazers rather than being exported to the benthic community. These results are in agreement with the abundance of higher trophic level pelagic organisms observed in this region.
CLASSROOM INTERACTION STRATEGIES EMPLOYED BY ENGLISH TEACHERS AT LOWER SECONDARY SCHOOLS

This article reports a study on teachers’ use of interaction strategies in English Language Teaching (ELT) in lower secondary level of education. The study involved eighteen teachers from Lower Secondary Schools in Malang, East Java. Classroom observation was selected as a method in this study by utilizing Self Evaluation Teacher Talk (SETT) as the instrument. SETT, developed by Walsh (2006), was adopted as the observation protocol as it characterises teacher-student interaction. Thirty lessons taught by 18 teachers were observed. The findings revealed that much of the teacherstudent interaction in Lower Secondary Schools centred on the material mode, skill and system mode. The most frequent strategies were initiation response feedback (IRF) patterns, display questions, teacher echo, and extended teacher turns, while students’ extended turns were rare. It is argued that in order to improve the Indonesian ELT, there is a need to provide an alternative to ELT classroom interaction. The article concludes by highlighting the importance of adopting some classroom interaction strategies that are more facilitative to students’ oral communicative competence.
Multi-instrument observations of a failed flare eruption associated with MHD waves in a loop bundle

Context. We present observations of a B7.9 class flare that occurred on January 24th, 2015, using SDO/AIA, Hinode/EIS and XRT. The flare triggers an eruption of a dense cool plasma blob as seen in AIA 171A which is unable to completely break out and remains confined within a local bundle of active region loops. During this process, transverse oscillations of the threads are observed. The cool plasma is then observed to descend back to the chromosphere along each loop strand. At the same time, a larger diffuse co-spatial loop observed in the hot wavebands of SDO/AIA and Hinode/XRT is formed, exhibiting periodic intensity variations along its lenght. Aims. The formation and evolution of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) waves depend upon the values of the local plasma parameters (e.g., density, temperature, magnetic field) which can hence be inferred by coronal seismology. In this study we aim to assess how the observed MHD modes are affected by the variation of density and temperature. Methods. We combine analysis of EUV/X-ray imaging and spectroscopy using SDO/AIA, Hinode/EIS and XRT. Results. The transverse oscillations of the cool loop threads are interpreted in terms of vertically polarised kink oscillations. The fitting procedure provides estimates for the period of about 3.5–4 min, and the amplitude of ∼ 5 Mm. The oscillations are strongly damped showing very low quality factor (1.5–2), which is defined as the ratio of the damping time and the oscillation period. The weak variation of the period of the kink wave, which is estimated from the fitting analysis, is in agreement with the density variations due to the presence of the plasma blob inferred from the intensity light curve at 171A. The coexisting intensity oscillations along the hot loop are interpreted as a slow MHD wave with the period of 10 min and phase speed of about 436 km s−1 . Comparison between the fast and slow modes allows for the determination of the Alfven speed, and consequently magnetic field values. The plasma-β inferred from the analysis is estimated to be around 0.1–0.3. Conclusions. We show that the evolution of the detected waves is determined by the temporal variations of the local plasma parameters, caused by the flare heating and the consequent cooling. We apply coronal seismology to both waves obtaining estimations of the background plasma parameters
Insurance Policies for Monetary Policy in the Euro Area

In this paper, we examine the cost of insurance against model uncertainty for the euro area considering four alternative reference models, all of which are used for policy analysis at the ECB. We find that maximal insurance across this model range in terms of a Minimax policy comes at moderate costs in terms of lower expected performance. We extract priors that would rationalize the Minimax policy from a Bayesian perspective. These priors indicate that full insurance is strongly oriented towards the model with highest baseline losses. Furthermore, this policy is not as tolerant towards small perturbations of policy parameters as the Bayesian policy rule. We propose to strike a compromise and use preferences for policy design that allow for intermediate degrees of ambiguity-aversion. These preferences allow the specification of priors but also give extra weight to the worst uncertain outcomes in a given context.
Combined Effect of Edible Coatings and Low Temperature on Plum Fruit Quality

The plum fruits are very appreciated by the consumers, the degree of acceptance depends on its organoleptic properties like firmness, colour, aroma and flavour which are vary production areas and from season to season and among cultivars (Crisosto et al., 2004). The plum fruit are a very rich source of antioxidant compounds such as ascorbic acid, carotenoids, anthocyanins and polyphenols, so that it has a beneficial health effects (CevallosCasals et al., 2006; Díaz-Mula et al., 2008; Vizzotto et al., 2007). The low temperature during storage is essential for plum fruit due to its perishable nature to decrease changes such as respiration rate, ethylene production, and loss of weight, reduction in acidity, tissue softening and pigment changes (Díaz-Mula et al., 2009; Guerra and Casquero, 2008). The transportation, marketing and storage of plums are a very serious problem due to its perishable nature. In India, fruits of plum are transported to plains for marketing from farflung areas located in different terrains and at high altitudes. Consequences, shelf-life of plums are further reduced drastically due to improper handling and lack of proper storage conditions which limits the availability of the plums. Thus, cold storage is an effective and most commercially practiced technology for increasing shelf life of plum fruits. However, cold storage is not sufficient to preserve the International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 6 Number 7 (2017) pp. 4210-4218 Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas. com
Diversity of bees (Hymenoptera, Apiformes) in extensive orchards in the highlands of Jordan

Diversity of bees (Hymenoptera, Apiformes) in extensive orchards in the highlands of Jordan. — Bees visiting the blossoms of fruit trees were surveyed for the first time in Jordan. A transect was determined in Ebbin village in Ajlun (32° 22" N, 35° 49" E) where the bees were collected from blossoms of stone fruit trees. Most of the specimens were identified up to the species level and few specimens were identified up to the genus level only. A total of 1461 specimens were collected during the study period and 53 bee species were identified and recorded for the first time in Jordan. The collected species represented five families: Apidae, Megachilidae, Halictidae, Andrenidae and Colletidae. The results showed that Apidae and Megachilidae were the largest in terms of diversity, while Halictidae showed the highest abundance.
THE DEMAND FOR GASOLINE: EVIDENCE FROM HOUSEHOLD SURVEY DATA

SUMMARY In this paper we investigate the demand for gasoline in Canada using recent annual expenditure data from the Canadian Survey of Household Spending, over a 13‐year period from 1997 to 2009, on three expenditure categories in the transportation sector: gasoline, local transportation, and intercity transportation. In doing so, we use three of the most widely used locally flexible functional forms, the Almost Ideal Demand System (AIDS) of Deaton and Muellbauer (1980), the quadratic AIDS (QUAIDS) of Banks et al. (1997)—an extension of the simple AIDS model that can generate quadratic Engel curves—and the Minflex Laurent model of Barnett (1983), which can also generate quadratic Engel curves. We pay explicit attention to economic regularity, argue that unless regularity is attained by luck, flexible functional forms should always be estimated subject to regularity as suggested by Barnett (2002), and impose local curvature to produce inference consistent with neoclassical microeconomic theory. Our findings indicate that the curvature‐constrained Minflex Laurent model is the only model that is able to provide theoretically consistent estimates of the Canadian demand for gasoline. Our estimates show that the own‐price elasticity for gasoline demand in Canada is between − 0.738 and − 0.570 —less elastic than previously reported in the literature. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Robustness of personal initiative in moderating entrepreneurial intentions and actions of disabled students

Abstract Entrepreneurship is vital in the areas of innovation, job creation, nations’ economic and societal advancement. In view of that, personal initiative is seen to be important in moderating the relationship between intention and entrepreneurial action. This study focuses on investigating the moderating role of personal initiative on intention and entrepreneurial action relationship of disabled students. The study followed a descriptive survey where quantitative approach was employed. A total number of 250 questionnaires were administered to disabled students across the tertiary institutions (Universities, Polytechnics and colleges) in Plateau State and Abuja-Nigeria. Analysis of data involved the use of statistical package for social sciences (SPSS version 22.0). Hypotheses were tested using structural equation model. Results revealed that pedagogy significantly and positively influences entrepreneurial actions. Also, personal initiative (proactiveness, resilience and innovation) moderates the relationship between intention and entrepreneurial actions of disabled students.
Microbiological quality of Tarhana, Turkish cereal based fermented food

Objectives Tarhana is a traditional fermented product produced from a mixture of yogurt and wheat flour in Turkey. The aim of the present study was to investigate the microbiological quality of tarhana and its raw material. Methods Samples were collected from eight different regions of Turkey during fermentation period and after drying process. Aerobic plate count, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp. , Clostridium perfringens, coliform, Escherichia coli and Bacillus cereus analysis were applied for detecting the microbiological quality of tarhana samples. Results E. coli and S. aureus were not isolated from all the production steps used. Some of the tarhana samples were found containing coliform, Salmonella, C. perfringens and B. cereus at the beginning of the fermentation process; however, they were not isolated from other stages, except one dried tarhana sample, which were containing C. perfringens in low levels. It is found that yogurt and wheat flour samples met the microbiological criteria given for these products. Changes of pH and acidic values during tarhana fermentations were also detected in the study. Conclusion The results indicated that microbiological and chemical properties of tarhana change depending on the raw materials, fermentation time and techniques used in its production.
BACTERIOSTATIC ACTIVITIES OF ANTIOXIDANT SILVER NANOPARTICLES PREPARED FROM LEAVES OF JUSTICIA ADHATODA AND NYCTANTHES ARBOR-TRISTIS

Silver nanoparticles, prepared from leaf of Justicia adhatoda and Nyctanthes arbor-tristis were tested for their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Among the five standard antioxidant assay protocols (viz. ABTS radical decolorization assay, DPPH radical decolorization assay, assay for total phenolis content, FRAP assay and hydroxyl radical scavenging assay) applied in the present study, nanoparticles showed comparable antioxidant activities with the aqueous leaf extracts. A probable chelation of the less polar biomolecules with Ag + ion during nanoparticle formation was also indicated. Nanoparticle formation also improved the bacteriostatic properties in terms of zone of inhibition against all the five bacteria (viz. Escherichia coli, Klebsiella aerogens, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi and Bacillus cereus) tested in the study. Improvement in bacteriostatic activities of the nanoparticles clearly indicated potential use of the nanoparticles against food borne bacteria for application in favor of humans.