Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of compost, salicylic and ascorbic acids treatments on vegetative growth and flowering of Gladiolus grandiflorus cv. White Prosperity.

A field experiment was carried out during the two successive seasons of 2012/2013 and 2013/2014. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of compost at four levels (0, 7.5, 10.0 and 12.5 ton/fed) in combination with salicylic and/or ascorbic acids, each at 100 and 200 ppm, in addition to the control on growth and flowering of Gladiolus grandiflorus cv. White Prosperity. Results showed that leaf length, leaf area, number of leaves/plant, leaves dry weight/plant, length of spike, rachis length, spike diameter, number of florets/spike, lower floret diameter and single floret fresh weight were gradually increased by increasing the levels of compost with significant differences were detected between successive treatments. Also, all salicylic and/or ascorbic acid treatments significantly increased all vegetative growth and flowering parameters in comparison with the control. Salicylic plus ascorbic one at 100 ppm for each, followed by ascorbic acid alone at 200 ppm were more effective in this concern. It was found also that the use of compost (12.5 ton/fed) in combination with salicylic acid + ascorbic acid, each at 100 ppm or with ascorbic acid at 200 ppm noticeably improved the different vegetative growth characters and flowering parameters of gladiolus plants.
Frequency-dependent Alfvén-wave Propagation in the Solar Wind: Onset and Suppression of Parametric Decay Instability

Using numerical simulations we investigate the onset and suppression of parametric decay instability (PDI) in the solar wind, focusing on the suppression effect by the wind acceleration and expansion. Wave propagation and dissipation from the coronal base to 1 au is solved numerically in a self-consistent manner; we take into account the feedback of wave energy and pressure in the background. Monochromatic waves with various injection frequencies, f0, are injected to discuss the suppression of PDI, while broadband waves are applied to compare the numerical results with observation. We find that high-frequency ( ) Alfvén waves are subject to PDI. Meanwhile, the maximum growth rate of the PDI of low-frequency ( ) Alfvén waves becomes negative due to acceleration and expansion effects. Medium-frequency ( ) Alfvén waves have a positive growth rate but do not show the signature of PDI up to 1 au because the growth rate is too small. The medium-frequency waves experience neither PDI nor reflection so they propagate through the solar wind most efficiently. The solar wind is shown to possess a frequency-filtering mechanism with respect to Alfvén waves. The simulations with broadband waves indicate that the observed trend of the density fluctuation is well explained by the evolution of PDI while the observed cross-helicity evolution is in agreement with low-frequency wave propagation.
Direct and in vitro observation of growth hormone receptor molecules in A549 human lung epithelial cells by nanodiamond labeling

This letter presents direct observation of growth hormone receptor in one single cancer cell using nanodiamond-growth hormone complex as a specific probe. The interaction of surface growth hormone receptor of A549 human lung epithelial cells with growth hormone was observed using nanodiamond’s unique spectroscopic signal via confocal Raman mapping. The growth hormone molecules were covalent conjugated to 100nm diameter carboxylated nanodiamonds, which can be recognized specifically by the growth hormone receptors of A549 cell. The Raman spectroscopic signal of diamond provides direct and in vitro observation of growth hormone receptors in physiology condition in a single cell level.
A Dynamic Analysis of Household Car Ownership in Ireland

This paper examines the determinants of household car ownership in Ireland, using longitudinal data for the period 1995-2001. This was a period of rapid economic and social change in Ireland, with the proportion of households with one or more cars growing from 74.6 per cent to 80.8 per cent over the period. Understanding the determinants of household car ownership, a key determinant of household travel behaviour more generally, is particularly important in the context of current policy developments which seek to encourage more sustainable means of travel. In this paper, we exploit the availability of longitudinal data to estimate dynamic models of household car ownership, controlling for unobserved heterogeneity and state dependence. We find income and previous car ownership to be the strongest determinants of differences in household car ownership. Other important influences include household composition (in particular, the presence of young children) and lifecycle effects, which create further challenges for policymakers in seeking to change travel behaviour.
Summer undergraduate nursing research experience: Implementing a mentor-based research program for minority nursing undergraduates

The Summer Undergraduate Nursing Research Immersion Experience (SUNRISE) program was developed to provide opportunities for eligible underrepresented/underserved (UR/US) undergraduate nursing students to participate in a semi-structured summer research experience. First year undergraduate nursing students enrolled full-time in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program were eligible to participate in SUNRISE. Significant improvements were seen in the student’s self-efficacy as scientists (pre: 4.4 ± 0.27; post: 4.6 ± 0.17) and the student’s perception of their role in research. Using a mentor-based approach, UR/US students were given one-on-one training that is often lacking in nursing programs. Though only in its first year, preliminary data suggest that the SUNRISE program can impact UR/US student’s sense of scientific efficacy preparing these students for success beyond nursing school.
The Mechanical Properties of High Strength Concrete in Massive Structures

High strength concrete is being used increasingly in mass structure projects. The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of temperature during mixing, placing and curing on the strength development, hydration products and pore structures of high strength concrete in mass structures. The experiments were conducted with two different model walls, viz.: 1.5 m and 0.3 m under typical summer and winter weather conditions. The final part of this study deal with the clarification of the relationship between the long-term strength loss and the microstructure of the high strength concrete at high temperatures. Test results indicated that high elevated temperatures in mass concrete structures significantly accelerate the strength development of concrete at the early ages, while the long-term strength development is decreased. The long-term strength loss is caused by the decomposition of ettringite and increased the total porosity and amount of small pores.
A review of odonatology in freshwater applied ecology and conservation science

The academic study of dragonflies and damselflies (odonatology) is well established, but relatively limited attention has been given to odonates in the context of applied ecology and conservation science. We used the Web of Science™ and Odonatological Abstract Service (ISSN 1438-0269) to capture trends in primary literature, characterize study features (habitats, life stages, etc.), identify research themes, and suggest future directions for odonatology in freshwater applied ecology and conservation science. We found no papers in this area prior to 1980, and 411 papers from 1980 through 2013. Nearly 75% of these papers were recent (since 2005) and >40% were very recent (since 2010). We identified several broad and overlapping research themes: 1) model taxa, 2) tools and indicators, 3) odonate-centered work, and 4) methodological issues and improvements (field sampling, data modeling/simulation, conservation/landscape-scale genetics). We found more reliance on field-based observational approaches than experiments and model-driven exercises, although the number of papers using model-driven exercises is rapidly increasing. We found a strong focus on adult stages, odonate assemblages, the Odonata as a whole, and studies of particular species. We identified research priorities in areas such as ecological valuation and management, monitoring and assessment, climate change and landscape planning, concordance with other taxa, effects of urbanization, data modeling/simulation, and rare-species ecology and conservation. To help establish an identity and facilitate communication, we suggest naming this diverse realm “applied odonatology”. We think applied odonatology has a good future for a range of topics from conservation genetics and population ecology to assessments of anthropogenic impacts and the conservation of biodiversity.
Can fiscal austerity be expansionary in present-day Europe? The lessons from Sweden*

In the aftermath of a deep recession and public budget crisis, a Social Democrat government pursued an ambitious fiscal austerity policy in Sweden in the mid 1990s. Economic advisors were guided by the idea that fiscal austerity would have neutral or expansionary effects on output and employment. In order to avoid large public deficits in the future, the government also introduced radical fiscal rules. The main conclusion in this article is that the fiscal austerity measures in the mid 1990s delayed the Swedish economic recovery and that neither these measures nor the radical fiscal rules were responsible for Sweden's impressive macroeconomic performance in the following years. The positive economic development in Sweden up until the Great Recession was driven by export, profit and technology, reflecting an international upswing and the country's flexible exchange rates and industrial composition. The floating exchange rate, together with independent monetary policy and luck, explain why Sweden could avoid a sharp decline in GDP growth during the global financial and EMU crises. The demanding fiscal rules restricted the possibilities and willingness of the non-socialist government to respond to high unemployment with an expansionary fiscal policy.
Intralesional Bleomycin as Therapeutic Modality for Low-flow Venous Malformations: Treatment on Outpatient Basis

Introduction: Venous malformations (VMs) are the most common type of vascular malformations in the human body, most commonly involving head and neck region. Intralesional sclerotherapy with and without image guidance has been used as therapeutic modality with effective outcome. The aim of our study was to evaluate the result of intralesional bleomycin injection without image guidance in low-flow VMs of head and neck. Materials and methods: This was an observational study conducted in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College (VMMC) and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India, between September 2014 and November 2016. Fifty-five patients, 27 males and 28 females, diagnosed as low-flow VM based on clinical features and ultrasound, were treated with multiple doses of intralesional bleomycin injection at 3 weeks interval on an outpatient basis. Reduction in size, occurrence of adverse reactions, and recurrence were observed and recorded. Outcomes were graded as complete reduction (>90% reduction), considerable reduction (50–90% reduction), partial reduction (20–50% reduction), and no change (<20% reduction). Treatment was considered successful in cases of complete or considerable reduction. Results: A total of 50 (90.9%) patients were successfully treated. Complications were minor and included small skin ulcer in 4 (7.2%) and hyperpigmentation in 3 (5.4%) patients. No recurrence was noted. Conclusion: Intralesional bleomycin sclerotherapy serves as an excellent treatment modality for low-flow VMs. Such patients can be treated on an outpatient basis without fear of any major complication.
The Intergenerational Transmission of Gender Role Attitudes and its Implications for Female Labour Force Participation

Using a sample of mother-child pairs from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 (NLSY79) and the Young Adults of the NLSY79 we explore the relationship between a woman’s attitudes towards the role of females in the labor market and the attitudes of her children. We also examine whether this intergenerational cultural link has implications for the labor market behavior of the females in the NLSY79. We find that a woman’s attitudes have a statistically significant effect on her children’s views towards working women. Furthermore we find that this cultural transmission influences female labor market decisions. Our results imply that a woman’s view regarding the role of females in the labor market and family not only affects the labor market force participation decision of her daughter, but also has an equally strong association with the labor force participation of the wife of her son. These results indicate that the transmission of gender role attitudes contributes to the persistence of economic status across generations.
Double-Diffusive Plumes in a Homogeneous Environment

Laboratory experiments using sources of salt and sugar (an analogue system for heat (T) and salt (S)) at opposite ends of a long tank containing a homogeneous solution of one solute have been used to investigate the related two-dimensional double-diffusive processes in the ocean. It has been shown that vertical gradients of T, S and density, and large-scale horizontal interleaving motions, can be generated even when the density of both inputs and the initial tank fluid are exactly the same, though the initial evolution differs depending on whether the tank contains salt or sugar solution. This difference arises because the individual input plumes are not completely equivalent. Salt diffuses rapidly out of a saline plume in a sugar tank into a surrounding sheath, producing stronger convection in the environment than a sugar plume in a salt tank. The resulting upward and downward transports of the two properties have been measured in both cases, over a range of density differences between source and tank fluid.
MINIMAL FLAVOR CONSTRAINTS FOR TECHNICOLOR

We analyze the constraints on the the vacuum polarization of the Standard Model gauge bosons from a minimal set of flavor observables valid for a general class of models of dynamical electroweak symmetry breaking. We will show that the constraints have a strong impact on the self-coupling and masses of the lightest spin-one resonances. Our analysis is applicable to any four and higher-dimensional extension of the Standard Model reducing to models of dynamical electroweak symmetry breaking.
A Structural Based Thermal Model Description for Vertical SiC Power MOSFETs under Fault Conditions

The accurate prediction of the SiC MOSFET withstanding time for single fault events greatly influences the requirements for device protection circuits for these devices in power converter applications, like voltage source inverters or power electronic transformers. For this reason, a thermal model, based on the structural design and the physical dimensions of the chip as well as material properties of 4H-SiC, is proposed. This article gives a general description of the thermal behaviour of vertical SiC MOSFET under various driving and boundary conditions in case of a short-circuit event. The thermal model substitutes destructive tests of a device for an individual set of boundary conditions of an occurring fault event. The validity of the analytically parametrised thermal model is verified by experimental short-circuit tests of state-of-the-art vertical SiC MOSFETs for a set of various boundary conditions. The investigated thermal model can furthermore be used to standardise different gate-oxide degradation values from the literature for means of lifetime prediction of the gate oxide for an individual application under repetitive occurring fault or overload conditions. These manufacturer specific reported values measured with no standardised testing procedures can be translated into a maximum junction temperature, which is repeatedly reached. The thermal model therefore provides a unifying parameter for the gate-oxide lifetime calculation for an individual chip and application.
Physical activity and health related environment preferences among students from the Lithuanian Academy of Physical Education

Background: The physical activity preferences (PAP) and attitude towards health's promotion among freshers from different classes while maintaining a constant level of physical activity (PA) intervention. Objective: To determine changes in the PAP of future physical education teachers and health educators. Methods: The studies were carried out in 2000 and 2008 year with students from Lithuanian Academy of Physical Education (LAPE). A standardized, self administered questionnaire was filled in by 577 fresher students (244 males and 333 females). Results: There were fewer students who wanted to attend a special health training course (coping with stress, remedial exercise, healthy nutrition) in 2008 than in 2000 (males 57.8% and 46.7%, p < 0.1; females 84.4% and 71.2% p < 0.02 respectively). Females showed a more critical view of the environment of the academy than males and mentioned that there were fewer possibilities for healthy nutrition in the academy in 2008 than in 2000 (26.1% and 19.12% p < 0.02). After eight years students are using health promotion tools less often in the academy. The number of students who used vigorous and strengthening activities decreased in 2008 comparing with the year 2000 (males 59.2% and 46.7%; females 47.7% and 22.5% p < 0.001, respectively). Also fewer of them chose wellness centers (males 27.6% and 22.8%, females 37.0% and 11.6% p < 0.001, respectively). There were fewer females who reported having participated in activities which made them sweat and breathe hard (2-3 times/week and more) in 2008 than in 2000 (χ2 = 49.05, p < 0.001). The Contingency Coefficient (C), measuring the strength of this association was at . 369. Conclusions: The data suggest that there is an increasing need for intervention to promote PA among students who enter the academy and continue studying here. Recommendations: It is necessary to develop physical activity programs for an integral academy education, mainly in females, avoiding the lowering of physical activity as they move higher at the educational level. Also the plan to increase the number of physical activities and exercises must be included in curricular scenarios, and the use of leisure time must be oriented towards physical activity.
Determining Drivers of Destination Attractiveness: The Case of Nature-Based Tourism of Bangladesh

The purpose of this study is to identify the most important drivers for developing destination competitiveness of Bangladesh nature-based tourism by evaluating tourists’ perception. A nationwide structured questionnaire survey of total 432 Bangladeshi tourists is carried out by dividing the whole country into two parts for equal representation. Based on this data, a profile of the tourists is constructed before ranking of attributes from most important to least important on a five-point Likert scale. An Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) has been conducted finally to identify the most important factors from 24 selected attributes related to nature-based tourism of Bangladesh. The key findings indicate that seven attributes are more important to respondents than others as all these has average importance value more than 4 out of 5 while only two is least important. From the EFA of these attributes, supported by a parallel analysis, four major factors are extracted namely, tourism infrastructure; historical and cultural attractors; natural attractors; and communication facilities and lifestyle similarities. Thus, this study will help both policy makers to develop long term destination policy focusing on natural attractors and service providers to customize their services according to tourists’ expectation. Consequently, this paper conceptualizes the importance of focusing on specific sectors of tourism and the way of developing competitiveness of nature-based tourism of Bangladesh. However further studies can be conducted to match tourists’ evaluation of attributes on importance and performance and/or evaluating same perception from service providers rather than tourists.
Have I Been Here Before? A Method for Detecting Loop Closure With LiDAR

Abstract : Loop closure detection has progressed to operate in real time in areas as massive as an entire city. This impressive result is enabled by the richness and uniqueness of visual stimuli in a city. If a robot were required instead to operate in a deep underground complex of tunnels that is absent of unique features, then a new set of tools is needed to enable a similar level of performance. We present a unified representation for recognizing global loop closure, which incorporates appearance- and spatial-based techniques on a mobile robot system, which has the unfortunate task of exploring a system of austere underground tunnels with only a laser scanner as a guide.
Occurrence and Assessment of Chemical Contaminants in Drinking Water in Tunceli, Turkey

The objective of this study was to analyze drinking water samples from 21 sites in the city center and seven municipalities of Tunceli, Turkey, in order to determine the presence of nitrate, nitrite, fluoride, bromate, pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), trihalomethanes (THMs), and some other chemicals. In all locations, the concentrations of chemicals investigated were below the permissible limits set by local and international organizations for drinking water. Low levels of nitrate (4.79 ± 4.20 mg/L), fluoride (0.11 ± 0.08 mg/L), and THMs (6.63 ± 5.14 μg/L) were detected in all locations. A low level of tetra, chloroethane, which is suspected to be a human carcinogen, was also detected in 8 locations in the range of 0.26–0.43 μg/L. These contaminants may pose adverse health effects or minimum hazard due to long-term exposure. In all locations, bromate, benzene, total PAH, 1-2 dichloroethane, vinyl chloride, acrylamide, and epichloridine levels in drinking water samples were under detection limits.
Small Polaron Hopping in Fe:LiNbO3 as a Function of Temperature and Composition

Small-polaron hopping involved in charge transport in Fe-doped congruent lithium niobate is investigated as a function of temperature and composition by means of light-induced transient absorption spectroscopy. The relaxation dynamics of the light-induced polaron population is characterized by individual activation energies within different temperature ranges. A numerical investigation carried out by Monte Carlo simulations reveals that these findings may be understood in terms of the varying abundance of the different types of hops that the polarons may perform among regular or defective lattice sites. The role of the temperature and of the sample composition on the distribution of the different hop types is thus explored for a wide range of parameters, allowing one to preview the charge transport properties for a given set of experimental conditions.
Corporate Governance and Bank Performance: A Study of Selected Banks in GCC Region

This paper examines the effect of corporate governance denoted by board size, duality, agency cost etc. on theperformance of selected 24 GCC banks based on the criteria of total assets for the financial year 2012-13.Tobin’s Q and Return on Total Assets (ROTA) are adopted as a measurement of accounting and financialperformance respectively.The results indicate that smaller boards are more capable for monitoring the management closely in GCCbanking sector. Dual role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) are likely to improve the GCC bank performance.The presence of block holders in ownership structure of GCC banks tends to have a positive effect on theperformance of banking sector. Overall, the study concludes that the corporate governance poses a significantinfluence on the financial and accounting performance of GCC banking sector.