Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A preliminary genetic study of Mediterranean species of Philaenus based on COI and ITS2 DNA sequences

The monophyly of Mediterranean species of Philaenus was supported with a 1.00 BPP value and with a bootstrap value of 100%. Four separate groups were clearly defined. Philaenus loukasi Drosopoulos et Asche appeared as basal to all remaining species, also Philaenus arslani Abdul-Nour et Lahoud showed distinct genetic differences. The analyses showed the presence of two dis- tinct clades, one comprising Philaenus maghresignus Drosopoulos et Remane, Philaenus tarifa Remane et Drosopoulos, Philae- nus signatus Melichar, and Philaenus italosignus Drosopoulos et Remane. The other species group was formed by Philaenus tes- selatus Melichar and Philaenus spumarius (L.).
FACTORS INFLUENCING CO-MOVEMENT OF DIVERSIFIED PORTFOLIO BETWEEN PAKISTAN AND INDIA

An internationally diversified portfolio is effective if the co-movement pattern among underlying securities is analyzed not only on the basis of past returns but also on market and economic factors that can explain such co-movements. The current study determines the role of bilateral foreign portfolio equity holding, gross domestic product (GDP) and interest rate differential on international co-movement patterns among emerging and frontier Asian (EFA) markets. We started our analysis by estimating rolling beta estimation used in formulating bilateral co-movement index. After that, ARDL technique is applied to check long term relationship among the included variables. For short term relationship, error correction term is added for measuring speed of convergence toward long run equilibrium. Finally, we applied variance decomposition analysis under the VAR framework to check individual variances of each independent variable on bilateral equity return co-movement. We report significant long run relationship between bilateral equity co-movement and GDP growth differential of Pakistan and India. The presence of short run relationship among all variables with high speed of convergence suggests that the process reverts itself toward the long run. Our findings regarding significance of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth differential between India and Pakistan support the portfolio balance theory proposed by Kodres and Pritsker (2002).
Effect of Supplementary Irrigation on Yield of Chickpea Genotypes in a Mediterranean Climate

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) grown across a wide range of environments, is considered one of the most drought tolerant food legume, and plays an important role in the production of sustainable agriculture mainly in the traditionally semiarid areas of Mediterranean basin, where water resources keep decreasing. Objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of supplementary irrigation on ten genotypes of chickpea crop, in order to select the most suitable ones for a sustainable agriculture in the context of scarcity of water resources. A splitplot experiment was carried out at Policoro, Southern Italy, on a sub-alkaline, silt-clay alluvial soil. The supplementary irrigation was compared with non-irrigated cultivation. The climatic conditions during the crop growing season were characterized by average temperatures higher than the normal ones during the winter months, and a remarkable drought, except in January. Three genotypes (Pa 34 and cultivars Sultano and Pascia) showed a higher yielding potential in these environmental conditions reaching values from 436 to 492 g m-2. Supplementary irrigation increased the yield of three genotypes only (Pa 3, Pa 21 and cv. Crema) and this result can be explained with the excessive drought during the two months after the last supplementary irrigation (shrivelled seeds).
Igbo cultural and religious worldview: An insiders perspective

Although it can easily be contended that there is no dearth of ethnographic reports and writings on the Igbo people of Nigeria, yet it can equally be argued that most of such reports, particularly those arising from the works of Christian missionaries and British colonial ethnographers had largely been concerned with giving a general picture of the mores, customs and traditions of the Igbo. The core of such writings often present the Igbo as primitive people given to some unchanging cultural traits/habits, rather than as agentic people, known for their well articulated cultural and religious worldview. In particular, most of the previous anthropological reports on the Igbo arose at those regrettable days of colonial denigrations in which the perspectives of indigenous African peoples were treated with much disdain, with the people themselves being approached as mere informants to be spoken-for rather than to be listened to regarding their views on the nature of life in the human world. Using the technique of documentary analysis and in-depth library research methodology, the present paper intends to correct some of the shortfalls embedding most of the previous anthropological reports on the Igbo. In particular, the paper plans to educate the reader on some ideals and ethos of the Igbo of Nigeria. In making this contribution it is not assumed that the reader knows much about the culture of the Igbo. Hence it is expected that at the end of the presentation, a lot should have become clearer regarding Igbo culture and religious worldview as well as the rituals and procedures of the key transitional ceremonies of Igbo religion. Key words: Igbo, Nigeria, socio-cultural, worldview, transitional ceremonies.
Existence of solutions for a class of p(x)-biharmonic problems without (A-R) type conditions

In this paper, we study the existence and multiplicity of nontrivial solutions for a class of p(x)-biharmonic problems. The interesting point lines in the fact that we do not need the usual Ambrosetti-Rabinowitz type condition for the nonlinear term f . The proofs are essentially based on the mountain pass theorem and its Z2 symmetric version. Mathematics Subject Classification: 35P30, 35D05, 35J60
Strength and Stiffness of Stabilized Alluvial Silt under Frost Actions

The Yellow River alluvial silt was stabilized into pavement base materials for cold regions. The stabilizing additives were cement, fly ash, and lime, which were included in a range of combinations and dosages when mixed with the silt. Freeze-thaw cyclic impacts were conducted on the treated samples to assess materials performance of withstanding the frost actions. The tests were conducted on samples cured for 7 days to up to 180 days. Test results show that the cement-fly ash-treated samples outperform the other two stabilization categories with respect to material strength and stiffness developed under both normal and frost conditions. Under the normal conditions, the material unconfined compressive (UC) strength rises to 3.0 MPa on day 28 depending on the cement and fly ash dosage used. If subjected to frost actions, the fly ash inclusions warrant a residual UC strength value of 1.3 MPa and above. The antifrost performance of the cement-fly ash-treated samples is related to thermal buffer capacity of the fly ash particles. Water adsorption and material soundness results agree with the strength and stiffness development. An optimal dosage was 3–6% for the cement and 0.3 for cement to fly ash mass ratio.
SEISMIC RESPONSE OF A HIGH-PIER BRIDGE SUBJECTED TO OBLIQUE INCIDENCE WAVES

Abstract. Oblique incidence waves play a vital role in the spatial variation of seismic ground motions. It is important to consider the oblique incidence of a seismic wave in a valley or in other complex topographies. It is too expensive for realistic 3D simulations of a soil-bridge system. In the work reported here, an efficient method of artificial boundary has been substantially improved, and the numerical simulation method of free field with uniform topographic under oblique incidence waves is studied. The numerical accuracy is tested by comparing with the analytical solutions. A finite element model of a bridge-soil system is built to analyze the seismic response of a continuous rigid-frame bridge with high piers located in a plain topography as well as deep valley with the consideration of oblique incidence waves. The topographic effect on amplitude and distribution of internal forces were determined for different oblique incident angles and different shear wave velocities of the soil. The dynamic response of this bridge under P-wave and SV-wave are summarized. The results show that the angle of the oblique incidence waves has greater effect on internal forces of the piers and piles in a deep valley than in uniform field shapes. If the bridge is located in a valley, the effect of oblique incidence waves on the bridge should be considered.
Evidence for a major missing source in the global chloromethane budget from stable carbon isotopes

Abstract. Chloromethane (CH3Cl) is the most important natural input of reactive chlorine to the stratosphere, contributing about 16 % to stratospheric ozone depletion. Due to the phase-out of anthropogenic emissions of chlorofluorocarbons, CH3Cl will largely control future levels of stratospheric chlorine. The tropical rainforest is commonly assumed to be the strongest single CH3Cl source, contributing over half of the global annual emissions of about 4000 to 5000 Gg (1 Gg = 109 g). This source shows a characteristic carbon isotope fingerprint, making isotopic investigations a promising tool for improving its atmospheric budget. Applying carbon isotopes to better constrain the atmospheric budget of CH3Cl requires sound information on the kinetic isotope effects for the main sink processes: the reaction with OH and Cl in the troposphere. We conducted photochemical CH3Cl degradation experiments in a 3500 dm3 smog chamber to determine the carbon isotope effect (ε=k13C/k12C-1) for the reaction of CH3Cl with OH and Cl. For the reaction of CH3Cl with OH, we determined an ε value of (-11.2±0.8) ‰ (n=3) and for the reaction with Cl we found an ε value of (-10.2±0.5) ‰ (n=1), which is 5 to 6 times smaller than previously reported. Our smaller isotope effects are strongly supported by the lack of any significant seasonal covariation in previously reported tropospheric δ13C(CH3Cl) values with the OH-driven seasonal cycle in tropospheric mixing ratios. Applying these new values for the carbon isotope effect to the global CH3Cl budget using a simple two hemispheric box model, we derive a tropical rainforest CH3Cl source of (670±200) Gg a−1, which is considerably smaller than previous estimates. A revision of previous bottom-up estimates, using above-ground biomass instead of rainforest area, strongly supports this lower estimate. Finally, our results suggest a large unknown CH3Cl source of (1530±200) Gg a−1.
Analysis of polarization diversity scheme with channel codes

A polarization diversity scheme is discussed, to which various space-time codes have been applied. Based on the two branch polarization diversity system, a theoretical model is presented for analyzing the system performance under various correlation conditions. Space block codes have been applied to the polarization diversity scheme. It has been found that with space-time codes, the system performance can be improved by 9 dB at bit error rate of 10/sup -4/.
Entropy-Based and Weighted Selective SIFT Clustering as an Energy Aware Framework for Supervised Visual Recognition of Man-Made Structures

Using local invariant features has been proven by published literature to be powerful for image processing and pattern recognition tasks. However, in energy aware environments, these invariant features would not scale easily because of their computational requirements. Motivated to find an efficient building recognition algorithm based on scale invariant feature transform (SIFT) keypoints, we present in this paper uSee, a supervised learning framework which exploits the symmetrical and repetitive structural patterns in buildings to identify subsets of relevant clusters formed by these keypoints. Once an image is captured by a smart phone, uSee preprocesses it using variations in gradient angle- and entropy-based measures before extracting the building signature and comparing its representative SIFT keypoints against a repository of building images. Experimental results on 2 different databases confirm the effectiveness of uSee in delivering, at a greatly reduced computational cost, the high matching scores for building recognition that local descriptors can achieve. With only 14.3% of image SIFT keypoints, uSee exceeded prior literature results by achieving an accuracy of 99.1% on the Zurich Building Database with no manual rotation; thus saving significantly on the computational requirements of the task at hand.
DESIGN THINKING AND THE HYPE CYCLE IN MANAGEMENT EDUCATION AND IN ENGINEERING EDUCATION

Design thinking may be old wine in a new bottle or it may be new wine in an old bottle. The essence of the logic of Design is best exemplified by Simon(1988) when he states that while natural sciences are concerned with how things are, design is concerned with how things about to be. From an intuitive perspective, one could easily see that designing of “how things could be” is deeply connected to the engineering disciplines with or without user input (the necessity of user-input being a cornerstone in Design Thinking).
Layer-by-Layer Self-Assembly of Glucose Oxidase with a Poly(allylamine)ferrocene Redox Mediator

We report the redox mediation of glucose oxidase (GOx) in a self-assembled structure of cationic poly(allylamine) modified by ferrocene (PAA-Fc) and anionic GOx deposited electrostatically layer-by-layer on negatively charged alkanethiol-modified Au surfaces. Successive PAA-Fc and GOx layers were deposited by alternate immersion of the thiol-modified Au in the respective polyelectrolyte and enzyme solutions. The uptake of thiol, redox polymer, and GOx on the surface was monitored by quartz crystal microbalance. Cyclic voltammetry shows nearly ideal surface waves of ferrocene in the polymer with charge independent of sweep rate; the redox surface concentration was obtained from integration of the ferrocene/ferricinium voltammetric peaks. The redox charge increases in step with the number of PAA-Fc layers deposited. Enzyme catalysis for the oxidation of β-d-glucose was achieved with a multilayer PAA-Fc/GOx assembly, with each GOx layer contributing equally to the catalytic response. Only a small fraction of.
Information, Random Regret Minimisation, Random Utility Maximisation: Willingness to pay for Renewable Energy

We investigate how different levels of information affect respondents’ preferences as well as choice behaviour in choice experiments by analysing respondents’ choices using two choice paradigms: the Random Utility Maximisation (RUM) and the Random Regret Minimization (RRM). The RRM offers a tractable, regret-based model complementary to the dominant RUM. Analysing choice related to hypothetical programmes for the promotion of renewable energy, we find that varying the level of information does not affect preferences and scale, whilst it does affect the choice paradigm. Additional information increases the probability that a respondent’s choices are better explained by the RUM than the RRM.
Porous metal-organic Cu(II) complex of L-Arginine; synthesis, characterization, hydrogen storage properties and molecular simulation calculations

Cu(II)-arginine coordination compound was synthesized and characterized by using DSC, DTA, EA, FT-IR, XRD, SEM and EDX analysis techniques and then the hydrogen storage properties were investigated. Hydrogen storage performance of synthesized compound was determined both experimental and theoretically by using Materials Studio which is one of the Molecular simulation software and adsorption measurement equipment. It is found out that the arginine compound uptakes approximately 1.2 wt. % experimentally and 0.8 wt. % theoretically hydrogen in 77K and 100 bars pressure. Also the surface characteristics was calculated and also the possible cites which could uptake hydrogen in a single lattice cell were determined. At the end of this research, in addition to drug and other applications of L-arginine, it is proved that could be used as a part of adsorbent for hydrogen storage application. Keywords: Hydrogen Storage; L-Arginine; Coordination Compound; Molecular Simulation DOI: 10.17350/HJSE19030000001 Full Text: Supplementary File:
Friendship among pastoral Fulbe in Northwest Cameroon

This article discusses perceptions and practices of friendship among the Mbororo (pastoral Fulbe) in northwest Cameroon. The concept of friendship is culturally and socially embedded, and the author highlights the flexible and multilayered character of friendship in Cameroon. While in Europe and the U.S. the voluntary and emotional connotations of friend- ship are stressed, for the Mbororo, it includes a significant economic component and may overlap with other relationships, such as kinship and patron-client relations. Furthermore, Mbororo women and men differ in their perspectives and practices of friendship. Finally, the author argues that interethnic friendships between Mbororo pastoralists and their farming neighbors are of an individual nature and that in the face of conflict, their integrative capacity is limited.
Artículos Lemer Index: Estimation and the Impact of its Market Structure Detemiinants

Using the reasoning that assumes that a pro-cyclical Solow residual is an indication of the presence of market power, the paper estimates the Lemer índex. At the same time in which we estimate the Lemer Índex, we measure the impact of industry structure variables (concentration and ímports) on this índex. Because we have panel data, we also allow for a chango ín the impact of these variables across time. For the whole manufacturing sector, we find that concentration and imports have a differing impact on the Lerner índex across the business cycle. We find evídence that shows that the Lemer índex behaves anticyclically. And we also make the analysís by tjrpe of good (durables and non-durables) and find díífering ímpacts of concentration and ímports by type of good.
Motivation of University Authorities Aimed at Creating Favorable Learning Environment in the Course of Restructuring Higher Education Institutions

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of institutional changes on the working environment and health of employees working in the Centralized dean’s office and students, their motivation and training duties. Research methods included observation, interviews, questionnaires and statistical approaches. Research results suggest that formation of the learning environment is most strongly influenced by a number of factors, such as institutional changes, infrastructural developments of the University managerial qualities of employees, their cooperation level with students and above all - motivation for creative and conscientious work, individual and career development conditions, socio-psychological climate and management style. The study found the following dependence of students: combination of work and study duties increased the frequency of stress cases and ill health, but increased motivation for the development of self-organization.
Field theories with defects and the centre functor

This note is intended as an introduction to the functorial formulation of quantum field theories with defects. After some remarks about models in general dimension, we restrict ourselves to two dimensions – the lowest dimension in which interesting field theories with defects exist. We study in some detail the simplest example of such a model, namely a topological field theory with defects which we describe via lattice TFT. Finally, we give an application in algebra, where the defect TFT provides us with a functorial definition of the centre of an algebra. This involves changing the target category of commutative algebras into a bicategory. Throughout this paper, we emphasise the role of higher categories – in our case bicategories – in the description of field theories with defects.
Monitoring the optical and photocatalytic activity of mixed phase TiO2 nanoparticles

It is generally accepted that anatase TiO2 is a better photocatalytic candidate compared to rutile TiO2 , but recently the anatase-rutile mixture is found to have a magical effect on the charge transfer process [1] . Presence of rutile phase extend the photoactive response to the visible region, harvesting more light. Stabilization of charge separation by electron transfer from rutile to anatase trapping sites slows down the recombination [2], thereby improving the photocatalytic activity. Although there are several methods to prepare nanocrystalline titania but the sol-gel method represents several advantages over other methods [3]. As the method is carried out in solution, tailoring of certain desired structural characteristics such as compositional homogeneity, grain size, particle morphology, and porosity is possible with this method. The process finds wide applications in the development of new materials for catalysis [4] , photochronic applications [5], chemical sensors [6], and also in a diverge range of scientific and engineering fields such as ceramic industry [7], electronic industry [8]. The phase transformation rearranges the bonding arrangement of TiO2 and introduces many defects in the mixed phase sample. X-ray diffraction, TEM, Raman spectroscopy have been investigated to clearly distinguish the pure anatase and rutile phase, their sizes and defects present. A detailed analysis on the optical properties of the reduced anatase, anatase-rutile mixed phase and of rutile phase is also reported.
The Gingival Crevicular Fluid Levels of IL- 1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in Late Adult Rats

Aim: To evaluate the levels of interleukin1β (IL-1β), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in the samples of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) taken from the late adult rats during the orthodontic tooth movement and to evaluate the responses to orthodontic treatment . Methodology: In experiment 19 adult (120 days) Spraque-Dawley rats were used. Approximately 15 g force applying open coil spring was applied actively between the upper incisors of the rats. Before and after the activation on the 3rd and 7th and 10th days GCF samples were taken from the vestibular surfaces of appliance fixed teeth using periopaper®. Then the samples were biochemically analyzed. For the statistical analysis of working days of each cytokines repetitive variance analysis technique was used. Results: The levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α were the highest in the 3rd day and started to decrease on the 7th and 10th days. Conclusions: The cytokine levels of orthodontic force applied teeth in late adult rats are compatible with the levels of studies in young rats. How to cite this article: Acun Kaya F, Gunduz Arslan S , Kaya CA, Arslan H, Hamamci O. The Gingival Crevicular Fluid Levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in Late Adult Rats. Int Dent Res 2011;1:7-12.
Host country-specific factors causing outwards foreign direct investment from Malaysia

This study analyzes macroeconomic and institutional factors of the host countries in attracting outwards foreign direct investment (OFDI) from Malaysia. Results show that primary motives behind Malaysian OFDI are to seek growing markets and natural resources. Foreign economy’s depreciating currency with respect to Ringgit Malaysia, lower private sector lending rate, shorter geographical distance from Malaysia and government accountability are also important pull factors. Malaysian OFDI is significantly low in ASEAN Member States (AMS) and in the developed states. Policy implications thus include generation of higher OFDI towards AMS given the strategic importance of ASEAN Economic Community and in developed regions to access foreign technology.