Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of supplementary hoe weeding on the efficacy of ButaForce for lowland rice (Oryza sativa L.) weed management

Field experiments to determine the influence of supplementary hoe weeding on the efficacy of ButaForce (N-(butoxymethyl)-2-chloro-N-2,6-dimethyl acetanilide) for low land rice (Oryza sativa L.) weed management was conducted at the Faculty of Agriculture Teaching and Research Farm of the University of Port Harcourt during the early cropping seasons of 2018 and 2019. Seven treatments were used for the experiment namely: ButaForce at 1.5 L/ha + SHW (21 DAS), ButaForce at 2.0 L/ha + SHW (21 DAS), ButaForce at 2.5 L/ha + SHW (21DAS), ButaForce at 3.0 L/ha (recommended rate), weed-free (weekly weeding), hoe weeded twice at 21 and 42 DAS and weedy check. The treatments were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates. Results from the study showed that weed-free check (weekly weeding) was more effective in weed control in lowland rice. It also gave the highest growth and yield attributes over all other treatments. Weed suppression and rice performance was better in plots treated with ButaForce at 2.5 L/ha + SHW (21 DAS) than in other supplementary hoe weeding. The economic analysis showed that although hoe weeded plots had higher yields, the profit obtained from them were lower when compared with the supplementary hoe weeding and ButaForce at 3.0 L/ha. Among all the weed control treatment, plots treated with ButaForce at 2.5 L/ha with supplementary hoe weeding gave the highest profit. Since the highest profit was recorded in plots treated with ButaForce at 2.5 L/ha with supplementary hoe weeding, it is therefore recommended to rice farmers in the study area. Key words: Hoe weeding, lowland rice, supplementary, weed management, economic analysis.
Improvement of the stability of perovskite solar cells in terms of humidity/heat via compositional engineering

Compositional engineering is one of the ways of controlling the phase structure and improving the stability of perovskite solar cells. This study is the investigation of how adding cesium (Cs) to formamidium lead iodide (FAPbI3) perovskite affects the structure, morphology, performance and stability of hole-transport-free (HTF) mesoporous solar cells. It was shown that this addition leads to decrease in the lattice constant and the tolerance factor and causes perovskite band gaps to vary. The x-ray diffraction analysis also showed the removal of the non-photovoltaic perovskite phase and the conversion of the trigonal black phase to tetragonal structure. As 15% of Cs was added, the average efficiency of 7.41% and the highest efficiency of 11.78% were achieved for the HTF solar cells. Finally, FA0.85 Cs0.15PbI3 perovskite cells proved to be more stable than FAPbI3 reference cells at 150 °C and the humidity of 90%.
Design of a mechanically strong and highly stretchable thermoplastic silicone elastomer based on coulombic interactions

The combination of mechanical properties, self-healing capability and recyclability is practically considered for silicone elastomers. Here, thermoplastic silicone elastomers (TPSEs) were prepared via cross-linking solely by coulombic interactions between carboxylic acid groups on the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) side chains and commercially available zinc oxide (ZnO). To obtain an ideally desirable combination of great mechanical strength, elasticity and self-healing properties, three linear vinyl-containing PDMS samples were synthesized via a cyclic trimeric phosphazene base (CTPB) catalyzed ring-opening polymerization and then used as a precursor to afford carboxylic acid functionalized PDMS (PDMS-g-COOH) via an efficient thiol–ene click reaction. The final TPSEs were formed by simple mixing of PDMS-g-COOH with ZnO. The mechanical properties and self-healing abilities of dynamic salt-bonding networks were tuned by varying the molecular weights of PDMS precursors and the molar ratio of COOH/ZnO, characterized by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and tensile and rheological measurements. The obtained PDMS-g-COOH/ZnO composites exhibited an excellent mechanical strength of >5 MPa, good elasticity up to 1300% of the original length and fast self-healing efficiency of 83.5% at 80 °C for 4 h. This simple and universal approach provided new insights into next-generation high-performance TPSEs.
Gini and Optimal Income Taxation by Rank

We solve the nonlinear income tax program for rank-dependent social welfare functions, expressing the trade-off between size and inequality using the Gini and related families of positional indices. Absent bunching, ranks in the actual and optimal allocations are invariant. Exploiting this feature, we provide new, simple, and intuitive tax formulas for both the quasilinear and additive cases and new comparative static results. Our approach makes insights from optimal taxation more widely accessible. In some of our simulations the actual US tax policy is close to being optimal—except at the top, where optimal rates are much higher than in actuality. (JEL D31, D63, H21, H24, K34)
High-achieving rural middle-school students’ academic self-efficacy and attributions in relationship to gender

ABSTRACT This research investigates high-achieving, rural middle-school students’ academic attributions and self-efficacy. The study sample (n = 77) included middle-school students attending schools in rural districts in a predominately rural, Midwestern state in the United States (U.S.). There was high participation in the Free and Reduced Lunch (FRL) program in the sample (average of 45.1% among the 8 participating districts). Students attending rural, under-resourced schools in the U.S. are vulnerable with respect to full academic development. We identified academic potential through the administration of a nationally standardized above-level test. Although there were no differences in the study sample’s female and male students’ scores in any of the four subject areas on the above-level test, there were differences for some of the psychosocial variables. A greater percentage of high-achieving males attributed both general school success and math success to ability; a greater percentage of high-achieving female students attributed general school success and math success to effort. Students in rural school districts often lack access to advanced educational opportunities, which may shape their beliefs about academic potential and self-efficacy and impact decisions regarding advanced coursework. Implications for school practitioners to foster the immediate and long-term talent development of high-achieving rural students are discussed.
Pricing strategy and collusion in a market with delay sensitivity

Collusion describes a situation in which firms coordinate their strategies to increase their profit compared with the competitive outcome. In this work, we explore the incentives and ability of service providers, serving delay‐sensitive customers to form a cartel. To do so, we develop an infinitely repeated game in which two service providers, each modeled as an M/M/1 queue, interact in the market repeatedly. We demonstrate that the incentives to collude depend on the competitive landscape in the market. When the competition in the market is high the incentives to form a cartel are strong since the cartel allows the service providers to extract all the surplus from the customers. However, operating under these market conditions does not imply that the ability to collude exists as well. We discuss the effect of market parameters such as delay sensitivity, service value and capacity level on the ability of the service providers to collude. We show that a high service value, high delay sensitivity and asymmetric capacity levels can actually hurt the service providers as they may impede their ability to form the cartel. We further discuss the welfare implications of collusive behavior, and the way it affects the incentives to invest in capacity.
SQL Injection Attacks Predictive Analytics Using Supervised Machine Learning Techniques

: Structured Query Language Injection Attack (SQLIA) is one of the most prevalent cyber attacks against web-based application vulnerabilities; that are manipulated through injection techniques to gain access to restricted data, bypass authentication mechanisms, and execute unauthorized data manipulation language. There are several solutions and approaches for identification and prevention of SQLIA, such as Cryptography, Extensible Markup Language (XML), Pattern Matching, Parsing and Machine Learning. Machine Learning (ML) approach has been found to be profound for SQLIA mitigation, which is implemented through defensive coding approach. Machine Learning Approach requires a lot of data for efficient model training with capability for using several attack patterns. ML approach can be used to mitigate a very hard blind SQL injection attack. An experimental analysis was performed in Waikato Environment for Knowledge Analysis on Logistic Regression (LRN), Stochastic Gradient Descent (SDG), Sequential Minimal Optimization (SMO), Bayes Network (BNK), Instance Based Learner (IBK), Multilayer Perceptron (MLP), Naive Bayes (NBS), and J48. Hold-Out (70%) and 10-fold Cross Validation evaluation techniques were used to evaluate the performance of the supervised learning classification algorithms to choose the best algorithm. The results of Cross Validation technique showed that SMO, IBK and J48 had Accuracy of 99.982%, 99.995% and 99.999% respectively; while Hold-Out technique showed that SMO, IBK and J48 had Accuracy of 99.986 %, 99.989 % and 100 respectively. On the other hand, in Cross Validation technique SMO, IBK and J48 had time to build model value of 10.15sec, 0.06sec, and 14.12sec respectively while in Hold-Out technique SMO, IBK and J48 had time to build model value of 9.71sec, 0.16sec and 14.28sec respectively. From the findings, IBK had the minimum time to build model in Cross Validation technique in addition to better performance in Accuracy, Sensitivity as well as Specificity and was chosen as the classifier for SQLIA detection and prevention. Therefore, beyond Accuracy, other performance evaluation metrics are critical for optimal algorithm selection for predictive analytics.
SEIR Modeling of the Italian Epidemic of SARS-CoV-2 Using Computational Swarm Intelligence

We applied a generalized SEIR epidemiological model to the recent SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in the world, with a focus on Italy and its Lombardy, Piedmont, and Veneto regions. We focused on the application of a stochastic approach in fitting the model parameters using a Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) solver, to improve the reliability of predictions in the medium term (30 days). We analyzed the official data and the predicted evolution of the epidemic in the Italian regions, and we compared the results with the data and predictions of Spain and South Korea. We linked the model equations to the changes in people’s mobility, with reference to Google’s COVID-19 Community Mobility Reports. We discussed the effectiveness of policies taken by different regions and countries and how they have an impact on past and future infection scenarios.
The Reinforcing Effects of Formal Control Enactment in Complex IT Projects

Complex IT projects pose particular challenges for the application of control, because of the dynamism and uncertainty involved. Prior studies suggest self-control can complement formal control within complex projects. However, how managers can enact controlee self-control remains an unsolved question. This paper proposes and investigates how enacted formal control unfolds during the course of an IT project and, in particular, how formal control enactment can promote or hinder controlee self-control. We demonstrate through case studies of a control in two wireless communication product development projects that an enabling control style can induce controlees to act to the benefit of both the controller and the controlee, while an authoritative control style encourages controlees’ self-interested behavior. We also show how controlees influence the enactment of control within complex projects and demonstrate the reinforcing effects of the controller’s enactment and controlee response on project outcomes. For practice, this research identifies preconditions necessary for inducing controlee self-control.
Oceanic Anglerfishes: Extraordinary Diversity in the Deep Sea

No environment on Earth imposes greater physical and biological constraints on life than the deep oceanic midwaters. Near-freezing temperatures, the absence of sunlight, enormous pressure, and a low food supply make habitation by any living thing almost inconceivable. Yet, 160 species of anglerfishes are found there in surprising profusion. Monstrous in appearance, anglerfishes possess a host of unique and spectacular morphological, behavioral, and physiological innovations. In this fully illustrated book, the first to focus on these intriguing fish, Theodore W. Pietsch delivers a comprehensive summary of all that is known about anglerfishes - morphology, diversity, evolution, geographic distribution, bioluminescence, and reproduction.
Short-Term Effects of Flupentixol-Melitracen on Regional Brain Function in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome: An fMRI Study

Background: The efficacy of the treatment for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with the combination of anxiolytic/antidepressant has been confirmed by clinical studies, but the central mechanism is unclear. Objectives: To investigate the effects of flupentixol-melitracen, a mixture of tricyclic antidepressant and a classical antipsychotic component, on resting-state brain function in IBS patients by using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Patients and Methods: Thirty-two patients with IBS were randomly divided into an observation group (OG, n = 16) and control group (CG, n = 16). All patients in both groups were given spasmolytic agent (pinaverium bromide). For the OG group, flupentixol-melitracen was added. FMRI scans were performed in all patients before and four weeks after the therapy. The scores of gastrointestinal symptom rating scale (GSRS), Hamilton depression scale (HAMD-17) and anxiety scale (HAMA-14) were evaluated at the same time. FMRI regional homogeneity (ReHo) parameters were compared between the two groups before and after treatment using a 2 (therapy) × 2 (time) mixed model analysis of variance (ANOVA) statistical method, and were correlated with the changes of GSRS, HAMD and HAMA scores in the two groups. Results: The fMRI results of the mixed-model analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and post analyses were as follows. When the therapeutic factor was the main effect, ReHo was increased in the left superior and middle occipital gyrus, and the left parietal gyrus, and decreased in the left thalamus and the lenticular nucleus in both groups after treatment when compared to the unmedicated state. In addition, the OG group showed decreased ReHo in the left superior temporal gyrus, the right lenticular-putamen nucleus, the right inferior frontal gyrus, the right insula, the right gyrus rectus and subcallosal gyrus. The CG group showed increased ReHo in the right angular gyrus. When the interaction between therapy and time was the main effect, the brain region with different ReHo values was in the left precuneus. In the OG group, the change of ReHo in the left precuneus was negatively correlated with the decrease of HAMD and HAMA scores. Conclusion: Flupentixol-melitracen can effectively improve anxiety, depression and gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with IBS, which may be related to the reversal of abnormal neural activity in the brain regions within the default network and the prefrontal-limbic-temporal emotional circuit in IBS patients.
Trust and Saving in Financial Institutions

We randomly assigned beneficiaries of a conditional cash transfer program in Peru to attend a 3 hour training session designed to build their trust in financial institutions. We find that the intervention: (a) significantly increased trust in banks, but had no effect on financial literacy; (b) significantly increased savings over a ten month period, and (c) had no effect of the use of accounts for transactions. The increase in savings is a 1.6 percentage point increase in the savings rate out of the cash transfer depostis, and a 0.5 percentage point increase in the savings rate out of household income.
Predictors of postoperative prolonged mechanical ventilation after left ventricular assist device surgery

Aim: Prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) after cardiovascular surgeries is associated with morbidity and mortality. The aim of the study was to determine the risk factors for postoperative PMV (PPMV) after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) surgery. Material and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients who underwent LVAD surgery between 2011 and 2016. Prolonged mechanical ventilation was defined as postoperative tracheal extubation 24 hours after the patient is admitted to the ICU. Patients were divided into two groups whether they were extubated within 24 hours of surgery or extubated after 24 hours following surgery. Results: During the study period, a total of fifty-seven patients were admitted to ICU. Fifty-seven patients’ data were screened. The mean age of the 57 patients enrolled was 44.6 ± 16.1 years. Of them, 82% were male, and 54 (95%) patients had dilated cardiomyopathy diagnosis. A total of 26 (46%) patients required PPMV. The two groups were similar in terms of demographics, duration of surgery, postoperative LVAD flow rates, presence of preoperative MV, infections, and circulatory support devices (p > 0.05). Patients who required PPMV underwent more revision surgeries [14 (54%) vs. 2 (7%), p < 0.001] and had higher incidences of acute kidney injury (AKI) on the first day after the surgery [13 (50%) vs. 4 (13%), p = 0.003] compared with those who did not require PPMV. Furthermore, the patients who required PPMV also required more renal replacement therapies postoperatively [12 (46%) vs. 5 (16%), p = 0.02] and had longer intensive care unit stay (30.1±25.2 days vs. 14.0 ±11.4 days, p = 0.002) and had higher hospital mortality (58% vs. 35%, p = 0.043) and 30-day mortality (38% vs. 16%, p = 0.042) than those who did not require PPMV. Logistic regression analysis revealed postoperative AKI as an independent risk factor for PPMV (OR = 0.223, 95% CI 0.067–0.743, p = 0.015). Conclusion: Our results revealed that almost half of the patients who underwent LVAD surgery required PPMV. AKI on the first day following surgery is an independent risk factor for PPMV.
Climatic patterns over the European Alps during the LGM derived from inversion of the paleo-ice extent

Abstract Quaternary climate has been dominated by alternating glacial and interglacial periods. While the timing and extent of past ice caps are well documented, local variations in temperature and precipitation as a response to cyclic glaciations are not resolved. Resolving these issues is necessary for understanding regional and global climate circulation. In particular, the impact of the cold high-pressure zone above the Fennoscandian ice cap on the position of the jet stream in Europe, and a possible change in the direction and the source of moisture flow are still debated. Here we reconstruct climate conditions that led to the observed ice extent in the European Alps during the last glacial maximum (LGM). Using a new inverse method to reconstruct the spatially variable position of the equilibrium line altitude (ELA), we investigate whether the Alpine LGM ice cap dominantly received precipitation in the south due to a strong southward shift of the westerlies in midlatitudes. We report inversion results that enable us to estimate the role of climate, inversion method parameters, ice dynamics, flexure and topography in modulating the inferred equilibrium line altitude. Our main finding is the increase of the position of the ELA from west to east and from north to south of the mountain range, which suggest dominant moisture delivery over the Alps during the LGM relatively similar to today.
Epizootic caused by β-Haemoltytic Streptococcus Species in Cultured Freshwater Fish (魚病に関する国際セミナ-)

Streptococcal infections have been frequently observed in cultured freshwater fish, tilapia (Tilapia nilotica), rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) and ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis) at farms in various districts of Japan. The causative agents isolated from diseased tilapia, rainbow trout and ayu had the same morphological as well as biochemical characteristics. All the strains were also serological homogeneous. These strains were found to be pathogenic to freshwater fish after intraperitoneal injection. The autoclaved and hot-HCl treated cells did not react with any of the group specific sera used: Lancefield A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, K, L, M, N, O and MG. This organism was not identical to any strains of Streptcoccus previously reported.
Quality and aroma characteristics of honey peach wines as influenced by different maturity

ABSTRACT Nowadays, consumers demand honey peach wines with a certain amount of bioactive ingredients, typical color, soft tannins, and fruit scents, but these wines can only be obtained from honey peaches with the optimal maturity. The goal of this study was to determine the differences between quality indexes and aroma characteristics of honey peach wines produced from different mature fruits. Honey peaches at harvest were divided according to maturity into four groups to investigate the physicochemical properties, bioactive ingredients, color, transmittance, volatile flavor component, and sensory acceptability of four groups of wine samples. The results showed that the higher the maturity of the honey peaches, the higher the color intensity, tannin content, and ester content, the lower the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid contents (TFC), and transmittance of wines. When the maturity of honey peaches increased, the balance between the flavor and mouthfeel sensation was improved, whereas the unpleasant taste of wine occurred because of some spoilage acid produced by excessive-ripened honey peaches. In conclusion, the optimal harvest period of honey peaches to produce honey peach wines was between 90% and100% maturity stage. These results suggest that honey peaches maturity may influence the final wine composition and quality, and should be considered at harvest.
Sepse: avaliação da qualidade do atendimento em setor de urgência e emergência / Sepsis: assessment of healthcare quality in an urgency and emergency unit

Introduction: Sepsis is a serious condition caused by unregulated immune response to an infection and is considered one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Objective: To assess the quality of care provided to septic patients in the emergency unit of a university hospital, according to the guidelines provided by the Surviving Sepsis Campaign. Methods: Longitudinal study conducted with septic patients in an emergency unit. Data were collected from sepsis notifications and medical records. The statistical analysis was performed by measures of central tendency and binary logistic regression. Results: We assessed 139 patients from the Surviving Sepsis Campaign perspective. The adequacy of the behaviors related to the performance of exams reached 64.2% for lactate, and 55.3% for blood cultures. In the first hour, 49.6% of the patients had received antimicrobial therapy. There was no compliance with the treatment for hypotension and hyperlactatemia in 69.8% of cases. Mortality reached 61.2% of the cases, and the associated risk factors were: multiple organ dysfunctions; high APACHE II and SOFA scores; hyperlactatemia; and mechanical ventilation. Conclusion: Care provided to patients with sepsis in the emergency unit followed most Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines; however, it is possible to increase compliance with the recommendations, thus resulting in better prognoses.